Horn OK Please OK Horn

" Ok Horn Ok" , " Horn Ok Please" , are some of the very popular signs on Indian road otherwise devoid of any other road signs..All trucks irrespective of whether it was built during British Era or the more recent ( in truck age, recent is 10 years old) will sport this sign..

I guess the " noise" part is well blended with Indian culture, be it a wedding , a funeral , a festival or even a bandh, making noise is an integral part of well being.

The practise of " horning" is also quite unique to India. Abroad it is considered rude if the person goes on honking for no particular rhyme or reason. Here even if there is a one mile traffic jam which is visible to all or a one of the few working traffic signal flashing red, honking is considered as a way out of all this.

The origin of this phrase is not known, but it is assumed that about 50 years back, when some vehicles ran on kerosene which was considered unstable, and a small accident could cause the vehicle to blow up, then to indicate that it is a Kersose vehicle, the sign " Horn On Kerosene Please" was there, which was later compressed to " Horn OK Please". Some have even modified it to, Horn OK Please Tata.. These are also four words which are some of the most commonly known english words in India..

Whatever be the origin of this phrase, It is one of the myriad and colorful things that have come to stay.Though I like the graphitti on the trucks and the names, I sure hope that no body follows the urge to honk, and Indian roads would be a slightly less noisy place...