Grab thy seat !

This is not in relation to the scuffle and power used by politicians to get (sorry, grab) an opportunity to serve themselves (sorry, serve the nation). I don’t have the first hand experience to talk about that power grabbing. But what I have is a lot of familiarity with seat grabbing in the local public transport systems. Those taking the EMUs to work would definitely be aware of this and may have actually indulged in it unknowingly or knowingly (as in most of the cases)

Even those who get into the train/ buses from the terminals have to face the prospect of being a standee, courtesy some gentle guys who block the seats ( as with engineering / medical seats in private institutions)- but the only difference being the blocking being done with just ahandkerchief or a crumpled newspaper or an old bag. Just when you resign yourself to your own fate and stand in a relatively comfortable position, at least a couple of people try to move past you looking for a non existent seat. Those carrying big bags and trying to move in are a real menace , especially for the bespectacled guys.

You just wait curse your fate after the initial ruckus ; but the problem in EMUs is that the process keeps repeating itself every two to three minutes - leaving you flustered for the entire journey- lots of time , your efforts to even browse through your newspaper is difficult. just when you see a gentleman vacating a seat and ready yourself to make a move, someone who is two feet away could just grab the seat in "Jhonty Rhodes "que manner. and even if there's no one with such good reflexes to compete, the person already sitting in the opposite chair could relocate , looking for more comfort( especially the window seats; leaving his place for someone standing nearby- thereby playing a musical chair rather unintentionally!

On an unlucky day the game goes on and on and by the time you get seat , your destination arrives! That's when you can't help but think of Madhavan's last line in the movie -"evanooruvan"- just after he falls on to the window seat after the police encounter- "nalla naal la jannalseat kadaikkarathukulla uyire poidum"

And even if you have tolerated the frustration of having to stand the entire journey , trouble is not over still you set your foot outside. the exit is invariably blocked by the romeos travelling foot board vying for female attention( but chances being them getting the attention of LordYama is more) and the pig headed guys who don't care a s**t about others . Due to their obduracy in blocking the exits , I have been in the danger of having to go beyond my destination on many occasions; fortunately it has not happened so far and hope it never happens!!

These apart are the numerable inconveniences like hawkers / vendors trying to move their wares along even when there is no space to move , even for a rodent . Though you feel like complaining , something strikes you that after all its their livelihood and they are honest in trying earn their money.And most despicable moments are in seeing begging kids / young females with infants in their hands.

All these were really instrumental in me taking an afternoon job, which I thought would preclude me from the peak hour hassles- which it has done to an extent , with the pleasure of travelling in almost empty compartments in the night! I feel its a great pleasure to sit in a window seat , stretching your legs and putting you bare feet on the opposite seat, keeping your face in the beautiful breeze , listening to lilting melodies- one's got to experience it to see how good it is! Even better and a little adventurous is to stand close to the foot board soaking yourself in the wind( though its not advisable) ! These apart have been some inspiring moments on the train journeys that have lifted my spirits- I think anyone would be inspired when they see a visually impaired man producing beautiful notes on his flute/ vocals; or when they surely and steadily walk through the entire train , en training and detraining along the way , selling their wares as if they do not miss anything. They have made me realise a lot of times , how much He has given us and cribbing is not a worthy choice at all..