Young India - Torchbearers of Cashlessness and Digitalization

Going to a University to get a lost document seems like a cumbersome task, doesn't it? Yes that happened, I lost the convocation certificate of my bachelor's degree. Well, I was helping a friend who somehow lost it and after years when I needed it again, I realized there was no easy way I could have found it. So I went on for the first interesting episode of the year of a young cashless India aspiring to go digital. And yeah clearly, we are not there yet,

Gujarat University, a government organization with millions of students over the years and a true representative of a state. After filling in the form, I went straight to pay the fees. And a procrastinator as I am, the clock was already ticking and was a few minutes away from the lunch time i.e. 2 PM. The fees was Rs. 500 and unfortunately I was falling Rs. 100 short. Won't take the blame for that though, as my PM asked me to go cashless. Surprisingly (or shockingly) though, the University had no way to take the money through any of the digital means possible, I mean literally none, and there are many. Not sure how hard it could be to set up a machine to swipe a card or may be link your account to one of so many apps as the Government these days is promoting and that too with schemes. Well, I won't dwell on the fact for much time that if you are encouraging a mass of more than 100 crore people to go cashless, you should start with getting such a huge government organization which serves millions of people to go digital, but that really doesn't show a lot of preparation on their part.

Anyways, wanted to finish the task then only and went to try on with a thought that where there is a will there is a way. I ran (literally) for the nearest ATM within the university as the gentlemen on the fee counter although very polite, denied me on the spot and gave me an ultimatum to get the money as soon as possible as he was going to close on lunch time. But as expected the ATM had no money like every other ATM these days. So, I started asking for money to some of the other people around the fee counter, remember the clock was ticking. The first set of people that I saw near by were some of the seasoned men or respectable senior citizens. They didn't trust me with Rs. 100 when I told them about my situation and that I will give the money back to them. Not that I gave them a reason to believe me, I mean why would they. The counter got closed by then.

Now the silver lining, the young educated India comes to rescue. Met a guy pursuing LLM who just like me wanted to pay the fee. He saw the counter closed and looked lost as apparently he was waiting since morning to get some of his work done. I asked him for the same favor, a loan of Rs. 100, "Bro, could you lend me the money, I am falling short?". He didn't even blink, right to his pocket "Oh sure, here you go". Saw the light there, and went straight to the back door to try my luck yet once again. Here my work was done, the gentlemen who gave me the ultimatum earlier although didn't help me with the money, accepted the fee from the back door. It wasn't over though as even after the fee was paid I still had to go back to the first floor of the building and submit my application. I really wanted to give the guy (who helped me) his money back right away but was more desperate to finish the job which I came for. So I asked the guy where would he would meet me again (which office room) and I ran to the first floor office to submit my application. The guy as cool as he was didn't have any problem what so ever. Finally I reached the office to submit my application and some of the generous female employees who were sitting there accepted the application in middle of their lunch. Once again the young India showed how flexible and trusting they can be. I thanked them and ran back to find the guy who loaned me Rs. 100/-,

The guy was waiting outside the room as he wasn't as lucky as me in terms of not being blocked by lunch. I asked him if he can come out with me so that I can get some money out of ATM and repay him. He really didn't want to move from there as he just like me wanted to get things done that day itself to save a trip again, can't really argue with that as he was waiting since morning. He suggests Paytm and I was like, why didn't I think of that. Being in IT that should have been my first instinct to look for digital mode of payments for which I was blaming the University just a few minutes ago. So I pay him through Paytm within a couple of minutes, he smiled and quoted "this is digital India I guess".

I moved on, inspired to help some one else, trust people more than how much I do now and yes go digital. Also very hopeful that we will successfully make to our ultimate destination with the direction we are set forth to and with the young India being the torch bearers.

To heaven and back!!!

Yes, we planned for a trip to Rishikesh. Hearing it from one of the friend who probably didn't go there for the same reasons, got a few other friends in, some known and some unknown, didn't really matter in the beginning as to who was in, as the only purpose was going for an adventure. Everything was planned and we were all set for the trip of the lifetime. Here we go.

