India is a developing country that has a long way to go to be considered as one of the developed ones. We ask for nice things from the government and on the rare occasions that we do get them, we behave like spoilt brats and feel free to vandalise them. This train that was recently launched by the Indian Railways received the same treatment right on its first run from vandals.
Tejas Express – India’s first high speed train from Mumbai to Goa was vandalised right on its first trip on Monday. The train that runs at 200 kmph has distinct features like automatic doors, vending machines for coffee and tea, 9 inch LED screens, vacuum bio-toilets and touch free taps.
When the train returned back, it returned with headphones missing, LED screens broken, litter thrown all over the train and toilets left unflushed. In fact, the train’s window was vandalised even before it had begun its run. People have taken to social media to express their shock at the treatment the train has received from vandals. But if you think about it, this kind of treatment is really nothing new to our country, or our city.
Just look around you and notice the public parks and heritage sites. It’s easy to blame the government for not doing its bit by not providing us with enough dustbins or toilets at the site. But it is the citizens who leave a place unclean and vandalised. The move of vandalising the train is rich; coming from a country that loves to criticise the Indian Railways for its unclean maintenance and running of same old trains that are almost falling apart.
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had said, “Tejas would showcase the future of travelling by trains in India.” It still holds true in a way, expect in not the way he expected. The railway officials are shocked by the amount of damage done to the train, planning to appeal to passengers from here on.
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