This happened while I was coming to Nagpur from Pune on
29/05 via Pune-Nagpur Garib Rath Express. When the train reached the Wardha
station, I decided to come down on the platform to purchase bananas from the
vendor. My wife requested me to take my baby, Raunak along as well to prevent
his boredom. I readily obliged and came down with him on the platform, located
the vendor and started going through his wares. When I had made the selection
and started making payment, the vendor inquired as to which train I had come.
When I let him know that it was Garib Rath Express, he remarked that the train was
already leaving. I looked back horrified, and indeed it was. I made the payment
in haste, thanked him and ran to catch the nearest coach reaching my 8th
Coach was out of question.
While I was running towards the nearest coach, two things
crossed my mind: why did the driver not sound the horn and whether I would be
able to reach the gate on time. I put all my effort and somehow managed to reach
the gate of Coach 6; however, by the time I did, the train has picked up speed.
My problem was compounded by the fact that I was carrying Raunak in my arms and
there was no way I would be able to board with just one hand free. Then the
help came from one of the most unexpected quarter. The ticket checker who was moving
towards the next coach saw me and came to my rescue. He asked me to handover
the baby first so that the baby would be free from harm. Also, there were
better chances of me able to board with my both hands free. I did as suggested
and was able to board successfully. I thanked him profusely while taking Raunak
back in my arms.
The Garib Rath Express logo:
The Garib Rath Express:
Wardha Junction:
I, then, crossed over to my Coach to reach my wife and found her frantically fiddling with her phone in an attempt to call me. I let her know what had transpired and she was thankful that I was safe and expressed gratitude towards the unknown ticker checker and the vendor, who had informed me, in the first place, about the departing train. Days have passed since the incident, but every time I think of it, my heart gets filled with gratitude for the vendor as well as the ticket checker. I would never forget them :)