I am a frequent traveler of 'Indian Railways'. Though I sail mostly in 'Mumbai Local' and Delhi bound EMUs, my long route journey is between Delhi-Mumbai. It used to be the misconception that there is a change of genre in trains like 'Mumbai Rajdhani', 'Garib Rath' and 'Locals'. I even used to believe this a few years ago, but due to my frequent commuting and reading all the big named trains from inside I find it a false impression. The people remains the same, however there body language changes as they find a little more space in 'Rajdhanis' and 'Garib Raths'.
Scene I: EMU from Palwal to New Delhi.
This journey is always an eye-opener to me as it reminds me of the real land I belongs. The Mumbai Khumari I used to take away with me vanishes in this one hour long journey. Getting the ticket from the counter feels like winning a war, the very free type people waits for hours outside the window roaming but only make the queue 5mins prior to the schedule departure and feels proud creating havoc. The EMU seems to be soaked in 'Gutka Peeks' and the fermented smell of the iron makes your day. The one sitting near you starts the conversation by asking the time and then gradually takes it to next level by asking where are you going and then by the time you'll get down at NDLS, you'll realize that the fellow knows half your background and he is your 'Door Ka Chacha ya Mama'.
Scene II: New Delhi Station
Getting down at New Delhi and preparing yourself for the long journey after the EMU yatra is a tough exercise for the brain and body. Waiting at New Delhi station is again something which is worth writing, the entire preparation of the Commonwealth Games is witnessed by your eyes. Delhi platforms are super crowded and small rag-picker children taking drugs are a common sight. How a man stares rather 'scans' a passer by\stand alone female makes me feel-'thank god I am a boy'.
Scene III: Delhi to Mumbai in Mumbai Rajdhani
The real truth unveils now. It is supposed that these trains carry the most elite crowd and the entire journey is peaceful. However this myth of mine got burst when I first traveled in it and after that wonderful day its just another journey for me every time I commute between the two big metros of India. The train starts from NDLS and you'll definitely find one or two 'Bhaiyas' near your berth who have ample knowledge of Politics that they'll grasp the entire Boggie's attention b'cos of their blunt loud noise.
As the train passes through Haryana the famous conversation is about Land, Land Sharks, Uneducated farmers becoming rich overnight, Chautala etc. as the train crosses 'Kosi Kalan' there pattern changes and they describes food, kachauri, jalebi etc and then they unfolds there brilliant knowledge about share market.
Some quotes-" Cautala chota chor hai, Chidambram bada chor hai", "Sonia Gandhi ke Italy mein 5 star Hotels hai", "Ram singh Sarpanch kabhi majdoor hua karta tha", "Main aaj mehnat se yahan tak pahucha hu, mere padosi haram ki kamai se dukan chalate hai".
How ever, every time I feel like going to them and asking them to pls shut up as they knew nothing but mere 'Chaupal Gossips' about any subject. There will always be a 'Samaj Ke Thekedar' types in the train discussing the dress of teenage girls in the train and complaining about women flaunting their jewelery.
-"Aaj kal ki ladkiyon ko dekh lo, aisi kapte pehenti hai, fir kehti hai ki desh mein crime badh raha hai, inke maa baap kuch sikhate kyun nahi, meri ladkiyon ko dekho, bilkul sadgi se rehti hai"
An interesting aspects of the trains of this route is the 'Gujju' tourists who travels in huge numbers. They portray a true Indian image of joint family culture. I have come across many times when there are these Gujju families traveling to Matura\Delhi. They booked 30 tickets and all the family members enjoy Holidays. Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani, Mummy Papa, Bua-Phoofa, Mama-Mani, Mausi-Mausa, Kaka-Kaki, and entire chunk of children from infants to toddlers to teenagers. They run around the entire train and when asked what are u doing? the common answer is-"Masti Karu Choo".
For the infants they carry hell lot of stuff like 'Palna', 'Jhoola', 'Bister', tricycle etc. Imagine a toddler on a tricycle inside the train. The b'ful picture above will explain how they en-grasp the entire space and feels like home. These ladies are tying the 'Jhoola' for their 3 months old baby. They never mind disturbing the adjacent passengers but wants their comfort.
