Story: The Two Sisters Finally Met

Story: The Two Sisters Finally Met

Aniruddha Sarkar

17 September 2021 (edited on 01 May 2024)

(Little things matter: My mother wanted to meet her younger sister who stayed in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. That was not happening for some time. I could finally manage a break to take her to Nagpur. It was a great opportunity to conduct a full family trip to Jabalpur, Pachmarhi, in adjoining Madhya Pradesh.)

#01

My mother last met her younger sister, Abha, my Mashimoni (meaning aunt, mother’s sister), during an event at our ancestral home. We stayed in the Bally Rural Area in Howrah District, a Kolkata suburb. Since then, it has been over five years.

By the early 1990s, my father passed away. Later, Ma (meaning Mother in Bengali) was not keeping well for some time. She also superannuated from her School Services.

I completed one project and got a week’s breather before the next assignment started. That was mid-1995. I told Ma we could go on a quick trip somewhere. Is it okay if we go to Nagpur and visit Mashimoni and Mesho (my uncle)?

Ma’s eyes lit up. Several times, Ma used to say, God knows, how Abhu is doing. Ma used to call Mashimoni by her childhood name, Abhu. Mesho (my uncle, Mashimoni’s husband) had a few health issues which restricted his movements.

After a few deliberations at home, we went ahead with the plan.

I booked flight tickets for Ma and me for the onward and return journey. I also withdrew sufficient cash from my local State Bank of India (SBI) home branch. In those days, Credit Cards were less popular outside major cities.

Packing our luggage was easy. Ma always loved to travel light. It was the June-July period. Monsoon was about to set in. We witnessed frequent pre-monsoon thunderstorms and drizzles. These storms, also known as ‘Kaal Baishakhi,’ along with heavy rains, were pulling down summer temperatures at our Bally Howrah locality next to the River Ganges.

#02

I am sharing here a few details about my aunt and her family. Aunt Abha was a schoolteacher in Nagpur, Maharashtra. She received the President of India Award for her exemplary services as a teacher a few years back.

My Mesho (uncle) had served as a Gazetted Officer in the Central Government Service and was superannuated. My sister, Soma, the only daughter of my aunt, was teaching in a Nagpur-based Senior Secondary School under the Delhi Board. She completed her Master’s in Science from Nagpur University. Later, she received a Fulbright scholarship from the United States-India Educational Foundation as a teacher. She then taught in a US School as a part of an exchange program, completed her assignment, and returned a couple of months hence.

#03

Before departure, I made a phone call to my aunt’s residence land-phone. The phone kept on ringing. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I was in a fix. Those days, we did not have mobile phones. Probably sister Soma had her summer vacation. Probably, all of them might be away from home for a few days, I thought.

Ma told me, don’t worry. Let’s go to Nagpur as per plan and check into a hotel first. Let us do some local sightseeing. If we are lucky, we can meet Abhu.

Ma was always an optimist!

I also thought Ma was right. Let’s try our luck.

A few Learnings:

Sometimes, in real life, we try to ensure end-to-end certainty during planning before we put a step forward. We may book everything, pay the advance, and get commitments, then suddenly a landslide, sudden inclement weather, unpredictable dislocation of service, or any kind of setback, etc., put everything to nought. So, what is the way out?

My approach is that we should try to remain an optimist.

We also should try to maintain a sharp focus on the key objectives of the journey. Instead of freezing everything, we may keep a few options open.

We should try to adjust and/ or fine-tune our plans dynamically based on the rapidly changing ground realities.

We should try to seek advice from experts when in doubt. Sometimes, when things are uncertain, we should take a little chance based on our experience.

And finally, we should accept the outcome with grace. Thus, we may learn valuable life lessons and may create great memories. Neither should we rejoice in success, nor should we be upset over failure.

The above approaches help us in developing insights.

Such insights possibly accumulate within us over time to contribute toward wise decision-making capabilities. I understand and recognize that life is a journey towards achieving Enlightenment.

On this trip and many other such trips, I tried to follow the above maxim.

#04

We reached Nagpur on a morning flight and checked into a hotel first. After settling, we reached our aunt’s place.

The main entrance gate of their flat was under lock and key from the outside.

Their next-door neighbour, one senior lady, said all the family members had left for Secunderabad a few days back to visit my uncle’s younger brother. The lady could not tell us when they would be back.

We shared our hotel address with the lady. We also requested the lady to convey our arrival at Nagpur whenever Aunt Abha returned. Then we came back to our hotel.

We planned to visit Ramtek Temple on Ram Giri Hills the next day. In the morning, we travelled by a local State Bus to the destination, around forty-two km away. On the hilltop, there was an ancient Ram Temple.

A little distance from the temple, on the hilltop, there was a nicely constructed viewpoint. We went there first.

