Light that shines bright

The rain was unexpected, and so was the sight. The crossover from Mohali to Chandigarh often presents a sense of surreal change — discipline on roads, cleanliness and a certain kind of unenforced order that is difficult to put into words. Last week brought out the stark contrast in all its glory.

There, in the pouring rain, were two men and a young lady patiently waiting on their motorcycles and scooter for the light to turn green. None of them was wearing a rain coat, but not once through the waiting period of a minute did any of them give a hint of jumping the red light. And there were no cameras on this particular stretch, mind you!

It was heart-breaking to see them getting drenched and heartening to see citizenry of the highest order. People make a city for what it is, they lend it character, like these three did! When will the rest of us learn?

Salil Mehta, Mohali