2001 July 24 –  I was returning from  a one day tour of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

In connection with the membership verification, I had gone to Srinagar, J and K , by flight on 23rd July.  Jammu and Kasmir still in turbulent situation due to terrorists, but can not  avoid journey. Com. A.R.Tak, Circle Secretary ITEU welcomed me at airport. Meeting was for formation of BSNLEU Circle Union by merging T.III, ITEU, Administrative and  E.III(N) unions. Despite grave situation, more than 200 comrades participated. Formed BSNL Circle Union with Coms. V.K.Mahaldar as President and Nizar Ahmed as Circle Secretary. Addressed a well attended seminar. BSNL IQ booked for stay, but Com.Nizar Ahmed took me to his home stating home is safe and not IQ. I could feel the tension in their  faces. Com. Tak was also staying in a portion of the house. As the system in Kashmir, we all took our tasty dinner prepared by Mrs. Nizar sitting on the beautiful carpet in the kitchen and discussing organisational matters. Only vegetarian as a special case.

Next day, there was another  meeting in the morning. By the time meeting was over, it was time to move to Airport to catch my flight. Started by car, but it was stopped at many points by para military / military forces. There was a blast that day and every vehicle  was being checked and searched. Just about half km from the airport, the car stopped. There were at least 20 vehicles in front’. The para-military forces have created a blockade and no vehicle was being allowed to proceed without full check. The check-in time was almost over, and I got worried. Got down with my bag, walked up to the barricade and crossed it after check. I requested one person who was proceeding to the airport after check and requested him to give a lift since my car was far behind. He agreed. I went to the ticket counter to find out whether my ticket is confirmed. 5 – 6 persons were in queue, but when I told them that my flight was due, they allowed me to check with with counter. Luckily ticket has been confirmed. I thanked the comrade who accompanied me and moved to the entry gate.

It was at this moment that the young man who gave me lift came and said that he has got more luggage than can be carried and whether I can help by taking some, since I did not have any big luggage. I was in two minds. Don’t know what is inside the  luggage and I may be in danger. on the other side, had he not helped, I would not have reached airport at all. I took the risk, took the luggage with me and moved to the gate. The security stopped me, told me that the luggage is not mine, he has seen what happened and it cannot be carried by me. I had no other go but to return the same to the young man. However, inside I was relieved that the danger is over.

I went inside, got the boarding pass and boarded the flight. The young man also came and was in my next seat. I asked him what happened. He laughed and told me that  there was no problem except strict checking, had to pay extra charge for the extra luggage. After all I could attend the meeting with the Communications Minister next day, arranged by Com. T.Govindan M.P.

However the meeting did not take place. Phoolan Devi, M.P. was murdered in front of her bunglow on Ashoka Road and the  city was in turmoil.

Chhattisgarh state was formed in November 2000 bifurcating M.P. Consequently formation of separate telecom circle. Necessary to tour the new state. Started from Delhi on 17th December 2000, reached Champa Railway Station next day.(Though written Champa, people there call it Chappa. A big station.). Coms. S.R.Nayak, Circle Secretary, M.P., S.C.Bhattacharya, GS ITEU and many other leaders at the station. As usual it was journey in a vehicle, stopping for meetings at important places. First at Korba. Then to Ambikapur, many km away.

Vehicle passing through forest after forest. Chhattisgarh full of thick forests. During journey through the forests of Raighar, the driver, a young man, asked me whether want to see the place where Kalidasa wrote and staged his first drama. I was interested and told him ‘yes’. Every body interested, though already late for next meeting. None of us had seen the place. Driver knew the place well and took us through a very small side road for about 2-3 km. It was thick forest full of tall trees, as also many huge rocks. We went up on a very big rock climbing man made steps and got to the top. A small theatre carved out of rock, where some 20 people could sit.  Stage also. Room inside the cave, probably to stay. Driver told us that it was here where Kalidasa stayed and wrote his first drama and staged in front of celebrities. The saying is that the King, Vikramaditya,  invited him to Ujjain, where he wrote many dramas and staged under the patronage of the king, as part of ‘Navaratna’ celebrities. Later, I was told that every year, Kalidasa Jayanti is organised and inauguration will be in  this place. When we went there 20 years back, it was isolated and there was not a single  person there. But now it seems that the place has become popular with many tourists.

We returned to the main road, a fast drive, managed to reach Ambikapur, of course late. Comrades were waiting patiently and the meeting was held. During the next few days meetings at Raigharh, Bilaspur, Raipur, Bhilai, Jabalpur and so on, returning to Delhi by train on 22nd. Failed to get reservation, but got RAC in the train as a consolation.