Shantanu walks down the memory lane and tells us how Ibrahim, a taxi driver, saved the author and his friends from Veerappan’s men. A real-life incident for Different Truths.
In the summer of 1994, while returning from Bandipur Tiger Reserve, we were stranded at Gundelpet, close to Karnataka’s border with Tamil Nadu. It was a Sunday and due to a flower festival in Ooty (our next destination) all the taxis were booked. Even with the intervention on the part of the police, possibility of getting a transport seemed distant. Evening was soon to follow and the local D.S.P. was desperate to put us into some vehicle to cart us to Ooty.
The police officer, eager to get rid of us at the earliest, took this opportunity to strike a deal with him. He told Ibrahim to first take us to Ooty…
At this juncture, a rickety ambassador car halted, and a skull capped middle aged person, later identified as Ibrahim, started talking to the D.S.P. Though I could not follow the language, I could make out that Ibrahim needed some police help. The police officer, eager to get rid of us at the earliest, took this opportunity to strike a deal with him. He told Ibrahim to first take us to Ooty, only then would he address his problem. Not having much choice, Ibrahim agreed and opened the car door for us. We quickly stuffed our luggage in the boot and squeezed ourselves in the rear seat while his unidentified friend sat in front. Ibrahim sat at the wheels and we were finally on our way to Ooty. Due to the paucity of time, Ibrahim chose to take the shortest route through the forest leaving the main highway.
Tensions abated and relief set in. We were now able to appreciate our surroundings as we made our way through the beautiful Mudhumalai hills, full of sandalwood trees and lush greenery towards the dark silhouette of the Nilgiri hills. It was now completely dark, and the forest had thickened on both sides of the winding road. At several points during our journey, we saw men standing on the roadside who exchanged greeting signals with Ibrahim and gave us strange looks. We felt slightly uncomfortable but did not give it much thought.
After an hour and a half, we drew up to a small makeshift tea stall beside the road in the heart of the forest and Ibrahim stopped for a quick cup of tea.
After an hour and a half, we drew up to a small makeshift tea stall beside the road in the heart of the forest and Ibrahim stopped for a quick cup of tea. The few people around the stall seemed to make curious queries about us. I insisted on getting out and taking care of the bill, which was strongly opposed by Ibrahim.
We were soon approaching the foothills of the mighty Nilgiris. The steep ascent began, giving us some real anxious moments. The ramshackle car found it difficult to take the load and on one occasion, while negotiating a steep bend, the car began rolling backwards towards a deep gorge. Our hearts were stuck in our throats. We watched helplessly while Ibrahim and his friend, showing quick reflexes, jumped out of the car, and hastened to place two heavy stones behind the rear wheels. The car stopped and we heaved a sigh of relief thankful to be alive. A certain death was averted.
We ploughed our way up the winding road anxious now to reach Ooty in time. We were worried…
We ploughed our way up the winding road anxious now to reach Ooty in time. We were worried, as any further delay could jeopardize our reservations at the guest house. It was already late, and Ibrahim too had to get back to Gundelpet to sort out his problem with that police officer. But he was unfazed and calmly drove on.
Finally, we reached our destination. Ibrahim waited till we had checked in completing all formalities. He came forward to say goodbye. I had no words to thank him for the favour he had done. I shook his hand gratefully and wished him a safe journey back. Before taking his leave, thanking his ‘Almighty’, Ibrahim disclosed to us that the entire stretch through the forest was fraught with danger as those men we saw greeting Ibrahim including the person manning the tea stall were Veerappan’s eyes and ears! Yes, the same sandalwood smuggler, the dreaded killer! Entire queries en route were about the occupants of the ambassador car. Ibrahim very deftly dealt with their curiosity giving us a safe passage all the way through.
Ibrahim came to us like an angel and helped us reach our destination safely.
That evening in Gundelpet we had given up hope. Ibrahim came to us like an angel and helped us reach our destination safely. We shudder to think about the consequences if we had been taken hostages by the dreaded smuggler that night.
I am unaware of Ibrahim’s present whereabouts but pray that the Almighty is takes care of him.
Visual by Different Truths
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