Strangers.Those who help,those who ask for help,those who are reserved and those who think we know them since ages.Though most of these are ‘encounters’ are uneventful,some of them are really worth the ‘effort’.

On my last trip to Hyderabad,the day after the Mumbai Mayhem on 26/11,I met with one such enthu guy,the autowalla.Within minutes of getting into his auto and few glances later,he started proposing his theory on ‘why & how’ of the terror attacks.As someone watching and reading the english media (and so acceptedly one sided) I was amazed at his insight into the problem of terrorism plaguing our country.I was left as an innocent bystander when his discussions started to include other autowalla’s during traffic stops.If only our leaders could sense his scorn and disgust…and give a hearing to his choice of expletives,they would take action.At the destination ,he wished me a safe journey and refused my tip for a cup of chai,saying “Saab,aap bahut acche sunte hain” as if I was given a chance to speak!

The photographer who ‘advised’ me to wear a Suit jacket(yep they do have spare ties,suit jackets et al) sensing that my photograph was for professional reasons.Couldn’t thank him more.Saved me 5000 bucks.Imagine for 35 bucks not only do you get a set of 16 passport photographs,a soft copy of the photo,a jacket but also a crash course on Adobe Photoshop after my seemingly lame question on the software being used for digital touchups.

Amazing people!