INDIAN

  It was a normal Thursday morning in Mumbai on 4th of August 2022, as usual I was going to take the 9:17am local train along with my friend. I reached the station, found my friend and boarded the train. As usual it was too chaotically crowded in the beginning and then it slowly slowly became peaceful. Then me and my friend got up 2 stations prior to ours so that we could comfortably get down. And then the real story begins.

 

So there was a bag kept on the floor just beside the door and a lady(1) in salwar kameez was standing beside it. Suddenly a lady(2) dressed in english formals got up from her seat and came up and stood near the door. Both of them were in their late forties or early fifties. Now both these ladies started chatting. (Disclaimer I did not eavesdrop on their conversation but they were loud enough to be heard). Lady(2) said," I really love to stand at the door and enjoy the cool rainy breeze hitting my face but today my calves are paining so I sat down". To which the lady(1) said," Oh yes if you get a seat you should sit". Then the lady(2) said," Today I have a board meeting and I am getting really late. We actually have a festival today where we do not turn up gas or fire and have everything cold that was made a day prior". To which lady(1) said," Ok so you have that festival in Gujarati culture, so what if someone else offers you food that they have made". To that lady(1) replied,"Yes we do celebrate that in Gujaratis and no no we can't have anything offered by others too". Up until this point it was clear that both of them were from different cultures/languages and  offices but it's probably just the train that connects them. After this the lady(2) asked," Why have you kept your bag down?". To which lady(1) responded," I have a serious back pain and I can't take this bag on my back I will hold it in my hand". Post this the lady(1) took the bag in her hand and then lady(2) quickly took it from her, though lady(1) was reluctant initially lady(2) was adamant that she will carry it. And then lady(2) said ,"Let me take it once we get down from the train cross the overbridge I will hand it over to you as I am already running late but won't let you carry it till there, even I want a chance to do your seva(service)". Seeing this my heart just melted.

 

Earlier in the blog I said the only thing that connects them is the same train that they board everyday, but I was not right. As this month we celebrate 75 years of Independence is itself proof that beyond just being Marathi, Gujarati, Rajasthani etc. we are all Indians. Every person from every state makes the social fabric of our country vibrant and diverse. Nehru ji rightly said "Unity in Diversity '', this is what I saw and this is what our country preaches. Beyond culture/language/caste/class what binds us is our Indianness.

 

Happy Independence Day!

Stay tuned,

Until next time ,

Toodles,

- Siddhi Bhosale

Illustration by: Kashish Singh.