In my experience...

A couple of years back we were traveling from Delhi to Dehradun via Train. It has been a while since I have taken a train. Spoilt no. I choose other modes for hygiene, safety, and time in that order. More recent sources tell me that Vandhe Bharat Trains have wiped these issues clean. I will hold my commentary till I experience the same.

The bustle in train stations is a delight to watch. Frames of ever-changing scenes in and outside the train. Loudspeakers assertively warn travelers of various precautions and approaching trains in a couple of languages. The porters in their bright red shirts watched hoards of travelers wheeling their suitcases in, dismissive glances at the tiny wheels of burgeoning cases, whilst large families broke the porters' reverie engaging them in lugging loads of cases with wheels and all. Couriers, Parcels, and Cargo are all entrusted to the men in red as they diligently cart them away.

One such family was sharing the same berth as my friend N and I. The family settled in, squeezed every fiber of the allotted space to stow away their luggage, and encroached a bit of ours as well, essentials were taken out for the journey, and a bit of housekeeping was underway. The luggage was then secured with thick chains, the chains were then secured with fat locks, and the locks were secured with bigger keys. The keys were then safely tucked away in some corner. Children swapped seats, leg warmers worn, and a muffler swaddled the neck and ears. A Pepsi bottle was passed around that did not smell like Pepsi, the children were shooed away from taking a sip whilst the women pursed their lips in a disgruntled fashion.

All in. Whistle blows. The red flag was waived.

The train chugs away slowly through the station, some last-minute sales by hawkers through the window, and off this metal body goes. The city lights are now glimmering at a distance, houses growing sparse, the frame unfurling green fields of crops, a couple of cows and goats making their way home. The scenery now starts to blur as the train picks up speed.

The gentle rocking movement, the hum of the train on tracks, heavy eyelids, nodding off the heads, snuggling into the makeshift beds, the differing frequencies of snores join a crescendo. Then darkness.

With a dull cry, a bright white light was switched on startling people from their slumber. My eyes open just a little to adjust to the white light, my mind trying to register the commotion. A college student opposite our berth was frantic. Her bag was stolen. She was pacing up and down, her only possession now a phone that refused to connect to a signal. She calmed herself down, shoulders drooped, head down sat defeatedly on her berth in contemplation or beration. She looked up wide-eyed, glazed in confusion vulnerably towards us (probably to the blur outside the window matching the blur in her head) Fellow travellers realised this is the point of intervention of enlightenment, sharing wisdom, experiences, the should haves, could haves, may haves, the buts, why’s when’s, what’s, do's and the don'ts.

Stop Stop Stop.

Now is the time to decide what needs to be done. Penchant advice of travelers will probably not register when the mind is in a tumultuous stage of emotions, like water on a duck's back. The body is commanded to be in flight, fright, or fight mode. The archived files relating to flight and fright are probably on a loop playing in her head. Let us get on the stage to help fight. (If you offer to help)

What can / should be done?

1. Let the railway police know
2. Recall the contents
3. List of what needs to be blocked
4. Enlist help
5. Conserve phone battery.
6. Do you have money?

One day Tenali Raman tasked a young boy to carry clay pots to the next village. The boy agreed to a few rupees. Before he could set off on the task, Tenali Raman hit him a couple of times. The boy was reduced to tears. Through the sobs, he asked Tenali Raman why he hit him. To which Tenali says "there is no point hitting you after you have broken the pots, I rather hit you now to remind you not to."

Parents wish us safety fervently, sharing travel trips, suggesting where to keep what, and what should we have on us at all times. Years of experience packed into 15 seconds, delivered at the right time. We tend to either acknowledge or be dismissive. Till it happens to us.

We pass on the baton of experiences, I told you so’s. What we could remember is the patty between the buns is the juiciest part. Put together the burger tastes better.

At this point "What now? That would probably be the best strike.

#behaviouralscience #behaviour #advice #trainjourney