Tata to Pune : How a single mistake turned out to be series of bad luck and at last saved.

The realization
It was all started when I realized that I am having a ticket of previous day train. I instantly asked Dad to stop the vehicle. Dad with little discomfort in stopping brought scooter to halt. I took my mobile out of my pocket and started checking the messages of IRCTC. The date was of 15th Feb. It was of previous day train.

The confirmation
I still believed till than that something could be done and it is not right. Hurried to station, me and Dad quickly sneaked to TT's room. There was single TT in a big room who was registering his attendance in the register. We waited till he completes his task. I asked him if I can see the chart of Azadhind express for Pune bound. He looked at us as if we asked for his daughters hand for marriage. He took out a bunch of charts from the basket beside him, worn his spects and started checking Train# in front page of charts. It was nowehere to be found there. I cursed by bad luck. The TT was quite cooperative in the way he took us to the Reservation Chart window where the Azadhind Pune bound train chart was pasted for public view. I checked my berth# B3-30. It was present. It was in another persons name. Thus it was confirmed I am travelling a day after my ticket date. I cursed Indian railway. I cursed the train timing. I cursed Azadhind. I thought my real journey to pune is about to begin. I could be lucky if I can get the seat in any train for Mumbai, Pune or Nagpur.

Till that time, there was many options that I can try to get a seat in any train.Talking with the TT was fruitless as he asked us to check with the incoming train TT. I found below options that I can try hands on. Since I came to station early, I have ample amount of time. Dad was supposed to leave after dropping me to station but the uncalled incident got him into this. He is also trying his best to get me one berth in any train.
1. Get a general ticket for Mumbai and try for berth as there is number of Mumbai train plying from Tata.
2. Get a general ticket for Pune and try in Azadhind only
3. Get home and try tatkal next day.
4. Get a flight ticket to pune.

First attempt:-
Trying first option was the best option at that time as Mumbai bound train was about to come. I quickly went to ticket counter and asked for ticket to Mumbai. He charged me Rs.325 and provided me the ticket. I also asked him if it can be cancelled if I didn't get the berth from the TT. He said come in 30 mins to cancel the ticket otherwise it cannot be returned. We had more time than that. Having a ticket of Mumbai, we hurried for the platform. The announcement was being made for the arrival of Gyaneshwari Mumbai train. We made a stand at place where the coach#B1 will halt as TT normally be in B1 for 3rd AC.
Within a minute, train was entering a platform. We started looking at gates of coaches for TT. It was all chaos when the train stopped. I saw a bunch of people encircling a man, quickly realizing that it must be TT, I made my way to the man. He was refusing everyone approaching him with the general ticket. I asked him about a berth to Mumbai; He refused. I asked about berth to Nagpur; He again refused and told me to try in sleeper coaches. The train soon made a whistle for departure. It was of no use going all the way to sleeper coaches crossing 5 AC coaches. We dropped the plan and the train passed in front of my eyes.

Cancellation of ticket:-
Now, its time to try for azadhind express for Pune. I also have to cancel the general ticket for Mumbai as it was of no use. I ran towards ticket counter. There was long queue. I got in the line and waited for my turn. Thankfully the ticket was cancelled by the person and I got my balance amount. Asking about Pune bound ticket, he shoved me to the right hand side counter which again had long queue. Without wasting much time, I ran towards the next counter queue.

A kind help and change in plan:-
I was looking on my tab and searching for flight fare to Pune and Mumbai. There was people sleeping beside the queue, some looking me as if I had some extraordinary thing. And then one guy approached me, he was in a bit hurry and asked me if I can check the fare to some station as he had 500 Rs note and counter guy will deny him the ticket as he does not have the change. I told him "it will not be shown here, you better goto the counter.". He was not going to leave me so soon. To my surprise he showed me the 500 Rs note too. Then I realized I have few 100 Rs note in my pocket. I took out bunch of notes from my pocket: some were 100, some 10. By this time, my turn of taking ticket was about to come. Counting 5 notes of 100 each, I handed over to him who in turn gave my 500Rs note. With smile in his face, he thanked me and went to his line for ticket.
There was no direct flight to Pune, the connecting time was also long. The only option is to goto Mumbai, the fare was also not too high. I rang my Dad's phone and asked if I can take the Calcutta bound train ticket as I can go to Mumbai through flight. The probability of getting berth in azadhind is next to zero. He agreed. By this time my turn came and I took the Howrah ticket.

