Greatest trip of their lives: Passengers grateful for chance of travelling with PM on Mawa-Bhanga train route

It was the greatest achievement of his life.

That's how freedom fighter Aminur Rahman Farid, described his train journey from Mawa to Faridpur's Bhanga Junction, where he accompanied Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Aminur, also the district president of the Faridpur Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, said the prime minister had spent 15-20 minutes with them.

At the time, she also exchanged greetings with other passengers on the train.

They were in the coach just before the PM's, when she decided to drop by and give them a pleasant surprise.

He said the prime minister fed water and food to a child with her own hands.

"I was lucky to have Bangabandhu's daughter in front of us. It was the biggest event of my life. I can't believe that the prime minister of our country is so down-to-earth!"

Md Rabiul Islam, the train's driver, was also elated. He said operating the train with the prime minister on it was the most exceptional moment in his life.

"It will be considered an important chapter in my professional journey as I got the privilege of carrying the prime minister in my train to Faridpur's Bhanga," Rabiul said.

The train driver also mentioned that the train is scheduled to commence its journey from Dhaka on 1 November. He explained that the schedule is being arranged accordingly.

Sahida Begum, another passenger and also a model onion seed farmer, said, "I cannot express how much I enjoyed being the prime minister's travel companion. She came to us directly and talked to us for a long time. Thanks to Almighty Allah. May He grant Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a long life."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project's Dhaka-Bhanga section on Tuesday afternoon. She boarded the train from Munshiganj's Mawa end, crossed the Padma Bridge and reached Faridpur's Bhanga station.

Eleven people from Faridpur accompanied the prime minister on this tour. Among them were freedom fighters, cultural workers, garment workers, hawkers, bus drivers and school children.