“We are shortly landing in Hyderabad, so please fasten your seat belts, keep window shades open & keep your seat back upright”
As usual, the in-flight announcement was made before our landing to Hyd. I was feeling kind of sleepy after the day’s work & constant travel. This was my 3rd flight in 4 days. I thought, “It’s good that I’m reaching Hyderabad early. I’ll reach hotel by say 7.30, then go to room, take a bath & go to bed by 9.00 max. I won’t watch any TV programs & won’t even watch “F.R.I.E.N.D.S.”. Neither will I sit on net & surf FB & ….” Krraaaashhshhh.. Dhhhuuummm..
My thoughts were interrupted by, well… quiet bad rather very bad landing by pilot. Our plane actually bounced twice before finally sticking to the ground. I saw around. At least 5-6 scared faces were around me. But an old chap sitting next to me; btw @ Emergency Exit Window seat; was calm. He was rather irritated because his sleep was disturbed.
After a Long looooong wait, I got my luggage. “How can I forget that in Hyderabad, they bring Fragile bags at the END & not in beginning like other airports” I said to myself. I think sleep was taking its toll on me. I started walking towards airport exit. I was thinking that “I can get something here to eat so I can directly go to sleep once in hotel. I was wrong.
With empty hands, I started walking towards escalator to go down & catch a Radio Taxi. Normally, I would have been fuming by now since I was going through very bad phase in my life – No FOOD & No SLEEP !!!
But, somehow, that man sitting @ Emergency exit window was still on my mind. “Why was he not scared? Is it because he is old? Nahh.. he might be a frequent flier… may be”. But I was very curious about this man. He was more concerned about his sleep than the rough landing. He had no scare on his face whatsoever. He neither spoke arrogantly with airlines crew nor he was rude to me or any other passenger. Still, he had a face which made me feel scared of him. The kind of expression you see on your grandfather’s face when you have done some “Zol”. You make certain judgments about people when you meet them & expect them to behave in similar fashion in different situations. Most of the people will not disappoint you on your judgment front. But people like this oldie who challenge your judgment about them & do the unexpected are the once who you remember the most.
I wonder, how these kind of people stand out from crowd in all situations. At this time, I was unaware about the fact that I’ll be meeting one more standing out personality very soon.
“Sar Where??” Asked a coordinator for Radio Taxis. “Taj …” I just started talking & he interrupted “Taj Deccan. This cab sar”
“No” I said to him “Not Taj Deccan. Taj Tristar, Secundrabad.”
“Owke Owke Sar.”
I put my laptop bag in backseat. Cab driver was placing my luggage in back. He came & said “Taj Deccanah..”. I failed to understand was he asking, saying or ordering. His voice was very rude rather commanding.
“No. Taj Tristar, Secundrabad.” I said, with fear.
“Owke Owke.” Zummmm we drove past the checking post. “Adjust the AC vent Sar” One more order came. I immediately obeyed.
I thought, why is he so mad? Is Taj Deccan further than Taj Tristar? As per my knowledge, NO. Then why? I was about to make another “soo wrong judgment” about this person.
“Taj Tristar, near Paradise Sar??” Question came with same commanding voice.
I just nodded to give him OK. For few minutes, there was actual Pin drop silence in our cab, just noise of car’s engine.
“Outside very HAT SAR” He smiled for the first time, Voice tone similar. I couldn’t help noticing his white teeth on background of his very dark complexion.
“AC cooling need time, SAR”. “OK OK. No problem.” I said.
Hehe. I laughed in my head. How come in 3 days one can meet so varied personalities? I mean one can, but so different? Is this because I traveled in 4 states in last 3 days or its same everywhere & we just don’t pay attention properly in our familiar surroundings?
I mean, we all have studied that, there are same no. of personalities as the world’s population. But still, in such a short time, like 3 days, if you come across so many different yet so strong personalities which make you think so much; its quiet amazing.
“AC Owke sar now??” He asked.
Now it was my turn to smile. I again nodded, but with smile. I thought it’s a safe bate now to start conversation with him.
“Kitana time lagega?”
“1 Hr Sar.” “What? Why? Is it because of traffic?”
“Yes Sar. Abhi toh aur bhi traffic hona. Par main aapku fast leke jata. 1 Hr andar pohocha deta sar. ” He smiled again.
“Wo kya hona na sar, agan hamane Banjara Hills se jana to jyada traffic hona. Hamne agar lakadi pul se jana to traffic bhi kam aur 1 to 1.5 kms bhi kam padata sar.” Information ended with smile again.
