On Thursday, amidst a sea of people at the Mahatma Gandhi Road Station making their way to that coveted first ride on the metro was Basavaraju, a blind garment factory worker, who had taken the day off.
The 36-year-old had come all the way from Sarjapura to participate in the revelry. He was clearly in the loop about the sheer excitement of travelling in the city's most awaited mode of transport since the Volvo buses.
Empathy appreciated
When The Hindu spoke to him, Mr. Basavaraju said he was happy about the sensitivity and consideration extended to him by the police and Namma Metro staff.
“The metro officials were very helpful. I was asked to use the tactile strip , and they even offered to accompany me. But I insisted that I'll manage myself,” he said
The police, noticing his impairment, insisted that he skip the long queue and entrusted him to a metro official.
Asked if the ride was worth his expedition all the way from Sarjapura, Mr. Basavaraju enthusiastically showed the thumbs up, instinctively looking straight at the camera. “It was fantastic,” he exclaimed.
Mr. Basavaraju, who takes the bus to his workplace off Hosur Road, wished for the day when he could commute to work on the metro.
