JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 22

Getting in to the wrong Aeroplane

I am not an expert in reaching the station late or getting g in to the wrong train / compartment etc as some of my comrades. I always try to be careful. But still made mistakes several times and got in to the wrong train in my anxiety to somehow catch the train. But never expected that of boarding a wrong flight. But that is what happened during my return journey from Nepal in December 2003.

I was invited to attend the Annual Conference of Telecommunication Association of Nepal (TEAN) to be held in December 2003 at Janakpur. It was the recognised Telecom Union of Nepal. We used to invite them to our AIC and they invited us to their AIC. We have very cordial relations.

Along with senior leader and former President of E.III Union Com.K.M.Tripathi, who belong to Gorakhpur in U.P., travelled from there to border town Birganj via Sitamarhi. The same difficulties had to be faced as in an earlier travel, with the road completely broken in many places, without any repair.

It was on 4th December 2003. We crossed to Nepal in a cycle riksha. TEAN comrades were waiting on the Nepal side of the town. Took us to Janakpur where the two day TEAN conference will be held.

Janakpur is the place, according to the Nepalese belief, that baby Sita was found in the rice-field by King Janaka who brought up her as his daughter. There is a place nearby where a piece of the broken bow is said to have fallen when Sri Rama accepted the challenge for the marriage of Sita and took the Parasurama bow and bent it. We visited these places.

The Conference was held in a systematic way as usual. There was a procession with all the employees, including women, in uniform which was spectacular. Two days conference on 5th and 6th December 2003. On the first day itself I addressed the inaugural session. Com. Madhav Kumar Nepal (Communist Party of Nepal ), later Prime Minister of Nepal, and the General Manager of the Nepal Communications addressed. Next day I had to return to Delhi as I was scheduled to leave for Chennai from Delhi on 6th by T.Nadu Express starting at 22.30 hours to attend the CITU All India Conference as a fraternal delegate. Com.KDM Tripathi will continue for the second day also.

Comrades Thankalal Shreshtha, President, Gopal Dhakal, Asok Karn and all other leaders of TEAN were very friendly and helpful. We have a long cherished association with TEAN.

I requested TEAN comrades to arrange for a bus or van to go to Kathmandu to catch the flight to Delhi which was scheduled to leave at about 14.30 hours or so. They said it is better to go by flight from Janakpur to Kathmandu since there may be a lot of check up on the road due to Maoist problem and may not even reach in time. The plan was to go to Kathamandu by 10.00 flight and I was dropped at entrance to the airport. Since the Conference was in session, I told them they can go back, I am OK.

Entered the airport. There was no check in or anything. The airport consisted of three four separate huts and a small airstrip. Not a single person was there in the whole area. I was alone. In front of the huts, sign boards were placed like ‘Rama Air’, ‘Sita Air’ and “Budha Air’. My ticket was for Budha Air. After half-an hour, some passengers arrived as also airways’ officials. The officials told that the flight will come shortly. One flight came and went, but not mine. I was anxious as I had to reach at least two hours earlier before the Delhi flight as Kathmandu was an International Airport. Time passed on. No flight. In between, the GM Nepal

Telecommunications also reached to return to Kathmandu. When I shared my anxiety, he told that he is travelling by the same flight and assured me that as soon as we reach Kathmandu domestic airport, he will take me to the International Airport in his vehicle.

The plane arrived at about 13.30 hours, later than the time I have to report at Kathmandu International Airport. It was only a helicopter which can accommodate about 20 passengers. The helicopter landed, passengers got down, we entered and it was in the air. Took barely 15 minutes. It was flying low and we could see the beautiful landscapes, hills etc. Enjoyed very much. By about 30 minutes we were in Kathmandu. I took my bags, got down and rushed to the bus nearby which was empty. They told me it is not my bus which is yet to come, but of another airline. I told them it is urgent and got in and told them to take me to the International side of the airport. They advised that I have to go out of the airport and then go to the International Airport from outside and dropped me near the outside gate. Vehicle of GM was not seen.

I ran out to catch some vehicle for International Airport. It was December, very cold and I had three bags with me including the gifts and souvenirs presented by Nepal comrades. Many cars were going to the Internationl Airport. Showed my hands, but not a single one stopped. I ran in the cold with all the luggage. It was less than a km and reached there within no time.

Entered the Airport and went to the Indian Airlines checking counter, where boarding pass is issued. It was closed. An officer nearby told the check-in for the flight is over. I requested him to speak to the pilot or concerned person and ensure my journey. He obliged. Somehow he agreed me to give the boarding pass. There is an airport charge to be paid in another counter. I gave Rs. 500 note, but cashier told that changes are required as no Rs.500 Indian note is acceptable. Showed another counter where I can change the note in to Nepal currency. I changed the currency, paid the charge and got the boarding pass. I was told to rush to the entry.

Since it is an International Airport, even though you are an Indian, you have to go through immigration. I got in to the elevator, rushed to the immigration counter where at least a dozen people were in the queue. I was in such a hurry that I bypassed the queue and reached the counter stating my flight is going to start. The British passenger who was first in the queue gave way, but smilingly told that ‘since you have got the boarding pass, the flight can not go without you’. I was not very sure. I again ran to the boarding gate which was some distance away.

A lady official of IA, who was at the entrance, checked my boarding pass and hurriedly took me to a nearby IA plane. All my bags were opened and checked on the steps to the plane. At last I got in, but no seat for me in the economic class, every seat occupied. The Air Hostess graciously allotted me a seat in the Executive class. I took my coat, cap etc. hung them on the hanger and sat. Despite December cold, I was sweating. At last I have boarded the flight so that I can reach Delhi in time.

The ordeal was not over. The flight did not take off. A young IA official boarded the plane and was shouting whether one Mr. VAN Namboodiri is in the plane. I stood up. He told that this is not not my flight, my flight is waiting for departure nearby. He helped me in taking the bags and we were out. We got in to a nearby plane, but before that once again all the bags were opened and checked.

The flight started. I was in a window seat and enjoyed the scenery of mountains far away and sat relaxing. I asked the Air hostess how I got in to the wrong flight. She told that due to heavy rush, two flights with almost the same number were there at the same time and hence the confusion. I reached Delhi at about 1700 hours, caught my flight to Chennai and was off. Attended CITU Conference in time.

I think that it was the telephone call to the pilot by the officer at the boarding pass that saved me.