“This way sar total main 40 kms hona. Lakadi pul se hamane 38 to 39 kms hi lagan. Upar se time bhi bachata sar.”
“Achha?” It was just an expression to keep the conversation going form my side.
“Haan sar. Wo Banjara hills area Hyderabad ka main area hona. Iss time pe boleku bohot traffic hona. Upar se constructions chalu hona sar. Bohot late hona. Adha Adha ghanta ek jageich rukana padata sar.”
By this time, we already were near to India’s largest flyover.
“Idhar tak 17.5 kms hona sar. Airport se. Yeh flyover India ka longest hona. 12 Kms Sar. Itana achha hona. Yeh bananeke bad bhi niche pura traffic hona sar. Very Nice Sar.”
“lekin fir beech main entry & exit kyun nahi dete?” my question, to continue conversation.
“Kaam chalu hona sar. 3 places pe dena. Who bhi accha hona sar. Yeh left side pe complete ARMY area sar. Very Strict”
The last comment was not for area but was for ARMY as a profession. By now I was very much curious about this person.
“Aap idharse hi hain??”
“Nai sar. Mera gaon 450 kms pe hona. Waha mera bhai hona. Main kabhi kabhi jata. Saal main 1-2 baar. Bahut door hona na sar. Aur fir utana din taxi bhi band reheta. Problem sar.”
“Ohh.”
“Abhi boleto 1 din ka Rs.1050 dena hota sar.”
“Kyun?? 900 hain na?” again me.
“Haan sar. But company hamase jyada mangata. Kyun ki ham 15 din Strike karana na sar.”
“Kyun?”
“Company hamako ullu banana sar. Who bola tha pehele ki 4 yrs later yeh car hamara hona. But ab bola nai hona. Aise kaise chalata sar. Ab ye car hamara hona to hamako fayaa hota na sar. Companyke bharose ham 4 saal idhar kaam kiya. Ab agar company aisa bolna to ham kaisa kaam karega sar. Hamane contract sign kiya tha sar. Tabhi company neb hi kiya tha. Hamare pas who paper hona na sar. Boleku strike kiya. Ab maan gaya company. But woh bolana, ki 15 days ka paisa bharo. Ab every day Rs. 150 extra deke chukana. Unaka nuksan kaiku karana sar. Who bhi toh pet bharanekeliye kaam karata na sar.”
He revealed complete working culture of Radio Cab in front of me. It involved agreement, negotiation, strikes, settlement, contracts etc all. I thought what all we learn in B School, these people learn by experience & may be in much better way than us MBAs.
“Isiliye sar. Ab ghar pe 2 chota bachha hai sar. Unako waaste kaam karata main. Din main 2 trip hua airport ka toh Company ka paisa nikalata. 3rd trip se petrol nikalata. 4th trip hona to apaneliye paisa bachata. Usamese fir ghar chalata sar. Khana, kapada usise toh kharid sakata na main. Saving bhi karata main sar. Usase hi toh bachcha ka fees ata na. Unako padhana muze aage bhi. Bada banana aur aisahi bada company main kaam pe lagana sar. Unaka bhi toh family basana hona na sar.”
World’s simplest way to explain balance sheet was in front of me, but the tallying it was the most difficult situation.
There was this silence in my cab now. I was not sure what to talk after what he said. My thinking hat started working. “Are all drivers so upbeat about the life?” I thought to myself. I met one such full of life driver in Ahmedabad, just 2 days back.
“Are aap mere liye ruke hain?” I heard the voice when I was waiting in the lobby of hotel @ ahmedabad.
“Haan ji. Paraso kaha than na. Isiliye ruka tha.” I gave him a reason to smile.
He looked very happy, took my bag & said “Chaliye. Waise aapaka plane kabhi hai? Abhi toh bas 25 min.s main pohoch jayenge hum. Dopahar hain na.”
After that, in 25 min.s till airport, he told me how he was not there yesterday & how he’s glad that he could keep his words to come & drop me today. He said sorry because he forgot about today.
This straight forward person I have not seen since ages. Very good, no hesitation to curse his own hotel, his customers, even me. “Kya sir. Aap late aaya. 15 mins se khada tha.” He said when I landed in Ahmedabad 2 days ago. “So what? What if you had to wait for 15 mins?? Big deal. That’s your job asshole” was my first reaction in head.
And now, he was actually discussing with me about my next visit. He invited me to his home. “Hotel se najik hi hai sir. Aana jarur. Aap jaise achhe log kahan milate hain.”
