Journey to Amritsar: Where the Road Unfolds

This is copilot rewritten version of the Original Post: ---

Reaching Our Destination

Our motley crew—my brother-in-law, two cousins, a close friend, and I—set out on a memorable adventure to Amritsar. The chemistry among us was electric; we were a perfect match for this escapade.

Under the star-studded Delhi sky, our trusty Maruti 800 revved up at 10:30 p.m. on that Saturday. The Amritsar Highway stretched ahead, its asphalt ribbon winding through the night. Trucks lumbered alongside, their headlights painting the road in streaks. We couldn't speed—too many trucks, too little space—but the thrill of the open road kept us going.

Around 12:15 a.m., Delhi's city lights faded behind us. The highway hummed, and our chatter blended with the engine's rhythm. Our first pit stop materialized after crossing Ludhiana—a humble roadside tea stall. There, in the pre-dawn chill, we sipped what could only be described as the world's best tea. Perhaps exhaustion heightened our senses, but that cuppa was pure magic. The cool breeze carried whispers of distant fields, and for a fleeting moment, we believed we'd stumbled upon heaven itself.

Revived and caffeinated, we resumed our journey. The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue on the landscape. Green fields stretched to infinity, and our spirits soared. We were explorers, adventurers, and seekers of the extraordinary. Half an hour later, we pushed forward, the scent of Aaloo & Gobhi Paranthas luring us toward our next stop—a roadside dhaba. Those stuffed flatbreads vanished like morning dew.

Finally, at 10:30 a.m., we arrived at our destination—the Golden Temple. Its gilded domes shimmered in the morning light, and the sacred pool beckoned. We stepped onto hallowed ground, our hearts echoing the centuries of devotion that had shaped this place. Amritsar had embraced us, and we were ready to unravel its secrets.


The Day of Reflection and Resonance

The sun had barely kissed the horizon when we dipped into the Sarovar—the sacred pool that cradled centuries of devotion. The Golden Temple stood before us, its marble and gold shimmering in the morning light. We stepped inside, our footsteps hushed by reverence. Breakfast at the Langar was more than a meal; it was a communion—a shared experience that transcended hunger.

By 12:30 p.m., we emerged from the temple's embrace and set our sights on another chapter of history—the infamous Jallianwala Bagh. The air thickened with emotion as we entered the memorial grounds. Here, the past whispered its secrets, and the earth bore witness to unspeakable cruelty.

The museum within Jallianwala Bagh unveiled names—names that history had forgotten or deliberately buried. Faces stared back at us, their stories etched in bullet holes. General Dyer's orders echoed through time: "Fire, but let the firing party be Indian." It wasn't just British cruelty; it was Indians turning against their own.

Bullet scars still mar the walls, a silent testament to the darkest chapter of our shared past. As we stood there, we felt the weight of history—a reminder that cruelty knows no borders, no nationality. And yet, hope lingered—the hope that remembrance would lead to healing.

An Evening at the Wagah Border: Where Flags Flutter and Hearts Soar

The Journey to Wagah Border: Our Amritsar adventure led us to the iconic Wagah Border—a mere 30 kilometers from the heart of the city. The clock struck 3 p.m. as we arrived, our excitement palpable. We anticipated an easy entry to the stadium, a prime spot to witness the grand parade scheduled for 5 p.m. Little did we know that hundreds of others shared our enthusiasm.

The Stadium Hustle: At 4 p.m., the gates swung open, and a sea of people surged forward. We jostled, ran, and claimed our seats—lucky to secure a vantage point. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Dressed in an array of colors, the crowd mirrored the vibrant spirit of the occasion.

The Parade Unfolds: As the clock struck 5 p.m., the parade commenced. Our jawans—resolute and spirited—marched with precision. Their synchronized steps echoed the shared history of India and Pakistan. Flags fluttered, and hearts swelled. It was more than a parade; it was a celebration of resilience, a testament to the human spirit.

A Dance of Patriotism: Post-parade, the crowd converged at the center. Music blared, and 300+ Indians danced—their steps a fusion of joy and patriotism. The Wagah Border transformed into a stage where borders blurred, and humanity prevailed. The BSF managed the crowd, ensuring safety and order. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we savored snacks and memories. Our hearts carried the echoes of that evening—a dance of unity, a salute to courage. And so, at 7 p.m., we bid farewell to the border, our spirits soaring. Amritsar had etched itself into our souls, leaving us forever changed.

The Midnight Turn: A Tale of Survival

Journey Back to Delhi: An Unforgettable Event: The clock struck midnight, and our eyelids drooped. We were all bone-tired, but duty called—we had to be at work on Monday. So, we soldiered on, fueled by caffeine and determination.

