Dear Reader, buckle up, because what you’re about to read is unprecedented stuff.
In the past, it will pain you to read, accusations have been hurled at your columnist. Always depressing, the cognoscenti have sneered in his direction. Never has a positive word to say about anything, the knowledgeable have been heard to mention.
What’s the opposite of a ray of sunshine, they’ve sniggered when talking about yours truly.
Well, take heart from what follows, Dear Reader, and throw today’s column in their direction, should you wish to defend the undersigned. Because today’s column is nothing short of giddy happiness, and then some. Allow me, in what follows, to explain why my cup of joy runneth o’er so.
Just a couple of days ago, in fact on the very first day of this year, I and the missus were out and about in Aundh. This was early in the evening, which is when both she and I finally felt capable of braving the outside world. The excesses of the previous night had been, you see, rather excessive.
But as I was saying, by early evening we were both convinced that the world was not, in fact, going to end, and so we stepped out for a bit.
And it was during this recuperative sojourn that we chanced upon the most wonderful thing: a bicycle stand, from where one (anyone!) could rent bicycles. Pedl.in is the name of the venture that has decided to offer this wonderful service, wherein one can rent bicycles and ride around to your heart’s content. All you need is a smartphone and a bank account of some specific sort, and you’re good to go. Follow the drop-dead simple instructions written on an obliging billboard, and pedal away.
These little cycle stations are present at multiple locations in Aundh, and you can pick up a cycle at one of them, and drop them off at any one of the stations.
They can be locked in the interim, if you wish to stop for a spot of shopping, say, and they are – and I say this unreservedly – an absolutely great way to get around.
The best part, and this will warm the hearts of every tight-fisted Punekar, is that they charge a positively absurd 1 rupee for every half hour.
Yes, you read that right, just the one, single rupee for every thirty minutes.
The cycles are comfortable, low slung enough to suit everybody, and they even come with a little basket up front, which is rather convenient to keep your shopping in.
Not a single thing to gripe about in this case.
Which is, as I was saying at the start of this column, unprecedented stuff for me. I revel in being a sarcastic little so-and-so, and I’ll be the first one to admit it, but in this one instance, I doff my hat to everybody involved in this little scheme. Absolutely brilliant. I hope this spreads to all parts of Pune, and that right soon.
Now, for those of you who are wondering if the rest of 2018 is also going to be Sooraj Barjatya themed, worry not. There remains much to moan about, and normal service should resume next week onwards.
But for now: well played, Pune, well played.
He doesn't expect the paradox to be resolved in his lifetime
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