Emergency and the Morning Bus Chase

The Emergency, Punctuality, and the Elusive Bus Ride

The years 1975 to 1977 were the period of the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While its political impact on the country is well documented, it also brought a noticeable change in the functioning of government offices. Discipline, punctuality, and efficiency suddenly became the order of the day. There was a sense of urgency in everything, work had to be done on time because, after all, it was an “Emergency.”

Around this time, after completing my tenure in Nepal, I joined the Super Grid Poet System Planning Directorate of the Central Electricity Authority, beginning a new and memorable chapter of my professional career. I was fortunate to work with an outstanding group of colleagues. My good friend Manmohan Sachdeva had played a key role in bringing me to this directorate.

Among the new officers who joined were Satish Thakral, Anil Asthana, M.C. Goyal, and myself. Senior officers like VJ Talwar, Ramakrishna, S.K. Gupta, Ramesh Kumar, and others were already serving there. It was a highly talented team, and despite our different backgrounds, we shared a wonderful camaraderie.

Anil Asthana and M.C. Goyal, IITians both from Uttar Pradesh, one from the eastern part and the other from western UP, became close friends from the very beginning. They rented accommodation together in Saffdarjang Extension.

During the Emergency, punctuality became a serious matter. Our Chairman, I K Puri, would personally stand at the entrance of West Block every morning sharp at 9:30 a.m., observing who arrived late. Daily reports of latecomers were prepared, and although punishments were not always severe, the fear of disciplinary action kept everyone alert. Being late became the topic of discussion in the office.

I used to travel by a contract bus that started from Jangpura, passed through Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, South Jangpura Enclave, and then reached our office. Since the bus passed close to Asthana and Goyal’s residence, they requested me to arrange seats for them.

Getting them accommodated was not easy because the bus was usually full. After considerable persuasion, the transport manager agreed to reserve two seats for them.

The first day came, but there was no sign of either of them.

The second day, again, both were missing. They had actually paid up full in advance. Hence the management did not really bother about their absence.

My fellow passengers began teasing me, asking, “Where are your special guests?”

I conveyed the message to my friends. They promised sincerely, “PM, tomorrow we will definitely be there.”

The next morning, we waited again… and again, nobody appeared.

The bus staff finally declared, “We cannot keep stopping for passengers who never show up.”

A few days later, as the bus approached their stop, I suddenly saw two familiar figures running at full speed. Each had a comb in hand, hurriedly fixing his hair while sprinting toward the bus. Both were completely out of breath!

I requested the driver, “Please wait for a moment—they’re coming.”

The driver smiled, stopped briefly, and both heroes somehow managed to climb aboard, breathing heavily as the rest of us burst into laughter.

The following day, I advised them, “Just come two minutes earlier. You won’t have to run like this.”

They agreed enthusiastically.

The next day, however, they were missing again.

A few days later, history repeated itself, two gentlemen running behind the bus, combs in hand, trying to complete their morning grooming while chasing a moving vehicle!

On another occasion, only one of them managed to catch the bus while the other was left waving from behind.

This continued for a few more days until both finally gave up. They had already paid the monthly bus fare in advance, but discipline and fixed schedules simply did not suit their carefree lifestyle. They preferred sleeping a little longer to catching the contract bus.

Thus ended the very short-lived “Asthana-Goyal Bus Experiment.”

Even today, whenever I think of those Emergency days, I remember not only the strict discipline imposed in government offices but also the unforgettable sight of two brilliant young officers racing after a bus, with combs in their hands, hair half-combed, and determination written all over their faces. It still brings a smile to my face after all these years.