In Calcutta, my road rage gets triggered off by what I call the “automatic factor”. I detest the way the auto rickshaws have colonised the Calcutta roads.

They really seem to believe that the roads exist solely for their benefit and are paternal bequests. They slide through, glide through, pass by and run over anything and everything.

Another thing that never fails to get to me is the way the autos load up passengers, without any care for safety or space. I’ve seen autos with upto eight passengers and the driver hanging on at the extreme right.

The only redeeming feature of the autos, I find, is their amazing home-grown sound systems, which invariably thud with heavy bass music, interspersed with the high-pitched “Ay Chandni” or “Ay Golpark” calls.

Having said that, I guess they are a part and parcel of Calcutta and lend a certain flavour to the city. If only safety was a bit higher on their agenda!