Metro Blues

Delhi metro has become the heart of the capital and also the third largest metro network in the whole world.And no doubt that it's on the way to the top spot.With so many lines up and running, one might have expected to rush to dial down but it has multiplied.In terms of human density, it is slowly tending towards Mumbai local. The obvious reason is the prevailing awareness about this rail-web all over Delhi. But then with increasing number of daily commuters, it becomes a problem for the elderly and women folk.

Now that the metros have a coach dedicated for women, a part of the problem is solved.In the common compartments special reserved seats are there for the elderly,for women and for the physically handicapped.But then its a sad truth that humble and generous commuters are a rare these days.People do not care to vacate seats for the elderly, for women and for physically challenged people.Even those with are entitled for them.And these deserving people have stopped asking for their right fearing a harsh reaction.

Today while traveling when I noticed a very elderly person standing, rather struggling, in front of a seat reserved for the elderly occupied by a youth in his prime, I felt this anger.Which was not new.But this time I acted upon.


'Sir, that seat is reserved for you.You can very well ask him to vacate it for you. '

'Oh! No worries Son.It's just a matter of 10 minutes.And probably this young generation wants it more than our generation.We can stand for hours, but today's generation can't.'

' I agree to that Sir but then when certain provisions are given by the government for you, you should not wave them off just because you think asking for it would be overdoing it.'

' Son, let them sit.I don't want to disturb anyone.And thanks for asking. '


'Why thank me.Sad that morals are going extinct.That young man should have vacated by himself. '


The young man sitting at that seat probably heard what i said and vacated the seat.But i guess I should have said it loud and at his face.Anyways, that old stallion got the seat.But the thing that moved me today was what he did next.He offered his seat to another elderly person who joined at the next station.Shame on all the youth sitting in that compartment.

Nasik Express

What a beautiful morning it was.It had to be.I was going to see her today.It had been nearly a year.A tough year.But she always stood close by like a silent guardian. She always believed in me and probably that is the best gift you can give to someone.Lost in her thoughts I almost forgot that I had a test that day.And also there was a twist.She was traveling with her dad.I hope you remember Bangalore Express.She said she would decide whether I should come or not depending upon your honor's mood.With all due respect to your honor, I just could not imagine she going via Delhi without I getting to see her.Anyways after those uncomfortable questions on Indian geography, I wondered why she hasn't called.

I hate train journeys.Can it get any worse? People can be so stupid.Huh.And to add I am not feeling well today.The only good thing is that I get to see him.Wow, it has been almost a year.Not exactly though.Eleven months.Dad is doing fine i guess.No temper reported as of now.Sigh.I think I should call him and ask him to come.

She called.And the supreme court gave the verdict in my favor.She had told her dad that I would be coming at the station to meet her as I had to give her some novels.It is interesting to note that people still fall for stuff like that.No offense your honor.She said the train would reach Delhi around noon.So I rushed from the test center directly to the Delhi station.After standing in the queue for like 30 minutes, shouting at countless people trying to mingle into the queue near to the ticket window and denying a couple of offers from people ready to pay 10 bucks for a platform ticket which was only 3 bucks, I finally got in.When I checked the display, I looked for the name which she told me.It was coming in 10 minutes.I remembered what happened last time when I went to meet her at a station.I cautiously noted the platform number and double checked the train name.That was just bad luck.I consoled myself.At the platform, I somehow ended up at the wrong end courtesy that stupid kooli.I ran to the other end of the train where her coach was.It was strange that no one was standing outside.Huh, probably she is not feeling well.I tried calling her,couldn't connect.I went inside the coach looking for her and your honor.I checked the whole coach and could not find her.I had no clue what the hell was going on.Is she pulling my leg? Or is it your honor's idea of fun? So not cool. To confirm, I went again and almost woke up a girl sleeping in one of the compartments realizing in time that she was her.I called her again.

He called.I guessed he was already on the station waiting for me.So cute.But it turned out to be super funny.He got into the wrong train looking for me."We haven't reached yet stupid.That is probably the up train.This one's going down",I told him.I could not stop myself from laughing.

She laughed like anything.Well I was actually bothered what her dad might be thinking.All the good will that I had created, all crashed like a castle of cards.And I could see him smirking.Shit.How stupid of me.Obviously there are two trains with the same name.Shit.Anyways the correct one was coming in 30 minutes.I decided to act strategically this time.And placed myself right on spot where the coach was supposed to come.But at the last moment, the damn platform was changed.I ran.I called her and asked her to stay put inside as the platforms were depicting why we are second only to China in terms of population.I went inside.

