Strangers on a train

He was known to be standoffish, but her impression was entirely to the contrary, writes Sarla Madan in The Indian Ex-press of August 25, 2007, recalling the time she shared a railway coupe with the redoubtable Feroze Gandhi, son-in-law of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and husband of Indira.

It was in the late 1950s, and Madan’s husband, a railway officer, was posted at Lucknow while she worked in Delhi, necessitating frequent commuting between the two cities. On one weekend in 1957, no berth was available. Madan had to reach Delhi somehow and her husband found out that a coupe had been reserved for a member of parliament (MP). If the MP was agreeable, she could be accommodated.

Feroze Gandhi: congenial

The MP turned out to be Gandhi, whose very name was a nightmare for the railways. His questions during the rail budget debates had often placed the then railway minister, Jagjivan Ram, on the mat. Earlier, Gandhi had been the nemesis of Ram Krishna Dalmia and the Bharat Insurance Company. But Gandhi’s tour de force was his exposure, the previous year, of the infamous Mundra affair as a result of which the then finance minister T. T. Krishnamachari was forced to resign, writes Madan.

Coming back to her dilemma, Madan recalls that her husband spoke to a colleague known for his ‘high’ contacts. The colleague came back with the welcome information that the MP had no objection. But there was a caveat: she would have to use the upper berth. Minutes after she boarded, Gandhi arrived, escorted by a group of hangers-on. The train started and Gandhi broke the ice by announcing his name. After the introductions, he opened a small tiffin box. He offered Madan a sandwich and despite her remonstrations insisted that she share his meal. He then took out a multi-blade Swiss knife and cut the apple in two, offering his co-passenger one half.

During the small talk that followed Gandhi mentioned that he was managing director of The National Herald, a post his father-in-law had bestowed on him. This meant that he had to stay in Lucknow. As if to justify his being away from his wife, Gandhi volunteered the information that Indira was required in Delhi to look after her father, so he shuttled frequently between Lucknow and Delhi. He thought it fit to mention that he had a separate house in Delhi. In turn, he asked Madan what she was doing and tried to show some interest in her responses.

When it was time to retire, Madan attempted climbing onto the upper berth but Gandhi indicated that she could use the lower one and swiftly clambered onto the upper bunk. Having heard about his arrogance, Madan admits that she had hardly expected such consideration.

Later, at Delhi, as they were saying good-bye to each other, Madan saw Indira Gandhi walking toward them. Glancing at Madan, she asked, "Who is she?” With an impish smile, he replied, "A fellow passenger!”