an UNKNOWN guide....

At times in life unknowingly and unconsiously strangers or strange situations befriend us and leave a deep impact to last through our lives.


Something similar happened to me too.

It was the first day of the year 2007 and unfortunately (or fortunately) I was in the train enroute from Delhi to Bangalore.I was going for an interview for my present job. The interview was scheduled for the 3rd of Jan at Bangalore and I would be reaching on the same day i.e. 3rd morning. Due to lack of time for preparation, I was both serious and tensed.

I boarded the train on the 1st at 8:30pm. As soon as the train started to move I delved deep into my books, struggling hard to keep my memory afresh. There I was with all my engineering notes, which would serve as my bullet-proof jacket when the interviewers would shoot.

A middle-aged fellow-passenger sat there noticing me all the while. He seemed very cool and jolly by nature and at that moment I envied his temperament. I knew what miracles my eleventh- hour revision could work for me. So there I was- quiet, serious, studious trying to make the most of every precious minute in that journey.

The next day,during my post lunch study session, this person interrupted me. He advised me not to take any tension and to remain calm and cool. He narrated his own life’s story- one of the rags to riches kinds. Once a college drop-out and now a millionaire with business spread across many countries. It was as if he shaped his destiny with his untiring efforts.

Then onwards, he didn’t allow me to even touch my books or notes. He kept a vigil on me.Realising time was slipping by, even if I moved slightly to pick my notes, he stopped me. He started talking to me and assured that my interview would go fine.I need not worry so much.

I had a good sleep that night. Maybe it was the confidence he had instilled in me through his talks. I felt really fresh when I woke up the next day. The train had reached Bangalore at 8 and I was supposed to go for the interview directly from the station.

The interview went really well. My confidence was the ‘extra-cover’ on the bullet proof jacket I already had. I soon received my letter of appointment and am presently working for that organisation.

I am constantly reminded of this particular fellow-passenger. Contact details apart, I don’t even know his name. It’s been 3 years since then and I want to thank him on the 3rd anniversary of that incident for his guidance through this post.

“Thank you very much, my unknown guide. I know you must be somewhere, helping another burdened soul relax…Thanks once again!.”