the day of RECKONING

……and finally  the day of reckoning  arrived !!..

With the drooping faces  full of despair and hopelessness ,  we three of us met at platform 1 on the Paharganj side of  the New Delhi railway station. Staring each other and thinking about our next move, we sat on a bench next to the entrance of platform 1,  we did not have any reservation for any train..   Dudeja ji  being  4 years senior to us, he was our obvious choice  for his lead…………

Checking at the ticket window and the enquiry counters and endless analysis of the display boards, we explored all possible permutation and combinations of getting a reservation and a proper train connection to reach our target destination….MUMBAI…………..

 phooooo.   All in vain,………..

 except for a great  guidance from one of  a  guiding light…. in a black coat….  the TT,

“BUY A GENERAL  TICKET AND BOARD ANY TRAIN GOING TO THE DIRECTION OF MUMBAI” !#!!~~ …**.???

Affirmed by even more practical advisers….in reds with Badge……

Our search finally narrowed  on an evening train, Leaving New Delhi to Jamnagar  around 9:30 PM,  idea was to travel till Baroda on this train and get some connecting train from Baroda to Mumbai, that was the most genius idea we could generate after 4 hours of Brain storming………..

The train was “Jamnagar Express…….” Supposed to be leaving New Delhi from Platform  6….  At  21:50 hours.  Since we were supposed to be travelling in a general compartment, We were aware,   having  dekhoo at the general compartments of other trains …leaving earlier that day…our travelling will be more of a fight to remain inside the compartment   rather than finding a space to stand…  we stuffed ourselves  with  some parathas,  omletes   and tea  at the railway catering counter, and bought  some Parle Gs  as standby provisions for the hunger attack during night…….  

Tightening out trunks and bed rolls tucking them on our shoulder backs  and holding tight in hands, we struggled  through overbridge  to reach  platform  6.

We were standing at the platform 6, waiting for the train to arrive, there was a queue  of fellow travellers, travelling on  general ticket monitored by Lathi Wielded Policewalas , at the platform area where the general compartment was supposed to be positioned…. As if some ration provisions are going to be distributed….

The clock was showing 21.35 hrs….but  train was nowhere in sight….

Wondering and getting uneasy, we were getting impatient, bending over  the edge of platform and looking  in both sides of the train track, to ascertain if the train is on its way to platform,

 it was, not only us, who were taking turns from the queue to go over the edge, bending forward  to look on both side of the track, many other people on the platform waiting for the train were religiously doing the same process, as if their religious bowing will attract the train to the platform…..

When the clock was almost reaching  21.40 hrs….we overheard  an announcement  calling our trains number and name…… we tried  to concentrate in that moment of chaos, to listen the  announcement…….

Platform 6 se janewali gaddi Jamnagar Express   ab  platform  no 4 se jayegi……

On account of last moment change of platform…..with all the possible Selective explicits, … infact it was involuntary deliberation….. by  almost everyone ….  picking up their bag and baggages  and rushing to platform 4  through OVERBRIDGE……UTTER CHAOS !!!

All the orderly queues maintained  for General Compartment entry at Platform 6, were a scene of mess  at platform 4, Policeman were striking their lathis….in vain, People were clamouring at the entry gates, shoving in their Bags and their belongings…Which could include anything  &everything!   besides Bags & Bedrolls, BIG POTLees …colourfully painted trunks,   buckets were there, even de-assembled charpois could be seen being shoved inside !!!

The lower half of the gate was blocked, due to all these essentials being carried inside…. Some over enthusiastic  travellers, on seeing the Lower side of gate being choked and almost blocked, started showing their superman  knacks, climbing through the windows  , started trying to crawl inside compartment  from the upper portion of the gate….. some people clinging at the windows… desperately trying to  block the window seats using their handkerchiefs and hands.  Seeing all this ruckus  ,  people Howling and growling…. We three of us were the  spectators…. Unable to gather sufficient strength to be part of this grand show……….

Railway authorities are very generous…..they give sufficient time for this kind of show .. almost after 15-20 minutes, it seemed that things started  settling in….. the mad rush at the gates seemed cooled down…. Now it seemed it was our turn to seek our space  in the compartment for our onward journey….    Picking up our baggage,  we  push ourselves in the doorways…

to find Space sufficient to mount ourselves for our onward travel to the new world……..

…… in the alley between  the TOILETS……..

...the most UNEASY NIGHT

After leaving office we sat together over a cup of tea and brain stormed...WHAT  NEXT.!!!!  All three’s  state of mind was flowing in the same stream.
Should we go???? or we simply forget this job and try to find another one !!!!  OR   we should get it a try... UNDECIDED .....fixing to talk again next day, we dispersed..........
In the state of big impasse,  reached back to place of my stay, went to a PCO to speak with my DAD, about the latest development of the day.
Personally I was absolutely unwilling to go to Mumbai, The childhood impressions (observations from the magazine advertisements, movies, newspapers) of  ( http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history3.html ) Mumbai local trains without engines, with the over head electric wires connected with connectors mounted on the passenger coaches...  train commuters  standing at the wide doors of the bogeys..  Narrations about Bombay  in the movies.... and the terrific pictures of people moving in big crowd rushing for their  works etc, had a very  frightening negative image of the city, which was forcing me to give up the idea of going to Mumbai   altogether....
After talking with my Dad, I was still in the state of fix, one point notable which my dad said, Do not say No now, go there,  have a look for yourself and see if you can manage then continue, if you find it difficult you can  always come back.
That night, my  brain was going all wild, with all kind of useful/useless analysis, We all three were to go Mumbai for the first time, interestingly  non of us has any acquaintances there.
Finally, I  boldened  myself since we are three, we can manage, if things didn't work out, we have open option to return back. Armed myself with some contact numbers my dad gave to me.... tried to sleep whole night, but managed to turn sides only......

