Connecting West To East

A Journey To Remember-

Kalyan To Kolkata

Time - Around 09:20 P.M.

Date – 10^th April, 2010

Place- Kalyan Jn, Platform no. 4

Chapter #1

I was waiting for a train-Train no 2809 along with my family. This place, this time, this situation was never stranger to me. I often waited for a train in same situations during my college times. Train Devgiri (Train No 7057) used to take me to my college SGGSIE&T, Nanded [My engg college was in Nanded. Nanded is a city of Maharashtra, roughly 600kms away from my home town Kalyan]. In past, I never noticed this Howrah mail which arrives bit before Devgiri Express. I never imagined that one day this train will take me to Kolkata for the very first breakthrough of my career. But time n fate changed everything. Yes, I was standing there- waiting for Howrah Mail - Train no 2809.

The station was totally crowded with people….People running from here to there to catch the trains, locals, hoping to get their tickets confirmed, begging to TCs to find at least one berth for them. Among those common, tired, unknown faces one very uncommon, fresh, known face was coming towards me; waving his hand he was calling me. Yes, he was Avinash.

(Avinash was my 11^{th -} 12^th college mate. However in Birla College, we hardly had any inter action between us as he was an elite n I was a chatean. Elite and Chate are the names of private tuitions in Kalyan. So, after our 12^th n CET when I got a seat for EXTC in SGGSIE&T, through one of our mutual friend both of us came together again. We went to SGGS and started our college journey together. Then after he was my room-class-batch-practical-volleyball team mate for past 4 years. And we were the only 2 representatives of Kalyan in our class.)

I was busy talking with Avinash; my dad n bro was looking for train. And mummy was sitting on a bench; her eyes were full with tears. I noticed that. I went to her and she just started to cry like a child. I consoled her but it was useless. And suddenly announcement came- “Howrah mail will be coming shortly on Platform no. 4”. And I stood there with my luggage (One trolley bag and one traveler bag).

It was April vacations’ time and trains were running full with people- totally crowded like any one could have imagined that India is a nation running on wheels- wheels that never get punctured. Train came and I entered boogie A1 (Ya, I was travelling by 2 tier AC) with my luggage. I kept my luggage in corridor and came out. Their faces, I still remember, were convincing me- “You have stayed enough, away from us for your college. Now we really need you…” but in actual dad was eagerly asking me about my ticket, how am I going to deal with TC? But I handled him. And the stupid motorman of Howrah mail pressed the horn so long that I thought he was giving the danger bell of my journey. My train started. I was standing in the door saying “Tata, bye-bye, tc (this tc is take care)……..” - a lot of non sense things which hardly goanna help them.....And suddenly train took up the speed and the platform disappeared….disappeared in that dark night which brought my worst nightmare….What was that????

Chapter #2

3 days back, on 7^th April morning, I came from Ahmadabad finishing my first phase of ILP. On 6^th April noon, I booked the ticket for Kalyan of 7^th April. But on the same day in break time we got the news that we had been released from ILP and could go home. I was so stupid that in the surprise and joy of going home, I caught the train for Mumbai with a ticket of date 7 April one day before only. And I really suffered a lot. I hardly got only 3 days to spend at home. I was advised to come to Kolkata by flight but like a typical middle class Maharashtrian, I was afraid to travel by plane (rather to travel in a plane alone for the first time). Kalyan to Kolkata- journey was so long around 32 hours and the April time was burning everyone. So I booked a tatkal ticket of 2AC of Howrah mail. It was in waiting 5. But that was the only most convenient way to catch Kolkata. Speaking frankly, in my last seven generations no one had travelled in an AC boogie.

Coming back in AC Boogie A1 of Howrah mail, I was moving very cautiously there……Oh god, what I tell you about AC boogies. If I would have got a chance to kill someone at that moment, I would have killed the man (or woman) who designed the infra structure of AC boogies of Indian Railways. All people there were slept….slept on white cushions, covered with white blankets, hiding behind white curtains. In that white house, two things instantly stroke my mind, either I was in a muradaghar or I was advertising for a detergent powder which keeps your cloths shining white no matter what their actual color was before washing….

