Nurturing Optimism-Krishna answers :-): February 2009

Madhan, Sridhar Joshi and Nishant.

January 26th, 2009.

It was a different day. It started off in a dull manner. My original plan was to see the Republic Day Parade in TV. But I decided to join other members on a visit to Royapuram to see the steam engine. Frankly speaking I am not much of a steam fan. It must be due to the fact that steams were stopped during my early days of childhood. But I admit that I got interest in train only after getting impressed with chug-chug sounds and the steam whistle.

I purchased a ticket to Royapuram and walked to the MRTS platform at Kasturibai Nagar. Satya Narayanan was coming in the EMU and I was to join him in the same EMU. At Mylapore, Sriram Karthik joined us. My EMU negotiated the curve before MSB. I saw the corpse of a dog lying on the sides. It must be at least a week! Poor thing. Reminded me of my present adopted dog Damien. Then we boarded a Gummidipondi bound EMU at Beach station and got down at Royapuram.

Pic taken at Royapuram.

The platforms were empty in my opinion. We decided to walk along the tracks. In the far distance, I could see the steam locomotive. The engine was majestic and that changed my mood slightly. I also became interested in steam engines. Immediately, I called up my house and commanded my father to quit all house-hold works at once and come to Saidapet Lonely Express platform. Please note that “lonely express platform” in my house means the platform in SP where Fast EMU’s, expresses pass without stopping. I immediately called up a friend of mine who drives Auto Rickshaw and asked him to pick my father at my house. Then I called up my father and convinced him to board the auto to come to SP. My father being loyal to the Government was interested only in moving with the Government transport buses. I didn’t want my father to strain so asked him to come by auto.

WP#7200 Steam Locomotive.

Sridhar, Chechu, Madhan, Suresh Babu, Dilip and Nishant were waiting near the locomotive. This was the first time I was meeting Madhan. Sridhar led us into a coach and asked us not to move here and there. The coach was nicely decorated with balloons, color papers. It had speakers, music systems and some nice music. Chechu sir wasn’t much interested in music as he believed that it destroyed the natural ambience. He was right; the entire mood went for a toss as silly songs were played almost throughout the run. It didn’t look like a Heritage Run, but some other thing which I don’t want to mention. We whistled and moved out of Royapuram. We did only 20kph. I never believed that I was behind a steam locomotive. Credits to Perambur Loco Works for the overhauling and repair works. In my opinion, the loco performed well more than I expected.

The Hero got resurrected.

As we crossed Chennai Beach Jn, people stood in platforms to wave out to us. The entire crowd was amazed. The young ones were excited. It seems they already knew that we were coming. Few people had the national flag with them and waved out to us. We need to appreciate one thing in our country. Our country values Heritage more than anything else. Over these years, it is only the heritage and culture which has bonded us towards progress. During testing times, it’s only the heritage, culture, moral values, traditions which would save us and nuclear arms, weapons won’t really save us. Many thanks to the Government for the Heritage Run.

My steam train negotiates a curve.

As we crossed Fort, I could see Poochi taking snaps from the road. People were standing in the roads and taking snaps through camera mobile. Even the couples stopped and took photos. The MTC bus drivers also waved to us. Meanwhile, VSP was also coming parallel to us in an EMU.

A child gets interviewed.

We were greeted with warmth in all stations. As we crossed Chetpet, people from houses, flats waved to us. Chechu sir also waved to the kids, crowd standing outside. I guess Chechu sir went highly nostalgic. I noticed that a person was having his shave. After hearing the whistle, he came and stood with his family in the balcony. We had a halt at Mambalam. It was a long halt and it took nearly 40 minutes to start from there. Out of nowhere, suddenly AJJ WAP-4 entered into Mambalam with Pallavan Express in high speed. I wondered whether he would stop at Mambalam. Chechu sir got down at MBM itself.

I informed my father that we are nearing SP. Lots and lots of people were standing in the platform. I couldn’t spot VSP or my father. The train was nearing the Saidapet South Cabin. Almost the entire coach waved out to Aravind’s family. I could see Vimal with handkerchief tied to the head and Aravind with his new camera. I had the plan of getting down at Guindy if the train had stopped but it didn’t. I was in touch with Harish Kumar and Poochi Venkat through mobile and updating them. The sad thing was due to some problem, I couldn’t send any messages. I didn’t even have time to troubleshoot. So all updates to concerned person was done through calls! I spent nearly Rs.50 in a span of 4 hours/Re. 1 per each call. As my train crossed Tirusoolam, I could see Poochi standing near the tracks taking snaps. As usual, I yelled out, “POOCHI!”. This is not the first time I am doing this. Later after going home, I realized that my memory card has failed and got corrupted. Some of my images taken were destroyed!

Sweet boxes, juice, water bottles were distributed to us. Sadly, I forgot to take it home and I left the box in the coach itself. We had a long halt at Pallavaram. I wondered why? It was more than half an hour. I got down from the coach and got ready to take a snap of Vaigai. I could see a lot of crowd standing on the tracks watching the steam engine. As the signal turned yellow, the station master and the support staff requested the crowd to move away from the tracks. I knew 2635 Vaigai was on its way. The train was doing only 45kph in my opinion. As the WAP-4 came into view, I waved out to the LP. The headlights were switched ON.

My train crosses Saidapet.

After Vaigai had passed, I informed Sriram Karthik and Dilip that I would be leaving. I went to the platform and saw a books stall. I purchased 5 Rajesh Kumar and Pattukottai Prabhakar Crime Novels. I boarded an EMU back home. Since the solar eclipse was about to start I didn’t want to have anything. I had some food during the early morning hours. It’s a trivial issue. I don’t know whether to follow these rituals or not, but since my parents have requested me I have decided to follow the rules. I boarded an EMU back home and got down at Saidapet. I then boarded 5E to reach home. Once the solar eclipse was over, I had a bath and immediately had food!

Vaigai Express walking through Pallavaram. Pic taken by Krishna Kumar.S