The Wallet Story

Mr. Raju Kumar Choudhary, Station Superintendent, Konkan Railways

I lost my wallet on Rajdhani Express while travelling from Cochin to Madgao(GOA). Luckily for me it was discovered by a passenger (Dr. Ashok Bhatt of Vadodara) who boarded from Madgoan. Through a clue in the purse he and another Dr. Sajjan Shenoy informed this to one of my relatives and rightfully handed over the wallet to the TTE. I could get in touch with Dr. Bhatt who gave me the contact number of the TTE Mr. H.H. Bharadwaj. I spoke to the TTE who said that there are only 2 options in front of me. Either I arrange couple of RPF personnel along with the Station in charge of Ratnagiri to board the train at Ratnagiri and then I collect it from them or that as per process he will deposit this at Nizamuddin(Delhi) from where I can go to court and collect. 

Now both these options are like devil and deep sea. In the first case, since Ratnagiri is 150 kms from GOA there was no way I could make it there by taxi and get this done and second case is like taking a weeks leave to get it sorted at Nizamuddin. In both cases my 2 day holiday at GOA would be spoilt. Anyway rushed back to the station and met the Station Superintendent of Madgaon Station - Mr. Raju Kumar Choudhary.

Mr. Choudhary listened to my concern and then what followed was like a Hollywood Thriller right in front of my eyes.

By this time the train had left Ratnagiri (My first option over) as I sunk in the chair in front of Mr. Choudhary like a bag of wet jaggery. He immediately got into action mode and got in touch with TTE in the 2nd AC Coach I was travelling. The TTE suggested to send RPF personnel at Panvel station which was the next stop for the train. Mr. Choudhary suggested the TTE to avoid lengthy process which will be troublesome for the passenger instead tie the purse in a plastic polythene bag and then throw it out of the running train at Chiplun(Rajdhani does not stop here). Meanwhile over the other phone he contacted the SM of Chiplun to catch an item getting thrown out of Rajdhani express.

During these discussions and conference calls the train passed Chiplun and the idea could not get executed, but as you would have guessed by now, Mr Choudhary’s fingers had already dialled the next Station, “Khed”. This time the idea was executed and while he was holding the call of confirmation of receipt from the Station Master of Khed Mr. Choudhary had already connected the TTE of another train which was returning towards MADGAO.

I got my wallet back the next day from the Station Master’s office after signing the necessary document. Let me admit since all this happened on the first day, I could enjoy GOA the next and last day of my holiday.

I thought we in private sector only worked under pressure. I had a misconception that all govt officials are lazy, unhelpful and corrupt or rather I was yet to come across the right people. Let me tell you after this incident I have changed the mind. I considered myself really good at handling pressure. After sitting in that room, I feel humbled. I am also inspired.

I am inspired to:-

• Remain calm, cheerful and have a good sense of humour.
• Have larger focus on what is important and not only the immediate.
• Trust people
• Keep Customer First

I thank Dr. Ashok Bhatt of Vadodara and Dr. Sajjan Shenoy from Lucknow (Honest Citizens and good Samaritans, without whom I would never have got my valuables back in the first place) Mr. H H Bharadwaj( an upright TTE), Station Masters of Chiplun and Khed; and Mr. Raju Kumar Choudhary of Konkan Railways, who made a big difference in getting it back with the least heartache. After this, I hold the railways, especially Konkan Railways in high esteem now.

Friends, honest govt officers like Mr. Raju Kumar Choudhary who sincerely serve the public and do their duty do not have any RnR Programs by their employer(The Govt.) to recognize their efforts. They do not get any incentives for superlative performance.

The only thing we can do is “Like and Share” this story with and beyond our circle. At least reading this will inspire many others in railways and other govt offices to change the way they deal with the public.

Email author : ajitbkurup@gmail.com