Having left Nathdwara

Having left Nathdwara

Having left Nathdwara (Lord Shreenathji's abode) , Ahmedabad was the place i was supposed to reach to catch a train for Howrah. Probably under the impression that 1pm ST bus departing from Nathdwara would be handy enough to get me the meals and the newspaper in time, i took the transport with a fair degree of commitment given my share of viable experiences with ST buses hailing from Gujarat. Appropriate wasn't the conduct of the staff and despite fierce resistance from some quarters i took the bus and took the standing instructions from them on where to place the luggage and where to make it look disappear.

Minutes before 9 in the evening i was in Ahmedabad , made possible by the change of man at the wheels as soon as the bus entered the Gujarat territory. With nothing to boast of expressive range of options, the driver's commendable job in ensuring a seamless transition before and beyond Himmatnagar could not be lost. Co-passengers were equally cooperative and those seated on 1 and 4 for the journey lasting till Bawalwada and the Rajasthan-Gujarat border drew my plausible level of appreciation. For the peanuts and chips they sailed with and nodded their head on the plausible possibility of ST buses reforming at some stage. For the one deboarding as soon as Gujarat territory began i could read the signs but could do the least as the seat had been secured with much effort and the luggage had been parked against appearance of unappreciable jest.

It was well past two in the afternoon and certain sections in Udaipur reminded me of Udhagamandalam for the clogged streets and the winding beats. Jodhpur Mishtan Bhandar and such other centres seemed to be the one with fewer aversions. A sum total of 125 kms including 50 for Udaipur was covered in over three hours and the ride post Himmatnagar showed the alertness with which the challenge had been conquered. No joke, it's a challenge driving on national highways no matter how smooth the surface may be given the insurmountable odds you may come across at any stage. LIke always, the approach to different toll plazas was greeted by single and multiple entry visit board and earlier to that by a declaration on exempted dignitary and how they stand to gain from this long cherished inventory. If that declaration meant going overboard there was another earthy in nature. The entry to the gates of a bus stand was marked by labourline number for rescuing labours in distress. Distress call was what the labourers had been advised to make and no hesistation whatsoever was asked to be shed.

With 159 kms still to be covered the signboard showed the turn that one had to take to the left for proceeding towards Dungarpur. With all such turns and twists and armed with a new driver quite clear about his responsibility the 300km-long ride was against the backdrop of sighting of kirana stores, food joints and a record number of girl students returning to their fiefdom after a record day out in school and sun. Probably all would be employable and get gainful employment in due course. Sighting of jeeps was no mean task given the number of commuters cruising; some being fixed on roofs and others latched to every enviable and not readily made available space.

Few minutes before nine the commuters were in Kalopur in Ahmedabad and those headed for station deboarded and those headed beyond continued the bus loaded.Post meals from the first floor of Ahmedabad station, the wait continued and this ended on a note where the Choksi entourage boarded the train and made their presence felt with someone having more than a pony tail. Choksis were seen as a boisterous group making up for the hours they hadn't spoken and days they hadn't slept. It was a boisterous reunion as i could sense with thoughts on the one with a pony tail and how effective would be her future sail. Tataland was where the entourage deboarded and from hereon the repetitive misery of cruise refusing to come to a screeching halt got reloaded. As the journey beyond Tataland continued i was of the view that such occasions create a rupture of sorts from where getting out surmounts to a battle lonely fought.

THere was one with the beard who did not belong to the group but was expressively handing out instructions on when to get the tea and other feast. That beardy soul disappeared after having handled his brief with utmost care. As for performances by other compatriots, listless would be an aberration as some were down with injury and thus needed to be sedated. Seating became troublesome but one has to live with that and thus no case of a repetitive rant. The journey was fruitful and for one soul who had plaints on the services i reminded him the load the indian railways carry and it is a record of sorts as far as those whom the railways ferry. I, too, have my share of grievances against TTEs and TCs; like the point blank refusal of a ticket for Kolkata from Ajmer by a TC. But hadn't been that one i would have failed to keep my tryst with Shreenathji whom we all adore for the blessings bestowed on us. Shreenathji was charming and enriching.