The constant stare.. What did it mean?

Hello Mals
Your girlie one is real touchy. Yah I know there are so many vendors in the local trains. I use to hear these things from my friends who use to travel by these trains. Some of these kids work during the day and go for night school too, I have no idea how much is the truth but have heard them from some friends. These kids really work so hard.

Hi Aruna

Some of them do go to night school. They never rob, they just sell, earn their money and go. Most of them are regulars and you can see them everyday. Some of them become part of our family. We can get off without paying them if we do not have enough change of coins. They trust us as much as we trust them...

Thanks Aruna for stepping in to my post.

Originally Posted by malspie

The constant stare.. What did it mean?

I was traveling by a local train (again!!) and had taken a window seat. A young girl not older than 9 was constantly staring at me. She was in a tattered frock, slippers larger than her feet; her hair needed urgent oiling, but neatly tied in to a pony tail with decorative hair clips. She just could not take her gaze off me. I was stealing my glances at her constantly. Doubts of pick – picketer’s crossed my head. I tugged to my vanity bag and looked outside the window. She edged towards me with a smile. I completely ignored her. The train was virtually empty and my journey was not more than 12 minutes.

The girl bent down and picked up a large basket. How she managed to balance herself with that basket in the running train was a remarkable fete by itself. I quickly peeped in to her basket which had lovely hair clips, bindis, hair bands, ear-rings, bangles, finger rings etc… They looked colorful and attractive immaterial of their shelf life. She carried the basket waited next to me for a couple of seconds and started selling her wares. “Clip, bindi, band, sab milta hain. Lo na behanjee. Lo na,” she pleaded at everyone. (Clips, bindi, band everything you will get. Please buy, please.)
No one was paying heed to her. Few were busy talking others were reading. Five minutes had passed and only 7 minute more. I may also get off. For some strange reasons, she once again looked at me, this time pointing to me that my Dupatta was touching the floor of the train. She had a small smile on her face. I quickly gathered my dupatta and positioned myself more comfortably. She purposely stood next to me with the basket so that I can have a clear look. It strummed my heart strings, poor girl was just trying to sell her wares to me as she had spotted me wearing all matching accessories and she was all convinced that I would buy her wares. I quickly started tossing her wares looking out for few good ones. The time was running out and I had to get off. She was more willing to display all that she had and even ran to the end of the compartment to get few more goodies from her store bag. I picked up couple of ear-rings and hair clips for my maid and hair bands for me. I also randomly collected few bindis. She was very quick with her calculations. As I was finalizing so was she summing up fast with the figures. I gave her the money and walked to the door to get off. For some strange reasons I turned and looked at her, she was still looking at me. I cleared my conceptions and hit my conscious. This time I smiled back at her. She waived her tiny hands at me. So did I. When I got off the train, I could see commuters calling out to her to show her wares. I prayed for those eyes which was quick to spot a buyer. Nine years is all she must be, but, her experience to survive was remarkable. My Hats off to you Girlie.

My next post is:
http://www.indusladies.com/forums/indian-stories/15266-the-dark-night-short-story.html

Happy Reading..

Very touching..
Lots n lots one can experience in a Mumbai local train.

Hello Mals
Thanks for the information. As I stayed in Thane for 8 years but never got a chance to travel much. Might be 2 or 3 times, that too by first class. But use to always hear about these things from them. They have so much of selfrespect. Which is really good.

Originally Posted by malspie

Hi Aruna

Some of them do go to night school. They never rob, they just sell, earn their money and go. Most of them are regulars and you can see them everyday. Some of them become part of our family. We can get off without paying them if we do not have enough change of coins. They trust us as much as we trust them...

Thanks Aruna for stepping in to my post.

Hi Lotus007,

Thanks for peeping in. We have the pleasure of experiencing many things and learn from the local trains of Mumbai.

Dear Mals, It is a nice writeup. I enjoyed reading it. Whenever i go to India i have to bring the things like bindis, clips, pins, combs and other articles which may be needed for the whole year. I too make it a point to buy clips, safety pins, bindis, combs etc. only from these girls who commute in chennai EMUs. I really feel very sad for them. These girls have no one to take care of, they take a risk and commute in the trains where so many people try to misbehave with them. Sometimes they even fall prey in the hands of the criminals who would dare to do anything to them. I use to compare myself with these girls. Until we got married our parents took good care of us and never put us in such a situation. How lucky we are! God has placed us in such a wonderful place and we should always be thankful to him. It is good to help these children in all possible means.

Mals,

Such a touching story.So well told.Yes im sure u wont forget that girl for a long long time.


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Mals,
That was a touching post, indeed!
Did you meet your girlie, later!
We also in Chennai experience those incidents in the train.
Even those who could not see, sell things, and as you had mentioned, they calculate quickly which is very much amazing!

sriniketan

Hi Kamalji,

This was my experience with a girl in the train. Just decided to jot it for readers. Thanks for peeping in. I will step in your latest post.

Hi Sujatha.

I compare my lifestyle at her age and feel I was so blessed and am still blessed. These things kindle the feelings and make me take a small step to help them..
Love and Regards