The Woman on Mumbai Pune Train – A Travel Romance

One good thing about the Navy is that you get an opportunity to spend many years in Mumbai – ashore and afloat on ships based at Mumbai.

And – since I am from Pune – during these Mumbai tenures – I frequently travelled from Mumbai to Pune (and back) by Train – whenever I got leave – and on weekend visits.

Those days there was no Mumbai Pune Expressway and the road journey was arduous and time-consuming.

Also – we did not own cars – so Mumbai Pune had to be done on a motorcycle/scooter.

Hence – we preferred train travel.

These train journeys gave me ideas for many of my stories.

Here is one I wrote around 26 years ago – in the early 1990s – duly abridged updated and revised for the digital screen – and with an explanatory epilogue added.

Do tell me if you like this old fashioned romance...

A TRAVEL ROMANCE

Flirting on the Train

A Love Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

EPILOGUE

Sometime ago – I received a wedding invitation card.

I wondered who had sent it – as I was clueless – when I read the names.

Soon – a classmate of mine – with whom I had lost contact – with rang me up – and she said that she had found my whereabouts from the internet – and that she had sent me the invitation card of the wedding of her daughter.

I read the bride’s mother’s name from the card – and the lady on the phone confirmed that the name on the card was her new name.

As was the custom in earlier days – she had changed her maiden name after her marriage – and in her new name – there was no trace of her earlier name.

For illustrative purposes – I will give you a fictitious example:

Suppose her earlier name before her marriage was Swati [her maiden name given by her parents] Laxman [her father’s name] Gokhale [her father’s surname]

Now – after her marriage – her new name was transformed into Manisha [new name given by her husband] Vishwas [husband’s name] Bhide [husband’s surname].

Please observe that her new name Manisha Vishwas Bhide has absolutely no trace of her earlier name Swati Laxman Gokhale.

I do not think this happens too often nowadays – as girls retain their earlier identities after marriage – including both the maiden name and surname as well – but here is a story I wrote long ago on the name game. 

I think I wrote this story around 26 years ago on a train journey from Mumbai to Pune

By the way this is pure fiction – a figment of my imagination – there are no such persons – and no such thing ever happened – so just sit back and enjoy the story…

FLIRTING ON THE TRAIN

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

No matter how many times I begin a train journey – I always have an intriguing interest in seeing who my fellow-passengers are. 

I stood on the platform of Mumbai Station in the early morning chill and scanned the reservation chart pasted on the Air-Conditioned Chair-Car of the Indrayani Express. 

I was on seat number 30 – a window seat.

A window seat.

The neighbouring seat number 29 was reserved in the name of Avinash Bhide – male – age 10.

A disappointment...!

There was better luck on seat number 28 – Manisha Bhide – female – age 35.

In my mind’s eye – I tried to imagine and visualise what Manisha Bhide would be like.

Surprisingly – Manisha Bhide did not board the train as it left Mumbai CST.

I felt a pang of disappointment.

Maybe she would come at Dadar.

The seats in the air-conditioned chair-car were three abreast – 28 near the aisle – 30 near the window – and 29 in-between.

I sat down on seat number 28.

In 10 minutes the train reached Dadar.

A beautiful woman with vivacious dancing eyes entered the coach – and – she had a young boy in tow.

As she walked towards me – I instinctively knew that she was Manisha Bhide.

“Manisha Bhide?” I asked – as I stood up.

I gave her a smile of forced geniality.

Our eyes met.

She looked into my eyes for that moment longer than may be considered polite greeting.

I felt a sense of elation.

I quickly moved out on the aisle – and I helped her with her luggage.

Meanwhile young Avinash Bhide had occupied the window-seat – seat No. 30 – my seat.

Before Manisha Bhide could say anything – I quickly interjected: “It’s okay. Let the young gentleman sit in the window-seat”. 

Now – the beautiful Manisha Bhide would have to sit next to me.

Manisha Bhide smiled in resignation at the fait accompli – and she sat down on seat number 29.

My opening gambit having succeeded – I closed my eyes to savour the sense of delight I was experiencing.

After a long time – I felt young and happy once again.

This was one journey I was going to enjoy. 

Suddenly – Manisha Bhide spoke, “Excuse me – but aren’t you Vijay Joshi...?”

I was taken aback – a bit bewildered.

Flabbergasted – I opened my eyes – wondering whether they put up reservation charts at Dadar too – since the one on the coach was on the right-hand side – and – the platform at Dadar was on the left-hand side of the coach.

