We as a family take the Superfast Navajeevan Express,( named after the newspaper founded by Mahatma Gandhi, ) that runs between Chennai Central and Ahmedabad, at least once a year. This train covers nearly 1893 kms and has got 36 stops. It traverses states like Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Maharashtra and finally Gujarat. From Jalgaon Junction in Maharashtra, the train crosses the Tapi river valley. In this journey, the train also speeds past Navapur station, on the border, where half of the station platform lies in Maharashtra and the other half in Gujarat.Travelling by the AC first class (which is the highest class that the Indian railways can offer), is to travel in style, in a four berther compartment with a lot of legroom and wide windows and curtains for privacy. It is a great opportunity to observe the sights and smells of the places that you touch upon as you traverse the different states of the subcontinent. It is also comparable to the first class that you find in elite trains like Duronto and Rajdhani. Once you are comfortably settled, you can let yourself go and enjoy the journey. Since now it is possible to order for food online, it can work out to be a "culinary " journey, as you can sample food at different stations. This can work out to be more interesting than order for food from the pantry car. For instance you can place an order for dinner to be received at Vijaywada, say. The Andhra meal can taste authentic, and you can take my word for it, it pays to be adventurous. Morning at Bhusaval station can relieve your hunger pangs, as you wolf down omlets and masala dosai, straight from the pan. Shegaon can offer you "kachori", a specialty of the place that you can try. Nandurbar can offer you lipsmacking "patras", a delicious Gujarati snack, had along with some fried green chillies. Of course, you are at the same time drinking cups of coffee or tea, bespoke, from the pantry car. Sometimes when you are traveling by this train so often, that you find yourself, in a humorous situation, of being on backslapping terms with the chaiwallahs from the pantry car. They recognize you as a frequent traveller and enquire after you and want to know when you would be taking this train next. All this and more can make the journey memorable and interesting. Also, nights can be cosy, as you unwind with an interesting book, maybe.The jolts that the LHB coaches give you, as the powerful P7 hauls your train, can keep you awake though. But the rocking movement of the train as it glides along the welded tracks can slowly but surely put you off to sleep. The linen provided in this train is of high quality which makes sure you have a restful night. Traveling by Navjeevan is an experience to put it mildly and each time you have some memory to take home with you, however frequent. Although trains don't score over the time factor as compared to flights, traveling by trains, is an experience no doubt. As such, I have no regrets. Panoramic views of the countryside, and the great rivers like Krishna and Godavari that you cross and the diverse urban sprawl of the cities remain etched in your memory as you speed past them. Train travel is something I look forward to, starting with Navjeevan of course!
