Chug Chug Chug... My Experience on the Mumbai Locals

Hmmm... actually it was a zoom and not a chug with which the train embarked on its journey - my first one on the Mumbai Locals...
Lemme start at the beginning...

I threw myself mercilessly into the throng of human bodies marching its way towards the station while I was still a few metres away (only then could I hope to enter the station, you see...). As I was automatically carried along by the human conveyor belt, I managed to spy the ticket counter out of the corner of my eye and detached myself from the crowd just in time and joined the line. A regular traveller behind me in the queue rightly guessed that it was my first time on the locals and patiently explained the fundae of train schedules and signs, while I listened with rapt attention. After a wait of 15 minutes at the seemingly never-moving queue, I suddenly found myself at the front of it, wondering what I was doing there, in a bit of a daze due to the pollution, the crowds and the pleading faces of 'money-requestors' a.k.a beggars who seem to close in on me from every side leaving me no space to breathe. The kindly counter-guy asked politely for my destination, sensing that I was a newbie who could do with some kindness and sympathy! I blurted out a name, got my ticket and exited in a FIFO manner, to join the mass moving towards the platforms like a zombie, amazed at the capability of human beings to get packed so densely in the barest minimum square inch of space and still managing to look the least bit worried or hassled.
The state of the station, the overbridges and the platforms left a lot to be desired, though I must say that considering the countless breeds and numbers of living things that lived on them and/or used them regularly, the place was maintained decently well...

To continue my story, I glanced above at the heavenly guiding star that was the neon display showing the train schedules near each platform (thank god for small mercies and the kind-hearted guy at the ticket queue) and managed to decipher that a train was about to leave from Platform 4 that would take me to my destination quickly (there was this funda of fast and slow trains too, you see).
With a 90-degree change in my direction, I was able to effect a turn and proceed down the stairs despite the crowd hurrying on ahead as one mass, trying to bear me away along with the current.

Standing majestically on the platform was the many-carriaged snake-like vehicle ready to zoom out of the station, with people hanging out precariously from all the compartments... It dawned on me that the train was almost leaving - and I managed to propel myself into the nearest compartment through a small gap a kindly guy was good enough to leave, sensing my despair.
As the train sped out toward its destination, stopping at few more stations along the way, it never ceased to amaze me how more people could somehow fit in a train that seemed too full even when it started. Ya - you guessed right - I failed to see any kind of outflow of people - only more and more people embarking at every station...
My amazement reached its zennith when, at one station, almost everyone on the train began to disembark; People spilled out of the train in a seemingly never-ending flow - scattering out in all directions from the narrow confines of the train and going their own way, unaffected, as I stared, incredulously gaping at the number of people who had been packed like matchsticks in that matchbox of a compartment.

The train, devoid of most of its occupants, seemed like a lifeless empty monster, making me a bit apprehensive, while countless dark stories flashed past my mind-eyes and my mind started analysing the n number of things that could happen. I firmly stopped the processing that was going on and, glad to finally get a seat, sat down and started examining the 3 co-occupants of the compartment, cursing the circumstances that forced me into this compartment instead of a ladies compartment in accordance with the thousands of pieces of advice that had been hurled at me. Thankfully, the last leg of the journey proved to be quite uneventful.

However, things suddenly took a turn for the worse when there was an unimaginable influx of passengers as soon as the train screeched to a halt at one particular station. A hefty guy plomped down beside me and mumbled sumthing that sounded like 'Get Up'! Scandalized at his impoliteness, I spontaneously got up and sat two seats away, only to find him staring at me peculiarly. Thats when the truth dawned on me - the train had pulled to a halt at the very last stop - my destination - and these were passengers who were going back on the return journey ! I hastened to clamber off the train, pushing my way through the throng of people trying to get in. I managed to somehow emerge unscathed and victorious out of the station, despite the throng of people trying to elbow their way in, slowing down my exit. The sun shining kindly down on me proved to be the sweetest thing on earth, despite my hatred for the 47-degree heat.

I triumphantly made my way home, proud of myself and my achievement - my first trip on the infamous Mumbai locals...

Why not "Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself" ?

