STORIES ON THE MOVE: TRAIN JOURNEYS AND PEOPLE

Train journeys have a charm of their own. They are not just about reaching a destination but about the people you meet along the way—each with their own stories, perspectives, and experiences. Some leave you smiling, while others stay with you long after the journey ends.

As someone who loves to travel, I find myself constantly on the move—whether it’s rushing to Kolkata on weekends, spending hours on local trains, or covering long distances just for a short trip. Every journey brings new faces, unexpected conversations, and stories that unfold like chapters in a book.

On one such journey, I found myself seated next to a group of chatty aunties. As expected, the questions started rolling in, Where are you from? Where are you going? But what really caught their attention was the fact that I was traveling alone. Their astonishment was almost amusing. You came from so far? Your parents aren’t with you? Their curiosity knew no bounds.

One aunty, brimming with excitement, began sharing her life story. Her life, she said, was stress-free and fun because her son a government officer took care of everything. She spoke with pride, her words filled with admiration for him. Eventually, the conversation shifted to how responsible, well-settled, and of course, still unmarried he was. It almost felt like a subtle matchmaking attempt, and I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

Then, another aunty came in with a completely different story. She spoke about how she had once dreamed of studying further, building a career, and making something of herself. But after marriage, those dreams faded into the background. Now, she was caught in the endless cycle of household responsibilities, unable to pursue what she once desired. As she spoke, there was a bittersweet tone in her voice she had accepted her reality, yet a part of her still longed for the life she once imagined.

Some stories make us laugh, some make us think, and some leave a lingering ache. Listening to her, I felt a deep sense of sadness. How many dreams are quietly set aside in the name of duty? How many aspirations are buried under the weight of expectations? It made me realize how different yet connected our journeys are.

Later, while waiting at a station, I met a man whose story left an even deeper impact on me. He was a ragpicker, yet his dreams were not for himself but for his daughters. I have two daughters, and I want them to study, he told me with quiet determination.

He hadn’t eaten the whole day—not because he couldn’t afford food, but because he was saving every penny to go home in train. His eyes carried exhaustion, yet there was an undeniable strength in them—the strength of a father who would sacrifice everything for his children’s future.

We sat down for a cup of tea, and as we sipped, he shared more about his hopes. I never had a chance to study, but my daughters will. Education will change their lives. There was no self-pity in his voice, only an unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.

That simple conversation over tea left me with so much to think about. It was a reminder of how powerful a parent’s love can be, how sacrifices often go unnoticed, and how, despite hardships, hope keeps people moving forward.

Train journeys are more than just traveling from one place to another. They are stories waiting to be heard, people waiting to be understood, and moments waiting to be cherished. Whether it’s an aunty reminiscing about her past, a father fighting for his children’s future, or a stranger sharing a piece of their life, each journey adds something to our own.

Perhaps that’s the real beauty of traveling—not just seeing new places but witnessing lives unfold in the most unexpected ways.