God’s own “countries”
Kerala, my native state, is a beautiful place, and certainly a top tourist destination in India (if not Asia). The phrase God’s own country, fits well with Kerala, but this post isn’t about that. This is about the “countries”, an Indian slang for uncouth elements in the society.
And what prompted me to write about these countries? A personal experience. A couple of those experiences actually. As is usually the case in India, such scum is usually associated with politics.
Let me cite the first one.
In a recent visit to Kerala, we decided to pick up a few pieces of furniture for my apartment. Dealing with labour in Kerala is always dicey, because they are backed by political groups and I had to pay a premium to load the furniture on the truck. But then what ensued later was even more appalling. I was told that the loader’s/coolie’s union in Kerala were unreasonable and would probably track down the truck on the way to my apartment. I didn’t understand why that should be a concern, after all it was up to me whether to employ their services or not.
But I was wrong. As a I reached my apartment complex, a couple of loaders in their uniform had reached the location and demanded that I use their services to unload the furniture. I retorted saying that I didn’t need their service and I have the driver, the watchman and my friends to help me with the task. Now what they said next p***ed me off. They said that I either used their services to unload the truck (and pay Rs. 500) or I do it myself without taking anybody else’s help or they won’t let me unload !!
That was the most absurd thing to say, though after a while I realised there was no point arguing with them unless I did something nasty and face the repurcussions. But I never employed their services, but also had to unload the furnitures myself.
Did I concede to their arrogance and insolence? Probably No. I’d rather unload hundred furnitures myself than pay those greedy rude loaders a paisa. But I felt nauseated by the experience, and felt helpless inspite of the fact that I’m a Malayalee and could argue in a language they understood.
I was also left wondering what a tourist might face at the airports or railway stations, and how these “countries” could hijack an otherwise pleasant experience in God’s own country.
Tags: Kerala
