10th Standard There’s A Girl By The Tracks English Notes

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Prose Name : There’s A Girl By The Tracks

Author Name : DEVENKANAL

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Share your Responses:

1.”It’s regular scene”. What was regular about the scene ?

In most populated metropolis like Mumbai the commuters (one who travels to work place daily) were more. Evening times they are hurried to go back home, so they rushed to board the trains. If they missed the particular train, they are in trouble and get late to reach their home. So it is a regular scene to those people. No one has time to think about others.

2. “Roma Talreja tried to settle into a corner near the door in the train”, was she right in doing this? What would you have done, if you were there?

No, she was not right to settle into a corner especially near the door. The train was crowded and people were not able to stand safely. The space is less. If I was there, I adjust myself and go inside as much as possible.

3. “There’s a girl by the tracks”, the voices cried out.

The voices came from the passengers who stood at the door of the train which was coming from the opposite direction.

4. Baleshwar was impulsive in taking a decision because……….. ((Fill in the blank appropriately).

“There is a Girl By Tracks!”

5. The dictionary says ‘callous’ means ‘unconcerned’. In this situation, who do you think were callous’ towards the accident?

The people who saw the scene that Roma had fallen on the tracks. Though they had seen, they did not volunteer to help her. They were considered as callous towards the accident.

6. ‘Baleshwar rushed to help the girl”. His movement has been described with verbs like ‘shoved’. Identify two more such verbs/ verbal phrases in paragraph (5).

The two more verbal phrases are

1) Jumped off and 2) landed on

7. Where did Baleshwar find Roma at last?

At last Baleshwar found Roma by the side of the tracks between the two stations approximately five kilometers apart.

8. “Behenji, aap teek hai ?” But there was no response and no help in sight. Why was it so? Read paragraph 6 and answer.

When Roma fell on the tracks, she had a deep cut behind her head and the blood flowing out. She lost her consciousness. So she was not able to respond. Generally, the people are not walking be-tween the tracks so no help in sight. Roma had fallen from the train on the tracks which was far of five kilometers apart. The place was deserted.

9. Fill in the table with appropriate details.

Name	Age	Education	State they belong to	Profession	Reasons for boarding the train
Rome	21 years	graduate	Maharashtra	working in call-centre	back to home
Baleshwar Mislara	20 years	High School drop out	Uttar Pradesh (UP)	unemployed	back to home

10. Who volunteered to help Baleshwar?

The middle-aged tempo-truck driver who spoke Gujarati volun-teered to help Baleshwar.

11. “Roma stirred and her eyes fluttered open”. What could have made her react so ?

Roma was shifted to back of the tempo truck with Baleshwar, she lay on the seat. When the vehicle moved unsteadily it made her stit and her eyes fluttered open.

12. Some details of Roma’s brother are given in Paragraph 14. Read and fill in the columns appropriately.

Name	Job	Place	Vehicle
Dinesh Talreja	Marketing job	Ulhasnagr	motorcycle

13. “Oh, I couldn’t thank him”, Balesh- war thought. Who do you think he couldn’t thank ?

Baleshwar couldn’t thank the tempo truck driver because he was busy to admit Roma to the hospital and spoke with Dr. Anil Agarwal.

14. Why did Baleshwar revisit the spot where Roma had fallen?

Baleshwar revisited the spot to find out Roma’s belongings. Dinesh told him that her mobile phone and handbag were missing.

15. Baleshwar got some assurance from a railway employee.

When he was looking for her belongings at the spot, where Roma had fallen a railway employee assured that Roma’s belongings had been found already found.

16. Roma said, “I think it’s astonishing”. What was astonishing?

The manner in which she had been rescued was astonishing. According to Roma it was astonishing because a stranger would jump off a train and risk his life for her. She was also a stranger to him.

THINK ABOUT THE TEXT

1. Some incidents relating to Roma Talreja are given below. Put them inthe right order.

a. Roma lost her foothold.

b. The train hurtled ahead.

c. Roma was thrown out of the coach

d. Roma was jummed between two women.

e. Roma panicked.

Ans: b, d, a, e, c

2. Baleshwar jumped into action to save the girl. His actions in doing so are given in a jambled manner. Set them in the right sequence, as in the text.

a. Baleshwar crossed the track

b. He carried the girl.

c. He saw the girl bleeding

d. He requested motorists to help him

e. He prayed silently.

Ans: c, e, b, a, d

3. Write briefly about the personal details such as qualification and profession of Roma Talreja and Baleshwar Mishra after discussion with your classmates.

Roma Talreja is 21 years old, B.Com., graduate from Pune. she is working as call centre executive for two years. She loved her job, talking and connecting to customers and making new friends. She is feeling happy and active. Baleshwar Mishra is 21 years old, high school drop out. He is tall and thin youngster from Mirzapur, UP, he is unemployed recently came to Mumbai. In Mumbai he is living with his two elder brothers and hunting a job, but his effort is not fruitful.

4. “Take the girl to Airoli”, suggested the cop. But Baleshwar disagreed. Why did he do so?

Though the cop suggested to take the girl to Airoli, Baleshwar disagreed because Airoli is 10 kilometers away from that place.

5. Some incidents mentioned in paragraph 12 are given in a jumbled order below. Arrange them sequentially.

a. The on-duty physician advised Baleshwar to take Roma to a nearby hospital.

b. Baleshwar and Roma Telreja arrived at a small hospital.

c. The nurses in the hospital helped Baleshwar to take the young woman in.

d. The hospital lacked the facility and personnel to treat Roma.

Ans: b, c, d, a

6. Was Baleshwar right in asking Roma her name while she lay in a critical condition ? Justify your answer.

Yes, though she lay a critical condition, it is absolutely necessary to know her family members etc., because he should inform to them about her.

7. “Baleshwar had a good memory”. Do you agree with this? Give examples to support your view.

Yes, I agree with this, when Baleshwar asked her whom should he inform, for that Roma said her brother Dinesh and his phone number. There is no time to write, he memorized that number and called him. This incident shows that Baleshwar had a good memory.

