People I meet on the train..

Sometime back, I had written about a very happy man I used to meet on the train..

 

pic courtesy: wikipedia

This is sort of a follow up to that I guess. It’s a new town this time round: Chennai. Though it lacks the charm of the Mumbai Local, Chennai has a very functional and convenient MRTS which I take for my daily commute to work.

This is the story of a blind man- and a very happy one at that. He gets in sometime before me and he gets down at the same station as mine. The first time I saw him I was pissed as he was not moving and blocking the way while alighting. Taking him to be one of those perennial train-door-hanger types who always block others, I gave him a little shove as we were alighting. It was only when we got down and he unfolded his walking stick that I realized what a totally insensitive thing I had done.
What really stood out was the way he took it all in, all smiles. It takes tons of patience and maturity to keep that kind of cool. He must be subject to this kind of treatment everyday and it really amazes me as to how he remains calm and composed with his simple unassuming smile. Makes me think twice as to why I complain so much.

And these days as I alight at Light House station, I watch and observe; how other commuters do just the same, their reaction later and how their expressions change once they see his black shades and the walking aid. The moment they had the same realizations that I had for the first time.

Hats off to you sir!! Hats off!!