Made in Amritsar : Singh is King

The other day I was trying to come home from a distance place at south kolkata. It was almost 10 PM and I was sure to face the adversity of finding taxi. After 2-3 refusals, I managed to stop one taxi – and Oh yes!!! this time, a good old Sardarji. “Sardarji, maniktala jayenge?” ( will you go to maniktala?) I asked.

“Oji, aapka hi gaddi hain saab. Chalo, aa jao jaldi.”( Sir, this is your car only. Please come in quickly)- the wholehearted paaji replied. I got in, and almost at once, he asked whether the place Howrah Station is very near to maniktala. I assured that Howrah Station is just 10 mins drive from maniktala, but my inquisitiveness went beyond this and I asked him, what prompted him to go to Howrah station this time.“Oji, mera apna beta aa raha hain buddhe ko dekhne.” (My son is coming to see me). I asked about his son. He replied casually that his son Amarjit is coming from Kanpur. Though they originally belong to Amritsar, his son studies at Kanpur & stays with his wife. He came to Calcutta in early 90’s , stays near Kalighat and is driving taxi since then. He also complained that his son frequently asked him to leave this profession and stay with him. It was utter “bakwas” according to him as his son is still young and doesn’t know the reality of life. In the mean time, he also informed that his name is Gagandeep Singh.

I enquired about his son. Singhji informed “oh Kanpur mein ainginiaring par raha hain saabji” (He is studying engineering at Kanpur). When I enquired about the name of the college, he said that he does not know it clearly, but his son said that it is a very big college. Suddenly, Singhji parked the taxi at the roadside. “Shit !!! What are you doing?” I was angry enough as I was getting late. “Daro maat sahib. Mera beta jo college mein hain uska passport mere saath hain. Dekhie.” ( Don’t worry. I have the passport of my son for the college he studies. Please look at it) In fact I was looking at the identity card of Amarjit Singh from IIT Kanpur, a 2nd year mechanical engineering student. ( Yes, this guy is also a mechanical engineer!!!). Singhji was told by his son to carry this “passport” inside Howrah Station, so that he need not have to buy “Platform Ticket”.

I did not question any more to Singhji in fear that he will park the taxi again to show me something else. I was getting late too. But, the real taxi inside Sardarji was still driving in top gear and he went on describing how he came to Calcutta and how is he liking this city of joy.

The voice was sweet & warm, not matched at all with his robust physique. The cordial behavior was unexpected. I liked the style of beginning almost every sentence with “Oji”. And the most important thing was his simplicity. He is not even aware of what he has achieved by placing his son in a firm foothold for future.

My place came & I thought of putting this experience in my blog. I asked whether I can take one snap of him. “Oji, Jarur Lijie. Taxi se Utharna padega?” ( Sure sir. Should I need to come out of Taxi?) I confronted that it’s not necessary.

“Bahoot Bahoot Sukriya, Sahab.” He took the fare and disappeared quickly to meet his “IIT-student” son.