'Shatabadi going down the hill' by K J S Chatath

I travelled by Shatabadi Express Ex Class on 22nd Oct. from New Delhi to Chandigarh.

A few minutes after the train left the station a smartly dressed young man in a coat and tie followed by an attendant carrying rose flowers, went to each seat and gave a rose to each passenger. I refused to accept the flower as I feel that the amount spent on it can be better spent by railways in many other ways, or price per ticket reduced.

I understand that these two gentlemen have no other role or duties assigned to them except of distribution of roses. If this is true then the cost per rose per passenger works out to about Rs. 500/....

By the time the train neared Chandigarh station a serving attendant with a tray circulated from passenger to passenger saying 'Happy Diwali' and collecting money...

Shame....