Travelling - Journey, I enjoy it every time specially when I drive the car. To me driving is not a job or responsibility but a passion. I love driving on highways for longgggggg..........distances with melody songs as well as one camera. I have developed a habit of taking photographs which my heart clicks first while I am driving and then I stop my car and take a snap in my camera. I interact with people on roadside and take photo of them too. Mostly I have experienced that the smile which these people give is most beautiful on earth at least 1000 times better than the smile which we give against camera in response to "say cheeeeze" - a kind of plastic smile.
Recently I traveled for 4 days between Ahmedabad to Amreli district. It was sincerely a joyful experience to me.
Day-0 - Preparation Day
Day before journey, I was sitting on sofa and my father was sitting on opposite sofa. I was looking at calendar very keenly and scratching my head.
My father asked me, "So what's your plan?".
Me : As in this week 26 January is coming so I am thinking whether I should plan my journey in this week or postpone it to next week? I have to visit some Government offices and if I finish my work by 23rd January then it is worth otherwise things will get delay.
Father : It is upto you.
Me : I will start tomorrow morning and then try to cover Barvala, Amreli and Bhavnagar. If things will change while traveling then I will modify the plan.
Father : OK
Me : Let me pack my luggage.
I took my briefcase, put 2-3 pair of clothes, towel, perfume, hair cream, tooth brush, tongue cleaner. In my official bag I checked that all required documents, photocopies, books, diary, camera, mobile charger, comb, napkin, colorful pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener, visiting card holder, important phone numbers, rechargeable batteries for camera, charger etc. is available. I took some extra book copies also and placed everything in my car.
Day-1
I was about to leave home and my wife Dipti said, you take bottle of water too. I was touched with this - so caring. I took water bottle and at 9:15 me and my father left the home. I was suppose to drop my father at Kalupur railway station as he had plan to visit Surendranagar. I dropped him at Kalupur and moved towards national highway - Ahmedabad to Barvala.
Before leaving Ahmedabad, I confirmed that the person at Barvala is there and he asked me to come without any hesitation.
FM radio channels were serving some songs and too many advertisements - I was changing channels and trying to get some songs. Car was moving with good speed and I was enjoying roadside views. Almost at 12:30 I reached Barvala and met my friend. As it was Monday he was busy but he asked me to join him so we can continue our talk along with his work. It was good experience of Government functionaries. I was just watching his activity, listening people and in between we were discussing our matter. Finally at 3:00 o'clock we went for lunch on high way hotel. We enjoyed Punjabi lunch and came back to office. I took his permission to leave for Amreli and said good bye.
Again car was running towards Amreli and after some time I reached Umrala. This is a village which comes in one of my story titled as "Mokhdoji". I stopped my card and took tea. By 7:30 I reached Amreli.
Day-2
Entire day I spent in meeting different Government officers. It was a great experience. Luck by chance I got a call from Bagsara and got invitation to attend "Gadhy Sabha" organized by Meghani Mitr Vartul. I accepted the invitation as my book - Khumari ane Khandani" is entirely based on Meghani literature.
That's all. Day over.
Day-3
Early morning at 7:45, I started my journey with Ravjibhai Kacha towards Bagsara. We were discussing good experiences and in the mean time we reached at Bargasra. We were warmly received by Meghani High School - Mr. R.S. Shekhava and Mr. Snehi Parmar. I met number of story teller as well as some famous poet. My book was greatly admired by all people. We enjoyed break fast and hot tea.
N.C.C. cadets were serving us all very sincerely. I interacted with one of the girl cadet - Madhvi. She was very charming and smiling personality. With great courage she was taking care of all the guests. By 10:00 we were invited on stage and I took my seat on second raw being a most junior person among all other dignitaries. Everyone on stage was welcomed with flowers and suddenly they announce that Mr. Mitesh will be honored with shawl due to his work on Meghani literature. I was shocked - surprised and still. Humbly I told them that it is too much. People sitting on stage are much more deserving then me but they insisted to accept their love. I couldn't say no to them. That was an "Eureka Moment" for me. I must thank Meghani for this moment.
Event went well and we enjoyed different stories as well as Gazalz, poems etc.
After that we all enjoyed lunch at Bal Mandir and visited the entire set up. Library, computer laboratory, residential facilities, kitchen, sewing classes etc.
Day-4
Very Important day for me. I left Amreli morning 9:00 and to be frank I was not clear why I am leaving early - it was purely unplanned day. Within one hour I reached Lathi - Kavi Kalapi's city. Morning time, clean city, less traffic - I liked that. I stopped my car and inquired about Kavi Kalapi Smarak. I reached there and started viewing historical photographs, letters, collections of coin etc. in the mean time one cameraman came and started shooting the Smarak. I thught this might be some program preparation so I pulled myself away from camera. On this cameraman told, Hey Mr. we are shooting you only as a visitor of this Smarak. I asked them from where you are coming ? They said we are from ETV. They recorded my 2 minute and 58 seconds bite. I came to know that same will be telecasted on 13th Feb. 2014 at 6:30 on ETV - program is "Flavors of Gujarat". Now I was very happy. I started my journey again towards Ahmedabad. I stopped my car at no. of places and took some photographs as per my liking. Almost at 1:00 o'clock I reached at turning point - near Parvala village. I saw some students were gathered and doing homework in their school ground. I was still with this scene. I drove my car in school compound where I saw one teacher is sitting in sunlight and teaching students. I went to office and met Mr. Joshi, he welcomed very warmly. I saw my two books - "Khumari ane Khandani" and "Magaj ni Biji Bari". They immediately ordered it, purchased it and paid money. I was shocked with this purchase. I was so touched with their interaction that I requested them to interact with students. They immediately agreed. They told me that this is recess time and I have to wait for 45 minutes. I said fine by the time I will go and take my lunch somewhere. They told that here in Parvala, you will not get lunch and we are with tiffins so please join us - Wow what a love? They treated me like a chief guest and they were so humble and positive that I could not say no to them. I enjoyed delicious lunch.
Then I interacted with almost 450 students as talked about innovation, creativity, novelty, diary writing, decision making etc. Students responded well and interacted nicely. I left Parvala at 4:15 and reached Ahmedabad at 9:00.