During one of my trips I found that to my neighbor seats there were a foreigner and two Monks sharing berths with 2 'Bhaiya' type Indians. Firstly the entire compartment pays a visit to that seat just to see the fair lady. "Hai Ram! Kitni gori hai". She was dying for sleep but these two fellows did not stop talking and letting her open her berth till 11PM.
Scene IV: Mumbai to H Nizzamudin(NZM) in Bandra Garib Rath
My heartiest thanks to Lalu ji for running this train. Its always a sense of achievement when ever I got a confirm ticket of this train. In the festive seasons like Holi and Dewali, the trains gets a house full in the first half an hour of the date of opening. No complains about this train as in some cases its superior than Rajdhani's 3AC as it has Mobile chargers sockets for the side-lower seats as well.Cheers......
The staff in this train is awesome. Its full of Up-iets and Biharis, they give you a long stare once you enter. They treat the passengers as if they all are low class people traveling in cheap train. You'll find many of the good family IT industry people who works for India's big names but they all are treated same. I have seen the laundry guy enjoy 'Bagpiper Whiskey's Peg' with the ones who have WL tickets and offering them his small seat. The speciality of this train is people travel till Kota without ticket just by roaming around the compartments.
Scene V: Mumbai Local
Beware! Can anyone utter a word against Mumbai Locals. Well, the other side of this train is its capability to change people's conduct. I have noticed this very important aspect about these trains is that the only hulligons and law-offenders are Local Marathi boys. Everyone else remains alert, the Home Town 'Dadas' of UP, Bihar, Haryana and Rajasthan did not utter a word here and they portray a very decent behavior where as the local 'Chindies' of Mumbai Suburbs enjoy eve-teasing, theft etc.
On an all- trains are an integral part of India and one can find the true essence of India by traveling in them.
Disclaimer - The views are personal. The thoughts expressed are in lighter vein and if anybody takes it seriously, he is doing it at his own peril. The author will not be responsible for any of the malpractices or Disproportionate Assets slapped against any employee of the Indian Railway. This article is solely based upon first hand observations and lighter thoughts and the author has no intention to harm or temper the identity and image of any Person, Thing, Institution, Organization, National Asset, Society, Religion, Caste, Creed and Race.If the above article is related to any person or thing, it is purely coincidental.
Scene I: EMU from Palwal to New Delhi.
This journey is always an eye-opener to me as it reminds me of the real land I belongs. The Mumbai Khumari I used to take away with me vanishes in this one hour long journey. Getting the ticket from the counter feels like winning a war, the very free type people waits for hours outside the window roaming but only make the queue 5mins prior to the schedule departure and feels proud creating havoc. The EMU seems to be soaked in 'Gutka Peeks' and the fermented smell of the iron makes your day. The one sitting near you starts the conversation by asking the time and then gradually takes it to next level by asking where are you going and then by the time you'll get down at NDLS, you'll realize that the fellow knows half your background and he is your 'Door Ka Chacha ya Mama'.
Scene II: New Delhi Station
Getting down at New Delhi and preparing yourself for the long journey after the EMU yatra is a tough exercise for the brain and body. Waiting at New Delhi station is again something which is worth writing, the entire preparation of the Commonwealth Games is witnessed by your eyes. Delhi platforms are super crowded and small rag-picker children taking drugs are a common sight. How a man stares rather 'scans' a passer by\stand alone female makes me feel-'thank god I am a boy'.
Scene III: Delhi to Mumbai in Mumbai Rajdhani
The real truth unveils now. It is supposed that these trains carry the most elite crowd and the entire journey is peaceful. However this myth of mine got burst when I first traveled in it and after that wonderful day its just another journey for me every time I commute between the two big metros of India. The train starts from NDLS and you'll definitely find one or two 'Bhaiyas' near your berth who have ample knowledge of Politics that they'll grasp the entire Boggie's attention b'cos of their blunt loud noise.
As the train passes through Haryana the famous conversation is about Land, Land Sharks, Uneducated farmers becoming rich overnight, Chautala etc. as the train crosses 'Kosi Kalan' there pattern changes and they describes food, kachauri, jalebi etc and then they unfolds there brilliant knowledge about share market.