The Road Unfolds: Jalandhar blurred past, and Ludhiana faded into the rearview mirror. The night enveloped us, and the highway hummed with the rhythm of tires. But fatigue gnawed at our edges, urging us to surrender to sleep.

A Stop at the Dhaba: Around 9 p.m., hunger tugged at our stomachs. We veered off the highway, drawn by the aroma of freshly cooked paranthas. The dhaba welcomed us—a haven of warmth and spices. Aaloo & Gobhi Paranthas vanished from our plates, and we savored every bite. As the clock neared 3:45 a.m., we crossed Ambala and headed toward Karnal. Our eyelids drooped, and the road blurred. And then it happened. Our friend Rahul, who had been battling sleep, lost the war. At 80-90 kmph, our car veered off the road, diving into the 12-foot-deep jungle. Silence enveloped us, broken only by our screams. We were frightened, disoriented, but alive. Luck had been our companion, and the jungle had released its grip.

A Midnight Escape: When Reality Hits Hard

The Unexpected: The night was thick with darkness, and our car sliced through it—a determined arrow on the Amritsar Highway. My friends and I, weary but spirited, had embarked on this journey. The clock read 3 a.m., and our eyelids drooped. But we had to reach Delhi by morning; work awaited us on Monday. And then it happened. My friend Prateek yanked the handbrake, and the car screeched to a halt. We blinked, disoriented. Where were we? What had just occurred? The truth unfolded before us—we had jumped the road, plummeting 12 feet down into the abyss. The car's headlights illuminated the chaos. We were safe, but our reality had shifted.

Lost in the Jungle: I stumbled out of the car, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. We were deep in the jungle, disoriented and afraid. The road was above us, unreachable. Reality sank in—we were stranded, and the silence was deafening. Our breaths hung in the air as we assessed our situation.

The Lucky Escape: We weren't alone. Trucks rumbled past, oblivious to our plight. We waved, shouted, but no one noticed. Until one trucker stopped—a savior in the night. With a sturdy rope, he pulled us back to the road. Our car groaned, battered but functional. We repaired it as best we could, and with the first light of morning, we set off again. At 9 a.m., we reached our Delhi homes—exhausted, shaken, but alive. Luck had been our companion, and the jungle had released its grip.

Learning: Do not drive two consecutive nights without sleep

75th Birthday of my father !!

On my father's 75th birthday, all friends and families poured wishes. See this video of the wishes, if you have not already seen it. Now, lets look at some interesting data. 

This video was amalgamation of approx. 65 different videos. Wishes were from 9 Indian Cities and 9 International Cities (outside of India) - 4 of these were in US:

List of Indian Cities:

1. Hyderabad
2. Delhi / NCR
3. Mustafabad
4. Yamunanagar (including Jagadhari)
5. Ambala
6. Lucknow
7. Zirakpur, near Chandigarh
8. Bangalore
9. Ludhiana

List of International Cities:

1. New Jersey, US
2. New York, US
3. Cincinati, Ohio, US
4. Virginia, US
5. Sydney, Australia
6. New Zealand
7. Dubai, UAE
8. London, UK
9. Toronto, Canada

Can you count no of Continents now?

Names of people !!

Do you really know how was your name selected by your parents? In past several years, I have encountered very interesting ways in which folks name their child. Here is my collection:

