The Indian Railways provides\n us with a practical, convenient mode of transport, but its contribution of\n Indian life goes much beyond that. The Railways is the lifeline of the nation\n and, in many ways, its development has been deeply intertwined with the destiny\n of India. India Junction-featuring in-depth, analytical essays that are rich\n in history; delectable travel pieces; and some truly amazing and rate photo\n features-celebrates the changes the Railways has brought about in our lives;\n and examines how the Railways itself has transformed over time. ‘The Great\n Indian Railways’ takes us to 1853- the year train travel began in India-and\n analyses how it strengthened British rule; ‘Railway Filmy Chakkar’ recounts\n how Mahatma Gandhi, who was first opposed to the Railways, went on to\n effectively us it in the freedom struggle. The travelogues, too, are\n delightfully evocative and bring to vivid life the sights and sounds of train\n travel in India, some contemporary, others long consigned to memory. ‘When\n the Train Came to Deyra Dhoon’ remembers the furor caused by an engine\n chugging into a sleepy little town for the first time; ‘On Board the Bombay\n Express’ recreates the tangy, savoury smells that are released into the\n carriage-and the keen appetites that they awaken-when women crack open the\n tiffin boxes which they have brought from home. Featuring award-winning and\n renowned authors, including Sir Mark Tully, Ruskin Bond, Gillian Wright, Ian\n J. Kerr, Jerry Pinto, Omair Ahmed, Kartik Iyengar, Shobha Narayan, Sandipan\n Deb and Sharmila Kantha, Indian Junction will interest readers of all hues:\n students of history, travel buffs and everyone who loves a good railway yarn.