Ticket Checkers are to Service or Harm Travelers?

Last weekend, 10th April' 09 being Good friday, i was all excited as my closest cousin who is also my best friend was planning to visit us in bangalore.She was travelling via train from Coimbatore to Bangalore.She got a waitlisted ticket and after getting into the train, requested the TC to get her a confirmed berth if any available. She had accomdated herself in one of the boogie and kept her luggage there waiting for the TC. Later TC (he was a helpful person)came and told her that one birth is available and you can come along with me to check the same. She left with him and thankfully by gods grace found that she got a comfortable place. After some time she realised that Ghosh! she had left her luggage in the earlier boggie. Quickly she ran to collect it but found that she had been robbed. All her belongings were inside that bag, including some money. Sister called me up and i asked her not to worry as both of our dress fittings are same ans she can manage.She is just 1 yr younger to me. Anyways, after all this tension, we thot of having fun and had a blast the entire weekend.

Sunday early morning @ around 5:30am, she was planning to leave. We had a small prayer and my husband dropped her to the station. Again, her return ticket was not confirmed.As soon as she crossed the Bangalore city station, TC asked her for the ticket and she said its waitlisted and if he can help her with a berth. To our surprise he started yelling at her loudly and said that a waitlisted ticket is not valid, you have to get down right now. He was accompanied by 2 other policemen and they started to scare her and pressurise her. They dint even give her the consideration of being a lady. She requested them and said that she doesnt even know the next station and it was quite dark outside. They were not ready to listen. To my knowledge the Tc's are appointed to service the people and not torture them.

Finally the TC said that she will have to pay around Rs.1750 as fine. The actual cost of the ticket is just Rs.180. Hearing this she found it ridiculous and told him that with this amount i could have caught a flight. She also knew that as per railway policy u would be fined 3 times if you are buying a new ticket. But this person had fined her 10 times higher than her actual ticket amount. She asked for a voucher and he was not ready to give it. Somehow she couldnt reach us and being Sunday we had to go to church and we were busy in getting ready.

On my way i called her up, and she told me the entire story. I told her that you shouldnt have given him so much money and we decided to lodge a complaint about that TC. Both of us, me and my husband were very disturbed as she had gone from our place. We prayed during the church and we said, God...nothing is impossible with you and plz help her get the money back.

Once we reached home we called her up and to our surprise she told us that the TC came and refunded her money back and just took the fine. I just couldnt believe my ears and i told my husband about it. He was extremely happy to see god answering his prayers.I asked her the details and she told me that, when we were conversing to complain about the TC and as soon as she kept the phone, she saw him standing before him. She said i'm sure he heard our conversation and that mite have made him uncomfortable. When he became uncomforatble god started working and we could experience his wonders and grace one more time in our life. Aint this beautiful....our gods wonders and his everlasting love and care?

"Everything is below god, all our worries and cares. God is above everything"

Few advices while travelling in a Train:

*Be careful and donot be irresponsible about your luggage.
*Always lock your luggage
*Donot keep your money in your luggage bag but always keep it in your handbag
*If you face a situation like this, you have the option of getting into the general compartment rather than getting victimised. Ladies can always opt for Ladies general compartment.
*Donot pay the Ticket Checker more than 3 times of your original ticket price(as per policy).
*Donot get down in any station that they mention. You can go into the general compartment and later decide.

Readers - Any advices or option you would like to give, Plz comment.

Hope all of us has a safe journey always :)