LETTERS
Your cover story—on the 75th year of the nationalisation of Indian Railways—thoughtfully captures its remarkable journey (‘Bogie woogie’, April 12). The narrative effectively underscores how the Railways have evolved from a basic transport system into a vital engine of national integration and economic growth.
Particularly noteworthy is the focus on modernisation, including the adoption of AI-driven surveillance for easing congestion at major stations. Such initiatives reflect a vision aligned with the demands of a rapidly developing nation.
However, as the Railways embrace technological advancement, equal emphasis must be placed on passenger safety, cleanliness and affordability to ensure inclusive growth.
Your cover story was insightful and timely, offering a balanced perspective on achievements and future challenges..
Sanjay Chopra,
On email.
Your cover story admirably captures both the romance and the dysfunction of our railways. But nostalgia aside, the real conversation must centre on freight—as Sudhanshu Mani rightly points out, passenger services alone cannot sustain the system financially.
Equally pressing is the rollout of Kavach, because safety cannot remain aspirational indefinitely.
We have the network, the demand and increasingly the technology—what continues to elude us is consistent follow-through.
Abbharna Barathi,
On email.
Despite advancements, passengers on long-distance trains often continue to contend with ageing coaches, worn-out windows, unhygienic toilets, dirty washbasins, leaky taps and inadequate water supply. Greater thrust must be placed on alleviating the hardship of ordinary passengers, ensuring that basic amenities improve alongside ongoing modernisation efforts.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
One of my most scintillating memories of Indian Railways lies not inside the train but outside it. In the 1960s and early 1970s, I recall that only one train connected Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai—the Jayanti Janata Express—which would usually arrive at Thrissur railway station at 2:30pm. To bid farewell to their beloved family members returning to Mumbai after a brief stay, entire families would gather at the railway station as early as 1:15pm. The platform would come alive with tears, tight embraces, voices of affection and the familiar refrain. These are scenes one would never relive again.
T.S. Sanath Kumar,
On email.
The Vande Bharat Express has become the toast of the nation. Nearly 200 Vande Bharat trains are now criss-crossing the nation, with many more in the pipeline. The honourable prime minister has inaugurated every single Vande Bharat service.
Yet, it is unfortunate that the creator himself—Sudhanshu Mani—appears to have been overlooked or largely forgotten.
Mathew K. Thomas,
On email.
Your cover story made for an engaging and deeply evocative read. It felt like turning a page from a grand old book of nostalgia, and I am sure many in our generation would wholeheartedly agree.
The trains were not merely a facilitator, but they were woven into the fabric of our lives. The impact was so lasting that even after reaching our destination, we could still feel the gentle sway and tremble of the compartment. And, of course, who could ever forget that distinct, lingering scent that seemed to wrap itself around us long after the journey ended?
Manu Krishnan R.,
On email.
A perceptible shift
Kerala, to a considerable extent, had long remained relatively insulated from overt community, caste and sub-caste considerations in electoral politics. This election, however, marks a perceptible shift (‘Praying for numbers’, April 12). Media coverage has amplified the trend, devoting attention to candidates’ sub-caste identities and constituency-wise caste compositions.
Several factors may have contributed to this shift. The growing presence of the BJP may have prompted sections of communities to consolidate defensively. All major political formations have factored sub-caste considerations into their constituency-level strategies. The evolving dynamic could significantly reshape the social outlook of communities in Kerala.
Baiju N.K.,
On email.
Human dimension matters
India-UAE ties have moved well beyond diplomatic courtesy into genuine strategic alignment. With over three million Indians living in the UAE, New Delhi must ensure that their safety remains high priority, not an afterthought.
K. Sakunthala,
On email.
Reassess our priorities
Bansuri Swaraj’s argument (‘Last word’, April 12) was compelling. Nationalism lay at the heart of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem—‘Where the mind is without fear’. Yet, any theme can be selectively interpreted—or distorted—through statistical fallacies to suit political narratives. Perhaps, it is time to revisit the poem in the light of present realities.
‘Where the mind is without fear’: Decades after Independence, can mothers, sisters and daughters step out at midnight without fear? ‘Where the head is held high’: Even today, ‘status’ is frequently measured by acquiring professional qualifications and migrating abroad.
‘Where knowledge is free’: Even before a child is born, parents compete for admission to prestigious institutions, often at exorbitant cost. ‘Where the world has not been broken into fragments’: Divisions based on politics, caste, religion, language and even skin colour remain pervasive, with social fissures increasingly visible.
Before anything else, perhaps we must reassess our priorities.
Prakash Joseph,
On email.