Walking down the street yesterday night, I came across an inter-family brawl staged right on the street - it involved two families who lived at 'Care of Street, Opposite Petrol Bunk'... It affected me deeply to see such poor families, living right there on the street, and, in the midst of it all, fighting wildly, mouthing foul words and heaping curses upon one another, darkening the atmosphere with so much ill-will. It was unbelievable and highly disturbing to see such uncontrollable rage and undisguised hatred emanating from a single person... It was very hard for me to digest the sight in front of me and come to terms with reality, as I lowered my head a bit and walked on, quickening my pace.
Why dont people see the fact that life is immensely simple if you let it be ? If people were affable towards everyone and doled out the same treatment to the passer-by on the road and the sister at home, the world will be lots better... If people treated one another with affection born out of humaneness and brotherliness, why would there be family quarrels ? Why would neighbours fight over silly things like whose garbage goes where ? Why would friends disagree over trifles and alientate themselves from each other ? Why would states squabble over the 100th ounce of water that flowed over and quenched one poor man's thirst ? Why would nations wage expensive bloody wars over issues of power ?
Why do humans have to make life complex when, by living it the simple way, life could have been made so much more productive and the world - a much better place to live in... Why ?

The story so far...

I promised to tell my story and here it is...

It was a glorious morning - the dawn of a new day - one that promised to significantly, in some mysterious, yet-unknown way, to impact the lives of billions of people all over the world... no - I am not talking of September 11, 2001, but of another day, roughly 18 years and 331 days further into the past... that memorable day when there plopped into the world and looked askance at the chaos that was the world around her, a teeny weeny baby who was later christened Anupama. Her joyous parents could, perhaps, get a waft of the significance of this baby, for they, after much thought, bestowed on her the aforementioned name - 'The Unique or Incomparable One' (though its another story how the kid kept pestering her dad for a period of roughly two long troublesome years to change her name coz she dint like it, according to reports from credible sources).

Like most children do, she also grew up, much petted and oohed-and-aahed at, as kids usually are, in the warm confines of her home and a 5-km radius, which happened to, partly by accident, and partly by design, encompass her small world of kindergarten, primary school, high school, friends' homes, dance and music classes and even college ! (though I must admit that a few of those places fell out of the strict 5-km boundary though they did not, for certain, cross the 20-km limits).

Thus grew the child happily (you must have guessed who I am talking about, by now atleast...) in the heart of the city of Chennai, one of the few places in India gifted with a multitude of things that includes vast stretches of decently good beaches (one cant expect something as exotic as Goa right outside their doorstep, u see...), good restaurants, the usual array of fast food joints that are ideal for young vibrant teenagers to haunt, as well as a host of theatres and auditoriums that play host to great Indian cultural shows - in fact - in my humble opinion, it is a city that perfectly blends the fast-paced metro-atmosphere and the quaint refreshing essence of Indian culture, with its classical cultural tinge...

I then grew a bit more - for thats who the child was, in case it had not, by some unfortunate twist in the tale, still dawned on you - and went on through the drab routine that has become the most widely socially accepted chain of events that any kid goes through... school and then college (under-grad). A wonderful school - well-known for the relaxed curriculum for the younger kids, the excellent quality of faculty, and the freedom and encouragement for extra-currics they generously bestowed upon their wards - Vidya Mandir, which of course fell within the radius I had mentioned quite briefly, in passing, earlier. Undergrad was again smooth sailing for me - Computer Science and Engineering in SRM Easwari Engineering College - a great college and an overall satisfying experience, studying the subject that I truly loved and adored, which I had taken despite frantic calls and advice from well-wishers to take ECE which had the capability of giving me a wider focus. Along with my ample share of fun and enjoyment all through school and college, I managed to continue and keep up my enthusiasm for a wide array of extracurricular activities while simultaneously putting up a good front in academics...

I find it very funny when I take a walk down memory lane : I glance at myself in the mirror and marvel at my thoughts each stage of my life - my mind was always highly volatile (though I must mention that the necessary stuff related to education and other important data were safely engraved in the ROM part of my brain) - the range of my interests were really extraordinary and my mind resembled a pit of quicksand which eagerly absorbed everything that was put it but was constantly shifting and churning around - I used to want to become a librarian one day, a doctor the next hour and an astronomer the very next second! Some of these may appear to the normal reader as childish fancies that are common in every energetic kid, but no - many of these so-called fancies were, and are still, taken quite seriously by me. My parents and my immediate family, namely, my aunt and grandmom (who lived with us) were extremely supportive of whatever I wanted to do and encouraged any genuine practical interests I had (read - they ignored my whims when I insisted I wanted to become a vegetable seller for our street, but took me seriously when I said I wanted to learn dance). Thats how I ended up being a good dancer and singer who could also draw and paint well, play the veena and violin a little, play the synth/harmonium, knew verses in sanskrit from scriptures and had won prizes in loads of competitions and given many classical dance and music performances.

