A SCENE AT THE RAILWAY STATION
I visited New Delhi railway station last Monday. I had to receive a friend. He was coming from Mumbai. It was morning time. Yet there was a big crowd there. There were a number of men and women in front of booking windows. I could buy platform tickets with great difficulty. Inside the passengers and coolies were running with luggage hither and thither to catch the train. Hawkers were shouting. Compartments of all the trains were fully packed with people. Some people were fighting for seats. A few children were crying. They were uneasy because of rush. Women were nervous as they could not feel easy in crowded compartments.
My friend’s train ‘Rajdhani Express’ arrived at 8 A.M. As the train touched the platform, coolies rush to hold the luggage. They seemed to be greedy and were charging four times their due. Even the railway staff could not control them.
But the stalls were full of goods. There were books, newspapers, medicines, water bottles, soft drinks, toys, food items, fruits, playing cards and pitchers. Lights were very powerful. Loud speakers announced the timing of the in-coming and out-outing train. Some television sets were also there to display programmes. People were happy with arrangements.
The lace was full of noise. People were speaking different languages. They wore different dresses. Their presence made the station colourful.
The station was a huge place. It looks like a castle. I enjoyed the scene.