Feb 22, 2002 02:00 PM
8642 Views
(Updated Feb 22, 2002 02:05 PM)
Shefali wants to know whether the Rajdhani Express is the fastest train in India. The Deccan Queen, between Bombay and Poona was the fastest. Now Rajdhani has taken over.
Mamata Banerjee, as the Railways Minister, had composed a song similar to Chhuk Chhuk, and Dadamoni Ashok Kumar was singing a similar song for children when he was alive.
Rajdhani Express, as its name suggests, is between one Rajdhani and the other. The entire train is air conditioned. There is a Chair Car Compartment, where the fare is cheaper than AC Two-Tier Sleeper.
The fare includes food, and the standard of catering is very good, despite the fact that some waiters are moody and whimsical. If for some reason or the other the train is delayed, as it once happened to us during our travel from New Delhi to Bhubaneswar, the food gets stale. Now a days, the Rajdhani also stops at non-Rajdhanis due to cheap political demands.
When you are passing through Bengal, you get Rabindra Sangeet, or Bhatiali or Nazrul Geet; and when passing through Bihar, you hear Bihari Folk Songs. Sensitive to audience psychology.
Now a new breed, the Shatabdi Express has come up in the Railways scenario, when the Indian Railways were celebrating their Centenary. It is also very fast, and runs as inter-city express.
Indian Railways are the lifeline of our nation, and they project our life style and culture. If you want to know the country, travel across its length and breadth by train.
If and when I am born again as a human being, I will make all efforts to join the Indian Railways. Happy Journey to Shefali and all of you !
