Train travel from Chennai to Kolkata

I had to reach ISI, Kolkata for my Summer research.

I started from Chennai on 11th May, 2012 in Coramandal express. The lonely travel was boring. But, there are certain ways to keep ourself entertained during lonely travels.

One thing that everyone should remember, before travelling in Coramandal express : "both reserved and unreserved categories are the same".

I have to share this unforgettable incident :

On the fine morning of Friday (11-05-12), I entered that Coramandal express. I was searching seat number 70 in the S12 coach. A person had already occupied it. As I guessed, he's from Kolkata. I was expecting him to leave my berth as soon as the train starts. But, he didn't.

Then, Salim, a lean, fair guy entered the scene and introduced himself to me and of course, I too, in return. He was the only person, whom with I was speaking a lot throughout my travel. I should say, he's a well civilized guy that even the readers can realize in the forthcoming scenes. He gave me some introduction about Kolkata and then, revealed the truth that, the above said person won't leave the place, unless and until, I claim him. I too did the same(voice of rights spoke), as he insisted and got my place.

I could hear the voices, "Oyi.......! O...i !" very frequently as I was navigating away from south India. As mentioned above, the trick to keep ourselves entertained is to watch the activity of every person, around us. Sometimes, we can learn from them(if it is good), we can have fun, we can entertain and share with them, if they are like minded. One such personality is Salim.

From the talk with him, I inferred that his home town is about 2 hours apart from Howra station(where we both landed from Coramandal express) and he has to take one more bus to reach his home. Even then, he's liberal enough to spend more than half an hour for me.

The Kolkata police didn't respond me, when I was enquiring the bus and the route to reach ISI, Kolkata. Then, my companion, Salim spoke with him in Bengali and gathered some information. Even then, we were unable to get a bus to ISI. I felt really bad. We struggled for about 30 minutes and came to a conclusion, that it would be better to catch a Taxi and we did the same. After a send off from Salim, I reached ISI, within 20 minutes.

Later on, I came to know that, it'll cost only Rs.8 to 15, if I had came by a bus, for which I paid Rs.180 to the Taxi. How costly travel it is ? After all, man learns from his experience. That cost is for learning such a wise lesson.

Finally I have accommodated to the new environment, new food varieties and the new people, here.