A Travelers tale

My last month had been a happening one. I went around places from Mumbai – Delhi –Bareilly – Rudhpur –Haridwar – Rishikesh – Haldwani –Sarjah – Abu Dhabi.

 

I had begun with a kind of rush from Mumbai to Delhi to attend sister – in –law marriage.

 

I had earlier received a call for work in Gulf; the money offered was good so my week in Delhi passed in compiling the visa formalities.

 

Travel to Bareilly happened when Anand called up for a car trip to home. It was a rush hour to pack up at 3 and leave Delhi before 4 PM when the traffic picks up on the road.

 

We reached Bareilly at 11 PM. The road now is comparatively smoother.

 

However, the same cannot be stated for the road to Haridwar. The road is narrow & the traffic not only rash but also involved the cyclists & the cattle.

 

Twice we had a car puncture. We met our relatives on the way in Rudhrapur – An upcoming industrial township.

 

We reached the Har ki Paudi as the aarti was going on at 930 PM.

 

After offering pooja Anad took us past Rishikesh to Tapovan. We finally found some good food in a restaurant at 11 P.M.

 

The hotel room was settled for a bargained rate from 800 Rs to 450Rs for non-AC room and 800 Rs for an AC room. There being only on AC room available I found Nights in the foothill of Himalayas to be very hot.

Morning while everyone was still dozing, I went for a walk around the Laxman jhoola and was happy with the pictures I clicked on my SLR.

 

It’s a narrow hanging bridge for pedestrians or one two-wheeler at a time.

 

There’s a big temple on the other end but parents wished to reach Haridwar early and Bareilly by night.

 

The food was delectable in AC (Air Cooler) restaurants near bus stop in Rishikesh.

 

At Haridwar father found the pundit (Record keeper) of our village.

 

We took a dip in the holy Ganges. The water was not clean yet refreshing cold.

 

The pundit performed the pooja there and asked for a thousand rupees dakshina & seemed happy to settle for seven fifty-one.

 

We went to Har ki Paudi for a holi dip in the Ganges. It was very invigorating cold water.

 

Finally, we left Haridwar at 3PM after having our lunch at Bikaner (no good food).

 

Bareilly being a long way we decided to have a halt at Haldwani. Meeting Laxman is always cheering. Also met chacha and his family.

 

It was two and a half hours drive to Bareilly.

 

Next morning at 330 AM we left for Delhi as Anand had an assignment in the afternoon. He had been on the driver’s seat for last four days.

 

At Noida we halted at McDonalds for breakfast. Only Aayushi gets happy with MacDonalds. 

A day after I had an early morning 440 AM flight to Sarjah. The Meru cab drivers act stupid to take the longer route.

 

The three and a half hours flight passed sleeping. I realised how many workers from India worked in Gulf.

 

At 7 AM the flight landed at Sarjah airport. (The clock here runs one & a half hour after India STD). The morning was calm and fresh.

 

There were quite a few Arabs in clean white gowns checking security at the airport. Apart from the few white gowns with rugged looks the place is populated by foreigners and many of them are from India working as shopkeepers, labourers, cooks, accountants, software engineers and as of now one more survey engineer.

 

The drivers here are predominantly Pakistanis who live in harmony with Indians. Bengalis (Bangladesi) however are a different lot. Philippinoes are the cheapest work staff followed by Egyptians, Indians and New Zealanders in my new company.

 

Indians it seems are rated high in efficiency.

 

Workshop (as everywhere) sucks. That keeps people contended being offshore.

 

I had a two day stay in Hotel Rotana (4 star) but could hardly get time to relish the luxuries as the office cab picks up at 620 AM and drops at 740PM and there are no holidays.

 

The only hotel luxury I enjoyed was the bath tub (who made us think gulf lacks water...!) 1 ltrs. Bottled water costs 1.5 dirams (20 IRS [Indian Rupees]) as much as a Kingfisher can.

 

My trip to Abu Dhabi was wonderful. The best roads I have experienced are here. The Highway maximum driving speed is 140kmph and all fancy cars are in sight. Petrol costs Rs 10 a litre.

 

The roadside view is lush green, than any highway in India.

 

Infrastructure and city planning here looks excellent except for the sewage.

 

Last year during two days of rain all the cities of UAE (the prominent are Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sarjah [under different sultans; but one nationality]) were flooded as the planners never thought of a drainage system.

 

My offshore experience was a stimulating one.

