Train journeys are nostalgic , they invariably bring back memories of days of yore when this was the only means of long distance public transport which was affordable for the masses . The long never ending travails when one was bound for the hostel in the initial days or the joyous ones when we were headed back home . Somehow over the years even the back to school became very cool . At certain intermediate stations friends joining up with lots to exchange not restricted to the delicacies cooked by our moms but also the other more interesting adolescents gossip girls movies parties etc .
Since trains had become an essential part of our lives the migration to air travel though very welcome but somewhere deep down one longed for those moments spent sitting at the stairs with wind gushing and occasional coal bits also smearing you with ash . A feeling which is unmatched as the train is speeding away and you can silently just enjoy the sun set or watch the avian friends return to their nests or the sound of the cattle bells in perfect harmony with nature .
This time after quite a while I was once again by myself in a train journey . Frankly i was not really quite enamored by the thought . The reasons are many firstly one has got used to flying which conserves time secondly over the years we have not been frequenting the railway stations and hence the crowded spaces andthe filth too have been avoided . Although that is where real Bharat is even at the cost of being a cliché .
The best part of the train journey is the interaction with the co passengers something which we garrulous Indians really miss in the air travel where one has to be a snob because everyone else is . The exchange of seats / berths lower with upper or the highly avoidable side lower neat the entrance or exit of the coach all are typical phenomenon associated with these travels . Mind you train travels are not voyages they simply can\’t be so no bon voyages here , simply best of journey because that is what it is akin to life where each of us is undertaking our individual journey .
So first we had to resort to an exchange of berths , a family had one berth alloted in another coach so naturally i was expected to move out which i dutifully did but landing up in that dreaded place right at the exit . That was not all here there was another couple who had two seats on either side of the divide and once again i was expected to unite them on one side . Again i was the good samaritan. After the exchange of pleasantries the co passenger turned out to be an Army JCO\’s son presently working with FICCI. On further enquiries it emerged that he was an alumni of AMU and a Moslem. Sine FICCI is the nerve centre of the latest Make in India campaign i was naturally curious to know whether there were any real changes or was it like business as usual . He explained that though they have not looked at any short term goals long term policies seem to be preparing the ground work for long term sustained growth . Coming from a FICCI person it was reassuring .
Yes why did i specifically mention his religion , it is so good to see and meet normal people else they are rather badly stereo typed. His wife too was working with a US based MNC together they made an amiable couple . Yes they also had a domestic help traveling with them . She was apparently from their village . It was heartening to see them treat her with lot of dignity and affection . In fact they shared a berth but she had a single one to herself .
Interesting … In betweeni i managed to step out and stand at the gate enjoying the gush of warm wind though no coal ash any longer …….