Indochina calling…

The Hanoi morn was brite and sunny but heavy, the moisture laden air  perceptible  ,as it’s first day of June , the trip to Indochina taking off with Archana, Doel and Arnav all vacating Mumbai after exams and the opportunity well grabbed …

The City ride , the Water puppet show, theVIETNAMESE coffee with  local cookies  was the  right  recipe for  an  unwind, on Day2morn.

This trip  wud conclude  our tryst  with South East Asia since 2017...as the  bucket  list  is all ticked off ....

The Na Boi international airport of Hanoi had serpentine  Q s in the immigration desks  but surprisingly fast disposal .... as we were picked  up  by  Elegant  Suites cab and thus began our  Hanoi trip ...what was striking : was a clean city , took 30 mts  to  the  fabled  old  quarters ....the Hoan Kiem Lake  side  , Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum , a plethora  of Govt & Party offices  dotted  with   cafes and Govt  offices  with  The Red  & Yellow starred flag of Vietnam ....

Vietnam I visited thru Kolkata dailies while meticlously following  the  War  in the  seventies ...I a primary school student ...the words Hanoi , Saigon , Ho Chi Minh, VietCong & VietMinh all so very familiar during  that  period ...generated  immense  interest since  then  ..

Now having had to step on this soil was an inevitable  come tru ....So there  were Goosebumps  as  our Taxi slid  past  the  monuments  ,  the  people  relaxing  on  the  lawns  and  whoosh passing  in Honda  bikes  on  the  street  ..."Finally  made  it"   was  the feel!!!

Doel  was  equally excited  as  it tallied  with  her  history  discourses  in  her past Male'academics, as a child ,a huge fan of Lenin, now witnessing  the edifices of Vietnamese Communism ...

strolling  after  a coffee  brk  just  before  the  start  of  the  Water  puppet  show , I entered Sinh Travels  where an experienced  Senior lady  formulated  our  Day  3  plan to  Ninh Binh  &  Day 4  plan  to Halong  bay  as due  to paucity  of time  in Male' couldn't  quite  plan  it out  earlier ...the  package  in Luxury Bus transfer  was attractive  and I lost  no time  in  booking  as  time  was short for  a  12  day  comprehensive itinerary North to South Vietnam along  the Reunification Railway  line route  was jam packed : with  cities  ,  towns  to be visited  ,  hence  lost  no  time  as  Hanoi  was a 4  nite stay...having  recovered after  the Journey  of  Day 1 @  Elegant suites  which  provided ample space  and  great facilities ....Communication issues  were  sorted  by Google translator & people were  more  than willing to help as we  visited LP Bank for  currency swap ...there was definitely an air of helpfulness towards  the foreigner ...this  fortified  my  feelings  further  towards  S E asia for definitely the Countries  which we visited  Thailand  , Indonesia , Malaysia  , Cambodia  , Far East Japan  ,  China and now Vietnam as populous  places  but  orderly ...Having risen  like  the Phoenix  after  the  decimating war  of  the seventies  Vietnam is  fast up  the  ladder  in terms  of  development  ....The Mekong  has shaped Indochina  4900Km , cascading  from the Tibetan plateau and  nourishing multiple  countries  of the region ....the  paddy  fields  are  endless  , so are the Rice terraces  in  the  region and a source  of Economic development  for many a country  of the region ....Mekong Delta  near Saigon the culmination  of the labour  of the Great River...not  to spk  of  Mekong  but  countless  rivers  irrigating  the  catchment area ....River  and  her  Civilization ...as Ninh  Binh  was visited :  Tam Coc  River  , Limestone  Karst topography  , limestone caves , breathtaking escape  into  these in Sampan boat tour , amidst  lushgreen paddies,      & Hoa Lu complex  of  an ancient Capital  of  a dynasty & the  establishment of  the  Viet Kingdom , all in  Ninh Binh 10 th Century CE , the  lotus  laden  ponds  and  a  bicycle  ride  thru  these villages hurtling you  back  to  an  era  of yesteryears ..Ninhbinh from  Hanoi is  a  gem  in  the  itinerary  and  Sinh Travel  lady had arranged  the  trip  perfectly  ....late evening  arrival  to  Hanoi and  early  morn  dep for  Halong Bay  area had  to  be  consummated  and  truly  Elegant Suites with  its  plush interiors  gave  us enough  time  to  cool  our  heels  and  laze  reminiscing  what  we had  achieved  so  far  ....!!

Halong Bay  and  Alina Cruise  with  breath   taking  Limestone  formations on the sea slithered  by as  the  day  long  cruise took  us  from point  to  point  of  interest  ,  kayaking  , swimming  , on board  sumptuous  lunch  , cave  visits  and  TiTop island  tour 

What best cud  it be to depart Hanoi by VNR :Vietnam national railways : reunification rail  route to  experience  the  Highlands  &  Coast  all  at  one  go,  side  by  side  such  is the  disposition of  the  Country  , Highlands , paddy  fields  ,  coast ,all  side  by  side  as  the  train  wud  move  on  a  MetreGauge & the  train  wud  sway just  like  the  MG  trains  of India  of  yesteryears  ...

