[kelvin0]

No where in the article do they even try to ask the people who own or paint these words on the vehicles? Speculation throughout and not a shred of input from any of the people actually involved (Drivers, Lettering painters, police..).

Conclusion: none! We don't know and didn't ask either.

Really weird article.

[aniforprez]

I've asked and they don't know for the most part either. It's become tradition at this point and it's not known by the drivers or the painters why. It's just cute

[gumby]

Most of them don’t speak English either — this is merely something that has to go on your lorry.

[hdesh]

Unfortunately this is similar to how most of the western press covers India.

[DwnVoteHoneyPot]

The author should "do the needful" as my Indian colleagues would say.

[teawrecks]

Especially considering the title is "the origins of...". Should probably instead be "the unknown origins of".