Public Transport in London and Delhi-Nirad C. Chaudhuri-DETAILED SUMMARY
Public Transport in London and Delhi
by Nirad C. Chaudhuri is an interesting and humorous essay in which the author compares the
public behaviour of people in London and Delhi, especially while travelling.
Through his observations, he highlights the great difference between the
silent, disciplined life of Londoners and the noisy, informal, and lively
behaviour of Indians.
The essay begins with Chaudhuri describing his experience in
London. He says that even though London is a large and crowded city, the
streets are surprisingly quiet. People do not make unnecessary noise. Even the
crowded railway stations seem silent to him. He notices that the hustle and
bustle, which is normal in Indian towns, is completely absent in London. In
England, silence is considered polite behaviour, especially in public places.
Chaudhuri gives an example of dining at a London club. While
having dinner, he tried to start a conversation with a person sitting opposite
him. But the man simply indicated that he preferred to eat in silence. This
showed that English people avoid talking unnecessarily in public places. They
value their privacy and do not disturb others. According to the author,
Englishmen do not even imagine how different public life in India is.
After describing the quietness of London, Chaudhuri shifts to
his memories of travelling in India, especially in Delhi. He says he always
travelled by bus or tram and observed the behaviour of people around him. What
he found was completely the opposite of what he experienced in London.
In Indian buses, passengers think only about their own
comfort. They lean against other people without concern. If someone objects,
they are rudely told, “You are not a woman!” meaning that only women deserve
gentler treatment. Sometimes, passengers even lift another person’s hand to
check the time on their wristwatch instead of asking politely.
The author also noticed that Indians freely talk to strangers
in buses. They discuss personal matters, public issues, jokes, and stories
loudly. Even people who have never met before laugh together as if they are old
friends. One day, a fellow passenger joked loudly about the author’s sola hat,
saying it looked heavier than his entire body. Chaudhuri responded humorously
by saying the hat was still not as big as the man’s turban. In another
incident, a man sitting beside him became curious about the author’s habit of
jerking his neck—a habit caused by summer irritation. Not understanding at
first, the author was surprised when the man imitated his head movements to ask
whether it was a disease or a habit.
Chaudhuri also points out that passengers in Delhi buses are
extremely helpful, though sometimes in a mixed and confusing manner. If you ask
for directions, many people will start guiding you at the same time. But since
their opinions differ, the guidance becomes more confusing than helpful.
Indians also do not hesitate to share anything that belongs
to others. If someone is reading a newspaper, the people sitting around simply
take the extra pages and read them. They do not consider it rude. Even books
get snatched away. Once, a man tried to pull out a copy of the Gita from the
author’s hand.
The author had a habit of getting up early to stand near the
bus door before his stop arrived. But other passengers prevented him from doing
this. Some even pushed him back into his seat or held his coat to stop him.
They did this not out of rudeness, but because they thought they were helping
him avoid falling or getting hurt.
Chaudhuri gives another example of Indian helpfulness. One
day, a bus conductor refused to accept his bad rupee note. A fellow passenger
immediately exchanged it with a good one without hesitation. This act of
kindness deeply impressed the author.
According to Chaudhuri, Delhi buses present a true picture of
the Indian nation—full of both excitement and chaos. Many unusual incidents
take place. Once, a hysterical woman tried to jump out of the bus window to
commit suicide. Passengers regularly quarrel and fight on buses over small
issues. Sometimes even the conductor and driver fight with each other. The
author recalls a day when a driver got angry and left the bus after a quarrel
with the conductor. Only when all the passengers begged him did he return to
his seat and drive again.
The bus stops of Delhi are also full of remarkable events.
One day, while waiting for a bus, the author met an elderly man with his
family. The man asked about the bus to the Red Fort and then, without
hesitation, began speaking to the author in a friendly and familiar manner. He
introduced his daughter, mentioned that she was studying for her B.A., and
discussed his plans for her marriage. Then he began talking about his personal
legal dispute with his father. He explained that after his mother’s death, his
father had kept a concubine and brought her to their ancestral house. His sons
objected, and the old man threatened to disinherit them. The matter eventually
went to court but was settled outside. This entire personal story was shared
with the author, a complete stranger, within minutes.
The elderly gentleman seemed so pleased with the conversation
that he even asked for the author’s name and address so that he could send him
mangoes from his orchard as a gesture of affection.
Through all these experiences, Chaudhuri concludes that
Indians are friendly, open-hearted, and willing to talk freely. They treat
strangers like friends and share their joys, sorrows, and even personal
problems. Their behaviour may seem noisy or disorderly, but it is full of
warmth and natural affection.
In contrast, Englishmen remain reserved, private, and silent.
They avoid unnecessary conversation and value peace and quietness in public.
Thus, the essay beautifully captures the difference in the
social behaviour of people in London and Delhi. Where London represents
silence, discipline, and privacy, Delhi represents noise, friendliness, and
emotional openness. Chaudhuri presents these observations with humour,
affection, and honesty, making the essay both entertaining and meaningful.
