Rahul Gandhi becomes the target of a new sport played in India - stone pelting

Rahul Gandhi, on his recent austerity drive in Shatabdi Express, encountered an amusing incident which involved stone pelting on the coaches of the train near Panipat. The stones were not pelted by any terrorist organization or workers of a rival political party, but playfully by some children in the age group of 10-12. He would have now experienced the real woes of 'Aam aadami'.

Even though people maybe surprised by the new sport of stone pleting that 'youngistan' is practicing, me and people like me who travel frequently in Mumbai local trains are not. Children of slum dwellers who live adjacent to the railway line, frequently throw stones at the passengers travelling in trains as a source of entertainment. We have seen innumerable cases of commuters being hurt, especially during the Holi festival. A few commuters have also been blinded or seriously injured on their face causing them irreparable damage. But the authorities have done little to move the slum dwellers away from the railway line. Slums and politics go hand in hand in India and there is little place for the plight of daily commuters vis-a-vis electoral gains.

Hopefully, this incident will bring this matter to the forefront and put an end to the nuisance faced by millions of travelers daily. Next, I hope Rahul Gandhi travels in Mumbai or atleast lives in Mumbai for a week during peak rains. I am sure he will get a closer peek to 'aam aadmi's' life.