Being asked to report at the Consulate half an hour ahead of the appointment time , I reached there at sharp one o’clock. There was a big Queue outside the consulate and had to stand in the scorching Madras heat for about half an hour before I could find myself in front of the huge gate. I was asked by the guard in front of the gate if I carried any electronic devices . I remembered the Mobile phone which had slipped into my handbag. He asked me to deposit it somewhere outside before I was allowed in. I enquired if there was any place where I could deposit it. He pointed to a policeman standing outside. I rushed to him worried if I will have to stand at the end of the queue. Though slightly hesitant he agreed to keep the phone and said that he would be there in front of the consulate till 8 at night .I thanked him wholeheartedly and rushed to the Gate.
After the procedures and formalities in the consulate it was almost 4’o clock by the time I could find my way out. On reaching outside the gate I searched for the policeman to whom I had given my phone. I located him standing some hundred meters away. I went near him to ask for the mobile phone. He took it out from a cover and said that I had to pay him hundred rupees for having kept it safe. Though the sense of justice inside me revolted against paying him , having received a favor I had to pay him .
Back in the office, I came to know from my friends that this has been happening with many and is not an isolated incident .
[ From my archives: The incident happened in Nov,2007 ]
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