Railway narratives over the centuries have transformed into a captivating and multifaceted genre in the broader realm of literature, offering a unique lens which explores the cultural, social, and technological dimensions. These narratives often transcend mere transportation chronicles and evolve into rich tapestries that weave together the human experience of various natures, like the intricate web of railway networks. The railway, as a symbolic and tangible entity, becomes a dynamic backdrop against which individuals, communities and nations unravel tales of adventure, self-discovery, and societal transformation. These narratives reflect the rapid industrialization and urbanization that accompanied the rise of railways in the 19th and 20th centuries, capturing the zeitgeist of their respective eras. Whether through the experiences of people journeying in the trains or the cultural, social, economic implications of these encounters and observations, railway narratives extend beyond the confines of the locomotive, and are representations of a plethora of transformations in the society. 

As literary expressions of mobility and connection, these narratives contribute to a broader discourse on the intersections between culture, art, structure, space, time and human agency. The period following independence, marked by the unfortunate historical events of partition, imprints the narrative of railways. During the nascent stage of nation building, railways played a pivotal role in India's developmental trajectory. The evolving narratives of railways as a unifying catalyst, transcended the diverse topography of the Indian subcontinent. The theme of the conference is to envision a more interconnected relationship between international politics, and railways progressively influencing geopolitical dynamics and aim to foster a very nuanced understanding of the stories attached to cultural and economic bonds across borders in the 21st-century context.

The impending one day national conference, meticulously coordinated by the students of MA English with Communication Studies, Department of English and Cultural Studies at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), is primed to delve into a comprehensive analysis of themes centered on the railway milieu. The agenda encompasses a diverse range of scholarly activities, including curated film exhibitions, visit to the Mysuru Railway Museum, scholarly talks and panel discussions, and academic paper presentations. These scholarly endeavors aim to scrutinize and elucidate the multifaceted dimensions intrinsic to railway discourse. This scholarly congregation is envisaged as a pivotal platform fostering scholarly discourse and facilitating networking opportunities among students, academics, and distinguished figures entrenched in the realm of railway narratives. The overarching aim is to foster an enriched and nuanced understanding of railways, not solely as a cultural symbol but as a significant catalyst in fostering global interconnectivity.