KOLKATA: Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) plans to pamper passengers of the 12301 Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express as it departs Howrah on Sunday. After all, the passengers will be part of history. The Rajdhani Express, Indian Railways’ first luxurious train, will be completing 50 years Sunday. The first Rajdhani of the country ran from Howrah to New Delhi on March 3, 1969.
And who would better to be accountable for the celebrations than the son of the primary Rajdhani’s catering inspector Ratan Chandra Chandra, who kicked the bucket in 2016. His son Debashis Chandra is now the group general manager (east), IRCTC. He has promised to make the adventure a memorable one for the passengers.
“We shall serve barbeque or vegetable cutlets to AC-II and AC-III tier passengers. There can also be rosogollas for dessert, excluding the common ice cream. First AC passengers will have a continental menu with barbeque or vegetable cutlet and the special caramel custard that was once part of the menu at one time. We shall additionally welcome all passengers with chocolates and roses,” Chandra said.
In 1969, Indian Railways was now not only experimenting with a high-speed luxurious train but also with the idea that of clubbing meal charges with price ticket fares. The directions have been transparent. Passengers had to be fed well.
With no transparent directions, it was left to the senior Chandra to mend the menu in a way that no merchandise was repeated. He quickly discovered that First AC passengers preferred continental meals and he moderately picked cooks to arrange the food.
When dissatisfied, Chandra would cook dinner the meals himself.
“During the ones days, Rajdhani passengers have been regarded as elite and no slip-up was tolerated. The train had a lounge automobile and chair vehicles then. Coolies weren’t allowed into the train and coach attendants would lift passengers’ luggage to their seats. Apart from other pieces, passengers could be served fish a l. a. Kiev, vegetable au gratin and pudding. My father would never compromise. If he came to understand that a passenger didn’t like fish, he would get chicken cutlets prepared for them. He would additionally lift fresh fruit in the pantry automobile and serve surprises like mango soufflé. This idea was later picked up through the Mumbai Rajdhani that began in 1972,” Chandra added.
Though Rajdhanis are still regarded as premier trains, there was a sea change in the high quality of provider. Even the barbeque, served at the Howrah Rajdhani that passengers swore through, was discontinued a couple of years ago. Chandra said efforts are on revive probably the most train’s lost glory through bringing about adjustments in the menu.
And who would better to be accountable for the celebrations than the son of the primary Rajdhani’s catering inspector Ratan Chandra Chandra, who kicked the bucket in 2016. His son Debashis Chandra is now the group general manager (east), IRCTC. He has promised to make the adventure a memorable one for the passengers.
“We shall serve barbeque or vegetable cutlets to AC-II and AC-III tier passengers. There can also be rosogollas for dessert, excluding the common ice cream. First AC passengers will have a continental menu with barbeque or vegetable cutlet and the special caramel custard that was once part of the menu at one time. We shall additionally welcome all passengers with chocolates and roses,” Chandra said.
In 1969, Indian Railways was now not only experimenting with a high-speed luxurious train but also with the idea that of clubbing meal charges with price ticket fares. The directions have been transparent. Passengers had to be fed well.
With no transparent directions, it was left to the senior Chandra to mend the menu in a way that no merchandise was repeated. He quickly discovered that First AC passengers preferred continental meals and he moderately picked cooks to arrange the food.
When dissatisfied, Chandra would cook dinner the meals himself.
“During the ones days, Rajdhani passengers have been regarded as elite and no slip-up was tolerated. The train had a lounge automobile and chair vehicles then. Coolies weren’t allowed into the train and coach attendants would lift passengers’ luggage to their seats. Apart from other pieces, passengers could be served fish a l. a. Kiev, vegetable au gratin and pudding. My father would never compromise. If he came to understand that a passenger didn’t like fish, he would get chicken cutlets prepared for them. He would additionally lift fresh fruit in the pantry automobile and serve surprises like mango soufflé. This idea was later picked up through the Mumbai Rajdhani that began in 1972,” Chandra added.
Though Rajdhanis are still regarded as premier trains, there was a sea change in the high quality of provider. Even the barbeque, served at the Howrah Rajdhani that passengers swore through, was discontinued a couple of years ago. Chandra said efforts are on revive probably the most train’s lost glory through bringing about adjustments in the menu.
Rajdhani Exp 50th birthday treat for passengers
![Rajdhani Exp 50th birthday treat for passengers]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 01, 2019
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