I am not even sure that’s his full name. Everybody there calls him by that name and Dada he was with a large heart. But when I first heard his name and met him subsequently, my first thought was that my second nightmare is about to begin. I was already into the first one. Blame it on my circumstance or the general understanding of this world.
This happened 4 years back. We were returning to Chennai after attending a marriage in Kolkata. We were a large group, all typical Madrasi and we had a happy onward journey. The first bad omen was not noticed by us, when we found that now we are split in 2 coaches on our return journey. My uncle and aunt and a family friend were in the other coach.
We boarded the train at Howrah station at 23-45. I ensured all are settled in their respective places and went into sound sleep, only to be woken up and told that my Aunt is not well. I rushed to the other coach using the vestibule to find she was totally breathless and slumped.
I ran to all coaches calling for a Doctor and found one. He immediately attended to her, advised Mouth to Mouth ( I suggest all learn this, which can save life ). I continued with it till we reached Kharagpur and got down there to take her to Hospital.
Here the role ( or lack of it ) of the Indian Railways needs to be understood. Despite prior information by the TT to the station, there was NO Ambulance waiting. A stretcher though quickly brought her out and dumped on the floor outside the station and there ended the role of Indian Railways. In the middle of night I arranged for a Taxi to take her to the nearest hospital.
As we entered the Hospital, she breathed her last.
Now my second ordeal started. They put the body in the mortuary for post mortem as she was declared brought dead.

Enter BULAN Da
Next day, I went to the GH for Post mortem arrangements. The official told me he will introduce me to one Bulan da and he will take care of everything. In Indian context when you hear such a statement, the first thing which comes to your mind is that a middle man is going to be the conduit for underhand dealings without which nothing moves in such situations.
But Bulan Da was Angel in human shape. Small built, bald and a rickety moped, that sums up this god and his vahana.
He took me with him for every formality to be completed including waking up revenue officials from their siesta for the fee for Post mortem to be paid. He guided correctly on every small detail to be taken care off.
Next day for cremation he arranged everything including the coffin etc. and refused to take even a penny. When my uncle persisted on paying something, he flatly refused saying if he took any money then whatever he has done so far will lose meaning.
May lord multiply his tribe.