16-2-2018

Wish to share yet another beautiful and emotional #MemoriesWithRailways !

On this date I visited Vangaichungpao Rly Station in #Manipur which is just the 2nd Rly station in that state, next to Jiribham.

I took a passenger train from #Silchar (in Assam) #Thread

After arriving at #VangaiChungpao railway station I started clicking pictures and selfies. After that, got myself two Parle G biscuits from a petty shop ran by locals in the platform itself. Then I proceeded towards the other end of the station to explore that side. – bei Jiribam, manipur

The station also has an Army camp in the platform itself. It’s like in the middle of the station. So when I was moving to the other end, I had to cross the army camp. Army men were busy unloading and loading stuffs in the train as this is the only train to that place. – bei Jiribam, manipur

Few were leaving the camp as well on vacation like that. As I was like the only Odd one, I gained obvious attention. While I was taking video of the locomotive which was being reversed to go back to Silchar, one army man approached to question me! – bei Jiribam, manipur

He was like who I am? Why I am taking pictures. I replied that I am here to photograph trains and also have permit from railways. He was like thats nice and said don’t mistake me, it’s also Army camp hence had to question why you are clicking pictures. – bei Jiribam, manipur

I replied, yes! I can totally understand! Hence I was just clicking pictures of railway station only. Then he asked where I am from? I said Chennai. He was so excited and said his brother is in Coimbatore and also some South Indian company doing the construction work here etc., – bei Jiribam, manipur

We got connected really well within few minutes and he asked if I had Lunch? I showed the Parle G biscuits to indicate that is my lunch. He gave a look like “is this your lunch?” And took me to his officer. When I said I am from Chennai, he was like where in Chennai? – bei Jiribam, manipur

I asked like sir, you know areas in Chennai? He replied yes! I got trained in OTA Chennai. I was delighted to hear the same. Then the army man who brought me asked this officer. Sir, isko paani vaani pilaaon?! (Can I offer him something to drink eat?!) Officer said, Han han! – bei Jiribam, manipur

After his permission, he took me to a tent which is like kitchen cum dining hall. He asked his colleague to bring dal subzi and rice. It was almost their kitchen closing time. I was eating fast. But he said eat slowly as there is time for train’s departure. He also brought water – bei Jiribam, manipur

The quantity was really more and while I was abt to finish, he said it’s time and I hurried to finish the food as didn’t wanted to waste the food offered with love. Sat on the train and train didn’t depart immediately. I came out after keeping my stuffs. It’s time to bid goodbye. – bei Jiribam, manipur

By this time he had become like my own uncle. He was like, we are far away from home, it feels so good, when civilians like you visit us. He kept on saying stay in touch and I will call you etc., I was able understand how much he would be missing his family. – bei Jiribam, manipur

The engine whistled and it was time for departure. I took a selfie with him before boarding the coach and waved him goodbye till the time his face vanished from my eyesight.

JAI JAWAN! JAI HIND! @RailMinIndia @RailNf @drmnfr_lmg @gm_nfr – bei Jiribam, manipur

Do speak with our Jawans or army men if you visit remote areas like that where they are totally disconnected from world as they don’t get to spend time in Social Media and may be a call or two in a day to family?!

Make them feel better and they are also like our family! – bei Jiribam, manipur

@PiyushGoyal @PiyushGoyalOffc