The inscriptions on a plaque said this was the place where the ancient poet Kalidas had composed his great Sanskrit Kavya (epic poem) Meghdoot. Here Megh means cloud, and Doot means the messenger. Meghdoot means “The cloud as the messenger”.

The epic poem starts with a request from a love-sick lady to the cloud to deliver a letter to her lover.

The greenery around, the June-July monsoon clouds, and the hilltop with a green cover and strong wind, all converged into the initial line from the epic Meghdoot, “Kaschit Kanta Biraha Guruna……..”

Those who may like to listen to a part of this epic Sanskrit lyric recitation by the famous Indian singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, here is a YouTube link:

https://youtu.be/BiH6VB7-zSc

The temple above was an ancient Ram Temple over six hundred years old. We spent quite some time moving around the large temple complex. To learn more about this place, you may refer to the link below:

https://www.bharatonline.com/maharashtra/travel/nagpur/ramtek.html#:~:text=Ramtek%20Ramtek%20is%20a%20small%20town%2C%20situated%20at,is%20believed%20to%20be%20associated%20with%20Lord%20Rama.

We could behold down below a vast lake. By the side of the lake, there was a rowing club for the professionals. For the tourists, a separate jetty existed for hired boating services at the opposite end. We could see a lot of picnic parties thronging the side of the picturesque lake.

We stayed on the hilltop for some time, then we gradually climbed down to where the bus was waiting for over an hour. We boarded the same bus and returned to the city in an hour.

The next day, we were planning to move around the city by a hired auto rickshaw. We took our morning bath and had our breakfast. We were getting dressed up. The doorbell rang. Surprises, my sister Soma was there at the door! She said, Mashi, Dada, Bari Chalo (let’s go home).

#05

We checked out of the hotel and reached our aunt’s place.

After a long time, Ma and Aunt Abha, the two siblings, met. Emotions ran high. Childhood memories rushed back.

I sat with Mesho and enquired about his health conditions. Mesho was an avid walker. We both used to walk miles together in and around Jubilee Hills near Katol Road, Nagpur, a few years back. Now, post superannuation, Mesho has been less mobile for some time.

From a distance, sister Soma was enjoying this togetherness, with a pleasant smile on her face!

I realized we could fulfil one major aim of this trip.

That was: Togetherness.

After a while, as the initial excitement subsided, I asked Mashimoni how did you come back from Secunderabad so early? The story unfolded. Mashimoni used to call her next-door lady from Secunderabad routinely. She thus came to know that we had arrived. They immediately rushed back by an overnight super-fast train and landed that morning.

We all enjoyed the warmth of togetherness after a long gap. The hours flew by quickly.

After some time, I asked whether we all can visit Jabalpur, Pachmarhi (Hill Station) from Nagpur by car.

Mesho said, yes, it was possible. He served in various cities of MP as a Central Government official. His experience helped.

I asked again whether we could hire a car right away with an expert driver.

Meso easily arranged it as well. In this housing complex itself, there was a professional car driver who drove his car on rental. He was a dependable and expert driver. Fortunately, he was available to take us on the round trip for a few days, starting the next day.

Later during the journey, I noticed my Ma was speaking to him in Bengali as she always did and the gentleman was answering her in broken Bengali with a smile.

My God, he was a Bengali chap, born and brought up in Nagpur. His spoken Bengali was also reasonably good!

This is the real Maharashtra, a home for all linguistic, cultural, and ethnic groups. Once more, my earlier convictions on the multi-racial, multi-cultural diversity of Maharashtra got reinforced.

#06

Back to the main story.

This gentleman came by noon to meet us. He had driving experience in this geography we wanted to visit. We completed all formalities for the trip. We planned to start a bit early from Nagpur the next morning. The driver gentleman wanted to do a quick servicing of his car. He also wanted to fill the car tank with maximum fuel from a well-known pump by that night.

I gave him an advance payment to ensure he could make the necessary preparations for an early morning departure.

The driver gentleman also assured us that his car was a fairly new ambassador with hardly any mileage clocked so far. All his papers were up to date, including car insurance, driving license, vehicle entry-exit permit for All India travel, pollution check certificate, road tax, etc. He had a few corporate clients. So, he had to be always in a state of readiness.

My sister Soma also agreed to accompany us up to Jabalpur. She would return by bus from Jabalpur mid-way to join her school, which would open after summer vacation. We, the four members, would proceed to Pachmarhi and then return to Nagpur a few days later.

Now, I had a few things to worry about. Three senior citizens would accompany me. I had to ensure that they were all along comfortable, sufficiently fit to move around, and not unnecessarily stressed!

The first thing I had to arrange was some extra cash in case needed. I wanted to be prepared for any sudden exigencies on the way.

