Commuters’ tales: Display of sisterhood in a crowded bus moves onlookers

This incident happened a few weeks ago, on International Day of the Girl Child (observance day declared by the United Nations), celebrated on October 11.

I got on to a Ladies Special Bus in the morning on my way to work and it was really crowded as usual. The first surprise was that the conductor was very polite and unlike many conductors, didn’t curse or scold those who didn’t have loose change for the ticket. He replied with a ‘thanks pa’ to everyone who gave the exact denomination for the ticket, and ‘paravalle pa’ (it’s all right) to passengers who didn’t.

While this brought a smile on my face, a visually challenged woman climbed on to the bus. She got in quite confidently — I suppose she must have gotten used to it. The seat for the differently abled in the front was occupied. The woman who was sitting on it was getting up to offer the seat but in just a few seconds, the driver had to hit the break. 

The visually challenged woman was about to lose her grip and fall but in just a second at least 10 of us caught hold of her and helped her navigate through the passengers to ensure she sat down safely in the designated seat.

Her face radiated with a smile that followed and made everyone forget the crowded bus and heat outside.