As  Ninh  Binh  , Halong Bay  were  tough itineraries  booked 4  berth  AC  compartment for  a  day  long  Journey  to  Hue : North Central Vietnam  ,  the  Imperial  capital   700  km  away ..

the late evening arrival  again  at Hue Rly stn quickly ushered  out  by  Samset Manor  Penthouse driver where  we  were lodged  for  two  nites ...Hue appeared  laid  back  ,  comparitively  sparse fewer  highrises  as compared  to Hanoi  , an  Imperial  city of Grandeur ....in fact  the  last  dynasty   flourished  here  : Ngyuen Dynasty  to  be specific  with  their  iconic  structures  and  lay out of  the  Citadel  ,  the  Hue Imperial  city ,  Thien Mu Pagoda  , the  perfume  river  royal  tombs  , Khai  Dinh  Tomb  &  Tu  Duc  Tomb  Unesco  Heritage  scattered & dotted with history makes HUE a must  visit ....the Tu Duc campus where Emperor used  to  use it as a getaway  far from  the Citadel area is one of quietitude and pure poetry...still in  its pristine beauty of gardens , terraces , lakes , secluded , with the aroma of incense rife  in  the air an altogether ethereal place  for  the  Emperor  to  retire ....The orient in full bloom so is  the lotus & lotus ponds ubiquitous ...

The Citadel Of Hue represents  the  seat of the Last Vietnamese dynasty  the Ngyuen ...a sprawling campus influenced by Paris with a Palace of Versaille look alike palace :the Governmental  seat ...its one huge complex , reminding  me of the Forbidden City Beijing which we had visited in 2018.....Bu ddhism and traces of Hinduism influenced  the  region and its  people .....Citadel was tough itinerary as its huge but Doel the bird flew in its corridors & labyrinths with  me  in tow ....her enthusiasm is infectious , a bundle of energy & curiosity...!!.....Shiv Shakthi is an Indian restaurant here & our tired legs found a suitable  refuge in  the Lunch hrs ....

Samset Manor provided us a penthouse , the city glowed underneath , girdled  by  hills,  Hue the Imperial city , as we braced for  an interesting  journey to Danang & Hoi An down further South thru  the Hai van pass , picturesque rail route from Hue to Danang city our  nxt  destination ....replete with tunnels  with glimpses of the sea , beaches  , cliffs the MetreGauge Rail route is 3hr long pure delight as we swayed and sometimes inched  our way uphill to Danang city.....dumping  our  luggages in  Nomad stay  a transit  home  we headed towards  THE CITY which had great shoreline , beautiful hotels overlooking the beach , and off we proceeded to Hoi An the traditional laid  back  in  time  The  Lantern City , the Coconut boat  ride on  the idyllic  Thu bon River@  Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Cam Thanh Village)Hoi An's famous coconut boat (basket boat) tours in a Huge sprawling Mangrove labyrinth & is located in the estuary where the Thu Bon River intersects with the De Vong (Co Co) River and the Cua Dai River..The Boatmen  wud  perform antics with their Bamboo and palm leaves of a round boat much like the Boats in Tunghabhadra Hampi ...the coconuts are unique growing in the mangroves ...the  ride  to Hoi An post this  enroute  enriching  experience  &  we are  back  in  19 th century setting  of  quaint colorful small residences  , shops & Lanterns adorning  them and  their  Town ... its a no entry for  this particular  street  for vehicles as we stroll  down  its  path , French Colonial structures & sweet Coconut  water  to savour amidst  the unrelenting  Tropical June Sun !!!....Ganesha was the perfect rest point  for  us as the restaurant provided us  in Hoi An the perfect Desi meal  we were looking  for ....as we bade byes the nxt day  the  sea farers since childhood Arnav  , Doel  with  me hurtled  down again  by  the Night train   sleeping  comfortably  for Nha Trang a sea side Coastal town of beauty ...Muong Thanh was our apartment 31 st floor overlooking  the bay  and a popular  beach with activities of Kayaking , snorkelling  ....but definitely  the City limits  highlights was the Cham  dynasty  Temple of Vietnams  Hindu  past  King SatyaVarman  &  HariVarman , the Po Nagar temple is Bhagvathi depicted   : Thien   Y Thanh   Mau  in Vietnamese is  the Goddess ....Mukhalingas ...Shivalingas  adorning  the well restored  Temple  of 8th Century  AD !!!!...The  French Colonial  past  well  established   in   Nha  Trang Cathedral !!.....The Yasoda Restaurant served  hot  Curries and we were  pleasantly surprised...Hurtling  down  further  south  on  the  Reunification  MG  track  our  nxt  destination  was  Saigon : Ho Chi Minh City ....The Mekong delta 

It had  to  end  up  here  as  the War remnant Museum  told  us all  of  the  sixties  &  Seventies  ...rang  familiar  bell  of  childhood  , an  avid reader  of  Kolkata  dailies ,  revisited  ...!!!...Glad  the  fmly came  here  as  history  is  indelible  ....Wht a turnaround  for  the  Nation now  :  The  South East Asian Tiger..... a  thriving lively  city  with  the  last  minute  shopping  in  Ben Thanh Mkt  before  our  late Eve departure for  Mumbai  ....!!!