JOINING... Our eagerly awaited Job

..and that was a short vacation of around 15 days, after our final semester and Joing date (I could remember it was 15 June,) when we were supposed to join.
I reached Delhi a night before and stayed at my borther’s place. He was based in Delhi and working in some Garments unit, at that time.
Next day as it could be enthusiastically got ready and went to the Office at Cannaught Place to start our professional life, the other two guys also reached and we met there and were asked to sit in the conference room to finish up with the joining formalities. We sat there chatting , had some coffee, while chatting also dreaming and feeling goose bumps at the same time, as to how will we be able to cope up the office life moving from School life. Half day passed sitting there, we had Lunch ( were offered some Pizza portions along with coffee), One Kapil (HR executive) who was attending us, came to check If we are DONE. ( now this DONE has a multidimensional meaning here, Which I now wonder had a bigger implication, as to the meaning it had to us at that time). Kapil was asking if we are done with our Lunch, or he was asking whether we are done with our relaxed time and are ready for next  sojourn..........
We were taken to the HR G.M, and were give a shock of our life !!!!!!!!!
He informed us or rather commanded, that you three guys are supposed to Join the Marketing Head office in Mumbai, where all your joining formalities will be carried out, and you guys have to immediately start your move..............
On checking with them as to how should we  go on such a short notice, they told us that we have to move by train, and all this journey we have to manage ourselves ..........(another bomb - as they informed that they have not got any reservations etc done for us....)
We were blasted with the biggest shock of our life and were left  muffled on this development.
None of us has ever visited Mumbai earlier, and were now asked to immediately move there without any preplanned arrangement.
It was a tremor of 9 on ritcher scale,  our faces got wide with sullen eyes, body trembling with the horrific idea of Going a mystical city called Mumbai, which we never ever contemplated of going, before that HR GM, cracked the egg on our heads...............
KARTA KYA NA KARTA (with no option in hand) we left the office telling them  that  we need some time to make arrangements of tickets etc and the earliest could be only the next day to start for Mumbai. They gave us the address and the contact person name in Mumbai, and also told us the details of some hotel where our stay has been fixed.

Going Mumbai - Incidental change of location.

After completion of  my B.Tech. from GCTI Kanpur, I manage to get two Job offers, one from Pashupati spinning and another from DCM Ltd. Incidentally I preferred DCM over Pashupati, because  DCM as a brand had a lasting impression in my mind since childhood as my parents used to regulary visit DCM showrooms for purchasing various Household requirements like Towels, Bedsheets, other fabrics etc.
In this situation I have to Submit my resignation (from Pashupati Placement) to our College Placement officer. Interesting thing - Resignation even without Joining.....that was year 1993.
After a stint of 1 year at DCM working in shopfloor, I was absolutely drained and eventually resigned to further my Studies. Fortunately that year I managed to get Admission into MMS at TIT&S, Bhiwani - 2 years of full time study, nice time spent back in school, relaxing and good time as compared to horrible time  working in shifts and that to in  shopfloor !!! ...
...and finally toward the completion of our MMS, the day of reckoning came, PLACEMENT TIME...........year 1996
Indorama, a dream for every Textile professional at that time came for the campus recruitment. After having texting rounds at GD and interveiw,  three from our class - Sujeet, Dudeja, along with me were offered Jobs for placement at Indorama Corporate office New Delhi..........
(Interesting situations were to follow) -  unaware of this, we were on the 7th heaven, in an exclusive celeberating mood,  aware of the fact that other mates are having a kind of jealousy on our KILA FATEH (winning the fort), we felt very relaxed. 
Subsequently by the end of our final semester exams, we had the appointment letters in our hands.

Memories- My Mumbai Stay of 9 + years

While coming to office today, I was just sailing back into my memories, when suddenly, an idea clicked to my mind....  why not try to jot down some incidents, some experiences of my momentous life in Mumbai....
This will not only help me to ease my mental pressures, but also going to give a boost to my  long cherished urge to become a writer!!!.........
WRITER....  well this sounds as  a  little vague idea but  why not give it a shot, Technology has give an opportunity and world wide web has given a platform, where you can create a space for yourself and  put your imaginations or experiences or your lessons of life  into BLACK and WHITE.
Its  not the first time……I have given a shot earlier to this dream, when I got couple of my articles published in Our college annual Magazine  and some of my Letters written to editor of magazine - Science reporter, got  published, during my student Life.
Initially, I don't have plan to make it a promoted public space, I would just keep creating my writes and lets see if something substantial comes out then can consider making it into a organised displayed material.
This space is going to be a kind of my Memoir diary, where I would  write about my travel to Mumbai and  Nine and half years of  my  stay in that Mega city which is full of Dreams, Struggle and  Mysteries.

a start

Its nice to be in the web space,
I would thank Blogger.com for giving space for the numerous like me to express themselves.
Thanks and best wishes to all