Nurungukal...contd..

     My days in Aruvankad was abruptly put to an end by a transfer to a way side station near to Coimbatore. As I climbed down the salubrious Nilgiris I felt my thoughts settling down to make a recap and felt bad about the loss.

       It was with great difficulty I gradually compromised with the new surroundings. I was in a village a typical Tamilian village.  The station master and the railway staff were considered as a class above the rest of the population. It was a master servant relationship. May be the out come of a colonial rule. No other office functioned nearby. The neighbourhood consisted of a row of thatched sheds where the agricultural labourers resided. No schools or hospital was in the vicinity. When ever a steam engine stopped, the women swarmed it with earthen pots to collect drinking water. They considered the engine staff as their saviours and addressed them ayya, ayya to show mercy. The entire agricultural land belonged to a few. They moved around in bullock carts and their youngsters in bullet motor cycles. The village folks spoke showing great respect [vango, pongo, amango ]. Their each sentence ended in ngo  considering every body as their elders. Samy was another word used  intermittently in each sentence.

   On shanty days the station premises will be vibrant with traders and hawkers. The station will be virtually in siege by batches of ladies chartering loudly, carrying their bamboo baskets on their hips with full of vegetables for sale.

    On both sides of the main street temporary shelters would be put up displaying the merchandise. Most of such shops would be managed by ladies shouting at the top of their throat to draw your attention. At the far end of the street their was the temple with a very high gopuram. Adjacent to which one can see the wooden chariot which will be dragged on the yearly pooja. The entire village partook to pull the chariot as an offering..contd....

       

Nurungukal...contd...

   I nurture many nostalgic memories of my days in Nilgiris.Th vast stretches of meadows where large ponies and cows graced in style.The not so known brooks, flowing through the under growths making ticklish mummers and the woods reminding one the words of Robert frost. The drops of morning dew dangling at the tip of the leaves like crystal beads. The ecstasy of cool breeze carrying the fragrance of eucalyptus.  Bunches of rose and  rare flowers in different colours and  aroma triggering your senses. The sight of batches  of damsels moving in rhythm through the tea bushes carrying baskets of their toil. A glimpse of a Thoda family basking in the sun in their traditional clothes and others fully covered with warm clothing. Elders warming their body around a borne fire while the flames lick the air.The school children hurrying in their smart uniforms in vociferous dialogues. And many other sights made me  feel like living in a fantasy world. But Nilgiris was at the verge of a plunder to exploit her limitless potential in furthering tourism.

   When I was ordered to move to plains I left a bit of my heart there to come back if destiny would allow and I accomplished it through the marriage of my daughter to a boy from a family settled in Coonoor. Unfortunately Nilgiris have now lost her good old charm. I hope that one day she will regain the past glory to establish once again  that she is the queen of the hill stations...contd...

Nurungukal...contd...

   I was surprised to get a transfer to Aruvangad and the same time happy. I loved Nilgiris. I had been there once on a vacation tour to witness the Horse race. Aruvangad a small station mainly served the needs of the Cordite factory. At that time there were only one or two passenger trains running in between Ooty and Metupalayam. A goods rake once in a way serviced the needs of the cordite factory on demand.

   I was quite aware of the cold conditions and was prepared to meet it. My sister was in Coimbatore. Her husband was a senior officer in the marketing section of Coffee Board. They were in Simla a few years ago. My brother in law was having number of woollen pants and coats. She offered a pair to combat the cool climate of Nilgiris and knowing my inability to purchase one. But  I had to spend a few rupees to make it fit to my slim body. Any way it helped me to walk in style and warm. The station was built in granite and merged with the surroundings in style. With cast iron pillars and a fire place it resembled a colonial structure, no doubt.

   I was posted in the capacity of a goods clerk, but in practise I was all in all, as the station master,  an old veteran very cunningly used my enthusiasm to his advantage.  Yet it provided me enough experience to manage situations efficiently.

  The narrow gauge rail, having a toothed line in between to facilitate safe climb and descent was similar to that in Switzerland. Even the engine was brought from there, many years ago by the British. The engine moved very cautiously clutching on the teeth and I had seen many passengers climbing into the compartments while it was running. The journey in it was so entertaining and we felt as if we are in a wonder land!. Each compartment was controlled by a brake man. During rainy season the traffic used to be disrupted due to land slides. Station staff collected coal from the engine to prepare food.Some times the driver even obliged us with hot water from the engine.