8. The doctor at the Divine Multi-Speciality hospital admitted Roma without any formalities. What made him do so ?

Roma had severe injuries on her head, and the blood was flowing from the cut. So the doctor understood the critical condition of the situation and admitted her without any formalities.

9. If Baleshwar had not come forward to help Roma, what would have happened to her ?

If Baleshwar had not come forward to help Roma, her condition could have become worse. She had a deep cut behind her head and bleeding and she had lost her consciousness. At that stage she needed help. If there is no help she would have bleed to death.

10. How did the truck driver help Baleshwar ?

The tempo-truck driver volunteered to help Baleshwar. He came forward and assisted Baleshwar to lift Roma, to the back of his truck. He drove them to hospital in his truck.

11 .Baleshwar felt that people of Mumbai were afraid. What were they afraid of, according to his opinion?

Baleshwar felt that Mumbai people were afraid, they had fear of getting trapped in the courts or with the police.

12. The Dalai Lama says, “Love and Compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion”. Does this relate to the lesson “There is a Girl by the Tracks”. How? Discuss with your friends.

Yes, Dalai Lama’s sayings are related to this lesson. Here Baleshwar didn’t know the religion of Roma, when he decided to help her. Really to love and show concern to the people do not depend on religion. Here Baleshwar had real love, compassion and concern about human beings. This is the true religion. In this aspect it relates to Dalai Lama’s sayings.

ENRICH YOUR VOCABULARY

Task 1:

Verbs related to different actions are given below. Pick them and put them in their respective columns. Note that some words may fit into more than one column. Refer to a dictionary if necessary.

tell, grab, pray, squeeze, glance, hurtle, observe, chat, snatch, plead, peep, utter, had, beg, shove, talk, clutch, implore, rush, stare, hold, appeal, dash, gaze, articulate, run

Words Related To

Observing	Moving	Holding	Speaking	Requesting
1. Observe	1. Hurtle	1. Squeeze	1. Tell	1. Pray
2. Stare	2. Rush	2. Snatch	2. Chat	2. Plead
3. Glance	3. Shove	3. Hold	3. Talk	3. Implore
4. Gaze	4. Dash	4. Clutch	4. Utter	4. Beg
5. Peep	5. Run	5. Had	5. Articulate	5. Appeal
		6.Grab

Task – 2:

Use the above words meaningfully to fill in the blanks in the following sentences. You can change the form of the word if required. One example is given.

1.Five of us …………. ourselves into the back seats.

Ans: squeezed

2. English people love to ……………….. about the weather.

Ans: talk

3. Arun ………….. Shaila closely and wiped away her tears

Ans: held

4. I haven’t ……………. to Steve about all this.

Ans: talked

5. All club members have been …………. to attend the annual meeting.

Ans: appealed

6. Sudha ………………. over her shoulder.

Ans: stared

7. The thief has ………….. away her purse and ran.

Ans: snatched

8. Would you mind going to …………. the kids from school?

Ans: bring

9. Veena ………. at me in disbelief.

Ans: gazed

10. Many people are unable to ……………. the unhappiness they feel.

Ans: utter

Task-3:

A paragraph is given below based on the text. Some words are underlined. Substitute these words with the phrases and idioms making use of the clues given in brackets with necessary changes or additions.

Baleshwar Mishra was a bold young man. Even when his life was at risk (face-to-face ______death), he never had a second thought. Rather he determined (make ____mind) to save the life of the girl. He was doing all he could, while others stood watching him silently (tongue tie). None supported (back__up)except a tempo truck driver. After a while, he carried the girl to a hospital and forced (arm twist) the duty doctor to admit the girl. What can we make out from this incident? Some people like Baleshwar remain undisturbed (keep cool) in moments of crisis.

Baleshwar Mishra was a bold young man. Even when he was face – to – face with death, he never had a second thought. Rather he made up his mind to save the life of the girl. He was doing all he could, while others stood watching him tounge – tied. None backed him up except a tempo truck driver. After a while, he carried the girl to a hospital and arm – twisted the duty doctor to admit the girl What can we make out from this incident? Some people like Baleshwar keep their cool in moments of crisis.

LISTEN AND COMPREHEND

Task-1:

Listen carefully to the reading of the following passage and takt notes by drawing and filling information in the flow – chart. required, the teacher will read the passage twice.

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely, this was some kind of joke.

I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello’.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dimple.

Task-2:

Imagine something bad has happened in your friend’s life. You meet him/her. You need to sympathise with and instil confidence in him/her. Write a dialogue.

Note: The following expressions are used to convey sympathy

I’m sorry to hear about…….

That’s so sad……

I’m awfully / dreadfully sorry about…..

That’s a pity/hard luck / I know how it feel………

How upsetting/annoying/ oh, how dreadful / terrible/awful……

You must be very upset……

I’m extremely sorry to hear that/Im/ was deeply sorry to hear

learn about….

Bad luck……

Can I help you in any way……. ?

Don’t worry it’ll turn out all right…….

It may not be as bad as it looks…….

Well, these things happen, don’t they….?

Sham: Hello, I am sorry to hear about your accident.

Sudha: Please come in, take your seat.

Ravi : Sudha, It is so sad, How did it happen?

Raghu: That’s a pity, How you are feeling now?

Sudha: What to do? It is all of my bad luck.

Sham: O.K. Could we help you in any way? We will give notes to study, need not to worry at all.

Ravi: Sudha, don’t worry, it’ll turn out all right. you’ll b come normal within few days.

Raghu: Well, these things are common, have courage, we all with you and we will support you.

Sudha: Now I got some courage. Thanks for your support, gu

All the three: Have confidence and recover soon.

Task 1 :

Look at the picture 1 in column ‘A’. Some statements are made in column ‘B’ about the actions as seen in ‘A’. Some of the statements are wrong, and some of them are right. If they are wrong, correct them. If they are right mark (✔)

Ans: 1. A woman is walking with a chhuld (corrected)

2. Some children are playing cricket. [right ✔]

3. wrong ✔ Two cows are seen in the picture.

4. The window pane is broken [right ✔]

5. A child is holding a tree [wrong ✔]

A boy is holding a tree [corrected]

6. [wrong ✔] There is no river in the picture.

