The Sharma family was pleasantly surprised when they got a call from coach attendant Tulsidas Mishra who informed them that he had recovered their purse from the train.
At a time when most passengers travelling in long-distance trains complain about the rude behaviour of coach attendants, this Bhayander family has a reason to appreciate them.
The Sharmas were returning to Mumbai, when a member of their family forgot her purse in the train, which had valuables worth Rs 1 lakh. Thanks to the coach attendant's presence of mind, they got their valuables back the same day.
Deepak Sharma was travelling with his wife, daughter, elder brother and sister-in-law from their hometown Jaipur to Mumbai. On March 15, the train arrived at Borivli station at 6.40 am, and the family got off the train with their belongings.
They then took a suburban train to go to Bhayander. "After 15-20 minutes into the journey, I realised that my purse was missing. I had removed my diamond earrings and kept it in the purse, which also had my mobile phone.
It also had my credit and debit cards," said Santosh Sharma, Deepak's sister-in-law. "Thankfully, I had the number of an RPF staff and I called him immediately. He assured me that we would get our belongings back," said Deepak.
The RPF staff informed Mumbai Central inspector Narendra Verma, who in turn contacted the coach attendant of the train Tulsidas Mishra. Mishra immediately went to the seat and found the purse under a pillow. "He opened the purse and found the mobile phone, which was switched off.
He charged the phone and searched for our landline number, and called us," said Sharma. The family was pleasantly surprised to get their purse back with all their belongings. They even called Mishra home and rewarded him.
Anand Vijay Jha, Chief Security Commissioner, RPF (WR), said, "We are happy that the attendant and RPF staff helped the family get their valuables back. We hope to continue doing such good work."