It was after a long time that I went to Bhimavaram, a place not so far away from my home town Tanuku on some personal work. I was very happy that the intended work was successfully completed and also had a great evening with my friends. So tired that I dozed off to sleep and postponed my planned travel to the next day.
Having missed the early morning train, I planned my travel by Simhadri express that at 10:55 a.m. having reached the station by 10:40 a.m., I was walking on the platform preparing myself for a travel in the scorching summer heats.
As I am walking by to the center of the platform, someone grabbed my attention. He is an elderly man - must be around some 50-55 years of age wearing a white pant and a white shirt talking to some fellow passengers around him. The fellow passengers are four young college going girls in their early teenage sitting around him. By the way he is talking and his gestures, I understood that he must be a blind man. Well he is introducing himself to those girls and it is very evident that he is no relative of them.
I unwantedly overheard what he is talking to them and heard the words said by him to one of those girls “so how are you going to look after your family and meet the financial requirements” ? I was surprised to hear that and was a little bit disturbed thinking what is he trying to say to them. why should a girl in her early teenage who probably must have been going to her 1st or 2nd year intermediate be bothered about looking after her family financial requirements?? This gave me a thought – is he trying to influence her in an unwanted way ? Is he trying to promote something which is very common in these days in the rural and the sub-urban areas ? Is he trying to propagate a religion ?? Well even though I personally dislike the concept of propagating religion, I resisted myself from reacting there.
The train arrived on the platform and everyone was busy in boarding the train. The elderly man even was busy but he did not forget to take the girls with him. In a very elderly manner he said “ok girls, our train has come, assist me to the train and we will talk remaining on the train while travelling.”
I in a state of helplessness, pitied myself and walked to board the train. Then something which I could not tolerate happened. The man was running his hands all over the girl and I am very sure that this is not the way to behave with a young girl. he must be blind but I somehow felt he is running his hands all over the girl in a conscious manner. He along with those four girls boarded the train in the physically handicapped compartment. Much to my dismay, after boarding it, he closed the doors of the compartment. He even closed the windows and the door was locked from inside.
Unable to see that, I looked around and saw a police man. I went to him and asked directly “ Is it allowed to propagate religion in public” ? to which he asked me with a smile ‘why sir, what happened’ ? I explained the whole scenario to him and said “I am not complaining about his propagation but his behavior with those girls is the matter of concern here. Moreover, he has locked himself along with those girls in that compartment for the handicapped”. He asked me is it ****** garu ?? This, made me feel he must have known him already. I said I don’t know and asked him to check the compartment. The police man is not at all bothered and had a pretty long call on his mobile with his friend explaining in detail where should he meet him and the course of journey. I stood all the time there and when I insisted him to check, he said he would be there in no time to check.
I went back to the compartment and again tried to open the door but it is still locked. I went to the next compartment to see if there is a way to that compartment but this too is locked!!! Oh my God what is he doing I thought. I ran to the next compartment to find the TTE and at once went to him and asked “ is everyone allowed to board the compartment for the Physically handicapped?” he said no and then I asked him to check the next compartment which. He came and tried to open the door but it is still locked. He tried to open the windows but even they are locked. He banged on the door for some 2-3 minutes and then the door is opened and this time, I am shocked to see there is one more man inside nearly of the same age (between 50-55 years) and there are only two girls inside. The door connecting this compartment to the next compartment is also open now!!!.
The TTE asked them why did they lock the door to which the two old men replied “ if you want the door to be opened, ask and we will open it. why do you need to bang on the door ?” Now I reacted and said “ this is a public train and how can you lock the door in day time when the train is on the platform to which the first man (the blind man in the whites) replied “The guard has asked us to lock the door as everyone is boarding this compartment. I then asked the TTE if he instructed them to lock the door and moreover is it correct to lock the door. The blind man in a raised voice asked me “who are you and why do you want all this. I replied, I am also entitled to travel on this train and has got every right to question the misusage of the public property.
He said it’s none of your business and asked me to mind my own. I then unable to control myself, asked him – what is the relation between the girls you boarded this compartment with and what are you talking to them ? This made him so furious and he was jumping on his seat asking me what is my business in that matter ?? I said – Just say what is the relation b/w you and those girls and what are you talking to them. He was on rage and was shouting on me - who the hell are you to ask me and it is none of your business about anything that is happening. I said I know what you were talking to which he asked me “ what was I talking and what has it got to do with you. And yes, I am their uncle and why is it a matter to you “?? I said I know you are not their relative and I too with a raised voice said “ you know what you are talking and what you are doing. This is wrong and you to knew it. His anger knew no bounds. He was scorning at the top of his voice and asking me do you know who I am ?? I am a teacher in a blind school. Idiot, stupid. what are you thinking in your mind??
I didn’t talk a word for my doubt is very strong that he must be doing something that is not very acceptable in the civilized society. I leaned out of the compartment and signaled to the police man to come but he waved off his hand and walked away. The Blind old man would still not shut his mouth and already a few enthusiasts gathered around me and were asking “Anna, what happened ?” I did not answer them and was seriously looking at the old man. The TTE was also holding me by my hand and saying to me “ sir, please leave it here and leave the place”. I asked the TTE what is the problem with the other man and how is he handicapped. The TTE walked to him and asked him his eligibility of availing the handicapped quota and he pulled out something out of his pocket and showed it to the TTE. He came back to me and said, Sir, he is not having fingers to his hand and thus comes under handicapped quota.