Then came my next jump, after graduation, when I was faced with 'app-ing' for MS, heading for an MBA or taking up the software job offer in Inautix I had got through college placements. Postponing the first option for the present, I decided to sit for the MBA entrance exams but was all set to take up the job offer. Though I went through a correspondence course of IMS half-heartedly, I decided to give my best for CAT just as the date for the exam neared and also went through all the hullaballoo that was caused by the leaking of our paper and the re-test in Feb 2004. Just before joining Inautix, I got the final acceptance call from IIMA - Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad - the Mecca of Management - the very best in Asia. That evening when I saw the result online will, forever, remain imprinted in my memory...

Then started the roller-coaster ride for me, with all the fachha parties and informal meets and the flooding of my inbox with all the queries of eager brilliant minds ready to take up IIMA head-on, ready to start flying towards great achievements in life and the patient amused know-it-all replies by helpful patient tuchhas at the insti. My first contact with the insti was one of my tuchhas who had touched base with me within two days of my acceptance at IIMA, offered to help me and answered all my queries. Awed by the level of networking among the alumni and the power of its name, I entered IIMA's grand hallowed portals as if in a dream, leaving behind Chennai, my parents, my immediate family and friends and my pet cats - all things that were familiar and near-and-dear to me.

The first year of PGP1 taught me many lessons in life, earned me loads and loads of good friends, taught me what life and management is all about (over and above the theories of Kotler, Black-Scholles and Henry Fayol). The hectic schedule, system of education and life at IIMA was a novelty - very different from anything I had ever experienced before. I soon became an "IIMA-ite" in blood :-) - the dear ole' brick walls grew on me and so did the IIMA brand which was emblazoned upon me forever.
Life went on and our tuchhas graduated - the wheels turned and now we are soon-to-be-seniors welcoming the new batch and already giving the know-it-all gyan on the yahoo group for our juniors - I just cannot digest how fast time has passed - the sands of time have shifted, leaving me standing bewildered and amazed at how I could grow so much older in such a short time !

Now trying out my stint at working in an organization as part of my summer internship (which, it so happens, gobbles up our entire 2 month "holiday" - the only respite we get from studies and the hectic life at IIMA) I am waiting eagerly for 5th June when I get a chance to be reunited with family and friends and spend lazy evenings with my folks at the stately populous capitals of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for a meagre total of 6 days before I am packed off back to the outstretched welcoming arms of IIMA for the supposedly easy-going relaxed life as a tuchhi.

Hmm... gud luck to myself as I enter tuchhadom triumphantly - it gnaws on me in a very odd way that half my time here is already up and in less than one year down the line, I'll be spewing out messages on the senti-NB on Dbabble and saying 'Sayonara' to all my gud friends here, the faculty and profs, my dorm, my classrooms (the well-designed amphitheatre models with astounding accoustics that strive to disclose the sleeping antics of every unsuspecting student to the prof), the new campus with its very own ossum underpass - and every small nook and cranny and every bit of earth that is enclosed within the famous much-televised brick walls of our dear ole campus.

But, as they say - time and tide wait for none...
Change is the only unchanging law of nature...
The wheels of time keep turning and we have to compulsarily pass onto the next act in the drama of life and enact our pre-scripted parts with precision.

Well then... Thats it for now... Pens down !
Do please take some time to digest the brief sketch of my life so far...
Adieu for now...

Freshly baked : hot from the oven of summer internship... Monday Morning Blues...

One of the few things in the world that have really managed in succeeding to be the focus of my concentrated undisguised hatred - and, I assure you, I am usually a very genial soul who normally never bears any kind of ill-will toward any other aggregation of atoms - living or non-living - is the sight of my office on a monday morning ! (to be specific, this monday morning - coz I have no clue how the next one will be - might be really great for all you know...). The thing I hate most of all (with appropriate might-change-my-mind-later-dont-hold-me-responsible-disclaimer and delegating full resposibility to my current frame of mind) is the slow dragging of my two unwilling feet to office and the subsequent time spent in those very comfortable-now-an-eye-sore chairs and the starting-to-work sequence on a glorious monday morning, when the only thing one feels like doing is to continue the heavenly state of slumber with its much-awaited out-of-the-world dreamy dreams followed by a sumptuous breakfast and lunch (later, of course) in bed - spoon in one hand and a good novel in the other !

