METRO PURAAN - PART IV

The metro now connects some parts of NOIDA (UP) and Gurgaon (Haryana) and will soon be racing towards the Delhi Airport. In addition to the other important landmarks of the capital, the Railway Stations – New and Old have already been connected.

It was a pleasure and a surprise to witness the progress of the metro. As they built, DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) progressively made improvements too, in its style and pace of functioning and constructing, learning from their previous (construction) experiences and also mistakes and lapses, if any. Thus, construction became faster as each part was completed. It is also to be mentioned the manner in which the constructions were conducted with the highest degree of discipline, order and cleanliness.

While DMRC epitomized punctuality, stuck to its deadlines and completed its task on and sometimes even before time, stray accidents here and there marred the journey hampering the progress of work (e.g. NOIDA, Punjabi Bagh line) and at times incurring the ire of the general public too. I vaguely recollect the details of one such accident wherein a few labourers were either crushed to death or badly mutilated/injured and another perhaps included the road commuter(s) as well who also met similar fate. In two instances, if I remember correctly, it was the crane lifting the concrete cups for fit, lost grip, causing the heavy cups to crash down on hapless traffickers or workers who happened to be underneath at that spur of the unfortunate moment.

This gave rise to various (public) speculations and media sensations like DMRC was buckling under tremendous pressure of meeting its pre-fixed targets and that these were the evidences of self-imposed stress borne out of rigid adherence (stipulated by DMRC Chief, Mr. Sridharan, a strict disciplinarian and a man of his words) to sincere but impractical timelines promised to the Government and the masses and DMRC’s insatiable desire to prove that they were the best etc. etc. Resultant – hurried, callous attempts to finish the work. DMRC spokespersons, on each such occasion, either furnished explanations (a tad apologetic at times), wherever the cause could be easily discerned, or assured enquiries into the mishaps stating that they would revert with the report, once the investigations were concluded.

But why dwell upon the gloomier aspects of a heritage in the making? Running the risk of sounding brusque, it might as well be pointed out that enormity of tasks always entail a certain quantum of pitfalls. The reasonability and justifiability of such shortcomings shall always be under the scanner. Nevertheless, it’s almost like an axiom of history which may or may not have been recorded or deliberately overlooked time and again by the data collators. But yet fact remains that jobs of massive proportions, voyages of boundless encompass, revolutions of overhauling dynamism have always been undertaken and completed on human sacrifices and travails. It is the commoners - the unsung, unspoken of, obscure men of non-repute, who have always paid heavy prices in creating and re-creating civilization and invariably history chroniclers have carelessly excluded their unrewarded contributions (!) from the pages of time. Men who lost their lives in these accidents taught the men at work what not to do and where to be more cautious.

It is said that the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahaan, engaged approximately 500-600 workers per day (or perhaps even more, 20,000 being the total number) of high repute and craftsmanship, who converged from different parts of his kingdom and outside, for building the Taj Mahal. Just imagine the employment generated by the exquisite construct! But at the same time, the phenomenon saw an artificial famine as the emperor diverted bulk quantity of food grains, for feeding the craftsmen at work, which was otherwise meant to be distributed around whole of his kingdom*. History does not enlist the names of those men, women and children who lost their lives in the famine in order to give birth to one of the flawless wonders of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contd…..

(* Source - Nat Geo)

METRO PURAAN - PART III

At first the capital dwellers were in awe of the long, silvery, tubular machine snaking noiselessly through the cityscape. Impressive pieces imported from South Korea whose bogies (4 in number) were interconnected, seating space was sparse and AC more than functional. The best part was that it did not matter whether you got a seat in the tube or not - a standing journey was as comfortable.

