1st December 1989, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla.
It was the day when our 3 Months Winter Vacation started and we were supposed to catch a Toy Train from Simla to Kalka and then another train from there to Delhi. That was also the day I was supposed to meet my parents after a gap of 75 days. Last I met them was in Sep and that too for 5 days.
All of us were really happy to go home. Some parents had come over to collect their children a day before and i was supposed to go back with the Delhi “Party” along with my cousin who was in class 10th then.
Patienlty we were waiting for taxi’s to come and drop us to the Shimla Railway Station.
However, I could sense some panic among seniors. It was train’es time to leave the station and we were still 20 mins/5 km’s away from the station.
Eventually we all cheered, however deep down our hearts we knew we have missed the train. 15 of us adjusted in 2 taxis and drove towards the Shimla Station. Reaching there we got to know that train had left on time and we may catch it at Tara Devi Temple Station 10 km’s away.
Thank fully this train takes more time than the taxi and we were hopeful to catch it at Tara Devi Station.
As soon as we got down at Tara Devi Station we could see the train passing by the station and we again jumped into the taxi and drove towards Kathleeghat that was 11 km’s away.
Kathleeghat station is at road level and hence we didn’t have to walk long to get to the station with our Luggage. Luggage meant a Trunk and Bistraband.
Thankfully me a 11 year old (Class 5th) did not have to bother much. My Seniors were really helpful.
We reached the platform and the Station Master was surprised to see us. I still remember the radiant face of the Station master. He was wearing a dark grey Coat over his green sweater and his Himachali topi looked like a crown on his head.
He informed us that our train would not stop at this Station and we were like… Not again!!
However, he was a kind enough to suggest that he can inform the driver and he will slow down the train enough so that we could get in comfortably. And then he made us stand at Strategic locations on the platform so that we could get in the train comfortably.
The train was sighted and we were all set. Ready Steady to Hop in. And so we did, comfortably.
Last year while driving back from Shimla, I spotted this station and stopped for 10 mins to just visualize the whole scene again and relived the memory.
While I stood there, It rained for 3 mins and I soaked every drop that fell on me. Shayad yeh Station ka tareeka tha to greet me.
Source: Facebook