To understand this hatred which has suddenly sprung up from nowhere 540 seconds ago (in the mind of one who was genuinely in love with work and office until 540 seconds back and who is highly likely to fall in love with it again well before lunch today) one needs to first understand my frame of mind and the sequence of events that occured in my very recent past - to be more specific, yesterday and this morning.

Yesterday was the laziest day in my life as far as my digging-into-my-memory-dump results go. Got up late, had breakfast, read some work-related stuff till lunch time, had lunch, relaxed in bed comfortably with a novel, spent the whole afternoon and evening lying in bed reading the novel and the aforementioned work-related stuff in alternation (just to prove to myself that I am not the kind of waste-a-holiday-when-u-have-work lazy sluggish girl), had dinner, put together a small bit of a 2000-piece puzzle and then went to bed. All of this was, of course, interspersed with some calls from different people enquiring about the status of my health, my week at office and my day in general - genuine kith and kin (not those shady 'Hello Darling ! I was really concerned about you - by the way - would you mind if I borrowed your pink pearl set for the party tomorrow ?' types) who were concerned about me and wanted to be a part of my everyday life. In short, it was the perfect day one could ever have, if you did not mind not stirring out of the house all day... Of course, though I am not exactly of that breed, I still enjoyed my perfect day yesterday in the spacious 5th floor flat overlooking huge structures of cement that seem to crawl out of the earth and continue their steep ascent in a vain effort to try and reach the sky, with a view from another balcony of the refreshingly fresh sea which seem to emanate the very essense of life and generously spray it into the cool breeze it sent my way.

By now, I think you will be ready to sympathize with my feelings of desolation when the sun peeped up this morning and forced me to get out of bed with its long tentacles reaching out and exploring every nook and cranny of the room, reminding me of the long week ahead waiting for me with outstreched open arms. And you can also imagine my feelings as I had a little game of table tennis by myself gently teasing my breakfast from one side of my plate to the other and back again. I was thoroughly pampered and spoilt by yesterdays' events (or rather, non-events) and looked longingly at the bed and various other parts of the house, that beckoned, enticing me to spend one more lazy day in its confines, when the time came for me to rush to office. As a natural consequence, I ended up postponing my departure which resulted in the obvious chain of events that culminated in a 5 minute-late entry at office, not helped a bit by my lazy legs which, with a will of their own, seemed the least bit interested in reducing the displacement between the cluster of atoms that was me and the cluster of atoms that was my office.

Thus started my 'wonderful' monday morning at office - the 29th day of my summer internship.

However, thankfully, I was not the focus of what-the-hell-is-she-a-goddess-that-she-can-be-late-to-office looks from coworkers. I am forever indebted to the unseen supreme power up above for the gift of a good, informal, helpful, friendly work atmosphere, which earned me cheery "Hi"s and "G'Morning"s as I trudged wearily along, parrying with similar courtesy greetings and made a beeline for my desk, to the spate of mails that popped out of my inbox, which I refused to acknowledge, promising myself that it could wait for atleast 15 minutes, giving me time to settle down and bring my thoughts into some semblence of an order to facilitate efficient brain functioning for office work.

Having offloaded my thoughts and monday morning blues onto another medium (meaning my very own scratchpad online) which, unfortunately, is dumb and cant offer me words of encouragement, I look up in time to hear my guide rapidly typing away in his cubicle right next door, while, on a spree of multitasking, seals a deal over the phone,while simultaneously signalling in un-decipherable sign language that he will be joining the other VP for a meeting in 5 seconds ! I thank my stars for the unbelievably good easy time I have had in life till now (compared to the multitasking-on-a-monday-morning poor office-goer) while my thoughts race into the future with chilling forboding, imagining the time when I'd be in his shoes or maybe performing an even more vigorous form of multitasking that happens to involve the other unused parts of my body like my other hand and my two feet). I call out in haste to my guide - "Hey - tell me whenever you can spare time for a half hour session regarding my project" and receive an encouraging nod and a "Yep -sure - we'll sit together after lunch" while his eyes beseech me, giving me pitiable looks that say "Cant you see I am extremely busy today ? Please have some mercy on this poor body of mine which is trying to do its monday-morning-best..."

With a small smile, I return to my desk and open the huge folder that contains all project-related stuff, knowing fully well that someday, sometime, my guide will definitely find some time for me and my project - just that I fervently hope that the great moment falls sometime within the period of my summer internship !