My travelogue - Train journeys learnings

 My travelogue -  Train journeys learnings 

I have been writing my travelogue since 2017 and even before that. But since 2017 my fate is making me travel, away from family for my professional journey. I moved (of course alone) to Hyderabad in 2017 wherein used to travel weekly Pune-Hyderabad-Pune.  I enjoyed doing it in various modes car, bus, train, flight all of it. Traveling frequently you need to create some excitement else its boring. Slowly we have had a weekend travelling group formed and it surely brought in loads of fun. Sharing food, fruit, sweets, chats, share market, politics, corporate lives and what not. It was a great mix of IT, Pharma, Finance, Creative designers, Govt. Sector guys and getting along with them was a fun altogether.  

I kept continuing it till July 2021. Ofcourse lockdown and  Pandemic was a break in this schedule.  I tried getting books with me to read but our co passengers (not the one in group) made it sure that I cant read it with the kind of silence (???) they always maintained, then the tea, snacks and food vendors are so disciplined that we can do it effectively.  By 9 pm there are people who want to make the bogie dark putting off the lights, then some groups discussing strategic plans to help the country. Finally, with their kind blessings, started reading the people, environment and surrounding. 

From July was in Pune and the travel stopped, I was disconnected. But was happy being with family, friends back again. But again my fate changed and moved to Karnataka in April 2022. This time its a biweekly travel as its not a 5 day week.  Story continued but not so regular in the travel, no group and companions to share the joys and pains. 

Yesterday travelled in Shatabdi after a long time.  As usual my seat was occupied by somebody,  group of girls travelling and I had to move to another seat.  We were on a two seater and I had a father and his cute small baby travelling with me. She was such a cute baby Norah and I started interacting with them.  Sweet Norah is born in US, whether a father Shashank  is an Indian settled in US after working in Europe over 10 years and married to a German girl. In one family there are three nationalities. He was in Hyderabad with entire family   to celebrate Diwali and now going back to US spending a day in Pune with sister. 

The reason we got closer to each others is the reason that he is out of those rare species in US who is not working in IT. He is a professor in Atlanta in University post his science graduation in Hyderabad, PG, Ph.D (all in Physics)  in France and moved to US.  Even his wife works for a Pharma company. This common thread brought us so close in discussions. Science, Research, and similar avenues in India in both corporates and academics. 

While we were discussing these things his less than 3 year old daughter Norah traveling with him alone as mother already went off a week earlier to US. For this journey, Shashank was playing a dual role of a mother and father for the cute, small, smart Norah. Initially I did not realize she was speaking in Hindi with her german mixed US accent but fluently and even Shashank was also continuously communicating in Hindi. I asked him how come a small baby is able to do this. He replied that I always use Hindi for our communication. Whenever she needs something, she must ask, request or demand in Hindi only. If not, he won't listen to it.  Wow amazed to know.  Just as a courtesy I offered salted peanuts which I was carrying and he said we  have enough stuff with us and she may not eat any packaged food or snacks.  He immediately opened the bag and believe me there were numerous items made at home and the cutie was eating it on her own in a systematic way (no spillage, taking big or small portions, opening the lids gently and closing them back).  

She was so polite in her communication as there were couple of video calls from her mother, grand parents and all. In every call  she was so clear and kind in talking to all of them giving updates of the journey.  I was now more curious to observe her as I liked the way Shashank is taking efforts in her bringing up. Both parents working with diverse  cultures the family is successful in doing it.  A small baby away from mother a long distance traveling itself made me think. They were all together for two to three weeks and extending a week with patents  just two of them traveling back, she was remembering everyone including mother and quickly Shashank used to convince her happily and sweet Norah accepted it with smile.  The way she was behaving with her father, no unreasonable voice raising, crying or demands. No outside food and with whatever they are carrying, she was much happy. Our discussions were on as they were all topics of interests, US visa, Indians behaviours, discipline, pharma growth and opportunities and what not. None of the times Norah was  a disturbance in our discussions. Whenever she needed, politely use to give a hug to father and tell in his ears. He would quickly react and give it. I repeat that bag never had chocolates, packaged foods and all healthy home made items. And every time she offered to me.  Surprisingly she also enjoyed the raw ground nuts. 

In between our dinner came, we had it and then she made a request that now she wants to read a book. Immediately she opened the sack and to my surprise it was a Hindi story book which Shashank read through pictorial description and curiously she also learnt and read it. When I asked him, he said its an everyday affair. They take small story book every day night.  In those 8 hours she never touched the cell phone or asked it. 

Staying in US with no servants at home, both working,  managing this is not easy. It needs commitment, sanskar and dedication. Hats off Shashank. She goes to a day care centre, one drops in the morning with three meals packed made at home. One brings her back and they all again together in evening only. 

We reached our destination and her bua came to receive her , Norah folded her hands and said Namaste to all of them and gave a tight hug. In a typical indian designed cotton green colour dress she looked so beautiful while doing this.  I reached home but was repainting why I did not capture the photo, but she made a space where without photo she is in front of me.  

Sharad Puranik

041122 Shatabdi