People in Our Lives

The Old Maid: She possesses a toothless grin, and sound knowledge of economics. The latter I found out from the way she negotiated her wages with me. She is well past 60 but is energetic and manages her cleaning and cooking chores with ease. There have been several days during the past four months when she has been the only visitor to my apartment. She is also an excellent source of local news.  She likes sweet – I can say this on evidence of diminishing stock of sugar in my house.

The Security Guard: He gives me a wide smile and a loud greeting whenever he sees me. Initially I thought, this was his mechanism to get frequent tips. I thought I had sufficient proof favouring my hypothesis when he asked me for a loan of Rs 1,000 one day. I gave him the money as he said it was for the treatment of his little daughter. He returned the money back to me in 10 days, as soon as he received his salary – which I found out, is quite meagre. His daughter has a hole in her heart and he has been getting her treated at AIIMS.

Office Bearers of the RWA: There has been bitter politicking among existing office bearers of the Residents Welfare Association and the aspiring ones. Allegations have been thrown regarding malpractices and bad accounting. All this, when the total contribution collected by the RWA is estimated to be a grand sum of Rs 100,000. Mails, marked to almost everybody on the planet are being sent frequently – some suggesting humongous fraud and others urging restraint. One particular mailer stands out – he has been sending his poetry in order to make his point.

Mahatma Gandhi's Train Travels

Mahatma Gandhi used simple language to communicate ideas that were by no means simple. His “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” is a must read. 

This apart, Gandhiji’s other writings and notes, some if which are now available freely as e-texts, are also very interesting reads. One such essay is his, “Third Class in Indian Railways”. He paints a vivid picture of the filthy conditions in the third class compartment during his journey from Bombay to Madras, which took place most likely in 1917. He writes, “A defiant Memon merchant protested against this packing of passengers like sardines. In vain did he say that this was his fifth night on the train. The guard insulted him and referred him to the management at the terminus. There were during this night as many as 35 passengers in the carriage during the greater part of it. Some lay on the floor in the midst of dirt and some had to keep standing. A free fight was, at one time, avoided only by the intervention of some of the older passengers who did not want to add to the discomfort by an exhibition of temper.” You can read the full essay at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24461/24461-h/24461-h.htm.

What really struck me was the similarity of experience I had while travelling in general class compartments on the Patna – Gaya rail line in the mid and late nineties, although the train only took between 3 and 5 hours to cover this stretch of 90 Kms. I am told that the situation is still pretty much the same aboard the PG DMUs.