We set out on 3rd Oct 2005.
It was supposed to be Hyderabad-Delhi-Agra-Delhi-Ludhiana-Delhi-Hyderabad.
15 days of visiting.
Did you know ? – The Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks in the world !
We were looking forward to the entire package deal. Night-Meals, Chai, Vade-vade-vade, smelly toilets, mafia coolies and corrupt TCs.
2 adults and 2 kids living for 24 hrs in a 24 sq ft cubicle was going to be a challenge.
The only thing worse than the Railways safety record is its punctuality. And ours was 4 hours late. During which we seriously considered hopping off and doing Agra before we did Delhi.
This is Anju.
Part time play-school teacher, friendly, easy-going, innovative in the kitchen, and recent yogin is what best describes her.
Here is Dilip ( Anju’s husband ) with his second wife ( his lap-top ).
He never goes anywhere without her.
Dilip is the coolest guy in the universe. I mean c-o-o--l.
Adjacent to me is Dilip’s dad and their elder son; Shiv aged 10 .
Shiv like all young lads was buzzing with the energy of the new fangled gyroscopic weapon-like spining device called the BEY BLADE.
If you don’t have kids, forget it, you’ll never know.
Beyblade is an anime and manga, about a group of children battling with high powered spinning tops enchanted with sacred ‘bitbeasts’ or spirits of mythical and powerful creatures.
For more info visit http://www.beyblade.com/
Shiv has a younger brother – Rishi who is a few months older than Alisha.
What started out as a great friendship and mutual affection between Rishi and Alisha, soon turned into turf-wars and open aggression.
Sometimes we didn’t know whether they were hugging or wrestling.
Arms tight around each other, teeth and fists clenched tight.
On the drive from Delhi to Ludhiana, was where the now historic 4th battle of PANIPAT was fought, and we had to split them up into different cars.
They were making contemporary history as they went along.
The Bidanis decided to accompany us as well, so we scrapped the Taj tour and all packed into 2 cars and headed out west to Louisiana. With Sweet Home Alabama playing all the while on the car stereo.
To be Welcomed by the ruling matriarch and patriarch of Louisiana. Mummy and Daddy.
Let not their mild mannered appearance fool you for even a minute, for they both are remarkable people.
Mummy of course for begetting 4 fine women, one of whom is my dearly beloved.
She also is known to walk 2 miles every morning, sing along to bhakti songs, and can perceive what you are feeling before you can say “Ki gal hai”.
Daddy was trying to get elected as Chairman of the local Senior Citizen’s club, but says that there is too much back biting and is not worth the effort.
His sudden loud shouts are known to give people a shock, but I was unprepared for the full extent of this when someone dropped a steel plate.
Bhaiya of course was his usual witty and relaxed self. Though now being HOD at PAU and all keeps him quite busy throughout the week.
Bhaiya is a Mushroom specialist, and that should tell you something….
I had to do some serious cropping in this picture to present Dr Veena Khanna who would have sprayed me with pesticide if I were to include a less flattering picture.
This here is Misha. Need I say more ?
Misha’s brother Varun currently studying in Chandigarh, and budding blues guitarist.
( Look out for my short-film releasing early next month titled “Musical Conversations” )
On my way back I picked up some great music b Jazzy B and Dr Zeus. The title track to this page would be Dil Luteya by Jazzy B feat Apache Indian, during which this page is best viewed.
If you’re interested let me know I’ll email it to you. It’s shinetastic!
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