Making a Difference!

So it’s getting darker and darker around, you flip through news channels and figure out how badly we have ****ed it up, read newspapers and you understand how inadequate we are, step out of your house and you feel lost in the crowd or in rat race chasing numerous things. To top it all, if you are staying in Mumbai or any of the buzzing metro cities in India then you are continuously on the go – leaving you, very little time for yourself, very little time to appreciate the gifts of life, to feel the pain, to understand your challenges and so on. These days, we simply go through the motions (without an all-important ‘E’), hardly living any of it.

Oh no, don’t get me wrong, I am no expert nor do I have any solutions to offer on this. In fact, I myself am perplexed about these things. Actually, I am just looking at creating a zone where I can engage with myself; an environment that will allow me to tap into things which are said or unsaid, heard or unheard; most importantly a moment to ponder over all that matters – dreams, emotions, people and innumerable small yet beautiful things in life. It may get hopelessly pakao or irrelevant to all of you… or it may just help you discover your zone.

So here is an Interesting story to begin this journey –

It was a hectic Tuesday and I was on my way back after an alarmingly tiring day at work. Summers in Mumbai were never meant to be soothing, however this was one of the hottest days and it gave a clear indication of what the future holds for us. It was around 7.00 PM in the evening, but it was still very humid.

I was travelling by train which was crowded enough to offer any comfort whatsoever. I think those who daily travel by train In Mumbai, can survive anywhere in the world. Considering the kind of fitness, courage, agility and muscle power required – we can safely declare this ritual as one of the Sports in India. The day you win this game, you get to reach office on time (as a reward ), well for all other days when you fail – your boss gets to have a go at you, and trust me bosses are good at making most of such situations. It would not be an exaggeration to say that we will win gold hands down, if this sport gets officiated as one of the games at Olympics. Our ability to squeeze in 200 people in 80 capacity compartment is close to legendary. And if there ever is a ‘Rail Combat Indian Premiere League’ then for obvious reasons Mumbai will have an edge over all other metro cities.

So it was a typically crowded ride back home, I was comfortably standing inside the compartment with one feet strongly rooted on the floor and the other one occasionally roaming around in the air and stamping on co-passenger's feet every now and then. Same was the case with around 120 plus people standing around me, and yes we were all comfortably positioned. Oh – yeah, we define comfort differently in this part of the world. There were people listening to music, reading books, watching movies on respective mobile phones, there were some tablet engagement for the chosen ones who had an ultimate luxury of having a place to seat, few were playing cards, few were chatting with friends, bunch of people were busy with some arguments / fights, then there were those who were taking a quick power nap [yeah, you read it right] and the door keepers were singing songs as if it was a joy ride. Believe me these are realistically attainable things for everyone who travels by train, no matter how incredibly crowded it gets.

Jam-packed trains could never dampen our spirits, we can easily breath through them. But it’s the climate, especially summers that makes us grumble. It was one such evening that denied any solace. With the ever-increasing rush, the hot and humid weather clearly got the better of us. Arguments within the compartment were on the rise, people were pushing each other in order to create some room for themselves, approach became more and more Individualistic, there was one old couple struggling to find place but no one was interested to offer them a seat. Muscle power was on full display – the stronger ones were dominating the game and the weaker ones were on the receiving end. Simultaneously, those who were manning the door took it as their responsibility to block anyone who wished to get-in. At every station there were some verbal spats which only intensified as we march towards our destination. We were thirsty, dejected, angry and frustrated – all at once.

I was immersed in thoughts wanting to get through this journey as soon as possible. I had my share of arguments, perhaps it was important to throw my frustration at others and I did that without any hesitation. Deep down I knew – that everyone in that compartment was just doing that, under pressure we are really good at blaming others for just about everything. I was no different.

As the train reached another station, battle at the door grew stronger. Those who were manning the door almost pushed someone out of train, this guy was carrying 4 big size bags which was obviously too much to accommodate.They did everything possible to keep him off, but this guy was a pro and he got in effortlessly. Everyone welcomed him with choicest words blaming him for carrying such a huge bags, they were yelling at him, abused him, they wanted him to move to luggage compartment.

He was sweating badly, looked tired, must be in late fifties, was wearing some shabby clothes. From appearance he looked like a guy you never wanted to interact with, yet there was something about him which was very assuring. Amidst all the chaos and negative energies he was the only one who managed to smile and had a very genuine smile.

Once inside, he did not waste any time cribbing around, he opened his bag and he started announcing – paaneee, paanee, paanee, paanee. PAANEE means Water in Marathi and Hindi.

That took everyone by surprise. No, he was not there to sell mineral water. He was there to offer drinking water to all the passengers. To all those people who tirelessly work through the day for bread and butter. It was his way of CONTRIBUTING, to give back to society. This was a regular ritual him, every day he will take any train and travel offering water to everyone without charging a penny. Those 4 huge bags which he was carrying with him was the bags he used for carrying water bottles. All this effort, all this hard-work was only to bring comfort and smile on unknown faces.

He personally started approaching people, after initial awkward moments people started warming up to him. There were smiles all across, within 5 minutes everyone from the compartment started calling him, they were thirsty and wanted some water. More than anything they were ashamed of how they treated him. Everyone apologized, but he was unfazed, he offered water bottles, greeted people with smile and got down at the next station only to aboard some other compartment.

In a matter of 10 minutes he changed our perspective, he changed our life. Amidst, the most routinely chaotic and troublesome settings, I learned the biggest lesson of my life. One doesn’t needs to be rich or wealthy to make a difference; All it takes is a strong will, little consideration and a big heart.

Happiness & Sunshine,

Nilesh Mhatre