Sunday, April 18, 2010

Platform No.1


I was travelling by train to Trichy with my family about a month back.  Since, it was a last minute travel, we could not get air tickets and so decided to go by train.  It was a much awaited train travel after a long time and so was the excitement.  We had to board the train from Egmore station.  The departure was at 10.15 in the night so was quite happy with the timing.  Very ideal in the sense that we would have a quick dinner at home and would reach Trichy for breakfast.  This was the best that could happen. No hassle of packing dinner etc. Just a bottle of water was suffice. 

But, when we reached the station, the first thing  our eyes met was the Adyar Ananda Bhavan Stall flooded with sweets and savouries. I, especially love their Chivda mixture, Butter murukku and the Kara sev.  With meaningful exchanges with my daughters, we headed towards it and came back with a few filled plastic covers.  We also collected some magazines from a book stall nearby.  The train journey itself calls for munching and reading, not to be missed at any cost.  As we were settling down in our seats,  we could see a small boy selling  'garam chai' in mud pots.  We could already sense the aroma of the same and was ready for a hot cup.  We got 4 chais and started sipping, it was heavenly.  As he did not have the change, he told he would come and collect money from us later. By the time, our chai  was getting over, we could hear the whistle and the train started moving.  The boy, not to be seen anywhere.  As it was the air condition coach, there was no way of calling  or looking  out for him from the window.  A peep from the door did not yield any results.  Our spirits were dampened.  What a way to start our trip !!!!!

Then came Mambalam and Tambaram, he was not to be seen.  By this time, we had no hope of seeing him again.  As we were  settling in our beds, came the Chengalpet station and we could hear the train stop with a 'thud'.   We could hear a faint 'chai chai' sound too.  At 11.30 in the night, there he is,  in all smiles.  He apologised that he was late to collect his dues.  He also gave us some more news that he is happy, his pot was over finally.  He happily collected not a paise more from us and was waiting to get down.  I was too happy to hand him the Anand Bhavan snacks too which he started to devour immediately, sure must be hungry.  I am sure,by the time he reaches his so-called home, it would be past midnight, only to awake to sell more ' chais' the next day.

We headed back to Chennai within a couple of days.  As we were reaching Egmore station, all our eyes were looking out for the boy selling chai.  There he was :):) Not to miss the moment, we had his chai and then proceeded home.  These are some moments of life, to be remembered at all times.

Getting a cup of 'garam chai' at a station especially,  is a very uneventful incident to most of us.  Thinking deeply, I wonder what this boy would be doing after 10 years, maybe still selling 'chai' or maybe elevated to the post of managing a stall in Egmore. Life is very uncertain for him but appreciate his spirits of working hard to earn a rupee instead of resorting to begging.  Next time when you travel, please be sure to get a cup of 'chai'.

48 comments:

  1. Lovely post! Train travel always brings nostalgia...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting people we come across during our life's journey. I am happy you could give him some happiness. Shows your kind nature.

    I visit Chennai very often and let me see if I can spot this boy. Good post to read early in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
  3. very touching post ...I make sure to get a chai whenever travel by train. Will be reminded of this post and you whenever I see any chai I guess ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. The warmth of the cup of chai....... friendly feeling. Nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. was nicely abt your journey, its so nice to travel through trains, just love to see the view outside, and to meet new people too...

    ReplyDelete
  6. The story of that little boy is very inspiring! Someone with a will to work hard and move ahead in life will certainly be in a better position 10 years from now. Kudos to the boy's unwavering spirit to succeed!I love the story.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Chitchat, this such a lovely write up..

    ReplyDelete
  8. I know this place, my husband was graduated from NIT Trichy. He says it is a good place to stay..:-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm really touched by your post.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely write up. I could visualize the boy and his chai aroma.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Chitchat, I realise u live in Chennai, u made me nostalgic and I am reminded of AAB too. Loved the write up, the chai wala's story is an inspiration to many.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Enjoyed reading, well written..we cross these sort of inspiring peoples fortunately in our life..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice post dear.very touching...yaa we can find so many like him who are struggling to feed their families..and being inspiring to others!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. nice write up...very true,,,some people big or small do leave a lasting impressions in our minds..