Some quotes-" Cautala chota chor hai, Chidambram bada chor hai", "Sonia Gandhi ke Italy mein 5 star Hotels hai", "Ram singh Sarpanch kabhi majdoor hua karta tha", "Main aaj mehnat se yahan tak pahucha hu, mere padosi haram ki kamai se dukan chalate hai".
How ever, every time I feel like going to them and asking them to pls shut up as they knew nothing but mere 'Chaupal Gossips' about any subject. There will always be a 'Samaj Ke Thekedar' types in the train discussing the dress of teenage girls in the train and complaining about women flaunting their jewelery.
-"Aaj kal ki ladkiyon ko dekh lo, aisi kapte pehenti hai, fir kehti hai ki desh mein crime badh raha hai, inke maa baap kuch sikhate kyun nahi, meri ladkiyon ko dekho, bilkul sadgi se rehti hai"
An interesting aspects of the trains of this route is the 'Gujju' tourists who travels in huge numbers. They portray a true Indian image of joint family culture. I have come across many times when there are these Gujju families traveling to Matura\Delhi. They booked 30 tickets and all the family members enjoy Holidays. Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani, Mummy Papa, Bua-Phoofa, Mama-Mani, Mausi-Mausa, Kaka-Kaki, and entire chunk of children from infants to toddlers to teenagers. They run around the entire train and when asked what are u doing? the common answer is-"Masti Karu Choo".
For the infants they carry hell lot of stuff like 'Palna', 'Jhoola', 'Bister', tricycle etc. Imagine a toddler on a tricycle inside the train. The b'ful picture above will explain how they en-grasp the entire space and feels like home. These ladies are tying the 'Jhoola' for their 3 months old baby. They never mind disturbing the adjacent passengers but wants their comfort.
During one of my trips I found that to my neighbor seats there were a foreigner and two Monks sharing berths with 2 'Bhaiya' type Indians. Firstly the entire compartment pays a visit to that seat just to see the fair lady. "Hai Ram! Kitni gori hai". She was dying for sleep but these two fellows did not stop talking and letting her open her berth till 11PM.
Scene IV: Mumbai to H Nizzamudin(NZM) in Bandra Garib Rath
My heartiest thanks to Lalu ji for running this train. Its always a sense of achievement when ever I got a confirm ticket of this train. In the festive seasons like Holi and Dewali, the trains gets a house full in the first half an hour of the date of opening. No complains about this train as in some cases its superior than Rajdhani's 3AC as it has Mobile chargers sockets for the side-lower seats as well.Cheers......
The staff in this train is awesome. Its full of Up-iets and Biharis, they give you a long stare once you enter. They treat the passengers as if they all are low class people traveling in cheap train. You'll find many of the good family IT industry people who works for India's big names but they all are treated same. I have seen the laundry guy enjoy 'Bagpiper Whiskey's Peg' with the ones who have WL tickets and offering them his small seat. The speciality of this train is people travel till Kota without ticket just by roaming around the compartments.
Scene V: Mumbai Local
Beware! Can anyone utter a word against Mumbai Locals. Well, the other side of this train is its capability to change people's conduct. I have noticed this very important aspect about these trains is that the only hulligons and law-offenders are Local Marathi boys. Everyone else remains alert, the Home Town 'Dadas' of UP, Bihar, Haryana and Rajasthan did not utter a word here and they portray a very decent behavior where as the local 'Chindies' of Mumbai Suburbs enjoy eve-teasing, theft etc.
On an all- trains are an integral part of India and one can find the true essence of India by traveling in them.
Disclaimer - The views are personal. The thoughts expressed are in lighter vein and if anybody takes it seriously, he is doing it at his own peril. The author will not be responsible for any of the malpractices or Disproportionate Assets slapped against any employee of the Indian Railway. This article is solely based upon first hand observations and lighter thoughts and the author has no intention to harm or temper the identity and image of any Person, Thing, Institution, Organization, National Asset, Society, Religion, Caste, Creed and Race.If the above article is related to any person or thing, it is purely coincidental.
