No, I am not about to whine about the milling peak-hour crowd, the sweat and the smell, nor about the pestering vendors. I see the crowd as a symbol of a highly active, healthy moving population. While the sweat and even probably the smell symbolise hard work, the commuting vendors symbolise microeconomic activity. Hence all that is welcome.
But some of the ‘value addition’ to travel contributed by fellow-commuters is difficult to cope with.
The first one is from the ‘commutarians’ who travel with a backpack. These bag-wearing friends, unmindful of the infringement added to their normal body dimensions, turn around often, to hit people standing nearby. Usually I am wary; once I see a backpack-adorned commuter coming near me, I immediately take all precautions as needed to protect me from a weapon attack. During the morning peak hour, when space management inside the train compartment is vital, these backpackers need twice the normal space needed for one to stand. At such moments I wish that such bags come sans shoulder straps.
The second one is from the ardent newspaper lovers, who attempt to complete reading the day’s newspaper during the travel itself, presumably to save time.
These news-lovers cause many a bodily embarrassment when they spread the full sheet to their reading convenience. In an attempt to avoid such newspaper brushing, one may have to lean on others. At such moments, I wish the newspapers also be printed to the size of weekly magazines.
Playing onThe third one is from the music-lovers. I am a music-lover too. But I don’t love music blaring from mobile phone speakers in a public place. Indeed, I am sure many people don’t, as seen from the faces around me. These music-lovers, in their quest to enjoy music, make the otherwise enjoyable train travel miserable for others. Sensing such trouble, the mobile handset manufacturers supply earphones. Why can’t they be used? At such moments I wish that all mobile phones be deprived of the music playing facility.
Finally, mindful of the fact that my silly wishes mentioned above are not going to be fulfilled, I again express a wish that, such fellow commuters avoid such ‘value addition’ contributed by them to the other commuting ordeals.
kumarjegadeesh@yahoo.co.in
