Okhil Babu’s letter to the Railway Department (early 1900’s )
Dear Sir,
I am arrive by passenger train at Ahmedpore station and my
belly is too much swelling with jack fruit. I am therefore went
to privy. Just 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 when I am fall over and expose all my
shookings to man, female, women on platform. I am get leaved at
Ahmedpore station.
This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung, that dam guard
no wait five 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.
Yours faithful servant,
OKHIL CH. SEN
Okhil Chandra Sen wrote this letter to the Sahibganj divisional railway office in 1909. It is on display at the Railway Museum in New Delhi. It was also reproduced under the caption “Travellers’ Tales” in the Far Eastern Economic Review.
Any guesses why this letter is of historic value?
It led to the introduction of TOILETS in trains!!!!!!!!!
