The Daily Passenger

It was a wet and humid morning on the 20th of August'61. These were the days of heavy rains in all over the northern India. Dry land was soaking the entire water splashed by the God of Rains called "Indra". This process in turn was creating humidity,which was irritating for all living creatures. Rains had just stopped and the people of Agra, a town situated at a distance of 230 kms. from Delhi, were coming out of their homes to take care of their business,unfinished works and household purchases. It was around 9 a.m.
Kishan Chand Chawla, a dry fruit merchant at Naulakha,Sadar Bazar,Agra was also getting ready to go to his shop when her wife, Laaj, told him that his sister, Leela, married to a cloth merchant of Palwal in Haryana district, was in pains of first delivery and needed to be taken to a hospital. Leela had come fifteen days back to deliver her first child at the request of his brother at Agra. In olden times it was almost the practice to deliver ones' first child at parents home. Kishan immediately called his aide, Nandu, waiting outside to bring cycle rickshaw for taking Leela to Agra Medical College situated at a distance of 3 kms from their home. He also instructed Nandu to inform his brother, Hari Chawla about it. Leela and Laaj started for A.M.C. alongwith some old clothes and items necessary for after delivery situation. Kishan Chand also followed them on his cycle to take care of the admission of his sister in A.M.C.,Agra. After crossing the Hari Parvat area they reached the hospital in about half an hour. Kishan Chand paid the rickshaw-puller 75 paise and parked his cycle in a makeshift cyclestand after paying 5 paise to a little boy deputed there for the security of cycles. He then picked up the bundle of clothes etc. brought by her wife and headed for the registration counter alongwith Leela and Laaj.

The Daily Passenger

A nurse was constantly monitoring the condition of Sanjay in the ICU. At 2 a.m., she began to take the rate of heartbeat, blood pressure and temperature of Sanjay in her treatment sheet. Suddenly, Sanjay felt uneasiness in breathing and told the nurse by pointing towards his nose. The nurse immediately checked the oxygen tube and cylinder valve for any malfunctioning but found everything in order. But as she observed the mouth of Sanjay opening for inhaling the oxygen, she instantly called the senior resident doctor over the intercom and told him about the condition of Sanjay. As the doctor reached in the waiting hall of ICU, Vivayk and Shyam saw him going towards the room of Sanjay. As they were both talking about the Sanjay and his life, they were awoke at this hour. After examining the Sanjay, doctor immediately instructed the nurse to prepare for angiography. He also called the Cardiologist, Dr. Anupam Singh living in the staff accomodation provided within the hospital premises. Before Dr. Singh arrived there , all the necessary equipments and support staff were in place. Kamlesh was also awoke now and started praying for the wellness of Sanjay. She again found herself in emotional stress. Vivayk, Shyam and Kamlesh now were standing outside the ICU, all praying to the almighty. Inside, Sanjay was thinking about the past life, good and bad times, about relationships, friends,family and the God when he lost senses and mind allowing him to race back to memories of his entire life.

The Daily Passenger

When they reached the intended room it was almost 10.30pm.But Sanjay was waiting for his family as the nurse had told him about their arrival.He was finding it difficult to keep awake.Kamlesh,his wife,entered as a first visitor of family after wearing special cloth shoes kept there for entering in the ICU of the hospital.She felt her heartbeat rising as she saw the different tubes of oxyzen and glucose clinging to her husband's body.Slowly and steadily she moved towards the bed and called her husband softly by his nickname "Sanju".Sanjay opened his eyes and tried to smile.He muttered some words which were unaudible for Kamlesh.She pushed herself closer to Sanjay and asked,"What"? This time she heard Sanjay clearly.He was telling her that he was fine.She took his hands in her own and pressed gently and reassuringly.She was forbidden to weep inside the ICU as the patient may get imotional and risk the second heart attack.She just talked about Karan and Chavee,their childern.As she was finding it hard to see her husband in this condition,she told him about the other persons waiting to see him.He told her to request them excuse on his behalf as he was feeling tired and weak.She kissed his forehead and muttered some prayers before leaving the room.She slowly closed the door behind her.She thanked the almighty that her husband was not in a critical condition.As she entered the waiting hall outside ICU,she was mobed by Vivayk,her parents and Shyam.She explained to them the condition of Sanjay and his instructions of not disturbing him.They all immediately agreed and decided against meeting him.Everyone was at ease after hearing about the out of danger condition of Sanjay.They all decided to have tea and discussed further plan of action.Later on,it was decided that her parents shall go back and remaining three shall stay back to take care of any emegency.Nitesh Raj was also relieved after offering him lot of thanks with tearful eyes.

The Daily Passenger

As Kamlesh Chawla, wife of Sanjay Chawla received the phone call of Surender Kumar, she almost fainted. She immediately called her brother-in-law, Vivayk, living three lanes away from her house. She told him about the condition of Sanjay,his elder brother, and asked her to arrange a taxi for going to the hospital. After this she informed her parents living in Jawahar Nagar about the incidence. They told her to take them along in the taxi. As she was waiting for the taxi, someone pressed the callbell. When she opened the door, she found Shyam, a close friend of Sanjay, standing outside. He had come to meet Sanjay and then go for a stroll as a daily routine after taking the dinner. Kamlesh told her about the serious condition of Sanjay. He immediately offered himself for any kind of service towards his best friend. In the meantime Vivayk reached the home of his elder brother with an eight-seater taxi. Kamlesh took out all the money available in the house. He asked Vivayk about money required in such cases. He told her that he was also carrying some money for the emergency. Shyam also assured her about the financial arrangement in case need arises. He had some credit / debit cards in his purse which he had aquired for this kind of emergency. As Karan and Chavee, her childern were away on a school trip to Ranikhet, she locked the house and boarded the taxi alongwith Shyam and Vivayk. She asked the driver to go to Jawahar Nagar where her parents were waiting to accompany them to New Delhi. Within a few minutes, taxi reached there and they started again. It took almost two hours and fifteen minutes to reach the hospital. Vivayk inquired about the room number of Sanjay. He was told by the receptionist to first meet the Nitesh Raj waiting there for them. All of them turned towards Nitesh Raj sitting opposite the reception. He also judged them and got up. As he had never met any of Sanjay's family members before, he took some time to recognise them. After a small introductry chat he took them to third floor where Sanjay was kept for observation for next seventytwo hours.