7. [wrong ✔] In the background, there is a town [corrected]

Task-2 :

Look at the picture-2. Try to describe what you can see in the picture. Some clues are given. One is done for you.

Ans:

a. There are many people in the picture.

b. Some people are marching in the procession.

c. Child is drawing the bow.

d. Two women are chatting.

e Some children are running.

f. A man is selling the balloons.

Practise writing

Task – 2

Work in pairs and write a letter to the editor, fo cussing on the problems of your locality.

The Editor,

Indian Express,

M.G Road,

Bangalore-560 001.

Dear sir,

Sub: Broken pipeline In our road the water pipe has broken and we didn’t get the supply of water since Monday. The complaint was given already to B.W.S.S.B. But no one is responding. The whole locality is suffering The concerned authorities should take steps to necessary action. We hope the best reaction from your side.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

S. Ramachandra

Task-3:

Prepare a questionnaire…

Imagine you are a correspondent of an English daily and you have to interview the following persons on the issue ‘Safety mer sures taken with regard to traffic and the public response.

I. Superintendent of Police

1. Good morning Sir/Madam. I am Abhilash I’m a reporter from English Daily

2. Sir/Madam, I’ve some questions. Could you spare some time for me, please?

3. We heard so many safety measures are taken recently, May 1 know about these?

4. The riders of the two wheelers violate the safety rules. What do you say about?

5. The teen-agers driving is very rash. Do you agree this? How to control this ?

6. Sir/Madam, what do you suggest to the parents and public?

7. Now-a-days the number of vehicles are increasing rapidly. It causes air and noise pollution. How do you think we can prevent pollution?

8. Sir/Madam, what advice would you like to give to avoid acci dents.

9. Sir/Madam, on behalf of our media I’m highly thankful to you.

II. Traffic Inspector

1. Good morning Sir/Madam, I am Bharath. I’m a reporter from an English Daily.

2. Sir/Madam, I’ve some questions. Could you spare some time for me, please?

3. Now-a-days the traffic is too heavy and traffic jams are regular May I know what measures have been taken in this regard?

4. During peak hours, the traffic jams are not clear quickly. What do you suggest to the public about this?

5. During peak hours the accidents are more. How to avoid acci dents and traffic jam? What is your advice?

6. Though the safety measures are taken, we cannot control the traffic. What do you say?

7. How the public will respond Please give your comments

8. Sir/Madam, on behalf of our media. I’m highly thankful to you

III. Local MLA

1. Good morning Sir/Madam, I am Pradeep. I’m a reporter from an English Daily.

2. Sir/Madam, I’ve some questions. Could you spare some time for me, please?

3. Your responsibilities are more. Today I want to know your views on ‘Safety measures taken with regard to traffic and the public response. Your comments please.

4. Sir/Madam, are you satisfied about the measures taken by con- cerned authority ?

5. Sir/Madam, what are the other methods you suggest about?

6. Sir/Madam, are any complaints from the public about this?

7. Sir/Madam, what advice would you like to give him?

8. Sir/Madam, how do we make our traffic safety? Your com- ments please.

9. Sir/Madam, on behalf of our media I’m highly thankful to you.

Learn grammar through communication

Task 1:

Read the following paragraph and carefully observe the words underlined. One word is struck off. Consult your teacher or a grammar book and know the reason.

Everybody know-/ knows ‘slow and steady win/ wins the race’. some body try/tries to move slowly but some people want / wants to move at a faster pace. One of the students in my class is / are Jairaj. He is very industrious and energetic. He feels that in India everybody want / wants to get success, but a few work / works diligently. They opine/epines that ‘Time and tide wait / waits for none. So everybody need / needs to work round the clock to make India stronger and better.

Task – 2:

Choose the correct verb out of the two given in brackets:

1. Neither he nor you is wrong. (is/are)

2. His father and uncle have their own business. (has/have)

3. The first innings was very interesting. (was/were)

4. Either Amrutha or her friends has taken it. (has/have)

5. Everyone of the boys were sitting silent in the hall. (was/were)

6. Every leaf has fallen from this tree. (has / have)

7. Each of the boys has done his homework. (has/have)

8. He, as well as you, is intelligent. (is/are)

9. Bread and butter was his daily diet. (were / was)

10. Either you or he has done it. (has/have)

11. One of the boy was punished. (was / were)

12. Neither the children nor their mothers were admitted to hospital. (were / was)

Task-3:

Read the following paragraph.

A blank is given after each num- ber. If the underlined word is correct write (C) in the blank. If the underlined word is wrong, write the right form of the word in the blank.

Everyone who have (1) eg., has ever been to a graduation ceremony know (2) knows how exciting it can be for the graduates. In our town, nearly the whole population comes (3) come each year. There are (4) is one thing that both graduates and guests enjoy (5) c the awarding of scholarships. This ceremony, along with concluding exercises makes (6) make attending the graduation worthwhile. Several of the students who receives (7) received awards plan (8) planned to attend the community college. Many former graduates is (9) are grateful for opportunities that such an award provides (10) provided to them.

Make reference

Study the meanings of a word given in a dictionary.

Compose (verb) composed, composing, transitive verb

1. consist of

2. combine together to form

3. make up

4. write a piece of music

5. write a letter poem

6. try hard to become calm after feeling very angry, upset or ex- cited.

7. to arrange to parts of a painting, photo graph or scene in a way that achieves a particular result.

TASK 1:

Some sentences are given below. In each sentence the word ‘compose’ is used. Identify the meaning given above and write the corresponding number in the boxes.

