About the BBC India Election Train
Hi. I'm Soutik Biswas and I'm the India online editor for BBC News. I have also worked with Indian newspapers and magazines and am a Reuters fellow from Green College, Oxford.
Over the next month, join me on a journey to explore how the world's largest democracy goes to the polls and what its billion people demand from those they vote to power.
The world's biggest election is now under way. A highlight of the BBC's multimedia coverage will be a cross-country journey by train. Join me on a 18-day, eight-city, 6,000km tour from which I will be bringing you stories of the journey and the people I meet on it.
I and my BBC colleagues will sleep, eat and work on the train. During the stops, we will meet and interview politicians and businessmen and give you a feel of what they're thinking on the street in India.
The world's biggest election lives up to its name because Indians love to vote. A cluster of villages on the Andhra-Maharashtra border once voted twice after they were given voting cards by administrations in both states! The poor vote more than the privileged. Peasants go to polls defying Maoist diktats. I remember a cloth merchant from Bhopal who cheerily fought elections against five different prime ministers and lost every time. He fought elections, he said once, "to make everyone realise that democracy was meant for one and all".
I am city-bred, belong to India's thriving middle class, and don't claim to be an authority on every aspect of India's complicated society and politics. But there is no greater pleasure than coming to understand how complex multi-ethnic societies like India work: I have learned more political science and sociology trawling India's cities and villages than from my college textbooks.
India poses formidable challenges to a journalist. To fathom Indian democracy is to find clues to the riddles of human lives and behaviour. And there is no better time to go looking for answers than during a general election.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~37~RS~)
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Being a lover of Indian Railways, and having traversed 10s of thousands of kms on its tracks, I am so excited about this blog. However, I was reading the descriptions of each city stop on the interactive map and found a couple inconsistencies/errors. You say Calcutta, with a population of more than 15 million, is India's 3rd largest city. On the other hand you say Mumbai has a population of 14 million. Now we know that Mumbai is India's biggest city (by population) with about 18 million people. Calcutta is the 2nd biggest, with about 16m and Delhi is the 3rd with around 14m. I wish you can make these corrections
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Soutik Biswas:
I hope that you and the BBC Team will enjoyed the train trip across...My best wishes for the journey is being extended....
~Dennis Junior~
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Soutik:
I and my BBC colleagues will sleep, eat and work on the train. During the stops, we will meet and interview politicians and businessmen and give you a feel of what they're thinking on the street in India.
How many of the BBC Staffers will be on the train with you?
~Dennis Junior~
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Soutik Biswas:
Congrats on this train tour! and wow! BBC rocks by giving an exceptional coverage to the indian elections.
However I am quite saddened that your tain journey does not touch south of vindyas or east of kolkatta. I wish BBCs coverage is extended to southern states and media neglected north east!
Swami
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I am very excited and eagerly waiting for the train to come to Allahabad,
Let this initiative project the "real India" to the world.
My best wishes to BBC Team
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Thanks for the complete coverage of Indian election. But in the train map I see names couple of states in capital letters and for one it mentions the word ‘STATE’ in braces. Please make it uniform by not highlighting any state for any reason during the election analysis coverage.
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Does anyone else agree with me that this train journey in particular, and the multimedia coverage of the Indian election in general, is a huge waste of British licence fee payers' money?
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Rootfroot: I completely agree. Would Mr Biswas or one of his colleagues care to justify the cost of hiring and repainting a train to bring us coverage of a far away election? Given the terrible economic difficulties we're facing, wouldn't it be cheaper and just as informative simply to tell us who's won when the election when it's over?
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People like rootfroot & MartinDFerry are exactly what's wrong with this place.
Have either of you individuals considered that maybe the content is aimed at the BBC World audience. The BBC World TV coverage is not funded by the licence fee and the majority of BBC World's revenues are actually funded through subscriptions to satellite/cable packages in the country of the viewer.
Maybe it's time to stop being so narrow mind and consider the world beyong the UK shores. Otherwise the BBC will turn into any of the US networks and go "what world?".
