It’s a mere train! Not a Chandrayaan or Mangalyaan

 It’s a mere train!

Not a Chandrayaan or Mangalyaan

Some folks often inquire if government accolades have graced me, and I respond that the love and appreciation I have received from the people of our country surpass any official recognition, more than I could ever merit. Indeed, it was not easy to overcome the ignominy cast upon me and the ICF team by the diabolically venal railway bosses for designing and manufacturing Train 18 in record time, as it thwarted their machinations. I, however, made peace with it long ago, choosing not to dwell on it or speak about it.

 

As an agnostic, I harbour doubts about the existence of a God-like entity, but if such a being does exist, it seems they had a plan in store for me. This past week, I was honoured on three consecutive days, not by the government, but by certain organizations, which more than compensates for all the omissions that good people might believe I deserved. Simple acknowledgment, rather than any specific award, is the true measure of worth. I sincerely believe that in the tapestry of life, it is the threads of such kindness that weave the most enduring patterns.

 

These moments reaffirm my faith in the beautiful words spoken by Mariana in Shakespeare's All’s Well that Ends Well, that 'No legacy is so rich as honesty...' and this sentiment resonates even more strongly now. In this blog, I will share the unforgettable experiences from those three remarkable days. I chose not to share them on social media, heeding the advice of friends who have frequently cautioned me against self-promotion in that arena.

 

It all began with the Engineers' Day celebration on 15^th September hosted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), or the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), which employs nearly 4500 engineers, primarily from the Civil discipline. Despite the presence of distinguished individuals like Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde, Mr. Rahul Shiwale, MP, and Mr. Iqbal Singh Chahal, IAS, Commissioner BMC, they had me as the Chief Guest on the occasion. BMC is India’s richest municipal corporation and its annual budget exceeds that of some of India's smaller states. It is doing yeoman’s service in concretising all roads, building futuristic infrastructure like coastal roads, modern water supply and sewerage systems, primary education and health care. I jokingly said in my speech that it was surprising that a group of over 4000 Civil (English to Hindi dictionary meaning shaleen, or courteous) engineer had invited a Mechanical (English to Hindi dictionary meaning buddhirahit or brainless) engineer for their day. They treated me with great affinity and presented me with a tablet of honour.

Rising at an ungodly hour, I reached Chennai on 16^th and was soon at the venue of the convocation of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), which is a top-ranking multidisciplinary global university that has been a pioneer in private higher education for over three decades. Founded Dr. K.C.G. Verghese, his work is being carried forward by Dr. Anand Verghese and Mr. Ashok Verghese. They conferred on me the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) in a ceremony in the presence of, among others, Minister Gen. VK Singh. By the way, when Dr. Manoharan of the institute first advised me, I was a bit sceptical. Why? You see, as you gain a bit of limelight, scammers begin to approach you, offering an honorary doctorate with the catch that you need to contribute to some dubious ‘charity’ or cover some pretentious administrative expenses. I consistently rebuffed such offers as purchasing a doctorate degree is so gross. I, however, did not take a minute to accept as their previous honouree was none other than Dr. Somnath, now recognized widely as the face of ISRO and mentor of Chandrayaan 3 mission.

 

 

I left later that evening on a flight to Indore en route to Bhopal. Indore had been ravaged by heavy rain, with roads submerged in water. Amid this watery landscape, I could not make my own impression about the city’s claim to being the ‘cleanest city in India’. I finally arrived in Bhopal, bleary-eyed, at 3 AM. I was there at the invitation of the MP Council of Science & Technology, who had organized a felicitation event followed by my talk at the Bhopal Vigyan Mela. All of this arranged through the gracious efforts of my schoolmate, Dr. Amogh Gupta, the President of MP Vigyan Bharati.

 

Upon reaching the breakfast venue and meeting Mr. Om Prakash Saklecha, the Minister for MSMEs, I was filled with gratification upon meeting my fellow awardees. Among them was a humble and unassuming man who captured the attention of the entire nation, Dr. P. Veeramuthuvel, the hero behind Chandrayaan 3. What an incredible stroke of fortune, the second time this year as I stood next to Mr. Mylswamy Annadurai, the Moon Man of India, earlier this year at an event in Mysore. Adding to the wonder of the occasion was the presence of Dr. Rama Jayasunder, a remarkable individual with dual expertise in both Physics and Ayurveda at AIIMS, Delhi. She is on the verge of launching India's first indigenous MRI equipment, promising to save the country hundreds of crores.

 

 

My cup of joy was overflowing. Is it odd that I should touch upon the shadow of negativity cast by the corrupt and the vain? I am remined of what I wrote in my book, ‘My Train 18 Story’, simply echoing Qamar Jalavi and Ghālib:

 

Shukriya ai qabr tak pahunchane walon shukriya

ab  akele hi  chale   jayenge  is   manzil   se  hum

(Thanks for guiding me to my grave, thanks a lot. From this stage I will chart my own course alone.)

 

Janta hoon savab-e-ta’at-zohad

Par   tabiyat   idhar  nahin  aati

(I know the virtues of devotion and obeisance, but neither does excite my temperament.)

 

Hai kuchh aisi hi baat jo chup hoon

Varna   kya   baat   kar    nahin  aati

(There is something which keeps me in peace through silence. Otherwise, do you think I know not how to speak?)

 

Train 18/Vande Bharat is just a train, nowhere near a Chandrayaan or Mangalyaan. So I end this by borrowing these simple but expressive words of the bard, spoken through Sebastian in Twelfth Night, “...I can no other answer make but thanks, And thanks, and ever thanks...”

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