Kolkata Traffic Gyan

Kolkata traffic is abundant with catchy phrases both in written and verbal forms. The rear of the trucks and the ubiquitous autos are especially generous in this regard. Starting from patriotic mera bharat mahan and aggressive buri nazar wale tera mu kala, dekhbi ar jolbi luchir moto fulbi it ranges to more philosophical ones like buri nazar wale tera bhi bhala ho; sukh sapane, shanti smasane. It is because they so frequently reminds everyone to blow horn that the drivers never stop honking. The ‘blow’ and ‘horn’ are often separated by a long gap. Second thought. Do they actually mean to ‘blow’ something else? I saw a truck speeding in the wrong lane gleefully sporting follow traffic rools. I wonder if the similarity of the wrong spelling with ‘fools’ is just a coincidence. The old tiner bus is still declaring panch o dosh takar khuchra hoibe na while the minimum fare has now gone up to five rupees. However, the one I found really unique could be the best example of what ‘out of place’ means. The north side Sealdah local compartment had a notice formally painted at its entrance urging you to observe silence.