The Unforgettable First Ride
When did you first get on a bus, rickshaw, taxi, or boat? Can you remember? I can’t. The memories of my first rides on various modes of transportation are lost to time. However, I vividly remember my first train ride in 2006 to Chittagong University. The shuttle train was unlike any other train. It was a magic vehicle, where sitting at the door, in front of the engine, or even climbing on the roof, remains an indelible memory.
The Heart of University Life
As a native of Chittagong and a student of Chittagong University, the shuttle train is the essence of my university experience. An epic could be written about the university shuttles, but my limited writing skills can only hint at its grandeur. One of our respected teachers once shared his astonishment at how students from all over the country travel from villages to towns to study, while a group of passionate students from Chittagong embark on an hour-long train journey to the village for education.
Childhood Dreams and Realities
Growing up, I was fascinated by Shamsur Rahman‘s poem that went:
“Jhak jhak jhak, the train is running
Ai at midnight.
The train is moving, the train is moving
Where is the train house?”
As a child, I dreamed of riding a train, often writing essays about boat or train trips based on others’ stories. The day I finally boarded the shuttle to my dream university was magical. My love for the shuttle and the campus ignited on that first day and has only grown stronger over the years.
Capturing the Essence of the Shuttle Train
It was an integral part of life, catching the 7:50 AM train from Sholashahar Junction to reach campus, and returning by the 5:20 PM train. Every student at Chittagong University understands that the shuttle is more than just a train—it’s a harbinger of a thousand dreams; a melody of hope and despair. The shuttle is inseparable from music, nurturing the birth of many famous singers from Chittagong.
“University days are fading away,
The bright and spectral days vanish into thin air.”
The journey from city to campus or vice versa took a minimum of 45 to 50 minutes. Amidst music and the beauty of nature, this time passed swiftly. Passing through Battali, Jhautala, SholaShahar, Cantonment, Chowdhury Hat, Fatehabad, and numerous other landmarks, we arrived at our beloved campus, greeted by expansive paddy fields, forests, and hills. Fatigue could not weigh us down; instead, we grew more vibrant with each passing moment.
The shuttle compartments were as colorful as the dreams of university students, each one a canvas for their creativity. Students took it upon themselves to paint these compartments, turning them into vibrant reflections of their aspirations. Each compartment bore a unique name, adding to the train’s individual charm and character, like Mohapapi, Always, CFC, Orion, Epitaph, Akakar, sixty nine (69), meteor, VX, victory, Concord, Cockpit, Khaitya kha, Sampan, Ulka, Red Signal, Fatafati, Charki, Virus and many more beautiful names.
Capturing the Magic of the Shuttle Train in Art
The shuttle train is a place where dreams are woven, love stories are penned, and sorrows are drummed away. It’s like The Polar Express to a fairy-tale world, with no tickets or fares for students. An annual fare is insignificant compared to the joy of boarding the shuttle, which is free for admission test takers and other travellers.
Every day was an adventure, from securing spots for friends to sharing Hog plums and jhalmuri. Jumping on a moving train felt like a scene from “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” evoking the iconic Raj-Simran moment. The shuttle was the beginning and end of many love stories. Inspired by this vibrant culture, countless pieces of music and films have been created, celebrating the shuttle’s unique spirit.
In 2017, I had the opportunity to bring this inspiration to life through art. Collaborating with a friend, we created a wall painting for the “6teen Café and Bistro” in Chittagong. The artwork was themed around the iconic shuttle train of the University of Chittagong, capturing its essence and the joy it brings to students.
This commission work stands as a testament to the enduring charm of the shuttle train, a beloved symbol of my university days and a source of endless creative inspiration.
Unique in the World
Chittagong University stands out globally for its unique train service for students, set against a backdrop of stunning nature, mountains, and fountains. It even has its own museum. The famous “Jhupri Ghor” of Kala Bhavan, with its delicious foods, has mesmerized students for generations.
A Lasting Love
Though it has been a long time since I last visited the university campus, and despite taking various trains both home and abroad, nothing compares to the shuttle. It has changed over the years, its colors not the same, but my love for the shuttle train remains unchanged. I still feel its colors and smell the love. I will always love Chittagong University.
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