I asked sister Soma whether there was any nearby SBI Branch. She took me to the neighbourhood SBI branch during office hours. I had an SBI Credit Card. I could painlessly withdraw some extra cash as a buffer. There was a simple official procedure to access cash. I felt relieved. Mesho wanted to bear the car rental expenses. I courteously told him not to bother at all.

Incidentally, in India, by the 1990s, Credit Cards were being marketed by banks to retail customers gradually. Around the mid-1990s, the usage of Credit Cards started taking off. Since I had to travel extensively, I habitually used this card for paying board and lodging expenses or booking air/ rail tickets online while on official assignments in major cities.

I was happy to find the card worked in Nagpur as well. Two years down the line, while on another trip to the Himalayas, I had an unpleasant experience. In Uttarkashi, in a similar situation, I tried to locate an ATM to access cash, but failed.

#07

Next early morning, we all left for Jabalpur by six in the morning. Roads inside Maharashtra were excellent. However, as we entered Madhya Pradesh (MP), our bumpy journey started. The initial hundred and fifty km travel was smooth. We covered the distance in three hours. Then bad roads slowed us down. The remaining hundred and fifty km journey took almost six hours. By late afternoon, we reached Jabalpur. We checked into a good palatial hotel of Madhya Pradesh (MP) Tourism. I thought all the senior members of our team must feel safe and comfortable.

We ate out at a vegetarian restaurant. The food was excellent. Every member, including the driver gentleman, liked the food. Locals highly recommended this restaurant. Throughout the next day, we moved around the city. On the third day, Soma left for Nagpur to join her school. We all left for the Marble Rock on the river Narmada.

The boating on the river Narmada, with its multicoloured Marble Rock formations and deep blue water around, was a feast for the eyes. Only one caution was there from the boatman. We must not touch the water. The reason: there were crocodiles in the river!

Mesho opted to stay on the shore near the jetty. After our return from a two-hour-long ride, we collected a few mementoes. Those were: local handicrafts, a few Idols carved out of local marble stones, etc., from the Marble Rock premises. We also walked upstream along the bank of the River Narmada till we reached a dam site.

By the afternoon, we were back at the hotel. After a sumptuous dinner at the same joint, we had a peaceful rest at night.

#08

The next morning, we proceeded towards Pachmarhi, the hill station, some three hundred km away from Jabalpur.

The road this time also was not that good. We had to take a detour here and there since some stretches were closed because of repair. By the evening we reached the foothills of the Satpura Mountain Range. The Ghati (hilly curved road with frequent twists and turns) started. By the late evening, around nine o’clock, we reached Pachmarhi at approximately three thousand five hundred feet altitude. The British colonial settlers developed this hill station.

There had been some rain on the hilltop. It was cold. All the hotels said no room was available. I was now feeling uncomfortable.

After an hour’s effort, when we were feeling exhausted, someone suggested we should try out the Hotel run by the Government of India Tourism (ITDC) at the furthest corner of this hill town.

At late hours, beyond eleven at night, we reached there. Luckily for us, there were two exclusive Royal Suites available! The rent was quite high by 1995 standard.

I said to myself, let me invest for the comfort of all my senior elders. It might be an opportunity of a lifetime for me. Mesho and Mashimoni occupied one suite. Ma and I occupied the other. The staff there offered us an elaborate dinner. The hotel included the cost of the food we consume in the rent.

Very early morning, we woke up to the loud chirping of birds.

As I removed the large curtains from the east side, a huge lush green mountain valley with dense forest cover unfolded in front of our eyes.

Gradually, the Sun appeared. We could view many kinds of birds, wildlife, etc., from our room. Mother Nature was blessing us. We felt as if we were sitting on the lap of Mother Nature.

I realized it was a value for money to stay in this palatial Government Guest House.

After multiple rounds of tea and fruit juices, followed by a grand multi-course breakfast, we went for the local sightseeing.

There were many tourist spots with legends attached. Pre-historic relics, Hindu Mythological connections, colonial history, pre, and post-independent history of India, etc., all were inter-woven at every point.

People appropriately named this Pachmarhi hill as The Queen of Satpura Hills.

For those who may be interested to know further about Pachmarhi, here is a link:

Pachmarhi, Queen of Satpura: Places to visit and its historical importance | Travel - Hindustan Times

By two o’clock, we returned. We had our grand lunch and took some rest. There was a spot known as the highest point from where we could have viewed the sunset. The road was risky with a higher elevation. We dropped that plan in the evening. Instead, we had a relaxed stroll in the main marketplace. Everybody enjoyed.

Meanwhile, I asked the driver gentleman whether he had any issue in staying and having food in the ITDC Hotel. What he told me was very reassuring. The staff there made him comfortable. He could park the car securely within the premises inside a garage. The driver could lock the garage at night using his lock. He also received complimentary food and lodging.

