Achronology: 005
Start Date: May 15, 2012
Achronology:
Being part of a team which involves inspection, approval, technical services means one thing. You need to travel a lot at odd hours and at a time when you really do not like it. I had tough time on this particular issue. When I talked to my mother about it she was wondering why I feel that way. In fact being a school teacher she taught all the historically important places. She also went on to say that she could not visit the places which she taught. However I have (or had now I moved away from that job) a chance to visit those places.
I travel to places like Jaipur, Bikaner which are tourist places in Rajastan. However I am not a tourist but on official duty. I find less time to visit places of interest. I have stayed close to about 3 months each in both Jaipur and Bikaner. Most of the time I was in Bikaner which I am sure is more than three months individually. But over all I have spent only three days on personal tour in Jaipur and Bikaner. One day tour in Jaipur, once and two one day tour in Bikaner. I undertook the second oneday tour in Bikaner as my reporting officer came to visit and we had a holiday in between.
I stayed in Bikaner for about a month at a stretch and was frequently travelling between Delhi and Jaipur to speed up my work. I was supposed to inspect and clear mineral raw material for one of the ongoing project in Gujarath. Finally I got what I needed the most. A permit to go home. I was happy like hell i.e. moving away from my cell (my hotel room) to my home.
I booked a ticket to Delhi and from there to Chennai and both are confirmed. So I am more than happy I am quite joyful. So on that happiest day I got into the railway station in the evening when there was still day light. I walked into my compartment placed my suitcase and changed to a comfortable dress, the traditional or non-so traditional dress called lungi. This is similar to dothi but it is stitched. Quite a comfortable outfit for a country which is both hot and humid.
As there is still time for the train to start I started to take a walk in the platform. I saw many happy faces around the train. There were sound of drums, singing and lot of laughter. Then I realized that it is a marriage party. I am not sure on the status of marriage but definiteyly it is a marriage party. A big crowd sourredns the train with drums and drinks, sweets were distributed. In fact whenever this train entered into a major railway station till late night, thee is always a cheerful crowd greeted the them. I just don’t how they managed to do it. They timed it so nicely and care got extended. It started with chilled drinks in Bikaner with some sweets. Then it went on. In fact in one railway station they were given hot milk. Even they offered it to other passanger who are not part of the marriage party. I somehow politely refused when offered. I am bit shy type.
This hospitality of these people still lingers on my mind. But what got my attention to write this down happened in Bikaner railway station even before the train started to move. This was the second article which I thought I will write. But there again it took me more time to pen it or type it down.
Back in the Bikaner railway station I am quite happy myself and I can see lot of happy placed all around the station. The marriage party is making a big hue and cry and visitors were pouring in. I am not really sure how many of them are travelling and how many of them came to see them off. But I think it must have been 50-50.
In that group I saw an elder person probably in 60-70’s and all those belonging to this marriage party took blessing from him. Everyone went and touched his feet and took the blessing. I was amazed by the site of it. I never did even at home. But these people do it in the railway station not minding that some guy is looking at them. This went on for long. My perception and respect for the people of Rajastan especpecially Bikaner went up. I took pride in the saying Mera Bharath Mahan. My India is Great. True my India is great who cherish their tradition and respect their elders.
I was thinking again how everyone irrespective of their age and size went upto him to take his blessing. That elederly person I would say a little over weight. He is of very good height must be above 6ft and has a big belly. He remained cheerful and he blessed young kids, teens, married couple and middle aged people also took his blessing.
It was a nice to see a bunch of happy people who gather around an elder person seeking his blessing. Also that they do are not worried much about the place but interested in doing what they like. I am also appreciating their nature especially the togetherness.
But the day remained young and is awaiting to show me more beautiful things which I need to see. There was some rustling and excitement happened in the railway station. I turned towards the marriage entrance and I saw a older man must be over 80 or close to 90. He is also tall but very lean and weak. He was supported by two persons on either side to help him walk on the platform.
The entire marriage party rushed to his side in a hurry. Once again the whole routine started they bend down touched this elder man’s feet for his blessing. He is more than eager to bless them all. My surprise climbed up. This elederly’ man paying a visit to the railway station to see of a marriage party. Wow! When I went on my honey moon trip only my inlaws family came to the railway sation numbering 4. So this is a great site to watch and I felt as if I belong to the marriage party.
Then I saw the other relative elder person from whom all took their blessing before. He also rushed to this old man. Must be old friends that is what I thought. But surprise again. This man though heavy with a big belly bent down and touched the feet of the most elderly person who arrived.
I was shocked to see such an act and never expected it. But it happened right in front of my eye. Though he blessed all others and he himself is around 60-70 but still he wish to pay his respect to his elder. He forgot about where he is. To be hones he was unable to bend completely but he still did it. The other elderly person did bless him.
My mind once again stopped and it tried to understand what is going on around it. I understood the true meaning of respect for elders there. These Rajastani people shoed their true color of joy and respect to me on that day. An elderly person needs to be respected applies to all. They did not carried their rule book which they referred when they did it. But all these things were in-built over years and years.
To conclude what I saw on that day I can only say My Bharath is Great and I found it and cherish in the railway station of Bikaner.
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