While social media continues to shape global perceptions of travel in India, one Polish woman in India is requesting foreign visitors to look beyond viral videos of overcrowded railway coaches and experience the other side of Indian railways. Dominika Patalas-Kalra is a Polish national who documents her life and travels in India on Instagram under the handle @domipatalas. Recently she shared a video from her journey aboard the Vande Bharat Express between Delhi and Chandigarh. And after completing her journey, she asks some hard-hitting questions and gives a message out. It is a simple message: if travellers have the option to choose cleaner, faster trains, they should avoid portraying India through images of congested general compartments.Agenda of her video She starts the video with, “Message to all the foreigners who are coming to India and showing travelling by this cheap and some dirty trains here. You don’t have to travel like this.” She wrote in the caption of her post. “I was recently travelling by Vande Bharat train from Delhi to Chandigarh. It was around a three-hour trip and I had a really good experience. Chai and food were served, the train was fast and on time.”The lady in the video kept praising the kind of service she got inside the train and how everything was on time. She said that just by spending around ₹850 (approximately USD 9–10), she got a ticket for Vande Bharat. In her country, it is impossible to get a ticket so cheap for that kind of distance. The ticket price also covered meals and beverages which was another praise-worthy feature. “If we have a choice of buying a ticket for 850 INR, we should travel in this way and then record our experience in India, not while sitting in an overcrowded train with thousands of people and showing it as an attraction,” she added very simply and calmly.Her comments instantly sparked a debate online as it resonated with many users. A different side of Indian Rail travel India’s railways are among the largest in the world. These carry millions of passengers every day across an extensive network. The network ranges from general category to semi-high-speed services. Earlier there were some viral videos showcasing the packed coaches or passengers travelling in difficult conditions. However that doesn’t reflect the entire spectrum of rail travel.Vande Bharat ExpressVande Bharat Express trains were launched in 2019. These semi-high-speed trains are designed and manufactured in India. With modern coaches, automatic doors and comfortable seating, Vande Bharat trains have changed the way people used to travel in India. For many domestic and international travellers, Vande Bharat trains have become a preferred alternative for medium-distance routes.Delhi to Chandigarh in about three hours
The route between Delhi–Chandigarh is among the busiest. This service has reduced travel time between the two cities significantly. Passengers can choose from Chair Car and Executive Chair Car classes.There’s no doubt that India’s railway system shows the country’s vast diversity, and many layers. While for budget travellers, there are economical unreserved coaches, those seeking greater comfort can choose air-conditioned classes, premium express trains, or semi-high-speed services such as Vande Bharat.For international visitors in India, Dominika’s message is simple: if you wish to see the other side of the country, choose your ticket wisely.
