Deprived of their "common man's" vada pav, policemen on duty at Breach Candy while the prime minister recuperates after his knee surgery at the hospital, have turned to frankies and sandwiches to satisfy their hunger.
"Sometimes we have to eat these frankies and sandwiches as vada pav and misal are not available here, except at lunchtime, when we get to eat at the canteen," said one of the constables.
Though they have ben provided with a van full of food, those who are posted at some distance from it have no choice but to turn to the snack stalls.
But of course the constables miss their daily vada pav and the little steel dish full of watery misal, which are better suited to them, taste-wise and money-wise.
Still, these constables posted near the American Consulate are far more more comfortable than their counterparts on duty within the confines of the hospital. They have a bench and a shed for shelter from the monsoon.
"When it rained a couple of days ago, we had nowhere to go for shelter, and got drenched," said a constable posted inside the hospital premises.
The security at the hospital is very tight, and even vehicles with red beacon lights are checked thoroughly.
"The changes made at the hospital include reducing visiting hours to one hour each in the morning and evening," said a ward boy.
And the new ration-card-sized and bright yellow I-cards issued to all the constables made for a funny sight, with all of them roaming about with them tagged to their shirt pockets.
"The new I-card does not fit into our pockets. and we are scared that we may lose them. The old ones were smaller and much better", said a policeman.