Did the ITDC Hotel at Pachmarhi give back to us, the customers, more ‘Value’ than what we paid for?

I strongly felt that night: Yes, they did. The enjoyment and comfort feeling of the three aged senior family members spoke volumes about that.

By the next morning, we had our breakfast and checked out of the ITDC Hotel.

We stopped on the way to visit the Horticulture Garden at Pachmarhi. This garden unfolded a pleasant surprise to all of us for its excellent bio-diversity.

#09

We travelled via Chhindwara in MP to Nagpur, a distance of two hundred thirty km. On the way, we could find apple orchards in plenty. The Chhindwara, MP-based apple orchards, produce the bulk of apples we consume as ‘Nagpur apples’ in West Bengal. This was a revelation to me.

We all reached Nagpur. Our four nights and five days of travel to the MP was a great experience.

All were safe and sound. All were in great spirits. Ma, Mashimoni, and Mesho were now relaxed. A sudden, unplanned, dream tour came to fruition.

Can we call this trip to MP destined by fate?

I felt that day, yes; it was our destiny that took over the charge.

Everything fell in the right place. The driver gentleman was available and willing to provide his services. He was a known, reliable person. I got my extra cash using my Credit Card smoothly. That was the first and probably the last time I withdrew any cash using a Credit Card. The three senior citizens were back to their safety at home after a rigorous journey and were full of joy at this sudden unexpected trip. Mesho told me, he served in MP for several years. He used to think of visiting Pachmarhi with all the family members. That finally happened.

After this trip, I started believing more in Destiny.

Dear Reader, please do not laugh at me. We lesser mortals think we did this, we did that.

However, Destiny takes us to places we never thought of treading earlier.

Beyond all our plannings, there is the Almighty, who is planning for us from the Antariksa (meaning the celestial space far beyond our six senses). There might be a Divine Presence around us. This realization kept on descending on me, repeatedly. I started feeling humble and kept on shedding my ego.

As I settled the balance payments to the driver gentleman, he sprang up with a pleasant surprise.

He said, ‘I would drop you at the airport as a compliment. You all treated me like one of your brothers during the entire trip. Kindly allow me to express my thanks through this small gesture.’

I did not dare to refuse that. This world is a large family. I realized that once more.

My one-week break from work was almost over. We packed a few select Marathi sweetmeat delicacies from Nagpur. Those were: Shrikhand, Laddu, Pedha, Chikki, etc.

By the next day, we took a return flight to Kolkata. Sister Soma came to the airport to see us off. She drove her scooter. We asked her not to take that trouble. She did not listen to us. She kept on waving as we checked in.

We entered the security area and gradually went out of sight. We were waiting at the departure lounge. Ma suddenly broke down into tears. She was now moving away from her dear little sister, Abhu.

#10

This is Earthly Maya (Illusion).

Ancient Sages said: Stay away from Maya while in Sansar (Family Life). Live life with complete detachment.

I wonder, how can we, the lesser mortals, do that?

We reached Kolkata in two hours, after a brief stop-over in Bhubaneswar. On reaching home, Ma was happy to be back in her homely comfort.

At home, Ma handed over a Siva Idol brought from Jabalpur to my Kakima (wife of my father’s younger brother).

Kakima placed the idol on her daily Worship Podium (Puja Singhasan).

Ma also handed over a Nadu Gopal Idol (Lord Krishna as a child) to my Jyathima (wife of my father’s immediate elder brother).

Jyathima placed the idol on her daily Worship Podium in her Puja Room (a separate structure built for her worship at her own home nearby).

Ma also placed one Idol of Devi Laxmi on her daily Worship Podium (Puja Singhasan).

Today, after two and a half decades, all those Deities are still gracing the podiums.

All the senior ladies - Masimoni, Ma, Jyathima, and Kakima are no more among us. The Endless Time (Mahakaal) has driven His Chariot (The Ràth) trampling everything in His way. And, we, the next generations, are living in a void with a few precious loving memories to cling to.

Today, I have one satisfaction.

My Ma could meet her youngest sibling at her own faraway home.

They lost their father at a tender age. Their Uncles took full charge. The two sisters got their education in the Barisal district of undivided India. Just before the Partition of Bengal in the year 1947, the entire family migrated to Bally, a Kolkata suburb. Subsequently, the two sisters were married off by their uncles. My mother continued to teach in a School in the Bally Rural Area after her marriage. My Aunt Abha also started teaching in Nagpur after her marriage. A distance of one thousand km physically separated both. Since then, these two siblings had hardly met barring a few events at our home.

As a son, I could fulfil one of my Ma’s long-cherished wishes.

Little things matter in life.

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