Vada Pav by Bihari cook

I was returning after a normal eye-checkup with my aunt. I asked my auto-driver to drive all the way to Krishna Sweets near Adyar insteading of going to my house directly. The reason being the fact that I need to use the remaining Ticket Restaurant coupons before the end of 2009. My plan was to buy some chat items as usual. I entered into Krishna Sweets only to find that there was a new guy at the CHAT STALL and not the usual person whom I know very well. I can find out by his looks that he was from North India and I could even guess that he was from Bihar(my guess was right).

I went to the counter and ordered half kilo Onion Pakkoda. I really wanted to taste any chat item prepared by this Bihari cook. The reason being the fact that I wanted to have food prepared by a different launguage speaking Indian from some other part of the country. The guy was new to the job and he was taking his own time. I stood next to the stall with my onion pakkoda packet and waited for Vadapav to be prepared. I liked his style of work. He was patient, calm and relaxed while doing his work. His entire feelings in heart transformed into delicious food. When you cook some food, whatever you have in your heart comes in the form of taste!!

While packing the items he got confused. There was another customer standing next to me and he gave them the wrong parcel-the parcel which was actually meant for me. When he realised his mistake he immediately ran to the entrance and the person was nowhere in sight. He came back and apologised to me. I didn't mind. He instantly offered to make another one for me. He was speaking in Hindi, which I couldn't understand completely. There was no bun remaining, so he asked me whether I would be interested in Pav Bhaji or any other item. He also said that I need not pay extra.

I simply ordered a Pav Bhaji as it was cheap and I didn't want to exploit Krishna Sweets!! I was given another chance to witness his cooking style. He picked the bun and sliced it into two pieces and applied ghee. He heated the bun a little on a tava. He had already prepared "paste" or sidedish. My parcel was ready in no time at all! I asked his name and when he said I couldn't understand his accent. I asked about his native and he said that he was from Bihar. I asked whether he was from Patna and I couldn't understand his reply either. But there is nothing wrong in that. In their state, if I speak anything, they wouldn't understood it either! It happens. I was happy that I had the chance to speak to an Indian who had come far off from his motherland.

I went home and I was browing in the Internet. I decided to see some cinema and I picked up "Poi Kaal Kuthirai DVD"-a tamil comedy film taking in 1980's. My cousin brother came only at 10PM. I already had some pakkoda and Pav Bhaji, so I gave him Vada Pav and the remaining packet of pakkoda. This was the first time my cousin brother was tasting Vada Pav and he enjoyed. He said that he hasn't heard or tasted this dish earlier. We both enjoyed the dish. Love, goodness of heart, innocence, good character, gentleness of the young Bihari cook were the best ingredients in Vadapav/Pav Bhaji! I don't really believe in any sort of prejudice opinion against any human-being. Goddess Annapoorni-sister of Lord Vishnu, Herself resides in every Bihari heart and hand. It's becase of her blessings that they are able to cook well and serve others. Even I am not blessed by her, as I don't know to cook. Anyone who knows about Hinduism properly without any radical thoughts would agree with me!

-Krishna Kumar.S

Journey to beloved Andhra Pradesh

Map of the route taken by us. Courtesy: Poochi Venkat.

24th October, 2009.

It was 02:30. I had been preparing for my upcoming training and wasn’t sleepy. The alarm screamed at 03:35 and I woke up, wondering how to make it through the day. I wouldn’t keep awake for more than a day unless there’s something important to do. Near MadhyaKailas Junction, I boarded a bus (from Pondicherry) to Guindy and then a local train (EMU) to reach Chennai Central by 04:50. I spotted one of our Loco-Pilot-friends who had just brought in #2658 Bangalore Mail, then located our train (2611 Garib Rath) on platform #2; coach was J4, second from the locomotive.

Regular readers, schoolmates and college friends may understand it better. For others, let me explain! I love traveling and always spend some of my free time observing lifestyles of people while traveling by rail. I love watching scenery especially when the train goes through forests and ‘lonely’ lands.

This time I wasn’t traveling alone. Harish Kumar working in Polaris, a traveler and trekker, couldn’t join us. The other member was 44-year-old PoochiVenkat – veteran photographer and intrepid traveler. Anyone associated with photography at a professional level would know about PoochiVenkat. He’s one of my mentors too. Poochi is more interested in wildlife and nature than in machines! He was on a holiday from Nagpur and suggested we do the ring trip. I’m the first one to cancel any work/preparations if the travel involves Andhra Pradesh! Never miss a run between Katpadi and Tirupati or Renigunta and Gudur. Amazing rural scenery and fine people.

I always say my best friends live in these villages of Andhra Pradesh. But…… I don’t know them and they don’t know me…

Normally we’d first go to Katpadi, then to Gudur and return to Madras by Jan-Shatabdi. This time, the plan was different - something I was quite apprehensive about! Poochi insisted we do the ‘Ring’ in reverse: reason was the Loco-Pilot on duty with #2611 Garib Rath Express. He’s one of the best in IR, with legendary driving skills! It would be an unforgettable experience traveling in a train piloted by him.

The plan was to take 2611 Garib Rath Express from Madras to Gudur. Then board a passenger train to Tirupati. From Tirupati it’d be a DEMU (Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit) to Katpadi. Then return to Madras by 2676 Kovai Express. The entire trip was thus a ring: Begin at Chennai Central and end at Chennai Central! You start from platform #2 and get off at some other platform. But it would take 15 hours, four different trains and 460 kilometers roughly!

Please refer the attached map. The run between Gudur and Tirupati is an un-reserved passenger journey around 90 kilometres. Between Tirupati and Katpadi it’s nearly three hours through 103 kilometres, again in a passenger train without any reservation.

You need to rush for seats!


Katpadi-Tirupati section was indeed one of the best routes in Indian Railways.

Back to Chennai Central platform #2. WAP4 #22595 (from Lallaguda Shed) was the Power for our train. Poochi arrived at 05:10. We greeted our Loco-Pilot and we had a small chat with him. He was amused at our ring trip plan! Chidambaram, a friend of mine who’d just joined HCL, made it to Central in the morning to send us off. Amazing! How’d he manage the time? I thought he was a busy person.

Waiting until another train had entered its designated platform, we started three minutes late at 06:13. I was traveling in A/C for second time in my life. Poochi was tickled! I don’t travel in A/C for many reasons. I always love to watch through an unobstructed window and observe wayside stations as my train speeds through. I don’t like spending money for ‘silly things’ and always avoid filthy rich people! Maybe when I’m in corporate or college I would adjust with people but when it comes to personal life I have my choices.

My first journey by A/C was in May 2009 when I returned in Navjivan Express from Vijayawada after attending my manager’s wedding. I wanted my first journey by A/C to be in Navjivan Express and it was by my own salary. Had to wait seven months to do that. I’ve come a long way alone in my life and wish to associate a little of my success with Indian Railways. I like Navjivan Express. The name means a lot and it has inspired me to achieve great things in life.

As our train moved out of Madras, Poochi stood at the door. I wasn’t planning to stand near the door - I wanted to enjoy A/C travel from inside: our dear Loco-Pilot was known for efficient driving and smooth braking. This was the second time I was traveling in A/C and for the first time in an A/C Chair car. Luckily my seat was facing front and was by the window. No backward travel!

We stopped at Basin Bridge Home Signal to allow incoming Allepey Express cross the lines. A minute later we were cleared. The rake of Jan Shatabdi was being shunted into Central on the yard lines. True to his style our Loco-Pilot quickly notched up and we were doing 90 kmph at Tondiarpet! Another halt for a minute near Tiruvottriyur, a crawl through Ennore and a slow pace past Anupambattu. All of it must’ve irritated our Loco-Pilot! After Anupambattu we were accelerating madly. I could feel the track sounds clearly even in the air-conditioned coach! The cooling was good. I observed the coaches weren’t shaking much.

I felt as if I was traveling in a normal second-class coach with A/C! I was able to hear the sounds with more comfort. I felt the purpose of introducing Garib Rath for “poor travelers” had been achieved. Many classic moments unfolded in the trip. My train negotiated a curve after Kavaraipettai and though the locomotive was not visible (we were in the second coach), by looking backward I could see the long train curving at speed!

