The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. Dwight D. Eisenhower
The real leader has no need to lead--he is content to point the way. Henry Miller
Saturday, May 24, 2008
New Delhi Railway Station
I arrived in Delhi at around 4 o'clock. My train left from New Delhi at 20:40. So I had lots of time to spare and kill. I was not sure from where I was supposed to catch the train. I asked the conductor where it would be best to get down from the bus to catch a train from New Delhi. He told me it would be best to get down at I.S.B.T. I was not really sure where that was though I have been there twice. As soon as I got down my memory came to my aid and I knew I had to cross street via cross over (not something very common in India and therefore a landmark). Though just to make sure I asked a few passerby if was headed in the right direction for the railway station and they replied affirmative.
My memory and the directions of the passerby were right; they did lead to Station but Metro Station not Railway. Realising my mistake I asked a gentle soul sitting idly how I could reach New Delhi Railway Station. He directed me to a bridge at some distance. It took me ten minutes to reach there with my suitcase (fortunately I had decided to travel very light and all my bag contained was three pants, three shirts and few books (College books as well as novels)). After reaching the pointed place the wait began. Now it may not seem much to you who just sits there reads this line but waiting for a bus on a highway road in Delhi summer is quite a daunting task. The gentle soul had told me catch bus number 212, I think. Bus number 211 arrived shortly however I decided to wait for bus number 212. After waiting for 20-25 minutes I decided to take the bus 211 and then try to reach the railway station. But unfortunately the bus stopped just 500m ahead as that was its last stop. 'Enough!' I thought and decided to take the Metro. I walked back to Metro Station (the light suitcase now seeming to gain weight). I asked the metro checkers who decided not to check my bag how I could reach the Railway Station. They kindly guided me take a token for Chandni Chowk. I followed their advice and to my surprise Chandni Chowk was the first stop after my boarding.
I got down at the Chowk and looked around. The signs led to Railway Station and the Library. I am a big fan of literature; I regretted not being able to visit the library. On reaching the railway station I breathed the sigh of relief and rested for about twenty minutes. I wanted to relax but I thought it would be best if I made sure the timing of the train and I was on right railway station, it felt like something was wrong. After standing in the queue for 10 minutes at the enquiry counter I asked the timing for my train. It comes at the New Delhi Railway Station he replied. I didn’t know what to do for the next 30 seconds. Then, I headed straight for the taxis parked outside, asked the guy to take me to the New Delhi Railway Station and didn’t even bargain with him when he said it would take 80Rs; I just wanted to get it over with.
Finally I was at the New Delhi Railway Station but I still wanted to make sure of everything so I asked at the enquiry at what time the train was leaving. He told that the train would leave on time. I finally was at ease and retired into the rest room. I spent the next four to five hours finishing “The first man” by Camus. I kept checking the time table at regular intervals. Finally when there was just 45 minutes left for the departure I took my suitcase and was about to leave when a women in late thirties gave me such an acknowledging smile that I had to half smile in return. Half, because I was not sure why she was smiling. She said something to me and as I was not expecting her to say anything I didn’t even hear what she was saying.
“Pardon?” I said, expecting her to ask me time or something.
“Leaving!! Won’t you even offer a cup of tea?” She said.
“Whoa” I thought “Get the hell out of here Dude”.
For once my thoughts and my instincts were agreeing on something and I got out of there as soon as possible. The train was on time and I got upgraded from 3 tier AC to 2 tier AC. I wish that wouldn’t have happened as the AC of 2 tier was not working.
My memory and the directions of the passerby were right; they did lead to Station but Metro Station not Railway. Realising my mistake I asked a gentle soul sitting idly how I could reach New Delhi Railway Station. He directed me to a bridge at some distance. It took me ten minutes to reach there with my suitcase (fortunately I had decided to travel very light and all my bag contained was three pants, three shirts and few books (College books as well as novels)). After reaching the pointed place the wait began. Now it may not seem much to you who just sits there reads this line but waiting for a bus on a highway road in Delhi summer is quite a daunting task. The gentle soul had told me catch bus number 212, I think. Bus number 211 arrived shortly however I decided to wait for bus number 212. After waiting for 20-25 minutes I decided to take the bus 211 and then try to reach the railway station. But unfortunately the bus stopped just 500m ahead as that was its last stop. 'Enough!' I thought and decided to take the Metro. I walked back to Metro Station (the light suitcase now seeming to gain weight). I asked the metro checkers who decided not to check my bag how I could reach the Railway Station. They kindly guided me take a token for Chandni Chowk. I followed their advice and to my surprise Chandni Chowk was the first stop after my boarding.
I got down at the Chowk and looked around. The signs led to Railway Station and the Library. I am a big fan of literature; I regretted not being able to visit the library. On reaching the railway station I breathed the sigh of relief and rested for about twenty minutes. I wanted to relax but I thought it would be best if I made sure the timing of the train and I was on right railway station, it felt like something was wrong. After standing in the queue for 10 minutes at the enquiry counter I asked the timing for my train. It comes at the New Delhi Railway Station he replied. I didn’t know what to do for the next 30 seconds. Then, I headed straight for the taxis parked outside, asked the guy to take me to the New Delhi Railway Station and didn’t even bargain with him when he said it would take 80Rs; I just wanted to get it over with.
Finally I was at the New Delhi Railway Station but I still wanted to make sure of everything so I asked at the enquiry at what time the train was leaving. He told that the train would leave on time. I finally was at ease and retired into the rest room. I spent the next four to five hours finishing “The first man” by Camus. I kept checking the time table at regular intervals. Finally when there was just 45 minutes left for the departure I took my suitcase and was about to leave when a women in late thirties gave me such an acknowledging smile that I had to half smile in return. Half, because I was not sure why she was smiling. She said something to me and as I was not expecting her to say anything I didn’t even hear what she was saying.
“Pardon?” I said, expecting her to ask me time or something.
“Leaving!! Won’t you even offer a cup of tea?” She said.
“Whoa” I thought “Get the hell out of here Dude”.
For once my thoughts and my instincts were agreeing on something and I got out of there as soon as possible. The train was on time and I got upgraded from 3 tier AC to 2 tier AC. I wish that wouldn’t have happened as the AC of 2 tier was not working.
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