8.06 Ladies Special

It’s been a long time since the last time I heard the announcement of the arrival of 8.06 Ladies Special on platform number 2 . Many a times during my 4 years of Engineering studies , I have travelled by this Ladies Special in the morning wee hours . Imagine all the 12 coaches of the train only for the ladies . If I got into one of its compartments, I was blessed  but if I missed this train , then there was not much hope of reaching college before the end of the first period .

Let me show you a glimpse of this memorable journey .This train runs from Virar to Churchgate and halts at all stations on the Western line . There are 3 railway lines in Mumbai , the Western ,the  Central and the Harbour but the Western line is the most crowded of all at any time. Just 2 minutes before the arrival of this train , there is a lot of feminine crowd walking and sometimes literally running to catch this train. But if you assumed that this train was less crowded, then you are wrong . This train is as packed as the other trains but the only advantage is you can abandon your effort to get into a packed boogie and try any of the adjacent compartments.

Once inside, one has to struggle to find a space to stand . I never got inside this train with a mindset to find a seat as that was a distant reality .But I can guarantee you one thing and that is,  you will never get bored and entertainment is always an ear away. You can hear ladies speaking on the mobile with their near and dear ones as well as their co-workers. The talk could range from warm greetings , peppy chat , instructions to be followed strictly , complaints to curses .

This is also the place where you will see businesses on the move .  And I would suggest this is a great place to see entrepreneurship in practice. Since gents are not entitled to travel by this train , it’s usually women or at times young boys and girls doing swift businesses inside the compartments . One can find all types of wares being sold and the popular ones being the various cheap accessories like earrings, bangles, chains, bracelets and other types of imitation jewellery. Well , if you have forgotten any of your daily accessories , help is always at hand . Right from plain to fancy hair clips, hair bands of various colours and textures  , combs , bindi , safety pins , nail polish , lipstick , eye liner,  nail cutter , scissors and the list goes on . Well if you feel like shopping on the move you won’t be disappointed again .Kurtis , leggings , sarees , dress materials are also on sale here . Handbags , purses,  files , folders … just name them and you will soon spot yourself bargaining.

                                        

Well , if you have skipped your breakfast , you need not worry . Idlis , dhoklas , poha, samosas, bhel puri and many more snacks sellers will make their way through the throng of people to satisfy their customers’ hunger. You will also gain some managerial knowledge on how to accomplish tasks with limited resources. In the seat designed to accommodate 3 people , you will learn optimization by sharing the space with 3 more people.

Lastly if you are a regular , you will enjoy the travel time with your circle of train friends. That itself , is something that people look forward to everyday . Right from gossips , home tips , latest news to bollywood reviews , you can take a note of one or two things that will make your life easier.

 Well if the things I said don’t convince you ,  then welcome on  board and experience these yourself . It will be worth squeezing into this 8.06 train and mind it , this invitation is only for the ladies ...