Tuesday, 27 November 2012

The Howrah-Haldia Local

It was the year 2003. My first trip to Haldia. The assignment that took me there was facilitating soft skills classes for an engineering college. I believe many of my students of Haldia Institute Of Technology would be remembering those days while reading this. Nostalgia?

After the year 2006 I did not go back to Haldia. I had changed jobs and had to spend my time in Kolkata, and then in England.

The roots somehow do not leave you. The early part of my career was built in that college in Haldia, and this year I was called again. Although the assignment was for a corporate, I was excited to travel to a place I liked for reasons that need not be explained.

The journey is by the Howrah-Haldia Local passenger train. This journey that I would be making once every month for the next few months is one I look forward to. It reminds me of the old days and brings me back to the ground. God has been grateful to remind me that no matter how successful you become you need to keep your feet on the ground. I could probably put it in another way - no matter how much time you spend in the airplane you have to land once in a while.

I get to watch the hawkers in the train selling almost everything under the sun! From safety pins to books, from snacks to coffee, from fruits to digestive pills. The "jhal muri" and the "aloo-mochar chop" is a must for me in this journey, I never miss it.

There is so much to learn as well. Sales is one topic that I get different insights on everytime I travel. The other is inspiration. You look at all the people and you see how they are living their lives everyday. The struggle, the pain, the success and the happiness, they live! There are people who also teach me to appreciate life, and then people who I see not complaining in spite of not living a life of luxury. I feel privileged.

So what do I do with all these learnings? I apply. I get inspired. I tell people to live life, no matter what. I motivate people to follow their hearts.

If you are not convinced, just hop on, the Howrah-Haldia Local is waiting...

9 comments:

Anna said...

REAL NOSTALGIC ZUBEEN.. How time flies !!! It seems like just the last week when we used to go to Haldia yaar.. My best wishes on your new endeavour..

ANALAVA

Coach Zubin said...

Thanks Analava!

Nice to read a comment from you. The old days are always good to remember. :)

Unknown said...

I will always remember the sessions with you @ HIT. Amongst all the sessions I attended, I still recall a session where we were being inducted about the use of hands while talking with people. One suggestion was - do not keep your hand on the table in an interview session and the added comment was 'kyun ki woh tumahara baap ka table nahi hai'. Oh... that comment has made that session as a memorable one and it is still a reason to smile.

Coach Zubin said...

@Soumyajit: You still remember! Well, even I have forgotten what all were discussed! But if it helped you, then it was worth the effort.

palendu said...

The time you have traveled to Haldia... I had left the college ... But was fortunate one to have you in Globsyn YSM ... You were a source of inspiration after that attack of Hepatitis... Thank you Zubin. Of Haldia, I can remember our last day in college ..... we came back by the Haldia Local .... It was a journey I wished never ended...

Nayana said...

Still remember our PD classes sir,it was a very favourite class of mine and I never used to miss it.Most of my GD and debate skills developed from that class.

Nayana said...

Still remember our PD classes sir,it was a very favourite class of mine and I never used to miss it.Most of my GD and debate skills developed from that class.

Coach Zubin said...

Great to hear from you Nayana. I remember you so well because you were always there for the classes. I still feel very nostalgic about the time I spent in HIT. In spite of some difficulties because of the location, I was happy being there. Every month that I go to Haldia now to conduct programs for a company, I stare at the college from afar and remember the old days. :)

akakijudwa said...

Still have remember your words" You learn from the path of maximum resistance"...Golden rule...We all have moved on but the memory remains...Thanks Sir for all the memoirs...