Death under the tram - almost !!
Back in school, in our literature classes we read about poet Jibanananda Das, who died under a tram. I used to wonder how can one die under a tram ? As those who are in Kolkata or ever been in Kolkata would know, tram is one of the noisiest and slowest moving vehicle in the traffic.
Today I experienced 1st hand as how true and possible it was to die under a tram.
Death under a tram - Saved by a whisker !!
On my way to home, I thought to visit local computer market place called Chandi, which is famous low-tech place for all your hi-tech need in kolkata.
There is a junction in Lenin sarani (Lenin sarani is a road which marks the border between esplanade and chadni market). Bellow picture may reproduce the action, which have taken place today.
Imagine the gentle man in red shirt is me as, I was standing exactly where he is now.
As I was paying attention to the busy traffic to cross the road, I failed to notice the tram coming towards me and within a minute I find the tram just like this bellow image, right behind me.
In this recreation, you may see the gentle man on red shirt has moved on to side walk, where as in my case, the tram has missed me by just a whisker.
I must say, lucky me !!!
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Manan said
am April 22 2008 @ 8:21 am
The good wishes of all those whom you have helped saved you I guess. As u mentioned primary, I remember we were taught - first look to the left, then to the right then again to the left, then cross
Choto Cheeta said
am April 22 2008 @ 11:52 am
Hey Thanks for the comment, actually I didnt expected one
anyway, the reason for which I made that fatal error can be found in this bellow road diagram.
This is an one way road, all traffic is going towards Sealdah, where as it has Tram lines for both up and down, therefore trams do come from Sealdah towards Esplanade !!!
Therefore my attention were in out-bound traffic and forgot to watch the in-bound tram traffic
Manan said
am April 22 2008 @ 2:23 pm
out of the many things that Bombay teaches u, 1 of them is that even if it is 1 way look both ways
Choto Cheeta said
am April 22 2008 @ 9:26 pm
Yeah, that lesson is true for any place of INDIA !!!
Anindya said
am April 27 2008 @ 6:34 am
U cant die so early! Otherwise the world will miss so many interesting viewpoints. U have so much to give to us.
sabret00the said
am April 30 2008 @ 8:12 pm
ha ha Saurav knowing you for so long I found the incident more amusing than shocking…so must have felt a sudden gush of adrenaline seconds after coming out this huge mishap which was about to happen…I’am certainly concerned about your safety but then again gimme a break you would have not died under a Calcutta Tram…that’s impossible and the thought is so funny.But having said that I would like to add it would have been a massive accident considering that the tram would have violent thrown you few steps away upon impact…lucky you buddy…stay a bit more careful and wish you long healthy life…take care.