1. Nayana sat at the desk, taking several deep breaths to compose herself (6)

2. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. (1)

3. A.R. Rehman has composed music for the film Kocchadian (4)

4. The legal system is composed of people and people make legal system. (3)

5. More than 17.6 million firms composed the business sector of our economy. (2)

6. I like the way Ravi composes his photo graphs (7)

Extra Multiple Choice Questions :

1. “There’s a Girl by the Tracks!” is the extract written by

a) Deven kanal

d) Shakespeare

c) William Shakespeare

d) Bernard Howe

2. “There’s a Girl by the Tracks!” is the extract which de scribes

a) Small story

b) a ferrible accident

c) people of Mumbai

d) Metropolis

3. The accident happened on

a) Road

b) riverside

c) footpath

d) on the railway track

4. The accident took place at

a) Bangalore

b) Delhi

c) Mumbai

d) Kolkatta

5. Roma was working as a

a) teacher

b) call center exeutive (CCE)

c) assistant

d) clerk

6. Roma was wearing

a) black salwar-kameez

b) frock

c) pant & shirt

d) chudidar

7. The accident had took place on

a) December 10, 2010

b) December 20, 2011

c) December 25, 2012

d) December 21, 2010

8. Roma was helped by

a) her friend

b) her coleague

c) Baleshwar

d) Co-passenger

9. Roma’s brother was

a) Baleshwar

b) Dinesh

c) Truck driver

d) Vijay

10. Baleshwar Mishra was

a) an unemployee

b) doctor

c) co-worker

d) graduate

11. The cop suggested to take her to

a) nearby hospital

b) Airoli

c) Mumbai

d) Mirzapur

12. Roma’s fiance was

a) Dinesh

b) Agarwal

c) Vijay

d) Baleshwar

13. The tempo truck driver spoke

a) Hindi

b) English

c) Gujarati

d) Marati

14. The person who volunteered to help was

a) Motorist

b) Doctor

c) Cop

d) Tempo Truck driver

15. The cop means

a) helper

b) police

c) pedestrian

d) caretaker

16. Airoli was atleast________kilometres away from there

a) 15

b) 10

c) 20

d) 25

17. Dinesh Talreja’s retail outlet is in

a) Mumbai

b) Thane

c) Ulhasnagar

d) Bardol

18. ICU means

a) Indian council unit

b) Intensive care unit

c) Inside call unit

d) Interior course unit

19. The doctor who treated Roma was

a) Duty physician

b) Dr. Vijay

c) Dinesh

d) Dr. Anil Agarwal

20. The person who assured Baleshwar that some of Rong belongings had been found.

a) Ticket collector

b) Pedestrian

c) A railway employee

d) Doctor

21. Baleshwar had revisited the spot because

a) to investigate

b) looking for her belongings

c) to get assurance

d) to meet some one

Match the following:

1.

A	B	Answer
1. clattering	a) come from	d
2. emnate	b) with no hope	a
3. impulsively	c) a deep cut	f
4. frantically	d) making a loud sound	b
5. gash	e) run very fast	c
6. sprint	f) with out any thinking	e

2.

A	B	Answer
1. Swarm	a) move fast	f
2. hurtle	b) low sound	a
3. tenuous	c) worried	d
4. thud	d) weak or shaky	b
5. wary	e) silenced	c
6. muffled	f) rush	e

Give one word or phrases for the following:

1. a deep breath taken when surprised

gasp

2. One who feeling afraid very much

Paniced person

3. One who travels to work place daily.

Commuter

4. It is a place outside a city

Suburban

5. to say something with some effort.

to grind out

6. The man that a woman is engaged to

fiance

About the Author: DEVEN KANAL

Deven Kanal is a writer in English. He writes short stories m English to Journals and Magazines. The given extract is a terrible accident and nobody dared to go where youngster did… This prose is given under the unit “Compassion”. If you want to be happy and others to be happy, practise compassion. Compassion is a divine quality and it is a virtue. This is one of the best lesson about compassion.

SUMMARY

́”There’s a Girl by the Tracks !” is the extract taken from an English Journal. This is written by a well known writer Deven Kanal in English.

This is one of the terrible accidents which happened at Mumbai suburban station in Thane district, which borders Mumbai. One evening at 6.32 pm an electric train halts at a station. As usual the station is full of people and everybody hurried to catch the train. At Mumbai this is the regular scene because it is India’s most populated Metropolitan city. Roma Talreja a 21 years old call centre executive tried to settle into a corner near the door of an electric train As it was very rush and already the train was already moving fast, Roma jammed between other women. She tried to find some space to stand safely but all of a sudden she got pushed, she was not able to manage herself to stand firmly. Her weak and shaky foot lost their grip and her hands tried to hold the steel railing above, but finding only air she was thrown out of the coach. She fell on the ground more than a meter below. She was knocked senseless. The low sound of her fall was silenced by the loud sound of the train. No one observed her fall. Another train was coming in the opposite direction passed beside this train. Baleshwar Mishra, twenty years old standing near the door couldn’t believe his eyes. He saw the fall of Roma fall. Wearing a black Salwar-Kameez, her body was lying next to the tracks. Those who saw this scene screamed and the people cried out “There’s a Girl by the Tracks!”.

Quickly Baleshwar went and grabbed the train’s red emergency chain and pulled it down with no hope. But luckily the train slowing down its speed comes to a stop. He saw the worried faces of the people surrounded and asked them to come and help her. But nobody came forward to help her. Baleshwar jumped off from the moving train. As he landed on the ground, a burst of pain shot up in his ankle, but there was no damage. His old rubber slipper’s sole torn off as a result of his jumping from the train. When he got down from the train, the train again started to move and disappeared.

Baleshwar started to run very fast between the tracks to find Roma. He was so far away from her. That he couldn’t see her. After running for several minutes he found her lying stretched by the side of the tracks. When he found her, he asked “Behenji, aap theek hai ?” But there was no response and no help in sight. He could see blood flowing out of a deep cut behind her head. Saying a silent prayer, he carried her and searching for a way out. He crossed through some shrubbery, and reached the road. He was seeking help from motorists but no one stopped.

The day was December 10, 2010, a Friday. Roma Talreja a B.Com., graduate from Pune was working in call centre as an executive for two years. She loved her job. After her day’s duty she went to cafeteria, where she and her friends joked, laughed and made plans for the weekend. When she was returning home the accident happened.

Baleshwar Mishra a lanky youngster from Mirzapur, UP, was unemployed. He had recently come to Mumbai, ‘He is an highschool dropout, living with his two elder brothers. He was hunting for a job till that day it is not fruitful. So, he had lost his hope. That day he spent his time, had lunch and watched a movie with his friend. When he was returning home, thinking about his future he boarded the train The terrible accident happened, at that moment he could only think of saving a stranger’s life.