Before I could recover my wits – Manisha Bhide said: “You are in the Merchant Navy – aren’t you...?”

Stunned and dumbstruck – I just stared at her – vacuously – perplexed into silence.

The silence was grotesque.

Manisha Bhide broke the silence – and she said to me: “You don’t remember me – do you...? But I have recognized you Mr. Joshi – or is it Captain Joshi...? Why are you hiding behind that ghastly beard...? The beard doesn’t suit you. You looked so handsome clean-shaven...”

I caressed my beard lovingly with my right hand – and I said, “No Ma’am – I don’t think we have met – maybe you are mistaking me for someone else – and had we met – I would never have forgotten you...”

That was true. 

She was really beautiful – a face one could not forget easily – and her vivacious eyes – if I had seen her I would have certainly remembered her...

"But you are Vijay Joshi – aren’t you...?" she said.

I looked at her.

I felt totally astounded. 

She seemed to give me the impression – as if we had known each other very well.

“You are right,” I said, “I am indeed Captain Vijay Joshi, Master Mariner. But I don’t remember ever meeting you.”

“But then – how do you know my new name...?” she snapped.

“New name...?” I said.

“Yes. My new name – Manisha Bhide...” she said.

“I saw it on the reservation chart,” I said sheepishly.

“I was Swati Gokhale before marriage,” she said, “and after marriage – my surname changed to Bhide – and husband changed my maiden name from Swati to Manisha.”

“Manisha Bhide nee Swati Gokhale...!” I joked – and I said to her, “Well – I am quite sure. I don’t think we have ever met before.”

People are always little disconcerted when you do not recognize them. 

They are so important to themselves – that it is disheartening for them to discover of what negligible importance they are to others. 

I racked my brains – but just could not remember meeting any Swati Gokhale.

“Are you from Pune...?” I asked.

“No. I am from Mumbai,” she answered – then she paused – and she said, “But now I live in Pune. My husband works there.”

She paused for another moment – she looked directly into my eyes – and she asked me, “Do you still live in Nashik...?”

“No...No...” I said, trying to hide my surprise. “I have got a flat in Mumbai. In Colaba. And I have also bought a bungalow in Lonavala. That is where I am going right now.”

“Oh...really...?” she said, raising her eyebrows appreciatively.

But – I did sense that slight tinge of regret in her voice – just a trace mind you – but the nuance did not escape me.

She looked at me with genuine admiration in her eyes – and she said, “You must be a rich man...?”

I smiled. “Well – it is a paying job. And then – one gets paid in dollars.”

“I wish I had married you,” she said, matter-of-factly.

“What...?” I asked totally stunned and taken aback.

“One day my parents showed me two photographs. One was yours – and the other was my husband’s – my present husband that is...” she said wistfully.

Then she looked directly at me – and she said, “I had to choose one – and I think I made the wrong choice. It was a big mistake – a real big mistake. I really wish I had married you, Captain Joshi...!”

It took a while for her words to sink in – and as comprehension dawned on me – I understood the reasons for her interest in me.

People have many reasons for snooping into others people’s lives and affairs. 

Everyone has a natural curiosity to know what lies beyond the closed door – especially if they have closed that door themselves.

In my mind’s eye – I tried to imagine what life would have been like had she married me.

I was tempted to probe a bit – so I asked her, “Please tell me. I am curious. Why did you reject me...?”

“Please don’t say that – I never rejected you – I just selected him – actually it all happened so fast – you were away sailing on the high seas – and I had only your photograph to go by – and it was going to be six months before you would return from sea. And the Bhide’s were in a terrible hurry. Vishwas Bhide was in India for precisely one month – to find a bride – to get married – and to go back to America. Actually he was flooded with proposals – but he had liked me – and I too wanted to go abroad – and enjoy the luxury – the high standard of living...” she said.

“When was this...?” I asked.

“15 years ago – when I was exactly 20 years old...” she said.

“I wonder why my mother didn’t tell me about you...?” I said to her, quite confused, “Well – 15 years ago – I was only a Second Officer – and I did not know that my mother was busy finding a bride for me – while I was away at sea. But she should have told me about you...”

“It’s understandable...” Manisha Bhide said nonchalantly, “If a boy rejects a girl – it does not matter – but if the girl rejects the boy – he becomes a laughing stock, an object of ridicule – at least in those days – 15 years ago...”

