The helpless station master!

I was returning from my hometown. I usually prefer a bus but had to travel by train this time. Things were okay until an hour into the journey after which the railcar I was in started stinking! It got horrible with time & I couldn't take it. At the next station, I spoke to one of the local officials to do something about it. They asked me to find & complain to a person designated ASF! I was told he will be available in the front railcar! I tracked the length of the train looking for him only in vain!!

I wasn't ready to give up yet. So I hit the station master's office & spoke to the station master. Contradicting my expectations, he was very patient & empathetic. He listened to me willingly. But, then was quick to mention his helplessness in not being able to do something about the situation. He spoke at length on the problem of the newly introduced (system of) contract employees and their attitude to work; about how difficult it was to get them to work & the pain of not having enough authority to take action on them!!

My problem remained unsolved. I chose to move to a different railcar for the rest of the journey. I wonder how so many in that railcar could endure the smell over the period of journey.

Anyway, on poking, the station master handed me an address of the divisional railway manager whom I could write to on the experience and hope to see some remedial action. I will do that & see if at all there is a reply!!!

On side note, this makes me wonder on the way people take their work these days. I have seen similar issues of lacking passion, ownership & willingness in one's work in IT, the field I work in. 'guess the issues are the same everywhere!!!