The ride from Delhi to Ahmedabad
On a Wednesday decided to board a train to Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Having procured train tickets through internet, the availability of a seat and the available train suggested i seek a premium tatkal ticket for Delhi-Ahmedabad section followed by a tatkal ticket for Ahmedabad-Somnath section. Having reached Delhi Cantt station by 11.30a.m., the Ashram express was supposed to leave from the station around 4pm and this time was utilised in a series of interactions with people across different spectrum.
Posted at Poonch-Rajouri sector
A Rajashthan bound train departed as i entered platform 1 after getting some queries cleared. Came across Asif and two other members from Bangalore who attended Urs in Bareilly and they were not lucky enough to be in time to catch the Rajasthan bound train. Having decided to take Ala Hazrat Express, they made themselves comfortable on the floor of the platform at a point where there is not much rush and fairly clean. Came across a military personnel hailing from a place near Markana in Rajasthan and posted in Poonch Rajouri sector in J-K. As was evident from his tone and facial expression, the going in Poonch-Rajouri sector and other disturbed sectors across J-K isn't smooth and i thought if at this point of time one is thinking about reengaging through cricket ties it would be highly inappropriate. Situation along the border isn't normal and efforts should be to deescalate than look to a solitary voice here and there that talks rubbish if cricket is ever mentioned as a point of engagement. We came across another young guy working in Clark Inn, waiting to board a train to Alwar. Given the high tariff that the hotel was charging, and its location in Anand Vihar just under 10 kms from where another state (UP)border begins, it wasn't easy to fathom the high rates and their success in roping in high-end customers.
Civil services aspirant
WE came across another gentleman working in SAL Steel in Gandhidham who at some point of time gave a shot at civil services. Past prelims, the Mains happened to be the stumbling block. He was holding employment news newspaper, something we rarely come across these days. Those with whom we interacted felt enough had been spent on ads and access to these summits and meets; the time had come to show the ground results. Even Civil Services aspirants when successful in all three stages should be taken on contract. The amount of load the exchequer takes on account of salaries and pensions of government staff is huge and there has to be a way where contractual pact comes into place for certain percentage of civil servants.
On other scale we see huge sums being spent by states on summits and meets. Whenever a State advertises on a summit or a meet, it should bear in mind the public money that is being spent and is it all that justified. Fiscal stress the govt's financial department is under and the obligations arising from Seventh Pay Panel recommendations makes the task more difficult. The govt should cut back on foreign travels by a huge margin whether by govt functionaries or those enjoying spg cover battery. Political parties of any scale should rein in their party office bearers who take to air travel now and then. Air travel by party office bearers now and then is highly inappropriate
While in search for band aid took me to a medical store just after flyover in DElhi Cantt station, the young boy at the store and store owner looked to be polite and simple. It was Mohammad Zaheer, the scooterman, who took and brought me back to the railway station. At the station waiting room came across a driver of a goods train and a retired railway engineer. According to goods train driver, it took eight to nine hours for a goods train to reach DElhi from Agra(distance 180-odd kms), the same being three hours for a high speed passenger train.The lady making a noting of the passengers who took seats at the waiting hall was well mannered. Only if the bathroom at the waiting room could have a door to it.
The train ride
Ashram express leaves at 4 pm(wrist watch), gains traction. Palam comes at 4.05, at 4.07 poor visibility at air tarmac and runway. At 4 10 bijawasan comes with a board that spells Jatar Panchayat Bhawan Shiv Mndir. The train slows down at bijawasan. Later gains traction. WE come across Ram Avatar, member of ticket checking squad who has spent his eventful years in railways. At 4.17 Gurgaon which looks to be fairly clean (Swachh bharat showing results) . But after the station there is filth around. Patli 4.33, Taj nagar 4.42, Rewari 5.15 Khairthal 6pm, Alwar 6.25, Dausa 7.50 and Jaipur 8.50. WE are told that arguments had turned nasty about a month ago so they have stopped serving tea and food when the train runs towards Ahmedabad.
