Horn NOT okay please.

My early memory of trucks is that of Ashok Leyland and Tata. Gaudily coloured, dusty and rusty they came with intricate floral patterns ( the Lotus being most common )or with images of gods and goddesses and other motifs. Golden, silver, black and red shiny shimmering stringy decoration often hanged from various parts of the trucks body. However what was most interesting was what was written behind the trucks usually over or below the number-plate. Theses lines ranged from a word of praise for India or a common saying or some poetry or shayari or even some philosophical thought and words of wisdom. However the one that was ubiquitous with all trucks was the HORN PLEASE sign with OKAY squeezed somewhere in between. I don’t remember seeing a truck without this sign.

What prompted this truck-drive down the memory lane is a small initiative started by my Mama( as in Uncle) in Pune, to create an awareness about the unpleasantness and redundancy of honking, besides of course it adding to the noise pollution. He has designed stickers which simply say HORN NOT OKAY PLEASE, which one can stick behind the vehicle. However his purpose is not just to urge people to stick these stickers , but more importantly to convince the driver of the idea. A honking vehicle with a sticker reflecting views otherwise is a shame! In times where the function of indicators in our vehicles is yet to be discovered or is conveniently forgotten and though we use different body parts to indicate where we intend to take our vehicle, we continue to strongly believe that honking will rescue us miraculously from any and all situations on the road. In fact honking has become a favourite pastime of most drivers in our country who proudly honk at all times, even at rhythmic intervals and sometimes to keep themselves awake and occupied! Anyway, I don’t want to elaborate on the harmful effects of honking. My readers are wise. I appeal you to give it serious thought and help us in having a quieter city.