“Sahab” someone was calling me Sahab, for the very first time in my life, bringing me back in the reality from that detergent advertisement or muradaghar whatever I don’t know. He was an attendant. [Breaking news- AC boogies have attendants/servants to serve people travelling in AC boogies.] I came to know this fact. But later on, I realized that he was there to torture me. He was asking me about my seat and I told him “my ticket is in waiting.” He asked me to go in sleeper boogie as waiting passengers were not allowed in AC boogies. But I ignored him. Till Kasara [a place roughly 1 n ½ hrs away from Kalyan on the route], I managed myself and my luggage in that boogie. At Kasara, I called dad [like a good-boy], told him not to worry. “I got the berth. You take care etc. etc.” These skills I learned in my college. When and where should we lie with our parents?

Chapter #3

Real thrill started when TC (TC #1) entered in Boogie in Kasara. The 2^nd person after me, wearing something other than white in that white house. He started his job soon, was checking the tickets of passengers. Finally he came towards me, and asked me for my ticket. It was in waiting. He asked me to leave the AC boogie n adjust myself in some other sleeper boogie, damn coolly. I guess he was even cooler than that AC compartment. No zig-zig, no requests “Just leave the boogie”. So, my ticket - worth of Rs. 2150- was just a piece of paper for him cause two stupid alphabets were printed over it WL….Waiting List...Na...Na..”W”hat the hel”L”….yes I was in hell then. But I didn’t give up. I was trying at my best. And in such conditions, I tell you, the huge problems- which our country is facing- suddenly arises as solutions for our problems. Yupp...CORRUPTION…Nakad Narayan was the optimum solution….I offered him 100 rupees, and his demand was 200 rupees. Finally we set up a deal of 150. And I got a berth till Nagpur. But soon he asked me to leave the same by Nagpur. One lady sitting opposite to me was silently listening to our conversation, like both of us were discussing some issue like “Women’s reservation in AC boogies of Indian Railways”. Height case, the same attendant brought one blanket n cushion (of course white colored) for me. Ahh…what relief was that!!!

[I was having some cash of 400 rupees n some 40 rupees in change] God, 150 was already gone. I slept. In morning I woke up. I had brush n took wash. Our train was passing through Vidarbha (a sub division of Maharashtra consisting of several districts like Nagpur, Wardha). I was sitting on berth and suddenly the attendant appeared in front of me. He warned me, “Remember Nagpur.” Oh….**##**. I just then had tea n biscuits and called Viplov.

(Viplov - my one of the very best buddies from college-hostel time. He was from Chandrapur and was working in Nagpur at that time. I had already informed him that we will meet in Nagpur. With Viplov, I shared almost everything. )

He received my call. I described him my condition and asked him to bring some lunch for me in Nagpur. He was agreed…..

As train was passing through various stations of Vidarbha, I was reminding about my batch mates from those places. At around 11:00 AM train was supposed to reach Nagpur. Before it, I messaged him my boogie no and train no to avoid confusions. Ahh…. Finally, I was in Nagpur. Damnly waiting for Viplov (and fore lunch too). The stop time in Nagpur was 20 minutes and 5 minutes were already passed. He was not there and I was scared. But god is great…..just after 5-6 minutes, he came... no he was running towards me…..and he was carrying some plastic bag too…(for which I was actually waiting….) We really had a great time at Nagpur station. I almost revised my past two months of ILP in front of him. He, too, told how his job was going on? Soon, he took out the surprise for me. And I was shocked….that duffer brought one red rose for me (don’t misunderstand us)….”Happy Journey n Best Wishes for me”….But that journey could never be happy….Hushh…2^nd surprise.... (Was that lunch??) I was expecting some edible items from that Abra-ka-dabra kind of plastic bag…..But my sweetest friend took out some sweets from Haldiram (pride of Nagpur). Some orange mithaai…Dhatt….**##**…But something was always better than nothing. Those 15 minutes, spend at Nagpur station, were like 15 days for me. I was so happy to meet him (and to have some thing to eat from him). And the danger bell rang again. Again I was standing in the door, again waving my hands …..was not sure to meet him again. Slowly, slowly train took speed, left Nagpur far behind and brought ahead the 2^nd babu of my journey.

