Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Things one must know while riding a two-wheeler in Bangalore

Do you get caught by the Bangalore’s traffic cops quite often? Then following are some important things you might not be aware of:
  • The Traffic Police cannot stop a motorist just to examine the driving licence or vehicle documents. He can stop the motorist only if he/she has violated any traffic laws or if he/she is driving drunk.
  • When caught for traffic violation, the fine you pay must be limited to the violation. In other words, the police can't bloat the bill saying that you have no insurance cover or emission certificate, etc.
  • According to the State's Road Transportation Act, no policeman can slap a penalty on you just because you have no insurance or emission certificate. If you have not purchased insurance cover for your vehicle, then the police officer must issue a notice, not impose penalty. You must be given 15 days' time to purchase insurance cover and one week for obtaining the emission certificate. Days later, meet the sub-inspector at his station with the insurance cover or emission certificate, so that he will annul the charge at once. Police can fine you only if you fail to produce these documents within the stipulated period.
  • If your vehicle is brand new, then you need not bother about obtaining the emission certificate for one full year.
  • The best way to teach the police a lesson is filing a written complaint with their higher officials and, a week later, using the Right to Information Act (RTI) to know the action taken against them. Remember, any question or application filed under RTI cannot be ignored and no official is bold enough to ignore the RTI Act.

Some important links:
It’d be a good idea to keep the printouts of first two links always with you for the reference while riding. Happy riding!

Thursday, July 01, 2010

DOs and DON'Ts at Wonder La

INFO:
  • Wonder La is the largest and the safest Amusement park in India spanning over 82 acres of land, nearly 30 kms from Bangalore.
  • A must-visit place if u happen to be a Bangalorean or on a tour to Bangalore.
  • http://www.wonderla.com/
  • Timings: 11 am - 6 pm (Mon - Fri); 11 am - 7 pm (Sat-Sun & Holidays)
  • There're discounts for group bookings and for students.
  • Take your bike. It's always a pleasure zooming on the Bangalore-Mysore highway.
  • Direct bus from Majestic to Wonder La – Bus No. 226. Ideally, one should start from Majestic Bus Stand at 9:30 A.M.
DOs:
  • Take an aquaphobic with you, if possible. It'll be fun.
  • Always take a fattu with you (comes handy for taking photographs when you are enjoying rides).
  • Shout till your lungs come out. It's a good fright-reliever.
  • Carry these: towel, camera, plastic covers, extra pair of undergarments (preferably washed), swimming gear (at least a Lycra trunk).
  • Carry minimal ornaments/equipments/accessories.
  • Have a light breakfast.
  • Carry a case if you wear spectacles.
  • Put the footwear in lockers, if possible. They do get misplaced otherwise. There's hardly any honesty left in the world.
  • Finish dry rides before lunch and water rides post lunch.
  • Spend more time in the wave pool if you are with your girl.
  • Enjoy a shower once done with the water rides. You might not want to take the excessive chlorine on your body back home.
  • Visit Wonder La numerous times with great zeal.
DON'Ts:
  • Don't be late even for a minute (Opening time: 11am). Utilize the available time to its maximum.
  • Don't wear shoes. Go in floaters/chappals, preferably cheaper ones.
  • Don't carry unnecessary stuff. Consumes extra space in lockers.
  • Don't take eatables with you. Eatables are not allowed inside. The food at the cafeteria is pretty decent and damn cheaper than expected.
  • Don't dare heavy rides post lunch.
  • Don't miss even a single ride. You never know which one would be the most thrilling.
  • Don't underestimate any ride.
  • Don't wear an undy with holes.
  • Don't behave like Rajnikant if you think you are not a fattu.
  • Don't stare at a visually appealing chick for too long. There're many more around. Try to cover as many as possible.
Acknowledgments: This post is inspired (read copied) by this article.