India’s diversity never fails to amaze me. As my train ripped through Gummidipundi at 110kmph, I was spellbound. A Hindu-Loco Pilot with a non-Tamizh Assistant-Loco-Pilot drives a train in which Sikhs, Parsis, Muslims, Christians, Hindus are bound for the National Capital where a catholic lady stepped aside for a Sikh to be sworn by the then Muslim President to manage a country having 80 percent Hindus. India certainly is divine. All Indians have won life and have shown the way to live! Without sending one soldier across the border, Indians have conquered the Planet and are now trying to expand their empire across the Solar System!


Sorry for the quality. Renigunta-Gudur section was a paradise on earth.

Malayalis, Kannadigas, Maharashtrians, Telugus, Odhiyas, Tamilians, Bengalis, the North-East, Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar and all Hindi-speaking people have together achieved a lot. In my opinion India is a Superpower! A Superpower more powerful than USA and even my beloved Soviet Union. A country’s wealth shouldn’t be measured by physical wealth but by the people. India is the richest on the Planet. For those who think India is a third-world country, I’ve something to say: KEEP DREAMING…. We are living every dream! The entire world is jealous of my country and they’re trying to break its unity by sending in terrorists.

Breakfast arrived. Poochi had Pongal-Vadai while I ordered Idli-Vadai. Fantastic! Especially vadai with chutney and sambar. I took a bite of vadai and observed the fast-moving landscape. Enjoying my life in my own way!

Our Loco-Pilot was in his element! He thundered through small stations. We crossed Arambakkam at nearly 115 kmph (my guess). Garib Rath’s average speed was a brilliant 74 kmph….. we covered the 138km to Gudur in less than two hours…. Exhilarating! We’d lost time in the suburban section; local trains running ahead. We would’ve reached early otherwise. Our Loco-Pilot’s braking style was awesome! Just one application, no jerks and the train came to a halt at the right place. While playing Microsoft Train Simulator, I’ve done my best in braking but never like this!


Pingali Venkayya-The designer of the Indian National Flag was born in Andhra Pradesh.

Chennai-Lucknow Express was already at Gudur on platform #3. The funny thing was this train would’ve started from Chennai Central at 05:15 and arrived much earlier than us. But, being an “ordinary express”, it was made to wait to for our “superfast”. The inmates of that train weren’t looking happy!

We disembarked and wished our Loco-Pilots a safe journey. I walked towards the rear of the train and observed that 3AC coaches were more silent and appeared dark inside. Many passengers were sleeping already! The train started on time. The last coach crossed us at almost 40 kmph! Indeed an aggressive Loco-Pilot! We had an hour at Gudur Junction. Having eaten Idly already, I couldn’t have the (now popular) Gudur Dosai. Poochi and I waited on platform #1. Chennai-Lucknow Express was given clearance nearly 15 minutes after Garib Rath had departed. Amusing!

A few minutes later, Kerala Express pulled into Gudur Junction. This train had come along the route we were to explore. Katpadi-Tirupati-Renigunta-Gudur! Poochi remarked that Kerala Express might overtake Lucknow Express at Nellore.

Tickets for the next leg of our journey were purchased. As always, I took a superfast ticket from Gudur to Katpadi. This meant we could either take an Express/Superfast or if we miss our connecting train at Tirupati, we’d be able to board a better train. Missing a train was unlikely - we had a lot of time to spare between trains. Since we had a through-ticket, no time would be wasted at Tirupati for another ticket.

2077 Jan-Shatabdi Express towards Vijayawada was announced and the blue-n-white short train smartly entered Gudur Junction on platform #2. The train was 15 minutes ahead of time! We recognized the Loco-Pilot. His braking skills weren’t good since he was applying the brakes too frequently in bringing the train to a halt at the correct place. Having arrived quite early, 2077 had to wait for 15 minutes. After its departure, Bangalore-Guwahati Express (toward Vijayawada) rolled through. Busy watching trains, Poochi and I discussed various aspects related to the Indian Railway system in India.


Map of the ring trip. I suggest that my friends should look at it before reading any further. I had drawn this using MS Paint.

After a 20-minute delay, 440SC Guntur-Tirupati Passenger arrived on Platform #3. Boarding it hurriedly we found no seats vacant but only space to stand – as always – near the toilet! This train was hauled by a WAG-5 freight locomotive from Vijayawada (BZA) Shed. I wondered how a freight locomotive would perform. (‘W’: Broad Gauge, ‘A’: AC-Electric, ‘G’: Goods). We were given immediate clearance.

I was disappointed not getting space by the door. Getting a window seat was impossible but didn’t matter. The Gudur-Renigunta section is my favourite and I must watch it at any cost. There was one fellow sitting on the doorstep and another standing behind him with a live chicken trussed securely; we both were behind the chicken guy. Poochi’s hunger reared its head - the bird seemed tasty!

Pulling out of Gudur, our train took the steep right curve. I wondered if it would derail! We kept below 30 kmph for some mysterious reason and then started accelerating. First halt was at Kondagunta. I couldn’t observe the station or anything as the train was overcrowded. Our next halt was Vendodu. The station was clean! Full marks to South-Central Railway. Some got out here and not many got in.


We are moving out of a station. Full marks to SCR! Neat well-maintained stations.

The Gudur-Renigunta section is double-line electrified but there isn’t much traffic. Few Passengers, Expresses and many Freights. The entire area is rustic with tropical deciduous forests and thorny scrub. Eucalyptus seemed everywhere: foolish thing to do - planting a water-hungry species in dry areas. That’s how the Government always works: half-baked idiots who think they know everything; not consulting locals who have much more knowledge about their area.

Now appear the distant mountains of the Eastern Ghats. Nallamalai and Velikonda Ranges. Nearly the oldest mountains in the world, having formed about three billion years ago. Our train would go through inspiring rock cuttings! After Kalahasti, you can observe rice fields and greenery but while nearing Rachagunneri/Renigunta, you can see many factories. In my opinion, this entire route is different from the rest of what I’ve seen in Southern India.


RU-GDR section was a different experience.

Our train started speeding only after Vendodu. Being a Freight Loco, the acceleration of WAG-5 was brutal! Poochi could feel every notch being applied…..Aggressive driving….Hard braking….typical of Loco-Pilots on the Gudur-Renigunta section! But this was also a mark of driving inexperience…. Nevertheless I enjoyed it. I would do anything to see Gudur-Renigunta section. My favourite. As our train entered the next station, I observed a WAG-7 waiting with a freight train. The Assistant-Loco-Pilot was standing at the Loco door, one leg behind the other similar to Lord Krishna. Only difference was that the Lord wielded a flute while the Assistant had the green flag!

During my school days, I always dreamt that I’d be a Loco-Pilot. My mother wasn’t interested, always wanting me to take big jobs for the sake of family prestige. I always wear blue shirt and black trousers as a dedication to that job. I’m 23 now and not sure how long I’ll live….. Might depart this World today or after 50 years. When I die I’d like to burn my mortal remains with a set of blue shirt and black trousers so in my next life I’d be a Loco-Pilot for Indian Railways. That’s my last wish.

God, are you listening?

I’m only a keyboard warrior. I haven’t the guts to stand on the border and fight for my country. Driving a train is a tough task with a lot of pressure and deadlines, but compared to fighting on the border, it’s easy. As my train zipped through the rural landscape, Poochi and I discussed railway accidents in India. Whenever there is an accident, Loco-Pilots are automatically blamed. The truth is top-level officers and station-masters are equally, if not more, responsible.

After reading the lines above, my friends would criticize I talk like a communist. Anyone can blame the driver, but whoever is the regulator should feel the heat! Consider the heterogeneous rail traffic: freight, passenger, fast-passenger, express, superfast. The amount has increased but infrastructure remains the same. The entire system is saturated and on the verge of collapse. Controllers and Loco-Pilots are under a lot of pressure adhering to timings. Time given to react is much less. This is the reason why accidents occur. Ultimately politicians should be blamed for introducing more trains without doubling the lines and improving infrastructure.

Our passenger-train 440SC was doing high speeds and the way it entered Yellakaru was simply fantastic….Another classic moment indeed! On the opposite line, WAP-4 zoomed past us with Himsagar Express. Two milk tankers attached to the rear.

