As a Mumbaite, train journey has been a part and parcel of my life since school days. In spite of the crowd, it was always fun to meet friends, chat and exchange interesting notes.
During vacations, we had to undertake atleast a day and two nights journey before we could reach our native town.
Exhaustive plans were made for the journey. We children collected maximum possible books, cards, board games etc. Mother was busy packing all the three meals. Other than a cup of milk, we were never indulged in outside food. Once we entered the train and our luggages were placed safely under the seats, we looked around in the compartment in search of company. During that one day's journey, children shared everything from books to food and spent their time together as if they were friends for long. The adults exchanged notes about their families and sometimes these friendships continued beyond the journey.
In contrast, today, people prefer to travel by air. Even if they travel by train, the moment they get in, if they are single, they keep sending messages on their mobile, or listen to music from an ipod or open up their laptops. Virtually there is no communication between the passengers. even if they travel for a whole day. Food is rarely packed from home. There is a continous stream of vendors selling all kinds of eatables from wafers to cutlets. There are children who would want to buy everything that crosses their seat and surprisingly quite a few parents give into it.
The only thing which still is part of a long distance journey is a poor child cleaning the compartment and asking for alms and most just turn their heads away.
Has technology erased the human touch in us?
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