Chapter #4

The story of 2^nd babu is not so interesting. He entered in my life (actually in my boogie) from Nagpur. Very quickly he understood my condition. I wondered was there some thing written on my face?? But actually my berth was the very first to be checked. I was just supposed to tell him my problem but suddenly the evil attendant appeared and described my condition. Again that same lady sitting next to us woke up and started to observe us. I doubt was she any paparazzi kind of journalist sent by company to follow me… Ohh...Forget. There was nothing to tell him by my side. So, finally I asked him to have some blue colored papers with Gandhiji’s picture printed over it, and arrange a berth for me. He was a nice guy, he just took Rs 50/- and gave me a berth till some station of Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand (I don’t remember). Finally, the noon was on... and my hunger too. I just checked my wallet. I was having something 120, 125 rupees with me and still one whole day was to go. I took out that orange Haldiram sweet as my lunch…. Aaahh...My most memorable lunch in Indian Railways – 1 kg Haldiram sweets, 1 Bisleri, a lot of Parle-G and after all 1 IRCTC tea. Waah ... Generally people prefer sweets after the lunch, but in my case….. I used to have sweets in my lunch only…..especially when I am travelling by 2AC train with a ticket of What-the-helL category. I didn’t finish my Haldiram lunch. I kept few grams reserved for dinner after thinking over my budget. And was thanking to god that he brought a savior in my life….Viplov …Later I was reading a novel throughout the journey till evening....In evening, my train reached some station of Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand. I came out from that white house to have some fresh air. That station – which was giving me fresh air, showing an “R” symbol on my handset – telling me I was in Roaming, also gave me my Third shock. 2^nd babu was going off duty and a new babu (babu no – 3) with new charm, new courage was about to start....

Chapter #5

I again came back in the boogie. And the attendant - “nayi ticket nikali kya saheb?” At that moment I thought there were only 3 people travelling in that boogie. The two were fixed- (obviously me n that evil attendant.) and the other one who keeps on changing- The Babu...The TC... [No... wait... I guess there were four...the lady paparazzi...my follower]

I don’t know why that babu started from the other end of boogie.....But finally he ended with me only. He asked me to sit on his berth. We both were sitting on his berth and guess who the spectators were [exactly.... the attendant and the paparazzi]. He asked me, “Till now, how much you paid?” I replied, “Around 200.” “Okay”-Babu. “You will get a berth till Howrah.” “There will be no problem.” Ohh, I was not able to believe what I was listening! “Till Howrah there will be no problem, Sir”-{Stupid} me. “Yes”-{Clever} Babu said. But soon I realized it was my nightmare when he delivered next dialogue. “Just 200.”

So that all was cheese n butter....I told-”Sir, I can't afford this.” Babu-”You have already afforded it...Say Yes or No...Sleepers always wait for AC waitings.” I started to calculate-”How can I pay him 200 Rs?” I was having some Rs 125.25 including some of my collection coins and notes. Some pre-used local and bus tickets worth Rs. 30/-.. And even the sweets of Haldiram were costing around Rs 30/- as per its weight. Total around 180. In short, neither I was able to pay him 200 nor I was ready to leave that white house. I just cried (fake) in front of him…..told him- how much it was important for me to catch Howrah? But he was stuck to 200. I was pretty sure that the first number he learned was 200. My paparazzo was waiting for my next step. I was ready. I took out my wallet, showed him what I had and told him “Sir, nanga nahayega kya aur nichodega kya?” As soon as I said “NANGA” the lady slept away afraid of thinking our conversation was turning adult………..POOR LADY…. I told him- Take this 100 rupees n finalize the deal. After some ups and downs, we ended our conference……Happy Endings….. Obviously (not for me) For BABU. He took away 100 rupees from me and left me as Class One beggar in that Class 2AC boogie. Finally, I shifted my luggage to my new berth [The berth that cost me around 2500 Rs. For just 8-10 hrs……] I was on the way to washroom when I met with the climax of my thrilling journey. Attendant was present there to put his finishing touch over my axx. “So sirji, how much you paid till now?” He was asking like - Amitabh was asking me a question of Rs 1 crore. I silently replied – “Around 350.” “I was telling you….if you would have offered me; I would have managed your berth in just 200 that too till Howrah.” I was feeling like - ##%%$$ I gave a junk smile and went back to my berth – The highest paid berth of Indian Railways. [An instant thought was coming 2 my mind- it was better to take the flight]

So all Babus were over, but shocks were not.

Chapter #6

I was shocked………not due to my experience but by thinking how will I catch the office next morning? In that shock, I didn’t realize when I went asleep. It was side-lower berth and I slept at around 9 or 9-15PM. I got the consecutive second shock when I woke up in the morning. It was such a sunny morning that I thought it was morning 7-30 or 7-45. I kept on checking time again and again, but it was just 5-30AM. Then suddenly my soul told me – My son, though it is known as West Bengal, you are in eastern region of your country. Sun rises bit earlier here than your habit. Kolkata (or Howrah) station was still one hours away. I was having two options at that time, either catch my guest house directly or catch my friend’s home. Thank god, my phone was having balance. I called my friend and asked him – “Shall I come there? Will you come to station to receive me? I am just an hour away from Kolkata.” But my best buddy told me – “Listen, take a prepaid taxi for Budge Budge, Santoshpur via Hyd road.” “Oh... Baj Baj Santoshpoor”- I said. He – “No its Boj-Boj Sontoshpor.” In my past 5 years, for the very first time he was speaking a pure Bengali accent. I was afraid again. So, finally I decided to catch my guest house.