 

Fortunately, among the eleven-survey crew four are Indians (one however is hindi illah (no hindi) malyalee). Others are new Zealanders, Chinese (resettled in New Zealand), Malasian and Roman.

 

The sea here is calm unlike Indian offshore, but most of the near shore area is clustered with fish traps making survey a thorny task.

 

The day temperature rises up to 50 degrees but the mornings are pleasant.

 

The fridge and store are stuffed with cold drink cans, juices, bottled water, chocolates and fruits. Lately I have started resenting all the cans and chocolates.

 

I had a great fortnight abroad and offshore.

 

I would like to hear from you (usually there is nothing much to do) I sleep 11 hrs and work for 12 hrs a day. Will pen more, after a re-join.

The Gulf!

 .....so I complete my 35 days abroad (around the gulf). God gracious, I enjoy my trip.

 

One feature of offshore Hydro graphic survey is that you are in constant move with a different company every time. Adaptability ...means keeping a good humor all of the times.

 

Here I find the people from Rome and Assis the softest spoken. Roman’s use “Pardon me please”, “Can u please” ...before everything they mouth, while Aussis almost sing while they are talking. “ Ieee L i i i ke it”.

 

V Indians are strangers to such nicety & courtesy. Life in India is hard, somewhat rude and strife. (...or so v look at it). V do everything LOUD – celebrations, joys & grief! Subtlety is not natural to us.

 

The British acknowledge you as SIR – to tease you (While v feel proud). Strange are the ways of the world.

 

Kish island port in Iran is the only port for foreigners. That way v don’t interrupt their culture.

 

I happened to be driven through Dubai & I was just stunned...! It’s sprawling with glass palaces (towering buildings).

 

The highest towers (in the globe) Burj Khalifa is wonderful ...stretching high like two huge needles piercing the sky.

 

The only places of interest around are the malls (only for the air conditioning) as the prices here are higher than India, although you may find the latest electronic and cosmetic stuff.

 

The shopkeepers are predominantly malyalee men or Philippine women. I picked a Nokia 6700 slide. Its handy with a 5MP camera.

 

I was surprised to find that almost whole of UAE is driven by Pakistanis (polite paki drivers).

 

UAE is the most contemporary place in the Gulf. U can see Philippine’s women in shorts in and around the emirates of Dubai.

 

However, in the neighborhood Emirates of Sharjah a man could be fined for half sleeve shirt in public place...lest to talk of shorts. Police can rob you of your jewelry (it goes to the kings’ treasury) and fine you for asking it back.

 

Currently I am sailing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Will pen about the place the next time. As of now I am awaiting ...concluding my trip and return home in the month of August.

Moblisation survey spread!

Summer in the Gulf region commence from May and looms till Sept. August however is the hottest and most humid month of the year.

 

This August I and my team were assigned to mobilize a vessel for geophysical Hazard survey task which entailed working on the deck under the sun.

 

We then had to sail from Khalid Port, Sharjah to Doha, Qatar.

 

Noon’s were hot enough that working under the sun for 5 minutes got one parched.

 

So, we begin our day’s task morning at 8 and resign to rest at 1p.m. After post lunch nap we resumed with the mobilization task at 4 p.m.

 

Our day ended at around mid-night. Night sea breezes although hot, were of respite from the day’s heat.

 

Finally, after four days we were equipped to proceed for our next destination, but first were the sea trials.

 

A smaller aluminum boat was too mobilized for shallow water survey.

 

Surprisingly these small boats working in the gulf are not provided with air conditioning in its dingy cabin at the forward. It’s ironic and makes the job harsh.

 

On the day of Sea trial my colleague got dehydrated in the late morning sun.

 

However, we went through the trials and on the same night sailed off for Doha, Qatar.

 

Days were a bit relaxed thereafter as we spent another 10 days at Doha Port or anchorage, awaiting permit for the survey job in the country ocean territory.

 

Finally, after 10 relax full days, we are on our job… the sea is usually calm at this time of the year in this part of the globe and so … it’s usually a smooth sailing.

Subodh: my association, interaction & memoir!

 

Nearing midnight at 11:51 PM came Manjit’s last update on Subodh, “No pulse rate”. Two minutes later Manjit left the w'app group ‘for a cause’ while the condolences poured in.

Our formative years were spent in boarding at Military School at Dholpur. Boarding school is an adventure and the inmates are friends for life. Unlike the civil life in boarding the friends are there all of the time and not just when it suits them. 

