Enlightening Pilgrimage of Indian Heritage

A Wish That Came Through

(From the Travelogues of Mathew D. Kunnappilly)

A Frightening Incident

It was raining when we left Mayavti. It rained all day long. When we reached Lohaghat, a bus was ready to leave for Tanakpur. We left at 9. 45 and arrived at Tanakpur at 1.30 PM. Because of the heavy rain we could not go and find a restaurant. The station is so small, no canteen or food stall. We spend our time on the station bench. Our train was at 6.20 PM and the train left on time. There were only few people to board the train. There was one man in our compartment who was going to Lucknow. He was a professor at a teacher’s training college there. He knew English. We talked for a while. Then others started talking to him in Hindi. I was tired and hungry. All we had that day was the breakfast at the Ashram. I just dosed off.

We were in the through compartment. This compartment will be connected to the train going to Lucknow at Pilibhit. There is about 21/2 hours waiting time. We reached Pilibhit Junction at 9 PM.

Our compartment was away from the station building, but on the side was this uncovered platform. The vendors were preparing food on the open flame. The first one was making chappatty (Thin wheat bread) I liked that but the curry that goes with it did not appeal to me because that was cooked before and kept in a large open container. So we went to the next vendor. There I liked the curry but didn’t like the bread. So we went to the third one. By then we were getting away from our compartment with all our luggages in it. So I said to Subash " we must keep our luggage’s with us" He replied "Don’t worry. Nothing will happen". So we both went to the next vendor, next, and next. Finally we were at the station canteen. The place was clean. I asked if they have full meal ready. They said they do. I ordered two meals. Washed our hands and sat down. Then I asked Subash "Whom did you ask to keep an eye on our suite cases?" " I did not ask anyone" was his answer. I said "What?" Subash said, "There is a soldier in that compartment" That was true. There was a passenger, a young man, who was in the army, returning to his station at Lucknow, after vacation. He was in civilian cloths. Even if he was in his army uniform he would not know which were our suite cases. "What good that will do?" I asked Subash. Then I told him to have his meal and come, I will go to the compartment, when he returns I will come back and eat. But at that moment the meals were served. It would have been very confusing for the employees at the canteen if I left without eating and left Subash there. Remember that we do not speak the language. I sat down and eat little bit. Then I told Subash to finish, pay the bills, and come and I will go to the compartment. And I left.

When I got out and looked I cannot find the train. The engine was already removed. The bogies were far away from the station. This was a junction. Many trains were there. I did not know which one we came in. By then I was frightened. All the money I took for the journey were divided and kept in those three suit cases along with all our clothing, books, and papers. I had only enough money for the night and the tickets back to Lucknow in my person. Subash knew this too. I ran to the nearest train that had no engine attached on. I ran inside a compartment. There was no one inside. Our seats were 18 &19 and there were no luggage’s inside. I froze. Couple of people was standing outside talking. They must have noticed my frightened look and me. They came inside and asked," Your compartment was S-10 or S-11?" I said, "S-11". "This is S-10. S-11 is the next one" I thanked them and ran to the next one and got inside. No one was inside the train. Frantically I looked for seat # 18 & 19 and found. Thank God. Our suite cases were there. The professor, the soldier and another person were outside on the platform, talking. Any one could have taken the suite cases and they would not know anything about it. They did not even know they were ours.

About half an hour latter Subash returned very casually. The rest you can imagine.

Every one tells me that it was nothing but a miracle we did not lose our unattended suite cases in an ordinary compartment. I believe them.

Finally, our train left Pilibhit at 11.30 PM and we reached Lucknow at 7.30AM

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