July 19, 2008

The Jackfruit Letter

There is a legend about this hilarious letter which was apparently written by a very irate railway passenger who was left behind at a station while attending nature's call at the platform rest rooms. The letter is supposedly written around 1909 (a precise date of July 2, 1909 is also sometimes claimed), and is addressed to the East Indian Railway or the Transportation Superintendent at Sahibganj, West Bengal.

Dear Sir,

I am arrive by passenger train at Ahmedpore station, and my belly is too much full of jack fruit. I am therefore went to privy, Just as I doing the nuisance, that guard making whistle blow for train to go off and I am running with lotah in one hand and dhotie in the next hand. I am fall over and expose my shockings to man, females, woman on platform. I am get leaved at Ahmedpore station.

This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung, that dam guard no wait train 5 minutes for him. I am therefore pray your honour to make big fine on that guard for public sake, otherwise I am making big report to papers.

Your faithful servant,

Okhil Ch. Sen


It is widely believed that this letter was instrumental in Indian Railways making toilets available in train coaches.


38 comments:

Sach1 said...

I never knew anything like this. Interesting! :)
*left thinking*

Solitaire said...

realllllllllly?

Sriram said...

By the way, out of a little curiosity, who first introduced this letter in IRFCA circles?

Saim said...

hmmm....if d trivia is true then it sure worked for d better!!!
1 man's discomfort leading to relative comfort for all
:)

Pri said...

wah wah...the world need more brains and guts like these :p

Anonymous said...

haha, thts funny...english ki folltooo waat....m sorry i cudnt catch up wd ur blog off late

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Sach

Thinking... why? I know it is interesting, but still....

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Sneha

Really !!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Sriram

I bet the legend is as old as IRFCA itself!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Numb

Welcome here.. yes, Mr Sen's discomfort and embarressment led to one of the most important necessities in today's travel!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Pri

Sure!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Ashu

Yeah, but then it was worth it.. came to some use and also made us laugh!

Meher :) said...

Ah yeah.... I saw this as a forward!

And somehow.. I think it may have been true...

Sameera Ansari said...

Lol!We all should be thankful to him I guess :P

Have a good theerth yatra :)

Solitaire said...

Hey Vrij,

You designing that award? I wanna announce winners!

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! Am kinda guessing that this would somehow end up as forward mail! :)

Chakoli said...

:))

this i read before as well:))

good one:))

u cominmg to shirdi:))

any chance to come to pune?

Keshi said...

lol sooo funny!

Keshi.

rantravereflect/ jane said...

bwuahhhh :)
myy gawd. tat was hilarious..

was teh guy lallu himself by ne chance???
;)
high probability ryte
?

rantravereflect/ jane said...

bwuahhhh :)
myy gawd. tat was hilarious..

was teh guy lallu himself by ne chance???
;)
high probability ryte
?

Aarti said...

Wow, now that is one hellova letter~~

have a good trip to Shirdi..shall not forget the trip i made abt 4yrs back to the place~~~:)

Anonymous said...

When we will have showers in trains ?
Waiting...

иidhi S said...

hhahahaha...lol..


yeah someimes even nuisances cn do wonders and turn events.

u knw small stuffs big discoveries.

Scribblers Inc said...

too good!!where do you get the stuff???this is like a curio shop!!loved every minute here!!:)

Scribblers Inc.

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Sindhu

It probably is true..

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Sameera

Thanx :)

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Sneha

Sure will design an award.. just hang on till tomm :)

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Curious

This was actually taken from a forwarded mail!!!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Chaks

Pune not possible this time yaar.. wid the family and tickets r booked!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Keshi

:)


@ Jane

Could well have been Lalu had it not been 1909!!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Aaarti

Thanx :)

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ HOBO

Welcome here...

Showers in trains.. u'll see them soon.. there's actually a proposal pending! Waise.. the Palace on Wheels does have a shower!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Nidhi

Welcome to this space..

Yes, sometimes the most unexpected things can bring about a major change!

Vrijilesh Rai said...

@ Scribblers Inc

Welcome here and thanx for the compliments..

I just write what comes to mind.. nothing great though :)

lukkydivz said...

ROFL

ceedy said...

Vrij

You should seriously consider writing a coffee oops chai table book...

you have interesting bits of things to share...

Mysterious Mia said...

u've gogtat be kidding me

Anonymous said...

hahahaha! really?@ :P

i have read this smewhere! but makes me laugh everytime i read it :)

poor guy !