On the 30th August 2016, the sublime sun rises early dawn over a narrow valley of Paro International Airport(PIA). I readied all my travel documents, baggage and other sundry items. Before long, I made my morning toilette and went to sumptuous breakfast followed by short respite. It was a day unlike other days, as I bid emotional adieu and farewell to my motherland. Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, we flew over the Mount Everest towards capital city of India, New Delhi. I’m mesmerized by high over the great lust of greenery and clear blue sky, valleys and mountainsides, clear sun and crystal water, silver clouds and bands of snow-lined peaks, streaking towards the other end of the world. It made my mind wander and wonder at the depth breadth of thoughts.
“Ladies and gentleman, as we will be landing shortly, please fasten your seat belts, stow your tray table and put your seat in upright position. The temperature in New Delhi is…...”
The In-Flight attendant announcement wakes me from my short catnap. I opened window pan and look out. The flight landed on Indra Gandhi International Airport(IGIA) around noon and I was prepared for another adventurous journey. Oh my god, Delhi is at highest peak of heat, bombarded by the cacophony of sounds and loud decibel all around. It was beyond my wildest commotion of how people in these city survive extreme of weather, pollutions, traffic congestion, unhygienic living with over-population demography. The city as busy as an ant, hustle and bustle Delhi I refer. Not so long we reached exit terminal, we are warmly greeted by the officials of Bhutan Embassy, India.
And we reserved one cap and had hit the traffic congested road towards Bhutan Embassy then off to Majnu ka tila (Popularly known as Tibetan Colony), residence we planned to hold a night stay. Hotel rooms are pre-booked by Bhutan Embassy. We took an hour break and went to buy basic wants in shopping street. The most difficult uphill task I faced was ‘bargaining’ with them. In the blink of time they recognize we are foreigner, maximum retail price(MRP) goes on skyrocketing. Late evening, we indulged in fancy dinner having sumptuous Bhutanese Dish which was then last spicy food to touch taste bud. Relaxed I felt, prepared for next day sojourn to college and then went to bedtime. Journey always take out of our comfort. Being away from home and family is always challenging part of life but I stood bold enough to break down from shell of comfort zone.
The next day journey is from Delhi to university located under Himachal Pradesh state. It was of 6-8hr drive by Cab. Early morning we had breakfast, driver reached in our place to pick up. No sooner did we have breakfast, then our journey has started to college. I was next to driver seat being only male gender myself and three girls at back seat. To our notice, he also don’t know the exact geographical location of our university but he uses GPS in his phone to track the roadway. That’s why Indians are considered clever, genius, sharp needled man and many scientist across the world are hired from the India soil. He is really a jolly man with high humor and don’t remember any single moment I dozed off inside car, of which actually is my sickness. I had good dose of chitchat with him for few hours'. He kept us away from slumber by sharing about topographical locations, cultural diversity, religious philosophy, social difference, social values, ethics and living standard of people in India. After long ride of tiresome journey, we saw sign board of university directed to left lane of road in Waknaghat. Alas! what a relief for all of us. After seven-hour drive, we reached college. Hardly had I stepped out, I spotted golden silver gate which reads, “Welcome to Jaypee University of Information technology(JUIT)”. Journey starts from here, I muttered to myself.
Those bygone two years in JUIT, which I now remember with such nostalgia are suffused with overjoyed etched memory and wonderful stay. Even in the low ebb of life’s buffetings and beatings, I will always remember JUIT with its sweet memory. I still vividly remember one of my teacher told me “Leki, please keep in mind that you are ambassador of Bhutan while you go out of country. And you have to know how Ambassador should act. You have to bring home nothing less than the gold of India after your tenure”. I feel glimmer of unparallel happiness when I reverberates by now, with I am in guidance of his gratuitous advice. True quality of learning doesn’t come from great building or great amenities. It happens when education is imparted with love by professors. This is my temple of learning, my college. It is more than books and buildings, attendance and examinations, games and fun, late mid-night oil and maggie nodules. My college is all these and more. It is sea of people; one vision and dreams. I am a part of that dream even as I follow my own star. In nutshell, what is there not to love about JUIT, then?........