At around 06-30AM, I was delivered successfully at Howrah station by that magical train. Ohhh, what a relief!!! Finally, I was in Kolkata. I quickly moved to the ATM, took out 400 cash, was waiting for taxi. And I was watching the same scene; we used to watch in any Hindi movies- outside any major railway stations. There was a long queue for prepaid taxis. I came out from there. All other taxi drivers were begging at me like I was the only passenger to travel by taxi. Ahh, few of them even started to take my luggage. I quickly stopped them. Everything surrounded to me was appearing yellow to my eyes [Actually, I was surrounded with yellow taxis by all sides]. And the dark yellow color could have beaten eyes of any yellow-fevered guy. Hushh… with few of them, I discussed, but they were charging in 400s. So, I totally came out of Howrah station campus. And….the dangerous game was not yet over. Fortunately, I met with a very good taxi wala on other side of the road; he was ready to take me to my guest house @ only 200 rupees. He escorted me like a VIP, took my both the bags n locked them in dickey. He told me –“ Sir ji, you sit inside. I will be back in 10 minutes.” Haah……I was satisfied to find a taxi of my budget…..I was relaxing, sitting on the back seat of yellow ambassador….I was looking out from the window, a typical drunkard was standing outside the taxi [Ahh! Not drunkard….he was total bewada…total crap]. He was staring at me. I was about to ask him, but he himself started – “Oh stupid, this taxiwala went, locked your luggage in his taxi. Now, he won’t come back for next 2 hrs. He made you fool.” What the *u*k (So it was my LuCk n *u*k) So lesson no 1– listen, never let any taxiwala to lock your luggage in his taxi till you leave with him. I was praying to God to stop these adventures……I was tired of them n he listened to me. Taxiwala returned within 15 minutes [along with 2 more surprises]. He opened the dickey to keep their luggage and I quickly took out one of my bag. Taxi started. My journey was transformed from several metallic tires to four rubber tires. As soon as I left station, I was flying over the Howrah Bridge – the Kolkata pride. I was so pleased to watch Howrah bridge so soon. “Bhaiyya, ye Howrah bridge hai?” I was asking curiously. He corrected me – “Haan, ye Howrah bridge hai – Rabindra-Sagar Setu. Aur wo right mein naya bridge. Bidyasagar Setu.” There was no “v” in his sentences….only “b”. Anyhow, I was happy to have a taxiwala cum Kolkata guide in 200 Rs. [Or was I in dream?]

As soon as we crossed the bridge, I again reminded him to take me to the colony CL-block soon. But the two passengers started crying, they needed to catch an early flight and hence want to go to airport first. I fought with them, but they started in Bangla and I put my weapons down. My taxiwala cum guide told me that he would make my further arrangement. Soon, he overtook another taxi & stopped it for me. He quickly transferred my luggage to taxi no 2. And my taxi fare was reduced to 190. 100 for taxi #1 and 90 for taxi #2…….Combo Offer J

Finally I marched towards Salt Lake, my guest house, my final destination. We entered in Sector V, the address of my guest house. I was supposed to catch block CL 125 and we were roaming something in AKs or ALs. My taxiwala [no 2] took 3-4 left/right turns but still we were not able to cross DE alphabets. OMG, I started to perform permutations n combinations of alphabets.……. For the very first time in my life, I was afraid of alphabets. First WL, then CL [CL which means “C”ompletely hel”L”] we enquired with 2-3 persons and finally got the right way. I reached at CL 125. My ultimate destination. I took out my luggage and handed over him money. Like usual taxiwalas, he started to demand more money. I was so pleased after catching my guest house that I didn’t bother to give him more money. [And I gave him only 10 Rs more. I was having only that one small note in my wallet]

My friend [in full formals] was standing there to welcome me. I was too happy and finally was breathing some fresh air in Kolkata with him. [I think you got me what I really mean to say] The same feeling touched my heart which Tenzing Sherpa had after climbing over Everest.

A very thrilling and exciting journey was over there. But, the more thrills were waiting for me – Survival in Kolkata, Kolkata – The City of Joy.

--Ashwin K Saundarmal