Also, it develops a certain integrity that sets the students apart. Subodh was one such friend - cheerful, reserved and simple. While I was aloof of studies, at least by my standards, he was a studious guy.

As usual to the studious lot, Subodh was not in the mischievous shots like skipping PT, classes, evening sports or running away to town for a movie. A friend of everyone, punctual and disciplined. the closest word complementing him will be ‘simple’!

In class VIII our houses were reshuffled and we both got the ‘Chittor’ house. My closest association with him was in the Senior dorm where his cot was near opposite. I along with Manoj and Vibhuti shared a bonding with Subodh.

Unlike Manoj he didn’t got into hearty talks or wasn’t outspoken like Vibhuti, who mostly was our ringleader, yet he was happy to hang around sharing a few bytes now and then. 

Often to my annoyance, Subodh would side with Vibuthi even to a fault. He cheerfully participated in the house co-curricular activities, though he never sought limelight. 

I must confess, once in school I felt like having disappointed Subodh, or I suppose so!

For NDA writtens the class choose Bareilly as center. My father being transferred to Bareilly at that time provided me with an opportunity of home stay. I invited my friends Manoj and Vibhuti to stay along. Subodh was always subtle and polite and so without a word exchanged I felt guilt for not asking him. Nothing lies heavy on you in younger days.

 

Subodh was in pleasant terms with everyone - classmates, teachers and juniors or paraphrasing it, in his simplicity and politeness, he didn’t bother anybody!

Apart from it, I don’t recollect much except his liveliness and occasional keen enthusiasm.

A decade after school, I took upon an opportunity to meet Subodh. After having suffered losses, running own spectacles shop, he got appointed as a manager of Titan eyecare outlet near South Extension in Delhi. 

I went to meet him at this fancy spectacles’ shop. In India, Titan is the pioneer of inducing glamor in eye glass industry.

Generally, I avoided entering expensive stores as I was paranoid - of storekeepers judging me window shopping!

As Subodh, the manager, greeted me in the fancy shop, for a change - the sales men & ladies were overtly courteous.

Subodh offered me to buy eyeglasses at special discount. But even with all the discounts, the prices then to me, were outrageous. I told him, “the next time”, never hoping ‘the next time’ to actually arrive. 

Our other friend Kamal happened to be in Delhi for a few days and so came over to join us. The boarding friends’ factor is huge and a lot of kibitzing is shared, yet there was an obvious contrast.

Subodh just wanted to chat over a cup of coffee while Kamal insisted on drinks, “can’t talk without it” Kamal claimed.

I realized, coffee in a bar is an expensive affair. Kamal had managed to locate a bar in on the top floor in the South Ext. market.

Subodh and me settled for a coffee. Though Kamal wished to stay longer, but after his two pegs we did beat retreat. 

It was nostalgic meeting with two old pals poles apart. Much water had flown under the bridge.

Next, a couple of years ago, my mother was undergoing treatment for Liver ailment in Fortis, Subodh came to see me with Ajay Bharangar in Noida. Though he had his plans to leave early, but we held him for the whole day. He was grumpy but did cheerfully bear with us on our insistence.

One fine morning Subodh drove by and took me to his new apartment in Delhi. It was a reasonably nice upcoming apartment, though we drove through a few congested roads, quite usual in Delhi!

 

While I am frightful of driving through the congestion of Delhi roads, the otherwise reserved Subodh was a changed person behind the wheels of his WagonR. “initially I was driving shy, now after bumping the car a few times, I don’t mind anymore” Subodh said exuberantly. 

Though his swift driving in the crowded Delhi lanes shell shocked me, Subodh was so lively the day long.

The last time I met Subodh was at Rajiv Dwarika apartment. I was undergoing a professional course near the airport and came over to meet Rajiv; who with Jet airways, if not flying was usually vela. Times have changed since.

We walked out of his society and happen to randomly walk in a Titan eye shop knowing Subodh association with Titan. This time I picked up a new glass frame by Rajiv choice. He is good in making choices, or I think so.

The sway good old friends hold can be gauged by the fact that my expensive gadgets are only recommendations of Rajiv!

This time, Subodh guided us on the phone, with the prudent type of eye lens and of course - the discount.

The next day when I was scheduled to receive my pair of glasses, Subodh made it a point to be present there.

In our chit chat, he did mention of his illness and its effect on his job. Later that evening, I dropped him near his apartment on my way back. Even in his illness he was forthcoming. It never occurred then, that was to be our last meeting.  

