BARODA TO BARODA via GARWA

Recently i read a statement,

"Some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."
                                                       ~ anonymous



PART 1
A MAN WHO MADE ME HAPPY

                                The train was half an hour late. I was excited because it’s for the first time that I am going to travel alone through the heart of India. I didn’t get reservation up to New Delhi. When the train reached Bharuch station, the general compartment was heavily packed. Some how, I managed to get in. I had my bags placed between my legs, one hand on my purse and the other on a sardhar’s shoulder (for balancing) and also made some breathing space. When the train reached Baroda, I paid extra 400 and moved to sleeper class (at least I could stand and breathe properly). It was night and it was very cold outside. Even though I had my blanket on me I was shivering from top to bottom. I stood up to 4.30 in the morning. Then I got a berth and slept up to 7 am.

                        I reached New Delhi by 11.30 am. I was little confused because it was for the first time that I am seeing more than 7 platforms. I moved to the rest room across the crowded flyover. My next train was at 4.10 pm. So I have some time left at the New Delhi station. I charged my cell phones, had my lunch (although it was just a burger and a coffee) and finally had some rest. At 3.45 I moved to platform number 14 for my train- GARIB RATH EXPRESS.

                       Unfortunately for me, the train was late by one hour and 50 minutes. Mean while I met a lady who was going to Ranchi (I forgot her name which I shouldn't have). A middle class working woman, who is going home to see her children for Diwali. She was short, skinny and white. She had a huge luggage bag (almost her height) with her. She didn’t call kooli to pick that up. When I asked why, she said they are asking for 250 rupees and she can't bear losing that much since she s going home. Those were the words of a loving mom. I smiled and promised my help. Another guy chotu (he said his name is lengthy and just call him chotu) also offered his help. Chotu talks a lot about politics, current economic status, films and natural beauty of Kerala. He even shared his experience when he came to Alappy once. 

                        My train came at 5.45 and I got into G13, my compartment. There was an old man next to me. He was little bit worried because his berth was upper. He requested me to exchange his berth with mine and I agreed without a second thought (there was no need of second thought because how a man, who can not even walk properly, climb to top?). I gave him blanket, bed sheet, and pillow and I managed to make him comfortable. He wore grey kurtha and dhothi. Some times it feels so bad when some one as aged as your grand father make a request. The train was scheduled to arrive Garwa road at 4.15 am, but got late by 6 hours and reached there at 10.16 am. I went to the old man to say good bye. He blessed me with wet eyes.A man totally unknown…, different from me in each and every aspect…,blessed me placing his hands upon my head…, from his heart…, with affection, that was one of t he happiest moments in my life…and I will remember that for a long time…

                            

                               to be continued...

india "a note"

                       The journey from manjeri (a small town in Kerala) to Baroda and the life here in Baroda is teaching me so many things. Last time when I attended an interview, the interviewer asked me a question. What is the difference between Kerala and Gujarat? I said there is a lot of difference. But he said it in simple words. In Kerala there is 80 percent greenery and in Gujarat there is only 40 percent.

Is that the only difference? I will say a big long no for that. I do disagree with his statement. The only thing that is similar between Kerala and Gujarat is that both are ‘Indian states’. The living style, the culture, the mentality of people, developments and there are tons of other differences. All the above said ‘qualities’ there in Kerala and here in Gujarat is like North Pole and South Pole. There is no similarity in any way. People here are much more open minded. Can you ever see a girl riding scooty at midnight on the way back her home? Can you see a 5^th grade school kid riding activa to her school with his brother? Can you ever travel in share rickshaws?  Can you reach a 100 km in just 75 minutes? Can you see the well paced growth of industries? It will be no if you are from Kerala. You can see a person eating with spoon and fork only in star rated hotels in Kerala, but here it is a usual scene even in roadside food houses. I can say the living standard in Gujarat is low, but the people are unlike keralites who are more, narrow minded and little bit selfish (I am a keralite and I can say I was selfish and I am selfish, in some way or other). Hindi is our national language. Keralites never use Hindi. Most of them use their mother tongue (Malayalam) for communication. You can see lot of people who speak English in Kerala, but not Hindi. The culture seems to be the most different among all these. In Kerala you cannot see devotees dancing for ‘bolbachan’ beats in front of big GANESH idols worshiped in temporary sheds in roadside.  However, of course both states have their own uniqueness.

                        It’s not about Kerala and Gujarat; it’s just about north India and south India. One of the two Delhi girls in our class once told me once that one can walk through the streets of Delhi any time, no one cares or nothing matters. But you can’t do that in Kerala. If a girl is found walking in the streets of Kerala after seven, it’s too much to bear with the dirty, vulnerable and endangered look by the public. Now I know the meaning of her statement. Although people in south India have an upper hand in the field of education and living standard, its low in the field of relationships , trusts and human values.  May be all because of this and tons or millions of other untold reasons India is called a “country with unity in diversity”.