I don’t know why, but I accepted my appreciation from him with smile. I thought about what my opinion was when I met this man 2 days back. I was furious about him in first 2 mins. But now, he actually is the one to who’s home I was willing to go.
Sometimes we jump to conclusions so fast & most often regret later.
“Sar, when you return?”
The same familiar voice interrupted my chain of thoughts. In span of 2 seconds, I was back in Hyderabad from Ahmedabad.
“Kab wapis aana? Airport pe? Yeh lo sar. Mera naam Shankar Sar.” He gave me his Card. “ Mobile no. hona card pe sar. Call karana sar parasol. Main aata. Full day bhi leta sar. Only Rs. 1500. Airport drop ke sath sar. Achha hona sar mereku bhi. Full day milana toh nakki hona ki ghar ke liye paisa chuatata sar.”
I could not resist to ask him “Where is your family?”
“Family sar idharich hona. Main mera misses aur do bachha hona. Beti 6th me aur beta 2nd me hona, sar.”
“Aur bhai behen?”
“Hona na, sar. Five bhai & Two behen hona sar.”
“Aur parents?”
“Nai hona sar. Maa aur abba dono ab nai hona sar.”
I could see his eyes filled with tears. He could not speak for next 5 min.s. I was clueless, what to say now. Then he started on his own.
“ Mera behen idhar hi hona. Badi behen ka shadi hona aur unako beto ka bhi shadi hona. Sab Idher Hyderabad main hi rehena sar. Happy family, sar”
“Aur mera 2 bhai gaon main hona sar. Farming sar. Main 81 main yahan aaya sar. 30 years idharich sar.”
His smile was speaking louder than words. It was showing his satisfaction, a sense of fulfillment, a sense of accomplishment.
“Mera school bhi idharich hua. 10th tak padha main sar. Ab roj gadich chalata main. Kaiko, bachho ko padhane waste sar. Woich karaneka sar.”
I tapped his shoulder. He looked at me, with smile on his face & tears in his eyes. I turned my face away.
By now, I completely lost track of where I was. Where I was in my life, where I was in my thoughts, where “I” was.
I turned my face away & looked outside in search of… well I guess I wasn’t aware in search of what. I guess he understood what was happening in my mind. He changed the subject.
“Yeh lakadi pul gaya sar. Ab jyada dur nai sar. 15 min bas. Pahuch gaya sar.”
With a smile he asked, “ Aap Mumbai se aaya Sar?”
I nodded in agreement & smiled back. After some moments I gathered my thoughts & asked him, “Pehelese hi cab chalate ho kya?”.
“Nai sar. Pehele gaon main auto chalata. Fir bade bhai ne car sikhaya. Mereku jyada paisa milaneka bolku woich laya mereku yahan Hyderabad main. ”
I was beyond now simple nods or any other gestures of agreements. I was only listening & probably thinking, something, deep inside.
“Mera bhai bahut achha aadami sar. Main jo bhi kama raa sar, usike baje se sar. Woh alag hua fir bhi hamara khayal rakhata saar.” He was about to cry.
Cars were zooming by on both the sides making noises. People were everywhere. Still there was silence in our cab, creating loud noise inside my head which shook me to the core.
We always get angry due to small things. We get into fight with our parents who have given us so much since birth. Still we do not care much about them. We always burst our anger on our loved ones. And here we meaning, all of us sophisticated civilized people.
But here was this guy, 10th passed, who taught me the biggest lesson of my life, Never take anyone for granted – definitely not your loved ones.
“Saar, Rs. 575 hona saar.”
I gave him the money. He went to get change. Looking at him from behind, I remembered words from my Mentor.
He said once “ Koi aadami bura nai hota, haalaat bure hote hain. Remember, you are not dealing with people, you are dealing with their personalities. No one is bad inside. You need to understand his personality & the reason for that. Once you do that, you’ll empathize with him & he’ll surrender himself to you. Always remember my these words”.
That day I thought, what happened to my happy-go-lucky mentor? He’s always cheerful, giving “Galis” after every 2nd word & now ….. he’s being philosophical? Why? How?
Today I understand each & every word he spoke that day.
This journey of lifetime ended with a promise that he’ll come to pick me up next day for airport. He gave me his card. I couldn’t speak anything. I just gave a tap on his shoulder & turned to go inside the hotel – completely aware that how my night will be now.
At 2 am, lying on the bed inside the deluxe room, I still had that voice ringing in my ears. “Thank you saar. Mereku phone karana saar. Main jarur aata parasoo. Shankar naam mera saar. Bhulana nai saar. Shankar……”
