Abon - ( Cousin of Akon)

Before I start with this blog, there are two things which should be noted here.
Thing number 1. Before you get smart and start asking me what happened to my supposed-to-be-funny blog, let me tell you that I've decided to write some serious stuff in. Thats the only way I can convey to you that apart from being a clown, I am a bit intellectual too. (Please believe me).
Thing number 2: I just came back from lunch, and I forgot this one. So lets forget it.

My company had organized a Walkathon event, wherein we alongwith our clients were supposed to take a stroll alongside the great arabian sea, from Nariman Point upto Mafatlal Bath near Charni Road station.

Yes the thought of such extreme physical activities leaves me largely exhausted....leave aside actually walking all the way through and when with clients you need to flag a smile and also keep talking ( Huh!!!).
Moreover this activity was to start at 7:45am from Nariman Point on a Sunday.
So by now people would have easily calculated my motivation level to take part in such activities.
But the best part was that this walkathon ended with a Breakfast at a posh hotel in Churchgate.

So Calculative that i am and also being very busy for such activities ( read Lazy)i had predecided my route for the event.i understood from the concerned team that of the total 4 kms to walk, 2kms were to reach Mafatlal Bath from NCPA apartments and 1.5 kms back and then take a diversion and walk 0.5 kms to the Hotel where breakfast would be served.

Basically it is like walking in a " U " direction. I mean 3/4th of an " U " and take a diversion.

So as decided i promptly reached the venue at 8:45am (instead of 7:45am.....assuming it would take atleast 60mins for people to walk 2 kms.....i told you i am calculative of arbit things). I stood as at the exact point from where the diversion was decided. Wearing a look of sick soilder,and my official Walkathon event Tshirt, i waited for the rest of "really tired co workers and clients " to join me from this point.

As i was fudging with my phone,waiting, i heard an elderly man who was seated nearby in a seat,call me. He was around 65years, wheatish in complexion and was wearing a polo t-shirt and trousers.More striking feature was his Ray ban goggles and i-pod which were fixed to his ears.( What a mix of old and new generation was he..Huh!!)

I moved towards him and he wished me said "Good Morning , I am Anutosh Banerjee"

Me: Hi I am Rax ( i have decided from now on to use this as my name in substitute)

AB: "Are you not participating?" he asked me in astounding english with an American Acsent.

Me: Actually got late, so am waiting to join them here.Are you invited as well?

AB: No no, I saw them pass by this place. Have been sitting here since 7.Having breeze you see.

Me: Yes sir,,,its good for health.You will see Anil Ambani jog as well.

AB: Yes son, do you stay nearby?

Me: No i stay at a place which is like the other side of Mumbai.This is our event for helping the underpreveleiged,so participated in it. i said as if people would just throw money at us seeing us walking.
And do you stay here sir?

AB: No, I am a retired IAS officer from the railways division.I just came here yesterday,i stay at the railway quarters for us which is at Churchgate.

Me: Ohh thats nice. So where are you from, sir?

AB: I stay at Delhi, Vasant kunj area. I live there all alone in my 4 bhk house. Its very boring after working with people surrounded all around you and then suddenly seeing that there is no one to even speak to after you retire..( he said in an emotional voice)

I understood that there is such an ill effect on Railways side being the largest employer in India.

He continued, i have 2 sons and a daughter. Daughter is married and is in Jamshedpur. Both sons are abroad.
My first son completed his Risk Management from UK and works with government there. Second son is a globe trotter. He himself never knows in which country will he wake up the next day. He basically is based out of Sweden.

Me:Thats nice, and impressive as well.

AB: Yes nice, ( He smiled in a sarcastic way, which told me his story of being lonely)

The days keep changing and the youth today dont care or even believe in elderly people's words or ideas. They are independent and want to live the moment, he said.

Me: hmmmmmm, true sir(i smiled in a compassionate way which would atleast make him feel happy that there is someone he got to speak to today)

AB: Ok leave it, here is my card, do buzz me when you are in Delhi. Ya but remember, i keep travelling throught India. If i feel i need to go to Jaipur, i just board a train and reach there.If i feel I want to see Jammu, i just go. Tomorrow i intend to go to Shimla....so if you are in Delhi just call on my cell.
The best thing in my life was i worked with the Railways and hence i have a free pass for life.

Me: Wow!!! i said as i was reading his card......"Anutosh Banerjee, IAS, Retired Railway Board..................( Actually WOW, if railways give such a facility to travel for free throughout the country, i thought,whats the harm in working with them)

AB: Whats your birthdate son? he asked me as he took my card. I said Sep....
He noted it and said....you will receive a greeting card every year from this year start. And remember it will be from me.

Me: I felt for a second very happy that i will receive a greeting card every year, that too from a person whom i met on a sunday trying to avoid my walk along the sea shore.( Can Laziness be better rewarded?)

Thank you so much for that and Sir i can see my colleagues coming here, i guess i need to go.

AB: It was a pleasure meeting you son. I dont have anything to give you apart from this chocolate here.( he fetched one out of his pockets)

Me: Thanks sir.( i said took the chocolate and walked off)


I joined my team and continued walking along side the sea thinking of my conversation with this old stranger. A few words still were running over my mind like "the youth today dont care or even believe in elderly people's words or ideas"

I smiled meekingly and saw the chocolate in my hand.

GOD What if this chocolate is drug laced? i looked behind to see if he was following me. But he was not.
Anyway i just flung the chocolate in the mighty sea and told myself, Thanks for sharing your story, i dont need the chocolate sir , just your time was enough and continued my walk to have breakfast.

........the youth today dont care or even believe in elderly people's words or ideas......