WE collect food packets from Jaipur station, each coming for 130rs. By and large the food is good except for a vegetable that is soaked in oil and a gulab jamun that can be avoided. (Gulab Jamun is doing no good to anyone). I requested the TTE to allot me inside lower or side lower berth as the berth no 6 happened to be side upper. I was allotted seat number 47 (side lower) next to the door. In train travelling try to insist (prevail on ticket agent or window ticket giver)on inside lower or side lower; definitely not the one that is next to the door. That on occasions shows the rough side of law and order as abuse flows in plenty by outsiders who don't have reserved tickets and yet take the seat meant for attendants. I pointed this out to a woman with a sprained leg who boarded the train at Alwar, allotted seat number 48, but she did not find this offensive. Ajmer comes at 10.55, Abu road 4.30am, Palampur 5.27 Siddhpur 5.50, Unjha 6.05, Mehsana 6.27 Sabarmati 7.25 and Ahmedabad 7.55. Came across Ankit Vyas who had come for all india meet of his company in New Delhi from Ahmedabad. THis meet happens every month in the national capital. Came across another guy who has migrated to Austalia, working in a hotel next to MCG. This gentleman boarded the train from Rewari. Came across Asif or Arif who had gone to Allahabad with his wife to attend a family function. By and large the crowd inside the train looked to be relaxed and willing to get into different sets of interactions.
Reaching Ahmedabad
In Ahmedabad, Swaroop the porter, rahul the scooterman, fareedbhai, the scooterman, jalabhai desai, the scooterman and Munaf, the keychain maker in Salapose road looked to be humble and well mannered. All in all, the train ride from DElhi to Ahmedabad was comfortable except for the fact that during night time when the train was at a high speed it seemed as if it would jump the tracks. THis thought may have been misplaced but the bitter truth is the tracks are under stress and the issue of creaking infrastructure, coaches and rail lines need to be looked into.AS i reached Ahmedabad, i checked into Hotel Mukam where the counter staff and those working in kitchen had changed entirely except for Yousufbhai.
On a Wednesday decided to board a train to Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Having procured train tickets through internet, the availability of a seat and the available train suggested i seek a premium tatkal ticket for Delhi-Ahmedabad section followed by a tatkal ticket for Ahmedabad-Somnath section. Having reached Delhi Cantt station by 11.30a.m., the Ashram express was supposed to leave from the station around 4pm and this time was utilised in a series of interactions with people across different spectrum.
Posted at Poonch-Rajouri sector
A Rajashthan bound train departed as i entered platform 1 after getting some queries cleared. Came across Asif and two other members from Bangalore who attended Urs in Bareilly and they were not lucky enough to be in time to catch the Rajasthan bound train. Having decided to take Ala Hazrat Express, they made themselves comfortable on the floor of the platform at a point where there is not much rush and fairly clean. Came across a military personnel hailing from a place near Markana in Rajasthan and posted in Poonch Rajouri sector in J-K. As was evident from his tone and facial expression, the going in Poonch-Rajouri sector and other disturbed sectors across J-K isn't smooth and i thought if at this point of time one is thinking about reengaging through cricket ties it would be highly inappropriate. Situation along the border isn't normal and efforts should be to deescalate than look to a solitary voice here and there that talks rubbish if cricket is ever mentioned as a point of engagement. We came across another young guy working in Clark Inn, waiting to board a train to Alwar. Given the high tariff that the hotel was charging, and its location in Anand Vihar just under 10 kms from where another state (UP)border begins, it wasn't easy to fathom the high rates and their success in roping in high-end customers.
Civil services aspirant
WE came across another gentleman working in SAL Steel in Gandhidham who at some point of time gave a shot at civil services. Past prelims, the Mains happened to be the stumbling block. He was holding employment news newspaper, something we rarely come across these days. Those with whom we interacted felt enough had been spent on ads and access to these summits and meets; the time had come to show the ground results. Even Civil Services aspirants when successful in all three stages should be taken on contract. The amount of load the exchequer takes on account of salaries and pensions of government staff is huge and there has to be a way where contractual pact comes into place for certain percentage of civil servants.