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I'm sure that there are enough mature adminstrators in the BBC who have worked out all the details and surely they shall not embark on a project if its a waste of licence fee.Try to see the uniqueness of the project and the indepth coverage it will provide.
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Robinchoudry: Your faith in "Mature BBC administrators" is touching. As the shiny train rolls through some of the most deprived slums in the world, I hope the kids scavenging in rubbish tips look up, sigh, and agree wholeheartedly that that paint job was worth every penny.
Jordan D: If my expression of dismay at profligacy in the face of extreme privation constitutes "what's wrong with this place", maybe you should go somewhere else. Does the Royal Bank of Scotland have a forum?
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MartinDFerry: The issue here is what the BBC is trying to do - and I think highlighting the issues in one of the world's emerging economies with funding that's clearly coming from sources other than your back pocket, is probably a good thing. If you don't like the world outside your window, maybe you should look inwards at yourself.
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Jordan D: I'm in full agreement that the BBC should report what's going on in an important region of the world. My concern is that by hiring, decorating and rolling around in a large luxury train, Mr Biswas is isolating himself from the subject he wishes to study. Speaking for myself (and he're I'm looking inwards as you suggest) I would be very embarrassed stepping out of a luxury train emblazoned with a snazzy paint job to interview a man who sleeps under a tarpaulin in a Mumbai slum. The money (mine, yours, or anyone else's) being spent on the superficial aspects of this exercise actually detracts from its validity and could, in my view, be put to better use.
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all the best on this crazy amazing awesome trip! But i am curious, how did you guys manage to acquire a train? I really want to know :) thanks.
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I think hiring a special train is a fairly common practice in India. I am told that Indian Railways has a very standard policy. One doesn't have to throw his or her weight around to make it happen. This is a railroad system that the Brits left behind with an amazing penchant for written policy. Anything that is a policy is very easy to happen. Anything that is not, well... it almost never happens. That is the beauty of the system. And that is why it is still chugging along. And growing.
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Hi
Why isn't the BBC train visiting the states of Kerala or Karnataka or Tamilnadu. Are those states not important.
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BBC ELECTION TRAIN SHOULD VISIT KATWA IN BURDWAN OF WEST BENGAL. YES THIS YEAR'S ELECTION IS VITAL FOR RURAL PEOPLE OF BENGAL. AFTER 32 YEARS OF LEFT FRONT'S RULE CPI(M)'S PRO-POOR AND LEFTISM IS IN QUESTION. FARMERS ARE IN DOUBT IF LEFT FRONT'S INDUSTRIALISATION IS NOTHING BUT URBANISATION OF VILLAGES AND GRABING OF FERTILE LAND BY PROMOTERS. BECAUSE OF NO INFRASTRUCTURE, LAND BANK EVEN AFTER 32 YEARS OF LEFT RULE INDUSTRIALISATION IS BEING IN TROUBLE. WITH THE HELP OF POLICE AND PARTY GOONS INDUSTRIALISATION IS NOT POSSIBLE. BUT BENGAL MUST HAVE INDUSTRIES FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT. LEFT SPENT 32 YEARS TO LEARN TATA-BIRLA IS NO ENEMY BUT TRUE PILLAR OF INDUSTRIALISATION. IN LAST 32 YEARS MORE THAM 20 THOUSAND FACTORIES HAD BEEN CLOSED, LEFT FRONT GOVT. DONE NOTHING. NOW THEY ARE IN HURRY TO GET INDUSTRY IN BENGAL BY ANY MEAN THAT'S ANOTHER MISTAKE. IT'S BETTER THEY LEAVE OTHERS FOR 5 YEARS AND LEARN HOW TO RULE A STATE (NOT TO STAY IN POWER BY TICS).
