Mumbai Pune Bypass Road is a crowded and ever speeding outlet for the busy cutting edge population of Pune. Adding to the mass the long distance travellers, and the road trip lovers, cruise through the by lanes. Amid the chaos of this modern and impatient world, a tall embodiment of peace stands gracefully overseeing the mad rush, a 50 foot tall Buddha statue.

The first time I set eyes on this massive structure was during a trip to Khadakwasla Dam. It had instantly caught my attention as well as my imagination. What interested me the most was the presence of the statue of B.R.Ambedkar! [Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956), popularly known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Modern Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination of Dalits, women and labour. He was Independent India’s first law minister and the principal architect of the Constitution of India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._R._Ambedkar).] While the white statue of Dr.Ambedkar stands in stark contrast to the colour of the mountainous terrain, the bronze-gold coloured unfinished statue of Buddha almost gels in with the background.

The ‘interest’ converted into ‘inquisitiveness’ took us (me and my husband-Gaurav) to the same spot again and again. Each time we ventured close enough to get pictures but never bothered to go and see it up close. It was however when I decided to write something in the lines of ‘a silent conversation of Buddha and Ambedkar’ that I realized that, I needed better pictures. So, armed with a camera Gaurav went to click pictures. The curious photographer was however being keenly observed by some people….

Gaurav was busy finding better angles for taking a click when someone tapped on his shoulders. In a grim voice the stranger asked, “Are you a reporter?” Gaurav replied that he wasn’t a reporter and was just here to take some pictures as this had caught his interest. That explanation convinced the stranger and he unfolded the real story behind the sculpting of the statue. Apparently the Buddha statue was being build due the personal interest of the person who owned that particular piece of land. He had obtained all the necessary permissions from the government and self-funded the project so far, but due to monetary constraints the sculpting has been going on for the past four years, and hence the unfinished structure. The statue is made of 5 metals: Gold, Silver, Copper, Brass & Bronze. The lack of funds makes the completion of this statue a distant truth.

Well, well! Buddha must have been ignored, but someone did manage to clean up Dr.Ambedkar’s statue and garlanded him with fresh flowers (the ‘Mahaparinirvan din’ effect I guess…). It’s funny, the workings of time. The one who led a movement in the name of Buddha is remembered and celebrated but the one who gave these ideas to the world i.e. Buddha himself, has been forgotten along with his ideologies.

This brings me to my thought ‘a silent conversation of Buddha and Ambedkar’. [The very fact that an epitome of peace who would have enjoyed being ‘Far from the madding crowd’, now sits at the very centre overseeing the crowd is ironical in itself.] ‘‘Silent conversation’, an oxymoron isn’t it?  But just imagine what Buddha and Ambedkar would discuss when they witness this constant rushing, the loud noises, the unfriendliness and rashness… For Buddha who preached “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity”, the way this world has turned out to be must seem unnerving. Dr.Ambedkar would be heartbroken to see how futile his efforts have been. The provision he had created to promote equality has now become the escape clause to widen the divide.

Each time I pass by this way, my eyes lookout for the serene face of Buddha. Though unfinished the face still sends out a very strange sense of calm. I wonder how many among the hundreds that pass by the same way feel the same. I hope at least a few do feel relaxed and calmed on seeing the statue. It’s a long way for the Buddha statue to be completed. A meeting is to be conducted at the foot of the statue on 25th January 2015, evening 6pm-8pm (for fundraising I guess!). Those who are interested are welcome to attend (on the behalf of the organisers). For me it’s a cause that will lead to the completion of an unfinished statue, which will definitely become a landmark in future. A landmark that might help in calming mankind that is always in a hurry.

As Buddha said “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” To the generation that’s busy running towards the future, I say “take some time out, and enjoy the little things in life, for those moments you shall treasure in the future”.

With a peaceful mind and soul this is Satrangee Parachute floating calmly in my own bay.

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Salut les amis,

Travelling has always been a passion… A recreation beyond all comparison as it not only heals ones physic but also fills the emptiness of your soul and gives you new insights. My visit to Agra, though not entirely for sightseeing turned out to be quite an interesting experience. A day that I shall cherish for years to come, I owe to a special guide….