Tadak-Tadak, Tadak-Tadak, Tadak-Tadak, Tadak-Tadak..... Amazing!!!

Our train was running 20 minutes late. In our coach a family was traveling with their baby boy. The little one was excited whenever a freighter crossed us! Other passengers were lifting and entertaining the baby. Even Poochi couldn’t resist making funny faces, bringing smiles on the baby’s face! This is perfect Indian Railway scenario. A family would be traveling with a child and other passengers would spend time entertaining it. Can such things happen in any other part of the world?

This is the fabric that outside forces are trying to tear – through biscuit bandits, drugged food and all else. But Indian Railways will surely keep the Indian fabric intact.


The stations in this route were amazingly clean!

I usually send SMS updates to select friends. I send to Sriram Karthik who, in turn, functions as Repeater and forwards to friends. This is because I cannot afford SMS rates when roaming! I then sent a message saying I was living every dream standing next to the toilet. One of our friends, Sridhar Joshi, called to say “Jr. KK is the only person who can actually live a dream standing next to the toilet in a train”!

We got more space as the journey progressed. At Kalahasti, people near the door disembarked and I sat there while Poochi stood beside me. Now came another classic moment. Twin Asansol WAG-5 Locomotives hauling a heavy Freight and pulling into the loop. These Locos were newly painted. Poochi felt they might’ve been painted in the BHEL Factory at Mukundarayapuram. Our train accelerated out of Kalahasti and a few kilometers later I noticed the signal on the line toward Gudur showing GREEN. I knew that Tirupati-Puri Express was approaching! In the distance I spotted the Loco. As it came near I recognized the BZA WAM-4. The entire train had only 14 coaches and it zoomed past. Simply awesome!

As we entered Renigunta, we saw a WAP4 - with front pantograph raised - shunting a HA1 coach. The loco wasn’t in motion. I was sitting at the door and when I suddenly looked at the loco, it appeared huge. Since the front Panto was up, the entire scene appeared different to me: I felt I could see Lord Vishnu’s universal cosmic form with AdhiSeshan covering the Lord’s head with his hoods. The pantographs represented the divine serpent AdhiSeshan. The sudden, mammoth expansion indicated the locomotive’s superiority and the pantos represented time. Since it covered the head of the Lord (WAP-4), it indirectly indicated that both Lord and locomotive have won time as Sesha (the panto) was covering the head! Not all can conquer and win time! WAP-4 has won time!


Pic taken from DMU.

We had a ten-minute recess at Renigunta. Our train then took the deep right-curve towards Tirupati. We had a short halt midway. Is this a station? If so, what’s the name? Can anyone throw light on this? I find my train stopping here always! We reached Tirupati at 12:20 with more than an hour to relax. Deciding on lunch at the restaurant on platform #1, I preferred Parotta with “side-dish” while Poochi ordered Vegetable Biryani. Poochi loved Veg. Biryani especially the kurma! I was content with my Parotta. I don’t prefer rice items outside. Just tiffin and snacks. We had Pista icecream too. I admit, when I rail-fan, I love outside food.

Our next train was a DEMU (Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit): similar to Chennai Locals but self-powered. The DEMU had already arrived and seats already occupied by people and handkerchiefs! I suggested the door. Starting on time, we never made great speed initially. Our next halt was Tirupati West. Many got in. Since we wanted to sit at the door, we got down first and boarded last! The train was so heavily crowded that for a while I was afraid to doorplate. I was clinging to the handles.

As people inside rearranged themselves I sat at the door while Poochi had enough space to stand beside. Chandragiri was the next halt. I expected a lot of people to board but not many did. Poochi managed to sit along with me at the door. It wasn’t easy since we haven’t got a window seat. Missing the Tirupati-Katpadi section is no option…. I would never ever do that! It’s my second all-time favorite route.


The section between Tirupati and Katpadi was scenic in my opinion!

The DEMU did good speed hitting almost 90 kmph. Hot Sun, brown landscape, great hills, farmers with cows ploughing fields, ladies busy farming in the lands, kids playing with tyres and girls returning from school. This is the stuff railfanning is all about! Girls here had “bindi” on their foreheads unlike those in cities infatuated with Western culture. If I had a sister, I would bring her up the way Andhra people educate and bring up their child.

Though I am a Tamilian by birth, I have great admiration for Andhra people. They’ve impressed me in many ways. The state is located in the southern part of India. Surrounded by Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odhisha. Exposure to both Dravidian and Hindi states has made the people friendlier and adaptable. Maybe that’s why my favourite Lord Venkateshwara decided to stay at Tirumala Hills.

If Kerala is God’s own country, then Andhra is God’s own empire. Every state in India has impressed me in one way or the other but what I appreciate in these people is conservativeness and self control. No wonder then that India’s National Flag was designed by a person from Andhra Pradesh, Pingali Venkayya. I feel sorry for terrorists and anti-social elements trying to break my country. I suggest they grow wheat and live peacefully in the villages of India.

My train’s next halt was a small station called Panapakkam. For a while I toyed with the idea of dropping everything in life, running into these villages growing wheat and rice. Meanwhile, Poochi couldn’t resist cracking jokes and making fun at my expense! Poochi always says I should be “taken care of” though I am already 23. As usual, I reduced Poochi to tears with my brand of humour! For each of our halts, we got down first and boarded last so we could sit at the door.

Halting at Putalapattu, we were on the platform road for nearly 10 minutes. Well-traveled passengers rightly predicted a crossing. But…what train? Freighter, Passenger, Express? Many disembarked with us to witness the event. Then…..Paaaaaam…a horn in the distance, approaching fast…. WAG-5 (from Arakkonam Shed), proudly hauling a freight train, zoomed through the mainline at 80kph! Simply fantastic! Simply wonderful! As the freight train came near, the kids in our train waved their hands! Glorious sight! A few things in life are still divine even if you grow old. Trains are one such. Even today, I enjoy every bit of my train journey. The mountains in the background, the moderate weather and cloudy sky added to the beauty.

At Chittoor, Poochi and I got seats inside the coach but not at the windows. I listened to music in my mobile: Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” and, of course, the catchy “Smooth Criminal”! Enjoying every bit of it. Mountains, coconut trees, sugarcane, rice fields and mango trees. Poochi even spotted Bamboo. The section between Tirupati and Katpadi was greener with more agricultural growth than the section between Gudur and Renigunta which was more suited to dry crops. My train halted at small stations like Siddampalli, Peyanapahalli, Ramapuram and Bommasamudram.

How simple are these people! From them I should learn a lot. Every word spoken is a blessing in this land. By the amount of greenery around, God has blessed them truly! When I get married, maybe four or five years later, I would come with my wife to places like Bommasamudram, Ramapuram, Siddampalli, Kotala, Kondagunta and Vendodu. We would watch these people and learn about living life in the simplest manner. I would take her in Navjivan Express till Vijayawada and show her the villages in Andhra Pradesh. (I am sure my foster sisters reading this article would find something to make fun of!)

Honestly, I haven’t been to many places in India but enjoyed wherever I’ve traveled. It’s bad that people fight in the name of religion and ritual. I was surprised to see people in these villages living peacefully in a sense of brotherhood. Reminded me of Axioms and Theorems. In Mathematics, the Axiom is a statement not proven conclusively but is believed to be self-evident, serving as a starting point for deducing and inferring other units. The Theorem is something that requires proofs and illustrations. Theorems are created by humans to cover up their inadequacies! Axioms are never created - they just exist and will continue to exist in life.

Life is to be discovered and not invented. Religious practices and rituals are like Theorems. Some need to be proved. Others are self-proven like Axioms. They can be understood only through self-realization. There are basic Axioms of life which serve as a base for Religions (Theorems). Love, non-violence, care, respect, understanding, patience are the basic Axioms of life. All Theorems (Religions) are written on the above aspects. These constitute Life. This is the Geometry of life. People might wonder why the need for Theorems (Religions) when Axioms (Love, Respect) hold well? The answer is Life is not a straight line and problems can be solved only through Theorems. This is one lesson I learned from these people. They know how to treat a fellow human being.

