Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation much known as BMTC probably the journey would get sealed due to the heavy traffic jam and this short duration would give us a chance to witness few scenes. The jam packed traffic and bus crowded by people, halfway of it the conductors starts screaming for tickets and the very common dialogue which a regular passenger would hear “hindehogi, bega bega ticket eskoli, kamba bittu hinde nilli”. (Move back, collect the ticket, leave the pillar and move back)
On a Monday morning I was waiting for Volvo but the timing was unfavorable. I caught a regular BMTC bus which was crowded and as I was searching for my earphone I made sure I have enough change to give the conductor. My left hand was on the first pillar of the bus, holding it tight with a fear in me thinking when the driver would hit the brake. I could sense that a rough palm ran over my hand and in fraction of second I gazed at the person. The view melted my eyes when I saw an average aged lady in blue was struggling to settle down in the bus which was packed to the rafters. It was a sunny day but the lady could only see darkness because she had eyes but with no vision. At that moment the only thing which strikes my mind, we human beings who are physically healthy think twice before doing a task or in simple words walking in streets, crossing roads etc. We tend to see our safety at every step but the ones with no vision are the real fighters who fight against their fate. This was my first experience in bengaluru but wasn’t the last one. I was turning towards the lady and was trying to see if she was able to grab a seat or if anybody would extend her one. I couldn’t see anyone taking a step ahead meanwhile I heard a young girl requesting another lady who was seated, “Excuse me, please!” pointing at the sightless. The lady in blue seated with much comfort.
BTM signals were all set to draw my attention. I was listening to FM station and was looking on to my both the sides to grab a seat as my legs wanted some rest. A senior citizen who was an uncle was talking to a young girl which more sounded to me like an argument. She had plugged in her earphone. Uncle was asking her to give away the seat as it’s clearly mentioned in the side ways of the bus. He was feeling annoyed at her as she did not react at first. Best thing about this city is regardless of any situation or matter, at least someone would pass on a comment or a suggestion to any situation and I have observed it quite often. All the senior citizens on the bus started to pounce on the lady and then one person asked her “what would you do if your father was in his place?” and now she reacted “I will not get up and you do not talk about my family” she ended the conversation from her side and continued with the music. While few were laughing at the situation and few were mocking at it.