Surprise proposal at Euston marks next journey for couple

A couple have become engaged after a man proposed to his unsuspecting girlfriend at Euston station, which holds a special place in their hearts.

With the help of Avanti West Coast and Network Rail, Nirmal Chohan, 27, proposed to his girlfriend, Vidya Patel, 26, who he has been in a long-distance relationship with for over seven years.

Under the pretence of a usual meet-up, Nirmal greeted Vidya at Euston, which is the couple’s rendezvous point, before proposing underneath the station’s departure boards.

The couple, who met at a dance event in 2014, use the West Coast Main Line to see one another – Vidya regularly travels on the train from her home in Birmingham to London, where Nirmal lives.

With Vidya’s trains always arriving at Euston, the station is a place of great sentimental value to them both.

Nirmal chose the station’s concourse as the setting for the proposal, as it is where the couple have met each month throughout their seven-and-a-half-year relationship.

“The railway has played a big role in our relationship. The trains and Euston station collectively made the distance in our relationship less of an obstacle, and more a warm, homely location where I knew I’d always get to see her again”, said Nirmal.

“Euston holds a lot of positive experiences – at times it felt like a Bollywood movie – with the hustle and bustle of people, trains left, right, and centre, and then me trying to woo the love of my life”, added Nirmal.  

The station’s information board was changed to display the message: “Vidya Patel, will you marry me?” before Nirmal got down on one knee.

Family members of Vidya and Nirmal were in on the surprise and watched the proposal unfold from a hiding place at the station before joining the couple on the concourse to congratulate them.

Speaking of the proposal, Nirmal said: “It has been a dream planning this surprise. For the proposal to happen under such circumstances, with both families present, is truly special. None of this would have been possible without their help, and that of Avanti West Coast and Network Rail, so I’ll always be grateful for this. We must now move our family planning to the topic of a wedding!”

Kathrin Pranga-Wells, Avanti West Coast Lead Station Manager at London Euston, said: “The railway brings loved ones together and Nirmal and Vidya’s story is a great example of this. Our West Coast route has played a key role in their relationship, so when we heard Nirmal’s plans to propose at Euston, we were keen to make it a memorable occasion.

“It has been exciting to play our part in this special surprise and give a nod to the railway that has connected the couple for years – we loved seeing the joy and excitement on everyone’s faces! We wish Nirmal and Vidya a happy engagement and all the best for their life together.”

Nicholas Holloway, Communications Manager at Network Rail, said: “When we were contacted to support Nirmal make this very romantic gesture at Euston station, we just had to help. We were really pleased to play a small part in Nirmal and Vidya’s story and wish them well for the future.”

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