We reached Katpadi Junction far ahead of time at 15:50…. with more than three hours at hand to board Kovai Express! Our stomachs prodded us to Arenco Food Plaza on platform #3. Vegetable Biryani won the toss. Poochi was extremely delighted with the trip and the Veg. Biriyani. The next three hours join the list of classic moments. Feeling tired as I hadn’t slept the past day, I settled on a granite bench near the Starter Signal (toward Madras) on platform #3 and positioned myself in AnanthaSayanam (like Lord Vishnu) while Poochi explored the platform.

Many Freights blasted through Katpadi in both directions. Whenever the signal turned green I would gaze towards Madras and as the train passed I would turn my head towards Jolarpettai - while still in AnanthaSayanam! It was as if I was seated on my sofa at home. The best part was nobody disturbed us! Everyone went about their work – even the Police. My bench was exactly where the Loco of every Madras-bound train stopped. The Loco-Pilots would give me an amusing glance and continue their duties!

A highlight of the trip was the “new” locomotive at Katpadi. Poochi spotted it with a passenger train and we rushed across to take a look. Surprise! It was actually an old locomotive - WAP1 22031, originally with Ghaziabad Shed but now transferred to Arakkonam. The Loco looked absolutely new as if it had just been manufactured at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works! The paint job was immaculate and not one mark or letter was out of place. After a long halt, 22031 moved off toward Arakkonam with a 7-coach Passenger in tow.

BZA WAM-4 came in with Seshadri Express from Bangalore and took the curve toward Tirupati after a brief halt at Katpadi. This was another classic moment. The entire train was on the curve. An awesome sight at dusk…. Indian Railway rocks! Bhagalpur Express headed by WAP4 (from Howrah Shed) was the next visitor to Katpadi. Halted nearly 20 minutes! Wonder why? Poochi was enjoying hi-speed freight action while I was on the bench gazing at the stars. It was already night! Cool breeze, train honks, tatak-tatak and clickety-clack whenever a freight train crossed! Awesome!

Brindavan Express arrived with a WAP-4 and started almost at once. Our original plan was to board the un-reserved coach in Brindavan. Poochi then revealed that he suffered from acute claustrophobia! Brindavan’s UR looked too crowded for comfort so we decided to wait for Kovai Express. Alleppey-Dhanbad Express followed Brindavan. The joke was that Kovai Express, coming in much later, would ultimately overtake this train at Ambattur to reach Chennai Central first! Absolutely on time, #2676 Kovai Express finally pulled in with WAP-4 #22603 (Arakkonam Shed). We had reserved accommodation in Second-Sitting but, being true railfans, we knew the door held greater prospects…. Kovai is still one of the most prestigious trains in SR and it’s a real pleasure to experience the ride while ‘doorplating’!

Arakkonam WAP4 22603 is regarded a Monster Locomotive in IR. Obeying the Loco-Pilots’ commands faithfully, 22603 was soon accelerating and hit Maximum Permissible Speed (110 kmph) within minutes. Inside the coach, someone else had occupied our seats but we didn’t care! The seats were facing backward anyway! I was listening to favourite music collections in my mobile.

In a short while we rolled to a halt at Arakkonam and then were off. In Tiruvallur, we switched to the Fast-Line. Trundling through the platforms, we were blessed with a WAP4-hauled train thundering through the station toward Arakkonam! Paaaaang…..katak-katak-katak-katak……sparks flying from the panto like bright stars in the dark skies! It was the Chennai-Mangalore Mail. Amazing sound! DTS effect!

After Tiruvallur I sat at the door. My train was entering suburban territory and I loved railfanning in these parts…. to watch stations as they rushed by…. Our Loco-Pilot was obviously enjoying his job! Pooooaaang…..tattadak-tattadak-tattadak-tattadak……. Between Tiruvallur and Villivakkam, track sounds are the best as there are no Welded Rails.

At Avadi, as expected, we overtook Allepey-Dhanbad Express standing meekly on the platform road! Open-mouthed passengers helplessly watched us thundering past! Another fun classic moment was before Ambattur. Our train was running parallel to an EMU for a few seconds! Commuters in the EMU were sadly observing great Kovai hauled by His Majesty WAP4 22603 zooming all the way honking through the darkness!

Our train ripped through Korattur and Villivakkam. I wondered whether we would stop at Perambur…. Then…. Amazing braking! The loco stopped right before the signal. An experienced Loco-Pilot, it seemed! We pulled out of Perambur and another pleasant surprise awaited us at Vyasarpadi. Usually, from here, it’s a hit-and-miss game to see who’ll get entry first into Chennai Central! Trains slow down. Due to congestion and non-availability of platforms they’d wait outside Central. But….now….we were given through clearance! We even got a green (proceed) signal for BBQ (Basin Bridge)…. Never ever seen this before!! Poochi was thrilled. I was thankful. I was full tired and half dead. Desperately wanted to go home and crash!

Though we were in the seventh coach from the Loco, Poochi could spot the Platform Indicator at the Home Signal of MAS. It was to be Road #4 for us. We finally entered Chennai Central at 21:20. 15 hours ago our Trip had commenced from platform #2 and ended now on platform #4. The Ring was complete!

Not wanting to miss the bus, Poochi and I almost ran down the platform out of Central. We managed to catch only the next bus - Route A1. Poochi continued to Thiruvanmiyur while I got off at Adyar Signal and walked home. Damien was flat on the floor blissful in dreamland having devoured two full packets of biscuits!

I quietly went to bed.

-Krishna Kumar. S
Tamilnadu, India.



Credits to Poochi Venkat:-

Regular readers and friends may notice the change in style and language of the post. Few might note the difference between the previous posts and this post. The entire trip report has been double checked by Poochi Venkat and silly spelling mistakes and grammatical errors have been avoided. Though the idea and thoughts have been mine, Poochi has taken the trouble to remove the poorly framed sentences and bad choice of language. The map was also designed by Poochi Venkat. I feel that it's my duty to give credits to him.

Also in my previous post about the visit to Arasili, few photos have been taken by my friend Aravind and not me. Many readers have mistaken me as the photographer and I wonder why as I have clearly mentioned Aravind's name.

Madurantakam-Yeri Katha Ramar

I am a theist, but still I believe in some principles of USSR, but that doesn't prevent me from worshipping my deity and praising his glory. I am a big fan of Madurantakam-Yeri Katha Ramar and Lord Vishnu. It's because of Him, I exists. I may not be a world famous person, but I am happy in one way or another and I am in the process of improving into a better individual. I always make all efforts to praise Him-not to impress Him, but to reveal the fact to the world that I am blessed by Him and only due to His blessings I survive. All my successes whether big or small, academic achievements either monetary or curriculum wise are due to His blessings.

I have made efforts to enjoy every moment, when I am alone and while visiting temples or churches. But being a Hindu, I always visit temples. Whenever I visit a temple, I always spend sometime sitting near the tanks with my legs immersed in water. Then I would spend sometime sitting in the temples reading about the sthala puranum and reading about His avtars. I feel blessed to write about Him in my blogs. I am happy that He has blessed me with good health and physical strength that I always find time even amidst a confusion to write about Him in my blogs.



He has blessed me that I would take birth in a country like India where people are good and would take care of me. At the same time, He also made sure that I would enjoy the variety of life. Given India's diversity, I would visit various places in neighbouring states, temples, small towns and villages. Variety is indeed the spice of life. He also made sure that I would visit places and enjoy the good food in all glory. He created small towns and railway stations like Kavaraipettai, Bommasamudram, Kondagunta, Sidhampalli, Peyanapalli, Doravari Chatram. He created men who would in turn create trains like Navjivan Express, Pallavan Express which would be my favourite trains for good. He made sure that I would enjoy music and dance created me a fan of Micheal Jackson/Backstreet Boys.

He made sure that I wouldn't get too bored. He made me a cricket fan so that I could enjoy Sachin's batting, Steve Waugh's captaincy. He made sure that I would never get too serious about life and created some comedy actors Goudamani and Senthil and also some real-life comedy actors in friendship. I came into the world without siblings, but He sent three girls immediately within a year of my birth, Aishwarya(cousin), Jayashree, Aparna and made sure that I am never too alone. He made me a fan of computer games and I loved playing shooting games(he he..) and even today I love playing. He made sure that I always enjoy His creations like cows, buffaloes, dogs, cats.



