Kindness of Strangers

Stranded far from home with a family emergency underway, a couple found totally unexpected help

MY WIFE AND I were in Dharamshala, Northern India in 2010, attending a ten-day meditation course, when we got some very bad news one night. My son’s father-in-law, who was only about 60, had died of a heart attack. The next day, we packed our bags and headed for Jaipur.

At the nearest railway station, Chakki Bank (now Pathankot Cantt), I learnt that the next train to Jaipur, leaving around 8pm, had no reserved seats left. So I bought two general compartment tickets, knowing full well that the 14-hour overnight trip in an overcrowded coach would be a hard one for us (I was 72, my wife 63). I met the stationmaster, hoping he’d help, but he said he couldn’t.

Later, I made one last effort to get reserved seats with a travelling ticket examiner (TTE). Still no luck. Then, as we waited for the train, a man in his late 40s approached me. “Why is she looking so upset?” he asked, pointing at my wife. “Can I help you?”

I soon learned his name was Daljeet Singh Thakur, a timber merchant. He was extremely friendly. I explained our situation. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll help you get a reservation. I’ve come here to drop off my daughter. She is leaving for Lucknow.”

Thakur’s son and daughter were standing just a few metres away. Just then he called out to his son and told him to run home and fetch some tea. Soon we were chatting like old friends with Thakur and his daughter. We even exchanged phone numbers. The boy soon returned with some glasses and a thermos containing aromatic ginger tea, which we sipped. After that, Thakur sent his daughter off. “I’m going home now,” he said. “But don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

Once again, we were left alone – until Thakur returned with dinner for us, wrapped in foil. He made enquiries with the stationmaster and a few porters. At about 8pm, our train pulled into the station. We looked anxious, but Thakur told us to stay calm.

One of the porters took me to the TTE of a sleepover coach. “Two seats for 1000 rupees,” the TTE said. Just then Thakur called out to me as he spoke to another TTE, from an adjacent AC compartment.

“He’s agreed to give you two seats,” Thakur told me. He then helped with our luggage and guided us to our seats. He gave us a bottle of water before we said our thank-yous.

“Just take care of yourself,” Thakur said as he left. “We’ll stay in touch.”

After the train pulled out, the TTE came and collected just the additional charges for AC compartment seats. I couldn’t understand what charm Thakur had worked on him. By now we were so hungry, we began devouring the dinner packed for us – tasty parathas with mango pickle and potato curry. Five years on, we still talk on the phone to Daljeet Singh Thakur, who has been inviting us to visit his farm and meet his family.

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