MUMBAI, AUGUST 12: It's well into the night, a bit too late for fatigued Central Railway commuters to listen to the soporific droning of the announcer. As the 12:10 pm Titwala bound local finally chugs into Masjid station, there's a scramble for a window seat or two that isn't already taken. Enter a man laden with heavy bags full of water bottles, who is warmly greeted by everyone.

Raju Paaniwala, or Raju, as he likes to be called, is slightly rotund, in his mid-forties, and clad in a crumpled white pyjama-kurta. He sweats profusely with the strain of carrying 110 water bottles, which he proceeds to distribute free to the commuters.

He does this not once, but twice a day, in the the 9.40 am CST bound train from Kalyan, and in this local.

Those uninitiated into this unique gesture can learn of Raju's largesse through his uninterrupted commentary, which can be best described as a khichdi of Hindi, Marathi and English. "Paani to bhagwan ka den hai... no money give you... pahije tyani ghya". This is sometimes appended by a reminder to return the bottles, which he points out do not come phukat.

Enquiries are handled with an offer of a water bottle and a modest ``I am just doing service. Why should I get any publicity?'' (He fiercely resisted having his picture taken, and was ultimately snapped without his knowledge.) Your perseverance pays off somewhere between Mumbra and Diva, and he reveals, "After 18 years of marriage, I had no children. My wife and I met all kinds of doctors and priests, but nothing helped. That's when I met Baba, who gave me a mantra which helped. Now I have a five-year-old daughter. It was on his instructions that I began providing people with this service." But he refuses to divulge the name of his guru, who has sworn him into secrecy.

The generally cynical commuters took their time to adapt to this munificence in an age where seemingly nothing comes for free. "In the beginning, I had to put up with a lot of mockery. As time passed, the regular commuters began recognising and appreciating my work. I still meet the occasional youngster who asks "Yeh paani mein kuch milaya to nahin?" But the regulars stand up for me and silence them."

Well, he does add a dash of rose water to the bottles, as it is "both pleasant and refreshing."

Raju the water carrier also doubles up as a doctor of sorts, distributing tablets of all hues to the needy, accompanied by a reminder that the expiry date of the tablets is still a long way off.

For the commuters, he has evolved into a shoulder to lean on. "There are so many people in this city, but when you want to talk about your problems, you hardly find anyone willing to hear you out. I just listen, sympathise and pray to God to help that person out."

He has no expectations in return for his selfless service. "When I have problems, maybe people will remember me and pray for me."

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.