After a lot of hemming and hawing, he had the courage to call it a day. It was a tough decision to make.. to hang his gloves from the service in Indian Railways. For 36 years, work came first every day. Be it Holi, Diwali, you are ill, the child is hospitalised, everything took second seat. But slowly the work atmosphere was taking a toll on the mental health, man power was dwindling, and the realisation that a small error from any quarter can play major havoc in our life was unsettling. Train running mishaps, railway track faults, shortage of staff, and many factors unknown to me straight falls at the desk of the Station Manager.
To be on time to work, the days were very disciplined – get up on time, morning yoga, get ready, have breakfast, pick up the lunch box, and off he goes. Breakfast has been a must.. and lunchbox too had to be ready by 7.35 am. Poori has been a favourite item for breakfast at home, very hot parantha or idli to be devoured in 5 minutes time was something he got rattled about. He would wear his white uniform religiously and push off. He was lucky to have got posted near Bhilai all the years. The longest term was in Durg Station, served from 2000 to 2016, where he got to be the Chief Station Manager for few years. He had joined Charoda Cabin in the year 1986, as ASM, while he continued to complete his M.Sc(Maths).
I have loved train journeys and just looking at the train passing by gives me a pleasant feeling. But he would never tell tales from work at home. So I was totally unaware of happenings at the Railway station. If any day the lunch was not ready and I tell him, let me bring it to station, he would not agree. I have never understood why ? Since he was the Railway man, I have never bothered to know any train timings, name, after all we had the ‘man’ with us.. no? 🙂 So we as family would just get ready and reach station whenever we have to go for a holiday. No discussions of train ticket purchased…. he would manage all that – railway pass, tickets, berth.. all done well in advance. He would surely inform about leave sanctioned to me and that is big relief because Railway employees never got to travel during regular vacation times, school holidays. We never got tickets urgently by Railway pass so no question of unplanned travels.
Once it happened, we were going to Puri (family only) and we reached Durg station and found the name board as in the picture above … Hey yeh kab hua ! Chief Station Manger – the name plate made !!! That was a very pleasant surprise but I felt sad that he never wanted to share that news with us. .. humko bataya bhi nahi ! I was annoyed by his silence, I took hold of my daughter and just walked on.. . As usual, he had to meet his colleagues who were on duty, and stopped. I hadn’t checked with him the train name, time. But at that moment, i was upset ki CSM ka board lag gaya par bataye bhi nai … so I just didn’t look back and walked on. Reached platform two and there was a Puri train just leaving. Me and daughter jumped on to it and only when the train started moving, I called him to check – Train mae chad gaye na? He says ‘Tum log galat train pe ho ! After that ..did we actually go to Puri – is a story he will tell.
We are like chalk and cheese.. me and my husband. He would take time to decide and I will jump in the moment. He will be patient and never throw tantrums. I would be excited for all adventures and took to tasks merrily. He would be scared but had no option but to leave me to my escapades…
Coming back to my husband and his first innings… After the stint at Durg, he was transferred to Kumhari – a small station, 25 kilometres from our place. Many of our friends felt it was a kind of demotion but we felt the smaller place was a relief. He worked at Kumhari station for 6 years and a sense of fear was setting in. Railways have an atmosphere of punishment – any error, your final pay will be held up, sealed for long. Working with severe shortage of man power was the biggest pain, as I understood. There came a time when he didn’t want to continue and the decision to hang his gloves was taken in January 2022, after consulting children. By March 2022, the letter for Voluntary retirement was drafted and ball was set rolling. We got the good news about the VR acceptance by March end and he got relieved on April 10th. The last working day was very emotional for me. He took off as usual by car from home and took the local train to Kumhari and returned home by 6 pm. I came home early from work to welcome him. I took his picture – in the white uniform last day. My mother was sitting in the hall – didn’t realise the shift in our lives. He freshened up and sat down with his cup of tea, ofcourse his mind weighed down by the gross change in life, now on. No more urgent phone calls, no more filling the monthly roaster, no more Night inspections of railway premises, no more cajoling the staff to come to shift duty, no more haggling with staff for off, no more waiting for leave sanctions, no more protocol to adhere to. Head held high and sanctity intact, he walked off, glad to have got no charge sheets on his name. One innings ended, where he gave his best years of life to serve Railways to the best of his ability.
I had called Lakhbir, only friend of his, whose mobile number I have, two days ahead to invite him and few more known faces for a surprise gathering at home on April 10th. They very enthusiastically agreed and came upstairs to the room from the side entrance at around 7 pm, as planned. On some pretext, took Miyaji up and I saw a wonderful smile on meeting his Railways mates and I knew the second innings in his life had begun… the evening was all fun with lots of singing over beer and pakodas and veg biryani and paav bhaji.
