Chandrayaan-2 mission: My journey to Sriharikota was supposed to start on early morning of 12th July 2019. Sharply about 0415 hrs, our VSSC driver rang me up and informed about his arrival to my apartment. I was almost ready; hurriedly finished my hot tea in one go and boarded the car. He was a known driver and our journey from my home to airport longing for 30 minutes literally finished in a blink of eye while we were chit-chatting, and I was at our Thiruvananthapuram airport by 0445 hrs, certainly well ahead of the actual departure time of Chennai Flight, i.e., 0615 hrs.
As I entered inside the Airport, I was bit surprised to notice that the Check-In counter was not yet opened. I turned back and found a comfortable chair to sit. Some 15 minutes passed and there was still no trace of Check-In. But as time was progressing, my colleagues from VSSC started gathering close to me. Since there was no announcement for delay in Check-In, we were unaware and were merelly speculating the probable reasons. Later, Air India announced that our flight is delayed by 02:15 hrs and now the flight will be taking off at 08:40 am. All said and done, I preferred to have a cup of tea. I was reading a spiritual story to pass the time. As I noticed my colleagues, I found some of them very restless, while some were keeping cool and passing their time on one of the most addictable device, yes – the MOBILES. It was about 07:45 am, when Air India announced that flight is now rescheduled to 11:40 am. It was end to everybody's patience. But nothing was in our hands. It was also the time for breakfast, and as such there was not any solid stuff for eating inside the Airport premises. My friends gathered at one place and decided to go out for having their breakfast. Around 08:45 am, I also was feeling hungry, so I asked my friends to look after my luggage. I stepped out of the entrance gate. Around 150m away, there was an official canteen for airport staff. This canteen was there all through, may be for years, but I never happened to see it. I entered this canteen, and was happy to get a very good quality dosa. Sambhar and Chutney were quite tempting. Filter Coffee also had special aroma. For a reasonable price, this breakfast was superb. On one hand, I was frustrated due to delay in flight, but at the same time, this new discovery of Airport Canteen was giving me enormous satisfaction to me. And I was just wondering, how is it possible that over these many years, I never saw this canteen, or never tried to have any snacks from this canteen. Then I got the answer myself, that in all my trips to airport, I will be rushing to Departure terminal to catch the flight and as soon as I come out from the Arrival terminal, I will be rushing to catch hold of our driver to get back to home. The so-called pre-defined busy schedule at airport never allowed me to explore something which was always there. After having some delicious breakfast, I returned to the airport, but still there was no updates about our Chennai flight. Finally, some good sign came as the Air India opened up the Check-In counters for us at about 09:45 am. Very happily, I handed over my luggage to Air India staff as the Check-In luggage and crossed the Security Check Post. Inside secured premises, AI-968 passengers were offered Coffee and snacks due to delay in arrival of flight. But all our anticipaion came to an end by 1050 am. Officially, Air India announced cancellation of AI968. Oh my god ! Now, what to do ? How can I reach SHAR ? The very next day, there was Launch Authority Board (LAB) meeting, and I can not afford to miss it. I called upon my office and asked them to explore alternate flights. But there was no positive response, as most of the flights were already booked. I was stuck up in a big dilemma. How to overcome this situation ? Finally, I took a Cab and went back to my office, and briefed my director. She understood the situation and asked me to explore all other options. I explored the internet for all possible options, and eventually gave up my hopes, as I was finding it impossible to get an alterante flight before the scheduled LAB meeting. With sad mood, I was thinking – whether I will miss the LAB meeting or I will have to drop my trip to SHAR. Having lost all the hopes, I went to our 70-Acre Canteen for lunch and came back to my room. It was around 13:35 hrs. I thought why not to check IRCTC website once ? To all my surprise, there was one confirmed berth available in AC-1T in Ananthapuri Express. Ufff....can't believe it. I immediately booked this ticket. Train was supposed to leave Thiruvananthapuram station by 16:10 hrs. In no gime, I booked Prayaan for drop to Railway Station. I got introduced to a new colleague enroute my journey to railway station who was also a victim of AI-968 cancellation. He was traveling in another train to Chennai. I gave a serious and philosophical thought – had we both were travelling in morning flight. We would have never talked this much, as we did during our journey to Thampanoor. Had our flight was in time, we would have spent our pleasure time on MOBILE, and sometimes may not even bothered to get introduced to each other. Definitely, cancellation of AI-968 brought me closer to a new friend, which was otherwise not possible, or probable. Finally, I boarded my train at 16:10 hrs. There I met a young girl who was traveling to Trichy for an entrance exam. It reminded me of my college days when I used to visit different places for interviews. We had interesting conversation. I wished her best of luck for her examination. Somehow my health was not OK, so I preferred to sleep. I consumed my dinner in Tirunelveli and went to bed for sleeping. Zzzzzzzz I got up next day at about 06:45 am. Got fresh-up and was planning for my next move. My next train to Sullurpeta was from Chennai Central at sharp 09:35 am. Whereas my present train was running late by about an hour. Ultimately, I reached Chennai Egmore station at 09:10 am. I had literally no time, so I rushed towards the exit and caught an auto rickshaw to Central railway station. Somehow, I made it to Chennai Central by 09:30 hrs, just 5 minutes before departure of Sullurpeta train. However, after seeing the train on Platform, I became relaxed, and took a cup of hot tea. I comfortably boarded train to Sullurpeta. Train started in right time and I reached Sullurpeta by 10:45 am. They respectfully followed me and came to pick me. With them, I followed my journey to SHAR. They had to take permission of their car and laptops, so they completed their formalities at PRO, SHAR Gate 1. I too accompanied them. And I was delighted to see that such a big PRO office exist at Gate-1. I never happened to notice this PRO, as I always will go in a van or car from Chennai Airport, specially arranged for VSSC employees. Eventually, I reached SHAR by 12:10 noon. So many unusual things happened in this trip. But all said and done - happy ending. Momentarily, we may be frustrated due to so many events. But everything happens for a purpose. If the flight was not delayed....I would have not got the opportunity to know about Airport Canteen, where I got delicious breakfast. If the flight was not cancelled, I would have never believed that I can get a confirmed seat in IRCTC, that too in General quota, that too on the same day. Train journey also gave a revisit to my college days. Travelling with NARL friends, I happen to see the PRO, which otherwise was not possible for me. Despite all my efforts to reach SHAR within stipulated time, the launch schedule of Chandrayaan-2 was called off just 56 minutes before the scheduled take-off time. It was certainly disappointing to many of us, but the pleasure of flying it again on 22nd of July was beyond our imagniation. It was one of the fantastic launches I ever witnessed. Appears philosophical, but trust me: EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A PURPOSE. Don't extract conclusions from any event before the real purpose behind that event is unravelled to you by almighty. Many times in life, we start extrapolating the events and end up in negativity. But in reality, all events happen with a purpose, and we can extract positivity from each of the events. [ DISCLAIMER ] All content provided on this web-page blog is for informational purposes only. 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1 Comment
AKM.Nait
14/7/2019 23:09:50
"Everything happens for our own good' !
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