I remember there used to be this Ad several years back on TV that urged two-wheeler riders to wear a helmet. It showed a hammer coming down on a coconut and coconut being smashed to pieces and then the Ad used to ask a question imagine if your head had been there instead of coconut. I don't know how many realized the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler from that. Some criticized and opposed when Govt. made it compulsorily to wear helmet saying it should be left to people as per their wish, those who worry about their life will definitely wear it.

Yesterday, when we were buying groceries, a bike rider, traveling at great speed, tried to overtake from the wrong side of the lorry and while overtaking touched the lorry and fell down. The speed was such that his helmet flew out of his head, probably he had not secured it and just kept it on head to avoid law enforcers, and his head took the impact of his fall. There was blood all around especially around his head. Agreed he was in hurry, but what if you don't even get a chance to scream. The ambulance took him to the hospital. Don't know what happened further, but certainly he was unconscious.

I feel, wearing helmet while riding a bike is must, whether its a short distance or long, and it should be enforced if people don't realize its worth.

My bicycle's rear tyre tube burst leaving me with no other option than replacing the tyre-tube. The problem started with finding a replacement tyre-tube for the bike, being a fashionable mountain sports bike not everybody stores the spares. Finally when I managed to get the tube I took my bike to the usual cycle repair stores.

I have to replace my tyre-tube.
A middle-aged young man (sitting idle, sipping a cup of tea) replied yeah I will do that.
I patiently wait for his tea to get over, finally after another 5 minutes, I ask again are you going to replace or not.
Yes, what's the hurry? (he gets up, looks at the bike, shakes head... I get little restless)
How much are you going to charge for replacing tyre-tube?
(Pretending that he hasn't heard, still keeps looking at the bike) How much you purchased this bike for?
Do you want to change tyre-tube or not? I am not going to tell you how much I bought this bike for.
It has gears, it has shock-absorbers at both tyre's, its light weight. That will be Rs45.
What? Rs45 for changing tyre-tubes. New tyre-tube costs less than that.
Yes that will be Rs45, this is no normal cycle. Plus additional Rs2 for filling air, and that you will have to fill on your own.
(Irritated by the behavior, but I had no other option) how much time?
Come after may be two hours.
What 2 hours for changing tyre-tubes? The cycle repair man was simply sitting there, not even remotely busy, sipping tea and reading a news paper, not even ready to look at cycle. Why do I have to pay him if he does not want to fill air into my tyre-tube? and how does he expect that I fill air on my own and he gets the money?

Loosing patience, I picked up my bike and started walking back home.  He did not even try to stop me knowing fully that I have no other option as his is the only cycle repair shop in near vicinity.

So much for the little service and what arrogance?

P.S: After coming home I decided to try changing tyre-tube myself thinking that in the worst case I would have to go back to that cycle store if it doesn't work. To my amazement changing tyre-tube turned out quite easy, with little help from Google.

Today, we had session on General Safety and Security tips covering wide range of area's from household tips to road accidents. If you have common sense you would be aware of most of those. This one caught attention.

"Under any circumstances, Do not Panic!"

How True!!

Apart from personal safety and security this one is truly generic. I have seen so many incidences where simply keeping cool would have solved those issues. Instead of trying hard to find a bug, a break and calm reasoning of scenarios; Instead of trying hard to argue with someone, having patience and keeping cool and calm tone and never retaliating; Instead of rushing rashly somewhere when you are already late, just a calm phone call indicating you would be late have always helped me.