While this all is going on, the girl beside the blind man was holding his hand, pulling him back and said to me “please leave sir, he is my uncle”.
I left the place knowing that there is nothing I could do and hearing the old man shouting behind me.
Now, the questions lingering in my mind are :
1) am I wrong in what I did, is my prediction that there must be something unacceptable going on behind the locked doors wrong?
2) If I am wrong, it’s fine that nothing bad has happened, but why should the doors and the windows be locked?
3) If what I thought was right, who is to be blamed here?
1) The Old man who is exploiting young girls of their innocence ?
2) The young girls in spite of their education and the common sense, are falling in trap of such cheaters.
3) The system of the Education which just concentrates on stuffing bookish knowledge into the minds of students completely ignoring teaching the ways to lead life.
4) The Police who irrespective of the fact that he is holding a post as a public servant is more concerned with his comfort and means to avoid any disputed actions.
5) The public who are more interested on the topic that “some one is fighting there but not on the evil that is going on in front of their eyes”
6) Me, unlike others is interested in the matters that are no concern of mine and wanted to point out the ones who are abusing the incentives given to them ?
If I was right, how do we make these people literate and how do we correct the system to see that no wrong doer is left without being punished ? How do we impart some sense of judgment in the minds of people and the levels of responsibility towards the public and the surroundings ?
It’s true that India is a very beautiful country but then, are the people living in it really so beautiful at heart ? I somehow feel, we are one of those kind who never question, resist or fight any unacceptable doings. we are selfish idiots.
P.S : The whole intention of writing the above incident is to point out the people who are exploiting and abusing every right and incentive given to them. I do not mean to demean or defame any religion or any person in particular.
I feel unless some financial support is there with these people...these things continue to happen...They need money badly and education cannot provide them one and it takes lot of time till that time their conditions/problems will not wait..Govt is least bothered...Society is there to shit on you, so nothing can be expected from it...Ones suffering is others opportunity...Its a helpless situation...
ReplyDeletePhani (phaninandula@yahoo.co.in)
Thanks for sharing. Its important that we speak our mind. Judging whether what you think is right or wrong is different. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that people need some financial help and all that. Such things happen when we break as a society, it is systematic degradation. We need to speak out and that is the first step.
ReplyDelete@ Phani : is the lack of finances a reason to abuse and be abused ?? I don't think it is a reason to support such activities. True as Prasad said, we as a system are degrading. The people in the society are least bothered about what is going on around them and also many are taking advantage out of it.
ReplyDelete@ Prasad : thanks for the support. I knew that what I have done is correct and that is very much needed at that situation at least as a benefit of doubt. Anyways, whom do we report such things going on ? what are the ways to educate people against such mis happenings ??
Thanks for bringing this up!
ReplyDeleteI only think what you have done is correct, but those old blind rich idiotic people exploit the innocent and these people (girls) knowingly or unknowingly fall in trap for some easy money!
I dont know exactly whom to blame , everyone should do their job well, if that happens then we dont see issues in the society but I never know when that happens!
@ Raj : thanks for the response but then, if we have to discuss, I first see the mistake with the old person who is trying to influence the innocent girls for his own selfish reasons. He must be trying to influence them in the name of a religion may be because of the funds he gets from that and secondly because of his perverted like brain.
ReplyDeletesecondly I see the mistake is with the girls irrespective of the fact that they are growing up and are expected to learn how to live life on their own are falling into the easy traps of such people who are awaiting like vultures to take control every single moment.
Third I see the mistake is with the people around who fail to react for such unacceptable things which can prove to be very very dangerous and harmful.
fourth, I see the mistake with the police and the education system, the elders who are not able to protect the innocent ones and educate them of such things that might happen and also how to protect themselves from such unfortunate deeds.
fifth, I feel the mistake is with the way the government is functioning for it just passes the rules but cannot take a strong stand on implementing them. As an example : I remember reading somewhere that propagating religion in the public is an offence but how effective is it being followed. also There is no strong measures being taken by the govt to control the money flow involved in the matters pertaining to religion. If only that was implemented effectively, There would have been a check on the mass conversions that are taking place in the rural and sub-urbans in the country.
last but not the least, I find the major fault is with the people who never question the govt and the systems. Every one out there including me and you are giving in to the power of money and politics. Every one of us wants to have a share and be benefited from the references we have - be it in the politics or in the rich class.
So with all these things and especially with such screwed up attitude of the people i.e. you and me and a lot many me s and you s out there, we cant expect a change overnight.After all are we at least trying to do which can be done by us ?? just question your self cause you know the answer very much.
P.S : no offence meant. I was just trying to find an answer for the most common and famous question among Indians : "whom can I blame for this" ??
@Chaitu:Thanks for sharing this..These things will happen due to lack of education only...You are correct in what you've done because you also paid the money to travel in the same train and had right to ask stupids if they are misusin public propery..
ReplyDelete@ Ramana : thanks for the comment but first of all, I differ with your thought. It's very common that many of us think that education is the solution for all those social evils. But I somehow feel it's not the only solution. One straight question of mine : how many educated and highly qualified persons are behaving as responsible citizens ??
ReplyDeletewhy do first of all anyone need education for common sense?? what qualification is needed to understand that fact that we need to follow the law, we should not misuse the public property and what degrees are required to react when something unacceptable is going on in front of ur eyes in the society ??