On other scale we see huge sums being spent by states on summits and meets. Whenever a State advertises on a summit or a meet, it should bear in mind the public money that is being spent and is it all that justified. Fiscal stress the govt's financial department is under and the obligations arising from Seventh Pay Panel recommendations makes the task more difficult. The govt should cut back on foreign travels by a huge margin whether by govt functionaries or those enjoying spg cover battery. Political parties of any scale should rein in their party office bearers who take to air travel now and then. Air travel by party office bearers now and then is highly inappropriate
While in search for band aid took me to a medical store just after flyover in DElhi Cantt station, the young boy at the store and store owner looked to be polite and simple. It was Mohammad Zaheer, the scooterman, who took and brought me back to the railway station. At the station waiting room came across a driver of a goods train and a retired railway engineer. According to goods train driver, it took eight to nine hours for a goods train to reach DElhi from Agra(distance 180-odd kms), the same being three hours for a high speed passenger train.The lady making a noting of the passengers who took seats at the waiting hall was well mannered. Only if the bathroom at the waiting room could have a door to it.
The train ride
Ashram express leaves at 4 pm(wrist watch), gains traction. Palam comes at 4.05, at 4.07 poor visibility at air tarmac and runway. At 4 10 bijawasan comes with a board that spells Jatar Panchayat Bhawan Shiv Mndir. The train slows down at bijawasan. Later gains traction. WE come across Ram Avatar, member of ticket checking squad who has spent his eventful years in railways. At 4.17 Gurgaon which looks to be fairly clean (Swachh bharat showing results) . But after the station there is filth around. Patli 4.33, Taj nagar 4.42, Rewari 5.15 Khairthal 6pm, Alwar 6.25, Dausa 7.50 and Jaipur 8.50. WE are told that arguments had turned nasty about a month ago so they have stopped serving tea and food when the train runs towards Ahmedabad.
WE collect food packets from Jaipur station, each coming for 130rs. By and large the food is good except for a vegetable that is soaked in oil and a gulab jamun that can be avoided. (Gulab Jamun is doing no good to anyone). I requested the TTE to allot me inside lower or side lower berth as the berth no 6 happened to be side upper. I was allotted seat number 47 (side lower) next to the door. In train travelling try to insist (prevail on ticket agent or window ticket giver)on inside lower or side lower; definitely not the one that is next to the door. That on occasions shows the rough side of law and order as abuse flows in plenty by outsiders who don't have reserved tickets and yet take the seat meant for attendants. I pointed this out to a woman with a sprained leg who boarded the train at Alwar, allotted seat number 48, but she did not find this offensive. Ajmer comes at 10.55, Abu road 4.30am, Palampur 5.27 Siddhpur 5.50, Unjha 6.05, Mehsana 6.27 Sabarmati 7.25 and Ahmedabad 7.55. Came across Ankit Vyas who had come for all india meet of his company in New Delhi from Ahmedabad. THis meet happens every month in the national capital. Came across another guy who has migrated to Austalia, working in a hotel next to MCG. This gentleman boarded the train from Rewari. Came across Asif or Arif who had gone to Allahabad with his wife to attend a family function. By and large the crowd inside the train looked to be relaxed and willing to get into different sets of interactions.
Reaching Ahmedabad
In Ahmedabad, Swaroop the porter, rahul the scooterman, fareedbhai, the scooterman, jalabhai desai, the scooterman and Munaf, the keychain maker in Salapose road looked to be humble and well mannered. All in all, the train ride from DElhi to Ahmedabad was comfortable except for the fact that during night time when the train was at a high speed it seemed as if it would jump the tracks. THis thought may have been misplaced but the bitter truth is the tracks are under stress and the issue of creaking infrastructure, coaches and rail lines need to be looked into.AS i reached Ahmedabad, i checked into Hotel Mukam where the counter staff and those working in kitchen had changed entirely except for Yousufbhai.
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