Battered & Tattered : as rages the war

 Its usual salvaging , from  the  scourge  of  diseases & accidents , which is an imprint of a  Lost Confidence well writ , only  to  see health bounce  back  flying

  again  to  dizzy  heights  ,   the  recent  skirmishes forgotten   ....as its  per  chance  the  phenomena , as its  not  in  control  ,  unpredictable  as  a Disease &  a Traumatic  Accident will  unfold ...but  ,  the  unecessary  spillage  of  blood is  the  unkindest  cut  of all , as Life  is valuable , a  celebration  on a  stage  of  kind  Mother  earth  ever  sustaining  the  population ... As  War  batters  &  tatters  unecessarily blood  is  spilled ...the hammering  unabated  of  decimation  &  Obliteration...We  are  our  own enemies  

The Clinical tear….

The Indian Ocean Diary

Rojnamcha 

The early morning train …

The regular departure, though innocuous as it might appear was far from truth as the heart was torn apart as you bade farewell to your own….tru the lump in the throat , as the formative years rolled…the vacation over now , the morning train awaiting departure …such was the strain , that you are overwhelmed and an inertia supreme: a strenuous effort….The biggest stumbling block was Ma : the epitome of entwinement: her frail frame hard to let go…

Nevertheless, the brave heart trudged on , the thoughts shattered by the thunderous Diesel Loco with its 21 bogie load as it appeared on the horizon…

The monster of a train as familiar reliefs of the small town slithered passed as it diligently tore apart the comfort zone…

As the trip to the new session of the school culminated ,one cannot fathom the sea of change just a diurnal variation…

Took time …. the fledgling roots still raw from an uproot , slowly finding its ground of sustenance , as fellow comrades mingle, a newer zone of self realization, a goal for self development, far away from the safe haven, not very old but fresh in memory…

Time is the currency, as the school hostel years rolled on , the cut out of an agenda of self awareness, self assertion and ultimately Self confidence….

As I fly back home from the Sunny clime … there will be my own family waiting….there will be quality time ..a short visit …a week…but enveloped in hope, bonhomie, … only to be torn apart as you part again from your kith and kin ….flying into the Sunny clime , the crossing over the Laccadive sea : a ritual…. this time it’s not a Diesel locomotive but a jet plane clinically executing the tear…….

As Constant as the Northern Star ....

 ...The  Sun  warming  up ,  the transition  evident : seasonal outbreaks,

 the  Holy month sets in : as the  Faithful Submits ...

...The Cobbled  streets  ,  the  beaten  track , the  long stretches : time  for  being  meaningful to  a  purpose  of an  existence ,of  a  much  needed  service  here  ....

Day  in  &  day  out  the touch & reach , a  heart    , sick  perhaps  the  rhythm  , loaded  perhaps  the pain  , tensed  perhaps  the  outcome  ....a  flicker  of  hope  , a  helping  hand , a  rustic  service ,  a remote  setting,  donning  the garb  of  being  Omniscient  ,  Omnipotent as  thr  r  no alternatives  in  stark remoteness ....

The insurmountable  deep  blue ,  the rain  soaked  palms , a direct  connect  with  quietude , a  time  to  fathom ur bearings , as u dive down deep, a rainbow of  a shoal, out  of their natural habitat in the Corals ...

As  constant  the Northern star ...veritable  ,  unspoilt the Archipelago  ....!!!!

The parting Repertoire ...

 Have  to  part  now , the year  drawing  to a close , though  its  business  as  usual , as  breckneck the  speed  that  was  in  the  initial  mnths  , just as  same  as  the year  end...but Time  flies as  a quicksand  shift, deluging us with hordes of events  the  year  offered  ...Humility....  tht  Good Lord gave  me  the  strength  for a much needed  Service  here , season  after season ,  a  steady  flow  , a  steady  accrual  of Good  wishes , Blessings   & Solace  ...!!!....an  Old table  , an  old Chair , a  much  jaded  flooring withstanding  the ravages of  time  :  the Service  rendered , a   happiness  elicited  ,  a  hope  generated  , &  Life's Flow unabated  ...!!!   Pure  , Holy  ,  Hallowed as   the Soul bereft  of  Gloss  or  external  paint  ,  the  Jaded  floor  , a  mute testimony  , the footfalls  unabated  ....!!!...The  flt  back  home  as Immigration  is exited is a severance  akin to  tht  of  the  Umbilical  cord  ...U belong  whr U  serve  ...!!!....U  belong  whr  Ur  needed ...The   many  seasons  of  "Hulanghu  &   Iruvai " :  Monsoon  &  retreating  Monsoon , generating  tht  sprightly  gait  as  ur  drenched , of  being  a  part  of  the  Blessed system !!!! 