Started off with a train journey with friends. Carrying a reputation which follows, everything was as expected. Got introduced with the new friends, fun in train, arranging proper seats so everyone can sit together, everything was super normal as per Indian standards.

The first halt, Delhi. We went off to a shopping place as we only had a few hours until the next train. Disappointed by the fact that we really wasted our time instead of investing it (instincts) got off with which could be called not so great of a start. But it seems that luck was really with us as the train got late and we (some of us) decided to do some exploring. So we went to India gate, well though a common monument but we were definitely the first timers. And to add to it we became a witness of the parade to celebrate the anniversary of Vijay operation, now how cool is that! It really appeared that someone took out a scene from RDB in front of us ;), all of a sudden a feeling of patriotism, was great fun. Not having so much of a time left and contended by what we got we went back to the station to catch our next train to the holy Haridwar.

This time the train journey was a little more exciting as we started breaking ice between some of us and getting to know each other well. Well to be honest as I am writing, we were actually concentrating on the 2 new girls. Basically the young crew needed some side track to kill time when we were not on the main track. So it all went well and we became more familiar to each other (and I guess even to some of the other fellow passengers as we were really loud ;)). 

Getting back to the main track, we reached the holy city of Haridwar and stayed in a Dharamshala of an acquaintance. A very cold night, great dinner followed by some good masti and we went off to sleep. 

The dawn and it was time for us to rise and shine. The start of the adventure, we decided to test the cold waters of the divine and holy Ganga. Talking about early morning we got off and witnessed the pure magical atmosphere of Haridwar already worked on the girls who all of a sudden were grown so beautiful  overnight that we almost dropped our jaws there. Sorry for losing focus here, but I may do that often in this post as it was also one of the attractions of this amazing time. Ok getting back, we were at the bank of the river Ganga, well it was the backdoor of the same dharamshala we were staying in with proper systematic fences to make sure we don't go with the flow. The first dip and it was amazing, shivered every part of the body to its core. Two dips right after then back to back and all the sins were gone with the flow of the pure water. Now, all set for the new beginning. We never looked back then as everything started falling off right. All freshened up and hungry we went off to a very small place for one of most tasty and filling Paratha treat ever. We didn't only eat but also cooked at the same place, not sure what we had was breakfast as by no means it could have been less than a full day meal. Taking care of all the arrangements we were off to the main event in  the foothills of Himalayas the very amazing, picturesque and enchanting Rishikesh.

An isolated and hidden riverside camp far and free from hustle and bustle of the city life. Yes, that is where we choose to stay surrounded by nature's greatest assets, very peaceful where the only pleasant sound that could be heard was that of the rapids of the river echoes. We were very sure to be on for a lifetime experience. Halt and let us not just forget that we were on the adventure trip. So how do we start after arrival, of-course trekking. And was it easy, let us just say some of us hardly reached the destination after the 2 hours of trek  it was from the very mid of the very dense jungle, rocky, stony and tree bound  (beware night walks not allowed). But was it worth it, yes every bit of it I could have walked days for that view. It was the first ever that we (at-least I) saw so was just mesmerized and truly revitalizing. Exhibiting beauty and pride of nature it was challenging all the structures ever made by man. We were not able to stop ourselves from climbing the dangerous slippery slopes of the waterfall mountain even after the due warning given by the guide. Carefully climbing on to one level we reached to the second and explored the mysterious caves within the mountain. It was truly beautiful.

We reached back to the camp after the long walk from the Jungle. Bonfire and hard drinks in the camp site with very tasty side snacks and the drizzling sound of the river was the perfect idea of fun and leisure during the night time. It was far from the regular nights where we are consumed by idiot boxes and phones. Everything was natural even the alcohol (it tasted natural ;)). The shots of Vodka one after another, different flavors of it, soft music and friends, could not have asked for more. It was one of the most fun filled evenings of all times. Followed by dinner and wine, all of us were high and happy ready to hit the beds in the anticipation of the next day which was with even better line up.

The daybreak, one of the most beautiful we could ever witness, the same camp site looked even more beautiful than before. We were now well customary with the atmosphere and were ready for the next big event. Surprisingly even after a very rough trek a day before there were no signs of fatigue in any of us. It was all the magic of that place so clean and blessed with nature.  

