A Tribute to the Famed Gujarati Hospitality

There were just a few minutes left for the train to move out of Ahmedabad station at around 9.15 pm when the realization struck me that I had to get some food for the overnight journey to Mumbai. At the same time one of persons in the adjoining seat said that there would be no dinner service in the train that night. This was confirmed by one of the vendors who had come into the train. My mind was filled with terror and I cursed myself. I had arrived at the station well ahead of schedule and could have easily ordered and packed the food. But under the mistaken impression that food would be served on the train I had not bothered to stock up on food. As Sherlock Holmes would have said, “Elementary my dear Watson”, or in this case Ravindran. I was now in the horns of a dilemma. I could have got off the train and tried to get my dinner. This also meant that I could miss the train if I did not make it back in time. It was again Elementary. Ravindran chose to play safe, remain in the train and prepare myself for a long night of hunger The train had just started moving and the rumblings were not far from the stomach. “Do you mind having some food, a kindly voice enquired it belonged to an old lady Subsequent enquiries revealed that she was traveling to another part of Gujarat with her daughter in law and two grandchildren Mind! Does one mind Manna from heaven? Soon I was tucking into some typical Gujarati food comprising of Dhokla and Tepla. When I was offered a second helping, I shamelessly accepted it. The rumblings in my stomach were stillborn. A full stomach enables a man to reflect. And reflect I did. On how during journeys strangers were drawn to lending a helping hand to each other. Just two days back on the trip to Ahmedabad from Mumbai a lady had bought me tea when she realized that I didn’t have necessary change. She had later refused to accept money when later I had managed to secure the change. A manifestation of the famed Gujarati hospitality. It was in evidence in even greater measure two days later. After a few pleasantries we all retired for the night. Next day when I woke up close to Mumbai, my Samaritans had already disembarked and nowhere to be seen. I realized that in my joy in securing food I had actually forgotten to aske their names. I wish to thank them as well as the lady who bought me tea earlier for the famed Gujarati hospitality. Thank you friend and let us hope we meet again in the journey of life. This time it will be my turn to return the hospitality.