In India, Everyone Waits For VIPs, Even Trains

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 Sagar Watch: Opinion*

Sachin Jyotishi- Education Consultant/ Column Writer

 

In Mexico, a mayor arrived late for the inauguration of a train line—and the unthinkable happened. The train, quite shamelessly, left on time. No red carpet tantrum, no emergency brakes pulled in the name of “protocol,” no national mourning for hurt egos. The train followed a simple, radical principle: time is time. The mayor, presumably, learned a lesson. End of story.

Now imagine this scene replayed in India. The train leaves without the minister. Immediate chaos. The driver is arrested for “anti-national punctuality.” The station master is suspended for “gross insensitivity to VIP sentiments.” 

A high-level inquiry committee is formed to investigate how a train dared to respect its timetable over a neta’s calendar. Headlines scream: “Who gave the train permission to move?”

In India, trains don’t run on tracks; they run on hierarchy.

Here, time doesn’t move forward—it waits. It waits for the VIP convoy stuck in traffic because the convoy itself caused the traffic. It waits for the ribbon to arrive, the scissors to arrive, and the chief guest to finish adjusting the shawl, garland, and camera angle. If the sun rises before the VIP arrives, the sun is clearly at fault.

We’ve seen highways shut down so a single car can pass smoothly, while ambulances wait patiently, learning the value of democracy. Flights are delayed because a “special passenger” is still choosing a seat. 

Public meetings start three hours late, because punctuality is considered rude when power is involved. In one country, citizens wait for trains; in another, trains wait for citizens; and in India, everyone waits for VIPs.

The irony? We lecture our children about discipline, punctuality, and respect for time. Schools proudly display “Latecomers Will Not Be Allowed” boards—unless, of course, the latecomer arrives with security, sirens, and a social media team. Then lateness becomes leadership.

Mexico’s train didn’t insult democracy by leaving on time. It honored it. Because when systems work independently of individuals, institutions grow stronger. When everything bends for individuals, institutions shrink to platforms—sometimes literally railway platforms.

So perhaps the real question isn’t why the Mexican train left without the mayor. The real question is: When will we allow time to move without asking for permission from power?

Until then, don’t blame the train for being late. It’s just waiting for the VIP clock to tick.

 

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