Bharat Darshan begins...

26th Feb, 2010
Nagpur- Kolkata

RED: Red book, red flag, red ideology, "My name is Red" by Orhan Pamuk, Red salam, Red Corridor

How to , rather what's the right way to start a tour of 15 days spanning some 10 places in north-east? The constraint we were placed with, owing to the austerity drive of Govt of India, was that we can have a flight just one way through. The "bunch" at my academy were divided into five groups to span the entire country. Of these, I had chosen North East -RED. Red because there were two groups going to North East: Red and Blue. NE-RED had decided to go by rail and be back by flight. This didnt go down with me initially because i wanted to be there -someplace out of Nagpur - as soon as possible.

Yet, my perspective changed once the journey began. When you are travelling long, always start with a rail or road trip. It gives a kick, a positive orientation towards travelling. Rail, to be specific, makes u started for the journey ahead. WHen there is a long journey to chart, across various terrains and various weather situations, better go for a swinging pleasure - that of rail travel.

Whole of 26th was lost in rail travel. But I would contend that it wasnt lost, rather gained. One, the day helped form a warm bonding in the group: its a group of 37, of batchmates who have been together all along yet dont know each other's likes and dislikes. On top of that, it warms one up with a game of 29 or bluff. Cards, I believe, are a good bond between pals.

The travel from Nagpur to Kolkata was the first strand of our travel... a long travel, spanning the whole of north-east. And it was a good deal. The right person - Ashok Gautam -was made the group leader. Assisted by Vikas and Mahajan, he was in resonance with needs of various group members. Luck I say. The right person was the group leader, for we got all along the trip grapes, tea, biscuits, and special meals from IRCTC's (who generally suck) pantry. This stuff was lined with an icing of cards, fellow passengers, and lively vegetation.

Talking of fellow passengers, Bhopal somehow got involved with a lady passenger. Attractive she was. And In-Form Bhopal was. Of course the Bunch had fun at his cost - asking him about bhabhiji and kids when he was busy "Flirting" (he contends it was just normal conversation with a fellow passenger :)). As for me, i bumped into a friend from grad days - Sanjeet Barnwal. We had quite some reminiscences and updates to share about

Apart from this, there was the Berth-turned-Bar which was made possible thanks to Moola's timely procurement of some teachers and some more reinforcement by Dora's cousin at Jharsuguda.

Disclaimer: This of course doesnt mean drinks, just party-type lighting and music in the train


Mr. GM Doss remains central to the group. Doss-the-boss is the coolest of faculty at the hoodlum i am tied to. Being the coolest of all, he stays supportive and understanding of what a all-mens-group will be upto. While i wont get into what exactly we were upto, his presence instills confidence. Taste this dialogue of his:

Do u like fish or are you like fish?

This is a man who's married (that too our course director who had asked the group leader to take care of him when we had left) and has kids, still is in students' mode. Doss sir has helped RED in developing its perspective, more as a catalyst rather than as an imposing boss.

After Kolkata next stoppage Darjeeling.