Students marched. Cockroaches protested. And somewhere in between, an Indian tourist was desperately searching for a free toilet.

Paris did not simply welcome us. It put us through a little entrance exam, complete with cultural jet lag, linguistic curveballs, and a sudden realisation that the traffic rules here appear to have been designed by someone who once lost a bet with chaos.

In one astonishing day, we ‘invaded’ three countries. France, Belgium and the Netherlands fell before our comfortable tourist bus, and by night we had reached Frankfurt in Germany.

Is London just Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Thames? After spending a few days there, I felt the real story of London isn’t in its stone buildings but in the people who live their lives among them.

Indian Railways flagged off India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset, a train that generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, the cleanest fuel known, recently. It produces near-zero emissions at the point of use. This milestone marks the latest chapter in the evolution of how Indian Railways has powered its trains, reflecting India's broader journey from coal and steam to cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy.

The wedding didn't begin at the marriage hall in Chennai. It began hundreds of kilometres away, on railway platforms across India.

Railways in India began with the first passenger train running between Bombay and Thane on 16th April, 1853. Evolving from early steam locomotives, railways have now achieved 99.6 per cent electrification of the broad-gauge network as of March 2026.

At railway stations across India, a quiet transformation is underway, bringing local craftsmanship into the heart of everyday journeys.

Three decades ago, 85-year-old Sita Ram from Morena embarked on a profound spiritual odyssey. He walked barefoot to Badrinath, his sand-worn feet carrying him through Himalayan trails, sustained by bhajans on his lips and the shared warmth of fellow yatris under starlit skies. He ate simple rotis together, chanted “Om Jai Badrinath-hari” in rhythmic unison, and found deep inner peace. On his return, he completed the 21-kilometre Govardhan Parikrama, each step an offering of devotion, pausing at sacred spots to hear Krishna's pastimes from elders.

The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train has been designed to cater to long-distance passenger travel and is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities.