Why I have Started Loving Mumbai’s Local Trains-Part 2

Prelude…

My anticipated and ideal ‘less crowded train’ never arrived during the peak hours, so I pushed myself into the first class of next local which arrived on the platform. It was no less than other compartments in terms of crowd ....just like school children going on a picnic.

Luckily I got inside or rather got pushed myself inside. The scene inside was typical of what you expect from a Mumbai local train. It looked like people of all religions were standing on a piece of land. Not a space to move, yet people were enjoying their daily activities.

People in the Local Train

The people at the doors were enjoying the ‘scenic’ view clinging to the pole or somebody’s shirt. Some lucky people who were sitting by the window had dozed off while their co-seat passengers were fooling around or peeping inside a newspaper of their neighbors. Young students were planning out their day at the college while a birthday was being celebrated in a corner. A cake was distributed among the co-passengers and the strangers.

Wrong Local Train

I asked a person beside me about the time, the train will reach Lower Parel. I was in for a shock as he told me that since it was a fast train, it would not stop at the station and I would have to get down at Dadar. I got talking with him about other things. He told me that he had been travelling in the local train for 5 years now and has rarely been lucky to get a seat.

Songs and fun

I started glancing around. Some guys were sleeping while standing, some people were discussing office politics and the politics of the nation. A group in the corner was singing old songs which made me feel nostalgic, while other people were listening to songs with their earphones, unmindful of their surroundings. I arrived at the Dadar station and I prepared myself to be thrown out of the train.

Dadar Station

Dadar is one of the busiest station of Mumbai. It is a heroic act to catch a train successfully from Dadar station. But I did it anyway and caught another slow local train. Again, I was greeted with a same view, but with more intensity. People inside were fixing share market  orders loudly while others were proudly discussing how they had managed to see Amitabh Bacchan on Sunday at his residence as he came out to wave at his fans.

Regular ‘Officers’

Some regular co passengers always make it a point to book a seat for their colleagues. The compartment inside is either a very silent place except for the timely announcement of the next station and the usual sound of the train, or noisy enough that you cannot hear even your mobile ring. Regular office goers always act as if it is their right to stand at a particular place. I guess, it’s the regular attachment to the local train.

A guy told me that if he would miss this local, he was sure of having a very bad day, even if the next local is always due in 4 or 5 minutes. There were people like me who were just interested to hear others or observe their surroundings.

I had learnt a few things during my last visit to Mumbai, so before my destination, I managed reach the door 2 stations earlier and safely put my foot down at the station. I had ample amount of time to meet my friend, but why take a chance? I again managed a bite of  'Vada Pav’ before I caught a taxi.

I then caught an empty train to Andheri from Lower Parel in the early evening, just before end of the office hours. I stretched my legs on the other seat and took a short nap.

I have observed one thing about Mumbai. Though people tend to be irritating or short-tempered, they always seem to help if assistance is sought. I have been lucky enough not to fall prey to a pick-pocketer or having a bad experience. 

Meeting a Fortunate Man

Some days back, I was late to catch my bus back to home from the office. I was cursing the autowallah and waiting for my next possible ride in a bus or a private car.. all the while angry and sulking. Then I noticed my infrequent fellow traveller who had lost 2 of his legs waiting for a ride without clutches. He was as smiling as ever, talking on his cellphone. A private car came and I sat back inside.

The driver asked me to call the main hero of the story inside. As I called him I noticed that he came inside the car in a matter of only 5 seconds by using his hands as his feet. I was shocked to see this.He not only sat beside me like a normal guy, he even started talking with me...

I learned that he was earning about 14k p.m and was quite happy with his life and did not indulge in any self pity.As is my nature, I did not ask any personal questions to him nor asked him how did he lose his legs, but just kept on listening to him. He got off at the same place with me and gave the fare to the driver despite being not to.

I got to learn one lesson.. never curse yourself and your circumstances.. if you have your full limbs you can do wonders... if not.... you can do more wonders.

Kuldip