I smiled to myself at the truth of her statement.

“So you live in America do you...? On a holiday here...?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

“No,” she said. “We came back 7 years ago. My husband took up a professorship in the University. He is so qualified and talented – that he could earn millions – but he is an idealist sort of chap who lacks ambition. A man who values high thinking and simple living – a thrift and frugality type – you know he even lacks the drive to do well in that teaching job too. It’s so sad – his idea of happiness is to wallow in mediocrity in every aspect of life. It’s pathetic – I tell you – it’s just pathetic...!”

“How can you say that?” I interjected, “Teaching is an honourable profession. And surely – the pay must be okay.”

“Maybe – but with his thrift and frugality values – he just does not want to enjoy life – or have a decent standard of living, Mr. Joshi,” she said – with bitterness in her voice, “We live in a dilapidated house in the university campus. And I am ashamed to drive in our small rickety car. All my dreams have been dashed. I too wish I could have a bungalow in Lonavala like you and live in style. I really envy your wife, Captain Joshi...!”

“I don’t have a wife...” I said.

“Good God...! You never got married...?” she asked, confusion writ large on her face.

Then she paused for a moment – and she said tenderly, “Or is it...? Oh... I am so sorry...”

“No... No...” I said, “It’s not what you think. I am not a widower. Nor am I a bachelor. I am a divorcee. One fine day my wife just left me – and she moved in with some school teacher. It happened 3 years ago.”

“Your wife left you for school teacher...? How silly...!”

“It’s ironic isn’t it?” I said, “You wanted a standard of living – she wanted a quality of life.”

“Quality of life...?” Manisha Bhide said.

“That’s what she used to say. She couldn’t stand the separations, the loneliness. She wanted me to give up merchant navy and take up some job ashore – but I had got too used to the sea and did not want to give up the so called ‘standard of living’ as you put it...” I paused for a moment – and then I said wistfully, “I wish I had understood... On the whole – I think an imperfect marriage is better than no marriage at all...”

“I think your wife was very unfair,” Manisha Bhide said.

“On the contrary – I too haven’t been an angel. You see – life at sea is not all fun and frolic. One docks at exotic ports – and one does get lonely at times – and then – one is tempted to sow one’s wild oats...” I said.

I instantly regretted those words – especially the “...sow one’s wild oats...” bit.

On hearing my words – there was a sudden metamorphosis in Manisha Bhide.

She was looking at me now as if I was a lusty lecherous predator on the prowl.

I excused myself – and I went to the toilet.

When I returned – I found Master Avinash Bhide in the centre-seat – with a scowl on his face.

Manisha Bhide had now shifted to the window seat – and was studiously making a pretence of reading a magazine.

I sat down next to the young boy – and the rest of the journey passed in interesting conversation with Master Avinash Bhide. 

He wanted to know all about ships...!

As the train approached Lonavala – I pulled down my bag – and I said, “Goodbye Mrs. Bhide. It was nice meeting you – and – of course – your son is a delightful chap...!”

Manisha Bhide turned her face – and she looked at me.

She looked so beautiful – so attractive – that I stood mesmerized – and I was unable to take my eyes off her.

Manisha Bhide smiled – she looked into my eyes – and she said to me, “It was good that I met you Captain Joshi. All these years – I was always tormented by the thought that I had made the wrong choice – that I had selected the wrong photograph – and I wished that I had selected you. But now – I know I made the right choice...!”

As I walked away – I had a canny feeling that I had probably saved her marriage.

I can never forget Manisha Bhide – her mesmerizing beauty – and her vivacious dancing eyes – and – sometimes – when I feel lonely and melancholic – I wish she had opted for me – and married me – instead of that Vishwas Bhide.

Maybe – we would have a rocking marriage.

Maybe – I would have been the right choice for her.

Maybe for her – Surely for me.

But – one thing is for sure – I wouldn’t have changed her maiden name – I prefer Swati. 

Swati Joshi sounds much better than Manisha Joshi – doesn’t it...?

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised version of my story THE RIGHT CHOICE written by me Vikram Karve 26 years ago in the year 1990 and earlier posted online by me an number of times in my various creative writing blogs including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/the-right-choice-a-story-by-vikram-karve_31342_blog  and  https://vikramwkarve.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/ and https://vikramwkarve.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/a-short-story-by-vikram-karve-the-right-choice/  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/09/just-flirting-beautiful-woman-with.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/flirting-on-train.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/08/flirting-on-train-travel-romance.html etc

Railway Cuisine – An Extinct Food

Many people say that the Indian Railways have improved tremendously due to the initiatives of the present Railway Minister. 

Most of these changes are welcome and much appreciated by all. 

However – one change which I feel sad about is the disappearance of traditional “Railway Cuisine” – the unique Railway Food.

Here is a  revised version of an article I wrote around 12 years ago in the year 2004 on the subject (various abridged versions of my article have been carried by journals, magazines, ezines and on my blogs).

MOUTHWATERING MEMORIES OF RAILWAY FOOD

Foodie Memoirs of a Retired Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

TRAVELLING ON THE INDIAN RAILWAYS

Long ago – there was once something called “Railway Cuisine”

But now – with the advent of “standardized” foil-wrapped meals served on trains – those signature dishes of railway cuisine are a thing of the distant past.

Since my childhood I have travelled extensively by train on the Indian Railways.

My father was in the Air Force – and he was posted to distant places all over India – so we had to travel all over by train.

Later – in 1966, I was put in a boarding school near Ooty – in the Nilgiris – and twice a year – I had to make long journeys – home and back – for my vacations.

Each railway journey entailed 5 days and 4 nights of train travel.

First – there was a day’s travel down the hills – by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR).

Then – we had an overnight journey – from Mettupalayam to Madras (as Chennai was known then) – by the prestigious Blue Mountain Express (Nilgiri Express).

We then had to spend the day in Madras – and then – in the evening – we had to catch the Grand Trunk (GT) Express to New Delhi – or the Madras Howrah Mail to Calcutta (as Kolkata was known then) – both involving a journey of two nights in the train.

Finally – there was another overnight train journey to the remote station where my Dad was posted – “way up north” – or “distant north east”.

Later – I had to undergo long train journeys for vacations to and from Varanasi too – during my 5 years of engineering studies.

When I joined the Navy – in the 1970’s – most officers travelled by train – and I extensively travelled by train – on duty – and while going on leave – for most of my life during my navy days too.

In fact – in India – everyone travelled by train, except a few affluent individuals who travelled by air to and fro between big cities – there were just a few Indian Airlines flights to the handful of destinations within India – till the advent of the “Airlines Boom” which changed everything, and now air travel has become quite common.

Around 10 years ago – after the 5^th Pay Commission, I think, – all officers – civilian and military – were entitled to travel by air from the very moment they joined service – and the charm of train travel became a thing of the past. 

RAILWAY CUISINE

Around 12 years ago – in 2004 – I had written an article on my Nostalgic Memories of Railway Food which I posted later on my Foodie Blogs and Creative Writing Blogs.

This blog post was appreciated by many Foodies and Railway Fans – and later an abridged version of this article was carried by newspaper supplements.

A few days ago – I tweeted a link to this article, and enthused by the response; I am posting a complete revised version of this article below for your perusal and comments.

RAILWAY FOOD – Nostalgic Memories by VIKRAM KARVE

When I was a small boy I travelled extensively all over India by trains – and one thing I looked forward to during my journeys was the delicious food – the distinctive Railway Cuisine – served in various restaurant and dining cars on prestigious trains – and – in railway refreshment rooms.

Yes – for most of my life – I have led a nomadic lifestyle – which entailed a lot of travel – mostly by train. 

The 1960’s and 1970’s were my halcyon days of travelling by the Indian Railways – first in the Third Class (long since abolished) – then by Second Class Sleeper – and – later – by First Class and Airconditioned Class Sleeper.

Rail journeys were exciting.

You travelled twice.

First – you travelled in your mind’s eye – imagining the exciting train journey.

Then – you physically performed the actual journey by train.

First – you read a fascinating book called the Railway Timetable – or Bradshaw – which told you everything about the train and the railway stations you were going to encounter enroute on your train journey.

This fascinating book and also gave you information about the food you could anticipate on your journey – indicated by symbols in the Timetable or Bradshaw.

Do you know that if a railway station had the letters “R V N S Bk” suffixed – then it meant that it had a Restaurant (R), Vegetarian (V) and Non Vegetarian (N) Refreshment Rooms, a Tea Stall (S) and a Book Stall (Bk).

There were symbols which indicated whether a train had a Restaurant Car – a Dining Car – a Buffet Car – or a Pantry Car.