I have always been enraptured by spontaneous persons…. This time around I had the wonderful chance of meeting Mohammed a boy aged 12-15years (didn’t ask him the age- that would be rude right?). As I and my hubby walked along the sidewalks of the long road to Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence, located in Fatehpur Sikri) a fleet of guides waltzed towards us offering their services for the next couple of hours. The chorus of Sir and Ma’am surrounded us from all directions, that’s when an uncharacteristic voice, the voice of a kid saying “shero shayari ke saath kare Buland Darwaze ki sair” (enjoy the tour with short poems) caught our attention

The moment he noticed us paying attention he walked through the crowd with immense confidence, sheer boldness in the short strides and a pleasant smile.  Somehow, ‘fearless’ was the first word that came into my mind when I saw the skinny lad. What is so special in you? Why would we take you as our guide? These were the questions my husband asked. The answer was quite interesting… “Woh sab jinki sooch buland hoti hai…….Jaise ki Aap aur Madamji, unko hum pyaar se Buland Darwaza dikhate hai” {to all whose thoughts fly high, like you and madam, I show Buland darwaza with love} …. Cheesy, but I couldn’t help but fall into the charms of this child, who due to unknown reasons was spending his time entertaining people with his quick anecdotes and knowledge about this historic monument. So we had found ourselves an interesting guide.

The monument, made of red and buff sandstone, 54mtrs from ground level stood majestically enveloped by the blue sky. The flight of broad stairs managed to take one’s breath away but not as much as the impact of the enormity of the structure. You couldn’t help but gape wide eyed at the enormous gateway. The pavement was covered by tourists and vendors. The huge wooden door covered with horseshoes surely catches one’s attention, which Mohammed explained was once a form of wishing for well being and health of the animals (the kings surely loved their horses I can say, looking at the number of horseshoes alone). Then came the vast courtyard, the sidewalks arched by pillars.

The white marble encased tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chishti stands beautifully in the middle of the courtyard. Mohammed depicted his brilliant skill of keeping the tourists interested with another round of shayari, followed by a brief history about the construction of this gigantic structure (Buland Darwaza or the loft gateway was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 16^th century. It was built to memorialise his victory over Gujarat, constructed in 12yrs). Following this we were practically ushered into the Dargah- tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chishti, for offering the Chadar and tying the mannat ka dhaga (making an offering and tying a sacred thread for fulfilling some wish). Then the tour took us to the locked underground door which Mohammed explained was a secret passageway used by the kings during wars for a quick escape. There was another story saying it was the route used to banish Anarkali, the famous dancer who was in love with prince Salim (Akbar’s son) in contrary to the story that says that Anarkali was buried alive in a brick wall.

We followed Mohammed through the array of tombs, lined with inscriptions in Urdu or Persian, walked through the sidewalks chatting with the vendors, looking at handicraft made of marble, ornaments made of different stones and books that could be carried as souvenir. Soon it was time to bid adieu to our little guide, who with his chirpy voice and happy smile had made the tour even more worthwhile. We couldn’t let him go…not until he had quoted a few more shayaries atleast… Eagerly he recited a few more well versed shyari adding a few sirji and madamji in between… When I asked him his name and sought his permission to click a picture of his he was more than happy to pose. Taking his payment he rushed back to his friends, that was when we realised that we had paid him more than the preset amount. The slip-up was just being measured when we saw him walking towards us again, and as he handed over the extra cash my heart saw a bright and honest face in front of me. The face of a child who on one side was striving to make the ends meet, but nevertheless was so upright in his ways that even an extra penny was to be earned the hard way.

Heart and mind clouded with respect for the child, we walked outside, and as I glanced back towards the great archway the Persian inscriptions caught my eyes. The translation of the inscription reads “Isa (Jesus), son of Mary said: ‘The world is a Bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it. He who hopes for a day, may hope for eternity; but the World endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer for the rest is unseen”. Sending a silent prayer for the wellbeing of Mohammed, we walked in the evening light towards Jodha Bai’s Palace ( Jodha Bai is a misnomer frequently used in reference to Mariam uz-Zamani or Heer Kunwari, the first Rajput wife of Emperor Akbar). 

This is Satrangee parchute hoping that the child gets better opportunities in life to shine at his brightest…..

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