Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Even as security personnel cordon off at least a three-feet area around the railway tracks of platform number 1, thousands of people sit at Anand Vihar railway station — hooked to their mobile phones, engaged in idle banter or hopelessly staring at the train time-table displayed on LCD screens. Police personnel have been heavily deployed so that people do not rush towards the train. Amid the chaos, an announcement on the speakers fill the station — Sapt Kranti Express has been delayed by three hours.
Tired of waiting, Sarabjeet Choudhary told his friend: “At least the railway should play cinema on these LCD screens, there will be something to pass the time.” Choudhary, who had tried catching a Bihar-bound train on Tuesday, but failed due to the heavy rush, said, “The crowd that you are seeing today is nothing in comparison to what it was yesterday.” This, despite the Northern Railways starting 100 new trains for different parts of UP and Bihar to cater to the Chhath Puja rush.
Chhath is one of the major festivals of people from Bihar and Eastern UP, who have come to be known as Purvanchalis in the capital. It is estimated that due to the massive migration over the past decades, Purvanchalis now make up nearly one-third of the city’s over 2-crore population. Ramya Nidhi, 53, said, “For men, it is still easier as they get down on platforms to urinate using the emergency windows if the train is overcrowded. But we have no such option.”
“If you have a baby with you, then I will advise it is better to drop plans to go home during this time.Women tie sarees on the ceiling fans and keep their children on it so that they do not suffocate in the rush,” she added. Most passengers agreed that getting reservation in Bihar-bound trains is generally difficult during this time. Santosh Kumar, 42, considers himself lucky that this time he got a confirmed sleeper berth.
Kumar has been in Delhi for a decade but has not missed a single Chhath at home. “You can enjoy other festivals in Delhi but Chhath is a festival you enjoy only if you are in Bihar. It is like a family gettogether, when our relatives who are in different parts of India meet.” Recalling his earlier journeys, Kumar said, “I have travelled with the engine driver and have also slept on the side of the coach door. This time we have two confirmed tickets. But three people are travelling.”
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
