Suchetgarh & Satwari, Jammu & Kashmir - 9th March 2011

We go for a visit to the India-Pakistan border closeby at Suchetgargh. Here we find a camp of the BSF (Border Security Force) and we’re told to be as silent as we can, because the ‘other side’ starts firing bullets on any sign of provocation. We speak to the officials and tell them about our campaign and the whole message of peace and harmony, and they very graciously agree to take us across to the border. They were very appreciative of the efforts we were making through this campaign and it was sooooo encouraging to have their support.

 Before going across, they show us a whole gallery of the equipment they have and all the training procedures they go through. Our team gets a first hand look at what the protectors of our country face and we are all in awe at their bravery and inspired by their devotion to the nation. Our full hearts salute goes out to these courageous and bold soldiers.

 There’s even a special letter from Ms. Indira Gandhi in this room of achievements.

We are then escorted towards the border. They open this huge gate on which the Indian Flag is painted and walk us across a 100 meter or so stretch of road where there’s a barrier (The kind that’s at roadway tolls and raises to let the traffic through).  There is a small soldier station on either side of the barrier. On the left, there’s the Indian Flag painted on the station above which it’s written – Proud To Be Indian. On the other side is the Pakistan Flag painted above which is written – Muslim Hain Hum Watan Hai Sara Jahan Humara. Behind the Indian post, there’s a triangular kind of a stone on which is painted 919/India. We’re told that this stone is actually the marker of the boundary between India and Pakistan. The number is just a serial number like on any milestone and they show us the rest of the series, towards the right. One of the stones is even swallowed up by a tree and you can see the bricks from under where the trunk separates.

 It’s a tremendous moment standing there, in between both countries, with nothing but peace in your heart. India and Pakistan have gone through so much bloodshed, which just should not have been. It was a quietly intense feeling being here. Now..

 As we were leaving, we came across this stone sign on the side of the road. “Kashmir se Kanyakumari tak Bharat ek hai.”  (From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one). It was one of those moments where you don’t know what to say.. It’s like one of those ‘Ah’ moments you get, when you read something that is profoundly true, and you realize it’s true because you’ve witnessed it. That one line summarised the last 2 months of our lives filled to the brim with rich experiences, and it all came together when we read that sentence. It was very powerful feeling that suddenly coursed through our veins. Couldn’t think of better timing to see this..

In the evening, after the Ash Wednesday Mass, we have our program at St. Mary’s Garrison Church in Satwari. One of the politicians of the state graced the occasion as our chief guest and watched intently as our girls presented the Mother Teresa Prayer Dance and the dance on environment conservation. When he spoke, he mentioned how much these simple dances made such an impact in spreading the message. And his appreciation for our team was overwhelming. He saluted us for the effort of travelling the country for this message and actually called us “Bina vardi ke jawan” (an un-uniformed solider). He really had such high regard for the whole program and the team. Made our whole team feel very special.

This was our last program from ‘K’ 2 ‘K.’ Tomorrow, we depart for Delhi for the 3 day Youth Festival. It’s such a strange feeling. It’s real. The whole yatra was real. But now that it’s done it’s almost a little unbelievable that it happened.

Surreal.

New Delhi - 11th March 2011

So today begins our 3 day Youth Festival in Delhi to conclude the Jago Yuva Bharat Campaign. On today’s agenda was to visit ‘Places of Hope.’ We started by assembling at the Jama Masjid. What a beautiful piece of architecture! The magnificence and splendour of this massive building and it’s gates was breathtaking..

We get the privilege to be guided by one of the members of the Jama Masjid authority who knew the history and significance of the building and in full enthusiasm he took us around and explained everything to us.  The Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan out of red sandstone and white marble in 1650 AD. It combines Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.  It faces west, and Jama Masjid means ‘Friday Mosque.’ We were also showed all the places where the Mosque was restored and what the meaning of the writings on the building were.

There was also a ‘pool of nectar’ in the center of the compound inside. People are believed to be healed of ailments and diseases by washing the affected part of their body with water from here.

Again, like other places, the peaceful vibe was prevalent, but here there was some kind of feeling that one could write very beautiful, profound poetry here as well. The arches and the domes, the writings in Urdu on the building, the combination of the white and red of sandstone and marble of which it was made, and the subtler elements of people’s thoughts towards God, their prayers, they way the whole place is illuminated by the sun and just to be witness to the majesty of this structure was enough to inspire anyone..

After this we moved on to Birla Mandir, which was like the largest temple many of us had seen, in terms of housing the largest number of idols of Gods and Goddesses under one roof. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the second in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer, and his consort, Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. It had a look of some of the temples that you’re find in Orissa, with tall curved towers. It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1938, and is open to people of all faiths.

The idols that were here were a true thing of beauty.. There were so many, representative of the various Gods and Goddesses of Hindu Mythology, and the most striking thing was that they were sculpted with such care, so ornately decorated and with dedicated finish, truly royal in their appearance and so pleasing to the eye. And a rare thing to see so many of them together, shining their splendour to all those who came to pray.

