KM Yatra - Days at Delhi
Yatris need a minimum of 2 days at Delhi before the actual yatra begins from Delhi. Hence, Delhi State Government provides free accommodation and meals at Gujarati Samaj Sadan (GSS) at Delhi. These 2 days are required for undergoing the medical tests at Delhi Heart and Lungs Institute and for the briefing by Indo Tibet Border Police Force, Ministry of External Affairs once the final list of selected yatris is announced by ITBP doctors.
I reached Delhi on 9th June. My husband's cousin Shivkumar lives in Delhi and he was gracious enough to pick me up at Delhi airport (the sweltering heat in Delhi was terrible, I had to literally run in the airport to sit in the car quickly - I had just escaped heavy rains at Mumbai the same day morning) and his lovely wife Sarla entertained me with hot lunch and liberal amount of gossip on Delhi matters, servants, work, children etc. I wanted to reach GSS and hence by 7 pm they dropped me there.
As I was asked to go to II floor of GSS, where KM Yatris were accommodated, the sight and sound that I encountered there gave me a little jolt. The bunker beds were full and the floor and beds were full of luggage, plastic sheets, ropes and sundry things; a good number of people were sitting and talking at the top of their voices when a gentleman in one corner was trying to make some point. I found a place for myself and waited for commotion to stop - but it never stopped even after 10 minutes. The gentleman sitting next to me informed me that the man trying to talk is the LO (Liaison Officer) of our batch and he is trying to form different committees for the Yatra. He was happy to inform me that Gujaratis formed majority in the batch and enquired whether I am a Gujarati. I politely informed him that I have come from Thane, but I belong to Andhra Pradesh and studied in Tamil Nadu.
Just then, the LO wanted to know who would take up position in Finance Committee. I put up my hand and when I saw him looking at me little more than necessary, I told in bold voice that I am a qualified accountant and I can handle that work. He immediately cheered up and went ahead with the task of adding more names to this committee. Religiously I took down the names of other members of the committee with the hope that we would be introduced - but nothing of that sort happened. I understood later on that there were other committees - Food, Purchase, Luggage, Pony-Porter, Accommodation and Pooja committee.
I presumed that the group members had proper introduction before I walked in. Suddenly I found that the meeting was over and found everyone rushing to the next room - Mr Uday Kaushik, Chairman of Delhi KM Yatra Committee uses that room for stay and Pooja. Some hymns were sung on Lord Shiva and everyone rushed to canteen downstairs for dinner. I was sort of perplexed but pulled up myself and went to the canteen. One more commotion awaited me there with everyone rushing for plates, spoons - I assumed that food would be avilable for everyone and I do not have to snatch plate from anyone to fill my stomach. Later on I learnt that this was a prelude and proper preparation for us to get ready for days ahead :-)
In the meanwhile I saw a woman clad in saree and looking clearly "Tamilian" standing alone - I went to her and said "Vanakkam Amma".... the smile on her face was so bright, the whole room got lit up! From that minute she stuck to me and went on asking for translation of the instructions that were given in Hindi. She is a retired school teacher from Mayiladuthurai and has done this Yatra 3 years back. She has come as a repeater - but her name was in wait-list for Batch 1 which she had mistaken for confirmation. She was very disappointed that she is not in my batch. I spoke to Mr Uday Kaushik on adding her in Batch 2 at least.... unfortunately, this batch was called back from Dharchula... sorry Amma!
We had a good Gujarati Thali for dinner and came back to the air-conditioned comfort of the dormitory. Next day we were to present ourselves for the medical tests and that kept everyone slightly concerned and may be tired as well.
10th June - we were all there (54 of us) at DHLI in the bus organised by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd (KMVNL) accompanied by songs by Ms Deepa of GSS, Delhi.. some in the bus were singing with enthusiasm and those who did not sing were getting reprimanded by a lady who wanted everyone to sing LOUDLY.... :-)
This Institute had 2 ladies for our service exclusively, which was of great help. So many tests were done - my medical knowledge being so low, the one that I remember is the one where we had to blow our lungs off through a mouth-piece into a machine. This apparently tells them whether our lungs have capacity to handle less oxygen and still keep us alive :-)....the lady who taught me how to breathe into that did not clear that test and had to take something extra to prove that her lungs are actually in good shape.
Fortunately, I cleared all the tests without the "further" tests which was done for a few of the yatris. The doctor who spoke to us gave a list of medicines that each one must carry - which made me spend an additional Rs.450/- or so in the medical shop there. I was carrying the medicines as was listed in the email that was received from our LO, which cost me somewhere around Rs.900/-. Other than Saridon which I took thrice during the Yatra and the precautionary Crocin that I took every night that I got drenched in rain, I did not get to touch any of these medicines. Once our mode of departure from Gunji was confirmed as helicopter, I gave away all the medicines to my (Sup)porter Himanshu. Aware of my ignorance of medicine names and their usage, my daughter had patiently put each medicine in a separate poly-bag and had written the sickness for which it should be used and also the dosage. Hence, this became useful for me to explain to Himanshu the use of those medicine in case he / his family / his village people have to use any of those.
