by When Avoiding Eye Contact Becomes a National Sport
In a bold attempt to cater to India’s growing population of introverts, the Delhi Metro has launched the country’s first ‘Silent Train.’ Passengers are required to whisper, avoid phone calls, and maintain a personal bubble equivalent to at least three rickshaw lengths. Officials claim the initiative aims to reduce stress, overcrowding anxiety, and the national epidemic of unsolicited advice on strangers’ life choices.
Eyewitnesses report that commuters now use elaborate hand signals and interpretive eyebrow movements to communicate. One young professional noted, ‘I think I just argued with a stranger about chai preferences entirely through eye contact. It was exhausting but oddly satisfying.’ Meanwhile, station managers enforce strict penalties for loud laughter, singing, or spontaneous philosophical debates, which are surprisingly common in Delhi.
Experts say the silent trains may improve mental health but could reduce public accountability, as people now quietly ignore others’ belongings without shame. A survey conducted by the National Bureau of Quirky Experiments found that 67.3% of passengers preferred the silent train over the regular one, though 12% admitted to secretly practicing ventriloquism to avoid penalties. Social media reactions range from celebration to confusion, with memes depicting Gandhi meditating in a crowded carriage.
Despite minor glitches, officials remain confident that the silent trains will become a blueprint for other cities. One anonymous commuter sighed, ‘I came here to read my book, but now I’m learning semaphore and Morse code just to ask someone to move their bag.’ As Delhi redefines public transport etiquette, the nation wonders: will silence bring inner peace, or just more passive-aggressive glares?
SOURCE: Bohiney.com (Radhika Vaz)
