VIPs in India

Recently I was in USAand was in Washington and also travelled to New York. It is always my nature to watch what is there unique and how it differs from India. In what way?

Of course the cleanliness and neat roads, cars following line discipline and absence of police men in every street corner directing traffic, I found one of the most important things the absence of visible VIPs. Except in New York, where United Nations is situated, where heads of States visit and travel along the streets regularly, I never heard a siren or red light mounted vehicle anywhere. Even in Washington DC where the President resides and where all powerful men criss cross the streets every day, I did not see a single police men directing any one or a car with siren going or red light flashing VIP travel. Heard only when President goes they go in convoy that too a part of the street is blocked from one corner to another corner. I just was wondering the way they do things. I was wondering where are all the VIPs?

In India what is a VIP? We say all those ex president, exministers, ex CMs, ex PMS and of course all ex bureaucrats. In other words all consider them self and become VIP. When Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister we started seeing long line of white Ambassador cars linign up behind his vehicle and all started buying White Ambassadors, at one ti the car manufacturer had a long wait list. Then the red light culture came and all started using Red revolving lights on the top of their car,whether it is lighted or not, open or covered, just to tell the road users and some innocent over worked policemen that the occupant is a VIP.In spite of various strictures passed by courts we continue to see so many red light mounted cars in the road, every day. Recently I saw news that Government contemplating bringing rules allowing all MPs to sport red light over their cars.

In Tamil there is pun for this word VIP, வேலை இல்லாத பயல். (Velai Illada Payal). That means a man without any work. We know most of us are in this category only. VIP

So when i came back to India i was just thinking. From the time I enter the airport , i saw the VIP. Some one with safari suit comes. immediately he is whisked away his passport stamped and some one carries his luggage. Except this man also wait for his checked baggage. I asked who he is. some one said he is a VIP.

So I came out and saw a car parked in a no parking zone and asked they said it is a VIP car. So I thought. OH. In India, who ever does all those not permitted for general public is a VIP.

The you go to and function, you get VIP Pass. You get VIP lounge.

Recently one of my friends said he wants to take his wife for treatment for some illness to Singapore. I asked why not in Chennai? He asked why Rajnikanth went to Mount Elizebeth, Singapore for treatment. There in Singapore, no VIP treatment to any one however mighty he may be. Once you book your appointment with doctor it goes like that on time with no interference from VIP visitors or no VIP treatment.

Even for cleaning your street of rubbish or filling potholes in roads either you should be a VIP or a VIP should reside in the street.

When we learn or try to learn some thing from west and ape every thing western, is it not prudent to follow the western VIP culture too?

The last I heard was there is a proposal to open a VIP Jail. Already in Bangalore. I heard there is jail with air conditioned cell, where EX CM was kept ( Taking rest, i feel). Now the investigation into 2G scam ceates more and more VIP under trials, I am sure more and more VIP jails will come up

Do we need these VIPS?