Final boarding at howrah bound train:-
Having a ticket is one thing and getting a berth is another. The howrah bound train was about to reach platform and we found ourselves again looking for AC coach. We stood beside the place where 3rd AC coach will land. As the train hurled in platform, we looked in the gates of each coach for black coat guy. There he was, right after one coach where we were standing. I saw him climbing down from the coach. We caught him. Before even opening my mouth, he was swinging his head for a 'No' answer. I requested him atleast check and reply. He just shrugged his chart and said "not a single berth, no chance". and moved way. This was my final chance to travel today, if I did not get in this train, I have to wait for 2days. There was one coach attendant in one of the AC coach leaning out from the gate. I moved towards him and politely asked if there is any berth left as most of the passenger get down at Tata. He was also friendly and softly replied that there is many berth left and I can ask TT for the berth. I went to my Dad who was by then came towards the same coach and listening to the conversation. I took my strolley and said to Dad that I am getting into this train, I will get a berth if not then it doesn't matter as the journey is for 3 hours only. I can see the disappointment in my Dad's face. The train whistled for departure and my journey finally started.

Getting a berth in Howrah train
It was well over 1am when train left station and I can see it was pitch black outside window. I had large strolley with me which was filled with clothes, laptop, shoe, eatables. It was heavy to carry around. The friendly coach attendant provided his space of berth to sit. I was waiting for the TT to come. Meanwhile, my search for flight ticket was giving me hope to reach pune. I have to book a flight before reaching Howrah. The next flight was at 8am to Mumbai. Upon inquiry about status of train, I came to know it was 2hour delayed and will reach around 5-5.30am. It will take another one hour to reach airport. Thus I will have much time to get refreshed provided if this train take me to howrah in time. The TT came and saw me with a anger. He pat on my shoulder signalling to get up from the seat in which he will sit. I jumped from the seat and immediately handed over the ticket. He took out the fine book and asked me to pay certain amount as a fine to get a seat. Without asking any question, I handed him the money. he scribbled seat number in ticket and handed me back the ticket and fine receipt. I went to my allotted seat.

Another bad luck
Flight booking was another task which I have to complete before going to sleep. The browser was open and I refreshed it for flight page. There was some delay in opening the page which it should not take as there was 3G network. It gave an unwanted pop-up "Could not connect to Internet. There is no data pack subscribed".
I could not think for a moment. It was working a moment ago and now it is giving me some error. I reset the internet setting and tried restart of ipad but all in vain. It was giving me the same message. I was devastated. My luck could go so wrong, I could not believe it. I had to book my flight anyhow before reaching howrah station.
The time now was 2am.
I called my roommate in pune. He picked up call in first attempt which I assumed since it was Saturday night. I told him briefly about the problem and what he needs to do. He understood my situation and told me he will call back with all the details. He did called me back in 10mins with the booking details ready. I have to just confirm my details and my flight will be booked. It was a joyous moment. I would have kissed him, had he been beside me. I could now sleep without any worries.
After 5mins I got the message about my flight details from flight carrier. I thanked him for all the effort.
The train swiftly entered howrah station at the right time at 5:15am. I had much time to take taxi but seeing the crowd exiting from station, the taxi line will get long. Indeed it was. I took my place in taxi queue and within half an hour I was in Taxi on the way to airport.

And another one...
The other problem was of the ticket. I could not receive an email in my ipad since it was not connected to internet. I had to get the copy of itinary to show it to the security at airport gate. My ipad had one small opening for simcard which can only be accessed through thin pin. I had one extra sim with me which I need to change to access internet in my ipad. Getting a thin pin anywhere is impossible. I politely asked Taxi drvier for the pin. To my surprise he took out wallet from his back pocket and handed me the pin exactly what I required. I quickly changed the sim and internet started working. I downloaded the email and saved the screenshot as a proof of booking.

