Of trains and stampedes

The Indian Railways isn’t the most comfortable  transport medium in the world ( though it does have its pluses and minuses; plus in the form of low fares and widespread network , minus in the form of an apathy to cleanliness and passenger comfort.

Here are some photos of the mad scramble for seats in the General Compartment on the Ranchi – Dumka express, at Ranchi station, two  months ago. It wasn’t very pleasant to see people jumping in through open windows ( windows doubling as doors!!) Most of them were young men ( presumably students) who could not buy higher class tickets.

I really hope that railway connectivity and services improve in this part of the country soon.