Some journeys are remembered for the places we visit, some for the people we meet, and others for the unexpected experiences that leave an everlasting impression on our hearts. Looking back, I realise that certain moments of helplessness eventually become our sweetest memories because they reveal God's presence in ways we never imagined.
Here are two incidents from my younger days that remain deeply etched in my memory.
1. A Glimpse of the Lok Sabha: May 11, 2005
It was May 11, 2005, a day I still remember with great fondness. Through the kindness and assistance of my Pu Khakhai Zou, I had the rare opportunity to witness a live session of the Lok Sabha at the Indian Parliament for about an hour.
For a young man like me, entering the Parliament House and witnessing the proceedings of the nation's highest legislative institution was an extraordinary experience. I was excited, curious and full of expectations. However, before I could enter the building, I had to experience something that made an equally strong impression on me—the extraordinary security arrangements surrounding the Indian Parliament.
The rigorous security checks
The moment I approached the Parliament complex, I became aware that I was entering one of the most heavily guarded and sensitive establishments in the country. Security was not something taken lightly there. From the outer gate to the entrance of the Parliament building, there were several layers of security checks, each serving as another barrier to ensure the safety of the institution and everyone inside.
I had to pass through multiple checkpoints, where security personnel carefully examined and verified visitors. Every stage of entry involved strict procedures. My identity and permission to enter were checked, and my belongings were thoroughly scrutinised.
In fact, all my personal belongings had to be handed over and kept in the custody of the security personnel. I could not simply carry my possessions with me as I would when entering an ordinary public building. The security arrangements were so stringent that every item was accounted for, and access was permitted only after the necessary checks had been completed.
The entire process made me realise how seriously the security of Parliament was treated. Armed security personnel were stationed at strategic points, monitoring movement and maintaining constant vigilance. There was a clear sense of discipline, alertness and authority throughout the complex. Nobody could move around freely without proper authorisation, and every visitor had to follow the prescribed security protocol.
As I moved from one checkpoint to another, I felt as though I was passing through several layers of protection before reaching the heart of Indian democracy. The experience was quite different from entering an ordinary government office or public institution. It gave me a firsthand understanding of the importance attached to protecting the nation's highest legislative institution.
Finally, after completing all the formalities and security checks, I was allowed to proceed towards the Parliament building. I must admit that the security arrangements themselves became an unforgettable part of my visit.
Inside the House: An unexpected experience
Once inside, I had the opportunity to witness a live session of the Lok Sabha for approximately one hour. I was excited to see our elected representatives and lawmakers debating matters of national importance.
However, what I witnessed inside the House left me deeply touched and thoughtful. The conduct of some of our lawmakers, the nature of their arguments, and the atmosphere of the proceedings were quite different from what I had imagined. It was an eye-opening experience that challenged my understanding of parliamentary democracy and the responsibilities of those entrusted with representing the people.
I had entered the Parliament complex with a sense of admiration and high expectations. The impressive security arrangements outside reflected the importance of the institution, while the proceedings inside offered me a glimpse of the realities of parliamentary politics.
That one-hour experience left me with mixed feelings. It was both an opportunity to learn and a moment of reflection. I came away with many thoughts, questions and expectations about our democratic institutions.
Even today, when I look back on that visit, I consider it a valuable experience. The multiple security checkpoints, the strict control over personal belongings, the disciplined presence of security personnel and, above all, the opportunity to witness the proceedings of the Lok Sabha remain vivid in my memory.
It was only an hour inside the Lok Sabha, but the experience gave me memories and reflections that have lasted for more than two decades.
Sometimes, a brief encounter with an institution can leave a lasting impression on one's mind.
-----------------0-----------------
2. A Journey of Tears, Hunger and God's Provision: March 2006
An unforgettable journey from Bhilai to Delhi.
March 2006. I was in Bhilai, a city in Chhattisgarh, popularly known as the Steel City of Central India. My purpose in visiting the city was to appear for an interview. At that stage of my life, I was still young, inexperienced and relatively unfamiliar with travelling across India's major cities. My budget was limited, and every rupee in my pocket mattered.
Little did I know that this journey would turn into one of the most challenging and unforgettable experiences of my life.
The beginning of an unexpected crisis
After completing my purpose of visiting Bhilai, it was time to return to Delhi. Unfortunately, I missed my train.
At first, I thought I could somehow manage the situation. But when I checked my wallet, reality struck me hard. There was barely a little money left. It was nowhere near enough to book another train ticket, let alone arrange accommodation in a hotel.
I felt completely helpless.
I was in an unfamiliar city, far away from home, with very little money and no one around whom I could confidently approach for help. At that moment, the word helplessness seemed to describe my situation perfectly.
After considering all the possibilities, I decided that the only option was to travel by intercity trains, changing trains from one city to another until I could somehow reach Delhi.
It was not a comfortable or safe plan, but I had very few alternatives.
Seven hours of waiting and an empty stomach
I waited for almost seven hours before I could board an intercity train. The journey began, but it was far from peaceful.
The train seemed to move like a tortoise. Every passing minute felt unusually long. Whenever the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TT) approached, I would anxiously move from one place to another, trying to avoid being caught without a ticket.
I was constantly worried.
Hunger was another challenge. My stomach was empty, but I knew that spending the little money I had could leave me in an even more difficult situation later. I had to save whatever remained for emergencies and the next stage of the journey.
