Horn OK Please

          

If you’ve ever driven on Indian highways, you’ll know two things are inevitable: potholes that could swallow small cars, and trucks decorated more colorfully than a Holi festival float. And at the back of almost every truck, you’ll spot the iconic words: “Horn OK Please.”

Now, you might think this is just a polite reminder to honk (as if Indians needed encouragement), but nope - it actually has a dramatic backstory. During World War II, army trucks ran on kerosene, which was basically the drama queen of fuels - one bump and BOOM! To avoid sudden fireworks on the road, drivers painted: “Horn Please, On Kerosene” Eventually, the “On Kerosene” bit retired, leaving us with “Horn OK Please,” which now confuses every tourist who thinks trucks are weirdly obsessed with grammar.

And just when you’ve processed that, another phrase zooms past you: “OK TATA BYE BYE.” Sounds like a cheesy breakup line, right? Actually, it’s genius. Since most trucks in India are made by TATA, and “Tata” also means goodbye in local slang, the phrase became the trucker’s version of “see ya later, alligator.” Quirky, efficient, and slightly emotional - like a Bollywood farewell scene painted in neon.

But my absolute favorite part? The random quotes and slogans splashed across trucks in bright reds, yellows, and greens. One will say “Use Dipper at Night” (which always makes foreigners wonder what kind of dip they’re talking about). Another might say “Speed is a Knife That Cuts Life” - painted on the very truck overtaking you at 100 km/h. And then there are the true gems: “Maa Ka Aashirwad” (Mother’s Blessings), “Buri Nazar Wale Tera Muh Kala” (Evil Eye, Go Paint Your Face Black) - basically mobile wisdom mixed with roadside sass.

Why all this? Well, some say it’s to entertain and keep spirits high on endless road trips. I like to think of it as India’s very own 'highway poetry slam', where every truck is both philosopher and comedian on wheels.

So next time you’re stuck behind a truck, don’t just fume at the traffic - read the back. You might just get life advice, comedy, and a bit of history… all for free!!