The One Minute Tension

This is the article really close to my heart, so writing in the right groove is also very important. When writing about the city which gave me life, writing in the lifeline of the city would be unmatchable. Yes, it's the Mumbai Local Train. For Mumbaikars, it's "Train". It's a place where there is no scope of discrimination, even an intern like me, travels with the CFO of an MNC at the same pace. The optimism people possess is beyond imagination, even when the trains are packed full with not a needle inch place to get in, people will yell, Pura Train khaali hai, Jaao Andar.... Trust me, trains give you the best motivation ever required in life. 

Today, leaving home with an ambition to learn something new, planning to get my work assigned completed at the workplace and have extreme thoughts of the future. Suddenly as the station is nearer one experiences an extreme shift right from, Personal tensions to train stations. 9.50 and 9.51 doesn't make a difference right? If you reach just a minute late, your entire day schedule is on a toss. Hence, punctuality is one of the lessons taught by Lifeline of Mumbai. 

Talking about Kindness, the lifeline connects you with a number of people, strangers turn out to be your friends just with a smile. Now comes my personal experience, every day I catch the same train, to my client's place and I see a couple of professionals nearly in their 40s along with me. They smiled once. I too reciprocated, along with that, beyond personal talks, they discussed their professional journey, etc. Just a smile can help you grow. That's the beauty of Mumbai Trains. 

Everyone is ready to help, irrespective you are a first-time traveller or not. Be it any language, you will always get the right answer from the other person and also with a willingness to guide you the best. And by chance, if you catch the wrong train, all of the crowd will make sure, you get down to the next station and help you with the map. Do note this happens only when you are not in the peak hours, or else, you are definitely reaching the final destination of the train. 

If you stand at the footboard or catch the running train, get ready to hear a loud yelling my Aunties on how dangerous it can be, it's not the anger but their care irrespective of knowing who you are. 

You may also see the number of college students at 6 am in the morning, standing at the platform for their well-planned scheduled train, and that too, never dozy even at 6 am. Many will be reading their Books, many will be writing their assignments which are pending, and some just praying to stay awake until they reach their station and make it to the first lecture. I was through the third one during my college days, Haha, being honest. 

Devotional Bhajans, watching movies, playing games, and few people informing the other person their location is the common view on the train. And the urge for a shopping spree is so high, that you find the best earrings and other ornaments at half the price as the fancy malls. Also, trust me, you would see a magical smile on the face of the selling women when you buy something from them. It's their hard-earned income after all. 

There was emotional turbulence when the local trains were absolutely stopped during COVID Lockdown, and the Mumbaikar's lifeline was tottering. Traffic jams, and no mode of transportation, were the only talk of the town. After nearly a substantial period, when the train services were resumed, it was really surprising that the people actually bowed at the footboard before getting into the train. 

The one-minute Tension is absolute worth and also, Mumbaikars may crib about their fast-running life, but always has pride for their own Mumbai Local Train...

Oh, I reached my station, I need to get down now, let me cross the entire crowd to reach the door, so see you later, ahh, by the way, I caught my train at 9.50 am so shall be reaching my workplace on time.  

Everyone has their own story of Mumbai Local Train and this was mine. 

Thanks for Reading !!!