There is never a dull moment at a railway station anywhere in our country. There are always people and stray animals around, announcements blaring and plenty of small events happening to keep one engaged.

Last week, I went to the railway station to receive my uncle, who was coming from Nagpur. I purchased a platform ticket and walked across the overhead bridge to platform no. 5, where his train was scheduled to arrive.

The train was expected at five. I reached the station ten minutes early. Soon, however, I heard an announcement over the loudspeakers: the train would be late by an hour. That left me with almost an hour to spend at the station.

At first, I strolled along the platform, observing everything around me. Porters were moving briskly, some carrying luggage on their heads, others pushing handcarts loaded with bags, calling out to people to make way. A steady stream of passengers began arriving and the platform gradually grew crowded.

At the ticket window, a long queue had formed. Some tried to cut in, but were promptly stopped by others. Occasionally, a few impatient travelers went straight to the window, ignoring protests from those waiting patiently. Even the security staff seemed busy elsewhere and did not intervene.

The refreshment stalls were bustling. People sipped tea, coffee, or cold drinks. Some were enjoying snacks or sandwiches. Newspaper and magazine vendors did brisk business, as many people picked up reading material to pass the time. Street hawkers called out their items, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Feeling a bit tired, I bought an evening newspaper, sat on a bench and started reading. Suddenly, the bell rang to announce the arrival of the train. The mood changed instantly. People stood up from benches. Porters rushed to lift baggage. Passengers lined up along the platform edge, ready to board. The train slowly entered the station and halted. Boarding and deboarding turned into a flurry of activity. Children and elderly people were jostled and some luggage was hastily thrown down.

After a careful search, I spotted my uncle’s compartment. He waved at me and I helped him alight. As we handed over our tickets to the ticket examiner and began climbing the overbridge, the train gave a whistle and pulled out. Looking back, I saw the platform nearly empty again. The once crowded and noisy station had returned to calm and silence.

I realized then that the railway station is one of the best places to observe people and understand human behavior, even more than in any other public place.