Baleshwar was struggling very hard to hold the blood-stained woman in his arms. Though innumerable motorists drove by, no one came forward to help him. Atlast a tempo-truck stopped. Baleshwar begged earnestly to help him, he agreed and helped. Baleshwar was quickly telling the driver what had happened. The traffic policeman arrived and suggested them to take the girl to Airoli where there is a hospital. But Baleshwar did not agree because that hospital was 10 kilometers away from that place.

Baleshwar knew that there was a hospital nearby and they went to that hospital. It was a very small hospital, nurses helped to take the young woman inside the hospital. The physician gave basic First Aid to her and advised them her to take to a nearby Hospital.

Baleshwar and the truck-driver carried her back into the truck. When the vehicle moved unsteadily her eyes opened slightly. Baleshwar was with her, asked her name, she managed to tell her name as Roma. Baleshwar asked her whom should he inform to. She said that her brother Dinesh and with much effort she gave his mobile number. Soon she lost her consciousness and went back into the darkness. Baleshwar took the mobile from the truck driver and informed Dinesh. When Dinesh Talreja was closing the days business, he got the call and agree to come immediately. He had marketing job at a retail shop in Ulhasnagar.

Roma was admitted to Divine Multispeciality Hospital and Research Centre. Dr. Anil Agarwal, the medical director, seeing the condition of Roma admitted immediately to the ICU without any paper work or formalities. He asked Baleshwar to wait until Roma’s family arrived. After this, Baleshwar noticed that he couldn’t thank the truck driver because the driver already left the place.

Roma’s X-rays showed that she needed only deep wounds sutures although the injuries looked severe. There would be no lasting damages. Dr. Agarwal’s opinion was that she could have bled to death if nobody helped her. Baleshwar had brought her to hospital at the right time.

Baleshwar came to meet her next morning she was still partly sedated. Dinesh told him that Roma’s cell phone and handbag were missing. So Baleshwar went to the spot and was looking for her belongings. A railway employee informed that some of Roma’s belongings had been found.

Roma made full recovery in a few days. She was thinking about the accident and said that she couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Baleshwar hadn’t been there. She was (amazed) surprised to learn of the manner in which she had been rescued. Really she was astonished that a stranger would jump off from the train and risk his life for her. She thought that she could never repay Baleshwar. This is the real compassion and it is a great virtue. Without any expectation Baleshwar did this.

According to Baleshwar Mumbai people are afraid to help because they had the fear of getting trapped in the courts or ponce. If anybody asked him why he had done that, he simply said that she needed help, that day it was Roma, tomorrow it could be someother like you or me. Helping is necessary those who needed, especially timely help will save the life.

Here author’s intention is love everybody, help the needful, that is the great virtue. It changes the world and it becomes paradise and man becomes devine.

ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾರಾಂಶ :

ಈ ಪಾಠದ ಲೇಖಕರು ದೇವನ್ ಕನಾಲ್, ಇವರು ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಣ್ಣ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಪಾಠವನ್ನು ಅವರ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಗಳಿಂದ ಆಯ್ದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದೊಂದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ದಾರುಣವಾದ ಆಕಸ್ಮಿಕ ಅಪಘಾತ. ಯಾರೂ ಸಹ ಮಾಡದ ಸಾಹಸವನ್ನು ಎದೆಗಾರಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಮಿಶ್ರಾ ಅಭಿನಂದಾನರ್ಹ, ಮಾನವೀಯತೆಗೆ ಒಂದು ಸುವರ್ಣ ಉದಾಹರಣೆ, ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಚಿಕ್ಕ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪರಿಚಿತರಿಗಾಗಿ ಅವನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಶ್ಲಾಘನೀಯ. ದೇವನ್ ಕನಾಲ್‌ರವರು ಈ ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ಓದುಗರ ಮನ ಮುಟ್ಟುವಂತೆ ಸರಳವಾದ ಹೃದ್ಯವಾದ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಡಿಸೆಂಬರ್ 10, 2010, ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ ಸಾಯಂಕಾಲ 6.32ರ ಸಮಯ. ಮುಂಬಯಿಯ ಥಾನೆ ಡಿಸ್ಟಿಕ್‌ನ ಎರಡು ರೈಲ್ವೆ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಸುಮಾರು ಐದು ಕಿ.ಮೀ. ಅಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಭೀಕರ ಅಪಘಾತ. ದೇಶದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜನಸಂದಣಿಯಿರುವ ಮುಂಬಯಿಯ ಹೊರ ಆವರಣದ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ. ಸಾಯಂಕಾಲ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ತಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಧಾವಂತ. ಇಂತಹ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನುಗ್ಗಿಬಂದ ಎಲೆಕ್ಟಿಕ್ ರೈಲನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಲು ಜನಸಂದಣಿಯ ನೂಕುನುಗ್ಗಲು. ಇದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಚಿರಪರಿಚಿತವಾದ ದೃಶ್ಯ, ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ವೇಗವಾಗಿ ಹೊರಟ ರೈಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹತ್ತಿದ ಜನರು ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ತಾವು ಸಂಭಾಳಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಹೆಣಗಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ರೋಮಾ ಎಂಬ 21 ವರ್ಷದ ಕಾಲ್‌ಸೆಂಟರ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುವ ಹುಡುಗಿಯೂ ಸಹ ಈ ರೈಲನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿ ಬಾಗಿಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂಲೆಯೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ದೃಢವಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಸಾಹಸ ಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು. ರೈಲು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವೇಗವಾಗಿ ಓಡುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ರೋಮಾ ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬ ಹೆಂಗಸಿನ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಲಿಸಲಾರದೆ ನಿಂತಾಗ, ಆಕಸ್ಮಿಕವಾಗಿ ರೈಲಿನ ಹೊರಗೆ ತಳ್ಳಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಳು. ಅವಳ ಕಾಲುಗಳು ಶಕ್ತಿಹೀನವಾಗಿ, ದೃಢವಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಸಹಕರಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ರೈಲಿನ ಕಂಬಿಯ ಆಸರೆ ಸಹ ಸಿಗದೆ, ಅವಳ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ವಿಫಲವಾಯಿತು. ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವೇಗದಿಂದ ಓಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ರೈಲಿನ ಸಪ್ಪಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವಳು ಬಿದ್ದ ಶಬ್ದ ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಕೇಳಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವಳು ಸುಮಾರು ಒಂದು ಮೀಟರ್‌ಗಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಆಳಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಜ್ಞಾನ ತಪ್ಪಿತು.

