Ego Travels Fast When Anger Boards the Train

Moments of madness, humour, and realisation between two stations of Mumbai Local

From the Desk of the Author

Mumbai local trains are not just a means of travel — they’re moving classrooms of life. Each compartment carries a thousand emotions: anger, compassion, laughter, ego, and sometimes, divine realisations. Yesterday, while returning home, I witnessed an incident that was shocking, funny, and deeply reflective — all at once.

The Mira Road Mayhem

The train stopped at Mira Road, that mathematical midpoint between Bhayandar and Dahisar. Though Bhayandar comes under Thane district and Dahisar under Mumbai, Mira Road stands uniquely in between — a blend of both worlds. It has a good proportion of schools, offices, and temples, making it a balanced combination of Math, Motivation, and Spirituality.

As always, the evening rush was chaotic. Two passengers started a heated argument — one hanging at the door handle, the other half inside, half out, showering abuses. The platform was alive with noise, laughter, and curiosity.

Suddenly, as the train began to move, the one on the platform hurled a final challenge. The boy inside, unwilling to lose, jumped out — ego stronger than reason. In a blink, he landed a kick on the other man’s chest. The crowd gasped.

The kicker then ran desperately to catch the moving train. People, for once, made space — he grabbed hold of the first-class compartment and climbed in safely.

The man who got kicked didn’t give up either. He continued abusing loudly, holding his sandal tightly in his hand, ready to throw it in revenge — but by then, the train had picked up speed, and the moment was gone.

Public laughed, then forgot. The boy faded into the crowd, the train moved on, and life continued as usual — emotionless yet full of emotions.

The Andheri to Nallasopara Episode

Another story, shared by a colleague, began at Andheri, one of the busiest stations on the Western line. A bodybuilder somehow forced his way into the crowded compartment, pushing people aside. A man shouted at him with anger and abuses.

The bodybuilder smiled faintly and said nothing. Station after station, his group members got down — Mira Road, Bhayandar, Vasai — all left one by one. The abuser was now alone, unaware of what awaited him.

At Nallasopara, he stepped out casually. The bodybuilder followed him, walked silently, and delivered three tight slaps, then boarded the next train back to Mira Road.

No arguments. No crowd. Just delayed justice — or perhaps, misplaced dignity.

More Stories from the Tracks

There’s no shortage of stories in Mumbai locals:

• Once, in an afternoon nearly empty train, an old man accidentally slapped a young boy — out of confusion — thinking he was the one who pushed him.

• I myself once fainted in the train. Strangers helped me, gave me water, and ensured I got home safely. I had left my books behind, but since it was a Bhayandar local, I found them again on my return journey.

• A friend of mine once changed his identity out of fear, pretending to be someone else just to escape a heated situation.

• And once, on a bus, a funny passenger refused to pay the fare, arguing, “You took me in, but I was supposed to go somewhere else!” The conductor was speechless; the whole bus burst into laughter.

And many more such stories… some funny, some scary, and some deeply human.

Reflections

Every local train journey is a lesson — in patience, anger, forgiveness, and self-control.

We meet strangers for seconds, yet sometimes they become mirrors of our emotions.

Ego, like a train, picks up speed fast — but wisdom comes only when we choose not to jump.

“The next station will come. Just don’t jump before time.”

Author’s Note

Every journey, every argument, every laugh in a Mumbai local carries a lesson hidden between stations.

Sometimes, the universe speaks not through silence, but through the noise around us.

With gratitude for every stranger who becomes a teacher —

– Rakesh Kushwaha

Educator | Writer | Founder – Mathivation HUB

Sometimes, wisdom doesn’t come from books — it arrives between two stations.

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