It’s for nothing that it is called donkey
During 1980s, we shifted to our own apartment in Konkanbhuvan node of the then New Bombay, a satellite township being established to ease congestion in Bombay city. The node is on the Mumbai-Pune highway with very busy and non-stop traffic. Initially for a couple of years we had to depend on public transport operated by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) of Maharashtra, the nodal Agency with the entire responsibility of bringing development in the New Bombay region. We used to travel to Vashi, the first node of new Bombay to catch our Office transport.
During those days, for any silly reason or even without one, CIDCO transport used to go on flash strike. Many a time, CIDCO buses used to get stuck simply because the driver or conductor was taking forty winks or the controller did not give timely flag out to the driver. As a result, we used to be subjected to hardship. To reach Vashi we were dependent on private vehicles.
One day, as was the usual practice, CIDCO transport went on predictable flash strike. We rushed on to the main highway and started hitchhiking any available motor vehicles. One Tempo driver gave us lift up to Turbe, a place midway between Konkanbhuvan and Vashi. We got down at Turbhe and started walking towards Vashi. There was heavy traffic and we were carefully negotiating to reach our destination safely.
In the opposite lane a car was speeding towards Pune. Suddenly to our horror, we saw a donkey sprang up and started walking leisurely to the opposite side. The car dashed headlong against the poor creature. We closed our eyes fearing the ghastly sight awaiting us. The car came to a screeching halt. We slowly opened our eyes and saw the beast was thrown away by about 10 to 15 feet and was lying completely immobile on the road. We feared worst. After a couple of minutes, the donkey stirred and with a jump, stood on its feet, brayed for sometime and coolly walked away to the other side of the road as if nothing happened.
We looked at the car, which caused the accident. To our surprise, we saw its headlights broken, radiator leaking and the front bumper twisted completely out of shape. What is more, the car could not be started. Imagine the expression on the face of the driver! From a state of shock and bewilderment, it turned into anger and frustration. He hurled the choicest abuses at the quadruped in question and started looking for help.
We walked away from the scene and understood why it’s called donkey.
During 1980s, we shifted to our own apartment in Konkanbhuvan node of the then New Bombay, a satellite township being established to ease congestion in Bombay city. The node is on the Mumbai-Pune highway with very busy and non-stop traffic. Initially for a couple of years we had to depend on public transport operated by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) of Maharashtra, the nodal Agency with the entire responsibility of bringing development in the New Bombay region. We used to travel to Vashi, the first node of new Bombay to catch our Office transport.
During those days, for any silly reason or even without one, CIDCO transport used to go on flash strike. Many a time, CIDCO buses used to get stuck simply because the driver or conductor was taking forty winks or the controller did not give timely flag out to the driver. As a result, we used to be subjected to hardship. To reach Vashi we were dependent on private vehicles.
One day, as was the usual practice, CIDCO transport went on predictable flash strike. We rushed on to the main highway and started hitchhiking any available motor vehicles. One Tempo driver gave us lift up to Turbe, a place midway between Konkanbhuvan and Vashi. We got down at Turbhe and started walking towards Vashi. There was heavy traffic and we were carefully negotiating to reach our destination safely.
In the opposite lane a car was speeding towards Pune. Suddenly to our horror, we saw a donkey sprang up and started walking leisurely to the opposite side. The car dashed headlong against the poor creature. We closed our eyes fearing the ghastly sight awaiting us. The car came to a screeching halt. We slowly opened our eyes and saw the beast was thrown away by about 10 to 15 feet and was lying completely immobile on the road. We feared worst. After a couple of minutes, the donkey stirred and with a jump, stood on its feet, brayed for sometime and coolly walked away to the other side of the road as if nothing happened.
We looked at the car, which caused the accident. To our surprise, we saw its headlights broken, radiator leaking and the front bumper twisted completely out of shape. What is more, the car could not be started. Imagine the expression on the face of the driver! From a state of shock and bewilderment, it turned into anger and frustration. He hurled the choicest abuses at the quadruped in question and started looking for help.
We walked away from the scene and understood why it’s called donkey.
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