Nepal, Oct. 27 -- Finally, after a year, I reunited with my family in Itahari for Dashain. The festival brought joy, laughter, and a sense of togetherness I had missed. Soon after, we planned a trip to Assam and Meghalaya, eager to explore new landscapes and soak in nature's beauty.

Our journey began at 6 am with the Vande Bharat Express from Siliguri to Kamakhya station in Guwahati. At the railway station, I witnessed two worlds collide. The rich moved easily, dressed neatly, sipping coffee, lost in comfort. The poor were sleeping on the cold, rough floor, trying to get some rest.

Before boarding the train, I had imagined it to be old, crowded, and noisy. Instead, the Vande Bharat Express was futuristic, sleek, and spotless. Launched i...