The Tiger in the Tunnel – A critical evaluation

“The Tiger in the Tunnel” tells the story of an Indian family who faces the stark reality of their humble existence with honor and duty. These themes permeate the characters’ lives and actions, and highlight Bond’s take on the place of service and family, as well as the theme of protection in relation to family. Another strong theme that exists in this story is a cycle of inevitable life and death. Even the strong must die, but life must also go on. This story describes a poor Indian father, Baldeo, who worked as a watchman at a remote train stop in India. His job was to make sure that a tunnel, through which trains ed, remained unobstructed. He had to make sure that the tunnel was clear every night for the trains to and light a lamp to signal the oncoming trains. One night Baldeo’s son Tembu accompanied his father to the station. While the boy slept in the station’s hut, his father made his way towards the tunnel as the overland mail approached. Although he had heard legends of a man-eating tiger that lived near the tunnel, he doubted the authenticity of the tales. Besides, he carried with him his trusted axe, which he had used before to fight and kill animals. When Baldeo heard a peculiar noise near the tunnel, he knew at once that the sound must have come from a tiger. Almost immediately the tiger began to make its way towards him. He fought the tiger bravely and managed to inflict grievous wounds on the tiger, but ultimately the tiger kills him. The tiger however, is soon killed by the approaching train. Its severed body is found attached to the train’s cowcatcher at the next station. Towards the end of the story, Tembu takes over his father’s job, and he comes into possession of his father’s trusted axe, which he knew how to use. Ruskin’s story is a genuine depiction of the harshness of life. Both Baldeo and the tiger are strong, agile, and determined. Although the story momentarily leads us to suspect that Baldeo will prevail in his combat with the tiger, the story lacks a fairytale ending. Baldeo is killed, but the tiger dies as well. Each is overwhelmed by a superior force. The story shows that death is an inevitable part of the cycle of life, even for creatures who are strong, brave, and skillful. This story also highlights the theme of protection in relation to family, in several ways throughout the piece. First, Baldeo knows that his family cannot exist solely from what the small rice field alone produces, and so takes a job as a watchman, despite the perils. Baldeo understands that there are dangerous animals about, but he believes in himself and his trusted axe, ultimately, knows he must perform his duty to ensure his family’s well-being. As such, Baldeo meets danger head on each night he goes to check the signal lamp. His family comes first, but Baldeo’s actions also highlight the larger scope of protection as he is keeping the tunnel safe for the overland mail train.

Baldeo’s trusted companion while carrying out his duties was his axe. The axe-head was made of pure steel, forged by his father over a charcoal fire. It was a part of him, and extension of his life-force and a symbol of his spirit. When Baldeo dies, Tembu takes up his father’s mantle by taking the job as watchman, and he also keeps his father’s axe with him, which serves as a reminder of his father’s sacrifice for honor and family. It is also a way for him to remain in tune with the spirit of his father and forefathers. In a sense this axe becomes a part of him, like it was a part of his father and he becomes the protector now, both of his family and the railway tunnel. Baldeo and Tembu, both show us that duty, courage and confidence are all necessary traits required for survival in this world that can often be harsh. Life goes on, because our souls are determined to make sure that it does.

Indian Heroes – Being a hero in the troubled time

It was not just the police, the NSG and the media that had been up working relentlessly to bring things under control in the wake of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. Many people owed their lives to the efficiency of Karambir Singh Kang, the General Manager of the Taj Hotel who personally supervised operations to ensure that they saved as many lives as possible. What most of those who had been rescued did not know is that Kang was one of the first to be affected by the terror attack and that he continued to work after he had lost his wife as well as his two young children who were trapped in the fire on the sixth floor at the hotel. At mid-noon on Saturday morning, even after the NSG had concluded the rescue operations, Kang refused to go home and continued to be at the Taj supervising operations. He refused to go home even after being requested by Ratan Tata, who inspected the hotel earlier on that day. He went over and above the call of duty during the crisis and tried his utmost to ensure the safety of the guests. The noble and loyal manager, despite his own irreparable loss, still remains at the Taj Hotel, helping to restore the heritage structure. He is a true Indian hero. It is not easy to walk in the same shoes as these brave men and women, who despite all the odds, fought heroically to save as many lives as possible during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. If I had been in the same situation, it would have been a herculean feat to gather the same amount of courage these Indian heroes mustered to fight these terrorists. But I feel that I would have tried my utmost to save as many lives as possible. I would have strived to ensure the safety of all those who were trapped in the terrorist attacks and would have carried out my duties with selflessness and honor. After all, we are human beings, and every life has the same value and is worth saving.