Desi Police Story

Restarting my blog with this post after a three-year gap. -_-
This incident happened to me today, while I had to hurry to an ATM and parked my car along with many other vehicles. After withdrawing money, I came out to find a traffic cop(henceforth referred to as Maamu) waiting for me. The following conversation then took place, after which I decided to double- and triple-check while parking next time.


Maamu: Saar licenseu documentsu torsi.(Sir, show your licence and documents.)

Me: Yaake yenaithu?(Why? what happened?)

Maamu: Saar raang parking.

Me: Yellide 'no parking' board? Bere jana nilsidaare alva?(Where's the 'no parking' board? Haven't other people parked here, too?)

Maamu: Adella nimge gottirbeku. Fine yeshtu kaTteera?(You need to know all that. How much fine will you pay now?)(There was not a single 'No Parking' board anywhere nearby. I have learned never to argue with a traffic cop. Never. I found out later that there is some unwritten rule about parking on one side on alternate days.)

Me: Sari yeshtu kodli?(Ok how much should I pay?)

Maamu: Too hundrad kodi, bidtini. Illa andre challan haakthni. Sumne kashta aagatte nimge.(Give two hundred. Else I'll have to give you a challan. You'll be in trouble.)(I need to pay Rs.200 bribe for an apparent violation that attracts a fine of Rs.100? WTF??)

Me: yenu bekaagilla, challan haaki. Naanu huchcha alla nimge bribe kodakke.(No need, give me the challan. I'm not mad to give you bribe.)

The word 'bribe' silenced him. He gave me a receipt for the fine paid, and hurried away to find another victim. 〄