Every time I travel in trains, I observe mountains, rural sceneries, villages and various people and I get amazed by their conservativeness. Everytime I travel to Gudur Jn, I always make sure to observe the simple life in wayside stations. It gives a feeling of content, though my lifestyle is different. Most of all, He gave me power of imagination where I can imagine quite a lot. It gives a feeling of content while I write travelogues.

I regard my Lord Vishnu as the person behind me and who has empowered me to enjoy life. I could only wish I can control my anger. In everything, I feel that He is behind and I am nowhere without him. That's one humble confession and my ego isn't hurt as that's the truth. I would go no-where in life without Him-My beloved Yeri Katha Ramar.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Arasili Trip-[01/02/2007]

My friend Prabhu poses with WAP-4.


February 1st, 2007.

The plan was to visit a place called Arasili and Irumbai Maakalam near Pondicherry. Aravind suggested that the gang should take 103SR Pondicherry passenger till Tindivanam and then board a bus to Arasili and Irumbai Maakalam. Our return plan was to board 104SR or any other available train at Tindivanam or Villupuram and we could return back to Chennai before 1900hrs. I was in college third year and I was busy but I wanted to join Aravind for this trip. I had an exam the next day but I didn’t bother. The trip members were Aravind, his colleague Prabhu, Harish and my friend Vimal. Our friends Ashwanth and Harish Kumar overslept and they couldn’t make it! I was a bit upset with Ashwanth for not joining me. I never saw Ashwanth again till November 2007.

WAP-4#22359 was the power for the day and the speed was awesome. This train is nicknamed as local shatabdi in my friend’s circle as it is popular amongst office-goers. We reached Chengalpet on time and we had a mini-breakfast at Chengalpet. Meanwhile, trains were coming from south and they were running on time. Vimalakar took a short nap while I was observing the scenery. Aravind, Harish and Prabhu were intensely discussing about temples as our train blasted through small towns and villages.


Aravind with WAP-4.

Doing such temple trips in weekends relaxes me a lot. I am seeing temples, at the same time I am traveling in trains and I am eating outside-I am being exposed to a lot of things! I was amazed at the driving skills of the Loco-pilot. He was able to drive the train on time, despite being delayed a few minutes at Chengalpet to allow a Sampark Kranti express to cross. YDM-4 hauled an express towards Tambaram and crossed our passenger at Acharapakkam. Aravind took a snap of the train! It came out well! This route has certainly got a lot of variety. Before Chengalpet, you come across various IT parks, BPO industries, factories. After Chengalpet, you can observe pumpset, wells, bullock carts, fields, temple gopurams, mosques and churches on top of hill and lonely level-crossings with Ashok Leyland lorry drivers in lungis smoking beedi’s waiting anxiously for your train to cross. Though I like the south route, I more interested in Vijayawada route. One honest confession!



Gopuram of Shiva Temple in Arasili. Pic taken by Aravind.

Our train reached Tindivanam on time. Aravind calculated the train speed by observing the mile posts(km in India) and the time taken between mileposts. He said that the train was doing 100kph even when Tindivanam station was only a kilometer away. We entered Tindivanam at a high speed. We immediately rushed to the locomotive. Now I had a clean close-view of the locomotive. It was very clean! Surprisingly the train didn’t start immediately. The halt is usually for one minute. But the train stopped at TMV for more than two minutes. Aravind requested the Asst. Loco Pilot for a twin-tone honk. The ALP told the Chief and as requested they honked in twin tones and then they started the train. Aravind recorded the sound in his mobile. Railfans and railnuts are eccentric people!!

We walked along the tracks to exit the station. There was a market outside the railway station and people were busy selling a lot of plastic items. Lots of fruits, flower selling girls and men selling small toys for kids. We entered into a hotel and we took our seats in an A/C room. After finishing our breakfast, we came to the bus stand and boarded a crowded bus towards Pondicherry. The bus was heavily crowded. Aravind, Vimal were at the back of the bus while Harish, Prabhu and I were at the front. The tape recorder was playing some silly double meaning cinema songs which I don’t approve. After half an hour of travel, we got down.




Prabhu was our guide and he was clear in all directions. The stopping name was Ozhundiyampet. We were the only passengers getting down. The place was deserted. Every 4 minutes a bus crossed either towards Pondicherry or towards Tindivanam. We were 25km away from Tindivanam. The temple was right in the middle of a small village. The path to the temple was a lonely mud road. We walked for around 15 minutes. We reached a village called Arasili. The temple gopuram was majestic and the complex was clean. There wasn’t anyone in the temple other than a couple of priests. There were small sannidhis for deities like Saneeswaran, Suryan, Murugan and Lord Ganesh.

After having a darshan of lingam, we were offered chakkara pongal as prasadham. It was delicious and sweet. The food offered to God has got its own taste and it can’t be expressed in words over here. We came out of the temple and proceeded towards the nearest shop. We had cool drinks. It was only Rs.3/- per bottle. The cool drink was known as “Colour”. If you ask for Coke or Fanta, they may not be able to understand. The bottle used was that of Coco-Cola Company.


Harish and Prabhu. Onboard 103 Pondicherry Passenger.

Our next destination was Irumbai Maakalam which was only 8km away from Pondicherry. We thought of taking an auto back to the bus stop, but there were no autos in the village. Luckily there was a tractor going towards a nearby town. The driver agreed to drop us. We sat in a small trailer and it was a shaky ride. Looks like this tractor was used for carrying bricks. I could make that out due to the presence of red dust all over the place. I was certainly enjoying the tractor ride. You don’t get this chance always. We offered him Rs.30/- but the driver declined. We waited at the stopping for more than 10 minutes. Luckily we got a bus immediately and we went to Irumbai Maakalam.

We realized that we were only 8km away from Pondicherry. It was a wise idea to board the return link at Pondicherry than boarding it at Tindivanam. We had our lunch at Pondicherry and we boarded 196 Pondicherry-Tirupati Passenger. Aravind believed that this train would reach Chengalpet early than 104SR. After reaching Chengalpet, we can return by EMU’s(local trains) or even the Pondicherry passenger. Moreover this passenger is a slow passenger and it halted at all stations.


YDM-4 hauling a passenger towards Tambaram. Pic taken by Aravind.

There would be a lot of crossings and plenty of action. I was excited. I love train journeys. The power for our train was WDM-7 of Tondairpet shed. The train kept below 60kph and we reached Villupuram late by 15 minutes. Since our train has come into Tamilnadu from Pondicherry, the Railway Police checked out bags and luggages as it is illegal to bring liquor and other stuffs from a Union Territory where prices are cheap. Generally, people visit Pondicherry to booze. Also the timings of 103SR/104SR are convenient. One can board it in the morning and conveniently return back to Chennai by 1900hrs after a nice boozing session at Pondicherry.


You can spot Vimalakar(red-shirt).

The RPF policemen were a bit rude that day. My friend Prabhu was feeling a bit tired and he was sleeping in the upper berth. The policemen woke him up and checked his bag which was actually his pillow. The RPF even asked him whether he was drunk. The RPF guy also checked his ticket and without returning it he walked out of the coach. Now who really was drunk? The RPF guy was not in his senses. Prabhu was certainly not happy. We all ran after him to remind him to give our ticket back. We had a long halt at Villupuram and God only knows the reason.

We were at last given clearance and the passenger slowly moved out. The driver was in no hurry. We halted at small stations like Mundiambakkam, Vikravandi. In my opinion the train kept below 40kph till Vikravandi. At Perani we were put on loop. We predicted an overtake. We wondered what train was going to overtake us. We got down and positioned ourselves to take photo of the incoming train. Taking photographs of train is my hobby.

Aravind asked the gangman at Perani about the halt. The reply shocked us! Pondicherry-Egmore Fast Passenger was on the way and it was going to overtake us. If we have boarded that train at Pondicherry then it would have better. Aravind couldn’t believe it. If we had taken this train, we would have reached Chennai earlier. Aravind felt that 195SCR(present train) would reach earlier so we boarded 195 and not 104(Fast Passenger). Perhaps the first time, I saw a fast passenger overtaking another passenger (slow).


Vimal posing with WAP-4.

WAP-4#22359 hauled the fast passenger and with thundering honks it crossed us at MPS. The entire atmosphere vibrated and the breeze generated came hard on us as the brute WAP-4#22359 blasted past us. The driver was in a aggressive mood. He was in no mood to control his aggression. He showed all his aggression and eagerness on the honk.

