yet again ... getting lost ... then enjoying self-discovery ...

घाट पे हम क्या करेंगे तुमने एक दिन पूछा था   आदि केशव का प्राचीन मंदिर उस से उतरती सीढ़ियाँ उन पे सरकती चमकती रेलिंग इस नये पुराने के मिलन पे हम  साथ  बैठेंगे   कभी हम पुराने सूरज - चाँद देखेंगे कभी उनकी नयी परछाई   कभी हम नयी लहरों को सुनेंगे कभी पुराने पानी को छुएँगे   कभी हम नयी ट्रेन को जाते देखेंगे कभी पुराने पुल को खड़े   कभी हम नयी नाव को बनते सुनेंगे कभी नहाते बच्चों की पुरानी हँसी को   कभी हम पुरानी यादों के साथ रहेंगे कभी नयी यादें बनाएँगे   इस नये पुराने के खेल मे घाट  पे  हर रोज़ हम हाथ थामे चुप्पी भी शेयर करेंगे   और कभी कभी चाय की चुस्की लेने चंदन शहीद दरगाह पे भी चल चलेंगे Illustration by children of classes 5th and 6th, April 2024

Some of us fast on particular days or during select festivals. On similar lines, how if we can fast when we travel by trains? The benefits are manifold. This goes against our DNA, the market forces and a lot else - especially given that for many of us trains are synonymous with munching and snacking. But I will risk sharing my thoughts on the benefits of this. Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives, and those rare specimens of males, who take up the tasks of planning, cooking, packing, and in some cases also delivering the food will be saved all the trouble and hassle. Their lives will be easier and their blood-pressures in check. Those traveling by premium trains , that provide food, can sleep in peace without being handed over trays at regular short intervals. Their bodies that will get little exercise, if at all, during the journeys may not need all the food as well. The space used to heat and store the food can be used by the coach attendants to rest; they will be in a better fram...