A strange journey on board ‘Friendship Express’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Trains have always been fascinating. To a philosopher, trains mirror life itself — transient and fleeting, with each person travelling toward their own destination. But to Yesudas G K, a resident of Puthiyathura, a train he took from Ernakulam to his hometown in Thiruvananthapuram four years ago became a journey to friendship and camaraderie. His friend, Shafeeq Edakkanad, writes about this on Facebook: “The train was crowded, and we found space by the door, near the washrooms. And then he parted ways, giving us his number and asking us to contact him in case we needed any help.” Shafeeq called Yesudas, and this was the start of a bond.