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DEAR BBC ELECTION TEAM,
YOU ARE REQUESTED TO VISIT KATWA( IN E. Rly.)IN BARDHAMAN DIST. (WEST BENGAL)
AVI CHATTERJEE
KATWA
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DEAR BBC ELECTION TRAIN FRIENDS,
PLEASE VISIT AZIMGANJ( IN E. Rly.) IN Murshidabad District OF West Bengal AND VISIT THE HOSPITAL AT AZIMGANJ CITY. YOU SEE IN YOUR OWN EYES AND ASK LOCAL PEOPLE HOW THEY FEEL. SEE THE TRUE FACE OF BENGAL.
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Do we need from some one staying in one of the most expensive hotels of the world about how dirty and filthy the Mombai is?
I wonder how much money the BBC is spending to find some tid bits about India. Very disappointing !!!
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Dear Martin,
you ask why its important
1) to cover the elections in india at all and
2) why money was 'wasted' on a shiny train
First of all I just want to say that since India has an economy of over $1 trillion, and is the second-fastest growing economy in the whole world any nation with right-thinking people would of course be quite interested in how the general elections here turn out. Specifically the UK, which has a substantial stake in India's growth. Being one of the largest investors in India, the companies in the UK which keep your economy growing (or rather stop it from depression) need to do well in emerging giants like India in order to maintain favourable balance sheets overall, and thus boost investment here and in your own country. More wealth from stronger growth here means that your economy can be lifted out of recession sooner rather than later. Why is every1 so interested in India? Well, why is everyone so interested in China? Both are emerging superpowers, and India and the UK have significant cultural and economic relations to add to that.
Given that, there is a large amount of interest in your own country (believe it or not, BBC are not a bunch of morons to cater to non-existant demand for such a show). These elections are very important not only for the growth of India, but for the world economy as a whole since India does have a strong stake in world growth. In a time of recession around the world, if India elects a pro-growth, pro-development oriented party that is favourable to FDI, then it is people in YOUR country who are going to breath a sigh of relief, isnt it? Furthermore, some your biggest companies, such as Corus and Jaguar-Landrover are actually owned by (drumroll...) Indians!!! Besides China, what is the one place where car ownership is actually increasing? India! Where does Vodafone (a British company) expect to make one of its few large profits all around the world? India of course.
Despite your bias against India, Martin you do need to understand that in an era of globalization, the growth of other nations and thus political developments there do have a significant impact upon your won country, and so the election express -which is actually the best way of contacting ordinary voters as it physically drives through small villages and big towns alike and saves on time as well- was designed to give those who know nothing of the world beyond Britain an understanding of the political and economic situation in other nations. Your leaders talk grandly of fighting terrorism and spreading democracy. Where is the frontline of the war on terror? In Pakistan which borders (drumroll...) India!! What is the world's largest and most unexpectedly successful democracy? (drumroll....) India!!
So while the adversity that your own nation's economy faces may feel compelling enough for ordinary Britons to lose sight of the world around them. Globalisation is an opportunity your nation cant miss out on, and all that BBC is trying to do is remind you that there is, for all your difficulties at home, a wider world out there somewhere.
As for why the train was so flashy, well it got your attention didnt it? :P
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akshayk1991: Lots of typing! Well done.
To answer your points:
1. "You ask why its important to cover the elections in india at all"
Where, exactly, did I ask this? I thought my last post was pretty clear when I said "I'm in full agreement that the BBC should report what's going on in an important region of the world." Did you perhaps misunderstand me? I'll try to make myself clearer in future.
2. "You ask why money was 'wasted' on a shiny train"
Yes Akshayk, yes I do. I also ask why Mr Biswas is staying in a hotel that is "the most luxurious in Mumbai" (that's the BBC website's quote, not mine) while trying to connect with the people. Half of Mumbai's residents live in slums apparently (according to Mr Biswas).
So my question stands, and I'd value your answer: can you justify a luxury, first class air conditioned train and a 5 star luxury hotel, given that the whole point is to connect with the electorate? Why not write back Akshayk, but keep it brief. Thanks.