....Close to the Earth , even Closer to the Heart ....!!

The Zipline carrying  Arnav  first  followed  by  me  over  the Tegallalang rice terrace  enthused  us  into  more  daring  River  rafting  amidst  rain in  an 11 km stretch  in Ayum River  with sharp currents  ,  eddies     and  rapids  ,  as  we  negotiated  with  both Archana & Doel  pedalling    upfront  and  both  of  us  behind :  the river  flowing sharply  in  the gorge  dotted  with waterfalls ...the  tropical  jungle bordering the  gorge  :  rife  with  high pitched sounds  of    insect cicadas    : a  crescendo  first then decrescendo : all  in  unison ...the  remoteness complete  with  overcast  conditions  & a   steady  drizzle  adding   to  the  thrill  ,  as  we  hurtled  downstream  the  current  even  stronger  ...8'S  latitude  Lesser  Sunda  Archipelago  is  a  gem  of  Indonesia .... the  Pacific ring  of  fire ...the Volcanoes  and  its Lava  fields  of  Mt Batur ....the  fertile  volcanic  landscapes  with  Dragon fruits  ubiquitous &  so is  the aroma of Durian fruit ...the  vulcanic  ash  ,  the  hot  water  Geyser  from the  underground  a  soothing  balm .....the  rains  greeted  us  copiously  as the Jeep  snaked  its  way up  hill the  vulcanic  landscape ...as we inhaled  the  cool  moist  ,  breeze , partially drenched  ,  the  Huge  water  body  of  the Lake  visible  downhill now , as  the UNESCO GEO  Site welcomed us  : a  Lava  field , : mute testimony  of a massive eruption of yesteryears , the  Sunset  point  at  our feet  ....atop  Mt  Batur ....

By  default  we  reached  here  as a stopgap arrangement  in  lieu of Swiss Alps  first &  Drakensberg Ranges  of SA both  of  which  eluded  us  for  delayed  visa  approvals &  had  to  be  kept on  hold   ...August  Sept Zurich  Interlaken sector, followed  by  the fabled Jungfrau region in  the Swiss Alps  with Matterhorn peak  high  on agenda , to  be followed  for  a finale  to St Moritz  , in as  much  the  Villa booking  in Sarnen near Lucerne went abegging ...Let  down  but  not  to be  rundown  !! the RSA  trip finalised with The  Garden & Panorama Routes high on agenda , but Lo ! and behold gets scuttled  due  to  inordinate delay  in  Evisa  approval  which landed  in  the  Inbox on the Day  of Departure !!  , a near impossible  proposition and  further  heart  break ...

Its  often  my experience  , that  unplanned , unscheduled  trips  materialize , and  Indonesia just fitted  into  the  bill with VOA ....!!! : the 12  hr  trip  to  the  Sunda archipelago  from  Mumbai &  Lush green  raw  tropical color  embalmed  us  in  a manner  as rapid  mist  wud  cover u  on a fine  winter  morning in North India ...!!!  

Riding the ATV  bike circuit in the  dense  Jungles with Arnav  in the pillion &  a stellar  performance by Archana  with  Doel in tow  ...!!!...the Circuit was tough  as  the terrain was  rough  with  impediments  strewn as  routine  , the  post  activity Lunch provided  was delicious & we  headed even  deeper & down the multiple Waterfalls  , roaring  &  thundering  under  a  thick canopy of  Tropical lush  ...

This  is  one  place  raw  Nature  is  untouched ; the  Insect  Sound bytes  of  a  crescendo  ubiquitous  ,  a  remoteness  so  much  cherished  far  away  from  the  madding  crowds  of  a  Megapolis  ...!!!

The  Damara  ,  Jonsu &  Emily  Villa  stays  were  fabulous  with entire  villas  to  ourselves  with  a pool  to  relax  after  the days Jaunt , The Grab App  Home delivery a smooth  affair  as  we felt  home  away  from  home  ...

The Moss  laden Ganesha  and  many a  motif in  the  thick  jungles  of  a Monkey Forest , straight  out  of  an Indiana Jones thriller , as we found civilizations  strewn every  nook and corner 

...in  that way  Every  home  in  this  part of  the Archipelago  had  a family Temple first at  the entrance with regular  offerings to  the  deities 

Sea  can't  be far  away  from  us  as we  rode  up  the  cliffs  ,  the breath  taking  Bays with  quaint coffee shops  &  viewing  deck settled  us in  familiar  settings  and  the  sea  activities  including  Paragliding was  the  Icing  on  the Cake  ....!!!! 

A Sea & Lord Hanuman in between .....

 Shubho NaboBorsho greetings  to  all !!!