Apart from occasional mentions while recounting classmates in casual chatters, the next I heard of him was last month from Rajesh, while he happened to call Lalit to raise money for Subodh ailment and family concerns. 

Classmates Manjeet and Bedi had formed Anibram foundation in Delhi. The classmates made contributions and some finances were provided to Subodh for his treatment through the foundation. 

We were somewhere aware of Subodh health concerns but not on the attitude of his immediate family and relations yet…

Wapp group ‘for a cause’ initiated by Rajesh on 18^th Aug 2020, got the classmates aware of the health concerns and family support. Few weeks later, on 14^th Sept 2020 Rajesh met Subodh at his home while Subodh sat on his bed with an obvious effort and a swollen face likely due to steroids he took to suppress the pain he suffered.

The same day he got hospitalized due to low hemoglobin and blood loss.

Subodh was moved to ICU on 18^th Sept 2020 & then came the news of Liver failure. Never knew this stage will come so early, it got concerning at this point.

It being India, high level political connection is required to get an emergency admission in AIIMS, Delhi.

On 19th Manjit posted a few pictures of Subodh which were distressing. Few classmates put their bid behind Subodh and so finally the same afternoon he got admitted in AIIMS emergency.

AIIMS - The beacon of Hope for the hopeless turned out to be just a straw in the ocean that may provide a glimpse of hope but not the much required medical deligence unless backed by influence. Such sorry state of affairs in an institution meant for distinction!

Next morning came Manjit update that no doctor was attending Subodh and Subodh’s condition is getting from worst to worst……more than worsts…..feeling helpless. Finally, by noon, "special thanks to Baliyan, Vibhu and Prateek, their approach is getting materialized. Doctors are around and shifting to the ward is approved, subject to bed availability". 

On 20 Sept 2020 evening, Subodh got and a separate bed.

Now the treatment centered on Liver… My family had dealt with this a couple of year back with enormous support from family and friends.

"Now the first thing is donor. Subodh dad is no more, Mom is 70+, Elder brother lives in village with his family. Difficult to contact him and convince. Younger brother lives in Delhi and never turned up. What now???" Manjit posted!

Abet late the classmates stood ground. Vibhuti mentioned, “I really don’t understand the Health system in India?? How can one afford 35-40 lakhs for a live saving procedure? Wow unbelievable!!! And how come hospitals charge so much??”

Opinion of our classmate’s doctors was critical to the situation. Vibhuti mentioned, “Usually a donor in liver transplant is a dead patient who consents for organ donation after death. Living person usually cannot donate enough tissue to salvage an Adult. Once the patient full fills the criteria, he is on a waiting list.

On 21^st Sept Manjit had a late evening update, “Subodh pain in stomach is increasing despite giving IV painkillers”.

Nearing midnight at 11:42 PM came the next update, “Subodh’s vitals are decreasing” and at 11:51 came Manjit’s last update on Subodh, “No pulse rate”.

Two minutes later Manjit left the group ‘for a cause’ while the condolences poured in. Manjit stood by Subodh in his last days while not many of his family members bothered. Subodh must have felt proud of him.

Afterthought:

Subodh is survived by his wife and two school going daughters. As he was the only breadwinner in the family, you are welcome to kindly contribute! 

To enquire: Manjit             +91 98103 26486  (India)

                       Rajesh             +91 99102 60079   (India)

                       Vivek                +1(902) 719-4804 (Canada)

Disclaimer:

I scribbled this note and mentioned my afterthought being buddies with Subodh & I believe in the cause. Discretion is encouraged!

The common man 2017

BJP won a landslide majority; does that mean you are not the common man anymore, who got pissed off the long ques to withdraw limited cash as govt. just hijacked everyone's finance for more than a month leaving people in pittance.

What about a reasonable scope for secure investment option?  

FD payout < 7% plus taxable interest, post taxes, chess & bank charges there's a little currency leftover.

The common man is just concerned for his next meal or the next days meal, you my friend, are just the (lower/middle/upper) overindulged middle class who's greatest concern on most days is how to loose weight?

Batman, sahayak & the buddy system. The traditional malaise!

Lower ranks in army, are breaking out of the mold. Internet is pretentious or maybe the condition deserves the accord. I believe Army cannot be a democratic institution with freedom of choice on most aspects within, but it needs to beef up its grievances redressal system, to begin with!

