Enlightening Pilgrimage of Indian Heritage

A Wish That Came Through

(From the Travelogues of Mathew D. Kunnappilly)

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The Train Journey Continues

It was so hot and humid inside the train. The fans were not much help, especially when the train stops. I tried to continue reading a book I had started reading "Freedom at Midnight". The oscillation of the train made it very difficult to keep track of the lines. After a while I gave it up. Just watched the landscape.

Because of the recent flood damages to the rails in the east cost, our train was diverted to a different route, through Andra and Maharashtra to Itarse.

Next morning when I woke up the train was going through Andhra Paradesh. On either side were marble pits. I had never seen one before. My idea about marble was this. Marble rocks are like huge ordinary rocks. You cut it into huge chunks. Then slice it to the thickness you want. Then polish it. But, what I had seen was different.

There was a thin layer of dirt on top of the rock. Some short bushes and grass grew on it. When you remove the dirt, the rock is exposed. You cut it in the size you want. It is not one solid piece. It is like stacked papers. I do not know how marble rocks are formed. All the sheets have almost the same thickness, nothing in-between the sheets. You cut it and remove.

Does any one see it as a national resource? Do they think that the pits can be filled with dirt and make it a fertile field? Oh! Yes. It would not be easy, but it can be done, I think.

Then we passed through Maharashra, Madhya Pradesh and Utter Pradesh. I had only seen rice, wheat, and sugarcane fields as far as the eyes can see. Here and there some mango trees also. Nothing likes Kerala. No multiple crops.

The scheduled arrival time was 2.45 PM on Tuesday, September 12, but we arrived at Lucknow at 3.30 AM on Wednesday, September 13.

That afternoon I went out to explore the city. Lucknow is an old city. Like most any other city in India, dirty one too. I have no interest in seeing the business districts in any city. Lucknow does not have much of any historical places to offer.

Next: Dewa & Immam Badha