   When there is no work I used to enjoy the scenery far beyond the misty mountains, sitting on a wooden bench and sipping hot Nilgiri tea. There is nothing to beat that joy. The fragrance form the eucalyptus trees filled the air. It was my habit it take deep breaths. It kept you healthy and fresh.               Many Anglo Indian families lived nearby. They were friendly and sportive. On Sundays they  went in small batches to attend the Mass. They had to cross the platform and it was my pleasure to exchange pleasantries. On festival days they even offered us home made cake and wine. A happy go lucky lot..........contd.... 

Nurungukal [varthamanam]...

   Let me through varthamanam share with you some of my thoughts on recent events.

  I had no intention to attend this marriage. But when the bride groom’s father invited me on phone late at night just a few days ago I was not able to deny him. I clubbed the programme to fulfil a long standing invitation to visit my brother in law who was staying in the same city where the marriage was going to be hosted. Another reason was to meet some scientists in the Dairy science institute.

  The function was arranged in one of the most expensive halls in the city, a symbol of lavish spending. The main building stood majestically at the centre of a few acres of land on the national highway. It provided ample space for parking any number of vehicles. As my brother’s in law car reached the entrance we were received by a uniformed security personnel. The lobby was spacious and decorated in a typical Kerala format, with lighted lamps, flower designs resembling our Onam celebrations. Beautiful girls attired in set mundu in NAMASTHE  pose throwing smiles gestured us to move forward and to sip a welcome drink which was spread in wine glasses on a high table. The drink in different colours and formulations watered my mouth and I did not think twice to down one or two. Slowly and with some acquired amount of dignity we moved to the auditorium and was seated in chairs. Then the flow of other guests , each one projecting their identity commenced and gradually the seats were all occupied. But many of them moved around in style, especially the ladies exchanging pleasantries. The on looker found it hard to take away his eyes from them. The hall was filled with an enchanting aroma of fresh textiles and various perfumes of foreign origin.  Some eminent persons accompanied by a few came and were immediately  seated along with others of same feather.

    I was trying to just recapture the scenes from the marriage function of my sister happened  a few decades ago.  I found that the essential  details are all same , only the context has changed and every thing was in tune with the passing of time. The only difference was that our participation was minimised as the event manager was the hero of the function and we played the role of a well wisher.I enjoyed the the ease at which we were monitored by an unknown hand, otherwise the whole show would have crumbled into utter chaos.

  The guests were from different walks of life. Each had to be treated appropriately. The protocol is to be maintained in each case. More over the present society demands certain standards in conducting such events.

   The bride and the groom were fully aware of their role and ushered the guests in appropriate manner. They were not the shy and hesitant type. They withstood the pressure of entertaining the whole crowd one by one or in batches flamboyantly.

  I took the opportunity to greet the VIPs which was an added attraction of the event to me. Altogether  I rate the event ten on ten.

I left the city after fully enjoying the hospitality of my brother in law and his wife’s family with a promise to return at the next opportunity.

Nurungukal...contd..

  I was shifted from the goods yard to the passenger section. In goods yard we dealt mainly with lifeless  materials.  Very rarely some live stock waggons arrived mostly when some circus companies moved  from one station to another. During season a few horse waggons to Ooty were also dealt. But passenger section, other than parcel booking was totally different, where human being of varied temperament are to be handled. It is a delicate job if one had to be success full. There were many situations in my carrier in which I was left at the mercy of the costumer. One naval officer virtually attempted to physically handle me. I escaped from his wrath because of the timely intervention of my senior.He stamped out of the room like a bull in a stampede. In another case it was for tendering the correct change and that too when the train was about to leave. I had to forsake some amount to make the passenger leave the counter. But some of my fellow clerks used to earn a few rupees during rush hours without any problems. There were many who appreciated the dedication of the staff when they were helped in difficult situations. One such incident is still green in my memory. It was when we recovered a lost child of a young mother. The boy had slipped out of her clutches when the express train arrived on the platform and the mother was in a frenzy. We immediately requested the guard to hold the train for a while and went in search of the boy. Fortunately we located him sitting on a box in a corner and was able to rejoin them. The mother was so happy and was even prepared to pay for this service which we politely denied.

  If you watch the activities in a railway platform it is just like the gathering of busy bees when there is a good blossom on a tree. They swarm in batches, stay for a while and vacate. Between the arrival and departure of the train the activity on the platform will be busy and afterwards it is deserted.