Army is not just the nation’s fighting force; it’s also among the biggest employer and it’s the latter that’s the concern. In modern warfare; how much do the numbers actually add to its efficiency and credibility? Can such an expensive force (…or a part of it) be doing cheap stuff?

Unless I’m talking of the larger problem, for me to talk about my own personal experience with it feels obnoxious.  I didn’t write up to create or inflame controversy. I hope my feelings are in line with my peers, colleagues, my naval fraternity and our forces in general. I have read and appreciate many of the comments whether I liked it or not. I appreciate that people took time to comment and share their honest opinion or feelings. I do not want to embarrass me or yours constrain of thoughts. It’s just to share my experience and how I dealt it.

I got enlisted in Navy in 1992, though I had been involved and fascinated with military since childhood. With my military schooling, I’d expect myself to be an officer but as luck would have it, the same year I joined college, Ayodhya Babri mandir/masjid issue flared up causing the college to close. I ‘in my impatience got myself recruitment into Navy. It was not that I’d fancy Navy, just that it was the first opening once I made up my mind to get a job.

Unlike the notion largely promoted, it's almost pretentious; joining forces was not my idea of serving the country, but my desperation for job in view of what I randomly witnessed – unrest and unemployment among the educated lot.

I started out as an Electrical mechanic at the bottom of the pecking order. I’ve been a military instructor for technical courses in the highly reputed National Hydrographic School, Vasco da Gama, Goa.

I my attempts, I didn’t get lucky with SS Board though one thing constant through my services has been my endeavor. I also had a good fortune to have some excellent peers and colleagues.

I must emphasize that the men join the forces at quite a young age. Many young lads join the other ranks not for their lack of capacity, but lack of opportunity and resources. There's a huge potential and talent within the forces and services must encourage its men realize their capabilities. Not to mention that all services have certain provisions to promote it's talent yet there's a lot more is left to be desired.

Navy doesn’t have the sahayak system though the captain has a coxswain to assist him. I can’t believe if coxswains do what we have been watching, people in olives doing odd house hold jobs. I won’t either be hippocratic to state that chamchas and nepotism is nonexistent. Man Fridays were very much in flavor as Chamchagiri is the refuge of the inefficient.

Once my deputy officer who was assigned the duty to depute a coxswain called me and said, “You are smart enough to be a coxswain”. “I told him, “I’d prefer not being that smart”.  He never as such, complimented me again. I believe it’s not only deplorable but a sheer waste of human resource. Each job must be left to professionals and stewards must be the coxswain. Must we also respect the dignity of labor!

In another instance, my division officer asked me to get to a bank for a personal cheque deposit. I straight forwardly and almost politely declined to his disappointment while he fell out of temper. I won’t contest, if that displayed attitude. It was quite a scene at that instance but he never took a grudge. When everyone has a task and a role to play, we realize where we overstep our authority. Army probably requires rationalizing its manpower.

Moreover I trust we in service in all earnestness are inclined to follow fair practices. At times though, some odd practices so much imbibe the culture that we don't even realize that such misuse of (man) power is a moral corruption. I trust questioning such practice is very quite fair.

One humor doing rounds... During a Van utsav a sapling was planted by a dignitary in the premises of the official residence of a Flag office commanding. To shoo off pets; who in their playful frenzy would raze the plant, a sentry was placed. Twenty years hence - though it’s a prominent big tree there’s yet a sentry on watch. Various Flag officers commanding have resided and gone by while ..the tree sentry duty, is now customary!

It would however do well if a senior officer is spared of the task of polishing or ironing for himself as he would have significant other tasks at hand. To spare its fighting force from inordinate tasks the army must have enough stewards to its cadre. An army with a sahayak mentality will eventually be a demoralized and crippled fighting force. Even if it has a tradition of sahayaks, that must be relegated to history, for good!

I trust we would see correction in our personal administration as new demographics are evolving due to (….your guess?) technology. Like Army most traditional organizations imbibe pyramidal structure, so we have abundant manpower at the bottom that’s usually unskilled or semi-skilled. Technology is about to transform the pyramidal manpower structure to somewhat resembling a diamond shape. There will be a rapid expansion at the middle while the bottom shrinks. It would be a technically able army and like all technical establishments there would be a lot more manpower at the middle level that would include engineers, technicians, managers, executives and administrators.

All such embarrassment by tradition, would be history. For now, I suppose the issue needs to be addressed in its proper perspective. It doesn't need any campaign, but readiness to embrace change and technology.

(These are the personal opinions of the writer, feel free to comment…)

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