India Junction: A Window to the Nation

The Indian Railways provides us with a practical, convenient mode of transport, but its contribution of Indianife goes much beyond that. The Railways is theifeline of the nation and, in many ways, its development has been deeply intertwined with the destiny of India. India Junction-featuring in-depth, analytical essays that are rich in history; delectable travel pieces; and some truly amazing and rate photo features-celebrates the changes the Railways has brought about in ourives; and examines how the Railways itself has transformed over time. ‘The Great Indian Railways’ takes us to 1853- the year train travel began in India-and analyses how it strengthened British rule; ‘Railway Filmy Chakkar’ recounts how Mahatma Gandhi, who was first opposed to the Railways, went on to effectively us it in the freedom struggle. The travelogues, too, are delightfully evocative and bring to vividife the sights and sounds of train travel in India, some contemporary, othersong consigned to memory. ‘When the Train Came to Deyra Dhoon’ remembers the furor caused by an engine chugging into a sleepyittle town for the first time; ‘On Board the Bombay Express’ recreates the tangy, savoury smells that are released into the carriage-and the keen appetites that they awaken-when women crack open the tiffin boxes which they have brought from home. Featuring award-winning and renowned authors, including Sir Mark Tully, Ruskin Bond, Gillian Wright, Ian J. Kerr, Jerry Pinto, Omair Ahmed, Kartik Iyengar, Shobha Narayan, Sandipan Deb and Sharmila Kantha, Indian Junction will interest readers of all hues: students of history, travel buffs and everyone whooves a good railway yarn.