“Dhadhak Dhadhak, Tatak Tatak, Dhadhak Dhadhak, Tatak Tatak, Dhadhak Dhadhak, Tatak Tatak, Dhadhak Dhadhak, Tatak Tatak, Dhadhak Dhadhak, Tatak Tatak, Dhadhak Dhadhak, Tatak Tatak”.

Tatak………The last pair was a bit incomplete.

And the worst shock was yet to come! 195 stopped at all stations between Chengalpet and Villupuram. The acceleration was slow. The problem was not with the locomotive. The time table of this train was set in such a way that it had a lot of buffers. I was enjoying, but Vimalakar was a bit upset as he had some work at home.


Video: I am the person with the black bag with a camera in hand. The person behind me is Prabhu. See the video and relive the moment again! Video taken by Aravind.

More fun was yet to come. WDM-7 which was hauling us was taking its own sweet time to accelerate and it never went more than 50kph. I took a seat towards the guard and I was traveling backwards. The train had a good patronage! I observed the greenery around and I was amazed at my nation’s beauty. When I was young, I use to wonder how Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh would look like and how the people would look. Indian Railways has binded together this great vast unique country. IR is the backbone of India. As long as a train chugs along, things would be good for this country. I am quite satisfied with my country. The country has nurtured me well and it has created the society around me with good people, friends wherever I go, irrespective of states. What more do I need? I am critical about secessionist movements ocurring in Indian states. It's high time people realize that they are blessed.

Aravind and Prabhu sat near the door while Harish and I stood behind them. Vimalakar preferred to stay in his emergency-window seat! Trust me! The train wasn’t going fast at all. This was perhaps the slowest passenger journey I have encountered in my life so far. We reached Chengalpet at 2000hrs. We took an EMU at Chengalpet. I reached home at 2200hrs. My dog Damien was having his dinner and he didn’t even bother to look at me. I went to my room and sat with my computer and prepared for my exam next day. I went to bed at 0330hrs. I got up at 0630hrs and went to college. I scored 84% in that test! I came first in class! Such things don’t happen often! I am not a great student. But life could be made simple and easy if you are willing to associate each and every part of your life with Indian Railways.

Good luck.

-Krishna Kumar.S
(14th Feb, 2007)

Acharapakkam~A small Indian town~

A small Mosque in Acharapakkam.

I went to bed only at 12’o clock but got up at 0500hrs. My plan was to visit Acharapakkam, a small Panchayat town, 99km south of Chennai. The plan has got postponed many times, but this time I wasn’t going to postpone. Regular readers could recollect that I visited Acharapakkam exactly a year back. I boarded the same 103SR Pondicherry passenger to Melmaruvattur. It was a good run. Nice speed. It was hauled by a WAP-4 and I didn’t note the power. I got down at Melmaruvattur as 103 hasn't got a halt at Acharapakkam. I proceeded towards a small hotel. The name of the hotel was Sakthi Cafe. I walked in and found out that it was self service. I ordered Poori Masala. I wasn’t content with it. Then I had Idli, one vadai along with coconut chutney. I felt quite content in life. I purchased a water bottle. My next task was to board a bus to Acharapakkam which is now only two kilometers away. It was a hot sunny day. I could feel the heat even at 0900hrs in the morning.


Acharapakkam Lord Shiva temple.

The plan was to visit the Shiva temple and to spend sometime in the temple complex. I boarded a bus bound towards Villupuram and got down at Acharapakkam within five minutes. I didn’t prefer the autos and I planned to walk through the village to observe its simplicity. Acharapakkam is famous for its ancient Shiva temple and it has also got a Nadi Astrology center. I walked through the roads. The first thing which I came across was a Durga temple. The next building was a Christian convent. I could observe a school in the name of St.Joseph opposite it to the Durga Temple. I also saw some cows, hens and dogs. Men and women were busy with their own work.

Few kids saw me and looked at me in a suspicious manner. I was dressed in black pants and a black t-shirt with sun-glasses. I could observe some cycle shops, jewel brokers, bakeries. I spotted a mutton stall in front of a mosque. On the side of the domes, I could observe two mini-minarets. But I don’t think there was enough space for the muezzin to climb and call adhan. The domes and the entire structure impressed me a lot. The minarets were small but resembled structures similar to Uzbekistan. After 5 minutes of walking, I reached the town center. Everyone was busy selling and buying.

A Christian convent just adjacent to the Durga Temple.

There was a young lad in red t-shirt trying to sell some shells and stickers. There was a lady selling fish. Street markets may not be common in the so-called First World countries. But over here, we live every dream. Fruits were fresh and my taste buds woke up. Apple, grapes, water-melons, lemon, pine-apples, green mangoes, coconuts. The guy was also selling vegetables. I could see spinaches, brinjals, lady’s finger, and potatoes. I came across a “Cool-Bar”. But I retraced my way back and decided to have fruit drink. I opted for a grape juice and it was ready in a jiffy. It was excellent.

I walked out of the market and walked through the muddy roads; I could see the temple gopuram in the distance. As I walked I could observe kids playing with tyres and sticks, tennis balls and ladies pumping water at the pump and there was a big queue in front of the pump. The railway station was only a stone’s throw away from the temple entrance. I walked into the temple and there were only two priests and one devotee. The temple was similar to the one at Madurantakam.

Durga Temple in Acharapakkam.

I went around the temple thrice and then spent sometime watching the sculptures. The temple priest was only 22 years old and was a friendly chap. He had completed BCA at Pondicherry and during our conversation he said that he travels in Pondicherry passenger often. He recollected his experience in meter gauge trains and he said that he enjoyed meter gauge train journeys more than broad gauge journeys. I dare not tell him that I am also a rail fan as I don’t reveal personal stuffs that easily. I observed that for people in Madurantakam and Acharapakkam Indian Railways was something special and divine unlike for people in Chennai where many view it as a transport system. As far as I know people living beyond Chengalpet are pretty sentimental about meter-gauge journeys.

I inquired about life in Acharapakkam and neighboring towns like Madurantakam, Melmaruvattur, Tozhuppedu, Pakkam and Olakur. He said Madurantakam was a bigger town amongst the list and quite a popular place. However, railway stations are much used only at Madurantakam and Melmarvattur. Majority of the people living in Acharapakkam work in places like Chengalpet, Tambaram, Paranur and they travel for nearly one and half hours in the evening in each direction for work. So totally three hours of travel per day! Majority of them work in Banks, factories and a few work in companies like Nokia, Airtel. Acharapakkam is a center hub and it supplies electricity to the surrounding “Pathinettu- Patti”(in Tamil it means 18 villages). I had a doubt! I asked him this question! What is so divine about that number 18 and why it is often used to describe the number of villages surrounding a town? I find it in all cinema dialogues. The young priest simply said that there is no specific reason attached to it.

I walked to the railway track as it was quite near to the temple. I couldn't resist taking photos in my camera mobiles.

I was a bit disappointed with that reply. I thought that I would unravel the mystery behind it. He said that Acharapakkam was becoming more popular day by day. Acharapakkam is a separate constituency and the town has got only a few hotels and lodges which generally gets crowded during election period. People in Acharapakkam want Expresses to stop at their hometown, but since Melmarvattur was already given a halt, Acharapakkam is denied that halt! The town’s market is quite popular and people from neighboring villages like Pakkam, Tozhuppedu and Karasangal purchase groceries at Acharapakkam.

The single-line electrified track towards Egmore.

Acharapakkam was similar to mini-India. Acharapakkam was something different in my opinion. I was amazed to hear the fact Venkatesa Suprabatham is played in loudspeakers in the churches. The reason is that the temple hasn’t got many facilities and hence the Head priest has offered to give assistance to the Hindus living there by allowing devotional songs to be played over the Church’s loudspeakers. It brought back memories of my life in Christian school.


A snail's eye view!!

