The Right to Waste Time.
As quoted by Harvey Mackay, “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.” This implies that time is something precious. To make my point strong, here are a few more quotations well accepted by the human race. “A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life”, by Charles Darwin; “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time” by Jim Ron; and, “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend”. The evidence provided is adequate enough to display the importance of time. But, once when I travelled by a special train I came across a totally different ideology which negates the significance and the prestige of time.
The train which makes you feel special as a passenger is a special train. The train keeps a good care of you, endows you with good sleep, and keeps you away from the time rush. Only a few Indian travellers have had the opportunity to board a special train because it runs only during vacations and festive seasons. Fortunately, I am one of those privileged travellers who managed to feel the honored experience; not just once, but twice.
The first time when I boarded the train it reached the destination 10 hours late and the second time even better, 17 hours late. It was a summer special train. Now, the information provided above may look sarcastic but a travel in a special train has its own benefits. The train in its looks matches Rajdhani in its interiors and exteriors, and the passengers like me who cannot afford a Rajdhani ticket travel by a pseudo Rajdhani. The train hence, fills the hearts of its passengers with joy. The train provides you with adequate sleep. For the insomniacs, it is the best option. Even for those who believe that they manage two-three sleepless nights fail against the special trains because, during the journey you are fed up with all your means of entertainment. The trains hence, help maintain health. The train protects you from the weather extremes, if any. The train keeps you secure and, also helps you save because once you are on road you start spending on different stuffs. The train by virtue reaches late and therefore, saves your hotel expenses, if any. One also has adequate time to roll through the timeline of his/her memories “ wo bhi since birth”. The train even enhances one’s will power. One keeps on praying to reach the destination as soon as possible, the train takes you through all ups and downs and finally, passing through all levels of patience; one attains the target, never on time.
The era in which our country is introducing Speedy Trials and Right to (speedy) service; the idea of Special Train in itself is a revolutionary one. This actually should be welcomed. World powers have never ever had the courage to challenge the reputation of time but, special trains have taken a step forward. It’s time to waste time and board a special train. Cheers.!
Nitish Banka is an advocate practicing in Supreme Court of India and can be reached at [email protected] or 9891549997