Though I do not want to discourage the carrying of an elaborate list of medicine, I think it is alright to carry just basic medicine for headache, vomitting and fever. Anyway, the various committees that come to bid us farewell at Delhi give a big bag of Medical Kit to each batch with fervant prayer that the same bag with same content be handed over to the next batch without any use!
All the tests for all 53 of us took till 3 pm. The ones who had to undertake second or third tests, wherever doctors had some concern took extra time. I understood that one of the tread-mills did not function and hence the tests took longer than normal. Anyway, we were all given breakfast by 10 am (after the before food tests got completed) and packed lunch around 2 pm.
I reached Delhi on 9th June. My husband's cousin Shivkumar lives in Delhi and he was gracious enough to pick me up at Delhi airport (the sweltering heat in Delhi was terrible, I had to literally run in the airport to sit in the car quickly - I had just escaped heavy rains at Mumbai the same day morning) and his lovely wife Sarla entertained me with hot lunch and liberal amount of gossip on Delhi matters, servants, work, children etc. I wanted to reach GSS and hence by 7 pm they dropped me there.
As I was asked to go to II floor of GSS, where KM Yatris were accommodated, the sight and sound that I encountered there gave me a little jolt. The bunker beds were full and the floor and beds were full of luggage, plastic sheets, ropes and sundry things; a good number of people were sitting and talking at the top of their voices when a gentleman in one corner was trying to make some point. I found a place for myself and waited for commotion to stop - but it never stopped even after 10 minutes. The gentleman sitting next to me informed me that the man trying to talk is the LO (Liaison Officer) of our batch and he is trying to form different committees for the Yatra. He was happy to inform me that Gujaratis formed majority in the batch and enquired whether I am a Gujarati. I politely informed him that I have come from Thane, but I belong to Andhra Pradesh and studied in Tamil Nadu.
Just then, the LO wanted to know who would take up position in Finance Committee. I put up my hand and when I saw him looking at me little more than necessary, I told in bold voice that I am a qualified accountant and I can handle that work. He immediately cheered up and went ahead with the task of adding more names to this committee. Religiously I took down the names of other members of the committee with the hope that we would be introduced - but nothing of that sort happened. I understood later on that there were other committees - Food, Purchase, Luggage, Pony-Porter, Accommodation and Pooja committee.
I presumed that the group members had proper introduction before I walked in. Suddenly I found that the meeting was over and found everyone rushing to the next room - Mr Uday Kaushik, Chairman of Delhi KM Yatra Committee uses that room for stay and Pooja. Some hymns were sung on Lord Shiva and everyone rushed to canteen downstairs for dinner. I was sort of perplexed but pulled up myself and went to the canteen. One more commotion awaited me there with everyone rushing for plates, spoons - I assumed that food would be avilable for everyone and I do not have to snatch plate from anyone to fill my stomach. Later on I learnt that this was a prelude and proper preparation for us to get ready for days ahead :-)
In the meanwhile I saw a woman clad in saree and looking clearly "Tamilian" standing alone - I went to her and said "Vanakkam Amma".... the smile on her face was so bright, the whole room got lit up! From that minute she stuck to me and went on asking for translation of the instructions that were given in Hindi. She is a retired school teacher from Mayiladuthurai and has done this Yatra 3 years back. She has come as a repeater - but her name was in wait-list for Batch 1 which she had mistaken for confirmation. She was very disappointed that she is not in my batch. I spoke to Mr Uday Kaushik on adding her in Batch 2 at least.... unfortunately, this batch was called back from Dharchula... sorry Amma!
We had a good Gujarati Thali for dinner and came back to the air-conditioned comfort of the dormitory. Next day we were to present ourselves for the medical tests and that kept everyone slightly concerned and may be tired as well.
10th June - we were all there (54 of us) at DHLI in the bus organised by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd (KMVNL) accompanied by songs by Ms Deepa of GSS, Delhi.. some in the bus were singing with enthusiasm and those who did not sing were getting reprimanded by a lady who wanted everyone to sing LOUDLY.... :-)
This Institute had 2 ladies for our service exclusively, which was of great help. So many tests were done - my medical knowledge being so low, the one that I remember is the one where we had to blow our lungs off through a mouth-piece into a machine. This apparently tells them whether our lungs have capacity to handle less oxygen and still keep us alive :-)....the lady who taught me how to breathe into that did not clear that test and had to take something extra to prove that her lungs are actually in good shape.