Chavreji, his batchmate from M.Sc so lovingly applauded his courage at this juncture, while we sat down for our usual get-together. He said “Mae to chah raha tha VR lene par himmat nai hui.. aur tune kar dikhaya”
You played a wonderful first innings dear Husband, kept yourself hale and hearty all thru the ups and downs. Now you are set to play a joyous second innings by the grace of God … all the very best Danav Raju 😀 tag me along !
musings-of-a-fiftyplus 
Waao a Very touching and emotional ode to a very dear one . So beautifully covered his journey, really laudable👏👏👌👌
Enjoyed every bit of it, must say though he is lucky to have in you ,a companion, a true friend who accepted him the way he is. Adding her bubbly energy , as they say pair of opposites makes a relationship very healthy. A true JEEVAN SANGINI must say. Onthe other hand Raj Bhai giving full space to you dear, very important.
I guess every phase has to end giving place to a new journey and hope he will enjoy this one too.HERE’S TO LOTS OF ENERGY, JOY ANDFULFILLMENT IN HIS NEW VOYAGE. ON BOARD THE CRUISE OF
EVER HAPPY FUTURE!
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Thanks a ton Sudati 🙂 Your words add feathers to my hat my dear Friend! Surely grateful for these sentiments you have showered on us.
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Very nice write up. ATB for second innings to both of u. Be healthy & enjoy life l know which u will.
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Thanks a lot Uma .. you all help us to keep our sanctity 😉 Lets grow together ..
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Loved that long and emotional messages scripted by you mini. It touched the heart. As a couple you are a wonderful couple and always close to me and Vaishali. You cared for each other throughout and still carrying the same emotions. You got all freedom in life to work and go side by side with Raju. You were also given all freedom for your trekking and Raju always used to appreciate you at the back. Your true love is clearly visible. I wish you both a very healthy 2nd inning life and always care for that love and feeling among each other. God bless you both
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Thanks a lot Nitin 🙂 And appreciate the association we have with you ..
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Superb Mini, very well expressed ,all words nicely placed.
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Thanks a lot Mohan Shembekar- dearest friend 🙂 God bless you always
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Very beautifully summed up the 36 years of service life to a very good voluntary retirement decision. Mini hats off to you. Your participation in his sincere career is clearly understood by the way how his day starts. And the decision to travel and explore is a very good start of second innings. It’s an inspiration for us also.
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Thanks a ton Meera .. lets together bear the brunt of the coming years 🙂
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Fantastic….great bhabhi…nice to go through every line and word as i and Mr Raju worked together for almost 10 yrs at bhilai nagar. We were connected till the last day of our first innings, incidentally i took Voluntary Retirement just 10 days prior to him and sacrificed 5 Years of service. Bossism was at the highest level during last few years and a feel of insecurity bothered us a lot inspite of giving 200% . Everyday going to work felt like a curse. Although financially it’s a big blow for us but peace of mind is more worthy. I wish you both a very happy and healthy second innings of life.
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Thanks a lot Banerjee 🙂 yes it was a pleasant surprise when I heard about your decision. While you were together and even now the bonding is great, lets keep it. Wish you too a wonderful Second innings. Stay blessed.
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Mini,Nice write up about your hubby & my friend, the second innings will be the best as the prior one Stay happy.
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Thanks a Lot Mohan! Lets keep together in the years to come 🙂
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You are perfect match for my friend had been caring in every front. Your blog is superb. Your abities are mountaineering I luv your apt attitude. Lot to learn from you. Raju has enjoyed every bit moment with you he had enjoyed the harness of your abilities. And would relish in coming days of 2nd innings.
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Thanks a lot Dada .. Aap jaise dost aaspaas ho to mushkile bhi aasaan hoti h 🙂
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Made for each other was the fantastic emotional feeling kept you surrounded in your entire first innings and further the journey continues…..✨❤️
I extend..my heartiest wishes to both of you for having ..long…happy…healthy second innings…filled with Emotions,,Care & Love ✨❤️
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Thanks a lot Rajeevji .. Made for each other jaisa hota h ? 😀 par dheere dheere ban gaye h eaisa lagta h!
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Nice write up Mini. All the best to both of you for the second innings of your life .
Enjoy it.
Live it
love it.
Live life as u like to love it 💖
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Thanks a lot Ranjana 🙂 LIve life as U love it.. aapse hi seekh rahe h !
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All good wishes and blessings for your 2nd innings
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Thanks a lot for finding the time to read thru … 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this Mini, I thoroughly enjoyed the read💯 You have a candid and delightful way of narration which reflects your joyful and endearing personality. Raj is certainly blessed to have you beside him and I hope the 2nd innings is far more exciting and rewarding 🎉
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Your thoughts have always been an inspiration for Me Nats ! Thanks for being there for all these years. I could see many people in Australia read the blog post and i knew it was because of you 😀 Thanks a lot!
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