The Hindu Business Line : Murky for the world, sunny for me

AUGUST 1 was a murky Monday morning with the skies threatening to once again inundate Mumbai, even before the citizens had recovered from the severe battering they were subjected to the previous week — floods, power shutdowns, traffic snarls and dry taps.

Many were only too eager and willing to respect the alert issued by the Government over the weekend and stayed home in the warm company of the family, sipping tea or coffee, our administration guy Gowrishankar included.

I have a different story to tell. For me, this Mondayturned out to be full of unexpected pleasant experiences, virtually, a warm and sunny day.

Setting off from home for work before 9 a.m., I headed first for the Regional Passport Office at Worli, without hassles; and at 9.30 a.m. when I reached, there already were over a dozen in queue.

By 10, when the gates opened, there was hardly anyone at the Passport office, save a peon and a couple of staff members. To my shock, I discovered that applicants for Tatkal service had to first register online. With little hope of being able to file my application the same day, I tried my luck for a meeting with the Regional Passport Officer.

Soon my day brightened. A fine young officer of Indian Foreign Service Hemant H. Kotalwar, Regional Passport Officer in Mumbai, looked at my papers and gave written instructions that a new passport under Tatkal scheme be issued to me on August 5.

Offering me a cup of tea, he was courtesy personified and spoke highly about The Hindu group of publications. He even apologised for the absence of his staff members due to inclement weather and suggested I submit the application at window number 25, which was manned. Even while in queue, there was a bright moment. After gathering that this writer was from Business Line, a retired investment-banker R. Sankaran struck conversation. He gushed about the quality of the paper's coverage, especially of stock market and banking. He enquired specifically about Devarajan (well... who in the banking circles does not know our Deva?).

By then, some more officials had come in to man the various counters. To my surprise, I found the lady who received my papers was friendly and helpful. When I exited the Passport office the only thought that crossed my mind was that the day could not have begun better. But, there was more. Rains continued unabated and there was real possibility of roads flooding. Going around in Kurup's car till Chembur to survey the scene, Shyam phoned me to inform that the roads were clear and even the usual problem spots such as Parel and Kings Circle were not waterlogged.

Meanwhile, my good friend Jayant Lapsia, a Kutchi by birth but Tamilian by heart and habit, sent me a couple of text messages. He says, "We must thank the Government because although they could not convert Mumbai into another Shanghai, they have allowed the city to become Venice."

Jayant sent another poser. Is the 26th day of any month jinxed? January 26 (2002) was Kutch earthquake, February 26 (2003) was Godhra incident, June 26 this year Gujarat floods, July 26 Mumbai floods and December 26, 2004, was tsunami. When is the next 26 and what's in store? Thanks to Shyam who encouraged me with his positive report on the motorability of roads on the eastern corridor, I ventured to drive back home and reached in less than 40 minutes (no traffic, no water logging) versus the usual one-hour; and straight away opened my computer to write this piece with a hot cup of coffee in hand. The day could not have been better.

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Murky for the world, sunny for me