There are a number of things which you can write about but what remains etched in memory are those that touch your heart. They could be from trauma to trivia or from triumph to temptations.
During our recent visit to Gangtok (Sikkim), on two days we hired the same taxi, an Alto, driven by Anup. He was Sikkimese, a Buddhist, bachelor and about 25 years of age. Contrary to the slit or small eyes, he had bulging big eyes, sported a scrabble on his lower jaw and a thin pony tail that resembled (pardon me, Anup!) a rat’s tail!! What made the impact was his easy going chitchat, friendly disposition and one of the most polite behaviors that I have experienced of cabbies.
He talked incessantly, pleasantly recounting stories of Sikkim and other trivia about the places that we were visiting. He always had something to say of a place that made you smile or say “oh!!!” He would choose to play songs that Sashank (my son) could sing along or Chitra (my wife) would say once more please!. He would hold the door for my wife to get in or out of the car. He would come out with wise quips on education, women, politics or as to why the younger generation must study and work hard to make their future.
When Chitra asked whether he was married he would say, “How can I, when my elder brother is still a bachelor? Ladki tak nahi dekhunga jab tak uska shaadi nahi ho jata”. On politics, “apna ghar achcha hona karke sochna nahi, sir, public achcha hona karke sochna hein”. The best was on Chinese goods,” MADE IN CHINA, EK DO MAHINA!!”.
He was only a cabby and received his payment for the tour that he took us around. But then, there are things beyond money that always manage to touch the heart. No job is great, until you manage to touch someone’s heart!!
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