Horizons Unfolded – A Memoir

Horizons Unfolded – A Memoir

I sit quietly on a Jet Airways (Connect) flight at Rajkot Airport, waiting for takeoff. With me are my son, Satwik, Executive Engineer Nilabh Gupta, Architect Nabin Patra, and Mr. Satish Rawat, Architectural Engineer from M/s Western Outdoors Structures Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai. Their firm is the lowest bidder for the tensile fabric canopy project at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri.

Yesterday, our journey began with a 6:00 AM flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad on Indian Airlines. We landed at 7:20 AM and continued to Rajkot by taxi, driven by Pradeep Bhai, a lively local who made the long drive feel lighter. Along the way, we stopped at a roadside restaurant named Honest. The place was simple but welcoming. The Mysore Masala Dosa was flavorful, and the others chose dishes to their liking.

The 200 kilometers to Rajkot unfolded like a slow-moving canvas, dotted with fields basking in the morning glow. By 1:00 PM, we arrived at the Saurashtra Cricket Association site. The tensile roofing work funded by the BCCI stood tall—a blend of ambition and precision. It was impressive to see, though some areas required further clarity. We requested the company to provide detailed documentation of the ongoing and completed work.

After several hours at the site, we returned to The Imperial Palace hotel in Rajkot. My room, No. 206, was comfortable, with two beds. My colleagues—Nilabh, Nabin, and Satish—occupied rooms 106–108 on the first floor. A quick shower and a light lunch refreshed us for the next leg of our journey: the drive to Somnath temple in Junagadh district.

We departed at 3:45 PM. Though the distance was again 200 kilometers, the narrow, single-lane roads made the journey slower. Yet, the scenery was mesmerizing. Lush greenery stretched endlessly, while the setting sun painted the horizon in fiery hues. The clouds seemed like soft islands floating above a sea of amber light.

We reached Somnath at 7:45 PM. The temple stood majestic, glowing against the evening sky. Its aura was spellbinding—a monument to resilience through centuries of challenges. As I stood before it, I felt as if the temple itself spoke to me: “Resilience shapes not just structures but souls. The storms you endure carve the strength within you.” This thought lingered as I took in the sight, humbled by its history, significance, and the unwavering faith of its visitors.

On our way back to Rajkot, the journey was quieter. The starlit sky framed our thoughts, and the car moved steadily through the silent roads. Somnath had left an imprint on me—a profound reminder of endurance and renewal. By the time we returned to the hotel, it was late. We packed for our early morning flight to Mumbai and rested.

Now I come to the present moment, sitting by the window on this plane as it soars into the sky. Seat 17A feels familiar—coincidentally, the same as yesterday’s. Satwik, Nilabh, and Nabin sit across the aisle, their quiet chatter blending with the hum of the aircraft. Yesterday’s first flight was thrilling—a completely new experience for both Satwik and me. Flying above the clouds felt surreal, as though we had stepped into a realm untouched by the ordinary.

This morning’s flight feels like an extension of that wonder—a continuation of two days woven seamlessly together. The professional rigor of Rajkot, the spiritual calm of Somnath, and the thrill of air travel have converged into a tapestry of unforgettable moments.

At home, Usha remains the only one yet to experience air travel. I hope she gets her chance soon. My daughter Saumya, however, flew years ago to Mumbai with her grandmother, along with relatives, when they visited Daman by road.

From my window, the world below looks dreamlike. Rivers snake through valleys like silver threads, while bridges stretch gracefully across vast expanses. Clouds drift like soft waves, and the sea gleams in the golden morning light. Satwik holds his ears, struggling with the cabin pressure, while I marvel at the panorama below—a world vast yet connected.

The crew announces our descent into Mumbai. The city emerges—a sprawling mosaic of roads, bridges, and buildings. The Arabian Sea sparkles, dotted with life along its shores. A triangular water body catches my eye, its geometry standing out amidst the natural landscape. The plane descends lower, and familiar sights—railways, highways, and bustling roads—come into view.

Finally, the plane lands at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The wheels touch down with a slight jolt, grounding us once more. I see planes parked in neat rows, airport vehicles moving briskly, and the towering ATC building through the window. The pilot announces the temperature outside—28°C.

As passengers begin to rise, I pause to reflect. This journey—my second flight in two days—is much more than a sequence of events. It is a celebration of firsts, shared experiences, and the beauty of discovery. Journeys like this remind us that every horizon is both an ending and a beginning—a call to explore, grow, and cherish the wonder that life unfolds before us.

 

Pawan Kumar,

20^th December 2024, Time 00:47 AM (Midnight)

(from my dairy 12th May 2012, Saturday, 6:32 AM)