Abstract
This is one of the core chapters of this book. This chapter analyses the concept of space from a very different perspective. Geographers are usually habituated to study space in its locational fixity. However, there may be a space, which cannot be identified with locational attributes. This kind of space does not have a fixed physical location, and thus, it is not possible to capture this space with the help of latitude and longitude. Local trains provide such a space. This space is mobile in character. This chapter addresses this fluid space, which is completely perceived. It explores the commuters’ perceptions towards the commute space. Based on an in-depth empirical research, this book challenges the very idea about commuting as a stressful journey. It shows that commuting is a pleasurable journey to most of the commuters irrespective of their age and sex. There may be many problems on the way such as crowding and non-availability of seats. However, the pleasure and benefits gained from commuting surpass all the problems. Thus, this chapter adds a new dimension in the literature.
The unique construction of space in the railway carriage promotes the possibility of storytelling. It is a space both solitary and collective; it contains an audience comprised of suddenly intimate strangers. The train carriage also seems suspended from the world around it, allowing for reflection upon that outside world. Finally, the motion of the train itself takes on a distinctive phenomenological character that inspires imagination and memory.
—Aguiar (2011, p. 117–118)
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Notes
- 1.
Ghat refers to the series of steps leading down to a water body, particularly to a river. Along the River Ganges, there are a number of ghats. Mallick Ghat has been developed on the left bank of the River Hooghly near the Howrah Bridge in West Bengal. A market of flower has developed near it. It is the largest wholesale flower market in Asia.
- 2.
Mega serials are some popular television programmes, which are shown every day at a specific time. Generally, many social thoughts are presented in these shows. These mega-serials are also broadcasted through some apps so that viewer can enjoy these at any time.
- 3.
Kartal is an ancient musical instrument of India used in devotional or folk songs. It derives its name from two words ‘kara’ meaning palms and ‘tal’ meaning clapping. It consists of two metal rounded pieces.
- 4.
Saree is a long piece of cloth, usually 5–8 m long and about 1.5 m wide. Women wear it in different styles.
- 5.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal. It operates toy train service. Toy trains are usually hauled by a diesel engine and two or three chair-car coaches. The DHR follows the National Highway-55, popularly known as Hill Cart Road. The DHR has much popularity in Indian popular culture.
- 6.
ICDS is a government-run programme that provides food, pre-school education, primary health care, immunization, health check-up, etc., to children below six years of age and also to their mothers. The objective of these services is not only to combat under-nutrition but also to remove gender inequality.
- 7.
Birthday of the Great Poet Rabindranath Tagore.
- 8.
Birthday celebration of the Great Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
- 9.
Incense stick is an aromatic material, which releases sweet fragrant smoke when burnt. This is used to refresh local environment during worship or any ceremony.
- 10.
A soft sweet made of milk and sugar.
- 11.
The Karmakshetra and the Karmasangsthan are weekly published job portals.
- 12.
The Anandamela is a Bengali periodical basically for children.
- 13.
The Adwitiya is a Bengali popular magazine mostly for youngsters.
- 14.
When one passenger travels one kilometer, it is taken as one passenger-kilometer. Thus, passenger kilometers are obtained by multiplying the number of trips with the average trip length (km).
- 15.
The Reduced Level above the Mean Sea Level gradually increases towards Bardhaman and decreases towards Howrah. Therefore, any train moving from Howrah towards Bardhaman is called up-train as it goes up the land. On the other hand, trains departing Bardhaman and moving towards Howrah are called down-trains as these move down.
- 16.
Country-cheese is produced from milk. It is enriched in lacto-protein, and thus a good healthy choice for old and sick people. This is a raw-material for sweets also.
- 17.
Swachh Rail-Swachh Bharat Programme was implemented in India in 2014. The sole objective was to sanitize the all railway stations and also to improve the quality of the railway sanitary systems.
- 18.
The 92-year old custom of presenting the Railway budget and general budget separately was eliminated by Central Government on 21 September 2016.
- 19.
Railway timetable is a detailed list of the trains at particular stations. It displays the train number, name (if any), arrival time, departure time, route, etc. Indian Railway presents its time in 24 h format.
- 20.
Flyover is an overpass that crosses a railway line or a road.
- 21.
Galloping locals do not stop at each station even on a suburban rail route. This policy is used to reduce the time and also to manage traffic at peak commute hours.
- 22.
Devi Jagadhatri is a Goddess of Hindu religion. She is thought to hold and to look after the world. Although the worship of Devi Jagadhatri was first started in Krishnagar, Nadia district, currently it is a widely celebrated in Chandannagar. Station Chandannagar is situated on the Howrah–Bardhaman Main Railway Line. During this festival, many people across the state and beyond the state gather in the city. The trains are fully packed that time.
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Mondal, B., Samanta, G. (2021). The Perceived Space. In: Mobilities in India. The Urban Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78350-1_6
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