Chhuk, chhuk, chhak, chhak, Bombay se Baroda tak, gate rahe, bajate rahe, tab tak... hummmm... hummmm. Every Indian train journey is a life experience. Some are sweet. Some are bitter. Either way it is unforgettable, if not memorable. Jayakrishnan looks at what we love about India's wonderful railways.
There aren't too many life moments that a railway journey in India can beat. The diversity, the colour. There is a Mini India at each railway station. And, the train window gives you India at a glance.
Even inside the train, the co-passengers may be as diverse as the panorama outside. A compartment of a dozen people is so varied like India itself -- different languages, religions, food and dress.
Our railway food has always been iconic. From the famous Dal Vada on the Chennai-New Delhi line to the British-era Railway Mutton Curry. Add kullad chai, diverse station snacks and Indian train travel food is truly unforgettable.
Read more about rail gadee and stayshun food: 10 Tasty Train Station Snacks To Try In India and Memories Of Railway Puri and Alu Curry
The romance of the Indian train journey is partly fuelled by the names, past and present -- Flying Ranee, Humsafar Express, Gatimaan Express, Toofan Mail, Grand Trunk Express, Himalayan Queen, Deccan Odyssey. The names are as exotic as the journeys.
India’s vastness makes some train journeys feel endless. Kerala Express from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram takes two days -- perfect for watching the countryside roll by, catching up on reading, or simply being hypnotised by the whirring railway fans above that lull you into deep sleep.
A great op to listen to the most entertaining of conversations. Right from dal ka bhav to juicy tales of family squabbles between jethanis, sas(s), devars, nanads, bahus et al.
Indian Railways ensures the excitement starts well before the journey. The nail-biting tension of making sure you get a ticket turns passengers into nervous wrecks even before boarding the train.
Our railways carries 23 million passengers every day. That's equivalent of carrying nearly all the citizens of Australia each and every day in 13,198 passenger trains. There is so much to be proud about with respect to our railways, including the fact that it is one of the largest railway networks in the world.
India is chugging its way into the world of super, super superfast trains that leave you awestruck when you board them like Vande Bharat and upgraded Rajdhanis.
Bollywood's FABULOUS train journeys!
Coming Soon! The Bullet Train!