6:00 am and the platform was surprisingly quiet. The buzz of fluorescent lights was occasionally drowned out by a garbled public address system and chimes with reminders to stay clear of the tracks. Each station has its own character, much like the communities they serve.
ALL ABOARD
SCENES FROM A SOUTH ASIAN TRAIN CARThough a transportation staple for millions, train travel still holds a special place for many. It provides a unique combination of relative comfort and a pace that allows you to experience the journey as well as the destination. Come onboard and pray through a few snaps from a train ride in South Asia. In this region, 444 of 472 people groups have yet to embrace the Gospel.
The railway here is a state-owned enterprise and one of the top ten largest employers in the world with 1.21 million employees managing 82,000 miles of track. There’s practically nowhere in the sub-continent that it can’t reach. Ready to get onboard?
Can you picture yourself dropping in to see a friend here? Maybe sitting outside and sharing a Jesus story while enjoying some chai? Sure it’s a bit chaotic, but along with the buffalo, cow and goats there is clean laundry on the line and a child outside. There’s life here. How about living water?
With the barrier down as the train passes, the stopped traffic offers up a small slice of the local scene, though almost exclusively men. I see people of different faiths and economic classes… and not a single helmet. What do you see?
The cycle-rickshaw is a staple in much of Asia and used for all manner of things. These boxes each hold twelve 1 liter bottles of water. I estimate 22 boxes with a total weight of about 263kg (580lbs). Imagine being the porter and getting that load moving on a single speed cycle while wearing jeans in 90°F weather.
Up until the 1980’s, the rail network here had been largely steam-powered. Modernization efforts introduced the diesel locomotive – but this heightened issues related to energy security as the country had an 80% dependence on imported crude oil. Today, nearly 97% of lines have been electrified, an achievement made in an effort of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.
The world over I have witnessed women tackling the most difficult jobs. With a piece of fabric wrapped into a cushion, these ladies are moving pavers and sand atop their heads. In my context I would expect to see men in work-boots, rugged pants, gloved hands and even construction helmets. Yet in this case, flowing fabric, bare hands and likely sandaled feet are the norm.
What’s in the fabric bag hanging from the handlebars? My guess is a tiffin box – a type of lunchbox popular in South Asia. Stacking compartments made of stainless steel keep different dishes separate – think rice in one, curry in another, and chapati on top. The term ‘tiffin’ itself refers to a light meal or snack often eaten during the midday.
It may be surprising that this train car fuse panel was out in the open, easily accessed by anyone. Yet in different parts of the world I’ve found unpredictable approaches to things. Keys left in motorbikes, doors unlocked, construction sites without barriers. And the inverse as well – barred windows, no nighttime travel, armed guards outside common stores. Is it trust, ambivalence or something else? Does karma play a role? Fear? Understanding what’s behind some of these cultural practices may help me to be a better ambassador of Good News.
Rice fields stretched to a hazy horizon in my telephoto view from a train car. Basmati rice is known for its distinctive fragrance, delicate texture and nutty flavor. Beyond its inclusion in traditional dishes, it holds cultural importance and is often used during special occasions like weddings, festivals and religious ceremonies.
Transitioning from the rhythm of the train to the chaos of inner-city traffic is significant! A steady tempo morphs into an erratic flow. It will likely take both to reach most destinations in this region. Not unlike our journey following Jesus in the harvest fields.
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