Trains, toilets and I

Counting the number of train journeys I did in a sleeper coach or a general compartment all these years is not at all possible. But the number of the same done in a AC 3 tier coach is obviously less than 20 and in AC 2 tier is surely less than 5. I wrote this blog sitting in a AC 2 tier coach. I did not actually book the ticket on this coach. I could not get a confirmed ticket in sleeper and so I booked a wait listed ticket on a AC 3 tier coach. Ticket was confirmed at the last moment and thanks to the generosity of our ex Railway Minister it was upgraded to AC 2 tier.

I do not know what catches your attention on AC coaches but do you know what catches my attention? Guess, guess !!!!! J It is the toilets. I am not talking about cleanliness of the toilets. In the toilet on an AC coach, a steel mug will be safely chained to a hook next to the tap. Not just this, a liquid soap dispenser will be placed at the wash basin. This indeed is a luxury for people who travel more in a sleeper coach or general compartment. In those toilets, imagine how difficult the life will be if you do not carry a plastic bottle or some Good Samaritan does not leave the same. But passengers in AC coach need not worry about it, right??

There can be some difference in the facilities provided to passengers travelling in different classes but when it comes to basic necessities related to hygiene and health, all the passengers travelling by the train should get the same, irrespective of the class of travel. Does this discrimination indicate the influence of British colonial rule on our administration? I feel so. We all know that, MK Gandhi’s journey towards becoming Mahatma Gandhi started only after experiencing the pinch of “general compartment for Indians and reservation compartment for the British” discrimination.

This is just one example. In our country, when it comes to administration, education and judiciary etc , we still blindly follow some rules set by the British. There is no harm in following rules but there is absolutely no need to follow the mindless discriminatory practices. They should be get rid of.

Anyways, I do not want to travel by AC coaches for the sake of mugs and soaps. I accept AC coaches are good to travel when the weather is hot. In all other seasons, they are very boring places to sit. We cannot open the windows, so no fresh air, no vendors at the windows. Most of the people will keep to themselves maintaining so called “elite class dignity”. Ultimately, travel will be dull and lethargic. L

Many times, while travelling in a train alone sitting next to window in a non-AC compartment, I will rediscover the peace and happiness lost in the day-to-day life. The breeze flowing into the train, the sound of train wheels, the crowd, shouts of the vendors and the journey as a whole create a lively environment to enjoy. I get many good ideas during train journeys only.

That is why, in spite of many complaints, I love Indian railways and travel in non-AC compartments.

P.S : My complaint is only about the necessity not being provided by the railway authorities in non-AC compartments; but as far as cleanliness of the toilets is concerned, passengers are much more responsible than the authorities. There is no other go J, whether you are an AC passenger or not.