For ‘aam janta’ or normal people, travelling in a bus is very regular. Using a government bus for daily commute is an ordinary part of daily life for many. But far from the normal city sounds, in the remote village of Rajasthan named Kurthal, the arrival of a government bus became a moment worth celebrating like a festival.A heartwarming video is doing rounds on the internet which shows villagers lining the roadside in the rain, happily cheering, dancing and filming as a Rajasthan Roadways bus enters the village. As per video, it was the first time that the villagers were seeing a roadways bus. It was not an ordinary celebration, it included traditional drums and dance.The scenes have resonated with millions online.The videoLocal reports indicate, Kurthal in Ajmer District, and the neighbouring village of Kerot had never been under the radar of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) network for over 10 years. Residents have reportedly described the arrival as the first government Roadways bus service to directly reach their villages since India’s Independence in 1947.While the viral claim has been widely shared by local media outlets and social media users, an official route notification and operating schedule from RSRTC confirming the new service were not immediately available. Nevertheless, for the villagers, it was a celebration of a lifetime.Why one state bus matters so muchWhile city people take public transport for granted, in remote villages, it still remains a dream. Until now, residents of Kurthal reportedly depended largely on private vehicles or had to travel many kilometres to access public transport. Village-level information available online had also previously indicated that there was no public bus service operating from within Kurthal itself.The arrival of a government bus is expected to make travel significantly easier for villagers now. Especially for elderly residents, students and families, the new connectivity could save time and money.The internet reacts
Villagers celebrating (Instagram)
The viral video has prompted some emotional reactions online. Many users described the scenes as “heartwarming” and “a reminder to appreciate everyday services.” Others called it a “privledge”. Some also expressed concern that it reportedly took nearly eight decades after Independence for a government bus to directly reach the village.The video is a reminder of the development gaps that still exist between urban and rural India. The images from Kurthal showed an emotional side, it showed some genuine happiness over something many people rarely think about.For many villagers, it represented easier access to education, healthcare, employment and the outside world.And that’s why we say, sometimes, the most memorable journeys are not about luxury trains but they begin with a single bus arriving at a village.