There was a hall inside, called Geeta Bhavan, which had paintings, done very well with intricate details, depicting scenes from Indian Mythology. There was also a temple devoted to Lord Buddha that has fresco paintings showing his life and work. Open verandas and gardens and some fountains flanked the back.

Unfortunately, photography was strictly prohibited inside, which is a pity, as the whole scene is something worth treasuring a copy of.

The next stop of the day is Bangla Sahib Gurudwara where we were explained how things run here, especially about how Langar is prepared. Then we get a guided tour by some of the top authorities here, and are shown where the food is prepared and how it is done. It was very similar to that which we had seen at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, just on not so large a scale, I guess. But the best part was that we got to do seva ourselves too! The whole K2K team made rotis, which would be served later at Langar. It was a looooot of fun! So many of us aren’t too proficient at cooking and trying to make the roti round and even was quite a task, and to watch it was hilarious!

After this, we all went into the Gurudwara and sat for the Kirtan, breathed in the bhajan that was being sung and just suspended thinking for a while.. Felt all the negativities being cleansed.. Floated away a little bit...

The day was definitely one of Hope, inspiration, positivity and coming together, as we visited these places of worship. And despite each place being different, followed by different religions, with different languages and customs, that didn’t feel like an impediment in accepting each, learning from them and respecting them. The intention was to acknowledge the journey we just completed, express a huge ‘thank you’ in gratitude to the Lord for guiding us through it all and bringing us back safely, but mostly for the journey to keep on going, throughout the country, through the incredible people we met and interacted with, for further positive action, and peace and harmony to blanket our country.

Sometimes things are so simple.. We just need to slow down enough to see it and let it sink in..

New Delhi - 13th March 2011

And so we reach the final day of our campaign! Surreal!!

We all assemble at Rajghat for an inter-religious prayer service. A prayer for peace and harmony among the people of our nation, in front of the memorial for the Father of our nation, who struggled so hard for this same purpose in his lifetime. Watching the sacred fire burn in the center, it brought to the surface memories of the entire journey, seeing the same flame burning in so many eyes, so many hearts, so many minds.. The flame that translates into the roaring change these young spirits want to see.. And accompanied with prayer. What a full circle moment..

After the service, we have a cycle rally to St. Columba’s School where we have our last program of the campaign. The number of people there outnumbered the cycles, so the rest of us clambered into the buses and followed. It was funny! Even a couple of priests and a bishop cycled all the way! And the best part was the way people were noticing us as we passed. Wondering what we were and then the expression brightened and they broke into a smile when we made eye contact. Hehe.. So cool to just connect like that with random people.

We reach St. Columba’s and the welcome is so grand, it’s as if they’re welcoming home a troop of heroes who had just fought a war and come home! There’s excitement and jubilation in the air, and smiles are passed around as extra helpings.

One of the first items on the program is a street play by the Asmita Theatre group. They had actually written this particular play for our campaign and performed it here at the concluding function. They included themes like crimes against women and being responsible citizens. And by jove! They totally ROCKED the performance! Their voices were loud and clear, and normally you know how voices dont carry so well over open spaces? It’s like that just magically wasn’t there. No matter where you stood to watch, you got the whole experience.

But their expressions! Such deep feelings and emotions articulated so well on their faces! They created such an impact! Their message came across so powerfully it was like someone giving you those two-finger punches (which Bruce Lee was famous for) and you go flying backwards with the force. Really quite something..

I remember how we used to do street plays in college.. They were nothing like this! It makes our attempts look soooo half-energied! Lame! And silly even.. Haha..

After it was over, all the participants scattered into the audience and asked them what they thought of the play and everything.. It was cool to be able to interact with them like that. Brilliant actors and such down to earth people. Their director, Mr. Arvind Gaur, also was there and spoke to the audience about their theatre group and how showing all these issues so graphically was so important. Truly, it was a performance which shook you and inspired you on a very deep level.

Our girls also performed their dance drama here. I dont know if it was coz today was the last day or what, but felt that their performance was more full of emotion than it had been before. Or it could have just been in the air.. Whatever it was, was filling everyone up slowly.

To bring the program home was a long list of bands performing – The Messengers, Ignite, Zephyr Station, Shalom and Tantra. Each played their set to enthral the audience and lead them away into the night.

It couldn’t be a more fitting finale to the Jago Yuva Bharat Campaign. Getting the youth to “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” through music was just another way to do it. (Hey whatever works right?)

It’s been a long journey to reach this point, but completely worth it. Each kilometre travelled, each experience, each piece of learning, each interaction, each place, each person, each smile, each embrace, each new friend, each heart touched, each tree planted, each light switched off, each moment of realization, each moment..You cant measure it or put any price on it.

The true journey begins now. Following through will be the new challenge.

You gonna help us do it?

Watch highlights of the journey here: