Its really unfortunate that you have undergone some bad experiences.
i fail to understand as to why you did not book your tickets much before when you know you have to travel - (they get only 10 days leave only for half yearly exams) - and in each year, they may get the same number of holidays around the same time. in this case, with some foresight, you could have booked your tickets in advance. (+/- one or two days leave can be taken) that would have saved you the hassles of uncertainty due to non confirmed bookings - particularly when travelling with children.
Atleast,...
more... due to this experience, from next time pl reserve your tickets well in advance (even if you cancel it, the charges will be very less compared to the hassles you have to undergo with your children) and dont depend on tatkal tickets.
pl do not misunderstand me, but i really dont know the reason for not booking your ticket in advance when you fully know that children have 10 days holiday and would like to visit a place.
thanks and sorry for asking you a question which others have not asked.
Its still an unfortunate incident which you will not forget for a very long time, but experience, good or bad, makes us to see life differently.
i am sorry if any of my above view hurts you, but the pain which you had undergone has raised this question. my apologies once again.