| 06.00AM, Airport Mumbai. | | | | scooters, bicycles. Cars are still a luxury here, the |
| I made it in time, driving from the Hotel in Worli. | | | | traffic mainly consisting of scooters and bicycles, and |
| Mumbai is one of the largest cities on our globe and | | | | by passers on foot. |
| leaves an unforgettable impression behind. In daytime | | | | The heat now subsiding, Mr. Rakej explains the |
| the streets are bustling with activity, the stench of | | | | various sights of Kanpur, its history. We enter the |
| car fumes, the ever present pollution, the traffic | | | | restaurant, and the following dinner is a delight. The |
| jams, are all but pleasant surprises in this | | | | baby Naans (tiny flat breads baked in the Tandoor), |
| overcrowded city. | | | | Navratan Khoorma, (Nine Jewels), Rogan Josh (Lamb |
| Jet Airways is always late, Modi-Luft has just taken | | | | Stew), the various Indian dishes I savour frequently. |
| off to an unknown destination, I observe the frantic | | | | If one thing strikes me of India, it is their cuisine. The |
| activities inside the airport. People rushing, uplifting | | | | Indian kitchen is one of the best this world has to |
| their Ego in front of the Airline counters, a normal | | | | offer. |
| sight in Indians airports. Everyone is a Tycoon, | | | | A visit of the famous Hindu temple in Kanpur is on |
| everyone displays a show of force to attract | | | | our next Agenda. The temple is known amongst |
| attention. In a country of 1,3 Billion, a vital technique | | | | Hindus for its unique design structure. |
| of survival. | | | | We reach the railway crossing, just when the barriers |
| After a 3 hour delay our plane finally takes off, in | | | | move down, accompanied by loud ringing of the bell. |
| India 12 hours delays are common. The plane is a | | | | People rushing through the barrier, lifting it up to pass, |
| 737-300 extended version, on the way to Lucknow, | | | | crossing from both sides of the tracks. No one cares |
| U.P. we touch down in New Delhi. | | | | about the oncoming train, as Mr. Rakej .explains, |
| We reach Lucknow airport arolund 3PM. My contact | | | | every year people are being killed by the trains. As |
| in Kanpur has not shown up. Lucknow airport is not | | | | the minutes pass on, and no show of reduction of |
| an International airport, its facilities are limited. Bring | | | | human traffic across the rails follows, I am getting |
| your own Rupees, there is no Bank to change your | | | | anxious more and more. Yet the people still no sign |
| foreign currency. Taxi touts swarm around me, | | | | of stopping to cross. The tracks are now vibrating, |
| Hello Sir, Taxi to Lucknow Sir. I decide to wait show | | | | the trains whistle blowing not far, there, one motor |
| lack of interest. I will gain this way. When all the | | | | scooter with family, man, woman and child, cross |
| passengers have left, after haggling with their drivers, | | | | with their scooter. I want to close my eyes, and |
| I walk out of the terminal and find quietly a Fiat | | | | there another type with a bicycle enters the danger |
| cabby, who agrees to take me to Lucknow for a | | | | zone. Then, in a flash the train speeds through the |
| decent fare. After years in Africa I find the same | | | | crossing, at great speed, well over 120 mph. I can't |
| rules apply here when it comes to negotiating. | | | | see a thing in the dark, almost I am certain those |
| I ask to stop at the first communication center, ISD, | | | | people have been hit. |
| or IDD telephone center, to call my contact. It | | | | When it is all over, the train has passed, I notice the |
| appears the driver would not come and instead he | | | | bicyclist, who holds his bike across his chest, inches |
| asks the Cabby to take me to Kanpur, a 150 km | | | | to the train's carriages. An unbelievable experience, |
| from here. | | | | this will stay in my memories forever. I was |
| The first impression of Lucknow is, the many street | | | | breathless so to speak, not being able to |
| side shops in which Sarees are being sold. The craft | | | | comprehend the situation. Yet, my guide was |
| of Sarree making here is known throughout India, | | | | unimpressed, noticing this is an everyday experience |
| and represents an important part of business. We | | | | with the resulting consequences for those who can't |
| pass the streets of this city, the usual sceneries with | | | | make it. If something ever struck me about this |
| cows strolling through the streets, people respectfully | | | | country, it must have been this incident. |
| giving way to them. Nobody would touch a cow | | | | The show of disrespect for life is over, we carry on |
| here, a clear taboo. Donkey carts, with the driver | | | | to see the biggest Hindu temple in Kanpur. White |
| asleep in the carts, are plying the route towards | | | | marble from the onset, every one removes his |
| Kanpur. The immense afternoon sun radiates 45 | | | | shoes, and I am thinking if I should leave my pair of |
| degrees I notice by a thermometer located on a | | | | Moreschis or not. The temple entrance is a haven for |
| public building, no surprise to me. | | | | rats, these rats are everywhere in here, crawling and |
| After 3 hours drive we reach Kanpur, my destination. | | | | running around in masses. The temple honors rats, |
| The driver takes me to my hotel as instructed, after | | | | they have a sacred status and are fed and looked |
| paying the fare which is reasonable I am shown into | | | | after by the temple's keepers. Donations are |
| my room. Thirty storey tall, the hotel is the best | | | | accepted for their upkeep. Apart from the rat |
| lodge in the city, and stands out from the low level | | | | infestation, the temple is a complex of marvel. Built |
| buildings around. I notice the large numbers of | | | | to the highest standards, with no expense spared |
| buzzards circling above the hotel, using the thermals | | | | white marble throughout, I look stunned. In contrast |
| to their advantage. | | | | to the outside world, the Kanpur temple represents |
| Still the afternoon sun is high, the air condition helps | | | | the most lavishly built structure I have seen. The |
| me to cool down a bit. | | | | stark contrast of everyday poverty visible is amazing. |
| At 18.30 PM I am to meet Mr. Rakej the rep of the | | | | And as it is Friday night, people are streaming to |
| company who I will visit. A very pleasant man, he | | | | pray, lighting their brought incense. The scent of |
| apologizes for the inconvenience of not being picked | | | | exotics, the scent of India is all present wherever |
| up. We leave for dinner in his car, the obligatory Fiat, | | | | you go. |
| in immaculate condition. | | | | Mr. Rakej has completed his prayers, and we leave, |
| Kanpur - The Railway crossing | | | | the impressions linger with me till this day, and Kanpur |
| We pass through the now darkened city, as | | | | will be in my memories forever. |
| everywhere we see whole families moving by | | | | A travel to India, by HR. |