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jaya,

    I hope just like you that the chai selling boy will set his own business in coming years. Yes he is hardworking we should appreciate that. If you seen movie Angaditheru, story of the movie touches too. They are fighting and living the life in-spite of hardships. Nice write up i enjoyed reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow Ms Chitchat beautiful writeup...As I was about to go to bed..I read this writeup and a very happy goodnight read..I'm glad you found ur boy and u could pay him for his Chai ..and yes the next time I'll have a cuppa of garam garam Chai..That boy will create a future based on his hard work..May god bless him and others just like him....That also makes me appreciate what we have in life...and look at the glass (cup of tea) half filled...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very good experience dear . whenever I visit Egmore station I'll try to locate the chai wala.
    Lovely Post
    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice reading about the train journey and garam chai wala boy.
    i always like to read such kind of real experience and we all have such nice experience na.i can picturise the scenes while reading the entire story..really nice..
    I liked your kind heart,u have given some food for that tired boy.thats good yarr.
    Next 10 years the chai wala boy will be the boss of another 10/15 chai wala boys..we can pray for these kids.sure God will always help them to live and support their families..
    Good write up dear

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very good write up Ms. Chitchat !!
    that garam chai is so symbolic of a rail journey and there are so many minors working like this on platforms.......it will be great if these children keep believing in hard work n honesty till they grow up......n their dreams come true....... i wish him the best.

    ReplyDelete
  20. nice post. written very well. touching too. perfect picture

    ReplyDelete
  21. lovely post...journey alwiz bring back some nostalgia..enjoy reading urs!..sorry dear i forget to add ur url in bloglist..so i missed out ur lovely posts...now its done..will keep following!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Well written .I always enjoy reading your write up .

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very nice experience and a touching one...Thx for visiting my blog and for your lovely comments. Lovely space...
    Regards
    Aparna Vijay
    http://vegetarian-dishes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful write up! enjoed reading..
    chaiwala boy may turn a big business man! never know!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Enjoyed the story of the lil boy..How I miss the train journeys in India..This time we'll be traveling once we reach India..

    ReplyDelete
  26. Loved this post LadyChitChat! I think those were the best Rs. 10-20 anyone could have spent :) By the way, I loved those matka chais in India..miss them real bad now!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Incredible post.We do come across interesting characters like this.Truly a brave heart.Glad you had the chance to meet him again.He will surely make it big.

    ReplyDelete
  28. So simple yet beautifully drafted!!
    I m looking forward to my train journey's in a month's time!!Will remember ur post then and recite in the train :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. A very nice post with touching event and a happy ending.Loved reading and also enjoyed the chai and snacks along with you.

    I would like to share some awards with you please accept them from my blog.

    http://kiranjay.blogspot.com/2010/04/drumstickmunagakaya-curryhealthy-and.html

    ReplyDelete
  30. Very nice, interesting and touching post. I liked your post very much.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ms. Chitchat, this is wonderful blog that you have here. And thanks for stopping by my site :) I'd really appreciate that:)

    So here comes ur new follower :)

    Cheers,
    Sukanya

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thats a very touchy post' well-written. I am positive that the little boy has a very bright future.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Train journeys are always something which I cherish .
    I have met lots of interesting characters during those journeys and at times, those memories rush back, and make me wonder, about the 'whats' it hold.

    A truly touching post

    ReplyDelete
  34. This is a well-written post..Very touching and emotional..

    ReplyDelete
  35. You just got me nostalgic!! Love the chai story. Can't wait to go to India and travel by train :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. oh dear! Lovely read, and I could feel the warmth in your story!
    'At 11.30 in the night, there he is, in all smiles.....', well said. A True Feeling that can only be experienced!

    Needless to say, Trichy being my husband's native, I would definitely look out for the boy and his tea! I admired the title -Platform No.1, perfect one for this post..

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi,

    Shared some awards with you do collect it from by blog.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Please collect your awards from my blog

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very nice post on that garam chai and the boy. Certain things like this never fade out of memory , right! Wish that boy gets a good future.

    ReplyDelete
  40. hey chitchat...that brought bak very fond memories of my college life in tambaram and the train journeys with so many people selling so many things and we always used 2 buy the raw mangoes with spices in it from the train and now when i tell my husband abt it he gives me weird looks and asks me..do u even know where they get it from, was it clean etc etc...those days we never thought of all that and i miss chennai so so much

    ReplyDelete
  41. Fantastic write-up Chitchat.Train journeys are so memorable.

    For me,I have to have dinner from Saravana Bhavan and snacks from Adyar ananda bhavan if we are boarding the train from Central and yeah magazines too.No matter even If I wont be reading the magazines..it has become sort of a ritual:)

    ReplyDelete
  42. I usually dont have patience to read write ups,but your write so well and interesting :) Nice post ,Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  43. nice post Ms.Chitchat.. well expressed and well narrated!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Emotional and good ending story..lovely post!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. This is nice. An ordinary incident narrated beautifully, as it happened. No frills, but still very interesting!

    Nice knowing you,Chitchat!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting the site. Hope you enjoyed the blogs. Your comments are most welcome.

Related Posts with Thumbnails