My conversation with a puncture mechanic in a truck terminal. (read the English translation instead)
Me: Iska puncture paani mein daal ke check nahin kar sakte kya?
Mechanic: Nahin, paani nahin hai.
Me: Kyon? Toh le aayo
Mechanic: Arre yahaan peene ke liye paani nahin milta, puncture kahaan se check karein
Me: Kyon?
Mechanic: Paani khareedna padta hai
Me: Kitne ka milta hai?
Mechanic: 10 rupye ka dabba aata hai?
Me: Kitna bada hota hai dabba? Utna bada? (pointing to a largish black can)
Mechanic: Nahin, woh 30 rupye ka hota hai.
Me: Kahaan se khareedte ho?
Mechanic: Woh, wahaan, sandaas se
Me: Kya? (visibly shocked!)
Mechanic: Haan, haath-munh dhone ke liye wahin se paani milta hai
Me: Aur peene ke liye? Woh bhi khareedna padta hai?
Mechanic: Haan, magar woh yahaan se milta hai (pointing to what seemed like a government office in the middle of the truck terminal)
Me: Kitne ka?
Mechanic: Yeh chai-waala kucch hazaar rupye deta hai maheene ke. Agar isse chai loh to paane peene deta hai, nahin to mana kar deta hai.
The Wadala truck terminal is situated bang opposite IMAX & Bhakti Park - a well-off housing colony (where I stay), which receives 24hr water supply. I do not know how the housing society manages a 24 hr water supply, but now I know what the people right across the road have to go through.
Shocking!
[English translation]
Me: Can't you check the puncture by dipping the tube it in water?
Mechanic: No, I don't have water
Me: Why? Then get it
Mechanic: We don't get water to drink around here, how do you expect me to get water for this?
Me: Why?
Mechanic: We have to buy water
Me: How much does it cost?
Mechanic: 10 rupees for a can
Me: How big? That size? (pointing to a largish black can)
Mechanic: No, that costs 30 rupees
Me: Where do you buy it from?
Mechanic: There from the toilet
Me: What? (visibly shocked!)
Mechanic: Yes, but only for washing up & bathing
Me: And what about drinking water, you have to buy that too?
Mechanic: Yes, but that we get from here (pointing to what seemed like a government office in the middle of the truck terminal)
Me: How much?
Mechanic: This tea-stall owner pays about 1000 rupees for a month. If you buy tea from him, he lets you drink water, else he refuses.