I eagerly looked forward to enjoying inimitable railway food – and for me this was the most exciting part of a train journey.

I still have vivid childhood memories of the delicious continental lunch I relished in the restaurant car of the iconic “1 Down” Calcutta Mail via Nagpur while travelling from Bombay (Mumbai) to Calcutta (Kolkata)

The year was 1963 – and – as the train chugged its way from Gondia to Dongargarh through the dense jungles of the Gondwana forests – we ate leisurely – savouring every bite – while enjoying the picturesque verdant scenery through the large open windows of the old style luxurious restaurant car.

The freshly cooked food was delicious – with that distinctive flavour of “railway cuisine” – and the meal was tastefully served on crockery and cutlery embossed with the symbols of the South Eastern Railway.

I ate roast chicken – my father had fish and chips – and my mother preferred the Indian Style Vegetarian Thali Meal.

There were a variety of items on the menu – Indian and Continental – and the food was served fresh and piping hot.

We ate unhurriedly in relaxed ambiance.

It was a one hour run from Gondia (where we had boarded the restaurant car) to Dongargarh – where we had to get off the restaurant car and go back to our coach – but – even if you did not finish your meal by then – you could always get off the next station – which arrived after 30 minutes.

Those days most trains were not vestibuled – so suitable halts were provided for passengers to enter and leave Restaurant and Dining Cars.

I think the Calcutta Mail Restaurant Car (operated by South Eastern Railway) had the best menu – a variety of meals, snacks and the choicest of a la carte dishes – and even an impressive English Style full Tea Service albeit in typical Railway Pattern thick white crockery.

Today – if you travel by this celebrated train (renamed Mumbai Howrah Mail) – or for that matter – if you travel by any other train – you will have to eat cold insipid characterless “sanitized” foil-packed standardized “assembly line meals” in claustrophobic environs of your berth.

Restaurant Cars have disappeared.

Your bland “standardized menu” food is now pre-cooked and packed in a Pantry Car – or picked up at a “Base Catering Station”.

But – in those glorious days of yesteryear – most prestigious trains – especially in the central, western and northern parts of India – had restaurant and dining cars – run with pride and élan – each proudly serving its own distinctive cuisine and signature dishes.

The Frontier Mail (now renamed Golden Temple Mail) had a deluxe restaurant car run by the Western Railway which served inimitable dishes of a variety of cuisines – continental food being its forte – and I have fond mouthwatering memories of delicious dining as the magnificent train sped past the plains and deserts towards Delhi.

And – how can I forget those piping hot nourishing cutlets, baked beans on toast, and delicious omelettes in the Restaurant Car of the magnificent Deccan Queen – looking out of the windows at the magnificent picturesque spectacle of the lights of Khopoli twinkling far down below from the misty Western Ghats.

The Mumbai Pune Deccan Queen is still the pride of the Central Railway – but I do not know whether there still exists the Restaurant Car – or whether it has been replaced by a Pantry Car.

Yes – those days – the Central Railway ran a superb Restaurant Car on the Deccan Queen – and I still cannot forget the wholesome breakfast comprising cornflakes, eggs to order, fresh crisp buttered toast and tea which I enjoyed on my way from Poona (Pune) to Bombay (Mumbai) – and the scrumptious fish and chips or yummy baked beans on toast I hungrily devoured on my way back in the evening enjoying the magnificent picturesque spectacle of the lights of Khopoli twinkling far down below while the Deccan Queen chugged up the misty Western Ghats.

Whereas Restaurant Cars served a variety of a la carte dishes – as well as standard fixed-menu meals – Dining Cars primarily served meals.

The Grand Trunk (GT) Express had a Dining Car operated by the Southern Railway which served South Indian Thali Meals – but this was quite a run-of-the-mill dining car – as was the rather unimpressive dining car of the Kalka Delhi Howrah which got detached at Mughal Sarai.

Some Metre Gauge Trains had “Royal” old-world style restaurant and dining cars too – where one enjoyed a leisurely meal – with the restaurant car coach vibrating in Metre Gauge fashion – in the unhurried ambiance – and – I clearly remember having a fulfilling breakfast in the ancient rickety dining car of the Viramgam – Okha Saurashtra Mail way back in the 1970’s.

Down South – dining and restaurant cars were not in vogue – but there were many “legendary” refreshment rooms which were famous for their signature cuisine.

