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| Glimpse of traffic |
Hailed from the
tiny village in the corner of Bhutan, I along with two other friends came to
India to pursue International Diploma in Educational Planning and
Administration offered in National University of Educational Planning and
Administration, New Delhi. The very next day we went to class for registration
where we found around 40 others to be our classmates for the next three months.
All of us were from different parts of the globe especially developing
countries including Africa, Latin America and Asia. The first day was not so
occupied but we were reminded that once the class actually starts we will be
pretty much occupied. I am familiar with Indian Education system though. We
were also briefed on the situation of Delhi and not to move out of the campus for
at least a week. Also oriented to campus and small shops in the campus where we
get some basic needs. And if at all we need to go out of the campus, we were
asked to go in groups with assistance from our staff.
We didn’t pay
heed to the advice and decided to go out the very next day without informing
our staff. Our friend from Vietnam and Chile joined us because we Bhutanese
know Hindi which indeed is added advantage but funny part is that most of the
people don’t understand the Hindi we speak. Even others wanted to go for
shopping with us just because they think that we were expert in Hindi.
Confidently we went out of our University gate and took an auto to the town. In
the first place we had tough time remembering the name of the place and
shopping centre. But we were able to reach in a shopping mall known as ‘Select
City Walk’ located in the south Delhi. Remembering the name of the mall was not
easy but remembering name of place itself was even more difficult. The exciting
and entertaining mall is located in Saket. Some of our friends call us but we
were not able to tell the mane of the place and and our location. That was funny.
Whatsoever, we have done some shopping.
Then with our not
so versed Hindi we boarded in a rickshaw this time to reach us in the metro
station. Our next station was to drop a parcel to the Tibetan camp in Majnu
Katila. In the metro station, as usual we asked other strangers regarding our
destiny. Luckily we have taken travel cards from Bhutan to be used in metro
from our friends who have been to India recently. We have given a card each to
our two new friends. After a little hiccup in knowing how to use the cards we
got into the metro which is already jammed packed. The name of the station
where we were supposed to get out was our mantra. Then again we took a rickshaw
to reach to Majnu Katila. We have no idea where the place is and got out of the
rickshaw before reaching the exact place. After looking around and wandering
for sometimes we asked some Tibetan monks. Then we were told that we have not
reached the place and from there we decided to walk. After walking for a few
minutes, finally we were able to reach the camp which is very crowded. Then the
challenge was finding the particular house.
After asking many people we found the house and drop the parcel and
instantly returned since the lady who was supposed to receive the parcel went
to town.
By then we were
too tired and hungry too. From the face, we could notice that our two friends
were worried. Then in an auto we again came till the metro station and boarded
again. After getting out of metro we told name of our university to all auto
and rickshaw drivers. We were surprised that even a single heard doesn’t know
the name of our university which is supposed to be renowned. We have very vague sense of direction. With
great effort we were able to cross the road to the other side. From there we
decided to take a bus. To the bus driver, we said that we want to go to IIT
gate. Accordingly, the bus left us there. We look around, but there was no sign
of our university. We enquired around and luckily we were able to meet a lady
who speaks English fluently. She clearly showed us the direction and we followed
her advice obediently.
Finally we saw
the name of our university and our two friends were clapping their hands out of
amusement and they took sigh of relief.
While it was unimaginably difficult, we were able to reach back safely.
It was really adventures and we said that it was a great discovery.
Later over the
dinner, the same was the talk in dining hall. Our two friends said three of
their Bhutanese friends were hero. We laugh out a lot reflecting back to our
acts and repeating what we said. It was difficult but very beautiful when we
actually reflect. Such moment will be remembered and cherished in the distant
future but at the same time we don’t want such things to happen again in our
life.
