The Autowallah

Folks, this blogpost is a slightly longer one as compared to the other blogposts that I post.  So please be patient and read on!!!!

It is hardly that I get late to the office but today was one such off day when the clock challenged me. I missed my 7.38 a.m Kalyan train.  Mumbaikars relate to timings like 7.38, 7.43 as the local trains are the lifeline of every Mumbaikar. 

I got into the train and could not see the usual faces and I was not very comfortable- I was late - I did not get the usual window seat that I get eight out of ten times. I reach Thane station and there’s an announcement that all local trains from CST to Kalyan and back are running slow- the reason – train derailment. Yes, there’s more to come.

Having travelled in the auto for more than two years incessantly and having followed the timings to the “T”, there’s a set of autowallahs who generally greet me with the Good morning Madam. So I take one of the autos-  face new to me and quickly tell “ Subhash Nagar – Lodha”.

I was as usual trying to catch up on the morning Whatsap with my friends and cousins and smiling at the jokes. The auto had just crossed Talo Pali – he quickly looks into the mirror and asks – Madam, aap kahan se aa rahi ho – Kalyan se ki Mumbai se.  I replied Mumbai se.  He seemed a fairly decent person.  The next question was “Aap office mein kaam karti ho”.  The story continued. He said that he worked for century mills about 15 years back.  Later the mill closed down.  The case was in the Labour court. The moment I said I am travelling from town side here, he felt there was a connect.  He used to travel from Thane to Worli where the famous Century mill was located.  He was sad that the mill closed, but was happy that he and his family were not starving.  I don’t know what that was but somehow he wanted to tell me all this. He even mentioned that he received a monthly pay of Rs 18000 from the mill, his PF was deducted every month and that he used to go and collect the money from the Bank. Ever since the mill closed down, he had bought this auto and he drove the auto.  He said he was neither sad nor happy to drive the auto. But he said he got regular income from driving the auto as well.  He said Madam, we had a uniform at the mill and I was happy working there. All mills at Mumbai have closed /shut down with multi storeys adorning the place.  I felt a little sad at the fact, but that’s how life is.

At times when I am super tired after completing my household work and also have to reach the office on time, I am frustrated.  But it dawned on me that I atleast have a place to go and work.  I thought about that autowallah, he was longing to get back to the MILL where he had put in so many years of hardwork and dedication, but he knew that he would never be able to get back to it.

The Universe sends us messages in some form or the other for us to appreciate and be grateful for what we have.

Lots of Luv and Blessings Always!!

Rekha