Delhi Tour - Part 1

Finally! The day dawned when we had to leave for Delhi. By 9:45am, we transferred our entire luggage near the Poornachandra auditorium from where they were picked and transported to the aircraft. By 11:45am we too assembled there. The yellow hospital bus ferried us to the airport where the preliminary checks and check ins were done. It was by 1:40pm that all of us were in the aircraft and we awaited Swami’s arrival. The joy and excitement while travelling with Swami is always high.

In the meantime, the pilot and co pilot indulged us to visit the cockpit and all of us took pictures there ( for future showoff!). After that, we were chatting with the co pilot and he was saying that the crowds of people who had gathered to see Swami around the airport - on the hillocks and every other conceivable space -simply amazed him.

“We sit far away and are completely oblivious of Baba’s influence. It is so amazing. I never knew I would be piloting His plane. It’s a privilege, a great chance.” Sensing that the iron was hot I spoke to him on our great good fortune to be where we were at that point in time. Soon, it was time for Swami’s scheduled arrival. even as CG and I positioned ourselves at the entrance, He arrived in the Porte car.

Swami was brought into the flight and soon Capt.S and his team spoke to Swami and sought His blessings. The pilot also rushed to Him and fell at His feet and spoke a few words. I was standing there taking pictures lost in the beauty of Swami's shower of blessings and grace. I quickly took a close up of His feet in the beautiful leather sandals. Ah! What a picture it is!

After the pilot left, I asked Swami whether I could take a solo picture of Him and Swami nodded disapprovingly. It was a quick "No" and so I did not. Soon, we all were seated as the image of Vijay Mallya came on the screens in front of our seats to tell us how it was his privilege to serve us as his guests. (Yes! The flight had been chartered from kingfisher Airlines).

Swami too watched the screen. I felt that this was Mallya’s greatest good fortune - whether he knew and realized it or not, Swami was watching him! It is said that a look of the Avatar is enough to confer the greatest gift man could ever desire. In fact, when someone asked Swami Vivekananda whether he would have redemption, Swami Vivekananda asked him back,

“Have you ever seen Paramahamsa Ramakrishna?”
“Only once, and that too from a distance!”
“Then your redemption is guaranteed without doubt. Do not worry!” was the reply.
I was reminded of this anecdote as Swami watched Mallya on the screen and I have decided that I will tell the same to him if and when we happen to meet!

Even the safety procedures and rules were explained on the screen itself. The flight taxied down the runway and we had to reach one end of it to start our acceleration towards take off. Outside the window, we could see the adoration and adulation of the people for Swami. The blazing hot sun didn’t seem to matter as people of all ages and countries alike stood with bare protection, waving to the aircraft. That flight would never before have received such devotions I thought!

It was a bit tumultuous as we got airborne and as the plane vibrated, I looked at the shaking body of Swami. I was a bit concerned but well, from the looks of it, Swami was hardly unfazed. The return journey from Hadshi had seen us gather courage and take pictures with Swami. I began to wonder if we could do that in the onward journey itself, for this trip.

The flight was cruising and the serving of food and drinks began. Our flight to Delhi would take a little more than 2 hours we were told. Once the curtains between the economy and the first class lounge were closed (and Swami hidden from our view), we all settled in our seats. There were about 120 seats for the 18 of us!

I sat beside Rb and we had an interesting discussion on how we should be happy always and no matter what, happiness is an attitude and a decision. He also congratulated me on my saving habit and told me to continue to dream of seeing all the wonderful places on earth. Looking outside the window, I took some shots of the beautiful cloud formations and it was so thrilling- the grey clouds interspersed between the white fluffy ones and it was as if God was continuously painting and repainting the skies for us.

The seats in the flight were plush and each one of us had screens in front of us. These screens would actually play movies of a wide range but that function had been disengaged as a mark of respect to Divinity aboard the flight - I mean who would want to watch a movie in the sanctum of a temple?

The screens now displayed travel information and interesting facts about the journey we were undertaking. That held my interest for about 10 minutes before I began to itch to move near Swami at some pretext or the other.

One hour into the flight,( the minutes were dragging on! How come the time flies when next to Swami and drags when away from Him? No wonder Einstein won accolades for his relativity of time concept - its so hard to accept!) CG told me that the crew members were interacting with Swami. The Hadshi experience had taught me that this was the opportune moment to make our entry.

With CG, I proceeded to the front and sure enough, Swami began to bless each and every member of the crew with namaskar and a picture with Him. The photo session then began.
As the crew members were done, the pilot and co pilot also took their chance with Him. In between, when Swami was looking straight into the camera, I quickly zoomed in and took a nice closeup. I was happy.

It was then that Swami asked St, “Can the chair go (back) there (where the boys are seated)?” St answered, “Swami the chair cannot move but the boys can come here.” And Swami agreed. So now, it was the boys' turn to flow to the front, one by one, and pose with Swami. This time, Swami was looking into CG’s video camera for most of the time and CG was so happy. I was getting slightly jealous and was thinking, “CG, your great chance is going to cost some of the boys a good picture with Swami wherein both are looking at the camera!” ;)

Some members of the crew were standing behind me and taking pictures with their cell phones. (Even in the inner recesses of an aircraft, Swami has 5-10 photographers!) And thus, there was also quite some movement behind me. Swami seemed to get distracted and He used that distraction as an opportunity to bless those fortunate crew members with loving glances!

When Ls came and sat next to Swami, He seemed to get quite emotional. It was such a beautiful scene and hats off to Ls – he had joined the organization after waiting for 7 years on completion of his education. In his 25 years of dedication at the lotus feet, this was the first time Swami was taking him along with Him. Such devotion naturally makes the Lord emotional I thought. Swami kept looking at him with such love as he reverentially bowed to His feet, took namaskar and left.

B asked Swami whether he could get a picture with Him along with his brother and thus fulfilled a long-nourished desire of his. The boys were followed by the elders and Swami blessed all with the chance. The security guards too had their pictures taken. After all were done, I called J and went to Swami’s side. I held out my hand and seeing it, Swami placed His hand in mine. I held it with both my hands as J took the picture. Then I bowed and kissed His hand. That was followed by kisses planted on both His feet.

I took the video camera as CG went and posed with Swami. After that was done, I indicated to Swami that the photo session was complete and Swami motioned with His right index finger for us to return to our seats.

Returning joyously to our places, I quickly copied all the pictures of the crew members on to a pendrive which they gave and they were all so thrilled. In another 20 minutes, announcements were on about the impending touchdown! I dozed off for a short while and was woken up as the plane hit the hard earth of the Delhi runway!

The whole flight seemed like a dream when I caught a glimpse of orange amidst the slightly parted curtains. That reassuring sight told me that this was not a dream and a magnificent trip had just begun. The plane taxied to the terminal and there were hundreds of people on the tarmac waiting to catch a glimpse of Swami. I offered gratitude to Swami for having been made part of this trip.

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