There he was in green and black.Green suits him.How come I did not notice before.Our eyes met.He said it all and no one but I heard.He paid regards to dad and sat in front of me.We exchanged stuff.I just could not take my eyes off him.I tried hard not to blink as I could not afford to miss even that smallest of moment.I bet he didn't blink either.

I could not blink.She is so beautiful.And yet so simple.I gave her the books.Wings of fire and The White Tiger.Your honor looked, rather stared.He felt he wanted to say something.'Come here it to daddy and he will tell you who the white tiger is!'.I looked away.He left us alone.It was me and her.And those 10 minutes we had together, gave me what I had missed the whole year.And made me stronger for the coming times.There is something about her that I have never felt for anyone else.God bless her on her new venture.May all her dreams come true.And then she was gone.I tried to be strong, all in vain.

Perceptions into play

Couple of years ago my aunt was travelling by train. There was a group of young boys also sitting in the same compartment.When the train stopped at a station, a little boy crawled through the aisle sweeping it with a broom.That little boy was apparently paralyzed or had polio which was evident from his crawling.His pathetic condition prompted my aunt to give him some money.At this, the boys started giggling which later turned into laughter.

My aunt had no clue why they giggled.She got the answer pretty soon.As the train whistled to move on, that boy stood up and ran outside.Seeing this, the boys burst into laughter and said,"Aunty, aapke paise to gaye(your money is wasted) !".Rather then being saddened , she smiled and said,"Maine paise us bacche ko diye jo apahitch tha, usko nahi jo uth kar bhag gaya ( I gave the money to the kid who was paralyzed, not to the one who ran)". To this, the boys stood silent realizing the perceptions into play.

Also you cannot say that the child's act was wrong.Imagine someone with no family, no education , no home and no job. There can be numerous compelling factors for his unreasonable acts.And these compelling factors can ironically be very reasonable at times.It's a weird group of sentences, but true.Sometimes there is a very thin line between right and wrong.Between truth and lie.What matters is the intention of the action.

Assasination of IWD

Stage was all set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Women's Day in New Delhi. The day before the grandeur was to be spread, the newspapers were full of events and facilitation functions to be organised for women from various fields.Looking at the large scale celebrations planned for the day, one might say that the seeds of emancipation of women sown by various visionaries like Raja Ram Mohan Rai, were full grown trees now.And certainly these trees had the vision of making evergreen forests out in the arid soil owned by men.

But the auspicious day was marked by the cold-blooded murder of a 20-year old girl by an obsessed jackass in day light at the heart of the city.The guy had been stalking the girl for two-three years and was beaten up earlier his acts.But his one-sided love was too much for him to give up.And ultimately frustrated, he decided to end 'her' life in the name of true love. Now these kind of people think it's the love that drives them to such unprecedented levels of insanity.They are the ones who pollute such a beautiful word.Rather its always lust.Love cannot end in an act of violence at the beloved.

Now the thing to note here is the ease with which he gets the weapon for the killing.Just goes to some black street and sheds just 2000 bucks.Is it that easy these days? That very little amount, is the value of a innocent human life? Where was the law and order when he obtained the weapon? Where was law and order when he shot her from point blank in day light ?

Just by catching hold of the murderer does not mean that they have done their part. They will have to take answer our questions and address the concerns. It's a shame that at the dawn of 100th anniversary of IWD, an obsessed murderer has reminded the nation that our women are not safe.As the white tiger would say,'what a fucking joke!'

She's innocent !

"मैं तो पहले ही कहती थी, ये कमीनी तो है ही मनहूस इसकी कोंक से एक लड़का नहीं निकला तीन-तीन महारानिया पैदा कर के बैठी है उस समय माँ की बात मान ली होती तुने तो आज पछताना न पड़ता "

And probably this reaction from a mother-in-law is not that disgusting.Cases have been reported where the daughter-in-laws have been killed or tormented to an unbearable extent for something they had not done or intended.For ages, 'bahus' have been blamed for not blessing the family with a boy child.I am sure each one of us is aware of the inhumane repercussions of the same.The innocent girls have been blamed and condemned for nothing.

If only the ignorant people knew that the sex determination of the child is entirely dependent on the sex chromosome from the sperm.The sex chromosome from the ovum has nothing to do with it.Ergo, the father is entirely responsible for the sex of the child.Not the mother.If only.

Lets spread the word to spaces which still echo the sufferings of the innocent mothers.