1. Sept 1978: This is about my colleague 'Pralaypati' and his friend 'Toofaan'. The year 1978 was a year of floods in India. Major parts of North and East India were very badly affected. In the month of September, West Bengal faced one of the biggest floods ever. The whole area was drowned in water. The most significant day of destruction was 21st September. It was this day when two people were born in a Ibidpur, a village in West Bengal. The names of these two were attributed to the prevailing conditions there. They were named Pralaypati (Master of Natural Calamity, Lord Shiva) and Toofaan (The storm).
2. Jan 2005: We all know that Tsunami rocked Asian continent on 26th Dec, 2004. A couple in Nagercoil, South India on Jan 09, 2005 named their two-month-old son "Tsunami" after he survived the killer waves which lashed their beach side hamlet. In a similar tale of hope overcoming despair, a woman in Port Blair, capital of India's Andaman and Nicobar islands that were badly hit by the waves, also named her prematurely born boy Tsunami.
3. Evergreen: Many people in Europe and America have a name which is pronounced as 'S-H-A-U-N'. I have seen following multiple ways to spell this: (1) Shawn (2) Shaun (3) Shone (4) Sean
4. Dec 2014: I encountered one very long name - thanks to my team mamber Gaurav Mishra. Here is it: "panu ganti naga venkata satya bheemeshwara rama sharda sai kirna sharma"...
5. April 2015: Jonty Rhodes named his daughter 'India Jeanne Rhodes'. The couple Rhodes-Melanie' decided to come to India and have the baby because they felt facilities here are much better than what they have in South Africa. Also they like the culture in India. They were very extremely happy. They like the country and how everything went here in India.
6. July 2017: GST: In a bizarre instance, parents from Chhattisgarh have named their daughter 'GST' after the launch of India's biggest tax reform as she was born on July 1. The father of the girl child, Jagdish Prasad, said that the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform as a tax revolution on July 1, his daughter was born. So he could not hold his excitement and named her GST to make this day a memorable one.
7. Jan 2018: Brian Lara names his daughter Sydney - after the place where he hit his first century.
8. Sept 2018: A couple in sweden names their daughter after their favorite Mutual Fund 'MIRAE'. read here.
9. Nov 2018: A baby was named ABCDE (pronounced as 'Ab-see-dee'), name came to the light when southwest airline gate agent made fun of the name, airline apologized later though. read here.
10. Nov 2018: KFC awards ₹8 lakh (USD 11,000) to parents for naming baby (Colonel Harland Sander) after KFC Founder. read here
11. Oct 2018: Mothers in Odisha, India rush to name newborn babies after cyclone 'Titli'. read here
12. April 2019: In 2018, 109 babies were named 'Tesla' after a successful car brand. Isn't that cool? wanna read more, here it is.
13. May 2019: A baby was named 'Fani' after the cyclone that made landfall when the baby was born. Its in Odisha, India. read here.
14. May 2019: A muslim woman in UP, India named her baby 'Narendra Modi' after thrilling win in 2019 Lok Sabha elections in india. After family / public pressure, she renamed the baby to 'Mohd Modi'. The naming was significant since the muslims generally do not vote for Modi's party BJP. But, it seems that it is changing with time. read here

My HP Trip in May, 2012

First I would like to talk about a few things that I like. I like travelling, going to newer places, even revisiting places that I like e.g. I have gone to Jaipur 5-6 times to see those same things (Chowki Dhaani, Birla Mandir) again and again. Most importantly, I like to drive to these places rather than using any mode of transport. Till sometime back, I have been driving mostly in plains (with a some minor exceptions). So driving in hills was a missing point for me and secondly, due to my back pain, driving long distances remained a dream . If the question comes to your kind is how long? In the initial days, I had to take a break at-most 100 Kms and 200-250 Kms was the maximum that I could drive before getting exhausted.

In the month of May-2012, we planned a trip to Himachal Pradesh - Parents and wife wanted a spiritual trip (5 devis), I wanted to spend time with all of them especially my daughter and also wanted to visit a few good hill stations. So we planned 9 day covering Anandpur Sahib, Bhakra Dam, 5 devis, Dharamsala & Palampur. Initial 3 days, we satisfied our spiritual hunger - Jwala Devi was the one I liked most. Also, we enjoyed big #bhakra #dam on the way and on 3rd day, we reached Dharamsala. - after 600 Kms of driving, lot of it was in hills. We didn't like it too much (it was really hot there, hotel was not good enough). We also went to Mcleodganj - liked it very much - amazing weather, awesome Dalai Lama temple, Bhagsu Falls and many more things.

After 3 days, we went to Palampur. By the time I reached there; my dreams of driving in hills was fulfilled. Palampur was a dream place - the weather, neugal (river stream), Saurabh Van Vihar, the medicated environment and HPTDC Hotel - The Tea Bud. I was so impressed with the place that I even enquired about buying some property there.

Now only, one wish was left driving long distances. We started early around 07:00 am - weather was really nice for driving & home was 525 Kms away (with more than 150 Kms in hills). First brief 5 mins stop was Una, nearly 150 KMs - at the base of the hills. Then, it was Havelli Restaurant, Karnal (around 370 Kms) for 45 mins and finally Home @ 07:00pm. I had completed 12 hrs journey - a sense of accomplishment.

How much do you know Bhagat Singh?

