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'My journey with Rahul' |
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By: A MiD DAY Correspondent |
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Date:
2010-02-06 |
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Place: Mumbai |
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MiD DAY's Ravindra Kalbate recounts his unexpected train ride with Rahul Gandhi
I took the 12.40 pm local train from Borivli to Dadar and boarded the second-class compartment. As the train
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Memorable trip: Ravindra Kalbate advised Rahul Gandhi on train routes. pic/Bipin Kokate | reached Andheri station, we heard a commotion, and suddenly a posse of grim-faced bodyguards entered, followed by Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul looked just like any other commuter in a white kurta-pyjama. Everybody started chanting, "arre Rahul Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi aaya." He graciously returned people's greetings. Some of his bodyguards lined up on both sides of the compartment doors and closed the access; others sat with the commuters.
Rahul asked a commuter how he was, and the commuter told him that he had problems commuting from Virar sometimes, because of the packed trains. Some commuters even joked that they hoped things would improve after his train ride.
A woman even took Rahul's autograph. Rahul asked her husband what he does and the man replied he was a storywriter, and was writing a story about dowry. Rahul asked him to give his mobile number to one of his men.
I asked Rahul if he was going to Ghatkopar. He said, "Yes." So I told him that he would have to take another train from Dadar. He said, "Theek hai, theek hai." At Dadar, Rahul disembarked. I was struck at how down-to-earth Rahul seemed with no airs, ekdum cool. |
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