The Railway Coolie

THE RAILWAY COOLIE

 A coolie is one who earns his bread by carrying baggage band loads.Such a coolie working at railway stations is called a railway coolie.He is a common figure at every railway station.

The railway coolie wears a red or black kurta. His licence number printed on a white piece of cloth is stitched to his kurta near his breast. He wears a blue or black turban on his head. Some coolies have big napkins on their shoulders. In look and appearance he is simple but shabby and dirty.

The railway coolie leads a very hard and difficult life. He is always on the lookout for a passenger to engage him. He has no fixed period for his meals and rest. Whenever a train is to arrive he stands alert. The moment the train enters the platform he rushes towards the passenger's compartment. At a call or hint he enters the compartment and comes out with luggage and loads on his head. Some coolies carry the luggage of the passengers who want to get into the train. In any season and at any period of the day or night the railway coolie has to work for his livelihood. Whether there is burning heat or beating cold, the railway coolie has to remain on the platform. In spite of such hard and difficult life, the railway coolie ons hardly enough to make both ends meet.

The railway collage are generally illiterate. So, they are rude in their behaviour and rough in manners. Because of their poverty they are submissive. Some of them are cunning and wicked. They try to cheat the simple and innocent passengers.

The railway coolie is very useful for passengers. He helps them in getting into and down from the train. Thik hai is heavy load on a nominal hire. Not only this, the railway police work as guides too. So, they are very helpful to ignorant passengers. For weak and disabled passengers they secure seats in the compartment. But there are many coolest who are weaked and dishonest. Date cheat and mislead ignorant passengers.

The condition of the railway coolies needs reform. They should be provided with better facilities of housing and clothing. We should be considerate and generous to them.