Last week, I had to travel to Hubli. Driving down was not an option – The PM has asked to refrain overuse of fuel. So, I turned to the time tested mode of transport – the behemoth running on tracks.

While booking the train, I found the option of Vande Bharat and that was it. Tickets booked and I was all set for the trip aboard one of the most talked about train.

I had expectations from the train and the train fulfilled those and went a step forward.

Seats: The seats were neat, well maintained and boasted of ample leg space. tray in front looked operational and the bottle holder attached the seat in front had convenient placement. It took us some time to find the plug points. I was used to find the plug point on the walls of the coach but here it was below the seat. That was convenient as you can use the phone while charging – even for the seat not adjacent to the coach wall. What i like was that apart from traditional plug point, the charging station also had USB charging points.

Windows: Clear and big windows provide a good view while the train gallops forward. We had a good view of the villages and the farms around and my son, who has never stayed in a village has a lot of questions. Poor chap had to satisfy himself with the facts that the farmers do not build houses in mid of their farms but in a village where they may collocate with other villagers. Some of them live far from their farms and may drive a tractor to reach their farms.

Food: Water and hot beverage were served pretty soon after the train started rolling towards the destination. It was followed by food package. I have been used to getting not so good food in train but not this time. the food looked hygienic and tasted good. Even the quantity of food did not leave scope of additional procurement from vendors.

Speed: The train is known for its speed and the display in front does not let you, at any time, guess the speed ( for most part of the journey, it was in the range of 100-120 kmph). Continual display of speed and distance to the next station kept my brain engaged in estimating ETA and comparing with the scheduled time.

The doors close as the train starts. So i expect it will reduce the accidents. However, it also led to me missing couple of things:

The fun, of standing at the door of the coach and feel the air on the face, is missing in the train – closed door means no inflow of air. The exhilarating feeling is no more to be experienced.

When the train reaches a station, I have been used to get down at platform and scout for some edible items. after purchase, I used to loiter around on the platform till the train starts and once it does, step onto the attached steps and while the train starts chugging, slowly get onto and into the boggie. best used to be to get onto another coach if your own coach has moved ahead. The”cool” experience unachievable in VB experience as the door would close if you make any such adventure.

Now, the icing on the cake. There is a PA system, which informs about upcoming stations. While the passengers deboard the train, the PA system goes abuzz: “Thanks for travelling by Indian Railways”. What? Railways thanking and not showing the favor it did to the passengers? I had to listen to it again to believe such a change in behavior. VB hai to mumkin hai!

Overall, my experience on VB express i better than what I have experienced in some of the trans abroad. Good job Railways.

दंतहीन मुख, 
ज्योतिहीन हैं नयन 
तो क्या ?
शरीर हो गया हो जर्जर
केशादि भी गये हों झड़ 
 तो क्या ?

एक दिल तो है जो धड़कता है,
उस धड़कन में एक ध्वनि है
ध्वनि - जो है ममत्व का विस्तार
गागर में सागर को चरितार्थ करता
वह, एक दिल तो है!

ना हो नयनों में रौशनी, ना सही
एक दृष्टि तो है - प्यार की, त्याग की
जिससे सींचा हो आँगन को,
सुधवर्षा की हो जीवन भर
अपनों पर  और औरों पर ।।

मुख में ना हो दंतमाल ना सही
एक जिव्हा , एक वाणी तो है
वाणी, कि जिसने गाई लोरियाँ
रोते बच्चों को सुलाया
नए पुष्पों को खिलाया।।

तृण-भार सी हो भले ही काया
परंतु गुरुत्व माता का समेटे
वह शरीर दुबला, पतला नाटा है पर
पूज्य क्यों ना माने उसे यह बेटा ।।

अंतिम पड़ाव की आस में 
पथराई आँखें देख रही हैं
शायद .म से पहले आए वो,
वो घड़ी, कि जिसमें वो
 की नानी कहलाए।।

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