June 18th

this phone shoots well

In May of this year, while on road trip to Leh we stopped at Gurdwara Pathar Sahib to pay obeisance. Twice I have felt that experience for me in that Gurdwara is intense - in what way I have not been able to pinpoint but its condensed in some form. This time around, as we made our way through Sanctum Santorum appreciating the Army way of doing things, I felt its time I go Darbar Sahib Amritsar.

Three days before our planned day of departure (18th June) there was a ferocious windstorm with lashing rains late evening. Living on 9th floor, the whistling sound that high pressure winds make with air getting sucked out through narrow sides by door can be terrifying. Very soon thereafter, lights went out but that wasn't a problem as backup inverter holds good for decent hours. Next morning came to know that three transmission towers of substation had come crashing down and there was no scope of power for at least till next day. The same evening - inverter too whistled out living us all blind and sweaty. Having lived at farm in early 2000's the experience was not new to me - that there would only be a few hours of sleep that night, was a given. Next evening, was the same but what really can you do ! I was suggested that we push our Amritsar visit for another day, as waking up early next morning given the ordeal of previous days was not what everyone was up for. I remained steadfast regardless.

Left early, reached early, teko matha as planned. The weather was really helpful with rains providing much much relief. However, the visit left me wanting as I concurred on the way back that it should have been pushed for another day. What will you experience when you are sleeping only 2 hours a night for 2 nights straight !

It will be 6 years in August for this Endeavour, add 7.5 years for the previous one and never once did I have a flat on my vehicle. Punctures aplenty, but never a flat. We had a flat the moment we crossed Amritsar municipal limits. Twenty minutes, blackened hands and a thoroughly drenched Kurta Pyjama - the journey resumed. With the thought of stopping at Haveli and having lunch at ease with clean hands in air conditioned space, I kept going. But that day, what did my thoughts weigh in comparison to those of anti Agniveers - NADA

Stuck at PAP chowk flyover with trucks and cars giving company in all directions, there was nothing else to do but clear some levels of Gardenscapes. That I would clear so many levels even I had not comprehended, for no one knew for how long we would be there. Cops were there, demonstrators were there and we (the stuck) were there - all looking at each other. Nothing happening. To our respite, the day was cloudy and had some wind to it. People came out of their vehicles and sat on embankment, some went walking to far off shops to fetch chips and cola for their families venting it out in car, others simply took to eating a chhalli/bhutta. Having allowed anti Agniveers their share of satisfaction of having stopped NH1 for more than 4 hours, Punjab Police got into action. It was quite an experience witnessing the final conversation between the agitating leader and the lead cop - that conversation is perhaps for the drinks !

We broke through the lifted blockade as if our lives depended on it, yet reminding ourselves that this day isn't over just yet. True to its spirit - there was no water as we reached home, but there was electricity. Barely holding by a thread, I asked for food and bed hoping this day would end in my sleep.

4 days later, having our routine back - water and electricity are much much valued.