The initial phase connecting Shahadara to Rithala, two polar ends of the NCR, was seamlessly accomplished and inauguration equally impressive. The only jarring note being the mob that gate crashed into the stations to witness/experience the first run and almost vandalized the newly-imported machines in their unrestrained excitement. This may still be evidenced in the hideously cracked glass door/window panels of one or two otherwise unblemished trains – a painful reminder of the mob-mania, a daily eyesore

But the stations remained empty thereafter barring a few adventurous ones who did not fear trying out something new and hitherto not experienced. Everything was steel and chrome (look wise) and shining. The stations were spotlessly clean, the maintenance meticulous, the counter-girls helpful, the Security Guards alert (they thankfully still maintain the same standard) and above all the fare more than reasonable for an AC ride. It was reported that in comparison with the expenses incurred in its institution, Metro was earning less revenue and consequently running at a loss.

Notwithstanding the statistics of profit and loss, there were points of advantage accruing by the situation. Initially, the gentry which traveled by the metro was more sophisticated, paid heed to all the instructions repeatedly announced by DMRC inside the train (like no consumption of food materials, no music etc. while traveling) and saw that others obeyed the same too, showed courtesy to fellow travelers, offered seats to ladies and senior citizens (in the beginning there were no reserved seats for the fairer sex and elders) and in general made the NCR proud of a newly flourishing commute-culture.

Then gradually more and more people came to grasp the advantages of commuting by metro. How comfortable it was to travel by the same in hot, muggy days with the AC on in full volume! How one could avoid the on-road traffic jams and reach the destination hassle-free and in less time though by a roundabout route! How the city looked like the kingdom of ant dwellers during day time! How the garland of lights blinkered like stars on earth in the evening! How the scathing rays of Apollo blazed the sides of the crawling tube without scorching the bodies of the passengers within! How the train rushed into the moonlit/less nights undaunted and unhindered even through some areas shrouded in darkness by unexpected load shedding! All seen through the windows of the overhead metro during different times of the day! Glimpses of sophistry till now past imagination of the slogging middle class! And the commuters gravitated, increased in no. till it became a crowd of marauders daily dotting the metroscape.

Contd…….

METRO PURAAN - PART II

Hopefully, before the commencement of the Commonwealth Games, the initial phases of “metromorphosis” (a term coined by DMRC) of NCR would be complete. Who could have imagined that the capital would one day be flaunting a network of columns, supporting the metro tracks, weaving through the cityscape, connecting remote locations thereby making travel through the city this easy and comfortable? Even a few years earlier this was unthinkable. Our residential area was one of the first to be connected by the Metro. During the construction, it used to be our favourite leisure time activity to stand by the main road and watch the yellow-helmeted labourers and engineers work day and night to install the massive construct (just a 5 to 7 minutes walk from my flat). How the monstrous machines, the rubbles, the cemented and metallic parts of the structure had become common fixtures of the landscape! How a thick layer of dust and smoke hung in the atmosphere permanently to be dissipated only after the construction was over! How our flats vibrated in the night, as though under virtual earthquake, when the underground diggings took place to fit in the columns! How the numbered columns were transported and lay by the road to be painstakingly put up to hold the track in its horizontal stance! How the cranes picked up each cemented cup to fit it to perfection to form the base of the track! How we used to wonder what would happen if suddenly the tube fell off its track, while plying, on to the busy road below, flanked by crowded shops and markets! Conjectures and realism, mixed together, added a new dimension to the paraphernalia. Now, when we find a slightest flaw in the working of the system we crib and complaint. But we have also seen the meticulous planning and back breaking toil that have gone into its making.

When the construction was on, our area was invaded by the yellow helmeted men. Early in the morning, they would come in groups (they had shift duties) with their helmets on and thereafter they would be everywhere. We’d find them cleaning the roads around the construction (including the placards with the logo of DMRC emblazoned on them, put up to barricade the construction site), managing the traffic to avoid unnecessary mishap or mess, working atop the half complete structures and during lunch time resting and relaxing in the MCD parks.

When the trial runs began, we saw the engineers with walkie-talkies running up and down the station building to ensure smooth coordination. At that time it was peak summer and the temperature neared 45degrees and some days even more. But still these dedicated souls worked undaunted and how they stuck to their deadlines was amazing given the way things work in our country!

That is how in our locality and I am sure in other places too the mammoth task of instituting the Metro was completed, part by part, phase by phase.

