ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW AS TO WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE A LADIES’ COMPARTMENT IN A SUBURBAN TRAIN IN CHENNAI
The first thing passengers do after getting into the compartment is looking for a seat. Though the ladies’ compartments are not as crowded as the general compartments and the first class compartments, during peak hours, finding a seat is little difficult. Still women have the knack of requesting the other passengers who are already seated to move and accommodate them too.
Most of them, after getting a seat, start eating. Both in the mornings and in the evenings. In the mornings, the educated, yet traditional South Indians carry Idlis, Dosa, Upma and Pongal in their boxes. The Cosmopolitan kind, carry sandwiches and the working class carry rice and sambar. In the evenings, it is always snacks viz., sundal, popcorn, peanuts, biscuits, fruits etc.
While some sleep, some start talking on their phones. The married ones talk to their mothers/sisters, complaining about the husband/in-laws and the yet to be married talk to their fiancées/boy-friends. What they discuss is never heard, except for occasional giggles. There are many, who comb their hair in the train, particularly on Fridays, when most of them wash their hair. In addition to the smell of various foods, perfumes and flowers the women wear in their hair, on Fridays; one can experience smell of various shampoos, shikakai/soap nuts and the stink from the silk saris the women wear, that are rarely washed.
When the compartments are relatively free, the passengers remove their sandals, either lift their legs and place it on the opposite seat or sit cross-legged (in the sukhasana posture). While the construction workers and vendors prefer to squat on the floor, the recent migrants from other parts of India, with a slim body, clad in western clothes prefer to either stand or sit away from all the locals.
There are people who form groups and talk non-stop in high decibels. Not even once, had I overheard them discuss gadgets, current affairs, economy or politics. It is always gossip, in-laws, office politics, gold, clothes and cinema. There are also groups of Hindu women, who chant slokas or sing bhajans in chorus. Some Christian women play gospel songs on their mobiles. There are of course who read newspapers /magazines or play games on their mobiles. And there are also people like me, who don’t do any of the above and just look for a comfortable seat and wait to get down at the destination.
While the vendors are busy selling flowers, vegetables, fruits, snacks, artificial jewellery, bags, pens, kerchiefs, hairclips and other accessories, the beggars are busy seeking alms.
To be frank, nothing interesting happens.
Sorry for disappointing.
