Mumbai Local- Mera Naya Teacher

Mumbai Local Trains have provided me with unmatched experience. With 50 minutes at my disposal one way, I have quite a lot of time looking at other faces in the cramped up First Class Ladies Compartment. A lot has been said and written about how people travel in these trains. My experience has not been very different. I have seen women praying, reading books, reading newspapers, reading 'Mid Day', listening to FM through their cell phones (a great blessing for daily commuters). Some tired faces staring out of the window, most of them just dozing off.
In a typical morning rush hour train, ladies standing are always more than twice the number sitting. When stars favor me I catch a seat from the starting station (yippeee!). But the eyes all around stare as if I have committed a sin by sitting! Do they want to say that I had no right to sit, while they were standing?
Local trains have taught me more about body language than my b-school lectures! I wonder if seasoned travelers have microscopic lens fitted in their eyes. How they are able to notice the smallest of signs that a sitting lady may have shown is still a wonder. Grabbing a seat is the sole mission (Mission Impossible for me!!!)
In this sea of people, I have forgotten about what personal space is. Here, it is not more that area of about half an inch radius around your body. One cannot even dare to shift weight from one foot to another, leave alone move a limb to rest the aching one, lest you may come in contact of someone else... And if you dare to 'intrude', God save you!!. All mannerism expected of a 'lady' traveling in first class is lost. At times I have wondered if second class travel is better!
But, as optimist as I am, it has taught me self-control in a different manner. I have now learnt the art to resist an urge to shake a numb arm or a foot, or wipe beads of sweat off my forehead! My skills at reading body language have improved drastically, and the mission "Seat" is no longer impossible. From a long haul, it has now reduced to near misses.
Whatever said and done, I feel Local Trains are still the fastest mode of commuting in Mumbai. It takes a ride in taxi, BEST bus or autorickshaw, to realise the worth. Not just a mode of transport, it is a small hypermart in itself. You can shop fruits, bags, clothes, stationary, and a lot more. Customer relationship is at its best here. Commuters place orders with salespeople, and get their stuff delivered. The day and time of train being key here. The aspiring Sales associates of Retail chains can take a lesson or two from them.
An institution in itself, the Mumbai Suburban Railway network keeps the city going. As for me, the mission is still on. Good luck to me!