Fortunately, I cleared all the tests without the "further" tests which was done for a few of the yatris. The doctor who spoke to us gave a list of medicines that each one must carry - which made me spend an additional Rs.450/- or so in the medical shop there. I was carrying the medicines as was listed in the email that was received from our LO, which cost me somewhere around Rs.900/-. Other than Saridon which I took thrice during the Yatra and the precautionary Crocin that I took every night that I got drenched in rain, I did not get to touch any of these medicines. Once our mode of departure from Gunji was confirmed as helicopter, I gave away all the medicines to my (Sup)porter Himanshu. Aware of my ignorance of medicine names and their usage, my daughter had patiently put each medicine in a separate poly-bag and had written the sickness for which it should be used and also the dosage. Hence, this became useful for me to explain to Himanshu the use of those medicine in case he / his family / his village people have to use any of those.
Though I do not want to discourage the carrying of an elaborate list of medicine, I think it is alright to carry just basic medicine for headache, vomitting and fever. Anyway, the various committees that come to bid us farewell at Delhi give a big bag of Medical Kit to each batch with fervant prayer that the same bag with same content be handed over to the next batch without any use!
All the tests for all 53 of us took till 3 pm. The ones who had to undertake second or third tests, wherever doctors had some concern took extra time. I understood that one of the tread-mills did not function and hence the tests took longer than normal. Anyway, we were all given breakfast by 10 am (after the before food tests got completed) and packed lunch around 2 pm.
By 4 pm I got restless out of just waiting ( I should have known that this again is a practice session for us on waiting) and informed others that I will reach GSS by 8 pm and left for Uttara Swamimalai temple by auto-rickshaw.
This is a temple which has Swaminatha Swamy as its main deity - having read about this temple in the blogs connected to MahaSwami of Kanchi Mutt, I was very keen to go to this temple. I reached in 30 minutes and had a peaceful darshan of Lord Swaminatha. Punditji gave me a big pack of Vibhuti and Kumkum when I told him that I am on my way to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar. He blessed that my Yatra be safe and successful! I got some Vilva leaves from the flower shop there ( they did not charge me for that) for using in Pooja at Mount Kailash and Mansarovar.
I did some last minute shopping of additional memory card for the camera and high quality battery which may not discharge fast in high-altitude (duracell and other such batteries do not work in high-altitude unless one can recharge them every 1 hour), moisturiser etc., where my cousin picked me up and we went to Gurgaon. I got dropped at GSS by late night which gave me just enough time to crash on the bed. I overheard someone in my room saying that one more night of the Gujarati Thali and the heat of Delhi might upset his stomach - I was happy that I escaped that and went to sleep hoping that I would be in the final list of selected Yatris by the next day!
Our batch showed our true nature by leaving GSS one hour behind schedule to ITBP Head Quarters. As expected traffic on Delhi roads were bad and we reached real late - everyone cursing every other person for the delay. In the meanwhile, the morning of that day had seen some frantic activities in the bathrooms - where people had happily thrown the shampoo, soap satchel which was clogging the water outlet. I made a mental note to hold an all women meet and impress on them the proper use of plastic. Unfortunately, this never happened and the result was - I went on removing soap and shampoo satchels from at least 20 different bathrooms over the 30 days - and God knows who went around throwing them wherever they felt like. Should I feel sorry to talk of such bad behaviour of our group?? I do not think so - let facts be facts. I cannot mince words and sugar coat them!
That was end of day 2 at Delhi with all medical tests getting completed and results awaited!
Om NamaShivaya!
This is a temple which has Swaminatha Swamy as its main deity - having read about this temple in the blogs connected to MahaSwami of Kanchi Mutt, I was very keen to go to this temple. I reached in 30 minutes and had a peaceful darshan of Lord Swaminatha. Punditji gave me a big pack of Vibhuti and Kumkum when I told him that I am on my way to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar. He blessed that my Yatra be safe and successful! I got some Vilva leaves from the flower shop there ( they did not charge me for that) for using in Pooja at Mount Kailash and Mansarovar.
I did some last minute shopping of additional memory card for the camera and high quality battery which may not discharge fast in high-altitude (duracell and other such batteries do not work in high-altitude unless one can recharge them every 1 hour), moisturiser etc., where my cousin picked me up and we went to Gurgaon. I got dropped at GSS by late night which gave me just enough time to crash on the bed. I overheard someone in my room saying that one more night of the Gujarati Thali and the heat of Delhi might upset his stomach - I was happy that I escaped that and went to sleep hoping that I would be in the final list of selected Yatris by the next day!
Our batch showed our true nature by leaving GSS one hour behind schedule to ITBP Head Quarters. As expected traffic on Delhi roads were bad and we reached real late - everyone cursing every other person for the delay. In the meanwhile, the morning of that day had seen some frantic activities in the bathrooms - where people had happily thrown the shampoo, soap satchel which was clogging the water outlet. I made a mental note to hold an all women meet and impress on them the proper use of plastic. Unfortunately, this never happened and the result was - I went on removing soap and shampoo satchels from at least 20 different bathrooms over the 30 days - and God knows who went around throwing them wherever they felt like. Should I feel sorry to talk of such bad behaviour of our group?? I do not think so - let facts be facts. I cannot mince words and sugar coat them!
That was end of day 2 at Delhi with all medical tests getting completed and results awaited!
Om NamaShivaya!
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