The autorickshaw drivers in my area went on strike!
This article says, “Commuters were left in the lurch as autorickshaw drivers went on a two-day strike from September 1 demanding a hike in fare and route enhancement.” Although it was mainly in Noida, my taxi driver said it extended up into my neighborhood as well.
There are no words for how much it would suck to not have an auto when you need one. (I experience panic if more than three minutes goes by without an empty auto passing.) Very glad I was not one of those, like the people mentioned in the article, who were in desperate need to get to work, etc. At least one person on our team was late over it (and said the few autos passing were charging exorbitantly of course.) Happy I decided to keep my taxi for now.
It occurred to me that such of thing might have confused tourists… except, there aren’t really tourists in Noida. The few attractions, if that, are along the metro. (Come to Noida and check out our… fine cinemas, malls, and office buildings. And a minimum of four, count ’em, Halidram’s locations!)
Two weeks ago was a festival in India called Raksha Bandhan. Meaning “bond of protection”, it is a day where sisters buy these special bracelets (that are suddenly on sale everywhere) and tie them around their brother’s (or other male family member like cousin’s) wrist. The brother promises to always protect the sister. And then it is traditional for him to gift her a sum of money.
I saw lots of telltale bracelets (and empty pockets, ha) of some of the fellows I knew this last week.