Guzaarish..

Sometimes Mumbai looks insensitive and uninviting. People don’t appear much bothered about anyone or anything. Unlikely that blasts or rains can make any difference.

Last Sunday after a long time, I could get a chance to meet Nishi and Pranat, my school friends. Took a slow local on the harbor line to Khandeshwar, near Panvel.

Actually I’m little uncomfortable taking local trains, as they are normally very crowded. But thought Sunday should be leaner than weekdays, I decided to try. I was wrong.

When the train came, in a hurry to get in, I got into the vendor’s coach. Felt a little awkward; but stood there for around 10-15 minutes when a person of around 50+ years of age stood up and offered me his seat.

I didn’t anticipate an old man offering seat to a ‘relatively less old man’ and that, in Mumbai. He said he will get down after few stations.

Finally we sat together on half seat each. And for those few minutes we talked.

A nondescript personality, perhaps a little unwell too; he works as a transporter of slippers and shoes to a shop in Andheri. Around 20 years back he came from Baliya and has been struggling to save enough to keep sending back home every month.

Apparently he couldn’t even try doing anything else because he had to ensure regular supply of money. And today he has no option than to continue with what he is doing, within the constraints.

But he is growing old; the young guys are faster and smarter. His struggle will increase as the society and his age will slowly take away his strength and may be his belief that he can continue.

He got down at Andheri but I kept thinking about him. He was a good person left on his own by his only son.

Don’t know what will happen to him after few years. Not sure, whether this is what people call as 'passive euthanasia'. I think before it became 'legal', it was already a part of many of our lives.

I guess we all are sufferers in a way or the other, but we are luckier than many. Let us not waste time keeping grudges.

It’s time to go out.