Indian trains are a world onto themselves. The vendors, the screaming kids, the joint family travelling together, the group of friends taking their umpteenth trip together, the clueless first-timer, the nonchalant TT who couldn’t care less, the ones without seats shifting from one toilet door to the next, the misfit, the over-friendly – there is no dearth of colourful characters in this world on wheels.
Train journeys might be highly cumbersome but what good things are not? So, a good soul who goes by the name of MishterApu on Twitter, decided to document this motley crew. MishterApu has embarked on a 16-day journey across the country and is live-tweeting his finds.
So today I embark on a 16 day train journey throughout India with a couple of friends which looks a bit like this. pic.twitter.com/3nQRik7Jxx
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 9, 2016
With this solid plan in mind…
We’ll be trying to get into the General compartments whenever we can, converse and engage with people all over India.
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 9, 2016
…and this promise of sorts
Will keep posting updates on the journey, our experiences and some stories of the people we meet along the way in this thread.
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 9, 2016
And then it all began
The general compartment, right now. Feels like anything but general to me. pic.twitter.com/icxvKprZ9j
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 9, 2016
Not only the bogies, the outside world too had a lot to offer
And it’s a lovely morning here in Gujarat, our train has crossed a station called Than. pic.twitter.com/QcT02SS1nM
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 10, 2016
A lesson on how people ‘adjust’ in public spaces
Back to what has now become ‘our’ general dibba, where things are much the same. pic.twitter.com/FJHvVkHcH0
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 10, 2016
The time he met this happy man…
“Aaj bahot khushi ka din hai. Meri beti ki MBBS graduation ceremony hai Jamnagar mein. Wahi ja raha hoon!” pic.twitter.com/wISb97CBCb
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 10, 2016
… and this hopeful man with a lot of dreams
“Agle mahine Dubai jaaunga. Jahaaz pe. 2-3 saal. Paisa kamaunga, sab country ghumunga.”
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 10, 2016
He then reached the salt plains of Gujarat
And we have hit the salt pans of Gujarat! Reaching Dwaraka in a few minutes. pic.twitter.com/ULkNW3ojMA
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 10, 2016
And very soon the westernmost station of the Indian Railways in Okha
Lovely morning in Okha is lovely! pic.twitter.com/zyEsYDE2NG
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
The time when met this proud mother…
“Mere devar Bollywood mein Fight Master hai aur mera beta Punjab mein music videos ka Director hai.” pic.twitter.com/ehC44qQKEp
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
… and this excited son…
“2 saal se Ma-Baap aur dosto se dur raha hoon. Jaise jaise train aage ja raha hai meri khushi badhti ja rahi hai!” pic.twitter.com/5SYD05ZuHs
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
… and the time he had some lovely food…
Just had some lovely dhokla and puri sabji that we had picked up from Rajkot station. #RailKahani pic.twitter.com/DROSFVieHc
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
… and met this vulnerable old man…
“We crossed the border walking 30kms then got onto a passenger which took me to Amritsar where I finally felt safe.” pic.twitter.com/boBuK4vo93
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
… and this troubled son…
“Main Okha mein Golgappe ki gadi chalata hoon. Mere Pitaji ki tabiyat kharab hai isiliye MP apne gaon ja raha hoon.” pic.twitter.com/2tJSLLHrRq
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
… and this badass man on a mission…
“Mujhe Marine Police se nikal diya aur bataya bhi nahi kyu. Ab main Ajmer Dargah ja raha hun wahase inquiry office.” pic.twitter.com/LM5tLe8Pk0
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
… and these super singers
Their song: “Yeh toh tera hi karam hai Khwaja!” #unreserved pic.twitter.com/LYYY4TkrUb
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
He has also started a hashtag, in case you have trouble finding his stories.
Have decided to tag further tweets on this journey with #unreserved to make it easier for everyone to follow. cc: @ghaywan
— Omkar Divekar (@MishterApu) March 11, 2016
To get more updates about this golden man’s journey, you can keep a watch on his Twitter.
Bonjour, mishter.