I always land at Kolkata, where I generally make one trip each year, with tepid expectation. I am keen to observe the progress made by this city, which was until recently quite untouched by the economic revolution sweeping the rest of India. My first brush with organized corruption started at the pre-paid taxi counter (run by some union of the leftist government). My home is about 7 kms (4 miles) from the airport and hiring a pre-paid cab takes Rs. 105. The gentleman at the counter asked for my destination and called for someone to get me there. He instructed me, in English, to pay the person Rs. 130 when I get there. No receipt was given and no entry was made of the hire. On questioning I was told that no cab driver wants to take a short fare so I will have to wait (perpetually) if I don't avail of this "scheme". I had little option but to take what was on offer. During the journey I could have been waylaid, mugged or murdered and there would have been no evidence that I ever boarded a cab at the Dum Dum airport.
I'll wait for yet another year for things to change. For the better.
I'll wait for yet another year for things to change. For the better.
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