"Salaam alai kum... Have you ever travelled by Jhelum Express?"
It was a phone call.
No formal introduction.
No need for it.
Because the caller's name was stored in my SIM. It was Islam Khan of Sushila Transport Private Limited (STPL), one of the well known two-wheeler & four wheeler carriers from OEMs to dealer points pan-India.
No, I said. Why is he asking?
"Sirji, am on way to Delhi railway station to go to Pune," Islam said, thus dispelling any confusion in my mind.
Okay, he was going to Pune to be present at the Jeep Transport Excellence Award event two days later and possibly to receive an award or something.
Going alone? Yes.
Will he able to manage?
Why this concern? Because he is visually-challenged from birth.
Who's he, by the way? Islam is Safety Counselor, if one may say so, working with STPL since April 2018.
Visually challenged and Safety Counselor? Possible. It is. Having known him right from the day of induction in STPL and seen from close quarters, I know his calibre. His vision. His man management. Rather driver management skills. Amazing character.
In fact, DRIVERS DUNIYA magazine featured him on the cover in March 2019 issue. Sheer coincidence. Not plotted as such.
Uff. For a while, I got sucked into my own thoughts. Hence the delay in responding to his query.
"I never traveled in a train to Pune from Delhi," I told him.
"Haan, you're a truck man!" he quipped. Did I?
Few times: once from Chennai to Gurgaon in October 2010 via Pune. And a year later from Gurgaon to Bangalore via Pune. Of course, I had to break the journey at Halol to visit Rinku Agarwal at Anand, Gujarat. He picked me up at Halol. Both times, with mint fresh passenger cars.
Islam convinced me that he had traveled alone in the past also in train and hence, nothing to worry.
I knew nothing about the Jhelum Express (11078), running between Jammu and Pune covering a distance of 2,200 km. After an overnight journey from Jammu, it reaches Delhi 0945 hours and leaves half an hour later. Islam provided this vital input and added that it would touch down Pune the next evening.
On boarding the train, he called to confirm.
Two days later, I saw a few images of him preparing for the Jeep event: black pant, white shirt and a black jacket. Of course, a naughtily worn neckpiece (tie)! No calls. Nothing.
FCA Head of Supply Chain Satyendra Lal is the primary cause for this "noble gesture" of recognizing someone like Islam Khan.
Lal, a great humanitarian, indeed. Known him almost for a decade now. Significantly, he had met Islam almost a year ago at STPL's Manesar workshop-cum-office when he had visited on a routine inspection of safety consciousness of his vendors who ferry his 20 lakh plus Compass SUVs from Ranjangaon plant to multiple locations. That time, he attended the Daily Driver Meet held quarter to four in the Driver Rest Room where Islam was in full flow imparting gyan on safety and then general tips on living. One has to be physically present to experience his zest and passion.
Am sure, Lal would have carried a very positive image of Islam and his safety commitment. When post-event asked, Lal responded thus:
"During my last visit to all Transport Partners facility visit, I saw a man of positive attitude and confidence- Mohammed Islam , a driver trainer at Sushila Transport, Manesar.
What I found that he beyond a trainer. He does a lot of early morning homework with tracking team for drivers who are coming back from l long haul trip, he understands how driver has performed his driving on road , speed management, neutral running, braking, etc. Then he prepare his self note in his mind and communicate the same to drivers during his session with them.
He motivates not only on safety but also on health grounds during trip. His communication is manifold effective is such a way that drivers commit to implement for their future ride. Industry require such people. Though he is visually challenged yet a superb trainer - great cheers to Hargobind ji and STPL team for giving employment to such wonderful person.
Again, there was a call from Islam. This time, he was back in Manesar where he lives with his wife and kids, near the office.
Obviously, my question was: How did the event go?
"Bahut achcha tha, sirji!" The thrill and joy of being sent to a distant place and receiving an award was something unique in Islam's life.
How was the train journey? I began.
It was a three tier sleeper and he got the lower berth. Co passengers were so cooperative that they wanted to offer food etc at their cost.
"I refused. Politely, of course. How can I when Pruthisaab has ensured that I travel with sufficient cash to meet my en route expenses?... I can understand their love and affection."
He was received by an STPL employee working in its Pune branch and put up in a lodge in Pune.
On the day of Jeep event, he got ready around noon, dressed for the occasion and reached the venue.
Again, a first time experience for Islam. Everyone around made him feel comfortable. "Lal saab spoke about me before handing over the trophy to me on stage. Bahut achcha laga."
Lekin ...
He could not deliver a short thanks giving speech which he had meticulously prepared! Ever since he was told about his participation in the Jeep event, he had been badgering me offering multiple versions of his thanks giving speech!
His return journey was by air. He flew into Delhi from Pune. First time again. His cup of joy was overflowing nonstop.
A flight ticket is akin to one of the long list of items ticked in his checklist. Islam certainly not a senior staffer in STPL. But a vital cog in ensuring the company's drivers were sagely counseled. To ensure Jeep vehicles dispatched for dealer points reach undamaged en route. And ensure STPL able to raise invoices towards logistics cost.
Thank you, Hargobind ji! Thank you, Mr Lal!
There was one more call from Islam, a little later..
"Before I forget, Sirji, the pant, suit, tie, boots ... these were gift from Pruthisaab!... Pehle baar, I got to wear all these. I pray for well being of Pruthisaab and Lal saab," he ends in choked voice.
Ever grateful this chap is.
Such positive narratives make me feel that there are some good motormaliks too in the Indian transport ecosystem.
Why some?
Because there are some motormaliks who lock up drivers, unrobe them totally and belt them mercilessly for diesel theft. Lawless and savage creatures.
Heartless, insane characters too. Kapish?
