Arrival at Delhi

My Travel Blog

I had to travel to New Delhi for some personal work on Republic day 26 Jan 19. This was my first time to the national capital.

Rajdhani Experience:-

I booked Mumbai - Rajdhani on 12-Jan-19 just 15 days earlier. As I was traveling alone I got side lower birth on both through and return journey. As soon as you cross the limit of Greater Mumbai that is Borivali station you are greeted by a tiny cold samosa, a Monginis Muffin(s) and Chana Dal. You also get hot beverage tea or coffee of your choice. But you have to make it for yourself. I would have preferred black coffee instead of Taj Mahal dip-dip chai.

The AC was good and the train was clean. Even toilets were clean which is now becoming a standard in Indian Railway. Soap and water were readily available.

Dinner was highly disappointing. The roti was thick and cold. Food was all cold. Sabji and dal didn’t have any taste. I think that is why they give you pickle. Dinner wasn't even a worth to click, so I didn't.

In the morning they serve Tea first at 6 AM and breakfast at 7 PM. I don’t know from they load it as Rajdhani does not take a stop after Kota. Breakfast was hotter than dinner. Apart from Bread Omelet, butter and a Banana they also offered Rs 5/- Bar One chocolate.

New Delhi Transportation experience:-

I arrived on the dreadful day of Republic day parade.

 And as soon as I stepped out I felt for Delhiites and why Arvind Kejriwal made VIP culture an issue in the election. I was at NDLS and wanted to go to Nizamuddin. But all the ways were blocked because Republic day parade cut right across my path.

First I went towards east to explore Metro option. But the line for the Yellow line was reaching the railway station, so I went back towards Pahadganj to find a taxi but no taxies were allowed anywhere near the station. So I went back to Delhi station to drink a Rs. 10/- teaspoon of chai. I mean seriously, it was like taking medicine of 30ml. All that while constantly hearing an add as to why you should take documents of your “Kirayedaar” and submit to police. I don’t see railway station as an appropriate location for the target audience.

Finally, I saw rush at the Yellow line has gone so I thought giving it a try. The route I needed to take was Yellow line to Central Secretariat and Violet line to Jangpura. Sadly Central Secretariat station was closed.

Frustrated  I came back to Railway Station. Pull out my UTS app. Booked a railway ticket to Hajrat Nizamuddin station. I saw an EMU listed on display to Palwal when I was going to out for Yellow line. I found that dustbin (photo attached) and got into it. I want to take time here to tanks Piyush Goyal for keeping the railways running.

Got the train in no time, an EMU passed through stations having familiar names like Tilak Bridge, Shivaji Bridge. Found Hajrat Nizamuddin to be very well maintained station. Cleanliness is something I observed on all the stations I visited. That’s why the amount of trash in the EMU shocked me. There was no taxi outside the station, reason obviously, because republic day parade was taking place nowhere near the station. But just outside the station parameter, there was a herd of Taxis all shouting “Matro-Matro”.

Next, blog about my visit to Connaught place and night walk at Jangpura.

Pulwama Attack

The day when Pulwama attack took place I was watching a video made by Pakistani youtuber asking people about Kashmir. One common man had wise words. He said “All the border provinces around the world has similar problem, America has Mexico, Pakistan have Pashtu.”

This is eternal truth about border provinces. Every border province of every large country has some sort of problem. China has Xinjiang, Russia has Chechenya, US has problems at border with Mexico.

While in India the problem is unique. India has border issues with Kashmir, Nagaland and even Bangladesh. Not to mention Doklam standoff we had with China for Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh which China says it is integral part of China.

Such border tussles are difficult to solved in few generation. If you cut a tree it will grow again. What is needed to be done is to cut it’s roots. Sadly the roots of Kashmir problem are in Pakistan. Pakistan with it’s lesser military budget has provided just the amount of support to Kashmir to keep it burning.

Just now heard the statement made by Arun Jeitley ji. He has said that India will isolate Pakistan internationally and financially. As a first step India has withdrawn the “Most Favoured Nation” status given under WTO framework to a country with which you want to enhance trade, and which Pakistan never reciprocated, even thought it was required under same framework. But this withdrawal is an indication to what is to come for Pakistan.

Putin from Russia has called for “Closer Anti-terror Co-operation” while USA using similar language saying “US is resolutely committed to working with the Indian govt to combat terrorism in all its forms.” China on the other hand is silent. Global Times Chinese news outlet specifically targeted at global audience and People’s Daily English both failed to take the news item even though it was reported by Xinhua the Chinese news agency.

As Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain tweeted “Aware there is great anger among all of us Indians and justifiably so but that's exactly what our adversary wants. Decisions taken in anger always blow back. My job-absorb your anger and offer sane options. I would be failing my 40 years experience dealing with this if I do not”

As election is nearing Pakistan want to cause as much trouble to be caused. But it is more important that we should treat this problem as incurable and find a permanent solution in form of emancipation of border provinces of Pakistan. The Pashtuns from northern border near Afghanistan are signing “Ye jo deheshat gardi hai usake piche vardi hai” Balochistan is very much interested in becoming free state with the help from India.

Pakistan is currently in dire financial state. It is begging all over the world for funds. It is not clear how this attack was right strategy at this moment. There are not only security implications, but also financial implications for such acts. As Indian economy is surging more and more countries are getting on side of India rather than Pakistan. India is eyeing to be 2^nd largest economy in 2030 analysis by Citi bank. In such case this might backfire on Pakistan which is spending money to maintain it’s Jihadi establishment rather than improving it’s economy.

Currently I feel India is on same mission mode as it was during Kargil Crisis. We can expect some action but it will take time.