In Calcutta, we booked a “2/tier a/c” ticket to Pune. We were scheduled to leave Calcutta Nov 9 and arrive in Pune 36 hours later after a journey of approximately 1700km. Or at least, that was the plan!
We were the only foreigners on the train. But that was not a problem, and in fact, a wonderful opportunity to meet Indians. Many of them spoke excellent English. They were friendly, and most interested in learning about us, our travels and our country as they told us about themselves and their country.
Trains and Train Delay
We arrived in Pune Nov 11 at 9:30 pm. A trip of 48 hours rather than the scheduled 36. We had a 5 hour delay before we left Calcutta, and then the train was diverted because of a protest, which added another 7 hour delay. But the good news was: we had berths, the air conditioning continued to work throughout the 48 hours, we slept well, food was available and good, and the coachroaches were small and generally kept at bay because of the a/c!
Now about the protest ... the train had to be diverted because farmers were blocking the tracks. A large group simply congregated and sat on the tracks. Some said there were 1,000 farmers; others said 15,000. Apparently, the gov’t had promised to pay them for their rice, but no payment had been made, and they wanted their money before the Dawali festival which began Nov 14: an example of Indian political protest. Amazingly, the others on the train accepted this delay with a dismissive, “What can you do.” They recognized the farmers demands as valid even though it meant that they are personally inconvenienced. They were also not surprised by the delaying tactics of the gov’t - nothing new.