SHARED
THOUGHTS – 01.11.2016
==============================\
Recollections of a 1st
Nov.
--------------------------------------
01.November 1984.
I had boarded Alleppy Express at Ernakulam Jn previous day at right time, despite all warnings not to venture out. It proved to be a perilous journey. I was prepared to face anything along the way, since I was only focused on reaching Chennai to be with Sundari, my better half,who was admitted to GG Hospital for delivery.
31.october 1984.
The previous day was a momentous day in Indian History. ..the populist Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was gunned down by her own body guards. The nation shook like struck by an earthquake. The only TV channel beamed live through out the day the subsequent events as they unfolded.
The entire nation's wrath was turned against the Sikh community. The Sikh friends neighbours colleagues all became suspects in the eyes of furious mobs overcome by unchecked emotion. The entire nation wept in anger at the fallen giant of a human marking a very untimely end of an iconic era.. a country of nearly 800 million felt orphaned.
Rendered real orphans were many in Sikh families fallen victims to the mad unleashing of fury. Tragedy struck in many corners ... including the very corner I was occupying
in a first class coupe of the Alleppy Express... or almost for sure.
01 Nov 1984.
Morning sun rays beamed thru the lowered glass windows. Sensing it must be time to reach Chennai we four in the coupe were preparing to alight soon. Only then we realised the train was motionless for quite sometime. I went upto the door to look where we might be.. only to be told we were just ouside Coimbatore Jn in some village where an angry mob was making sure no Sikhs were in each passing train.!!!
In our coupe there was my friend Lt. Kalra of Navy a young newly married naval officer from Naval Base. . My senses worked in a flash. Racing back to the coupe I told the other three of what might happen in the face of a violent mob spirit....quickly we decided to take the biggest risk most spontaneously. ..to push Lt. Kalra under our seat and pretend one seat was a no show. Very soon the mob was at our coach doorsteps. Waves of youngsters with sickle and lathis shouting hoarse crying for Sikh blood was everywhere... and in our coupe too. Someone in nearby coach informed of sighting a Sikh in our coach. The mob wanted to know where he was. They went door to door sniffing.... as if the fragrance of a Sikh could be traced...Unable to locate the target they sounded dire consequences for anyone not joining their cause.
After some very tense moments they dissipated into the landscape or perhaps the sniffing might have continued elsewhere...about a half hour later the train whistled all clear to chug along after a delay of about nine hours. Through out, my friend, the Lt was under our seat hardly exposed to any sun or moon.. for it was close to 8 pm the train pulled into Chennai Central delayed by 13 hours.
We bid adieu with a lot of thanking heavens that the mob felt it below their dignity to stoop to the level of our feet... to check under the seat.!! God be praised.
From Central to my brother Radha's house in Kilpauk ought not to be more than 20 min max by Auto normally. But this was no normal night. I walked I ran I jogged .. finally a good samaritan on a bike reduced my agony.
Together Radha and me made the final stretch to GG Hospital on his scooter...only upon arrival I was told that a daughter was born.. a pretty little bundle next to my best half giving a tired smile of blissful satisfaction.
01.November 2016.
Today is another happy birthday .. another number added.. thanking God everyday for the mercy shown to our dearest Madhvi aka Malu.. who now fills our life with her cherubic & talkative two lovely wonders.
==============================================================
Have a safe week-end and a pleasant week ahead..
