Baksheesh at the Intersection

Hyderabad, Friday 10th October 2008

Today I got a sample of how baksheesh works in India. For around 750 rupees (AU$25 dollars), plus petrol costs, you can hire a car and driver for the whole day. Venu had arranged for a driver to ferry us around Hyderabad as we went shopping. Although there is an apparent lack of road rules in India, there are intersections where traffic light signals should be observed. Our driver tried a last minute beat the red manoeuvre which didn't come off, leaving us stuck in the middle of a massive intersection blocking the traffic attempting to pass though on our left. One infuriated driver whop we blocked flew into road rage mode. The got out of his vehicle and approached ours. As our driver would down his window to discuss the matter the enraged chap feigned a punch through window. Police witness the incident and intervened. Our driver tried to talk his way out of it, but to no avail. The policeman confiscated his license on the spot (we are still sitting in the middle of the intersection and around a minute has gone by). Eventually we make it through to the other side and pull over. Venu and the driver tell me to wait while they go back to attempt to retrieve the licence. After an animated discussion with officer, 50 rupees exchange hands and the license is returned.