Week 8 of 52

“This was in 1963, when I was travelling to Ajmer for the first time to join my new job. I left by Toofan mail from Patna and got down at Agra. Since my connecting train to Ajmer was in the evening and I had time on my hands, I decided to visit the Taj Mahal. I was feeling very homesick. I sat there and contemplated the Taj but could not see any extraordinary beauty in it. I wondered why was it so acclaimed for its beauty. I had started feeling very hungry too. My eyes fell on an earthen pot (bhaar) with rosogollas in it, sitting next to me. My mother must have given it to me. I ate two rossogollas from it and felt satiated and happy. I again turned to contemplate the Taj Mahal... and whoa! I was blown away by its splendour, magnificence, design, the architecture! Every inch of it was overflowing with life and color and resplendent beauty! What a change two rossogollas can make!”

With Monimoy Mukherjee
PC Debjani Banerjee and Suprakash Chakraborty.

Week 7 of 52

“When I look back at my past, I feel mystified some times. We lived a very simple life, far from any affluence in our childhood. But, we knew how to absorb satisfaction from little things . I was not good at any game and was very introvert in nature. After joining FCI in Sindri (Jharkhand state), I found some friends bicycling to Deogarh and other nearby places . Bicycle was the most common mode of transportation at that time. I proposed to my friends that I would join them, if they would come up with a long trip. To my astonishment, the proposal was accepted and a cycle trip from SINDRI to KASHMIR was planned! It was an unthinkable and audacious plan! This was in August 1970. I was just 26 years old and a bachelor . Except for our leader, the others in our five member team were also bachelors. Our expedition turned out semi-official, the corporation approved it but would not finance it or take responsibility. We started our journey on 20th August and it took us 25 days to reach our destination. It was an unheard-of journey in those times wherein we cycled 2000 kms of India on Grand Trunk (GT) Road through Sasaram, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Mathura, Delhi, Ludhiana, and finally Jammu! Raghunathji Mandir at Jammu was our finishing and deliverance point. “

With Pranab Mukherjee
Picture Credit Pranab Mukherjee

Week 6 of 52

I have always sought the company of strangers on my solo breaks. In this quest to speak to unknown people, I have realised that people share easily and unconsciously give you a peek into their soul. This holds good especially for India - I have met many who hold no boundaries while they speak. During one such trip, I met a woman who I thought had it all. A wealthy husband, lovely daughters, a beautiful home and she herself was delightful. She spoke only Marwari and Hindi. Dressed in a synthetic Bandhni saree, she had the palla covering her head. Of the many things we spoke, one question I asked her was what was that one thing she would like to do given an opportunity. She said, " Ek baari salwar kurta pehenne ki ijazat chahiye." ( I want permission to wear salwar kameez just once.)
Needless to say, I was at a loss for words."

With Aparna Das Sadhukhan of Ninebythirty.
Picture Credit Ninebythirty