There  is  festivity  in  the  air  ...the  brisk  walk  back to home  post  Clinic tells it all... there is  definitely a sprightly  gait now negotiating  the  puddles like a striker  with  the  ball , a heart loaded  with  expectancy :  of  a barrage  of  well wishers  wishing : a spl day  in  the  Bongo calendar : Pohela Boishakh :  The Bangla  New  yr ....

...the peace shattered   in  the  wee  hrs  as  the cell  phone   is flooded  with  msgs  from  the  fish  vendor of IIT  Mkt @ Powai Mumbai , the  Choicest Bengali  fishes  are  available ...definitely  for the occasion !!

Alas, the Sea & Lord Hanuman straddling in ur path ....Tuesday  is Lord Hanuman  Day, strictly  Vegetarian will  be  the fare, & the Sea separating the Isles & the Indian Mainland ...

Certain things r diligently  followed since childhood ,part of  ur  upbringing ...."Tuesday"..... to name a  few 

The Customary obeisance to elders in  the  New  year , the fun filled  get togethers & a plethora of dishes from Ma's kitchen laced  with her indefatiguable labour  & Luv....!!!

Not  to  forget  the  rendition  of  Bangla poems  & Rabindra Sangeeth  were the major highlights  of  the  New  year ....!!!

 

A bond Long Established .....

....the daily  walk  to the  Health Unit for sustaining  Morn & Eve Clinic & Subsequent return back to base , comes to a grinding  halt on Holiday  Friday as  the day  is laid back , the  muscles  recovering , the  routine  broken ....

The Holy  mnth of Ramadaan is closer to  its  culmination , as Eid festivities will  pervade the isles : a pearl in  the  Indian Ocean ...

The Mercury  soaring as Closer we  come  to  the  Sun , unshakable is the faith  of the  faithfuls ....the  Evenings relaxed as the Sun Goes  down , gentle sea  breeze sweeping  the  Isles ....

Thr is a flurry of activity socially , as  ,  we  frnds  reunited  recently  in  the  Centennary  celebrations of  Alma Mater and the online interactions now even in real time ....

Nothing  changed ....Nothing  has changed ....Nothing  will  change  ....the  fundamentals  of  a  foundation  too  strong ....Lucky  to  be  in touch  with  old  folks & even  more  lucky  to  meet newer people  day  in  &  day  out  professionally ....wht an  opportunity Gud Lord  Provides , a fulfillment , a treasure trove of  Experience of a Life time : ever expanding & 

growing  ....the  Health  Post a High altar : a bond : long established .....!!!!

Centenary & Reunion Patna Medical College

February 1985 we sailed into PMCH . The sailboat, of a young heart, throbbing and beaming  with enthusiasm and a feeling of accomplishment well writ on our faces....A premier institution and an alumnus of formidable  repute...

Feb 25 th 1925 Sir Henry Wheeler ,Governor of Bihar & Orissa innaugurated the College ,to commemorate the visit of  then Prince of Wales Edward .

Yesterday , we celebrated the Centenary . & those young hearts  with dream laced eyes met again , having reached  their milestone, of a whale of a career,  that  of  the  Medical doctor  ...!!! 

24 the Centenary eve : the 1984 batch met  , of  which I was a proud stakeholder....

The batch met at Kautilya hall of  the  famous Maurya Hotel  for a Luncheon : Reunion 

As I was onboard , AI 0673, with Archana airdashing to reach  on  time  from Mumbai to Patna , a cascade  of  thoughts deluged  me : the entry  into  the  haloed Institution & Exit  upon Pass  out ...the time slipped  out  thru  our  fingers , the memories stronger  than  before  ....as  if  it  was  yesterday ....

The  flt delved deeper after a momentuous height, the  thought  process  shattered  by  the announcement  for  securing  ourselves…the Cup of Tea delayed  now   &  the  wait to land  agonising  ....

Did I  inform  them  that I was  coming  with Archana  in tow  ? ...Yes  I  did  inform my Boarding status 

Did I tell them to  wait  for  me ? .....the  intervening 33yrs an impediment ....Yes  I did  inform ...thn why I am so anxious , a slight shudder engulfed  me momentarily ....The slumber  of  Rip  Van  winkle  is  finally  over , lots  of  water  have  flown  thru  the Ganges  ,  the  Ganges  receding  further from our Alma Mater , What if I am unrecognizable ?...Wht If I cant recognize a few of us ? ...Wht if I am not Endeared by all ?

The thoughts  shattered  again  as the  Landing  Gear  hit  the  tarmac as I am back again in  the Chosen Land   !!!

The Baggage belt was a gem of a Tortoise and my regular glance  at the  wrist watch  & Archana's countenance aggravated  matters  further ....then Gunjan Called , Arun Singh called & the cab driver with my name board flashing was right  in front....A sense of belonging to  this good  old  city  of  mine  seeped in  quickly  into  my  veins , a city where I spent two decades of youthful Life....the Islander in me , so used to remoteness & now loneliness ,missed a beat or two ....a sense of gratitude engulfed me as I am not forsaken or forgotten ...

