Billah's anti India bias seems to run quite deep. I do not think any Pakistani newspaper writes so rabidly against India. If Billah's source of information is not Pakistan but BD newspapers then it is quite shocking to say the least.
There are many things wrong in India but despite them there are many things going right for India as well. There is light at the end of the tunnel and the light is getting brighter for India. One of the things India can be really proud of is its Railway system. It is one of the things that unites India, other things being Hindi Films and Cricket.
Indian Railways network is 63,000 km long and it has 10,000 stations. Everyday 10,000 pairs of trains run and 30 million people are travelling on these trains at any time. Indian Railways is self sufficient in its requirements. It has its own production units to manufacture different types of Diesel and Electric locomotives, passenger coaches, wagons etc.
The passenger reservation system of Indian Railways is the biggest reservation system of its kind anywhere in the world. One can book a ticket from anywhere to anywhere from anywhere in any of the several classes of accomodation in person or through internet. This reservation system and also the suburban train system in Mumbai which carries 5 million commuters every day by running trains every two minutes are to my mind two of the modern miracles of the world. There are many more miracles that Indian Railways perform almost on a daily basis.
Indian Railways has a huge annual budget. In fact, Indian government presents the Railway budget separately and before the General budget.
Most Asian and African countries find Indian Railways more appropriate and cost effective compared to Europe or US. I am sure BD will benefit immensely. Of course BD have the choice of taking or refusing the offer of India. If one tries to look for ulterior motives into anything and everything Indian then that cannot be helped. One can for instance seek Chinese help to develop BD Railways. But Chinese Railways, despite the impressive growth in Chinese economy are still some way behind Indian Railways. And never ever think of approaching US for such assistance. First of all they will not be bothered. Secondly, they will rip you off. Indian Railways have already done the hard work of going to US, Europe etc, getting ripped off, getting wiser, buying their technology, indigenising and starting manufacturing on their own. India has done the hard work for rest of the third world countries so that others need not re invent the wheel.
Please do not think that I have invented all the stuff written above. I have an indepth knowledge of Indian Railways because I am an insider in Indian Railways for last 20 years and I have seen the progress personally. In fact I have been involved in it personally.
[Edited on 5-8-2004 by cricketfan]
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