You were held up in the countryside one night due to a railway accident. This Informal Letter was asked in ICSE 2002 board exam. You can find Previous Year Informal Letter Writing asked in ICSE board exams.
Informal Letter Writing ICSE 2002
1/153, Vijay Khand,
Gomti Nagar,
Lucknow – 226010.
30th June 2002
Dear Mohan,
It has been a long time since I last wrote to you. I could not reply to your letter as I was busy preparing for my AIIMS examinations, for which I had to go to Delhi.
Last week while going to Delhi by the Lucknow Mail, somewhere between Lucknow and Kanpur there was a loud bang. The impact was so great that I was knocked down from my berth. There was pitch darkness in the coach and people were screaming and shouting. I was relieved to find myself in one piece. Collecting my bag I crept slowly towards the exit. It was difficult getting out because of the stampede for everyone was trying to rush out. Once out of the compartment, I walked up toward the engine. What I saw sent a chill down my spine. Two bogies had derailed and were completely smashed. People trapped in the compartments were crying in pain. We began to rescue people with the help of a few villagers from the countryside, After about an hour the rescue team, police and the ambulances arrived, The injured were rushed to the nearest hospital in Unnao.
The railway officials requested us to wait till daybreak, for a relief train to continue our onward journey. Having no option I spent the night in the countryside. Nevertheless it was a unique experience, which I shall never forget. There is much truth in the saying ‘Adversity brings strange bedfellows’. I found absolute strangers helping and showing concern for each other. The farmers from the nearby villages brought us food and milk. Soon we had a small kitchen running just next to the tracks, serving hot tea and biscuits. I was moved by their social consciousness and generosity for absolute strangers. At daybreak the relief train arrived and I was able to continue my onward journey.
It was indeed a nightmarish experience, that I shall never forget. The only silver lining was the kind gesture of the villagers, who even today uphold the noble tradition of hospitality ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, for which India is so well known. I am now eagerly waiting for the results that are expected next month. Give my regards to uncle and auntie.
Your loving friend,
Siddharth
Assignment
While returning home you met with an accident. Write a letter to your friend describing what happened and what you learnt from that experience.