My experiences

Before I start, let me tell you how I ended up traveling in local train. It was 1^st June when I was at my home, enjoying the day. Suddenly my father appeared in anxious state and told me “Every Route to and from Kota are Blocked”. Initially I took it lightly but when I saw TV, I was alarmed. All the 50 trains to and from kota were cancelled that day.  I was supposed to join TCS after two days. I had to reach Trivandrum at any cost. If my train (Rajdhani) diverts its route, which was most probable, I would be in trouble. I decided to catch the train from its origin (delhi). The only way to reach delhi was traveling to MATHURA via Local train and that’s how began a wonderful journey.

                                               I reached the station 10 mins before scheduled departure. I collected the tickets in hurry only to find that that train is 1 hour late. After 50 mins, as usual, our Indian Railways announced the delay is extended by one more hour. One thing that no body can teach better than Indian Railways is PATIENCE and so, I waited with patience. Finally the train for Mathura arrived. Unfortunately there were too many passengers but too few compartments. There was mad rush to get into the train(After all, this was the only train running after 3 days from Kota junction, thanks to the politicians and their reservation propaganda). Like others, I was also trying to crush people to stand inside the train but with my small size, I was finding it difficult to control others (Getting into a local train is a ideal way to experience DARWINS THEORY (Survival of the fittest)).

 Somehow I was inside the train but that was not all. The tussle was still going on outside and as a result I was pushed here and there…..everywhere. I was also sweating badly; the temperature was 42 degrees that day. I prayed for the train to start but still after 20 mins, the train was standing idle. Then suddenly few passengers started getting out of the train. I was puzzled. WHY??? These people have put in their life time efforts to get in, why the hell they are going away?  A voice passed over my ears.“Railway is adding additional compartments”, oh…that’s the reason. Well, then why shouldn’t I use the opportunity? BANG ON!!!! So here I was, getting off in a hope to get comfortable space to rest my ass. This time it was not that bad. I got place to sit and the train also started.The worst thing in a local train is that you see every station that exists on the way. The average speed of  train ranges from 30 to 40 km/hr. So, if you plan to travel 325 Kms like me it will take between 9 to 10 hours. 

                                    The Life inside the train is quite interesting. Frank and humorous talks are prevalent all around unlike the sophisticated and artificial talks that polished people generally use. Life seems easy, interesting and enjoyable with their talks.

                                            Well, after the grueling journey of 10 hours, I got down at Mathura from where I had to catch train for Delhi. After eating poori Sabji and waiting for another 3 hours, the train for delhi arrived. I was tired badly and I had no energy to fight again for getting into the train. So, I decided to get into sleeper class thinking that I will manage somehow. I was relaxed to see others like me there. I sat and sleep started to overpower my consciousness but I had to stay awake as I was alone and I had luggage carrying all my Certificates.                

                                                  Continuing my journey, I got down at Nizammudin and went straight to my relative’s house. I took a nap and then got ready for catching the Rajdhani. Fortunately or unfortunately it passed through Kota (The place where I started from). Its route was not changed. My risk mitigation plan didn’t work but then it was required, it was essential.I hear a lot about India Rising and India Shining, and India becoming the biggest economy of the world. Doesn’t matter what people say about India, one can experience real India only by traveling in a local train. The dearth of wealth, the financial status of common Indian can best be understood by a journey in local train.It’s a long journey and for India to emerge, it has to stay focused rather than wasting its energy on Reservations and Religion.