A narrow gauge rail track in remote rural Vidarbha has turned into a rallying point for supporters of a heritage railway, which predates the British rule.  A 64-year-old farmer-activist, Vijay Vilhekar, stands at the centre of the Satyagraha demanding the resumption of Shakuntala Express. His new year began with this resolution—to keep the train alive in public consciousness.

On January 1, he celebrated the 109th birthday of Shakuntala rail engine at Murtijapur, where the spare parts lie in a shed. He has been part of similar celebrations throughout the month in 100-odd villages (one bordering Nanded in Marathwada), which fall on Shakuntala’s route, including his hometown Daryapur.  In fact, the quaint little-known 28 railway stops—Lasina, Chamak and Kapustalni—have come to life because of the Revive Shakuntala movement.
 
This Republic Day, Vilhekar will be organising commemorative events at Shakuntala’s rail stations, which have been spruced up for a special flag hoisting, followed by chanting of freshly-written bhajans devoted to Shakuntala’s cultural legacy. Incidentally, Shakuntala Express has inspired two books—one by Vilhekar and another by a Delhi-based railway official.