Friday, 7 November 2008

Railway Time-pass Khana: Swadisht, Shudh aur Swachh

You know what guys? You have just given me an idea which is worth implementing. It goes like this... rope in recipes like 'lembu chonna' and other mouth watering 'time-pass' delights from pheri-walas all over the country, get them prepared hygienically in our railway base kitchens, pack them in non-spill, food grade containers and sell them at our stations and in our running trains; alternatively, also issue directives to our private catering contractors to follow suit. This, even though slightly more expensive, would be cholera/typhoid free (!), will increase rly revenue and do away with the menace of unauthorized vendors and other anti social elements in our trains who operate under the garb of rly. staff. At the same time it'll give our passengers a wide choice of spicy/hot, crispy/crunchy, tasty/delicious, tangy/lemony, chilled/icy, salty/sweet/sugary snacks instead of the usual boring, predictable, bread omlette/cutlet fare. I know we won't be able to replicate completely the unique taste one gets out of eating out of a kholi patra dona, but then we can't have it all, can we? Shankar Bhai, don't you think IRCTC should give this a serious thought?!!
Here is another interesting link on vendors in our trains...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywmaFiNOKyw

10 comments:

Faiyaz said...

Tas, as you rightly said, If you cannot replicate the Unique taste, Toh zindagi ka mazaa Kya?
Unke khoon Pasiney key mehanath key peeche math pado aie Hasina!
A dash of sweat is all it takes to make it different and best from the rest!

Zindagi mein Hasina nahin toh mazaa Kya?
Khane mein Pasina nahin toh mazaa Kya?
Kya Bolti Tu?

This is precisely what makes India unique, which is why I miss and love my India all the more!

Naresh said...

Tasneem

I would prefer adding a prefix A to your three 'S' in the caption.

Yes the improvisations suggested by you should be heard by ' Hamra Lalua or Rabri Devi '

Faiyaz said...

Unlike Railways, once the chocks are off and the Aircraft is airborne

It’s twinkle twinkle little star,
Vendor, wander where you are?
Up above the sky so high
Only Railways, why why why?

Faiyaz said...

Difference between Airlines and Indian Railways?
(Unauthorized Vendors Vs Air Hostesses)
Hasina Minus Pasina
Pasina Minus Hasina!

I'm not trying to Offend Tas and Nargis but they will certainly try to Defend!

Aab ayega Khel ka Mauja hi Mauja!

Kausty said...

Bechare vendors....if Railways starts taking over thier trade, vendors kya karenge ?
When we were kids, we were mostly told....study or chana bechna padega. With Laloo as the Railways CEO, well chana bechna might be a good idea !!
Sorry Tasneem....just kidding.
BTW Tasneem, did you get my contacts...please pass them on to Shehla.

Kausty said...

Faiyaz,
I completely agree with the Pasina theory.....some guys can manage without the hasinas, but the Indian street food cannot do without the pasinas.

Omkar said...

Tas,

I'm ambivalent on this one. Whereas, the benefits are obvious, ah the randomness of which vendor will spring up with what, will be missed, for some. Rmbr. doodh malai at the SVC gates?

How 'bout a restaurant like "Railway Corner", authentic with sound effects, a la "aaaaaaiiiii chaaaaaai". Serving on kholi potro - for an additional price ;-)

Nargis said...

Hey Tas...

Don't give such 'shudh' ideas to hubby. Come on yaar, if the flies don't taste it first and then come and buzz on their sweet nothings onto human ears and in the process also pass on the cholera/typhoid germs, yeh sab khaane ka mazaa hi kya? So no health foods in trains. Ghar mein kya kam khaate hain? Bah!

Tasneem said...

Personally, I also love street food! There was a time during my student days, when I knew by heart which station sold which particular goody on the Utkal Express n Neelachal routes...would eagerly wait for these stations to come during my journey so that I could hog away to high glory! Surprising how our stomachs used to be so sturdy those days...lakkar hazam, pathhar hazam!!

Faiyaz said...

Tas, I would personally like to thank you for the vendorful gesture of yours of sparing the Vendors!