The priest gave a lot of details. All of a sudden few visitors came for pooja and so he had to leave me alone. I walked to the temple entrance and there I saw a Muslim gentleman interacting with the temple priest. They were talking about the similarities in various religions and were praising the Almighty for giving various joys to humans. I heard a loud honk and for sometime the entire environment turned dynamic. I had a good darshan of WAG-5 hauling a goods train towards Villupuram. After 15 minutes, I saw WDM-2 LHF hauling 195SC Tirupati-Pondicherry passenger past Acharapakkam. What a fantastic sight! I really envy the deities over here.

The roads in Acharapakkam have their own beauty and charm.

For sometime, I wondered what I studied in my graduation. I have graduated only foolishness, though living in a metropolitan city like Chennai. These people over here know a lot of things and most of all they seem to know how to treat a human being with respect. The temple was exactly next to the 99km post. I tried taking photographs. I attempted to take a snail’s eye view of the sky from the tracks. It came out well in my opinion. These tracks haven’t got much action during the day.

A Muslim Gentlemen in the act of praising God and embracing humanity.

I walked back to the temple. There was a Lord Ganesh statue along with Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva on temple top. Looks like Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva have been feeding infant Ganesh with food and fruits by showing the trains running between Chennai and Tiruchi. The temple was very near to the tracks and the deities had a clear view too. It’s always nice to watch a train in action. The deities themselves are blessed and lucky to watch Indian Railway trains.

The houses in Acharapakkam have their own beauty.

I got a call from my Chennai friend Siva Ramakrishnan a.k.a Nishant. He has been receiving my SMS updates. He suggested that I should travel 3km south and visit another temple in the name “Kadamber Kandigai”. I did have that plan, but later I erased my thoughts as I was a bit lazy and I boarded a bus to return home. I connected my headset to my mobile and I was listening to Bombay Vikings-Chod Do Aanchal remix. I should admit that I like the remix more than the actual 1956 duet between Nutan and Dev Anand. The bus journey was good. Near Paranur, I saw an EMU running parallel to my bus. My bus was a bit shaky compared to the train, but I can observe the smoothness in the EMU. I can realize why train journeys are more comfortable than buses. I reached home a bit early. My parents were a bit surprised. They thought that I would be returning only in evening passenger from Pondicherry and not by bus.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Autograph please!!

Dear Viewers,

Thanks for your encouragement and support. I request you to kindly fill my Guest Book in my site and it would be my privilege to have you as my visitor.Thanks for visiting and please do come back soon. I hope to learn more from you!

Good luck,

Best wishes from India,

-Krishna Kumar.S

Farewell to the legendary Poochi Venkat

6th September, 2009.

Legendary photographer "Poochi Venkat" was leaving to Nagpur for two years. I was personally depressed on hearing this news in August. Whenever I am on travel, or reading something or at work I use to update Poochi through SMS just like how I use to update other friends through SMS. Sometimes I really miss friends. 2009 has been a great year. But it has also been a year where all my best friends went far away from me. My college mate Sudhakar went to England, my school mate Praveen went to United States and "thambi" John went to Australia. And now Poochi is going to Nagpur. So whose next? I have heard of Poochi during 2003-2004 but I know Poochi since 2006 when I first met him at Golden Towers. I know him better only since July-2008. Roughly one year! Only one year. I felt as if I had known him for years.

My friend Vimal knew Poochi quite well and so he arranged for a farewell with the help of Gowri Sankar and Sridhar Joshi who were close friends of Poochi. Lunch at Matysa Restaurant near Chennai Egmore. That was the plan.

I boarded 23C and as usual I was sending SMS to all friends mentioning about my whereabouts something which I always do since May-2008. I got down at Egmore. Someone touched my shoulders-I looked back and found it was Nishant! He has travelled in the same bus, but I haven't realized! He was also one of the invitees. We went to Egmore and spent sometime there. We infact went to the Egmore Shed and had a look at the locomotives. Then we proceeded to Matysa Restaurant by walk. We found our ' Senior Associate Thala' Sriram Karthik waiting with Krishna Kumar Kannan(close friend of Poochi). Poochi arrived with Ashwin in a bike. I was wondering what to order. I am a big fan of Chat items. But unfortunately, there were none at that time. Vimal suggested Masala Dosai for me and I was quite content with it.

Poochi then personally requested my friends to take "special care" of me. He felt that I am 23 and I really needed the guidance of elders.

September 7th, 2009. I reached Chennai Central at around 1900hrs, though I started early. I met Vimal at platform 11. Vimal and myself walked upto the locomotive of Grand Trunk which was schedule to depart at 1915hrs from Platform 11. We spent sometime over there till GT Express departed. I wish one day I would visit my National capital!!!

We were soon joined by Suresh Babu-a railway employee who works with EMU's(local trains). I had Rs.300+ in my pocket! That could mean only onething. We are off to Ratna Cafe in Central to have tiffin. My favourite Chilli Parotta was available. But it wasn't that spicy. It had kurma too! Wonder why? Raita is enough, isn't it? Kurma wasn't tasty. No A/C. I was a bit dejected. No forks! Only plastic spoons. But anyway, something is better than nothing. I enjoyed my Chilli Parotta.

We walked down to Platform 1-starter. "Senior Associate Thala" Sriram Karthik was waiting along with "Quizer" MVL Manikantan. We were waiting till 2015hrs till Mangalore Mail departed.Then we walked all the way to Premium Car Parking lot to find Poochi Venkat who has arrived with his mother and aunt. Senior Loco Pilot Kasi Lingam, Goods Loco-Pilot Vel Murugan were there along with Poochi's friend from The Hindu. Kasi sir was taking Kovai Express the next day so he left early to take rest. We stood there talking for sometime. Poochi told Vimal and Subbu Raman that I am in a 'state of confusion' and I should be really taken care of! And there was a talk about why I board 29C often. MVL Mani believed that I used 29C to see my Girl Friend in Stella Mary's. I wonder how MVL can make such horrible imaginations?

Then we all walked into Central. TN Express was to depart from Platform 10. As we neared we saw the rake being shunted inside by a Tondairpet WDM-7. Poochi was to travel in Coach HA1. First Class A/C. We helped him out with his luggages. This was the first time I was actually entering into a First Class compartment. Trivia question! We came out of the coach and waited for sometime outside. After sometime, Aravind came directly from office. Ramki left at that time as he need to go to college the next day and was having his exams it seems.

Sridhar came last. Sridhar couldn't believe that Aravind was actually at MAS. And ofcourse you can guess what happenned next. Sridhar Joshi took this is a chance to pull Aravind's leg. It was really awesome to watch Sridhar Joshi and Aravind interacting.

The power was WAP-4#22218. And when the signal was given, I switched my camera to video mode and recorded the events as 2621 departed. We all left Chennai Central almost immediately. Vimal agreed to drop me at Saidapet in his bike. Near SIET we spotted a 23 C. We chased the bus and overtook it. We waited at Saidapet till 23 C came. I boarded it and got down at Krishna Sweets. I walked and reached my home. I reached home and called up Poochi and inquired how much distance has the train covered. He said that it was nearing Gummidipondi. So roughly 45kms from Chennai Central. I went to my computer and logged in to access some learning materials and then went to bed soon mentally prepared for the next day.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Request to viewers

I have got a few things to tell:-

* I see through Feedjit Live Monitor that there are viewers from Vriezenveen, Overijssel in Netherlands(I think) who visit my blog often by doing a google search "exploringmotherindia". Thanks for your interest. I see them often using the same method. Whoever you are Sir/Mam, please do save a link of my site in your favourites so that you can visit often with ease than straining yourself.

* Sometimes, I do post off-topics in this site. Contents not pertaining to Travel, India or culture. It is just to add spice and also to portray my other interests.

* As far as possible, I request readers not to mention anonymous comments. Even if you are doing so, please do mention your name-I think there is no harm in that. I would like to know who you are so that I can learn more. Again! This is optional.

* I may not reply to comments, queries immediately. Sorry for that. I would try my best to pass on the most accurate information to you.

* Generally, I write blogs to pass time and to feel happiness amidst stress. And also to express my universal love for the planet.

-Krishna Kumar.S
(08/09/2009)

Villivakkam with Bharathu kutty

August 22nd, 2009.