Do you really know Bhagat Singh - the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement? Let's see:

1. The bombs Bhagat Singh and his associates threw in the Central Assembly in Delhi were made from low grade explosives. They were lobbed away from people in the corridors of the building and were meant only to startle and not harm.
2. He coined the phrase 'Inquilab Zindabad' that became the slogan of the India's armed freedom struggle.
3. When he was kid, often spoke of "Growing guns in the fields" so that he could fight the British government for freedom.
4. At the age of 12, right after the Jalianwala Bagh incident, Bhagat Singh bunked school and went straight to the place of the tragedy. He collected a bottle of mud wet with blood of Indians and worship the bottle every day.
5. He underwent 116-day hunger strike which ended on 'October 5, 1929'
6. He was fluent in many languages: (1) Could speak and write all these fluently - Hindi, English, Arabic, Punjabi (2) Could speak and write One or Two out of these - Polish, French and Swedish
7. Bhagat Singh was a brilliant actor and he appeared in various plays in his college as Rana Pratap, Samrat Chandragupta, and Bharata durdesha.
8. He was 23 years of age when he was hanged.
9. He was hanged an hour ahead of the official time when the death sentence was to be commuted
10. He said: "They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit." This was to be quoted many times over by revolutionaries after Singh's death.

Source: Various Internet websites which I rad over a period of time such as wikipedia and others.

My first US Trip - The Big Fight ... Pre-Trip

Sometime back.. hmm long back (depends on when you read this post), I was travelling to US. It always carry some excitement for many youths here and obviously a desire for here in India. It all  becomes more interesting when you encounter a useless problem that you have to fight before such an exciting trip.  Read on what I had to go through for Adobe Tech-summit, 2004 in San Jose, CA.

Since there are only a limited number of seats and only some %age of people can go at one time, it was always a condition of uncertainty before you get your manager's call. Well one day, I got it - made me very happy. A big task was to get a visa - since it was adobe arranged trip, none of us anticipate any kind of issues but we were still very uncertain. After all, this was going to be the first trip to the dreamland.  24th April, 2004 was the day for flying.

When I went to US Embassy in India for Visa (first week of april, 2004) along with my colleagues, they read my name in my passport as HEMANI instead of HEMANT.  I didnot understand that it was call for me initially. Then I realized that nobody was standing up and can be me. Now the REASON - the horizontal bar on top of T was very light and hence was being read as I - start of problems. I tried to convince the person but he was adamant on HEMANI. I tried telling him that last US visa (unused one) was also issues with the name 'T' but he was angad - immovable.

My company Adobe's facilities dept. did very well to communicate everything to US Embassy but all in vain as they read the name what they could read. I was left with a very less time left (number of days left could have been counted on fingers). I had my wrong VISA name but Hotel Bookings done, Tickets done and with only one option: "Get the name corrected from Passport Office." Wow!!! 7th April already gone, passport not yet back from Embassy, 9th April is holiday due to Good Friday. Remember: I had to fly on 24th April.

• Option One: If I go to passport office on 12th April to get it corrected, How will I get my corrected passport from the dept and then go to embassy to get my visa corrected and all that before 24th as we had to leave that day. Basically Not an option. Only God could help me.

• Another Viable Option that worked: I got the passport delivered from travel agent at Delhi passport dept on 8th April morning. Went to a few clerks and an officer and was ultimately told that department will issue an additional booklet over my passport and everything will be done in less than 3 working days. Wow!!! I could never think of such a fast processing from a Public Dept. in India. Now realization - India is improving.

Finally, on Tuesday i.e. 13th of April, 2004, I got my new additional booklet with my name as HEMANT VIRMANI.

Next target was to get VISA from US Embassy:

Well, then it was all done in two days when on Friday same week, I got an appointment for US Embassy for VISA processing. I was told by Adobe to meet an Officer. I realized "What a great job my company had done" read on... 

They had already talked to Embassy about my case and embassy people had realized my name - 'HEMANT' and it was matter of mins (60 to be precise) that I was told that I can collect my visa stamped on my passport on the same day. I collected it the same day.... 16th April, 2004

At last!! all my obstacles were gone with Adobe Support Staff doing a great job in getting this done.

With good support and never say die spirit, you can do the difficult tasks "easily"...

My TODOs

I, with me, carry many things,  I would like to do at some point of time in my life. I would like to do in-numerous things in spare time (which I am always short of). The order of following items in the list is immaterial. Following are some of them:

1. Study something about Pyramids and Egypt in General I know that 'The Great Pyramid Decoded by Peter Lemesurier' is a recommended reading. What is left is - to read this book.


2. Read European History in brief - Haven't done anything for this


3. Also study various eras in Indian History Romila Thapar has a book titiled A History of India : Vol. I.


4. Build one electronic equipment. It can be as simple as Water Level Meter or Remote Controller for TubeLight. I have talked to a few people and everybody tells me to get a raw technical book (with mechanical approach) on this and start reading. Lets hope I find some time for this. I don't know when will I do this is.


5. Travel & Photograph a lot


6. Study Astrology


7. Read Vedas or may be Upnishads (they contain the main extracts of vedas)


8. To study Genetics - an interesting subject.