Our cab got cancelled. This left us dependent on the vagaries of local taxi dealers. It became a trade off between peace and money as they were charging higher rates but in the end peace prevailed which rarely does these days. However, for us it was not a zero-sum game as the final objective was peace at whatever cost. So, we decided to hire the taxi. But the peace plan got dismantled when taxi driver warned us that there is huge traffic jam on the road to Dhanaulti. Also, it is impossible to reach Dhanaulti and return on the same day. After seeing the brooding expression on our face he told us that we can at best go to Mussoorie and return the same day. He also added that he can't guarantee that we will be able to return on time and catch the overnight train to Delhi as the road is severely jammed. He had several stories of getting stuck in the traffic jam for 6 hours while returning from Mussoorie in the past.
As some of my friends had to join the qualitative work force that drives India's GDP, we finally settled for less peace as compared to what we could have got at Dhanaulti. To our bad luck or you can say retribution for adding to the caravan, we got stuck in the traffic jam. Forget cab, it was difficult to find space to put our both feet on ground as Mussoorie was filled with tourists all around. Unbound commercialisation of the famous gun point in Mussoorie left the place muddled.
We crawled in traffic on our way back to Dehradun and failed to catch the train back to Delhi. We managed to get the ticket of last bus. So, we returned with more dis-peace in our quest to find some peace. I came back with more questions like what are we leaving behind for our future generations? Are we converting our mountains to the heap of garbage? Where we will find peace now if even our mountains are occupied?
My mind again resurfaced such questions in my thoughts as I reach the garden. As I enter the park, I feel lucky to have access to the park in my locality. Thanks to the person who designed these colonies after independence to have space left for parks between the high rise homes of colonies. Surrounded by 20 large trees on four sides and around 100 small plants, the park provides a way to find peace at least to the increasing elderly and small childrens but most importantly birds, street dogs and butterflies. The sound of chirping birds and mild wind passing between the tree branches provides a soothing environment to the mind.
Elderly, sitting on benches to get the direct sunshine to save themselves from the mild winter. Small kids, trying to revive the outdoor games that we used to play in the childhood. Women, are discussing the daily soaps of Indian Television. But the one generation which stands out in this beautiful setting is the younger ones, engaged on a smart phone in order to become smart in the competitive world out there.I am fearful that these are the ones who will be adding to the caravan leading to mountains in search of peace in near future.
We both are occupied. My hands with pencil and a diary, their with smartphone. My ears are listening to the sound of chirping birds and wind, theirs are occupied with a earphone. I am feeling less smart but definitely more peaceful.
Go Back to Part-1
As some of my friends had to join the qualitative work force that drives India's GDP, we finally settled for less peace as compared to what we could have got at Dhanaulti. To our bad luck or you can say retribution for adding to the caravan, we got stuck in the traffic jam. Forget cab, it was difficult to find space to put our both feet on ground as Mussoorie was filled with tourists all around. Unbound commercialisation of the famous gun point in Mussoorie left the place muddled.
We crawled in traffic on our way back to Dehradun and failed to catch the train back to Delhi. We managed to get the ticket of last bus. So, we returned with more dis-peace in our quest to find some peace. I came back with more questions like what are we leaving behind for our future generations? Are we converting our mountains to the heap of garbage? Where we will find peace now if even our mountains are occupied?
My mind again resurfaced such questions in my thoughts as I reach the garden. As I enter the park, I feel lucky to have access to the park in my locality. Thanks to the person who designed these colonies after independence to have space left for parks between the high rise homes of colonies. Surrounded by 20 large trees on four sides and around 100 small plants, the park provides a way to find peace at least to the increasing elderly and small childrens but most importantly birds, street dogs and butterflies. The sound of chirping birds and mild wind passing between the tree branches provides a soothing environment to the mind.
Elderly, sitting on benches to get the direct sunshine to save themselves from the mild winter. Small kids, trying to revive the outdoor games that we used to play in the childhood. Women, are discussing the daily soaps of Indian Television. But the one generation which stands out in this beautiful setting is the younger ones, engaged on a smart phone in order to become smart in the competitive world out there.I am fearful that these are the ones who will be adding to the caravan leading to mountains in search of peace in near future.
We both are occupied. My hands with pencil and a diary, their with smartphone. My ears are listening to the sound of chirping birds and wind, theirs are occupied with a earphone. I am feeling less smart but definitely more peaceful.
Go Back to Part-1
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