SPREAD OF INDIAN RAILWAY

Indian railway is gigantic by any standard. It is a legacy of Britishers like Indian Postal Services. Created to facilitate British rule over length and breadth of the country. The instrument created with such selfish motive did not stop at serving British rule. It had served and still serving as binding agent for national integration. Don't we remember the iconic photograph of Mahtma Gandhi travelling in third class compartment because it is most common denominator of Indian mass transport vehicle ? Third class is now abolished but the lowest class in Railways transport Indians in highest measure even now. Don't we remember how Indian railways transported refugees from both side at partition ? Don't we have fond memories of toy railways serving Hill stations like Matheran ? Don't we notice the same taste of bland food being catered by railway through out length and breadth of country ? Don't we hear same kind of announcements from all railway stations ? Indian Railway is in our stomach, ears, eyes,heart, brain and the whole system . Hardly any other influence can be cited as better for national integration.

Unlike America which chose road surface transport as chief means of transport, India chose railways as chief means of transport. Therefore Indian railway has graph of upward growth through all years since independence. Amazingly it has helped many other developing countries to follow Indian example. It is the biggest Industry on Indian soil even though 100 % state owned. We have a long list of illustrious railway meinsters. Average minsters and devilish ministers. Last being Lalu Prasad Yadav with his rural Hindi of funny accent. While many were busy laughing it him, he quietly delivered. He became a master in management by bringing Indian Railway into profit. Nobody thought one can outdo him except perhaps Mamta Banerjee.
Budget presented by her needs to be lauded. Not because she did not propose hike in fair. Not because she introduced more trains. But Because of the social commitment she has shown. New routes were introduced with a vision, with purpose. Linking masses. Not the high speed state of art and technology trains and routes. But because of going deeper into interiors of the nation. Laser known destinations serving rather neglected section. Providing for welfare of indirect staff like coolies. She has shown the vision and commitment that few can dare to share. Kudos to her. May Indian railway continue to prove a social service dedicated to common Indian citizen.

Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210