0023 hours
28th December
Second class coach, Gorakhdham express
A lady just offered me her seat. Although she has a baby with her, she still gave me her seat and is now lying on the train floor. That is the space between two berth rows where I was sitting before. This for me a great act of kindness and I feel extremely indebted to her.
Although she seems to have taken this decision so that she can sleep on the floor (which was not possible on the seat where she was sitting), I think she did it for me 'coz I cuddled her baby when he was crying some moments before. Previously I was sitting at her knees on the floor, which is way dirty. This coach is crowded beyond capacity and its cold. I am alone here and going to lucknow to meet a friend.
So now that I am sitting on her seat, my hands are free and I can write this.
Thanks to her
I owe you ma'am!!
INCIDENT OF THE NIGHT
New Delhi Railway station
Platform No. 11
2120 hours
27th December
The tarin Gorakhdham Express came into view at the far end of the platform. I tried to shook my sleepishness and get into action, now that my train was here after a long wait. A large swarm of people started to converge, where they suspected the doors of second class coach to stop. I wondred how different it used to be when I travelled with my father with a reservation ticket in hand. Some people infact started running in the direction of the incoming train to get into it while it was in motion and grab a seat while others were waiting for it to stop.
But soon after, everyone started moving toward to the coatch rather than the coatch to come to them. I followed. As the train came to a crawl, the doors were stuffed with people trying to get in simultaneously, while those outside running with the train, holding on to each other, forming a delta at the door. I was among them.
then suddenly I noticed a woman, half her body in the cack between the train and the platform, being dragged along, crying for help. Her cry was diminished by the shrieking of train wheels and noone was noticing her as they were looking striaght up at the doors and how to get inside. I was standing a little away from her in the direction of train. So it was like she came to me while being dragged. Since I was not moving now as it was just too much for me to see. My mouth ajar, the huge crowd coverging to where I was as the train kept moving. By instinct, I jumped into the delta, while being pushed got to the bottom of the door, grabbed that woman by her arms and pulled her up. As I was doing it, I was overwhelmed by the consciousness that I was saving a life.
As I pulled her up, staggering with her as the crowd collided with us as if nothing was happening and we were just obstacles to them. I let her go off my grip. Realizing she was fine and safe, I ran for the doors again. Behind me she suddenly started screaming like hell, repeating how close she was to being crushed by the train. Some people around started asking what happened.
I thought of turning back and let her see her saviour, but then I thought that what was to be done was done and it was over. I had a smile on my face and that was too too much for me for one evening. I wondered how cheap is life among the poor of our country. Today I was going to travel with them Although I belonged to a lower middle class family, I've never been this close to life and death before.
I dont know whether my doing this made any difference, but I thank god for giving me the strength and the opportunity to do this.
Thanks god.
ATMOSPHERE INSIDE THE SECOND CLASS COACH OF A TRAIN
0115 hours
28th december
2nd class coach , Gorakhdham express
Its fifteen minutes past one but still many people are having animated talks all around me. Like a group of people talking on some topic, everyone giving their own views and experiences. It's astonishing, how people adapt themselves in a harsh and dingy enviroment like this. The train is moving at such high speed, ts damn cold. There's not even an inch left in this crowded coach.
Most of the people are sleeping or trying to sleep in twisted postures. It's hard to think how a person can relax in such a state let alone sleep. Someone said it right, humans are capable of great feats once they abandon their dignity or their condition forces them to adapt. Adapt to survive. Its hard to think about this side of life.
People are sprawled up on the floor, stacked on the seats, luggages hanging in mid air. It reminds me of those old movies depiecting the condition of india at the time of partition. I dont feel like sleeping but am sure that sleep will grip me somewhere down the line in the 6 hour journey left to reach lucknow. Sometimes I miss home, get deperessed and feel like nothing's gonna be alright.
But then kittie gives me the reason to be happy, a reason why I am doing what I am doing.
God Bless her
ILUAB