It was a Saturday! It was a weekend. My house was a bit crowded with a lot of purohits and Madisar maami's. Yes! You guessed it right. My father was conducting a ceremony for my late grandfather(his father). It is done typically with madi acharam, agni, achadhai with food being cooked on coal and not modern day stoves etc. My house is very well known for its austerity, strictness and discipline. Andha maadhiri kudumbathula dhaan naan vandhu porandhein. If such festivals are conducted, Damien and myself are the people who are kindly requested to go out as we don't follow any madi or acharam. Though I say that I don't follow there is a good chance that tomorrow I would start following it. My inner heart says so as I am losing interest in quite a lot of things.

Introducing my friend Bharathwaj! IIT-big mandai just like my another friend Ramkarthik. Heights of conservativeness! Typical modern youth in 1980's lifestyle(got that?). He knows what is wrong and what is right! I have got loads to learn from him and his lifestyle! If my memory is right, I met him infront of T-72 Indian Army Tank at IIT-Madras on October, 2008. We decided to railfan at Villivakkam, although the original plan was to go to Kavaraipettai.

Villivakkam is one of my favourite stations where I watch trains fly past by. All trains leaving towards Bangalore, Coimbatore, Renigunta and Kerala bound trains take this route! It has got loads of freight action too. Earlier, we thought of going to Kavaraipettai, but later I decided Villivakkam should be the right place for Bharathu.

We were to meet at Kasturibai Nagar. Bharathu was coming from a marriage function directly. Bharathu inquired whether Damien has come? I said NO! We boarded an EMU and soon we started our journey towards Park Town. As usual, I am much more into non-rail topics. We were talking about present day madi, acharam, quota system in India and the standards of IIT.

Soon we reached Park Town. I insisted that subway should be used rather than crossing the road. We had directly purchased a ticket to Villivakkam with return so we walked straight to the MMC complex. As we were entering a Tiruvallur bound EMU left. So we need to wait for some 20 more minutes to board another EMU which was scheduled to start at 1320hrs. But the guy started a bit late. As a result we missed to see the Bangalore Express with WDP-4. We reached Villivakkam by 1340 or 1345hrs. Till 1400hrs there were no trains. I don't remember the train numbers nor loco numbers, but we had tremendous fun later on! All the WAP-4's, WAM-4's were cruising! I could see dust sprayed on onlookers as it blasted past us. The classic moment of the trip was when Kovai Intercity blasted past us and a huge puff of air hit our face though we were standing quite far from the tracks!

We decided to have a break! We went to the small VLR at sub-urban platform and looked at menu. Nothing was impressive. Bharathwaj suggested that we should take "more". It was awesome! Gudur means "Gudur Dosai". Villivakkam means "more" I guess. I thought that foot over bridge should be used instead of crossing tracks. I have an unwritten agreement with my father that I won't cross tracks!!! I thought twice and crossed it! I don't violate rules often... We saw some goods trains doing good speed. I felt thirsty again. So we went back to the VLR and I had another "more"(buttermilk in English?) while Bharathu had cool drinks. Then we settled down and waited for our EMU.

Surprisingly, we saw Sangamitra Express bound towards Patna in slow line, quietly followed by West Coast Express in slow line! I wondered why? As a result MAS bound EMU was 20 minutes late! We boarded an EMU at around 1545hrs and at Park Town we boarded an EMU towards KTBR. We bid goodbye at KTBR and I reached home at around 1715hrs.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Param Vir Chakra-Part 1

Indian Army during the Republic Day Parade. Sikh Light infantry regiment.

Param Vir Chakra is the highest gallantry award given by the Union Government of India for highest degree of valour, self-sacrifice during war. The award is equivalent to the US Medal of Honor, Cross of St.George of Russia and similar to the British Victoria Cross. The award was established on 26th January 1950, the date India officially became a Republic with its own constitution coming into power. The Param Vir Chakra was designed by Eva Maday who was actually born to a Hungarian mother and Russian father. She had a great fascination for India and Indian culture. She changed her name as Savitri and married Capt. Vikram Khanolkar.


Param Vir Chakra awarded by the Union Government of India.

The then Major General Hira Lal Atal was given the responsibility of naming India’s military decorations. Soon after Indian independence, Savitri was asked by General Hira Lal Atal to design India’s highest award for bravery in combat against enemies. Ms Khanolkar took her inspiration from the mythical Rishi Dadich who donated his thigh-bone to the Gods to make a Vajra (thunderbolt). Coincidentally, the first PVC was awarded to her elder daughter's brother-in-law Major Som Nath Sharma. The Param Vir Chakra is generally awarded posthumously as very rarely the recipient survives combat. The monthly stipend for a Param Vir Chakra awardee is Rs.1500/- which is disputed and criticized.

When India got independence there was a huge unrest across the country. Many Hindus and Muslims died during the partition of India. Hindus left towards India and Muslims left for Pakistan. Immediately, India and Pakistan fought a war in 1947 due to Kashmir dispute.


Major Somnath Sharma was awarded the first Param Vir Chakra.

During the India-Pakistan war in 1947, on November 3rd, 1948, Major Somnath’s company belonging to the Kumaon Regiment, 4th batallion was fighting in Bagdam village in Kashmir valley. He was soon surrounded by the enemy from all sides and his company sustained heavy casualties due to constant artillery bombardment. He realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost. His company came under heavy fire and was outnumbered seven to one. He urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post to fight against the invaders.
While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade HQ received a few moments before he was killed was as follows: "The enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round”.

Even today after 62 years of Independence, amidst sophisticated technologies the courage of the Indian Army and men is very much admired across the globe and even from the opposition. India being a Union of multi-lingual, multi-ethnic diverse states and Union territories has never been imperialistic and under any stage of human history she hasn’t invaded any country with territorial ambitions.


Lance Naik Karam Singh.

Even today, India still continues to have border disputes with its neighbors namely Pakistan and China. At the same time as Somnath Sharma was fighting, Lance Naik Karam Singh was also playing an important role in securing titwal sector. India and Pakistan fought for securing the position in the Titwal sector. India captured the sector but lost it soon due to strong counter-attack by Pakistan. Lance Naik Karam Singh belonging to the 1st batallion, Sikh Regiment was commanding a forward outpost in the Richhmar Gali area when the enemy launched the attack. During the initial attacks, all the bunkers in the platoon area were destroyed by enemy's heavy shelling. The communication to the command was also destroyed and hence Karam Singh was unable to update his position or ask for reinforcements. He was unable to contact the headquarters. Although wounded, he brought back two injured comrades to the frontline to the main company position and defended Richhmar Gali.

Twice wounded by the fifth enemy attack, Lance Naik Karam Singh refused evacuation and continued to hold on to the first-line trenches. When the enemy soldiers secured a position close to the frontline, Karam Singh jumped out of his trench and bayoneted the two intruders to death. This bold action demoralized the enemy and they broke off the attack and withdrew from the sector. Totally, the outpost was attacked eight times on that day and the Sikhs repulsed the enemy every time. For his outstanding role in the battle of Tithwal, he was honored with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra. Karam Singh was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Lance Naik Karam Singh proved himself to be a dauntless leader of men in crisis representing the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Nothing could subdue him and no amount of fire or hardship could break his spirit.


Major Rama Raghoba Rane

On 8 April 1948 during the Indo-Pak war, the Indian Army advanced to protect Rajauri sector. Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane was ordered to clear mines and roadblocks. The enemy started shelling the area with heavy artillery fire. Undaunted by fire, Rane worked for three days tirelessly clearing about mines and road blocks. Rane made a substantial contribution in facilitating the Indian advance on Rajauri. It also helped in saving many innocent lives in Chingas and Rajauri.


Havildar Piru Singh

On February 6 in early 1948, a show of strength took place at Naushera between armed tribesmen and units of the Indian Army. The tribal force supported by the Pakistani Army was repulsed twice but they attacked a third time with increased numbers. Naik Jadu Nath Singh belonging to the Rajput regiment rushed out of his trench alone with a sten gun in his hand and then opened devastating fire on the invaders. The invaders were taken by shock and surprise. Naik’s courage, strength, valor made them courageless and they fled the area. The outpost was saved but Jadu Nath Singh died on spot. For this ultimate act of personal sacrifice for the sake of the sovereignty of the nation and to shoo away the invaders from the motherland, Naik Jadu Nath Singh was decorated with the nation's highest award of gallantry-the Param Vir Chakra.

-To be continued...


-Krishna Kumar.S