Reborn to love

Paththar ki Bhasha

Part 25

The final destination of the train was Bhopal station. Despite a slight delay from the point of origin, the speed at night had covered for the lost time and they reached by mid-morning. The local guide was waiting for them outside the station lobby area buzzing with crowds, some tourists but hundreds of residents.

"Dr. Swami, bahut din baad aaye aap Bhopal!" The local guide Abbas shook his hand and was delighted to see his regular visitor.

"Haan...aajkal naye logon ko train karna aur students ko field trips pe le jana, yahi karta hoon, actual kaam thoda kam ho gaya hai. Par ab main yahan hoon toh purane din yaad aa gaye!" Dr. Swami was feeling nostalgic. "Yeh Bombay University ke students hai. Yahan field training lene aaye hai aur yeh inka pehla grubby mauka hai!" He introduced his group to Abbas.

"Chaliye Sir, aapki bus parking lot mein hai. Abhi niklenge toh 2 ghante mein pahuch jayenge". They followed him to the parking lot where a minivan was waiting. He doubled as their porter and driver as well. But the students were well instructed to do their own tasks and so everyone helped him loading the bags in the backspace. Once, everyone was seated comfortable, he brought out small food packets and distributed.

"Jyaada nahi Sir, buss chutney tamatar ki sandwich, ek kela, gachak aur juice. Vidisha pahunchne tak kaam chalane ke liye". He extended his gesture of welcome.

"Arre Abbas, itna sab karne ki kya zaroorat thi?" Dr. Swami extended his courtesy.

"Koi baat nahi Sir, mujhe bataya gaya tha ki yeh bachche log pehli baar yeh sab anubhav karne wale hai. Toh unki shuruat achchi ho, fir toh aap log apne kaam mein jutt jaoge!"

Naina couldn't control herself as very rarely a stranger showed kindness without a selfish motive and she thanked him on the behalf of the group. "Thank you Abbas Bhaiyya!"

As soon as he started driving, the famished group almost hogged on the make-do breakfast. Once they were almost outside the city limits, and the group had settled down, Dr. Swami began briefing them as per the protocol.

"Students, Abbas Bhopal mein hi rehta hai, waise toh certified tour guide hai par kuch saalon se ASI ke liye freelancer hai. Jab bhi Bhopal ya aas paas koi bhi excavation hoti hai, Abbas hamara local guide rehta hai. History ke saath saath folklore mein bhi expert hai. Kayi chote bade projects pe usne hamari kaafi madad ki hai. Aajkal yeh hamare saath Vidisha mein hai aur wahan ki local conditions ko manage karne mein help karta hai. So, if you need anything that our camp cannot provide, please ask him". He introduced Abbas formally.

Then, he continued about the site and project. "Having said that, please remember, aap yahan ghumne ya picnic manane nahi aaye hai. Ho sakta hai ki aap mein se kayi pehli baar ghar se bahar durr aaye hai. But please, focus on the project. Kuch mahine pehle tak hamari site par local villagers rehte the, shayad kayi saalon se. Site ek chote se hill pe hai aur zyaada aabadi nahi hai. Udaigiri caves ko sabse pehli baar late 19th century mein ek English Lord ne discover aur report kiya tha. Par samay ke saath woh thodi kho gayi. Apna ghar banane ke liye aur baaki zarooratein ko pura karne ke liye log aas paas ki cheezein, patthar, ped paudhon se guzara karte the. Ek baar kuch pathar todte samay ek aadmi ko patthar mein carve ki hui shesh naag ki pratima dikhi. Usne apne gaanv mein bataya, log dekhne aaye, dheere dheere baat faili aur log dekhne aate gaye. Finally, site ko authenticate karke ASI ne excavation expedition field mein bheja. Villagers ko relocate kiya aur fir khudai shuru ki. Agar aapko apne Hindu mythology ke lectures yaad ho toh Vishnu ke varah avtaar ko yaad kare. Abhi tak uss avtaar ki itni clear carving sirf yahi dekhne ko milegi. Iske alava Buddha ke statues aur Jain inscriptions bhi hai jo yeh saabit karte hai yeh caves kaafi purani hai aur inki carvings mein multiple cultures ka influence hai".