On the railroads...

Travelling by train on India’s chequered railroads is an invaluable revelation of sorts – it’s a fascinating lesson in history, culture and demographics. Each traveller has a story to tell, an interesting sensibility to reveal, or a riveting experience to share. In little less than 24-hours, I have been exposed to an array of people, from different parts of the country, all chambered in an air-conditioned cell, often conversing and a lot of times reading the other. The journey is a witness to new friendships, heated arguments and often tearful adieus. The physical destination is the same, but dreams different; goals diverse, and beliefs various -- yet what brings people together is the urge to share and express, and to seal new relationships. In the cubicle, was a small time entrepreneur, travelling to Delhi for an urgent medical treatment. Another disparate group of people vociferously voicing their support for a yoga guru’s battle against corruption, and anxious to join their leader’s clarion call; or a French couple oblivious of everything around, enveloped in each other’s embrace. These are such dissimilar aspects of life; just as multifaceted as the scenes outside – from the very lush green farmlands of Bengal, to the rugged brown hills of Bihar, or the sprawling sugarcane fields of UP – the window offers a kaleidoscope of images, of India’s effervescent and ever-changing landscapes. Somewhere in the distance was a lone house topped with dish antennae, standing amid green farm fields, where cattle grazed peacefully. Or an insignificant lake with droves of white and brown ducks, they seemed like school children queuing for some special morning ritual. Elsewhere an abandoned storehouse, standing unkempt near the rail tracks – it’s worn out pillars, a reminder of the British era, a time, probably long forgotten by this nondescript village and its people. Such is the beauty of a train travel in India – no matter which area you traverse, the glimpses are always as diverse as much as they are captivating.