My encounter with Mr. Atole!!!

“Appu, why don’t you lodge a complaint at the police helpline?. Its already 11.15”

 My mother asked me, covering her ears with both of her hands, unable to bear the annoying noise of the loud speakers playing hard rock marathi folk numbers and peppy hindi songs at their highest volume. It was a Thursday, and not a weekend and we all had to get up early next day. Dad had already gone to bed and was struggling hard to sleep. There was some occasion going on at the society behind my complex and it all started 6hrs back at around 5pm. This at times get on to your nerves leaving you with the feeling of frustration and helplessness.

It feels bad to see people behave so irresponsibly, without any basic civic sense and social etiquette. Especially when people celebrate any festival or occasion, without even thinking about the people who are affected by their activities.

“Good evening… mee hawaldar Atole boltoy…how can I help u?”

I was shocked at the warm greetings by Mr. Atole. For a while, I felt like speaking to a private telecom customer care and not a police helpline ! I always had this stereotype negative impression about the police officers and police helpline. I also have some very unbelievable and atrocious experiences with the police department. Also, they are portrayed in a funny and negative manner in most of the movies.

“Good evening sir, I am Akshay Varma. From Lokvatika.”

 “Bolo sir, kya baat hai?”

“Sir, yahan pe koi bohot zor se loud speaker play kar raha hai. Aap zara akar kuch dekhenge” I asked.

“Acha? Koi baat nahi main abhie gaadi bhej deta hun! Lokvatika na?”

“No-no!” I exclaimed. “its some where behind our complex” I specified.

“ koi baat nahi sir, hum abhie gaadi bhejdenge. aap befikar hokar rahiye.” he assured.

After the call I felt really good for the kind of response and treatment I received from the police helpline.

Time went ahead. It was almost 11.45. Half an hour since I spoke to the gentleman officer. I was so pleased by his gesture and assurance that I waited for 5 more minutes wondering if I should try calling the number once again.

I dialed 100 and Mr.Atole was on air once again.

“Good evening… mee hawaldar Atole …how can I help u?”

“Sir, this is Akshay again. Aap loud speakers band karvane wale they… abhi bhi who chal raha hain!!!” I said, adding some more anguish to my voice.

“acha? Abhi tak band nahi hua na? kidhar bole they aap? Lokvatika?” asked Mr. Atole  wondering in 'how can that happen' tone.

“ no sir, I told you its some where behind lokvatika and you can hear the noise far and loud...”  I was all exhausted by the time!

“ acha? Koi baat nahi. Hum abhi aate hain. Aap tab tak ek kaam kyun nahi karte?”

“kya?” I asked out of curiosity... And what i got was the most ridiculous reply that any police officer would have ever given...!!!

“ aap jayiye unke paas aur kahiye ki jald se jald loud speakers band karo nahi to hum court mein case karenge”  advised Atole. (WTF!!!!). Thank god he didn't ask me to pray rather!!!

“okay thank you so very much for your help sir!!! I never knew if I will have to go to a court for stopping public nuisance!!! What are you people there for then? and what the hell is this helpline number for”

 I was at my highest tolerance level.

That moment i spoke even without thinking if the person listening to me was a police officer! A bunch of abusive words in all the languages I know was about to jump out of my mouth. I, some how managed to eat those beautiful words and said,

“thank you once again Mr.Atole. I am glad that you people are there 24/7 to help us!!! I am really pleased by your gesture and surprised by your art of dealing with the problems” I said sarcastically without any fear.

“Hello… hello” said he, and Mr.Atole had released the call by the time i realized i was speaking to myself!!!
I never knew if the receiver can disconnect the call. But, from this incident I got to knw that,this facility is exclusively provided to POLICE HELPLINE… and i had no other option but, to wait for the mercy of those people ... they were kind to me after 1am!