June 2007
I finally chose and took admission in IIT Kharagpur. The procedures were completed one day ahead leaving me with 3 extra days to spare. So, I decided to do some sightseeing in Kolkata. I was put up in Rail yatri nivas at Howrah Station. After two days of doing touristy stuff in sweltering Kolkata heat in the month of June, I decided to pre-pone my return journey by one day. I booked a return flight and cancelled my confirmed train ticket.
Early morning the next day I got up at 7 AM only to find a dark, thick cloud cover enveloping the Kolkata sky. I don’t remember seeing such a cloud cover ever in my home state, Assam. In fifteen minutes I got ready to check out the hotel and catch my flight at 11 am. But, before I could check out of the hotel, it started to pour hard, very hard like ‘dogs and dogs’. It went on for two and a half hours. The roads were waterlogged and the traffic jam was unimaginable (Anybody who has travelled to Howrah station would know what I am talking about!!). I was tensed. How could I catch a flight at 11 am while I was still stuck at Howrah station at 09:30 am!!
The drama begins..
Time: 09:30 am
I took a tough call. I checked out of the hotel, changed from shoes to bathroom slippers, opened my (my father’s) black ‘mohendra dutt’ umbrella, folded my pants up, braved knee-deep water and started walking towards Howrah Bridge. I intended to take a taxi after crossing Howrah bridge since the road bifurcates from there. So, I expected slight ease in traffic after crossing the bridge.
The traffic was standstill for several minutes. I had packed my luggage for around 07 days with casuals and formals. Plus, I did some shopping also for my family back home. Hence, the suitcase was kinda heavy, but due to the adrenaline rush, I could easily carry it.
Time- 09:45 am.
I was almost midway through the bridge walking through the footpath sideways. This is when I spotted an empty yellow taxi. I said “Dada, Amar 11 ta nagad flight ache. Pouche dite parben?” (I have a flight to catch at 11 am. Can you make it?). After a few seconds pause, staring at me, he said “Alright, please sit. But, i will take Rs. 350/-“. I agreed at once.
I hopped in and was delighted. It took another 15 minutes to cross the bridge. I was relieved since the traffic had slowly started to move. As soon as we crossed the bridge, we were entering low-lying areas of M.G road. I don’t remember the exact route he took. But, the main drama starts here. From this point onwards till the airport, almost 80 % of the road stretch was waterlogged.
Panicky Moments…
As the journey continued, the driver started to panic. The panic rose exponentially when we started seeing idle taxis and cars by the roadside where the drivers were either pushing it or twisting the car keys for a ‘self-start. These horrific scenes continued. At some point, water came inside our taxi floor. I could not believe my eyes. It was a rude shock for me. I just inspired him to drive at 1st gear, half clutch position with moderately high acceleration to which he complied.
Under no circumstances, we wanted the water to enter the engine via exhaust pipe and cease it. It felt like we were a team on a mission, where I was being his wingman. He got very frustrated at times. In between, he said that his engine would require an overhaul post this trip. He told me it will cost him around 10000 rupees. I remember giving a ‘royal ignore’ with a ‘hmm’.
Again, his better self told me not to worry, he will make it as he promised me. At this point, I had no idea where I was and how far was the airport!! I just prayed hard to God. Because if I miss this flight there was no alternative plan. And, I was moving with a limited budget too. Every 30 seconds later, I kept looking at the watch. Those one and half hours felt like forever.
Time: 11:05 am.
Somehow, we reached the airport. I paid him Rs 400/- and gave him a big thanks. Rushing to the airlines counter I got to know that boarding was complete as conveyed by the inexperienced ‘front desk executive’. I was irritated. Assessing the situation, luckily the floor manager who was nearby, with a walky-talky in hand started communication with the ground staff in the runway.
After confirmation, he asked me to enter the airport premises immediately. A ground staff whisked away my luggage, we were running via an alternate route not meant for passengers. I was not frisked. After a few turns and bends along some secret corridor, I was at the runway.
Finally Boarded the Flight
This prompt action of the Indigo floor manager was the turning point of all the events or misevents that day. I easily could have missed the flight since boarding time was over officially. BIG thanks to him as well. It was drizzling and the torrential rain stopped by then. I boarded the flight and heaved a sigh of relief! I remember taking a selfie and a photograph inside the aircraft with a smile inside the plane with my Nokia 7610 (I-phone equivalent during those times ).