ಆ ರೈಲಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಜನರ ಗಮನಕ್ಕೆ ಇದು ಕಾಣದಾಯಿತು. ಆದರೆ ಎದುರಿನಿಂದ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ರೈಲಿನ ಬಾಗಿಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಎಂಬ 20 ವರ್ಷದ ಹುಡುಗ ಇದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ. ತನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣನ್ನು ತಾನೇ ನಂಬದಾದ. ಅವನ ಜೊತೆ ಬಾಗಿಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ ಇತರರೂ ಸಹ ಇದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಭಯದಿಂದ “ಹುಡುಗಿ ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್ ಮೇಲೆ” ಎಂದು ಕಿರುಚತೊಡಗಿದರು. ಅವರೆಲ್ಲಾ ಭಯಭೀತರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರೆಲ್ಲಾ ಏನು ಮಾಡುವುದೆಂದು ತೋಚದ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರು. ತತ್‌ಕ್ಷಣವೇ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್‌ ಮಿಶ್ರಾ ರೈಲಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ತುರ್ತು ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯ ಕೆಂಪು ಚೈನನ್ನು ಎಳೆದನು. ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ನಿಧಾನಿಸಿತು. ಅವನು ಆ ಭೋಗಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಜನರನ್ನು ಸಹಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬರಲು ಕರೆದನು. ಆದರೆ ಯಾರೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಮುಂದೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬಲೇಶ್ವರನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಅತೀವವಾಗಿ ಚಡಪಡಿಸಿತು. ಅವನು ಯಾರನ್ನೂ ಕಾಯದೆ, ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ಲುವವರೆಗೂ ಸಹ ಕಾಯದೆ. ರೈಲಿನಿಂದ ಧುಮುಕಿದನು. ಹೀಗೆ ಧುಮುಕಿದಾಗ ಅವನ ಪಾದದ ಕೀಲು ನೋವಿಗೊಳಗಾಯಿತು. ಕಾಲಿನ ಅಂಗಾಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ತೊಂದರೆಯಾಗದಿದ್ದರೂ, ಯಾವ ಹಾನಿಯಾಗದಿದ್ದರೂ ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದ ನೋವಾಯಿತು. ಅವನ ರಬ್ಬರ್ ಚಪ್ಪಲಿಯ ತಳ ಕಿತ್ತುಹೋಯಿತು. ಆದರೂ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಜೋರಾಗಿ ಓಡತೊಡಗಿದನು. ಅದೇ ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಅವನು ಇಳಿದ ರೈಲು ಕೂಡ ಸಂಚರಿಸಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಕಾಣೆಯಾಯಿತು.

ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ತುಂಬಾ ದೂರ ಓಡಿಬಂದರೂ ರೋಮಾ ಬಿದ್ದಿರುವುದು ಕಾಣಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇನ್ನೂ ಕೆಲವು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳು ಓಡಿದ ನಂತರ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿರುವುದು ಗೋಚರಿಸಿತು. ಹತ್ತಿರ ಹೋಗಿ “ಬಹೆನ್ ಜೀ, ಸರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ” ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದನು. ಯಾವ ಉತ್ತರವೂ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವಳ ತಲೆಯ ಹಿಂಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಳವಾದ ಗಾಯವಾಗಿ ರಕ್ತ ಸುರಿಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಮೌನವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಸುಮಾರು 50 ಕೆ.ಜಿ. ತೂಕವಿದ್ದ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡು, ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕಿಕೊಂಡು ರಸ್ತೆಗೆ ಬಂದು ತಲುಪಿದನು. ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಾಡುವ ಅನೇಕ ಮೋಟಾರ್‌ಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸುವಂತೆ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ. ಆದರೆ ಯಾರೂ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ರೋಮಾ ತಲ್‌ರೆಜಾ ಎಂಬ ಅಪಘಾತಕ್ಕೊಳಗಾದ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಬಿ.ಕಾಂ. ಗ್ರಾಜ್ಯುಯೇಟ್ (CCE) Call Centre Executive ಆಗಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು. ಅವಳು ತನ್ನ ಕೆಲಸವನ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ ಇಷ್ಟಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು. ಗ್ರಾಹಕರೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಗುನಗುತ್ತಾ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು. ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೆಫಿಟೇರಿಯಾಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತೆಯರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಜೋಕ್ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಖುಷಿ ಖುಷಿಯಾಗಿರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು. ಅಂದು ಸಹಾ ವಾರಾಂತ್ಯದ ಪ್ರೋಗ್ರಾಂಗೆ (ಪ್ಲಾನ್) ಯೋಜನೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದರು. ಕೆಲಸದ ನಂತರ ಸಂಭ್ರಮದಿಂದ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆ ತಾಯಿ ಅಣ್ಣನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಊಟ ಮಾಡುವುದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹಾಗೂ ತನ್ನ ಭಾವಿ ಪತಿ ವಿಜಯ್ ಜೊತೆ ಫೋನಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಟೆ ಹೊಡೆಯುವುದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕನಸು ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು.

ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಮಿಶ್ರಾ 20 ವರ್ಷದ ಎತ್ತರವಾದ, ಸಣಕಲು ಶರೀರದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ. ಉತ್ತರ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಮಿರ್ಜಾಪುರದವನು. ಹೈಸ್ಕೂಲ್ ಸಹ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಮಾಡದೆ ಶಾಲೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟ ಹುಡುಗ. ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಮುಂಬಯಿಗೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಹುಡುಕಲು ಅಣ್ಣಂದಿರ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ. ಕೆಲಸ ಹುಡುಕುವ ಅವನ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಯಾವ ಫಲವನ್ನೂ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಹತಾಶನಾದ ಅವನು ಆ ದಿನ ತನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತನೊಂದಿಗೆ ದಿನ ಕಳೆದು ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿ, ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ವಾಪಸು ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಈ ಘಟನೆ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿತ್ತು. ಅವನಿಗೆ ಅವನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಚಿಂತೆಯಿತ್ತು. ಆ ಗುಂಗಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ರೈಲನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿದ್ದ. ಆದರೆ ಅಪಘಾತ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದಾಗ ಅವನು ಅಪರಿಚಿತೆಯ ಪ್ರಾಣರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಮಾಡುವುದೇ ಸದ್ಯದ ಗುರಿ ಎಂದುಕೊಂಡು, ಆ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಂದಾದ.

ಅಸಂಖ್ಯ ವಾಹನಗಳು ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ ಯಾರೂ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೊನೆಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಮಧ್ಯ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನ ಗುಜರಾತಿ ಚಾಲಕನೊಬ್ಬ ತನ್ನ ಟ್ರಕ್ಕನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದೆ. ಬಲೇಶ್ವ‌ರ್ ಮಿಶ್ರಾ ಚಾಲಕನನ್ನು ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಲು ಯಾಚಿಸಿದಾಗ, ಚಾಲಕನ್ನ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಿದನು. ಆಗ ಅಪಘಾತ ಹೇಗೆ ಆಯಿತೆಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ ಪೋಲಿಸ್ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಐರೋಲಿಗೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುವಂತೆ ಸಲಹೆ ನೀಡಿದ ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಐರೋಲಿ 10 ಕಿ.ಮೀ. ದೂರವಿದ್ದುದರಿಂದ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಹತ್ತಿರದ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರು. ಅದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ, ಅಲ್ಲಿರುವ ನರ್ಸ್‌ಗಳ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೆ ಕರೆತರಲು ಸಹಕರಿಸಿದರು. ಅಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಡ್ಯೂಟಿ ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್ ಮೂಲಭೂತವಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಿದ್ದ ಪ್ರಥಮ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಲು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಾದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಪರಿಣಿತ ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್‌ಗಳಾಗಲಿ ಅಥವಾ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳಾಗಲಿ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಗತ್ಯಂತರವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಮತ್ತು ಡ್ರೈವರ್ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಪುನಃ ಟ್ರಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಟ್ರಕ್‌ನ ಅಲುಗಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಎಚ್ಚೆತ್ತ ರೋಮಾ ತನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣನ್ನು ಮೆತ್ತಗೆ ಬಿಡಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದಳು. ಇದನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿದ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಅವಳನ್ನು ನಿನ್ನ ಹೆಸರೇನು ? ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದ, ತುಂಬಾ ಕಷ್ಟದಿಂದ ಅವಳು ತನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ರೋಮಾ ಎಂದಳು. ಯಾರಿಗೆ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ, ತನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣನಾದ ದಿನೇಶ್ ತಲ್‌ರೆಜಾ ಎಂದು ಅವನ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ನಂಬರನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದಳು. ಬಲೇಶ್ವ‌ರ್ ಆ ನಂಬರ್ ಅನ್ನು ಜ್ಞಾಪಕವಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು, ಡ್ರೈವರ್‌ನಿಂದ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ಪಡೆದು ಅವಳ ಅಣ್ಣನಿಗೆ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿಸಿದನು. ದಿನೇಶ್ ತಲ್‌ರೆಜಾ ಉಲ್ಲಾಸನಗರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಒಂದು ಮಾರ್ಕೆಟಿಂಗ ವಿಭಾಗದ ರೀಟೈಲ್ ಅಂಗಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಅಂದಿನ ದಿನದ ವಹಿವಾಟನ್ನು ಮುಗಿಸಿ, ಹೊರಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಈ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿದು, ತಾನು ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ಮೋಟಾರ ಸೈಕಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವುದಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದನು. ಅಷ್ಟು ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಅವರು ಡಿವೈನ್ ಮಲ್ಟಿ ಸ್ಪೆಷಾಲಿಟಿ ಹಾಸ್ಪಿಟಲ್ ಅಂಡ್ ರಿಸರ್ಚ್ ಸೆಂಟರ್‌ಗೆ ಬಂದರು. ಅಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಡಾ|| ಅನಿಲ್ ಅಗರ್‌ವಾಲ್ ರೋಮಾಳ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ.

ಪೇಪ‌’ವರ್ಕ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಫಾರ್ಮಾಲಿಟಿಗೆ ಸಮಯ ವ್ಯರ್ಥಮಾಡದೆ ತತ್‌ಕ್ಷಣವೆ ICU ಗೆ ಸೇರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರು. ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್‌ಗೆ ಅವರ ಮನೆಯವರು ಬರುವವರೆಗೂ ನೀವು ಇಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇರಿ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. ಈ ಗಡಿಬಿಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಟ್ರಕ್ ಡ್ರೈವರ್‌ಗೆ ಥ್ಯಾಂಕ್ಸ್ ಕೂಡಾ ಹೇಳಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಚಾಲಕ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಹೊರಟು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದ.‌

ರೋಮಾಗೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆ ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವಳ X-ray ರಿಪೋರ್ಟ್ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಆದ ಆಳವಾದ ಗಾಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೊಲಿಗೆ ಹಾಕಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ನೋಡಲು ತುಂಬಾ ಪೆಟ್ಟು ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದರೂ ಒಳಗಿನ ಅಂಗಗಳು ಹಾನಿಯಾಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ತುಂಬಾ (ಬೀಡಿಂಗ್) ರಕ್ತಸ್ರಾವವಾಗಿದ್ದರಿಂದ, ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಲಭ್ಯವಾದ ಕಾರಣ ಪ್ರಾಣಾಪಾಯದಿಂದ ಪಾರಾಗಿದ್ದಳು. ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಅವಳು ಸಾವನ್ನಪ್ಪಬೇಕಿತ್ತು ಎಂಬುದು ಅವಳನ್ನು ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಡಾ॥ ಅಗರವಾಲರ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಆ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆ ಬಂದು ಕಣ್ಣು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ನೋಡಿದಾಗ, ಅವಳ ಅಣ್ಣ ಹಾಗೂ ವಿಜಯ್ ಅವಳ ಪಕ್ಕ ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದರು. ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಲು ಆಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಔಷಧಿಯ ಪರಿಣಾಮದಿಂದ ಪುನಃ ನಿದ್ರೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದಳು. ಅವಳ ಅಣ್ಣನಾದ ದಿನೇಶ್ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ಫೋನ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಹ್ಯಾಂಡ್‌ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ ಕಾಣೆಯಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಮಾರನೇ ದಿನ ಅಪಘಾತ ನಡೆದ ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಹುಡುಕಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದನು. ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಕೆಲಸಗಾರ “ಅವುಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿವೆ” ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದನು. ಬಲೇಶ್ವ‌ರ್ ರೋಮಾಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಲು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗೆ ಬಂದಾಗ ಅವಳಿಗಿನ್ನೂ ಪೂರ್ತಿಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆ ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಔಷಧಿಯ ಪರಿಣಾಮವಿನ್ನೂ ಇತ್ತು. ಎಚ್ಚರಗೊಂಡಾಗ “ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀಯಾ” ಎಂದು ಬಲೇಶ್ವರ್ ಮಿಶ್ರಾ ಕೇಳಿದನು. ಅವಳು ಈಗ ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದಳು. ಅವಳು ಕೆಲದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಚೇತರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಳು. ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಈ ಘಟನೆಯಿಂದ ತಾನು ಬದುಕಿದುದು ತುಂಬಾ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ, ನಂಬಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗದಂತಹ ಪವಾಡ, ಯಾರೇ ಆಗಲಿ ಅಪರಿಚಿತರನ್ನು ಕಾಪಾಡಲು ತಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಾಣವನ್ನೇ ಲೆಕ್ಕಿಸದೆ ರೈಲಿನಿಂದ ಧುಮುಕುವರೇ ? ತನ್ನನ್ನು ಕಾಪಾಡಿದ ಬಲೇಶ್ವರರ ಋಣವನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ತೀರಿಸುವುದು ? ಋಣವನ್ನು ತೀರಿಸಲು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯ ಎಂಬುದು ರೋಮಾಳ ಕಳಕಳಿಯ ಭಾವನೆಯಾಗಿತ್ತು.

ಆದರೆ ಬಲೇಶ್ವ‌ರ್ ಮಿಶ್ರಾರವರ ಮಾತಿನಂತೆ ಮುಂಬಯಿಯ ಜನ ಇಂತಹ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದೆ ಬರಲು ಹೆದರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ತಾವೆಲ್ಲಿ ಪೋಲಿಸ್ ಅಥವಾ ಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಬಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದು ಒದ್ದಾಡಬೇಕಾಗುವುದೋ ಎಂಬ ಭಯ. ಆದರೆ ನೀವೇಕೆ ಈ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿದಿರಿ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದರೆ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರವಾಗಿ “ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಸಹಾಯದ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿತ್ತು. ಅಸಹಾಯಕ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಬೇಕೇ ಬೇಕಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಆ ದಿನ ಅಂತಹ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ರೋಮಾ ಇದ್ದಳು. ನಾಳೆ ನಾನು ಅಥವಾ ನೀವು ಯಾರಿಗೆ ಬೇಕಾದರೂ ಹೀಗಾಗಬಹುದು. ಆಗ ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಲ್ಲವೇ?”.

ಲೇಖಕರು ಈ ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ನಿರೂಪಿಸುವುದರ ಉದ್ದೇಶ ಮನುಷ್ಯರು, ಮನುಷ್ಯರಿಗಾಗಿ ಇಷ್ಟಾದರೂ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಜೀವನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿರಬೇಕು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದಲೇ ಇವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಮಾಡಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ. ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದಲೇ ಕಾಳಜಿ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ.

GLOSSARY:

Difficult Words Meaning:

metropolis = important town of a country, ದೇಶದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಊರು

squeeze = crush, ಕಿವುಡು

jammed = to stick and unable to move, ಒಂದಕ್ಕೊಂದು ತಾಗು

knocked = to strike hit, ಶಬ್ದ ಮಾಡು

screeched = to utter, harsh, shrill ಕೀರಲು ಶಬ್ದ

gasping = sound made by a sudden intake of breath, ಉದಿರೆಳೆದು ಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಶಬ್ದ

implored = to beg, ಬೇಡು

pondered = to think over, ಯೋಚಿಸು

pleaded = to beg earnestly, ವಿನಮ್ರತೆಯಿಂದ ಬೇಡು

cop = police, ಪೋಲಿಸ್

ICU‌ = Intensive Care Unit, ತುರ್ತು ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾ ಘಟಕ

slipped away = disappear, not seen, ಕಣ್ಮರೆಯಾಗು

unconscious = not conscious, ಅರಿವಿಲ್ಲದ, ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆಯಿಲ್ಲದ

assured = confident, ದೃಢವಾಗಿ ನಂಬು

recovery = come back to life, ಪುನಃ ಮೊದಲಿನಂತಾಗು ಜೀವ ಬರು

amazed = great surprise, ಅತಿಯಾದ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ

astonishing = highly wondered, ಅತ್ಯಾಶ್ಚರ್ಯ

rescued = liberate, ಕಷ್ಟದಿಂದ ಪಾರಾಗು

trapped = detecting, ಬಲೆಬೀಸು

whispered = talk in a low voice, ಪಿಸುಗುಡು