India loves wordplay, especially rhyme.
We first met this is Delhi, when we would frequently be talked to in some form of rhyming limerick or couplet (“Don’t worry, Chicken Curry, we are in no hurry!”) The theme only continues as you go north. Most of the roads throughout the Himalaya region are really quite dangerous: narrow dirt tracks that lurch blindly around steep, sheer mountain sides. Now, pair this with the famously reckless, and speedy, Indian driving and you have a recipe for disaster. So the BRO’s of India have kindly put up road signs for the locals (all in looping English calligraphy, I’d like to add) as reminders to be careful. Here are some of my favourites:
Control Your Nerves on Curves!
Speed Thrills But Kills
Peep Peep Don’t Sleep
He Who Touches Ninety Flies To Die Nineteen
Drive On Horse Power, Not On Rum Power
Heaven Or Hell Or Mother Earth, Your Choice
Do Not Dare, Drive With Care
Love Thy Neighbour, But Not While Driving
Be Mr Late Better Than Late Mr
After Drinking Whiskey Driving Is Risky
Darling, Do Not Nag Me, As I Am Driving,
Instead Turn Your Head and
Enjoy The Nature Charming
No Race No Rally Enjoy The Beauty of The Valley
Be Gentle On My Curves
Safety On Road Is Safe Tea At Home
and possibly my favourite, the rather enigmatic:
Thanks
Oh, India. Only you could have signs for those travelling at speed that are lengthy, complicated, written in a foreign language and in calligraphy. Just fantastic.
sortiesortie 