How a Chance Meeting with a Stranger Ignited My Passion for Social Reform

Have you ever found yourself in a meaningful conversation with a stranger that seemed to have a profound impact on your life? Such was the case for me in the summer of 2012 during a train journey from Mumbai to Vizag. This encounter with a stranger not only sparked a wave of introspection but also ignited my passion for social reform, a journey that has defined much of my adult life.

Setting the Scene

Back in May 2012, I was traveling by train from Mumbai to Vizag, taking my favorite seat near the window. The train was eagerly bounding towards the 'City of Destiny,' and as a young teenager, I was spellbound by the rapid changes in the landscape, from cotton and sugarcane fields to vast arid areas covered with boulders. As the train halted at Hyderabad, a man in his 40s took the seat opposite to mine. He was kind enough to offer me juice, which I politely refused due to a plate of biryani I had purchased from the railway station.

A Meaningful Conversation Turned Introspective

With boredom setting in and too much focus on the scenery outside, I decided to spark a conversation with my fellow co-passenger. He shared a bit about his life, but as the conversation progressed, it took an unexpected turn towards a touchy topic: politics. Our discussion delved into the state of the Indian railway system, how it lacked cleanliness, and how the hard-earned tax money was used to fill the bank accounts of political stalwarts.

He compared our railway system to that of the British, asserting that had they ruled India, the country would have maintained a level of discipline and cleanliness we could only dream of. I, as a naive and introverted teenager, was completely absorbed by his point of view. We parted ways, formally shaking hands, and I promptly forgot about this journey as I reunited with relatives after a long time.

Revisiting the Conversation

Days later, while watching a train scene in a movie, I remembered our conversation and began to reflect. Was this man correct in saying that people lacked cleanliness and that irresponsible leaders were the reason we daily commuted by unhygienic trains and stations? Why couldn't we have half as clean railways and stations as the British enjoyed in their own country?

As I mused, a history chapter came to my mind, reminding me of how Mahatma Gandhi was treated while traveling in South Africa. It made me realize: had the British ruled India, I would not even be able to sit in a sleeper coach by the window seat today. I laughed at my own naivety, recognizing how easily I had bought into his perspective.

Concluding Reflections and Insights

Writing down my thoughts, I penned a few words that came to mind: V A L U E Y O U R F R E E D O M, A S M A N Y F O U G H T F O R Y O U R H A P P I N E S S, G I V I N G U P T H E I R F U T U R E . . . . . K o i D e s h p e r f e c t n a h i h o t a h i . . . U s e p e r f e c t b a n a n i .
No country is perfect. We can make it perfect, and the process should begin from YOU. This is how a meaningful conversation with a stranger turned out to make no sense.

Reflecting on this experience, I realized the importance of questioning. While the man's viewpoint was compelling, it was crucial to explore the broader context and historical perspective to reach a more informed conclusion.