Ignorance is bliss

On 9th April 2010, I was travelling with my daughters Anannya and Aaryaa, aged 6 and 4 respectively to Dallas, USA to see my Wife followed by a small vacation.

As in Hindu Culture, Any auspicious moment begins with prayer to Elephant head god aka Ganapati, Similarly for People in Pune, Any International journey starts and ends with taxi ride from Pune to Mumbai International airport and vice versa.

It's was 9th April 2010 and we started our journey to USA. The itinerary was Mumbai to Germany and Germany to Dallas.

Flight took off and we were on the way to Germany.

Couple of hours before reaching Germany the flight captain announced that one day earlier there was a volcanic eruption in Iceland and there might be slight delay in next flight to USA as they are evaluating the impact silica from volcano on the plane engine .

Just before landing the captain announced there is a delay for five hours for the next flight.

As we reached Germany, I approached the Airline counter and they informed me that the further flight to Dallas has been cancelled for today and it's rescheduled for tomorrow. They also asked us to go to terminal B where they have arranged Bunk Beds for our stay,

None of us were aware that we will be spending next six days on the Terminal.

First couple of days went in excitement. We were roaming around airport without any restriction.

By the end of third day I started to get worried as I didn't had any idea about how much more time I have to stay at the airport terminal.

On the fourth day couple of journalist came on the terminal. They gave balloons to my daughters. My daughters started playing and giggling around while I was being interviewed.

The following day almost all newspaper in Europe had an article with heading "Ignorance is Bliss ".

The article had a photograph of my daughters playing with Balloons on the airport. In the article it was written that the father is worried and the girls are least bothered.

Glancing through the article took me back to year 1983. I was seven years old then.

It was a Sunday. Earlier night I recollected sleeping besides my mother. When I woke up I was not able to see her. I was taken aback to notice my Aunts had come to my house. When I asked them about mother's whereabouts I was informed that she has gone outside for some work.

In Some time, I realized that my elder brothers and aunts were crying. Without waiting any moment I also started crying with them. I cried with them for some time and then I went outside my house to lookout for my friends to play. As I was wearing my shoes the milkman came to my door. Our neighbour came rushing to him and seeing me there spoke "Govind Sule is no more".

Why my neighbour chose to speak in English. How come the Milkman understood the exact meaning is still a question. However as I realize, now communication is above language barrier

Yes this was the first time I realized why everyone in my house was crying. I had lost my father .....!!!!!!

My Father expired in Jagdalpur (In Chhattisgarh) which was around 750Kms from Akola. It was a huge distance way back in 1983.

It was decided by elders that the last rites will be done at my maternal uncle's place.

We all travelled via bus to my Mama's place. Leaving the reason behind I was happy to travel to Mama's village.

By Evening I reached there and finally found my mother there. She was asleep. I tried to wake her up, but she won't buzz.

My uncle finally got hold of me and told me that he was given sleeping pills to keep a check on her hypertension.

I still recollect my uncles / aunt were hugging me and crying profusely. I also joined them but it was not for my father's loss but because I was not able to speak with my mother.

Crying also is an exercise, I was exhausted and I feel asleep.

On Monday, my father's Body arrived. The whole day was spent crying. I was Crying not because I lost my father, but because my brothers, mothers, uncle and aunt were crying.

Everyone except me was aware of hardships we are going to face with the loss of only earning member in the family. It's truly said "Ignorance is Bliss"

Even today when I recollect this incident, I have watery eyes.

Not for my father's loss but for my innocence and then I also ask a hypothetical question "Will I cry now if I find my elders / brothers crying"?