The time for the main event, a 16 km long river rafting. Yes you read it right 16 km and 3 hours long rafting in the white waters of the great Ganga with some of most famous and dangerous rapids. We reached a place to be suited up for the same with life guards and believe me we looked like a team in blue on a mission. We got our own raft and guys when I say “own” we literally had to carry it on our shoulders to the river so that it can carry us through out the river. And no complaints it did that very well. The raft begins.

This was paradise. In the midst of serene jungles and small hillocks and the very clean and untamed Ganga originating from some of the high altitude Himalayan glaciers, it was truly the most brilliant art of the great painter the almighty himself. Hailing for the nature and the holy Ganga we started our rafting. We were about to tackle some of most famous and wild rapids and for most of us it was for the first time. To get us prepared in case we may fall from the raft and to our shock we were asked to get out of the raft and jump into the river. Yes we were very shocked and thought that the guide was just kidding with us. But no he wasn't, he really meant it. It was time for body surfing or riding a wave one other adventure sport.  Many of us didn't even know how to swim but still jumped into the water. The water was cold enough to turn our body numb. The only hope was not leave the raft rope to make sure we don't go away with the flow, it was a true sense of adventure. The rapids started flowing starting from Grade-1 (named exotically as "sweet sixteen") and kept getting difficult and dangerous through out our way. To name some of the most famous ones were Cross fire and Roller Coaster (Grade-3). Almost through the journey we reached to our next sport destination "Cliff Jumping". A mild version of base jumping it was one of the most exciting adventure ever that we were up to. The deal was to climb up a rock height of 30-40 ft above the water surface to reach to the jumping platform and then take a plunge into the water. We reached all wet and were hungry for sun rays to touch us and keep us warm as we were shivering and our teeth were chattering. It took some courage for some of us to dare to even get to the jumping platform. Once we were there somebody had to convince us to jump. I mean come on I never even got to deep side of any of the swimming pools and were talking jumping from the height into the river. Everyone gathered some courage (a couple of us could not make it) and jumped, some of them even did it twice. I was the last though and had to fight my fear a lot but finally I did jump. Was very proud and happy to get over my fear. And it was a spectacular place to do that. Through that we were back on the raft to get back to the camp site.

Again followed by the same setting of  bonfire, hard drinks and the sound of the river. We played some games I am not sure whether to avoid drinking or to drink more but whoever lost had to get one shot. We tried different cocktails, the one with green chilies and vodka was the favorite for that night We were more than contended with what we got so far so anything now was nothing but bonus. And the next in line was the adventurous rock climbing and rappelling. We did it one by one cheering one another. While some of us were cheering for the ones who were climbing and rappelling, some of us went to get water the activity was physically challenging. So we get to the river were we drank water just like the inhabitants of the hills and the jungle area p.s. a deer was drinking water from the same place at the same time. This definitely was worth a mention  as it was one more area where we totally felt to be a part of that amazing place. Once we were all done we headed back to the camp site for the last and final time. Waving goodbye to everyone in the camp site, I didn't mention it anywhere but they were the best hosts we could have got at that place very helpful and friendly.

We went back to Haridwar again to catch the train back home. Getting the water of Ganga for home was one more mission for we had to run literally against time, I guess the adventure didn't still leave us.

Way back home we were all in memories of this wonderful time. We clicked like hundreds of photos which we went through a lot of times way back home too . Illegally and in the fear of getting caught had beers in the train, I am not sure if it was fear but the beer tasted great. No matter we were just kidding (I think) we called each other best friends and talked about being the same moving forward as we were very compatible with each other in lot of ways which we discovered during this trip. But even if we are not in regular touch I believe we had some how touched each others life through that trip and would always remember each other to be the most compatible travel friends. We met a couple of times to exchange photos and are in touch through social media like facebook that is it. Remember that we are back to the same city life running everyday for no reasons with no time for even our own selves.

The trip that I am mentioning is like an year old. But there were a lot of things I realized while writing this. Some people would say that I am living in past. But you know what, I think life is the accumulation of such wonderful and precious moments and experiences. And that is why we don't remember each day of our life but only the ones which makes us count those.