Reaching airport and final boarding
The day had come up as taxi was about to reach airport. Although I was all tired but the fresh morning breeze was feeling good. The taxi stopped at departure gate. I took my strolley, took out my ticket and identity card and made my way towards the security guard thinking how the night turned up to be total messed up and to be careful from next time about the timings of train.

The year that gone by...2010-12

As I jumped out of my bed today; my arms, back and legs was paining deeply due to enjoyment at kashid beach yesterday. I cannot go anywhere today and also I have been thinking lately to write a blog. So there I was searching my mind for the content to write. Since it will be the first blog for this year and as we enter 13th day of this year, I suddenly realised that this is 2013!!!. The whole 2 year has passed before my eyes. Those two year which gave me everything I wanted. These two year has been wonderful time for me with many exciting and surprising events in my life which one can only dream of.

I am writing this blog as I recount my memories that passed by. As though my entire 2 years was scripted, only thing I was unaware of the play. I even have my event planner updated in my diary. It started when I was doing graduation and simultaneously preparing for the CAT and working in ICICI bank. I started writing my events in my diary as they passed by with actual dates and the events that will come in future with tentative dates. I surprised to see that the future events started unfolding it as the time flies, not with actual dates of course, but some even before that. Then I realised the power of imagination and how a dream can become reality if one can imagine and forsee their dream come true or even pen down their thoughts.

Being in Mumbai since May 2011, it seems a dream come true for me. Its a great city and I have fully immersed in the madness of this city. Being a silent observer, I see people madly running to catch train, bus. Hundreds of vehicles snarled at traffic honking, guzzling out gases. The so called concrete jungles has so many high rises buildings, towers. The daily hustle bustle of this city in the initial days when I have to go all they way to CST for office is truly missed. Its all become interesting when you think of it now. currently I have shifted to Thane, 15 minutes away from my home. Being in Mumbai is most exceptional thing happened in my life after ICICI Bank, MBA and TTL.

Those 2 year were unforgettable not only in terms of my dream come true but also the amazing people I met and their profound impact in my life. I made many friends in those two years filling all the gap as a influencer, mentor and life long relationship. The joy being with them is beyond words as I try to learn something every time I meet them. If one of them is highly outspoken and emotional, then the other is winner at all time. If one of them care for everybody and enjoy every little moment then the other is hilarious at all times. I admire those people and have great respect for the job they are doing and being inspirational at all times. I wish them success at all spaces of life.They are the gems of my life.

Reading is one of my habit that developed into defining my life as a voracious reader. I read enough number of books in these two years as one could have not read in entire course of his study. Fictional Novels covered most of it. Earlier I used to keep a track of books I have read in my diary but it stopped as I started reading frequently and lost the track, although I have all the novels with me sitting on my cupboard. I also ask everybody to start reading the books at-least start by fictional novels written by Indian authors which are simple to understand and easy to read. I see a great number of readings in the coming year and would eventually think of writing my book (have to write it in my planner though).

Travelling and foods is my one of the other hobbies that I look forward to in my coming year. I could not get a chance of frequent travelling during college days, but would like to experience it in coming year. I like to visit places, learn new addresses, taste new foods. In this two year, I moved from Ranchi to Pune and then to Mumbai. I have experienced Gujarat. Delhi and Ladakh is my next destination. I learned that travelling makes you understand new aspects of life. It makes you fearless, creative. It teaches you patience and negotiation.
Food is my weakness. If my worst enemy can make awesome food for me, I would instantly be friend with them. Being marwari and having tasted like 36 item in a plate, anyone would become a foddie in his life. I cannot resist an Indian vegeterian food, especially a traditional marwari dal baati choorma. I have special craving for Bhindi masala and khadi chawal made by my Mother. Although I cannot cook much but would love to try and learn some new items.

