The Flight, The Train, and A Conversation With the Cab Driver!
A Journey, Which Inspired Me!!!
In a journey called life, we meet several people every day. We experience various journeys in life, few are good, few are bad.
And, there are a few which really inspire you. Here, I am going to share an incident of my life, you may or may not be able to correlate it with you, but it had inspired me.
And, it gave me the reason to like this phrase again and again -
“When the Student Is Ready, The Teacher Will Appear”
1st Week of February, year 2020! I was on a personal trip to Kolkata and had an evening flight to catch from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata to Raipur, the capital city of Chhatisgarh.
The flight was scheduled at 7 PM, and it was late by a few minutes. I was getting nervous, because if the flight get further delayed, I would miss my connecting Train to home town, from Raipur. I live in a town about 300 KM away from Raipur, and there is only one train at night, and I did not want to miss that train.
A View from Mana Airport, Raipur
Anyway, finally the boarding was completed, and the flight was ready to take off. I have a bad habit of getting nervous at an unusual time. Anyway, I tried to remain calm, and reached Raipur at 9.5 PM, about 10 minutes late from scheduled departure time.
As soon as we landed, I took my phone out, looked for an Uber Cab, fortunately, I got one and asked the driver to be ready at the arrival gate.
I rushed to the arrival gate, and there I met the driver cum owner of the cab. The guy was in his late 30's or early 40's. A calm face, and pleasant demeanour. I told him the scenario and said we have about 30 minutes to catch the train.
He smiled, politely, but firmly said -
" Bhiya, Jo Bhi Aajtak Meri Gaadi Me Baitha hai, Uski Gaadi Kabhi Nahi Chhutii Hai
(भाई, आज तक जो भी मेरी गाड़ी में बैठा है, उसने अपनी ट्रेन कभी नहीं छोड़ी है।)"
Meaning - "Brother, whoever has sat in my car till date, has never missed his Train."
Traditional wood Carving, at Raipur Airport
Even I smiled and said okay let's give a try. To be honest, I was sure I would miss my train, because I was familiar with the Traffic, and we had about 18~20 Kilometers to go. Anyway, we were on the way.
I was quite but Nervous, we had hardly driven for 5 Kilometer, and the vehicle broke down. It refused to start, there was some issue with the Gear Mechanism. He looked at my tensed, nervous but smiling face, and said don't worry, it will start. He did something and started the car within 5 minutes.
It was still a winter season, the roads were empty. It looked a little scary, as the roads were covered with trees, and the shadows were forming unfamiliar images, good enough to scare you. Anyway, be a Man!!! ( Its, not a horror story ? )
The driver was in a Hurry as if he did not want to break his own record, the phrase I have written above. I said brother its fine don't rush! It's just a train, doesn't matter even if I miss it today, I would rather catch it tomorrow. Just take me to a good hotel. He was quite, said nothing. He was focused on his destination, and I was sure that I would miss my train today and started looking for the hotel online.
It was 9.20 PM, and the train scheduled departure was at 9.40 PM, I only had 20 minutes, and about 12 KM to Travel. Considering the traffic, nearly impossible to reach the station on time.
Again I iterated the words ( at times, I irritate a lot ) -
भाई, यह हमारा कर्तव्य है कि हम प्रयास करें। अगर सफल हो, तो ठीक है, नहीं तो कोई बात नहीं। ( Meaning. - Brother, it's our duty is to try. If successful, it is okay, otherwise, it does not matter.)
To which he replied,
भइया, कोशिश करने का मज़ा तब ही है जब सफलता मिल जाए. नहीं तो हम असफल ही है , सिर्फ खुद को सान्तवना देते हैं! ( Meaning - Brother, the fun of trying is only when you get success. Otherwise, we are unsuccessful, just console ourselves! )
It hit me hard, he was right. We only try to console ourselves by different mean once we are defeated. Though defeat is not bad, the fact is we did not get what we had strived for. Our efforts were not aligned, not focused, and we were not planned!
Actually, it was my mistake, had I taken as early fight we would not have to rush in the road. Since I had explained my situations to the cab owner, and he had committed. He was completely focused on the driving, as he wanted to reach the station on time - he tried to bypass all the possible Traffic Jams, and helped me reach the station at Sharp 9.30 PM.
He turned back, smiled and said you still have 10 minutes. Go eat something, and get some water before you onboard the Train (advice from an elder ).
I got down, paid my bills, showed gratitude towards him, and boarded the train on time.
Here is the background of the story - I was working in an IT firm as a software consultant. Since I am good at my job, I make good money. Still, I was not happy with my job. Because the nature of the job doesn't suit my interest.
For the last couple of years, I was eyeing on a highly competitive government examination. Though I am good at study, but not focused. I always give a try, but in an unplanned way. I don't regret my failure, because I have made a perception that, I gave a try and it did not work, and it’s all fine.
The fact is, Its not fine at all. If really had to put an effort, I would have planned my work and studies, and followed the same diligently. Had I made a plan, corrected the mistake, I would have easily cleared the exam. I know I have that calibre, but time on time I failed.
The cab owner gave me a shot, his words hit me hard. It was February, and my exam was in May. I was all ready to give another try, without a plan. His words shook me, I reached home and planned my way to clear the exam, and I gave a sincere attempt this time. But, it was late, the effort was not enough, I failed the exam, but learned the lesson hard way!!!
The word of caution is "Be Sincere in Life, If Not Serious". You may or may not get the Teacher's the way I have encountered!!
Good Luck!
Coolsage