When did you last undertake a train journey?
Anywhere, specially in India?
Anywhere, specially in India?
Ghumakkad is on a train. Sharing a few snippets of the interesting journey. These lines were written in pieces and shared with my children, who also added to the story!
One.
After a hearty lunch and cozy nap, the otherwise empty bay has passengers.
Rudra, an ever curious and talkative 5-year-old UKG boy, his baby sister (or brother) in arms of his mother.
Rudra has questions like:
Why are the stones on rail lines?
Why do we get dhakka, jerks in the train?
Why has the train stopped?
These questions pop up when he is not jumping or climbing the upper berth!
Copying me, he wants to stretch his legs to rest on the berth opposite! And his Mom admonishes him. I retract my legs sheepishly. He follows suit.
Moment of quiet. Rudra has been given his mother's phone!
Sounds familiar and nostalgic? 🩷
My packed lunch on which Ansh, my grandson who lives with me in Secunderabad, promptly responded. I called it 'healthy and delicious' food.
"Good, you took all the scary food away😋"
Episode-2
Devagiri Exp runs on a circuitous route to Mumbai.
Secunderabad-Nizamabad- Umri- Nanded- Manmad- Kalyan- Mumbai. It skips the shorter route via Sholapur and Pune. Large part of this circuitous route has single line. Therefore, trains have to stop to give passage to the train running in the other direction. Just like the shipping traffic through the Suez Canal. When the north and south bound convoys briefly anchor in the two bitter lakes. My Naval buddies who have crossed the Suez would know!
While our train had halted at a place called Umri, there was a big flash and a loud sound near our AC Coach. Something like a transformer burst in the cities. After I got down, came to know that it was a monkey who had got electrocuted by the overhead power lines! But thankfully it got thrown off and survived the shock! Rudra's mother felt relieved when I told her it wasn't due to power breakdown.
While I was taking a short walk on the platform, another blast occured few coaches away! Another monkey came in contact with the electric line and survived!
And the train chugs along!👍
Wonder what will be Episode-3?
When the train started from Secunderabad, I opened my packed lunch and started to eat. Just then a well dressed and polite person said "Excuse me Sir. If you have any issues with electrical items, please call this number." I was impressed with the concern for customers, us the rail passengers.
Desh badal raha hai!
Episode-4
Aisa Bhi Hota Hai
I got down at Naded Station to stretch my legs. Quite a few passengers boarded the train.
After a few rounds on the platform, I just peeped through the window at my berth. And what did I find? A family of three happily plonked on my berth with the bed nicely spread. I came in and enquired. They had an upper berth and the side berth. But with no concern and courtesy for me and my bed, they merrily hijacked it. With my stern message 'At least you should have asked me', they immediately vacated it. One gent and two ladies.
Aisa bhi hota hai!
After a few minutes, another gentleman came in. He said "Berth number 9 is mine". I said "Is it coach A1/9?"
He rechecked his ticket. It was in Coach No. A3. Without any apology, he moved on.
Aisa to bahut baar hota hai!🙏
Not only in a train, but you could be on a wrong plane! What? Yes, see the conversation below.
[07/11, 20:59] Ankush: We got into the wrong plane in malaysia 😅 and we're wondering why people were on "our" seats 🤣
[07/11, 21:01] Harsh Bhargava: Aisa plane mein bhi hota hai!👍
[07/11, 21:20] PRABJOTH: We did it! Got into the wrong plane went to the seats and told the person .. these are our seats in Malaysia
[07/11, 21:22] PRABJOTH: Phir dekha uski seat bhi wahi hai and then realised wrong plane! Two planes parked side by side and we were allowed to walk upto them . We chose the one closer to our gate .. and had this epic experience 😁
[08/11, 05:57] Harsh Bhargava: You missed visiting another country free of cost 😀
[08/11, 06:08] Ashi: Lekin immigration pe to atak jaate na 😂
[08/11, 06:17] Ankur: Ye aagayin technicality le ke .. 🙄🤣
[08/11, 06:20] Ankush: Mauke ka mazaa nahin lootne deti ho tum 🤣
[08/11, 06:21] Ankush: Funny thing was both flights were to Kuala Lumpur only....from Langkawi 🤣
[08/11, 06:26] Harsh Bhargava: Oh, limited fun then!
Aren't train journeys fun?
If you are worried about the wash rooms, it has improved too. However, it is the users of the wash rooms who need to improve their sense of hygiene and leaving it clean after usage!
And the last one, back to five yo Rudra.
As I was peeling an orange, Rudra turned to her mother and asked "Orange ki khushboo aayee?"
Children's innocence!
Of course after peeling the orange, I was happy to share it with him.
Rudra and family got off at Manwat Road.
After nearly three hours of delay (the train was stuck before Matubga for a good two hours), we finally reached Dadar. Since I was to get down at CSMT (old BBVT), I kept sitting. I saw all other passengers also got down there. After some time the TT came and informed that the train had been terminated at Dadar. Call it the Murphy's Law!
Never a dull moment!
So, take a train journey and share your stories. Besides, you will prevent enormous amount of carbon emissions caused by aeroplanes!
Thanks for browsing and stay connected.
Do leave a comment. Few words would do to encourage us.
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Devagiri Express/ 8th November 2025
