'Gaadi bula rahi hai' (The Train is calling)...

‘What a marvel to travel through Indian Railways!' Time leaps the bounds, and here am I scribbling in the train the growing up of the trains. When I was a kid, we had no choice, but to travel though the rail mode. Air fares were far from reach of government servants, howsoever geek they would have been. Two annual visits during summer and winter breaks were a must to sneak peak into our native village. My father, a government servant by choice, ensured that his kids were used to both the lives together and appreciate his struggle to the top from a small non-descript village. Our uncle could arrange for the tickets by standing in long queues for many hours in the wee hours of the morning. I could recall the yellow and black taxis eagerly waiting for us for some minutes twice a year down our government apartment. I and my sister reciprocated the wait by rushing towards it in anticipation of getting a window seat. Being elder, she always won. Most of the times the driver was a Sikh, whom we cracked jokes with till we reached New Delhi Railway station. The narrow lanes of Paharganj also greeted us twice a year with the dogs, cows and buffalos escorting us all throughout the distance. We tried recognizing some of them and gauged their growth from our visit last vacation. My father would then altercate with coolies for overcharging, but had no choice than to bow considering the amount of baggage we used to carry. The coolies considered themselves Amitabh Bachchan with the badge no. 786. After boarding the first class compartment (this was the most sought after package of the entire trip), we used to settle down our luggage beneath the seats and chainlock it. Kids were responsible and accountable to carry the mud pitchers filled with tap-filled water. We ensured that our dad bought one with a beautiful hose outside of it. Whenever the water inside was consumed by us, dad used to get down at the very next station to fill it. My mother feared him being left at the station if he doesn’t hurry. My sis was a sleeper in the sleeper coach as she ascended to the upper berth and slept throughout reading her botany books. And this was the moment when I grabbed window seat and watched the coal engine stretching my neck out through the window grill. But it never lasted long as dad initiated the Q&A round by asking about the type of soil, name of the crops, livestock questions as our coach passed by them. It showed up on my face that I am not interested and pleading to let me read Tintin, Pinki, Chacha Choudhary, Lot Pot. My dad was smart enough to figure out that. I and dad enjoyed train food a lot. I was the one to look for the pantry and ask for the time they would take to deliver. My mother was not interested in it after she had figured out a cockroach in the food during one of our trip to southern India few years back then. The pantry man had signaled out to one soiled 'Complaint register' from the closet, which we thought only devils would read. My mother got busy with her vanity case quite often, invigilating her make-up after every few hours. Black coat TT uncle were like black commandos we all feared. My dad used to check his pocket frequently to ensure that he has the tickets in place to provide us another memorable trip. Today, we have IRCTC with cooked and packed food delivered instantly on time—more efficient than our mothers in sensing our thirst and hunger. We have e-tickets facility we can book from the comfort of our home. We have people whom we can complain about a not so good quality food, hygiene, etc. Mineral water bottles always available without your family fearing about you being lost. We have call cabs at your doorstep charging for each and every second you are late in reaching to them. Coolie rates demonstrated digitally at most of the stations. Eco-friendly engines sounding sweet honks than deafening sounds earlier. What else, we have air fares @Re1! Good Bye for now, I have reached my destination—need to alight… Gaadi Bulaa Rahi Hai, Siti Bajaa Rahi Hai Chalanaa Hi Zindagi Hai, Chalati Hi Jaa Rahi Hai Dekho Vo Rel, Bachchon Kaa Khel, Sikho sabak javaanon Sar Pe Hai Bojh, Sine Mein Aag, Lab Par dhuvaan Hai Jaano Phir Bhi Ye Jaa Rahi Hai, Nagamen Sunaa Rahi Hai Aage Tuufaan, Pichhe Barasaat, Uupar Gagan Mein Bijali Soche Na Baat, din Ho Ke Raat, Siganal Huaa Ke Nikali dekho Vo Aa Rahi Hai, dekho Vo Jaa Rahi Hai Aate Hain Log, Jaate Hain Log, Paani Me Jaise Rele Jaane Ke Baad, Aate Hain Yaad, Guzare Hue Vo Mele Yaaden Banaa Rahi Hai, Yaaden Mitaa Rahi Hai Gaadi Ko dekh, Kaisi Hai Nek, Achchhaa Buraa Na dekhe Sab Hain Savaar, dushman Ke Yaar, Sabako Chali Ye Leke Jinaa Sikhaa Rahi Hai, Maranaa Sikhaa Rahi Hai Gaadi Kaa Naam, Naa Kar Badanaam, Patari Pe Rakh Ke Sar Ko Himmat Na Haar, Kar Intazaar, Aa Laut Jaaen Ghar Ko Ye Raat Jaa Rahi Hai, Vo Subah Aa Rahi Hai Sun Ye Paigaam, Ye Hai Sangraam, Jivan Nahin Hai Sapanaa dariyaa Ko Faand, Parvat Ko Chir, Kaam Hai Ye Usakaa Apanaa Ninden Udaa Rahi Hai, Jaago Jagaa Rahi Hai