TRAIN A FREEDOM SYMBOL

Parents are usually very protective about their child, especially those parents who believe in ‘Hum Do Hamare Doh'. I was one such child. My parents nurtured me in very protective environment. I can compare my life with that of Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha). Just like Siddhartha's father, my father nurtured me in captive environment. Within the Comforts (limits) of our little palace (home). I don’t remember going out alone, not without my parents. They were too busy with work and therefore, rarely there was any family outing.  A strong desire started emerging within me to travel and to explore the world. I was like the frog in a small pond. Unaware of seas & the bigger Oceans. Too afraid to explore and to fragile to be free. My father loosened my leash bit by bit. Finally, their came a time, when I was supposed to go out of pond (village) and move to sea (city). 

My first travel alone was in train. Ever since train appears to me as a symbol of freedom. My dream was short lived. From small pond, I was replaced in a bigger pond. In city, I was under the guardianship of relatives. Permission granting authority had changed while rest remained same. There was this one moment when I was truly free, where I didn't have to seek permission. Since, permission granting authority overlapped.  I was not under anyone’s direct Protection. This happened when I use to travel in Train from city to native & vice-versa. I could do anything in train. I could sing near the window, dance on pavement, eat local chats and do many more stuff without hesitation. Once again, train for me was synonymous with Freedom. I was part of several-spoiled plans with friends. Sometimes the plans were dropped and other times plans were executed without me. I never use to get permission from dad to go out. Nevertheless, I kept on insisting. Eventually he gave permission. My first such trip was to Hyderabad.

Hyderabad Express

Imagine how I felt when dad gave permission to go to Hyderabad. I just can’t express that feeling in words. To express it in Bollywood terms - try remembering the scene from DDLJ when Babuji Says Ja Simran Ja Jee le Apni Zindagi, Similar kind to of happiness I was experiencing.

 My first ever trip with friends. We were like Three characters from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Foremost, there is me as Farhan Akhtar, my tall friend being Abhay Doel and the handsome one being Hrithik Roshan. Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Doel were present Hritikh Roshan was yet to arrive. Train started and he was nowhere to be seen. However, Hrithik Roshan made a heroic entry in our train before it left the Station. Rest of the trip was epic.

Himalayan Queen

There is no doubt about the scenic beauty of the places this train goes through. That is why it is part of UNESCO World heritage list. One must experience Toy Train Journey in their lifetime, at least once. Now the train has better scenic view with glass roof(VistaDome).

 All this being said, our journey in the train was such difficult one. We had not booked our tickets in advance, so we end up in general Compartment. We literally sat on train’s floor. It was chilling cold. Great company along with scenic beauty made the journey less miserable. While returning we didn’t want to suffer the same fate, hence we booked our ticket. The reserved travel was such a royal one. Firstly, the entire coach was occupied by our group of 5 persons and an elderly lovely couple. Snacks and Food was served lavishly at regular intervals.

Poorvottar Mail

One of the worst train I ever boarded but Nevertheless in terms of experience it was the richest. My train coach was dirty and chaotic. Toilet seats were filthy as hell and Sink was full of Gutka strains. Add to that there was no water in toilet. Not just that there was only one charging point in the coach, that too near the toilet. If you think I’m exaggerating, then, no I’m not. It was as pathetic as I’ve described. To use toilet we had to go in other coaches. Even those coaches were not so clean. Some people were religiously doing Namaz in corridors.

We had to wait for them to finish. After crossing them, I saw people in white Kurta washing their hands and legs for Namaz.

I saw few of them; raise their leg until sink to wash their feet. I didn't know they were so flexible. I guess they too practice Yoga. That explains their flexibility. I’m not targeting any religion. It’s just that prayer should not be performed at the cost of accessibility of other passengers. Due care should be taken & other passenger must not be disturbed. Isn’t that what prophet has preached?

I have had enough of it, why should anyone in my coach, go to other coaches to use Toilet? That is insane, we had paid full money and we had every right to use full amenities. I registered two complaints in RailMitra. One officer came looking for me immediately. I explained to him our problems. He assured me to take action soon. He called a cleaner; he cleaned one toilet out of four and left.

I thought this is it. What more can you expect from Indian railway? To my surprise, that railway officer came back with a team. This time they cleaned all toilets including the sink. Not just that they cleaned the entire coach as well. Everyone in my coach looked at me with Respect. I was feeling a sense of achievement. I now believe individual can do lot more if they act. There is no point in blaming authorities for everything.

I've come a long way from someone weak & afraid to travel, to being someone bold & not hesitating to act. These days I no more need to take permission to travel. All I need to do is Inform. Railways remain a Symbols of Freedom for me. That is probably the reason I’ve written about my Train Travel in such great lengths.