ticket check

sometimes when you ride the local trains they'll check for your ticket (there's no way to make sure people have tickets before boarding the train). when i lived in mumbai i got checked a few times on my way out of the station.

the other day when i went to canning the train was sitting in the station before we left, and 2 ladies got on and started checking tickets (although, they didn't check mine and sheila's). a few minutes later the ladies got off the train, with 3 women in tow.

a huge crowd gathered (anytime something interesting happens a crowd always gathers). it was one of those moments that i didn't quite know what to do. the ladies were obviously poor - and were probably riding without a ticket cause they don't have the money to buy a ticket every time they need to travel. i'd guess the didn't have the money to pay the fine.

i looked at their faces and saw anger, frustration, and a bit of despair. maybe i just projected that. i know this time of year people tend to "need" lots of money. for the festival in progress there are gifts exchanged (much like we do at Christmas in the US). and i thought of all the times in the year to get fined, this was probably a time that would be especially taxing financially.

on the one hand, the ladies were breaking the law - and they knew it. they've probably ridden without tickets lots of times.

on the other hand, it just didn't seem right.

one of those things - you just can't quite nail down what to think of...or how to respond.

in completely unrelated news - click this link to read about a recent metro incident in kolkata. crazy what "mob mentality" will do