Mumbai possesses a
heart of stone. This is the perception of Mumbai embedded in common man's mind
and it is justifiable to an extent. Stress and strain at work front have
dehumanized people that interpersonal relationships are on the fringes of
partition. Verbal exchange of feelings brings two people close
naturally. When one is deprive of than strain offshoots from there.
And in this scenario of chaos in and out AC buses are proving to be
manna in hot desert.
On condition of
anonymity a couple discloses the reason to choose this vehicle over others
"Here we bought tickets to buy privacy. From dawn to dusk life keeps us
apart and on toes and household jobs take toll over weekends. In lack of
communication I noticed a chasm developing between us so I decided to choose
this bus that gives us plenty of time to get in touch with each
other." This getting in touch is accompanied with
smooches and cuddles that draw attention of many. "We know they are
watching us but where else we channelize our aggression, in those dingy flats
that brings in feelings of hatred over love."
Ashok Kadam a
conductor (popularly known as Masters) on witnessing such scenes
that troubled an orthodox Maharashtrain in him, approached top officials but
they overruled his objection stating that it is not causing any physical harm
to anybody and restricts him to take care of passengers' comfort and
convenience only. "I haven't seen any couple stepping beyond boundaries
while expressing their love in form of hugs, whispers and smooches". He is
now getting well along with this considering it as part and parcel of Mumbai
life where interference is prohibited in such private affairs.
"We were akin to
them in our green salad days why to make fuss out of it" justifies
Patrachari CEO of a logistics company and worked abroad who chose this bus over
his car and explaining the cause he quotes "I was spending some 20,000 on
car and its maintenance with driver's salary per month. So the expenditure was
not justifying the convenience. Now the decision has just doubled up the
satisfaction while cost has trimmed down to one third of what I was spending.
This satisfaction is not merely coming out of saving cash but also I am proud
to say that I am adding value to save fuel campaign. More use of this bus by
people like me would have its merit in terms that it could alleviate roads of
traffic problem as number of cars is expected to go down." He further
elaborates on merits of traveling "I have made two three travel companions
and we discuss topics ranging from sports to economics, politics and
business."
But Aradhana Takhtani
an editor with business magazine of fame keeps herself apart from chatting.
That seat is her private space where she is assured of private moments.
"Amidst flurry of activities from managing kids, house and work place it
becomes hectic. while traveling I catch up with self after finishing puja and
this recoup pumps in freshness and when mind wish to get out of this indulgence
I lend ears to muttering of old ladies in particular who have some problems
with their young daughter in laws. She is among very few passengers who love to
observe things in and out. Biswas, a teacher by profession is close to many
passengers as a friend. "When co passenger comes to know about my
profession they become open to discuss learning problems of their kids. and I
play a role of advisor without intruding into personal details of intricacies
of their life." says Biswas who adores the courteous behavior of Masters
and to express his attitude of gratitude he makes it a point to carry change
and hand over to Master whenever he run short of it. He prefers this bus over
train or cab as he is sensitive to heat and dust. And this is not only reason
but also that kind nature of Masters and drivers drive many to take this option
for traveling. "We lend special favors like stopping bus for old
and disabled people and this favor extends to our regular customers. we give
them tickets directly as we know that where he wishes to get down in case of
change in his itinerary he says 'who roz wala nahi'" explains Kadam his
relationship that his colleague Ganpat Patil also enjoys giving an instance
"From lokhandwala a disabled boy aboard bus and his father
request for special attention on mobile and I make it sure that he lands safely
at Opera house. We find long absence of our regular passenger very disturbing
and when we come back from long leave they promptly ask about our well being
and whereabouts." For passengers this toting and froing daily amidst chaos
is pleasure and same pervading problem of traffic for car owners is proving a
nightmare experience. "Driving on Mumbai road is akin to punishment for
me. decision of spending on fare offset expenses that I was incurring in car."
justify 75 year Abdullah Pitalwallah who is business man by profession dealing
in hardware "my wife is avid fan as she finds more comfortable than First
class compartment and far from jostling crowd" says this arthritis patient
who have made just one or two companion of his age group. On back benchers
lovers he comments with a grin "it is their cozy corner that brings them
close mentally strengthening bonds". In cubby hole flat with plethora of
people sharing space and office is like second home, this bus is
doing task of bringing people close to each other. Here they get chance to talk
to strangers, caring and sharing is at its bloom reflecting in small favors,
help, greetings and pouring of thoughts. Here they discuss something they love
and hate. They know each other over years but strange fact is that they are
completely unaware of name of each other. And here this thought by a
philosopher holds true that love inspects the heart not the face and once the
tunes matches than what is there in name?
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