end it all

I was a 12 year old living in Hyderabad.  We moved to Chennai.  I did not like it - the change was overwhelming.  Different language, new house, new neighbours, and more impotantly I missed my old friends. I specially did not like the new school.

I thought about ending it all.  I started walking towards the railway tracks.  Half way through, I imagined myself waiting for the train to come and then to lie across the tracks. After some distance, I realised there is no point in waiting specially when you want to end it all. I made up my mind not to wait, I would reach the tracks and if a train comes up at that exact time, I would end it all.  I was able to see the tracks now and sure enough, a train was just approaching.  I then made up my mind, if there is no point in waiting, there is no point in rushing too.  I looked up - the train was in no hurry either.  It was at the exact speed that is required for the train to be upon me when I reach the tracks.  My legs slowed just a wee bit so that the train just went past me when I neared the tracks. What a sad moment, I thought, it is not worth waiting for the next train.

On my way back, I said hello to my new friend with a smile and opened my English text to read - that is the next easiest thing to do.

Honesty that is never lost

I lost my pouch.  It had my bank debit card, two credit cards, my PAN card, driver’s license, my car registration card, and my library card.  I do not remember how or where exactly I lost it.  Perhaps at a Chennai restaurant where I used my credit card last.  I had breakfast and spent some time with my college mate – we’ve been friends for almost 35 years. Or perhaps it fell off somewhere else on my way back – I just can’t remember.

I realised I lost it when I looked for it just before catching a train, a good 12 hours later.  Within a few minutes the entire family searched for it and it dawned on me that I had clearly lost it and not misplaced. I had to postpone my trip.  The restaurant guys were helpful but then they had not found the pouch.

The usual routine followed.  I called the bank, the credit card providers and blocked all cards. I was dreading debit notice notifications – none arrived. I somehow had an inkling that the cards did not find its way to the wrong hands.  India is now a digital country and your date of birth, address and card numbers are all you need to hijack any person’s identity and finances.

I waited for a fortnight to allow things to cool down.  And then started the process to get new/duplicate cards. Just as I returned from applying for a fresh PAN card, I got a call.  The guy identified himself as Chetan and after having confirmed my identity, told me that he had the cards.

And, apologised for the delay in calling me (one day).

With all the details that I had lost, the one thing that was not available was my phone number and he called me with that!  Though my search ended with the loss of the cards – the cards took on their own journey.

He got the pouch as a courier from Chennai to his office address in Bangalore.  I have no clue who exactly found my pouch nor why he chose to send it to an unknown person in Bangalore.  Chetan had no clue either.  It had come with no information and no notes.  He enquired with his boss who knew nothing.  He then wrote to a common group id from where the package had arrived to get a response that they knew nothing about it.  I think we will let that remain an enigma.

Chetan did not send it directly to the address as he wasn’t sure if the address was still the valid one.  Later, he visited the library and found it closed.  And when he called their main office, they refused to give my phone number citing privacy.  He had to give the card number and explain to them that he wanted to return the card to me.  The library saw the point and obliged with my number.  And then Chetan called me.  After a couple of days, he came home and delivered the card.  All intact.  Hope, very soon, he will get to see a miracle as well.

That made me recollect my own experience.  While on a journey by train a few years ago, I found a purse in the toilet.  It had money and all the cards.  Fortunately, I could find a visiting card with his number.  I called him and later couriered the purse to his house.

Maybe one good deed deserves another.  There are things you lose but honesty is not one of them.

I will start a Travel Agency

Today's trip back from office was a surprise. I was waiting for an auto when a taxi came in. Waiting for a negative response I told I would pay Rs.100/- - the auto rate. Surprise, Surprise, he agreed. And then I started. Here is his story.

He appeared to be in his mid 30s. But then he's been driving for 24 years now. He looks much younger than he is.

I am Balu. I've been driving since '84. I have driven all kinds of vehicles. I am doing an Ambassador now.

I am uneducated. I am extremely conscious of this and with a vengeance I have tried to be better. Because I am uneducated I have no bad habits. Perhaps that is reason you feel I appear younger that what I actually am.

I have two sons. The eldest one is 22. He works for a Bank. ICICI - Nungambakkam. He is in charge of marketing. He finishes his job by afternoon and later he does insurance work for Bajaj. He is always in meetings and returns home only after 1 am. He always wanted to work for a bank. He gets enough money. He has a power steering car. He drives it himself to work. He is a good boxer. He builds his body and he has lots and lots of medals. The house is filled with cups and medals. He studies very well. I was able to educate him till 10th and after that he did everything over correspondence. He is always the first or second. Third is ok but he gets tensed if he is not within the first three. What is life if you are not at the top.

The younger one is zero is studies. He is studying for cinema direction. He always keeps watching movies. He does not allow anyone to sleep peacefully. He watches a lot of english movies and says this is the angle from which it should have been shot. I have allowed him to follow his dreams.

Both of them have grown with their own efforts. I am nothing.

I cooked my lunch today as I do everyday. My wife is ill. She is a mental case. She wants buildings and houses. For what I earn we can afford to eat peacefully three times a day and that is enough for me but not for her. But I take care of her.

I will open a travel agency very soon. I will have three cars - Indica, Ford Ikon and a Mitsubishi Lancer. All AC.