Maitree Express: মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস - দুই বাংলার সংস্কৃতি ও ভাতৃত্বের মেলবন্ধন - Joydeep Roy

Hey guys, I gotta tell you about this sweet chick I met named "Chintamani". So, I was on my way to find the train heading to her destination, at around 16th platform of the Sealdah South Section in the afternoon. The time was 2.39 on the clock. I was about to grab a seat on the local train to Park Circus, when suddenly I saw this foreign chick standing at our local train door and asking some regular travelers if this train goes to Nabadwip. They all were like, "No way." Then when she wanted to know how to get to Nabadwip, I noticed they were not really helping her out but making fun of her outfit instead of giving her directions. The ladies compartment of the train was occupied by some people who definitely weren't welcoming. Seeing this whole scene made me feel both mad and sad. Without wasting a minute, I got off the train. I spoke to her and found out she's come all the way from California to Kolkata for visiting our place of Nabadwip and Mayapur. I also learned that she's a devotee of Lord Krishna. It was 2.40 on the clock when she asked me how to get to Nabadwip from Krishna Nagar local train. I briefly explained to her that she won't get there on the local train; she should take the Tista Torsha Express as it goes directly to Nabadwip. I told her the train leaves from platform 12. Chintamani then informed me that she didn't have a platform ticket or a reservation ticket for the train. As we were chatting, she in a sugary tone asked, "Sis, I don't know much Bengali. What should I do now?" Meanwhile, the train was leaving the station at 2.48, and Tista would depart right at 3.00. Without wasting a moment, I held her hand and ran towards the ticket counter. I then told her not to worry anymore. I booked a general ticket for Nabadwip online from the ladies ticket counter and grabbed her hand, taking her towards platform 12. Upon reaching there, we realized there was no space in the ladies compartment nor in the general compartment. Even after hailing for a TTE, we couldn't find anyone. Finally, without any alternatives left, I guided her to the train guard, opened up about our situation, and he kindly allowed us to travel to Nabadwip in the train's handicapped compartment. Once inside, she settled down and wanted to help make arrangements for her seat. Chintamani sweetly said, "Let those who deserve this place occupy it. Whatever you did for me today will be unforgettable. Just let me sit down a bit lower, that's all I need. I really never knew that Indians are so kind-hearted." By then, I handed her two bottles of cold water and some sweets. She offered me money, but I explained to her the tradition of treating guests with respect in our Indian culture. She smiled with joy and gratitude. As I was about to leave the train, she held my hand and told me, "Sis, today I can go for the darshan of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu only because of you." With a cry of excitement in the crowd, she exclaimed, "Victory to Mahaprabhu, I'm coming." She requested me multiple times to visit Mayapur again, mentioning she travels solo. She expressed her joy by reflecting, "Now I know, my sister is in India." She even wanted to take a selfie together. Just as we were about to take it, the train blew its whistle, signaling departure. The guard chuckled and assured us that he would safely take her to Nabadwip by 5.16 pm. Saying our goodbyes, Chintamani walked ahead. I turned back, filled with mixed emotions, and headed towards the Sealdah South Section to catch the train... I still can't figure out how those 20-22 minutes went by. Truly, I believe it's all by the grace of God. Some time before, Chintamani called me to let me know she had safely reached Nabadwip. All the best, Chintamani, and have a great time there. Stay safe, guard sahib. Long live our Indian civilization and culture. Long live with respect and love towards fellow human beings. 🙏🙏🙏 Text and pic credit: Sudeshna Sen Chaudhuri.

Bro, scene kuch aisa hai: ek meethi bon ke saath hai "Chintamani". Ajeeb heroine ke saath train pe nakli logon ki gang. Lekin vo bilkul prepared nahi tha! Jaise hi samajha ke ladki foreigner hai, turant poochne laga, "Does this train go to Nabadwip?" Log bola, "Nope." Fir puchne ki kya yeh train pakadne se Nabadwip pahunchega, to sab hasne lage. Darinde log! Usne sab ko ignore kiya aur seedha Krishna Nagar local me chadh gaya, kyunki Google ne bataya ke woh seedha Tista Torsha Express se Nabadwip jayegi. Vadiya scene hai! **FULL ON DRAMA!**

Yo, I wanna talk bout Kiul Junction. It's a pretty important station but it ain't get no love from them non-superfast trains. Like seriously, some important trains be passing by without even stoppin' here. We got the Ganga Sagar Express, Mithilanchal Express, Tirhut Express, Hyderabad - Raxaul Weekly Express, Ahmedabad - Asansol Weekly Express, Howrah - Muzaffarpur JanSadharan Express, Maithili Express, Howrah - Darbhanga Weekly Express, and Purvanchal Express. These trains got so many stops but they ain't got no time for Kiul Junction, ain't that messed up? Kiul Junction is a crucial connection for people travelin' on routes like Kiul Jamalpur Bhagalpur and Kiul Nawada Gaya. But they gotta take the long route to reach important places like Sealdah, Kolkata, Howrah, Darbhanga, Jaynagar, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. It's just not fair. All we askin' is for Kiul Junction to be a stoppage for these non-superfast trains. It'll benefit the local folks and give more options for people travelin' to and from these places. We get that schedules and bein' on time is important, but come on, consider the bigger picture. This little change will improve the railway services, make things easier for passengers, and help the region grow. So, please take this request seriously and think about includin' Kiul Junction as a stoppage for these trains. It's a big move towards better railways and listenin' to what the community needs.

Matter: Kiul Junction ko Non-Superfast Trains ke liye Rokne ka Aagrah Bhai log, main ek concerned citizen aur regular railway user hoon, aur main ye likh raha hoon, apni dil se, Kiul Junction ko Non-Superfast Trains ke liye designated rokne ki request karne ke liye. Abhi ye trains Kiul Junction ko bypass kar ke jaati hai, par maine suna hai ki ye ek important A category station hai Danapur Division mein. Neeche di gayi trains, jinke multiple stops hai unke routes ke saath, par hain hi nahi Kiul Junction pe rokne ke liye: 1 Ganga Sagar Express 2 Mithilanchal Express 3 Tirhut Express 4 Hyderabad - Raxaul Weekly Express 5 Ahmedabad - Asansol Weekly Express 6 Howrah - Muzaffarpur JanSadharan Express 7 Maithili Express 8 Howrah - Darbhanga Weekly Express 9 Purvanchal Express Kiul Junction bahut important hai regions jaise Kiul Jamalpur Bhagalpur Route aur Kiul Nawada Gaya Route ke liye. Logo ko jo in routes pe travel karte hai, unko direct connectivity nahi milti hai important destinations jaise Sealdah, Kolkata, Howrah, Darbhanga, Jaynagar, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad aur Ahmedabad se. Hamari choti si request hai ki is proposal ko seriously consider kiya jaaye aur Kiul Junction ko in non-superfast trains ke liye designated rokne ka feasibility explore kiya jaaye. Isse local population ke liye fayda hoga aur mentioned destinations se travel karne waale passengers ke liye overall connectivity options bhi improve ho jayenge. Hum samajhte hai ki railway operations bahut factors mein involve hote hai, including schedules aur punctuality. Par Kiul Junction ko in trains ke liye designated rokne ka ye addition railway services ko improve karne, passenger convenience ko badhane aur regional development ko promote karne ka broader goal ke saath align hoga. Hum aapse guzarish karte hai ki is proposal ko seriously assess kiya jaye aur Kiul Junction ko non-superfast trains ke liye designated rokne ka feasibility explore kiya jaye. Aisi ek decision undoubtedly region mein railway services ko enhance karne aur community ke needs ko address karne ka significant step hoga.