He is known for his novel ideas, and when he boarded the train to Hanumangarh from Bikaner on Tuesday evening, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal once again proved that when it comes to innovative ideas there is no one like him. Be it cycling to Parliament as an MP or taking this particular ride in a local train in order to engage with the passengers on their opinion of three years of the Modi government, Meghwal has always surprised everyone with his out-of-the-box ideas. This time, too, he travelled on the train like an ordinary person, took feedback and interacted with those on the train with utmost simplicity and humility.
On this particular journey, the minister spoke directly to his co-passengers. Most of the passengers were labourers returning home after work. For them it was the first time that someone from North Block was not just reaching out and wanting to know the issues that concerned them, but also making a sincere attempt to try and help them right there. A call to a doctor for a cancer patient from Uttar Pradesh and an assurance for assistance from the PM Relief Fund help was provided right there on the train. In an exclusive chat with DNA, Meghwal said that he derives inspiration from Deendayal Upadhyay who used to travel in this manner. He said that he had received complaints about excess money being charged for water. DNA correspondent Laxman Raghav travelled with the Minister of State for an exclusive interview:
What was your objective behind this initiative?
It is the birth centenary of Deendayalji. He used to travel a lot by train. He had a knack of asking passengers are we progressing correctly. Or do you have any feedback regarding how Jana Sangh should progress. He used to keep asking people. So I felt that we are if we can imbibe Deendayal ji's habits in our conduct then I should also travel in such a general compartment and meet the passengers. So today as I am meeting these passengers they are telling me that after Modiji coming to power, after the Modi government came to power, cleanliness has improved even in these general compartments.
You have met some passengers and spoken to them. Would you like to share your experience with us?
Yes, like one said that we are here from Uttar Pradesh and are going to Bikaner for treatment for cancer. One is saying we are residents of Lunkaransar and we will get off there, they said that the water that is sold here in the general compartment is priced very high. So I will definitely speak to Suresh Prabhuji for this, and one thing (is that) I have not seen a charger here – one trackman of the Railways was sitting here and he told me some compartments have a charger and some don't.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Arjun Ram Meghwal")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}