2 Days to Go…

Shekhawat consults Siba Prasad Maitra

Gupta is flat on his back, tossing and turning with cramps

Two days remain for the 'Gangtok Gang' to take wing and the scaremongers have got into the act. Conspiracy theories are being hatched at random in a bid to frighten the living daylights of the 25-member group, if only they would change their minds and stay back. Why else would an innocent question from Fehmida Khan on the “special food” available there elicit responses like fried scorpions, snake stew, lizard curry, pickled cockroach, monkey brain and other bizarre delicacies of Chinese cuisine? Why? Because Gangtok and Darjeeling are close to the China border!
So far, the group has been receiving sane and well-meaning advice – be it Siba Prasad Maitra’s guidance on medical emergencies or Jagmohan Papneja’s precautionary note (ref yesterday’s comments) on personal safety or Bihari Milwani’s helpful instructions to stay connected on phone. After all, being forewarned is being forearmed.
But now advice has turned to instilling fear and tension. What happens if you lose your way there? The consent letter does not provide for this eventuality. Remember, during the Kashmir trip, no mobile phone worked; in military areas, mobile jammers do not allow connectivity to civilians.

In Agony: Bijoy Gupta

Suppose you are untraceable – abducted, by aliens? Who will be responsible then? And so on.
In all this, Bijoy Gupta managed to create an advance scare when he collapsed to the ground, complaining of muscle cramps. Clearly a case of dehydration, he lay on his back, writhing restlessly in the grass while the exercises continued. It was indeed extremely humid today and Gupta has the tendency to sweat profusely.
Before long, Swati Punjabi showed up offering to give him a full body massage on the spot. But it was more in the nature of single finger pokes, the way a veterinary doctor would examine a fallen buffalo. Gupta deserved it.
Bihari Milwani:
The best education is to travel to unknown places. This is a golden opportunity for all of you. Do not be afraid of any food, veg or non-veg. Always remember that the fear of losing is the biggest hurdle in the way of success. Go fearlessly and discover new territories like Columbus discovered America.
Kiran Prakash:
The last paragraph: "Bijoy Gupta... collapsed... Swati... finger... poke... veterinary doctor... buffalo... deserved..." I wonder whether I should laugh, empathise or express my solidarity with Bijoy Gupta.