Practising austerity, Rahul travels in Shatabdi chair car to Ludhiana

Taking a lead from his mother and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in practising austerity, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today travelled to Ludhiana in the chair car of Shatabdi Express.

A day after his mother flew to Mumbai in the economy class, Rahul boarded the train this morning from the New Delhi Railway Station to travel to the northern industrial city.

Rahul refused to accept flowers presented to him at the station, saying it was the privilege of the executive class passengers and also demanded that he be served water in a plastic cup like other passengers.

Passengers travelling by the train were elated to know that the young leader was travelling with them.

"It is good that Rahul Gandhi is travelling with common people. He will get to see our problems first hand," a male passenger said.

A woman travelling in the same coach said, "I am feeling great after hearing that I will travel with Rahul Gandhi."

Railway officials said that Rahul will be served 'paranthas,' curd, 'idli,' 'vada' and fruits.

However, this menu was exclusively for him, the officials said, adding that any specific requests by Rahul will be gladly met.

Rahul is going to the city to inaugurate a four-day camp of young Congressmen.

The AICC general secretary will return to the national capital by the same train in the evening.  Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who was behind the decision to ask two ministers S M Krishna and Shashi Tharoor to move to modest accommodation from their five-star dwelling afer a media expose, yesterday flew to Mumbai in a commercial flight in an ordinary class seat to participate in a party function in the financial hub.

On his arrival in Ludhiana, Rahul was received at the railway station by senior Congress leaders of the state amid slogan shouting by supporters of the party.

Rahul then left for the venue of a training camp of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC).

MP and PYC President Ravneet Singh Bittu said the main aim of the training programme - Yuva Drishti-2009 - was to make the youth leaders aware of the rich history of the Congress and remind them about their role.

Several experts will train the youth Congress leaders about leadership, personality development and role and responsibilities of a leader.   Rahul was accompanied by Hitinder Singh, MP from Rajasthan, Ashok Kanwar, Indian Youth Congress President, and Tamil Nadu MP Manick Tagore.