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Contd……

With the advent of metro, the metamorphosis of the Capital or for that matter the NCR that has taken place or “metromorphosis” as DMRC calls it, is an important chapter of the history of the city/region. We are lucky that this phenomenon is taking place in our lifetime and we are direct witnesses to it. In a place where dependence on private vehicle (be it two or four wheeler) has been constantly on the increase in the past few decades, the Metro has not only provided an alternate means of public transport but also given rise to a commuting culture running parallel to city life. Though, insufficient and transient (being restricted to short bursts of travel), it is a world unto itself.

As we keep witnessing this piece of Capital’s history taking over our lives in an inescapable manner, what best can we do but act as a social commentator to this change agent. Yes, it has brought about lot of changes in the lives of the Capital dwellers. So, I thought, it would make interesting reading to chronicle little incidents and minute details of travel by metro, though mundane, yet which may provide a peek into this world which is at times highly enjoyable and at others equally infuriating.

Puraan was not created in a day. This Puraan will also be lengthy and take its own course and time to be completed - posted in spurts and gushes as the vagaries of metro-life come to the fore,in all its ecstasies and eccentricities. Part I and II may please be considered distinct chapters of this Puraan.

METRO PURAAN - PART I

Last to last week (Wednesday, 11th of August, to be precise) I had the most harrowing experience of my life. The sky was overladen since morning but decided to unburden right at the time when we proceed homeward from work. Finally the torrential pour gave way to a mild drizzle. But it was good enough to congest the roads with stranded traffic. The city came to a stand still.

I missed my chartered bus due to the untimely rain. My colleague gave me a lift till Pulbangash (Old Delhi) Metro Station. Pulbangash is not a place to be visited by ladies unchaperoned after nightfall. But that was the only station which could be accessed enroute that too after patient maneuvering for almost two hours through bumper-bumper traffic. To my horror, the platform was pitch dark, Metro was not plying due to technical fault and above all there was no guard at the station to manage the restless crowd. Alternate transport was next to nil. Ultimately, out of desperation I had to call home. My family came all the way to pick me up from the station. The journey took them an hour or so by car.

While exiting I made sure that my Metro Pass gets registered at the gate. It’s a penal offence if the Pass only reflects an entry without a corresponding exit. A DMRC personnel was having a furious debate with a drunken chap who demanded he be returned one of his chappal which he claimed to have lost in the over-crowded train. I requested the official to punch in my exit as the machine was not registering the same. He did and confirmed so.

But next morning, as usual my Pass was not accepted by the machine at the entrance. On enquiry, I was told that the Pass did not reflect yesterday’s exit. I narrated the whole story of the previous night to the official at the counter but to no avail. As penalty, I had to pay the fare of the entire journey which I had not undertaken. It was a nominal sum but I decided to lodge a complaint with DMRC just to make them aware of the loopholes in the system and consequent harassment to the general public.

I was pleasantly surprised when a voice promptly replied my call (there is no customer care e-mail service; one can only make a call to a toll free number readily available at every Station). In fact, I had expected the call to go unattended. Anyway, I related my experience. He was considerate, took my Metro Pass no, apologized for the inconvenience caused and informed politely that DMRC would get back to me by the next morning after making necessary investigations into the matter.

A week has passed by since then and I am yet to receive any come-back from DMRC on the issue.……………….

A FEW "STRAY" THOUGHTS PLEASE

Animals have always been worshipped in our country. The Gaou Maata (holy cow), Pawanputra Hanumanji and our most beloved the elephant headed Lord Ganesha. In our mythology too, animals have been bestowed an exalted position. Jataayu, the Good Samaritan, old bird who gave away his life to save Sitaji. Gaduda, Lord Krishna’s vaahana, Bali and Sugriva, who in spite of their sibling rivalry came forward to help the banished princes Ram and Lakshman and last but not the least the unforgettable vaanar sena led by none other than Marut Nandan, himself. Our religion preaches nature worship and all the good things that Nature has endowed us with have been treated by our predecessors, the sages and seers, as sacred and worshipped in acknowledgement of the divine blessing. This has been our heritage. But sadly when I look around now I feel that our bhakti bhaav is only confined to the four walls of the temple. As we come out of its gate, we forget ourselves and our history.

