Now no Saffron kurtas only professional attire for service staff in 'Ramayan Express'

Indian Railways has changed the uniform of serving staff aboard Ramayan Express after Hindu seers objected to their saffron outfit.

Hindu seers from Ujjain had called the saffron uniform an insult to the Hindu religion and had threatened to block the train in Delhi on December 12 if it wasn’t changed.

Apparently the Railway Board decided to not stoke this controversy and change the uniform to what is acceptable.

In a statement,The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation which runs the train, said,

“It is to inform that the dress of service staff is completely changed in the look of professional attire of service staff. Inconvenience caused is regretted.”

Now the uniforms have been changed from Saffron kurtas & rudraksha malas to shirts and trousers and traditional headgear. However, the waiters will wear saffron masks and gloves.

Notably, the country's first Ramayan circuit train chugged off on a 17-day journey from the Safdarjung railway station on November 7, and will visit 15 places associated with the life of Lord Ram.

Covering a distance of more than 7,500 km, the train will take the pilgrims to places such as Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Nandigram, Janakpur, Chitrakoot, Sitamarhi, Nashik, Hampi and Rameshwaram.

The Ramayan Express is equipped with first-class restaurants, a library and shower cubicles.