Guntakal on the Bombay (Mumbai) – Madras (Chennai) route was famous for its sumptuous Biryani – and – “Meal Canvassers” would enter the train well in advance – to sell you “meal tickets” to book your meals – as was the prevalent practice on the South Central Railway.

Generally the train conductor took your meal order – which was sent ahead by railway telegram – and delicious hot food in quintessential railway white cutlery was served in your compartment from refreshment rooms.  

You could eat the piping hot food unhurriedly as the cutlery was taken away at the next station after an hour or so.

I still recall the lip-smacking Southern Railway Specialty “Deluxe” Meal of Mutton Madras Curry and Rice.

I think it was the same was with the Northern, North-Eastern and North East Frontier (NF) Railways – where many trains did not have dining cars – but delicious food was served in running trains from the Refreshment Rooms of the big Railway Junctions.

In some places like Waltair and Kazipet (where there was a rake reversal) – or Igatpuri (where there was an engine change) – the train stopped long enough for you to have a hot meal in the refreshment room.

Even the railway restaurants and refreshment rooms at important stations served unique railway cuisine.

At Churchgate in Mumbai – the Mezzanine Floor food stall served delicious meals and snacks – and so did the old world Refreshment Rooms at Chennai (then Madras Central), Mumbai CST (then Bombay VT), Delhi Main (Old Delhi), Howrah, Lucknow, Kalyan, Nagpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mughal Sarai, Guntakal and Pune – where one could relish a hearty English Breakfast with cornflakes et al.

And – there were many tiny refreshment rooms like the ones in Igatpuri, Ernakulam and Daund – where one could hop in for a quick Mutton or Chicken Biryani – while the engines were being changed.

Yes – refreshment rooms served distinctive railway cuisine – many had their own “signature dishes” – and – I cherish fond memories of so many eating experiences.

How can I ever forget those nostalgic food memories of a quaint railway station called Rampur Hat on the Sahibganj Loop of the Eastern Railway way back in the 1960’s.

I remember that the best thing about Rampur Hat Railway Station was its Refreshment Room.

In fact – the Railway Refreshment Room was the best restaurant in Rampur Hat town in those days – and – it was the only decent eatery where you could go with your family to relish a tasty meal.

Two important trains halted for meals at Rampur Hat – Darjeeling Mail [Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri] – and – Upper India Express [Sealdah to Delhi] – and – while the travellers enjoyed their meals in the refreshment room – the Steam Engines got topped up too.

Around 50 years have passed since – and – I wonder whether the Refreshment Room at Rampur Hat Railway Station is still as famous as it was way back then.

I remember those glorious days of delicious dining – savouring sumptuous unique railway cuisine – relished in deluxe environs in a relaxed unhurried way – sitting comfortably in restaurant cars and dining cars - while enjoying the picturesque scenery through the open windows along with your food.

The inimitable exciting dining experience sitting in restaurant cars each serving unique cuisine has disappeared – these are distant memories – a thing of the past.

Today – you have to eat insipid characterless “sanitized” foil-packed standardized food in claustrophobic environs of your berth or on your seat.

Yes – the glorious days of the “Railway Dining Experience” are long over.

“Standardization” and “Outsourcing” have killed the uniqueness and distinctiveness of Railway Cuisine.

The food you get on the railways is the same as the food you get elsewhere.

In fact – now – there is no such thing as “Railway Cuisine” – and – only mouthwatering memories remain.

And – of course – nowadays – most of my young friends – even my young “fauji” friends – they mostly travel by air – or they prefer to “drive down” – rather than travel by train.

Have you travelled by train?

Yes?

Then – will you be so good as to comment – and – will you please recall your delightful “railway food” dining and eating experiences – and tell us about the varied railway cuisine you enjoyed in those “good old days”

And – if you still travel by train – do tell us about your yummy railway food experiences while travelling on the Indian Railways in recent times.

The next time you travel on a train (or even while you nostalgically travel in your Mind’s Eye) – please do tell us about your mouth-watering memories of railway food.

Happy Eating – especially while travelling on the Indian Railways.

VIKRAM KARVE

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All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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This a revised and updated version of my Article of RAILWAY CUISINE which I wrote more than 12 years ago, in the year 2004, and have posted it online in my blogs a number of times including at url: http://creative.sulekha.com/railway-food-nostalgic-memories_383017_blog and my article has been published in magazines and I have posted it online many times including at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/12/railway-food-mouthwatering-memories.html etc