A journey or a lesson for life

Pre journey Suspense:

I got my intimation for Services selection board (SSB) interview in Bhopal. Being a student of Sainik School, it was a dream comes true. I was supposed to report on 20^th of January 1996. I was very excited and started to look for tickets. I found only one train passes by Bhopal i.e. Utkal Express (The caveat is you have to get down at Bina station in the midnight and catch the next train after two hours). The best thing about this train is you can get the tickets any time (as it is considered the worst train to go to Delhi). I was happy to get a ticket on 17^th so that I can reach on 19^th morning. I was thrilled and started my preparation for the SSB with general knowledge, and other magazines (I didn’t know the interviewer doesn’t want to know how much GK you know rather try to find out how smart you are). On 16^th we got a call from my cousin “the Utkal express is cancelled”. I was worried as it was my first interview after Sainik school interview. I called the railway enquiry 131 after long time an operator picked up and he told me all the trains in that route are cancelled because of some disturbance. I shouted how I will attend my interview he explained that’s not my problem sir still you may try for a ticket for the next day. After some time my dad returned home and as expected tickets for the next day was available and was booked. On the journey day I spent most of the time on phone trying to find out if the train is running or cancelled. Anyways the departure timing was 6 pm and at 4 pm I confirmed the train is running with 2 hours late (It’s normal time in terms of timing of Utkal Express).

The Journey begins:

I reached station with my luggage a suitcase and bedding containing a blanket, pillow etc. I searched for my name in the list. Before that I realized the human behavior and was searching for the co passengers (Looking if any female passenger nearby, though two were there one was 65yrs and the other one 15yrs). Anyways disappointed I went to the platform one. My parents were also much tensed as I was going alone for the first time. To their reprieve I saw a sardarji whom I know. Then I remembered he was Mr. Hardaman Singh, he was always seen among the front-runners of Old Boys Association of Sainik School Bhubaneswar (once I thought he looks like Milkha Singh). I greeted him and gave my introduction, informed him I am going to Bhopal for SSB Interview. My parents were more relieved when they heard we both were in the same compartment.

The train started and I settled my luggage. After confirming that everything is locked with chain I went to Hardaman Sir we chatted for some time about his school experiences and then decided to have dinner. We shared our dinner in fact for the first time I tasted the delicacy of Punjabi Paratha. Then we went to our respective berths and I went to sleep thanking god for helping me on my first journey. I was unaware of the journey ahead and had the calculation may be after 36 hr. I would be in Bhopal.

Woke up in the morning and found few passengers were confused and were tensed. I sensed something was wrong and when I looked out of window found the station name was written in Bengali (they were supposed to be written in Hindi as train was to pass through Bihar). We all were confused and unaware where are we actually heading. Then the train stopped at a small station and we all decided to ask the station master what’s going on. To our surprise the station master says he too doesn’t know where the train is heading he has been directed to send the train to the next station. The train again started from that station, everyone was confused and was discussing about the route. Then we realized the train is in Bihar and is en-routed to Delhi and the route has been changed in lieu of some disturbance in Madhya Pradesh. I was also tensed and was sticking to Hardaman sir as he was my only hope in this untoward situation. Few of the passengers got book with train routes, from that we could realize that the train is being routed through Jhansi and in that way we will be 24 hr. late to our destination.

Hardaman Sir as I remember was going for a family function and me for SSB interview and it was important for both of us to reach in time. In fact I had given up suddenly Hardaman sir shouted Suman and I ran to his berth he was unlocking his baggage and said beta (Son) we will get down here. I too ran to my berth and unlocked my suitcase. I ran towards the gate Hardaman sir had got down in the other end, but the door was locked in the side I chose, an army man was trying hard to open it another co passenger also ran to pull the chain( The chain is too hard to stop the train immediately). And it opened I saw the train is picking up speed, without thinking anything I jumped with both my heavy luggage (The train also stopped after 50mts as the other passenger successfully pulled the chain). By god’s grace I was fine and was not hurt. Hardaman sir ran from the other side worried if I was hurt. I noticed it was Allahabad station and it was 10pm in the night. I realized it was cold but I was so tensed I didn’t feel the temperature. Hardaman Sir was going ahead and I was following him. He enquired from TTE and we boarded Cochin express which was going en route Bilaspur where sir had to get down and he said “tu aja yahan se dusre train miljayega” (Come we will get a different train from here) . I followed him like a junior in SSB and we reached Bilaspur early in the morning and from there he enquired from station and boarded me in a train which was going to Bhopal. I thanked him as god had sent him for me only. I reached Bhopal and I was very happy to see the Bus for SSB interview candidates was waiting outside the station.

It was an experience which made me feel “God has a plan for every one of us at each step of life”. I realized the beauty of being a Sainik School Student. Someone just with the introduction that I belong to his school can take care of me like I am his own younger brother, in fact I feel this can happen only in Sainik school.