So, I managed with drinking water, trying to suppress my hunger and convince myself that I could endure a little longer.
I was crying deep inside, but I tried to maintain a brave face. I did not want to surrender to the circumstances, even though my heart was heavy with anxiety.
Bilaspur: A little relief before another struggle
After what seemed like an endless journey, I finally reached Bilaspur, the second-largest city in Chhattisgarh.
The moment I stepped down from the train, one thought occupied my entire mind: FOOD!
I immediately walked towards a roadside dhaba and ordered a full plate of food. I cannot remember what I ate, but I can still remember the satisfaction of having a proper meal after such a long period of hunger.
Sometimes, the simplest things in life bring the greatest happiness.
After eating, I started looking around, hoping to find someone who looked familiar, perhaps someone from Northeast India. I thought I might find a person with whom I could communicate or seek some assistance. Unfortunately, I could not spot anyone.
There was no time to waste. I had another train to catch, and another difficult chapter of the journey was waiting for me.
The darkest moment: Another 18 hours to go
I was informed that I needed to change two more trains before reaching Delhi. The estimated remaining journey was another eighteen hours.
The thought of travelling for another eighteen hours without a proper ticket, with almost no money and no certainty about what lay ahead, overwhelmed me.
For the first time during that journey, I could no longer hold back my tears. I was literally crying.
I felt exhausted, frightened and completely alone. I wondered how I would manage the remaining journey. I had no one to call for immediate help, no money to buy a proper ticket and no assurance that I would reach Delhi safely.
It was at this very moment that something changed within me.
A prayer in the washroom
Perhaps this was the moment God wanted me to call upon His name.
I went into the train's washroom, closed myself away from the outside world and began to pray.
There, in that small and uncomfortable space, I poured out my heart before God. I told Him about my helplessness, my fear, my hunger and the uncertainty surrounding my journey. I had no impressive words to offer. I simply called upon Him from the depths of my heart.
That day, I realised something that I have never forgotten:
When we call upon God in our moments of greatest need, He is never far away. Sometimes, He is simply waiting for us to call His name.
After praying, I wiped my tears and returned to one of the empty seats.
I did not know what would happen next, but somehow, I felt a little relieved.
An unexpected group of young men
A little later, a group of young boys boarded the train. They came and occupied the same cabin where I was sitting alone.
Initially, I was a little frightened. Given my circumstances, I was naturally cautious about strangers. However, they started chatting among themselves and gradually included me in their conversation.
To my surprise, they were friendly and welcoming.
They began eating their food, while I continued drinking water. At every station, I would get down or move around to refill my water bottle. For me, water had become the only substitute for food.
One of them eventually noticed that I was not eating anything.
He asked me, "Why aren't you having food?"
I hesitated for a moment, but then I decided to tell them my situation. I explained that I had missed my train, had very little money and was travelling under difficult circumstances.
What happened next brought tears of gratitude to my eyes.
They bought food for me, including chicken, and shared it with me.
I was overwhelmed with joy.
Just a little earlier, I had been crying in the washroom, wondering how I would survive the remaining eighteen hours. Now, here I was, sitting among a group of strangers who had become instruments of God's kindness.
I looked at the food before me and silently thanked God.
It was more than just a meal. It was an answer to my prayer.
Those young men may not have realised what their simple act of kindness meant to me, but I will never forget them. They appeared in my life at a moment when I needed help the most.
I had prayed for God's intervention, and help came through people I had never met before.
Three days to reach Delhi
What was supposed to be a journey of approximately one day and one night eventually took me three days.
Yes, it took me three whole days to reach Delhi!
It was an exhausting journey filled with uncertainty, hunger, fear, tears and unexpected kindness. Yet, when I finally reached Delhi, I carried something far more valuable than the experience of travelling between two cities.
I carried a testimony.
I had experienced helplessness, but I had also experienced God's provision. I had encountered strangers, but through them, I experienced kindness that felt like a blessing from above.
Looking back today, I sometimes smile at that incident. What once seemed like the darkest and most frightening journey of my younger days has now become one of my sweetest memories.
I may have forgotten the names and faces of those young men, but I have never forgotten their kindness. More importantly, I have never forgotten the prayer I made in that train's washroom and the answer that followed.
The lessons that remain
That journey taught me that life does not always go according to our plans. Sometimes, we find ourselves in unfamiliar places, facing circumstances beyond our control. We may feel abandoned, helpless and frightened.
But even in those moments, God can make a way where there seems to be no way.
He may not always answer our prayers in the manner we expect. Sometimes, He sends help through ordinary people, unexpected encounters and simple acts of kindness.
That journey strengthened my faith and gave me a personal understanding of God's promises.
Two Bible passages have remained particularly meaningful to me since that experience:
Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Hebrews 13:5c–6: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
"So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"
A reflection from the heart
Today, March 2006 is no longer just a date in my travel history. It reminds me of a young man with very little money, an empty stomach, a frightened heart, and nowhere to turn.
But he had one thing: faith.
And that was enough to remind him that he was never alone.
Sometimes, God allows us to travel through difficult roads, not to abandon us there, but to show us that His presence is greater than our circumstances.
What was once an incident of tears has now become a sweet memory of God's faithfulness.
Some journeys take us to our destination. Others bring us closer to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment