First Vande Bharat sleeper train made filthy by passengers within hours

Video of garbage strewn all over railway coaches goes viral

 

Malda (Bengal) – India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train commenced operations on 17 January from Malda railway station in Bengal and ran up to Kamakhya railway station in Assam. The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Vande Bharat sleeper train is considered one of the most advanced trains in Indian Railways.

However, within a few hours of its inauguration, several videos began circulating on social media. These videos showed used tea cups, papers and food wrappers thrown all over the coaches, clearly depicting the filthy condition of the train.

After the videos of the unhygienic condition of the Vande Bharat sleeper train went viral, the railway administration took note of the matter. Reacting to the incident, a senior railway official stated that since railways are public property, it is the duty of every passenger to maintain cleanliness. (Merely making such statements will not stop passengers from spreading filth. Only strict monitoring and heavy fines will make them change their behaviour ! – Editor)

Criticism on social media

People criticised such behaviour on social media. Comments such as, “India does not need external enemies. We are fully capable of destroying our own systems ourselves,” were widely shared online.

Editorial Perspective

• It is often said that people should be given only what they deserve. Indians praise cleanliness and discipline when they go abroad; yet in India, they themselves spread filth.

• Since society today neither teaches how to behave in public places nor imposes strict punishment on those who commit such acts, this situation will continue, and no one will take it seriously.