The Patna traffic   put a spanner near Maurya as we scampered post Checkin into Chanakya whr  we were lodged and a brisk usher into Kautilya hall of the fabled Maurya Hotel with fine strains of music emanating wherein the batchmates had congregated....I thought , paused , pushed the door gently as for a moment  which appeared like ages I was transfixed as a pure Foreign entity , but only fleeting seconds I guess , & as the Holy river  merges  into  the Sea ,I immersed myself in the camaraderie of Long lost frnds : the Rejuvenation was so rapid &  fast , as I met everyone with equal zeal & fervour .....the Lunch was just a prop : the attention rivetted:  as Rip Van Winkle  brushes  his  dusty  coat  , donning  the  shinning armour of  the  infectious  smile .....gliding seamlessly onto the  vortex  of  time , striking the right cords  and  notes ....

Amazed at the seamless interactions as if  nothing  had  changed , the quick acqueisance to the music corner where  Shyam  had  so  nicely  arranged occupying effortlessly  the  position & the voice flowed in  abandon....tht sealed  the uncertainty to a Certain Confidence of  being  amongst  your  own frnds whose round of applause definitely  is  the Elixir of Life.....!!!!

As  we  shifted to nxt level of a River Cruise in  the Ganges   with  High Tea & Snacks : it appeared  to  be  the  icing  on  the Cake  ....the  gentle breeze , the lazing around  in the river , music  & dance , a grand finale  to  the  Reunion where  we promised to meet again  ....!!!

 

....The Transit into Time ....

 

....Day  in  &  Day  out  ....Exit  &  Entry  ....People  Come  &  Go  ....In  one  moment  you  are  a part  &  parcel &  in another  parted  ....the  Consult  seat  is Occupied  ...the  ailment  being  dealt  ....the  pathos  & ethos of  the  Occupant  all  well heard  ...a  formulation Concocted  & a much  needed service  rendered  ...the  process  of involvement  into a foreign  situation  pertaining  to  the  Occupant :  now  ur  own  as  u  render  the  service  with  all  hope  &  prayer  to  the almighty ....as if  a movie  scene is  on  ....then , in a moment Consigned  to  the past  : The Transit  into  time  ....the  short  span : the  present  :  a  fleeting  moment  now  ....as people get attached  &  detached ...the  moment  surreal ...the  gain temporary &  the  Loss  permanent ....the reduction to  a thought  of  a  machine  ...the  machine  like  precision of a  delivery forcefully imposed  ....as  we  fade  into  the  vortex of  time  ....

But  then  again  the eastern board  is  lit  up  again ...the  Coolwaters  of  the morn  sea simmering ...its  Dawn ...the Sun  wud  rise again , inject  a sense of belonging  &  fruitfulness , the dinghys  swaying &  the  Birds soaring ...the  purposefulness of  a  permanency now  well  writ  as u  have to  get  ur act  together  ....however  transient ......the  Chimera of  Timelessness to  be felt  again  ....!!!!

...The faithful.....

.....The finite will glide into infinity....nd  its  a   matter  of   time....yet  the  Sun  wud  rise everyday emanating  its   warm   rays of sustenance ,ushering   into the  Day of positivity ,driving humanity to a  march  of  continuity....with the setting  Sun ,yet another day consummated....of human endeavour  & achievements

....consigned to the vortex of history....the passage   of  time   ...the journey to infinity....the  rootlessness  as  you are  drawn  into  the  vortex of timelessness......in  unison  with  Mother Nature as one wud gasp & grasp holding her tight into oblivion.....

...The timeless  Sun & its  Exaltation to  the  highest altar of reverence  amongst  the  Faithfuls : Mortals , in abject Surrender  in  ablution to the constant  source of  Energy  &  Positivity......as Dusk will prevail .... heralding the Salutations.....a cord & note  is  struck :of a showering  of the Blessings of  the  Omnipotent & Omniscient until the Break of  Dawn .....!!!!!

   

The Beckoning Sahyadris....

The Ravines Of Sahyadris are fresh  in  memory, difficult  to  Shrug  it  off  as  it  Revisits in the  mind's eye...the detours beeseeching  & its  a matter  of  time  only  till we proceed....As  the Festive  months  wearOn ,  there  is allround gaiety, as the first  step  to  Homeland yet again for  the  Umpteenth time will  continue shortly   ....the  unmistakable  sprightly gait as you trudge  briskly on  the  heavily carpetted  Airport out  of  the  Aircraft , dashing  towards Immigration  Arrivals...the  feeling inexplicable...the spirit soaring  high like a falcon in its  own territory...a  girdle  of Majestic  Hills, Ravines  , Gorges...the air  enbalming  many a  tired spirit  .....!!!!
 

Mahalaya , Gandhi Jayanti & Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti

 Three  auspicious  events  in  a  single day  ....a  rare coincidence ...Mahalaya will invoke  The Goddess Eternal for  Her triumph  over  the Evil  :  Mahishasur : the  ushering  of  Devi Paksha the  Fortnite , signalling  a finale  to  PitriPaksha where a  fortnite  of  daily  offerings  and  remembrance  of  our  Forefathers  who  are  no  more  would culminate .....Mythical India , Mystical India , Spiritual India : the fountain head of  her  host  many  Cultural Connotations , an embodiment  of  a Spirit withstanding the  ravages of  time   and  transcending  millenia after millenia ,,,as  people  wud  celebrate  NavaRatri in different  States of  India until Bijoy Dasami : Dussehra where the  Evil  will be finally abolished  &  Banished  from  a billion heart...Such  is  the  deep rooted  faith entwined  in  our  system .....

As  we remember  the Birth anniversary of The Father  of  The  Nation  Gandhiji  &   Lal Bahadur Shastri the  2nd Prime Minister of free India both worthy  sons  of  Mother India , the day assumes Collosal significance laced  with  "Mahalaya" the advent  of Devi Durga & time  for  Celebrations & Festivities .... 

These are National festivals touching all  communities & hues  ....

The Indianess in all  of  us  come  to  the  fore  when  we  greet  each  other on National festivities irrespective  of Community  , Caste  &  Creed  ....

We are truly happy  here  as  the majority practice Universality & in  the Heart of Hearts Indian ....

The Healing touch .....

...The "Mendhuru" ( Noon) Sun records   now 37  to  39'C  regularly , the  Electronic display @ the beach would suggest  , the  Splash & Dive will provide  the  much  needed  succour as Breakers  after Breakers  would  bring ambient  saline surf for a much needed Holiday  of a Friday....relentless & Occasional Cool Cool water  wud be a surprise  though...transiently ...Wonder  how  tht  happens  as  the  better  part  of  the  Large  body  of  water  is  warm  under  the  relentless  Sun in  full  Glory  ....the  warm  swell would however  dominate ....The sea underneath is a Calm, of a poise, cut off from the  surface decibels of breakers  and   people  around , as U stretch , dive  in , the saline entering your Nostrils  and  Ears a natural  decongestant as  you surface  up  ....Certain things  don't change & truly it  didn't  change  :  the  regularity  of  the  Waxing  &  waning  of  the  surf ...as year after  year as we are in a tango  with a faithful partner : the sea...never  ceases  to  mesmerize  ...never ever temporary ....a solid partnership of Unison in Nature's bounty ....!!!!

The rains are here

 Blinding rains  are  here ....thunder  &  Lightning .... the  19  th  arrival frm  India  amidst  heavy  downpour hv set  the  tone  for a blistering  Monsoonal  attack  of  "Hulanghu"  in  local  parlance  ....

Having  witnessed  rains in  the  far   southern atolls  two decades back ....its  no  difft......the onslaught  &  its degree same ....

The  sea swells &  travel  risky  .....

The array of Tea packets  both  bought  &  Gifted hv added  a stability of  familiar  &  usual  feel  so  meticulously  cultivated  thruout ....the seasonal  rains  hv just  added a fillip to  the  flagging  soul , the  cup  of  tea   with  an assortment  & array of  a  choice  , a  gift of a fmly frnd  so  well  acknowledged  and  ensconsed  in  the  heart  ...

As the  flts over  the  Laccadive  sea increases in  freq  with Mumbai  skyline  bringing cheers , an umpteenth  time  a feeling  of  well  being  &  belonging  to  a city which is  Home  now  ....Tru :  Home  is  where  the Heart is ..!!!

The End of an Era

 Obituary to  the  Doyen of surgery Prof Narendra Prasad  formerly Prof & HOD surgery PMCH , Patna .

Sir always donned the  white apron , seldom we students saw  him  in formals ....the  Doctors coat was long , the  extremities  well  draped....he was  the  busiest Surgeon around , his colleagues and contemporary being Prof Motilal singh , Prof A A Hai , Prof OP  shah to name  a few .... He  embodied an inspiration & awe for young medicos who at  some point of  time  wanted  to  be a Narendra  Prasad , such  was  his  personality  of  enigma , laced  with Hard,  Hard work and  ultimate professionalism in an era  where Medical instrumentation had just  seen  the  light of  the  day ....we  used to  say Bailey Love  ,  K  das and  S  das in  the same  breath as Prof Dr Narendra Prasad . It  was sheer  number  of  successful  general  surgery  he  used  to  churn  out  on  daily  basis  either  be  it  in  PMCH or  at Alok Nursing  Home . his  personae  was that  of  a lightning : Sharp , Swift , Decisive The hallmark  of a Great surgeon .....this  was further augmented  by  the  twinkle in  his  eyes whenever  he  dwelt  on a topic , leaning  with  his  aproned  arms on  the  LT desk , a  fast applied  approach  to  Clinical  surgery with a smile of  ever  oozing  confidence so  so  very  much essential  for  a practitioner  of  Surgery ....

Prof Narendra  Prasad was a Cynosure of all  eyes  when  he  moved  in  the campus & we Medicos  definitely were awe struck  by  his stature .

As He passes  away , his  Legacy  will be remembered with  thousands  being  touched  in  their  Lives by Narendra  Babu....He will always be  remembered  by  we  Medicos as a solid Pillar of Professionalism & Hard  work , a benchmark of  diligent application to a discipline ....Rest  in  Peace Sir , deeply mourned by all of us ......

Makar Sankranti

 ...the  bone  chilling  Bihar  cold  ...as we siblings  huddle  near  Ma  over  the  Earthen heath  where " Makar Sankranti" preparations  are  underway ... the  kitchen is  warm and  definitely  Ma is  sweating  and  toiling  over  the  heat  of  the  oven ....the  crackling  sound  of  the  ground  rice  paste milky  white  in color  spread  evenly  over  the  pan  diligently  being  spread  over  the  edges  with  a cut brinjal with  its  stalk serving  as  a handle  to  smoothly  outline  the  paste as it starts  crackling  over  the  simmering  heat : this  would  serve  as  the  wrap over  a sweetened  cheese with  condiments  and  grated  coconut , the  preparation  in  bengal  being  called  "Patisaapta". All  eyes  are  glued  as the  delicacy is  special  on  this  particular  Sankranti  occasion. As  we  eat the  hot  preparation : the  ethereal  experience  well  etched  in memory  .....Ah ! Memories  ....Ma :  Her Golden hand  of  a Culinary  skill  unparalleled  &  irreplaceable : Laced  with  her  stellar  preparations was her  Love , bountiful &  in  all Munificence ...the  thin  pair  of  hands  with equally  thin  Golden Bangles  wearing  off over  the  years while  managing  her family with  elan  ....The  unmistakable  "Payas"was  the  Cynosure of all  eyes  and She  had  a  formidable  reputation  in  that  &  we  brothers had a disputed  stake over  the utensils  in  which  it  was prepared as the Payas  tasted  lot  more when partaken from the  utensil directly ....We called  the festivity more as Til Sankranti which held a spl place in our young hearts thanks to the delicacies ..... 

The abundant Rain .....

 ......Unusually Rainy at  this  time  of  the  yr ....as RainGods doing  the  rounds  frequently ...The Presidential Innauguration round  the  corner and preparation  in  full swing ....Diwali passed  off with festive fervour interacting  with frnds and  fmlys back  home ....the  communicability  is  relentless and  excellent , both  electronic  and  transport . As  I  fly  every  mnth  to  Mumbai to  reunite  with fmly  briefly.... the  Airports  at  both  places  a short  distance....a comforting  factor ....the main  street  here a long  one  is  waterlogged in patches , this  is  one  area  the  City infra  failed ...the  inner streets are congested  and waterlogged...a  much  desired  renovation ....The wars  continue  to  linger and frm times immemorial the  mindset  of  might  is  right dominate....the  Human Civilization witnesses not  much  of  a  progress ...The  Wars  are obsolete and  in  this  era irrelevant  other  than  destruction ....as  human  misery  pile  up  so  is  the  indifference....The real  war is on  the  health  front and full attention  need to  allocate proper  direction  as  the  latest Pandemic  proved  ... It  shud  hv  been a  period  of  reconstruction  as  many  fmlys  lost  kins  in  the aftemath  of  the  Onslaught ....with  excellent  Technology the young minds are a hope to change  the  old  order....!!

Finally the full circle

...It starts with Entrance  exam of CLAT 22 (Combined Law Admission Test  ) in  Dec  22 in  Bangalore for  Doel the  island  girl  who completed  her   A  levels here  and  got  a  seat  in  one  of  the  Prestigious  National Law  universities  of   India, precisely  Maharashtra National Law  University  Mumbai located  in  Powai where  another  great  institution  of  IIT is  located .Arnav  the  brother also  got  relocated  from  here  taking  admission  in a prestigious  group  of  schools whose  first  Chairman  was  none other  than  the  Mahatma .Archana too relocated  after  a  17  yr  stint here  in  the  Islands  brushing  shoulders  and  supporting  the  fmly  fulwell.

I on my  part will visit  motherland more  or   less  every  mnth now  for  a  short  stay , thus  completing  the  full  circle .

Relocating  myself  locally  to  a  sea view   more  compact residence & its  back  to  basics  again . 

Having  achieved  the  agenda  of  raising  a  family in  Gods   own  Land  in  quietitude , a sense of  deep  satisfaction  &  gratitude  to  God  &  fmly engulfs  me . The   Indian  Ocean  Diary Rojnamcha bloomed  and  spread  its  fragrance  sustaining  the   family  well maintaining  a  steady  bridge  with homeland  with  friends  &  fmlys . 

Hence  ,  its  time  to  Thank  each  &  everyone  of  you  now.....!!!