An Hour at the Railway Platform Essay
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Answer:
Last Sunday, I happened to go to the railway station to receive my brother who was coming from Mumbai. I reached a little earlier. I had time to observe closely the scene at a railway station. When I reached the railway station there was a huge rush of people going into and coming out of the railway station. Since it was the occasion of Holi, the rush was somewhat unprecedented. Parking was full. I had to park my vehicle outside the station. There was a long queue at the platform ticket window. After taking the ticket I rushed to the platform where I was surprised at the announcement that the train was late by an hour. I had no option but to wait for the train at station. Some people were walking at the platform.
Some were reading newspaper. Some were looking for the books of their own choice at the railway book stall. Vendors were crying to sell their wares. Some were selling books and magazines. Many of them were selling snacks of different types. Coolies were carrying luggage from one place to another. When the train was about to enter the station people got ready to board on the train. There were noises and hustle all around. People were rushing here and there. Coolies were also active to take the luggage. When the train arrived, there was pushing and pulling. Many passengers got down the train, several got into it. Hawkers also began to shout at the top of their voices. My brother got down the train. I met him. I was standing very close to his compartment. We hired a coolie. Then we came out of the station and left for our home.
Life at the railway station seems to move at a very quick pace. People move here and there checking up time of the arrival and departure of train. Hawkers are busy with their business. Railway coolies in their uniform were rushing with luggage here and there. TTEs were also found moving with files and charts in their hands. Some had to give their charge to their colleagues, while several had to take charge for another journey. It is their routine work.
There are some emotional scenes at the station also. When the train whistles off the station, those who come to see off their relatives wave a good-bye to them. For many the parting is tearful. People who come to receive their kith and kin have a happy smiling face.
Answer:
Last evening I went to the railway station to receive my friend. He was to come from Bombay by 5.30 trains. The train was late by one hour. So I roamed about on the platform. I saw that the platform was full of people and their luggage I saw the newspaper stall with its beautiful colored magazines. I had a cup of tea at the tea-stall. It was tea for name’s sake only.
I saw some porters, sitting on a bench that was meant for ladies. They chatted and smoked and spat on the platform. Some ladies stood near them. They did not care to get up. A railway official happened to pass by. I drew his attention to the porters. He said that he was a ticket collector, and it was his job to ask the porters to get up. He went away. I wondered at his behavior.
Then I walked up and down the platform, and saw many curious things. A young wife was weeping because her husband, who was a soldier, was going to the frontier. A fat government official was garlanded by his clerks. A bride-groom and his party were cheered by their kith and kin. An old mother bade a tearful farewell to her son.
Just then the arrival of the train was announced. The porters lined up, and so did the eager people who had come to receive their near and dear ones. In few minutes the train pulled up. I saw an aged couple welcome their son most lovingly. I was looking for my friend. At last I noticed that he was standing in the door of a compartment, looking for me. I went to him and greeted him. Then we came out of the station and hired a rickshaw and came home. But all the while I kept wondering at the sight of the platform.