It was three days ago that I had a most surreal experience. It was dreamlike yet wasn't a dream at all. It was magical. On my way back from DCAC, I was in a hurry at the station to catch the metro which was on the verge of leaving us and make us wait for five more minutes. So I rushed down the stairs at the rate of naughts, only to find the doors of the train closing in front of me and waving to me to say goodbye sarcastically. An old man then, must be around 75 years old, came up to me and said," We all have a child hidden in ourselves-out here" pointing to the left part of his chest. "See, you'd just have to wait for less than five minutes!" I was amused by his words and just smiled. He added," But yes, it is wonderful to sometimes give vent to the childlike nature of ours-it provides us with the enthusiasm, alertness and positive attitude so necessary for good living." Again I had nothing to say and just smiled.
The next train arrived within three minutes and we both boarded it. With the rush of passengers from the train trying to shove and push their way out as quickly as possible, our man was stranded at the doorway, unable to force his way in. After succeeding myself, I lent him a helping hand, and he somehow made it. I offered him a seat next to me, and he was again in a talkative mood. "You see," he said, "these political figures do not stop eating us up even now." I agreed. "You know, boy, I think if there is an option called'none of the above', we'd all exercise our right to vote, and if the like minded people like us(referring to himself and me) vote for this, it'd create a sensation, and the media would ensure then that the government is forced to look into the matter." I couldn't help agreeing more. He then asked me what I was busy with in my life at the moment, and the place where I finished my schooling. During this chat, he got badly interrupted by an extremely loud conversation of a person on phone, seated infront of us-he didn't like it. "Oh my goodness, I thought there was an announcement or something!" But again, he did not fail to mention the positives. "See," he said, "they are so natural, no pretensions!" referring to the fact that the man on phone did not care about people getting disturbed or anybody else looking at him. "Yes," I said, finally saying something worthwhile, "we all try to behave differently infront of people than at our homes."
We deboarded again at Rajiv Chowk to board another one going a different route. But as in India which is so common, it was again a great struggle to make our way out of the train. After having made our struggle useful to successfully barge our way into the next one, this man had some parting words to say. "I wish for your success in life and am sure that you will grow up to be an extraordinary man. Abhishek, I really believe that you would be uncommon and refreshingly different from the rest. I hope you make your parents proud and realise the summit in whatever you do." I was speechless, couldn't say a word even though I wanted to, badly. Then I somehow struggled to say,"I wish I would meet more people like you." "Oh, that's really a complement", he said, smiling,"but remember, you'd have to deal with this unforgiving world." And he kept on smiling at me, and I stared blankly. I was tongue-tied, I couldn't say a word. And before I could even think of anything, he left at the next station. I cursed myself of not even bidding him goodbye. What an idiot I was.
I pine to meet him again. Or people like him again. I think it was a message of the almighty making me realise that there are all kinds of people in this country-the good ones are so rare, but they exist everywhere; giving me an inspiration to proudly be the odd one out. (this article was published in Hindustan Times innervoice- July 16, 2008)
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