   I always had a fascination to watch the Anglo Indian guards and station masters. In those days all important trains and stations were managed by them. Immaculately dressed, they reminded me of some characters of the Hollywood movies on second world war. So was the engine drivers of some express trains especially that of  Madras Mail. The steam engine  maintained in perfect condition with all the braze and copper surfaces glistening and even the signal lamp will strike your eyes.  Also it was delight full to watch the engine boy collecting the pouch with dexterity while passing through a station at great speed and that too in night. When I was working in a way side station it was a regular sight. Every thing connected with the safe running of trains viz. Block machine, extracting of the token,setting of points for change of the lines and signal setting etc. were great events for me. Every activity were carried out with precision, like the working of a well oiled machine. Much progress have been made in railways after the advent of modern technology, still I love the old system, may be I am a little bit conservative in this aspect......contd...

Nurungukal..contd....

  The success of Railways depend on its efficiency in time and space management. Other wise the whole network would have been in shambles. The enormity of the volume of traffic dealt each day is beyond the comprehension of any outsider. Even before the advent of modern gadgets the movements of trains and handling of passengers and goods were managed with utmost safety. This was because of the discipline it maintained in its human resource management. The hierarchy of power and duties was so water tight that any lapse attracted severe punishment in service and salary. The dress code is another example. It always made you conscious of your position.

  Coming back to Coimbatore goods yard life, I noticed that far beyond the procedures in dealing goods movements, there was a humane factor which even the administration was ignoring. It is about the roll played by a set of women who toiled day in and out to keep the premises clean and tidy. Each day many types of goods viz. Grains,pulses, fertiliser, cements,machinery etc and scores of other consumables were dealt. The spillage from them if not removed in time can cause hygienic problems. But the group of women who although find a living by gathering the spill over  materials were not in the rolls of the railways. Yet they were an inevitable part. From dawn to dusk they are on their duty collecting and cleaning and leave the premises with hand full of their days toil to make a living. Many of them were mothers. Their children will be in slumber in a cloth cradle hung on the branches of a rain tree unconcerned about the dirty and dusty atmosphere. Their elder ones would be playing in the shade to keep company. Education was their second priority. Occasionally the mother would feed them. I used to wonder  weather their emaciated body could produce enough milk or not ?. Some of them used to run errands for the staff for petty considerations. I have come across such a lot in every goods yard, even in kerala. I m not sure weather the conditions have changed now.......contd...

Nurungukal...contd...

       After successfully completing my training I was pushed into the main stream of Southern Railways.  My first posting was in Coimbatore goods yard. It was a different world altogether. I could not at first find any relationship with what I was taught in Trichy and what was in vogue in the goods yard. The volume of the transactions was very huge. I was amazed to see how adept was my senior under whom I was asked to function, in handling each situation. Each day many waggons were unloaded and loaded. It was handled by a contractor, whom I noticed was more knowledgeable than me. He has acquired it due to his long standing connection with Railways. The manual of operations implemented by Railway administration gave no scope for malpractice. Still the chances of manipulations were created by some cunning staff.

          In an interval of every five hour or so sets of waggons were placed for unloading. The contractor has to finish the operation within the stipulated free time. Other wise he will have to pay demorage[late fee] and if prolonged for days it will attract wharfage also. So the noting of the time of placement is an important job and it has to tally with the records of the shunting log. There were separate lines for dealing  whole loads,in which there will be only a single consignment and smalls containing goods from different stations addressed to separate consignees. Before dealing a waggon we have to verify the seals are intact or not. If the seals are found to be tampered or missing a message has to be sent to the sender station after verifying the contents, about the damages if found any. The marking on the packages has a code of practise. First the code of the sender station then below the invoice number, below it the no. of packages and at the bottom the code of the destination station. To decipher the code is an art which has to be acquired by experience. Even from the style of writing [marking]  one can  identify the sender station.Some waggons will reach with a support seal especially when the consignment was transhipped en route due to some reasons. Here also the unloading station staff have to be extra cautious, otherwise  for any damage or loss he will be held responsible. The railway manual is very specific about the code of practise to be adopted in each eventuality and ensure that there will not be any loss of revenue due to negligence. In my seven years of service I had to face one or two enquiries for such negligence and forsake increments in my salary !!. With all these drawbacks a day in a busy good shed was event full and challenging. I loved it because it sharpened your senses and each day passed with a satisfying note. ...contd.