Home sweet Home
I reached home and it was warm and sunny. Back home, I could not even relate this incident to my parents in detail since, my mind on reaching Guwahati, Assam could not process the sudden drop in anxiety. I slept throughout the day imagining the taxi ride I just had a couple of hours ago.
The incident had carved a deep positive impression about the yellow taxi within me. I don’t remember his name or his exact face but, I do remember his stature. Remembering his voice I wish I could meet him someday, somehow. Now that I am in Kolkata, I hope he is safe and happy wherever he is. May God bless him.
Especially after such an unforgettable experience in Kolkata, I justify my statement with which I started this write up- “You can love it, hate it, but you cannot ignore a yellow taxi in Kolkata.”
P.S. If the readers of this post have any fascinating tale/experience to share regarding yellow taxi, kindly share in brief in the comment section below.
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Gosh this seems to be more tense than the IIT interview process you might have faced and how that one helpful person saved the day for you… I could feel myself in your place as I read through your experience
Yeah it was.. for sure. 😁Thats a wonderful compliment. Thanks Srikanth.
What a nailbiting finish to a tense event. You kept your cool! But yes, agree with your last sentence. Kolkata yellow taxi cannot be ignored.
P.S. I do know the horror of a traffic jam near/on the Howrah Bridge.
Yeah.. I tend to get extra cool when things go out of hand! 😀
Those two people were like God sends for me. Memories afresh even now..
I could actually feel my pulse racing as I read your experience! I have never been to Kolkata but have heard a lot about the traffic there. Very well-articulated post! Keep writing!
Thanks a lot for your wonderful words and encouragement. I can say now with confidence that the write up is successful and had served its purpose. 🙂
Loved your experience. I had a lovely experience with a yellow taxi driver. A Sikh man who recited bengali poems of Tagore. And gave me books and his self written poem 💓
Interesting experience. I have a great experience with one Sikh driver who recited poem of Tagore’s ans gifted me his self written poem.
That would have been quite a feat. Your tale made me nostalgic…it reminded me of my visits to Kolkata, one time stay at yatri niwas at Howrah and those rushed taxi rides to the airport. No matter where I stayed, the ride to the Kolkata airport was always so dicey! Loved reading your piece.
Thanks!! You bet. During my first visit to howrah station in 2004, i was awestruck with the pace of the city and stood still in the underpass subway and felt the speed of the disorderness of the crowd.
I have heard from my friends about yellow taxi but I have never been on one.
Its a good experience.. You should try at least once.. Make sure to travel during cool- dry season for a better experience..
How beautifully you shared your experience. While in Kolkata you really can’t ignore yellow taxi. And the word ‘ Dada’
Thanks for liking Abha… ‘Dada’ is a feeling in Bengal.
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Sometimes the taxi drivers become that unforgettable helping hand in such tense situatins.
Indeed!! Many of our important life events are dependant on coperation from such service providing people..
Wow i can imagine how it must have felt. Loved the way you wrote keeping the narrative fast paced like catching for breath. Kolkata taxi walas are still the best.
Deepika Sharma
Thanks Deepika for feeling this post. It is a huge compliment. And I agree.. taxi drivers are living gps. before the smartphone era. Most of them know each and every nook of the city.. even shop names.
Secret corridor. Hmmm…. Is this only in Kolkotta or in every airport?
Not sure, but, I think every airport would have these kinds of passage meant for emergency situations.. not meant for daily usage by civilians!!
Thanks for sharing your experience, I never been to Kolkata!! heard a lot about this city!
Thanks for liking.. You should visit Kolkata. Its a great place, a bit crowded, but it has its own charm. 🙂
Phew! What a ride this must have been. Reminded me of that deluge in Mumbai, stuck in taxi
I’ve had so many wonderful experiences with cab/taxi drivers. Once I forgot my phone and the driver drove back to my colony to hand it to me.
Oh what a harrowing ride.The post made me remember all the water logging streets of Kolkata. I used to love catching those yellow taxi cabs.Great read .
There are so many unexplained situations in life where random people come and help us come out safely. Loved reading your experience.
Thanks.. i feel they are God sends.
That was a hair raising experience all right. Your narrative made me feel the ride and the downpour. Sometimes, one good man in a yellow taxi can sort out a problem in life. Thank you for sharing your experience.
This post about the yellow taxi and the 2 good samaritans you met in Kolkata made me smile so wide. We need to share more such stories of humanity. Thanks for writing this! #MyFriendAlexa #TinasPicks
Thanks.. 🙂
Rightly said.. we should share such life experiences..
Lovely share of your experience. Its good to see strange people coming to us to help