I am talking about how we treat the stray animals/friends with which we have to coexist even in the most upbeat of cities and metros. Though city planners may cry hoarse that these animals, dotting the roads and streets, mar the beauty of the landscape and there should be separate grazing lands and barricaded zones for them. Agreed, that there should be such facilities. But as long as these are not happening can we not at least be nice and kind to the mute beings and try and understand them as they cannot express their pains and discomforts in languages comprehensible to us.

I find cattle grazing by themselves on the roadside or by the busy boulevards, wherever they find something green, because their owners cannot provide them with sufficient fodder. As a result, they munch whatever they find lying here and there along with what they should not be eating as well. I have seen cows dying of asphyxiation on the road because they make the mistake of swallowing plastics containing thrown away food. (Of course how to use and discard plastics or not to use them at all is another issue of concern which I will not venture into at this juncture. But it is also something to ponder upon seriously.) They are cause of many accidents too as they stray onto the main road during peak traffic hours. Now, isn’t it the responsibility of the owners to provide the poor animals with proper, healthy and sufficient food?

The children pelting stones at stray dogs and puppies, to shoo them away, because these have playfully followed them around, is another common occurrence. Dogs, especially, do not harm human beings. They love and desire human company. You give them a little food morning and evening and they will guard your house like their own from all and sundry. You may have noticed old ladies sitting in the park sunbathing in the winter afternoons or chatting with each other on some other days and one or two stray dogs sleeping or sitting beside them peacefully. Unless and until they are ill treated or are sick and/or rabid, dogs do not bite or chase humans without reason.

But limited knowledge and awareness give rise to fear. Parents instead of teaching their children not to run when a stray dog wagging its tail comes sniffing around, they find it easier to beat up the dog. Dogs always chase running objects either playfully or considering them to be miscreants. Somewhere at the back of our minds also play the fact that stray animals are fit to be treated callously because they are just stray orphans! Had it been a dog of high breed, matter would have been different. But fact remains that these stray dogs are as intelligent as any other dog and if well trained and cared for they are as good watch dogs and friends as any best breed.

One cannot blame the parents as well because they themselves may be ignorant of these facts. Once you tell the dog not to come near you, it will always maintain safe distance. If you talk to them in your own language they listen and understand. But there is no forum to teach these things in a structured manner in play or high schools. We enroll our children for summer/seasonal courses to learn music, dance and other extra curricular activities but alas there is no course to teach them how to live with these animals that have always been domesticated and made use of, for varied and advantageous purposes, by homo-sapiens since the very inception of civilization.

WIERDO

There was a time when I happened to be the most staunch believer of astrology (western as well as eastern) , palmistry, Linda Goodman, zodiac signs, tarrot card readings, et al and wouldn't even sneeze without looking into my horoscope or calculating my planetary position for the day. Thank God I am over that phase of life, now. But sometimes, things go so haywire that I really feel like orbiting into the solar system and watch over the sun, moon, earth, mars, mercury , in short all the nine, sorry, eight planets, including Rahu and Ketu, in case visible, whether these are behaving okay.Take for example, today, I happened to click on the following sites and the end result - ONE BIG FIASCO :

My Blog - Locked, reason unknown !

Facebook - Guarded by Fortinet (over-active IS snoops) !

G Mail - Somebody's trying to hack it from New York ( Just imagine, somebody finding

my uninteresting self, intriguing) !

Twitter - Temporarily blocked on account of technical snag !

What's this happening ? Whatever I am turning to is crashing down to bits and pieces? Somebody's playing the tricks on me? Or pulling a fast one? Or more importantly, its my electro-magnetic effect? Which one is it? Pray guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE DAY BEGINS

The holy grease and grime of hard work is all over me just marginally diffused by the pearly droplets of the incessant drizzle outside paving the way for a steaming hot cup of tea. The day begins. Soon I'll be submerged in the labyrinth of papers, software glitches and legal jargon. Somebody help me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do super workaholics fail to inspire me?????????????????