Like any other ordinary day, the weather was extremely chilled, the wind was blowing and the foggy surroundings allowed zero visibility. Amidst all this, a large number of people were standing at the platform of Sahibabad Railway Station waiting for the respective Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains to reach their offices.
As usual, I reached the station at 8:55 am. To my surprise, there were many people who had been waiting for trains since morning. The crowd was too huge. It became almost impossible to even stand on the platform. Establishing your foot was an accomplishment.
I started waiting for the announcement of the train I had to board. Time was passing and there was hardly any information regarding its arrival. I became worried and tried to listen to the conversation of the people standing around to find out what was wrong. Moreover, I kept on waiting thinking it will come soon.
By now, an hour was gone. The number of people reaching the station was growing and they were not willing to take any other means to reach their destination. Unfortunately, even I was one of them. However, I find EMUs as the most comfortable means of transport.
In the hour that was gone, I was observing people standing there. Yeah! that's a hobby, or a quality in my personality, I must say.
I saw their sullen faces, although with a ray of hope in their eyes. "Jab tak train nahin aati, chalo ek cup chai hi pee lete hain", a lady standing besides me said heading towards the tea vendor.
"I wish I had not forgotten to bring the newspaper today", I said to myself. "Had I had it, I would have at least read half of it. Anyway, I could try reading it after reaching home at night; not a big deal".
As my eyes were strolling from platform number 1 to 5, I could see people started talking among themselves. Most of them were criticizing winters. Though I hate winters, I couldn't express it there as I was all alone among those stranded strangers. Yes, to me, they all seemed the stranded strangers, except few faces that I see on a daily basis.
A few minutes later, an announcement was made. Attention please! Train number 64031 EMU from Ghaziabad to Shakurbasti via Tilak Bridge, New Delhi is arriving at platform number 3. It wasn't the same train I used to board every day, yet it would go to Tilak Bridge, my destination. So, I had to get into it. Within seconds, there was commotion all around. Some young boys started hooting and there was a smile on all those sulky faces. I could connect with all those smiles, as a smile is never strange. It only brings positive vibes. Soon, I prepared myself to board the train. A huge rush was expected as the train was delayed by two hours and rest of the EMUs were cancelled.
As the train arrived, a race for boarding and deboarding began. There was chaos all around. No one bothered any one. The only thing one cared for was either to board or deboard the train. I somehow managed to get into it and relaxed myself. There was a huge multitude. One couldn't even move. However, as the stations passed by, I could see those strange faces getting down the train and people de-stressing themselves. Within 40 minutes, I reached my destination and as I deboarded the train, I thanked God for such an adventurous journey. It was a bizarre yet venturesome ride.
Here are a few pictures of The Stranded Strangers...!!
As usual, I reached the station at 8:55 am. To my surprise, there were many people who had been waiting for trains since morning. The crowd was too huge. It became almost impossible to even stand on the platform. Establishing your foot was an accomplishment.
I started waiting for the announcement of the train I had to board. Time was passing and there was hardly any information regarding its arrival. I became worried and tried to listen to the conversation of the people standing around to find out what was wrong. Moreover, I kept on waiting thinking it will come soon.
By now, an hour was gone. The number of people reaching the station was growing and they were not willing to take any other means to reach their destination. Unfortunately, even I was one of them. However, I find EMUs as the most comfortable means of transport.
In the hour that was gone, I was observing people standing there. Yeah! that's a hobby, or a quality in my personality, I must say.
I saw their sullen faces, although with a ray of hope in their eyes. "Jab tak train nahin aati, chalo ek cup chai hi pee lete hain", a lady standing besides me said heading towards the tea vendor.
"I wish I had not forgotten to bring the newspaper today", I said to myself. "Had I had it, I would have at least read half of it. Anyway, I could try reading it after reaching home at night; not a big deal".
As my eyes were strolling from platform number 1 to 5, I could see people started talking among themselves. Most of them were criticizing winters. Though I hate winters, I couldn't express it there as I was all alone among those stranded strangers. Yes, to me, they all seemed the stranded strangers, except few faces that I see on a daily basis.
A few minutes later, an announcement was made. Attention please! Train number 64031 EMU from Ghaziabad to Shakurbasti via Tilak Bridge, New Delhi is arriving at platform number 3. It wasn't the same train I used to board every day, yet it would go to Tilak Bridge, my destination. So, I had to get into it. Within seconds, there was commotion all around. Some young boys started hooting and there was a smile on all those sulky faces. I could connect with all those smiles, as a smile is never strange. It only brings positive vibes. Soon, I prepared myself to board the train. A huge rush was expected as the train was delayed by two hours and rest of the EMUs were cancelled.
As the train arrived, a race for boarding and deboarding began. There was chaos all around. No one bothered any one. The only thing one cared for was either to board or deboard the train. I somehow managed to get into it and relaxed myself. There was a huge multitude. One couldn't even move. However, as the stations passed by, I could see those strange faces getting down the train and people de-stressing themselves. Within 40 minutes, I reached my destination and as I deboarded the train, I thanked God for such an adventurous journey. It was a bizarre yet venturesome ride.
Here are a few pictures of The Stranded Strangers...!!
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