In pictures: Indian rail journeys

This year's summer vacation is a special one for the Ansaris. For the first time in their life, they are travelling in air-conditioned comfort. The railways have introduced the Garib Rath (Poor Man’s Chariot), a special air-conditioned train at half the cost of comparable services. So a journey from Mumbai to Delhi costs only $16.

"It's worth it," says Mrs Ansari. "It's hard on the boys in the intense summer heat. Now they can travel in comfort."