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The complaints about India Election Train cost reminds me an interesting joke about British national character. Here is the joke:
There was a violent storm over the English Channel which interrupted the air traffic and ship traffic as well. In the third day of interruption a newspaper headline made public a real national concern: "The Continent is isolated!"
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Hi, I think this is a very good attempt to celebrate the worlds big democratic practice. Democracy requires nurturing and support if it is to survive and thrive-including efforts to improve and expand civic engagement and effective governance in our India, while broadening access, inclusion, transparency, and accountability around the world. Thanks BBC fellows for this nice Election Train. I live in Howrah and expect a great visit within the next few days in Howrah station. Till then enjoy the journey and interact as many people as you can.
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Autumn75:
You keep laughing at our national character: we'll continue to enjoy our indoor plumbing and educating all of our children.
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Hey dont want to beat up on Martin here but ..
Firstly, its hard to find decent accomodation in India that is clean, cheap and safe - its the sorry state of the country - either things are extremely upscale or they are unworthy.
That said, the British have plundered and stolen a lot of Indian wealth during the 400 years of imperialism, part of the reason UK is a first world country today ! Just return the "Kohinoor" for a start and then we can talk about BBC spending money to cover Indian elections.
This may not be BBC's obligation, but something they have to do to retain their reputation as one of the leading news agencies in the world.
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Greendian: Don't worry, I'm not feeling victimised! I've never been to India and am quite enjoying learning about it through this blog. It's a shame there's no reasonably-priced accommodation for journalists in a huge place like Mumbai.
As regards colonialism I can't say I'm proud of the UK's record but I would suggest that a nation with its own space programme should be able to put the past behind it and look to the future.
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This is for Soutik Biswas on his pictures and comments on Allahabad.
Soutik, I am from Allahabad and indeed pained to see the pictures you have posted on your blog. The pictures depicted by you as you enter Allahabad by train shows that you are not an Indian at heart. Instead of taking and describing pictures of the Yamuna River, the century old Yamuna Bridge, the lush green fields of Naini, before entering the Allahabad junction, you have shown filth, poor children and buffaloes. This is what most Britishers capture on their camera to take back to UK and show thier friends and relatives...
You are supposed to be an Indian..try to show the positives of India and dont indulge in negative journalism
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@MartinDFerry - Nice posts. But I wouldn't worry too much about the money the BBC has spent over this. The reporters had a shot at some of their own versions of 'gonzo', plenty of publicity to the BBC, and why, maybe even a shot at the British Press award for sheer 'novelty' ;) As for the total money spent, I'm sure it wouldn't have exceeded the price of a new Hummer, which everyone seems to be owning these days...
win-win for all concerned, don't you think?
@Greendian - I don't think the country is in such a sorry state that we cannot offer good cheap accommodation to guests, sir! In Bombay, of all places!! And can we stop harping on the diamond, and think of something that actually matters to the present age? Why, wouldn't you agree with me if I said A.R. Rahman was our Kohinoor now?
As to the question of whether this whole cross-country trip was of any use, to me, there seems two ways of looking at it. As Mr. Biswas says, "a 18-day, eight-city, 6,000km tour from which I will be bringing you stories of the journey and the people I meet on it" if this is what you want, if you like wondering about the sorry state Indians live in, to talk about rampant corruption, ugly political patchworks, then this is what you want.
But if you feel you already know all this, and you want answers, ideas, inspiration, anything to improve the lot of India, then this is not for you. As Mr. Biswas says again, "India poses formidable challenges to a journalist. To fathom Indian democracy is to find clues to the riddles of human lives and behaviour." These riddles, sadly, remain untouched.
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Have you and your team members ever got a golden oppertunity to SUFFER in three tier or in general compartment......?????
beside the narrow gallery of loo?????
or,
sitting on the on wash basin while paying RANSOM to a black colour coated person popularly known as TTE in india ????
If not ........
Get it experience once your ice cream with Lalu will certainly turned into vitriolic chili sauce...
Have it Buddy.....if you have DARE
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