Sitting on the flight back to home is usually about reflections, but I am not going to bore myself with them save for completeness.
The VW was fun and after realising in the morning it was all true, I had planned to go and do the Heritage Walk going into the old city. Frankly could not get up, and had to say the farewells to My Sasu cum Doctor, who was heading for Varodara, with Dipakbhai. Meena’s mum is past eighty, still goes for a walk every day, is a positive person, and lives in Dehradhun. She is coming over in late summer, and there is a Nathwani family gathering in Spain, when the brothers and sisters ( and Jam–ieees, not Jamies and some of the children will meet). We are going there.
Dipakbhai who lives in Varodara, still looks young, but his eyesight is noticeably worse, and we had to get look after him on occasions at the Wedding. However he is walking on air, as he had just become a granddad.
Rashmi (Meena’s eldest sister) and Arunbhai from Toronto are doing a little tour of GJ. She was lucky enough to say a few words with NaMo and The Ambanis whilst they were having a meal. Arunbhai, is high on the negativity scale with India, and his own mortality, being 69. I am used to that, but he did spring a surprise during the fourth FERA of the wedding…by quietly asking me whether the air was dusty!
No journey to India is complete without going to a temple or two.
So in the afternoon we went to a mock up version of the original Vishnu Devi temple, where you had to work through tunnels etc to reach the top and do darshan. I am sure you know that Vishnu Devi may also be called Laxmi! and at the top the priest gives you a coin! which could be variously used for Chopdapujan. The bending in the tunnel is a metaphor for namrata or humility.
From there on, towards Gandhinagar, capital of Gujarat, past the CMs house , to Akshardham. Did you know that around 200 people got killed here in 2002 during the time of the Godhra riots ( Muslim v Hindu) where there are suggestions of complicity of NaMo. This is one issue that could lead to NaMo losing the PM race, although his growth and success of Gujarat State as the most successful one may come to his rescue. As I said most people vote with their pockets. And to be fair, I liked his statement when he said that he is spiritual but not religious. And he does fast twice a year, and during Navratri, for 9 days with just water. The chap is focussed strategist, orator, workaholic, networked, and IT savvy! And he used to sell tea during his childhood at the train-stations.
The Swaminarayan Temple is a great place, lovely architecture, well organised, peaceful, and if hungry try their restaurants. Meena had sandwich and chips and Kavita a thali ( who is more Guju?). And I picked of both and had the local refreshing Nim Booz drink thinking about our Nimesh.
There was a street debate re a car accident in Gujrati, and it was ever so civil with so many onlookers, and I found my driver there.
On to Sabarmati, Gandhiji Ashram, by the river. Been here before, and it’s always moving if you care to go though reading his statements through his struggles.
No trip with women in India ends without a further bit of denial shopping…Meena a shawl. One more attempt at the Heritage walk, and could not get a guide. Best to do in the morning for 7 am.
There was the usual family debate re food, and Kavita’s pasta deficiency. We eventually ate at Swati off CG Road, speciality called Pannki. Went to a Swati in Mumbai with Pankaj a few years ago and highly recommended.
Got to the airport well in time at 2 am but there is a design flaw. They have more farewellers, than the people flying out, so it is tough getting in through the doors. The bloated bureaucracy appears to have reduced. Bought a book for Mango, a yoga manual, a tiny BG, and a RamLeela movies CD….I was assured in Gujrati…..original eh!…let’s see.
In the flight, need sleep and Meena and myself cackled at an Indian man with a sleeping ring who had it on before flight, on flight, and on transfer at Dubai.
True to being Indian, innovate, over-do, miss the point, and who cares!
Namaste.