My first India Trip-I

Bridjesh Gautam / Sanischare
It isn’t that I had never been to India before but those previous visits were meaningless as I only touched it as halts or as transits. I was teaching in one of the charming hills of Illam after my exams. I had no such plans of any visits but I got astonished when my father told me about his plans when I was home during the summer holidays.

Actually I wasn’t prepared at all. Moreover my holidays were not long enough for 3 week long trip. So I overruled the idea. My parents were desperate. They wanted me to follow them at any cost. After all I couldn’t hurt them.

My father’s idea was to make a pilgrimage. He had planned to do what is called Char Dham Yatra in homage to all the ancestors. Reluctantly I thought it was okay. I was planning secretly to visit the places of their choice and to study something different. I don’t believe much in all these religious ideas. So I was almost sure that the trip was going to be boring. One may not believe but, in east, one cannot leave his House as he wishes he has to wait for what is believed to be the ideal day………

My mother rushed to a nearest priest to fix the day of departure. “We have to go the day after tomorrow, otherwise should wait for the next 15 days”, said she. Now came the real test.
In this very short time it was next to impossible to get train reservation and one cannot travel 1000 km by local train. Finally we were ready for the same unorganized travel.

To be continued……..

Tags: Bridjesh Gautam