All about Satyamev Jayate..1st Episode

I watched Satyamev Jayate on Sunday at 7pm. Thanx to You Tube and one of my friend who shared the link in his Facebook. Being a fan of Aamir Khan, having watched all his movies; his ever perfectionist acting always inspires me. This is his first appearance as a television host. And his perfectionist attitude continued here too. This time he touched peoples' heart by making show that would I guess revolutionize the Indians' way of thinking especially the Urban India.

Satyamev Jayate - Truth only prevails, a very apt title to the show. What I most liked is its timing, it airs on Sunday 11am,  when most of the people are at home. The first episode starts with Aamir being on the sea shore describing his thoughts and his responsibility as a citizen of India.

Todays episode was on Female Foeticide. Titled Daughters are precious: Large scale killing of girls before birth has lead to a serious gender imbalance in the Indian population, and severe social problem as a result. Starting with the description of Women who went through the tortures of Boy-only mentality family. While interviewing them on the show they described about the tortures they have to encounter while protesting to drop their girl child or even protesting for sex-testing - innumerable physical tortures by their husband, forcibly dropping six girl-child in order to give birth to a boy. Their story made the audience and even Aamir eyes tear-full.  The interview was plain and simple.

The survey was well described by Aamir; in Rajasthan only today it is 775 girl for every 1000 boy, we can very well analyse the grave situation. Aamir also made the audience aware about its impact on the future. Talking about the Rajasthan, the current situation for boys is so worse that now they are not getting girl to get married. This lead to Girl Trafficking. The Girls are brought from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, U.P. and are sold to these families. These girls then has to suffer many tortures of the family. In many cases there are 2-3 bachelors in one family and are married to single girl which we can very well imagine the situation of  the girls out there.

You will be shocked to hear about the background of Female-Foeticide. It was actually started by the Government of India..!!! back in the 1970s in their Hospitals to control the ever rising population. It was decided that to control the population the birth of girl has to be slowed down. The couples were given some monetary benefits for dropping girl-child. The sex-test was first started by Government. It was expensive to test the sex of the child then but with the development of technology the sex-test became cheaper and cheaper. The doctors working in the Government Hospitals opened their own clinics to test the sex of the child. This lead to increase in the demand of the machines which eventually made the whole process and industry in itself.

The show does not end there. It also showed the sting operation of doctors that was done years back in Delhi, Rajasthan and other parts of the country by two brave reporters, which also rocked the country back then. But the interview with them on the show revealed that the situation is still the same there. No Action has been taken by the Government against the Doctors involved in the Female-Foeticide. Still the Case is pending in various Courts in India. And these reporters has to move from one court to another.

The show end with Aamir appealing the audience and citizens of the country about their opinions. Aamir promised to write to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan about the action to be taken for controlling the situation.
In this regard he asked to citizens about their opinions which they have to reply in Y or N and send it to 2965050.

Finally a song was sung O re chiraiya... the softness of the song touched the heart, mind and soul of the country.


Link to watch 1st Episode - 6th May, 2012 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1vASMbEEQc

List of Indian Blogger

Here is the link where you can find the list of all famous Indian Blogger...The list gets longer and longer.
Write Something, Be a blogger and see your name in this list next time.


http://indianbloggers.org/

Starting my blog

So I am finally starting to write in my blog. Today is 26th April, 2012 and after much waiting (4 years and 4 months 26 days and 11 hours gosh!!! thats a way too long..didn't realized although) I am penning down my thoughts.
Before this it was all about searching for a new and interesting blogs to get some inspiration, understand their thoughts, way of writing, making sure to follow it, expand your reading horizon, well I guess it finally paid off and I made a landing in airport of thoughts. A friend of mine even shared his experience to help me get started (well with due respect I want to Thank him).
I am too happy today, finally I would be clicking on Publish button and whole world will see my Blog. it is different experience all together - different from FB, Twitter and other such Networking sites. Blogging has always been in my to-do wish list since long time and today is the day to get started with it. Its a long way to go and this is just a beginning...

So...
Wish me good luck!!!



P.S.
What can you expect from my Blog:
1. My thoughts
2. My experience
3. Interesting articles
and much more...