Rushing on a
pair of iron, streaking through the dark nights, it took me places. It may have
physically transported me only a certain distance, but from where it helped me open
the vistas of my mind. It took me, to a life beyond, widening my avenues, showing
the world to me.
A plentiful of
my life journey’s literally and figuratively have began with its huge amber
light and blaring engines arriving on to the lone platform of my sleepy town. Heading
out of home, the times when the clinking of its iron wheels muffled my sobs,
the charging wind flying away with the solitary tear, the feel of its cold
window rods soothing my aching heart are many. Gradually, its constant clanking
transported my hopes and aspirations faster than it could drop me off on
platform 8 at Bangalore. Homeward journeys always began with me hopping onto
it. The clatter of its numerous iron wheels would not disturb my sleep until it
brought me home through the night and took me back to the hustle of the city. The
paths it has taken me on, the paths it has traveled with me on are also many.
 |
| My journeys with Hampi Express |
Embarking onto
each day of his livelihood, would my dad step on it and return from it. The calls
he made each morning to ascertain its position so he wouldn’t miss meeting it. Others
like him, its usual regulars, became a part of his life over the years.
It became synonyms with our lives, mine and my
family’s, THE HAMPI EXPRESS. When it derailed, it jolted me out of my reverie
that tragedies, like the parallel irons of a railway track never would meet
with my life. Never had any mishap
effected me the way this one did, given the frequency at which it is a part of
a journey of atleast one of my family on any given date, the news shook me, to
core.
My hearts reeled
today with the impact of the news, for it is true, that when tragedy strikes
near home is when its measure is truly sensed. The fragility of life looms
clearer with a heightened sensitivity while the frivolity at life’s inevitable
decadence diminishes.
