>This was written onflight on the way to Mumbai
Now me in the flight (GoAir) to Mumbai. Surprisingly enough, they actually started boarding passengers an hour before the scheduled departure, and actually took 10mins earlier than the scheduled time!! Nevertheless the service quotient sux!! Not even a free water bottle to the passengers! I am so thirsty!
The driver Iqbal, turned out an interesting character with quite an interesting background. I started off the talk with the best socializer – smoke. Asked him for matches. And then after a little coaxing, he started off his story. He was driving the rickshaw for the last night for the days to come. He’s got a job somewhere as driver, and would be joining tomorrow. He explains how much of a crisis he is in. HE pays 250 bucks a shift (day or night) to the owner for the vehicle, and then the surmounting fuel charges. On top of that he declares having lost 400 bucks in gambling, just before starting his day( evening in this case, as it was a night shift). He also explains how he preferred driving for the night rather than having alcohol( Royal Stag), which his friend offered to treat him.
He initially declares being a 5th class pass from bihar( Some village near Patna), and how he had to come to delhi at the age of 12 to find some work for him and his dad. He could not concentrate on studies, and used to spend away the money his father gave for the fees. So he eventually got thrown out. Thus started his journey of doing odd jobs. He later declares being just a 1st standard pass (coaxing effet). (“ Sir, ab aapse kya chipaana. Asal mein hum ekvi pass hai”). Inspite of this, the impressing factor was his ability to be able to read English, though he does not understand much of it.
The talk now shifts to curses, souls and witches. He explains how his Sister-in-law was caught by a spirit, and started doing strange things. Got external power, and even got the guts to push his father (her father in law), in the spirited condition. No amount of me trying to tell him that the only spirit that existed was in the form of Royal stag, could not change him from his belief. The talk ended with the arrival of the destination, and we bid a good bye, and all the bst gestures and departed.
nice interesting chat it was.