During our basic technical training at Secunderabad after commissioning in the Army in 1966 , we went to Bangalore on a study tour . Three of us – young subalterns freshly minted from the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun , proud of our status and displaying OLQ [Officer like Qualities ] were strolling on the MG Road in the Cantonment in the evening . At a cross road near the famous Koshy’s , we saw the RED light but seeing no vehicular traffic , decided to cross the road . It was almost dark and we did not see a traffic constable standing at a distance from the traffic light . Seeing us crossing the road , he whistled and called us to his post .
As is generally the practice , we thought he will ask us for money . But we were in for a rude shock !! . He merely looked us all over including the well groomed hair , neat dress and blazer etc and said with utter contempt ‘ VILLAGERS – GO AWAY !! ‘ – Imagine our discomfort and the loss of face suffered with a greatly deflated EGO .