By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam
There is a particular kind of faith that gets instilled in Indian school children somewhere between learning the national anthem and being taught not to talk to strangers. It comes wearing white and black stripes and goes by the rather grand name of the pedestrian crossing. Our teachers stood us in rows on dusty school grounds and made us walk, in mock seriousness, across chalk lines drawn to resemble this magical strip of tarmac that would one day protect us from the onrushing tide of traffic.
