Tirthraj Sujanbhai can’t believe he has survived, yet again. This fruit-seller from UP, who was on board the Sabarmati Express today, was travelling by it when it was set on fire in Godhra on February 27, 2002.Prajapati, who was in the S-6 coach this time too, believes the route is jinxed. ‘‘This time, it’s a train accident,’’ he says. ‘‘But the scene was no different — there was chaos, people crying for help, running helter-skelter, ambulance sirens, security guards. It was as if the scene was replayed, minus the fire.’’‘‘I had to run out of the train to save my life during Godhra, this time too I managed to get out and reach the ambulance,’’ he says.‘‘Yahan par safar karna apne jivan ko daav par lagana hai (Travelling on this route involves risking your life),’’ says Prajapati, sitting on his bed at SSG Hospital in Vadodara. Prajapati hails from Uttar Pradesh and sells fruits in Maninagar area of Ahmedabad.‘‘Ghar par maa hai, biwi hai, chaar bacche hain. ( I have a mother, wife and four kids to look after) I am the only bread-winner, I cannot risk my life like this,’’ says Prajapati, who visits his village every year. ‘‘I earn money by selling fruits and save some for my family. I will now take the Ahmedabad-Delhi-Allahabad route. This was the last time I travelled on this train,’’ he said.‘‘I thank God that He saved me twice. He has been more than kind to me. I had minor injuries during the carnage and this time survived with a fracture in my right leg,’’ says Prajapati.
