On an average, the trains of Indian Railways carry around 20 million people each day. I just happen to be a frequent traveller these days.
When I was a kid, train journeys used to be rare. It was an occasion in itself - mom would pack the meals in banana leaves, prepare snacks for eating on the way and we would pile up books. We had no idea of knowing how late the train would be. The number of trains too were less.
Once you got on the train, there would be other families too. Adults would start talking. Kids would roam around and play. It was fun, pure fun. Food would be shared and by the time you reached your destination, people might have (a) realised they were distantly related or (b) gained new friends for life.
There would always be a lady questioning you about the details of your family and your life openly or a drunkard discussing the disintegration of Soviet Union. Good old days!
Times have changed. These days, people barely talk to each other on train. Train journeys are no longer experiences, they are a part of your daily life that you have to deal with. It is a time when you are with yourself and would not want to lose it to others trying to spy on your life.
Banana leaves have become a precious commodity. Silver foils are the norm even if someone brings packed lunches. Usually, it is the guy who asks for lunch in the train who gives you your meal. Or you would have eaten from home.
There are many moretrains too. And most of them are on time. Then there are the ubiquitous cellphones through which you keep in touch with your faraway family or friends than talking to the person sitting right next to you.
I am guilty of all these too. It is just that, sitting here waiting for the train makes me feel terribly lonely. And I long for the good old days when train journeys used to be noisy and filled witj human warmth.
1 comment:
But its good that the trains are on time.
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