When the world will be celebrating......

Its the end of yet another year!

Every year comes with a new hope, new resolutions. 'Cause only these things are in our hands! What's actually in store for us only God knows!

This has been a very eventful year internationally.

But let's talk about India.

On the Indian front...

...the stock market boomed

...the rupee value rose

...the Hindi cinema seeing a more realistic approach

...the low budget movies were surprise hits whereas the big budget ones were a disaster!

...Modi's modus operandi was revealed, shocked people, but soon forgotten as people gave him yet another chance!

...Terrorism showed its ugly face in many places!

...Security in Mumbai increased with CCTVs, police at all Railway stations and people getting more alert by the day (or are they?)

...Prices rose and so did Malls, multiplexes and in turn, the economy!

...Four railway tracks finally became a reality on the Virar line

...We had reality talent shows on nearly all TV channels and nearly all channels were churning out singers. Wonder where the present ones will go!

...Himesh transformed from a nasal singer to a Hindi phillum 'hero'

...Abdul Kalam stepped down as the President and made way to the first woman President of India- Pratibha Patil.

...Railways made huge profits and also added a number of 'Garib Raths' (economical trains) and cargo services affecting a lot of truckwallahs!

and a lot lot more.....

Internationally too a lot of events, happenings took place. The US dollar fell, the EURO got stronger... just to name a few. But the year ended with a shocking event in our neighbouring country - Benazir Bhutto was assasinated!

Personally, the year was no good. It was in fact, 'a disaster' disguised as a beautiful dream

But as the New Year 2008 comes closer to us, we all have our share of dreams, hopes and resolutions.

But before that all are preparing for the New Year's Eve tomorrow. Everyone has plans. Some will party, some will go for a late night dinner, some will attend some new year event.

But when the world will be celebrating, we will be working as usual. The usual work hours, the usual work, the usual travel back home! Oh, what it is to be a banker these days! Especially those in Operations!

The Increasing Crowd at Andheri Station

Andheri Station is the most crowded Railway Station in Mumbai - most of the crowd starts and ends there! Thats because there are numerous companies both on the East and the West side. Not only that, Andheri extends right till Chandivli/ Powai on the East side and many companies have their offices there because it turns out cheaper cost-wise!

Commuters on the Western Railway line travelling right from Chakala to Saki Naka to SEEPZ to Chandivli to Powai (on the East side) as well as people going towards Amboli to Versova to Lokhandwala (on the West side), all get off at Andheri Station!

So the situation during peak hours at the station is one hell-of-a-chaos! There's nearly a stampede as all try to run towards the staircase at once as soon as their train halts there! And there are also people trying to get off the stairs at the same time resulting in more chaos!!! And women smartly being alert and keeping men at bay by moving behind each other. There's swearing, screaming and loud words flowing as people try to find their way across the staircase towards the bridge above!

But their woes don't end there. Because the 'ticket checkers' stand there blocking the whole bridge adding to the misery of commuters. Everyone likes an easy job, don't they? I dare them to step into the trains and check the tickets like the earlier times. Because checking on overhead bridges has only increased the number of Second Class ticket holders travelling in First Class. People are so confident that no TC will come to check the tickets that they laugh as if those who buy a First Class tickets are fools!

After you overcome this hurdle and move towards the Eastern side, there is a bigger crowd! Some coming into the station and some moving out! The entire situation on Andheri East station through Andheri-Kurla Road is worse, but thats a different story altogether! Let's concentrate on the problems at Andheri station.

But as of now, we need bigger or more staircases at the station. And no TCs waiting on the bridges and blocking the crowd! Please check tickets inside the trains or right outside the respective compartments and feel the problems of the travellers! Earn your living the tough way, man!

Thanks Laloo!

Thanks Laloo for ....

1) The 'New Look' trains with more ventilation and more space..... though they are just a handful now!



2) Increasing the timing of the First Class Ladies boogie from 9.15 pm to 11 pm!

Earlier there was only one Ladies compartment, which was further divided into two, out of which one section was Ladies for 24 hours, whereas the other was Ladies only from 7 am to 9.15pm ! Gone are the days when ladies used to work only from 9 am 5 / 6 pm. Women work same hours in most organisations. And organisations these days have no fixed timings !!!



3) Also increasing the timings of Second Class Ladies boogie adjoining Ladies First Class from 10 pm to 11 pm

This used to create a lot of nuisance for 'working ladies' travelling by train after a hectic and long working day! Many non- regular train travellers (as well as knowing-defaulters) used to stand near the Second Class and used to hop into the adjoining First Class (which itself was half after 9.15 pm) and create a terrible rush! This used to result into a daily fight between the first class ticket holders (who could not enjoy comfort even after 10 pm!) and the stubborn second class commuters! And all this inspite of the fact that there are two more '24 hours' Ladies second class compartments which not so crowded after 10 pm! But everyone looks for convenience as Ladies First Class is always near the staircase on the platform and who wants to walk down to the next boogie?! Damn the law and rules!

This also used to result in a scenario of one section of Ladies First Class becoming 'General Class' after 9.15 pm on one side and the entire Second Class Ladies becoming 'General Class' from 10pm on the other side. And we had men peeking from both sides into a small left-over section of Ladies compartment and passing comments!!!



4) Adding some new trains from Andheri to Virar as well as from Bhayander/Virar to Borivali.

This has helped commuters in a way! Of course, there's still a fight for a train every 5 mins between Virar-Churchgate and back! But for now, this is surely a good beginning! There a was a time when even four lines was a never-ending project!


One more request :

A lot of us take 'first class compartment' passes fearing the crowd on the Virar line by paying 3 to 5 times the price of a general compartment. But there are a lot of defaulters and law-breakers who get into a first class compartment when they see even an inch of space! Please help!