It was back in those days when I use to travel from Agra to Delhi almost every other week, sometimes even every week to take up one or the other. I was in under graduation in Dayalbagh Educational institute, aspiring to do get admission in a good MBA college. Most of the exams would have Delhi as examination centre, and that was most convenient for me. It was 2002 winters; My schedule was to take a train on Saturday night after the college and reach Delhi by 9 PM or 9:30PM; I used to stay there with my local guardian’s extended family in rajendra nagar, so spend the night there, and early morning with my backpack move to the examination centre and appear for the exam and then back to the New Delhi railway to catch a train back to Agra.
That was a usual trip and I was at Agra Cant railway station on a cold foggy evening, waiting for a train ride to Delhi. I had a general class ticket. The trains were running late due to fog. There was more than regular crowd on station as previous trains were late and it was a weekend. Every body was waiting for the first train for ride as they all wanted to reach Delhi earliest like me.
Operator announces that the train is coming on platform no. 2. We all were on platform 1 so we all rush to the other side. Every body wanted to get early on train and set a good seat. We just reached the other side and the operator makes an announcement that its gona come on platform 1. People rush from platform 2 to platform1. for some reason I got irritated and stayed on 2, thinking that I will not take this one but the next one which will arrive 15-20 mins after this first one. Then we hear the announcement for the third time that its gona come on platform 2. People start their rush again for my side. And we can see the train coming from far. So people start crossing the railway track instead of the over bridge to get this side quickly. There was this old man who also got down to cross the tracks. He crosses and then he come this side and he tries to get up on the curb. But he is too old to lift himself. He is really trying and no body is looking at him as they are all busy with their concerns. This old man is really panic and looking at the train and still trying to get up, for some reason not shouting. I suddenly saw this man and extended my hand “upar ayiyee”…. He looked at me grabbed my hand and I pulled him with all my strength. We both fell on the platform and when we got up we realized two things; train has arrived and slowing down and he lost one of his shoes on tracks. One of the beggars gets his shoes and gave him back in exchange of 10 rupees. He comes to say thanks to me with minor scratches on his chin. I smiled, ‘its ok’.
“Where are you going?” He asked
Delhi, I replied. I have a exam tomorrow.
Do you have a ticket? He asked
Yes, but it’s too crowded; I will take the next train. I replied.
Come with me, he said. I have tickets in 2nd AC.
Ohh no I will be fine, do not worry. I said. I really did not want to spend that much money.
Do not worry I will talk to TT, come with me.
It was 7 PM and it takes 3.5 hours to reach Delhi, I made up my mind to pay if needed and I walked with him. We took our seat and TT came. He never asked for my ticket, and then this old man tells me that he is an independence fighter and he is allowed to take one person as care taker with him where ever he goes. And he does not pay as he has one of those Independence fighter identity cards.
Then we stated talking about my exams my family and things about me. And then he stated telling me about himself. He was a scientist in NPL (National physics laboratory). And his wife was a chemist in NCL (national Chemical laboratory). The he tells me this entire story about his work life, how he met his wife and how they got marries and their Germany trip and their visit to Europe and many more things, I do not remember all now. Then he talks about his son who is in Bangalore and is also appearing for MBA exams this year. And he compares his son to me in studies and courage and many other stuff which parents see in their kids.
Suddenly I asked “Aap Delhi kisis kaam se ja rahe hai?” (Are you going to Delhi for work?).
He took a long deep breath “No I stay in Delhi”. I chuckled, wow; your wife stays at Bangalore and you at Delhi. “I stay at Independence fighter shelter” he said. That was the moment I felt I should not laugh. Then he explains me that he and his son does not go along well and thus his wife choose the option to stay with son and he had to leave house and stay here in independence fighter shelter. He further tells me how like 40 years ago just randomly he applied for permission to stay at independence fighter shelter, with no intension to ever stay there ever, and it came right in time when he needed it most.
He told me few incidences of his and his son’s not getting along and then he will keep mum for some time. Probably he was crying within and then again he will say something and then be quite for some time. He talked about his wife trying to keep them both together. And then he tells story about the day he moved out of the house, in detail. He still used to pay EMI for the house his wife and son stayed at Bangalore. I kept quite and listened and observed him for 3 hours until we reached Delhi.
Thanks Uncle, I will take my Bus to rajendra nagar now. I said.
Oh you are going to rajendra nagar; there is a direct cab from my place to rajendra nagar only for ladies. He said. It was not a bad offer as I was scared to travel alone at 10:30 night in Delhi.
Independence fighter shelter in near to “Gol Daak Khana” in New Delhi area near to some hospital. It was like 5 mins bus ride from New Delhi railway station. Again for bus I did not pay, the ticket collector just looked at his card and he told that I am with him. So we get down at “Gol Daak Khana” and then we crossed the road to reach independence fighter shelter home. He took his keys from the counter and he showed me his room. It was a pretty simple room with one bed one study table and chair and one rocking chair, with some cups probably for tea and a plate and a bowl for food. On other side on a shelf there was some picture frames, of his wife and son. On same shelf below the one which had pictures, there were many books. He picks up one of them and he tells me, “look at this book, I wrote it.” ‘Really, wow! You write books too.” No… just one. He said. Then we informed the receptionist to let us know if the cab arrives.
We come back to his room; he offers me tea, which I generously accept. I do not take tea, but that day I did not said no even once. We talked more about his book writing experience and his work like and his wife. The receptionist comes in to inform me that cab is there. I took my backpack and came out of his house. He offered me to walk me to the cab. So we walked, he says “come see me if you ever come this side and feel like meting me”. I promised “Sure I will”. I get into the cab, his eyes were wet…I waived my hand, the cab started, I saw him standing there and looking at me, until the cab took a turn on other road.

That was back in 2002 Dec. I stayed in Delhi from 2003 may to 2005 Feb, and never got a chance to go back and meet him. Then I got campus placement at Pune and I went there. Then I got married and came here to California. I kind of remembered him on and off and thought of going back and meeting him, but probably because of my negligence I never went to meet him. Last night I was in one of orange county public library, looking for Hindi books for my students. There was this Chinese girl carrying so many books in her hands, tumbles and all her books are on floor. I bent down to help her, I pick up only one book and it says “Statistical Methods” by Maheshewar Nichani.
That was his name. Like a cold current everything passed through my brain. I do not know where is he and how is he or if I can meet him ever again in my life. But today I am regretting most for not taking out time to go and see him even once.