Awake, Arise, Become, Begin

देर लगी आने में तुमको शुक्र है फिर भी आये तो
आस ने दिल का साथ न छोड़ा वैसे हम घबराये तो.

गाँधी जयंती 2 अक्टूबर 2010 को सुबह यही आलम था. पीयूष को द्वारका से आना था, अनुज को फरीदाबाद से और मोहित के job commitments बहुत बढ़ जाने के कारण अनिश्चय की स्थिति सी थी. But all three of them could join. Peeyush drove down to Faridabad to reach Anuj's place and Mohit joined from Mayur Vihar. Aligarh route is in bad shape therfore we travelled via Agra and it prove to be a prudent decision.

Dr Poornesh Chandra and his team alonwith Sajan and his team proceeded to Bahora and got down to the job even before we could reach. Sajid Bhai alongwith Shahid and Amjad from Patiyali lead them to the flood affected areas. People in large numbers turned up to take the medicines. Fever, skin and eye infections were the common ailments. Around 500 patients benefitted.

Sudhir, Dharmendra and Amarjeet had to spend the whole day on road as the route they took was cut off at kannauj. They had to return and then came via Kanpur. It was good to see them in the evening. Mohit had to return the same night and so was Sudhir. After a lot of thought both of them decided  to rest and leave early morning. Babloo was always around to take care of wharever was required. Mohit left early morning and that too by bus. Thanx Mohit for the pains taken.

Early morning on 3rd we started again. Met Sharad Bhai at Patiyali who kindly joined for the day ahead. We were all smiles when we visited Vipin who was operated for valve replacement at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital with the efforts of Team Anubhuti. He is in the pink of health. Thank God for that.

Beyond Ganges, things were far worse and so we travelled to Tilak Ka Nagla via Budayun. The bridge at Kachhla remains a major time eater as it is a rail road bridge. We were stranded at the gate for more than an hour. Reaching Kadarganj we realised roads were not motorable. पानी के बहाव से रास्ते कटे हुए थे. We requested for a tractor and it took a long time to arrange. गंगपुर के पास हम काफी देर फंसे रहे. काफी मशक्कत के बाद हमें एक बग्घी मिली और दवाएं  उसमें चढ़ा कर हम आगे बढे.

सबसे पहले हम नगला नियाजी पहुंचे. उदास चेहरे, बुखार में तपते बच्चे, बूढ़े और महिलाएं  make shift  झोंपड़ियों में बैठे लोग. They came and smiled when they got the medicine they wanted. That smile was priceless. We moved on to Tilak Ka Nagla and finally reached Nagla Khimai where its pradhan Rajendra Singh who had sent his tractor for us was waiting. We brought smiles where ever we went and that was some satisfaction.

As night descended we returned to Kadarganj on tractor, and proceeded to our respective destinations. Sudhir stayed back through out, despite the fact that there were important office issues which were continuously keeping him tense. Return journey was smooth as Budayun Delhi route is. But for the Lucknow team it was difficult. They lost their way but recovered in time.

It is tough there but all is not lost.

   आज की रात बहुत गर्म हवा चलती है
  आज की रात न फुटपाथ  पे नींद आएगी
सब उठो, मैं भी उठूँ, तुम भी उठो, तुम भी उठो,
   कोई खिड़की इसी दीवार में खुल जायेगी ..

Team Anubhuti