Walking the whole of yesterday was a big revelation. The revelation is that no one walks with me. I will have to walk alone and always. Take any event in my life, I am alone. The so-called company or the society is just peripheral and it is basically bullshit!
- When I am born, I was born alone. I was born fighting for I did not even know how to breathe! The choice before me was either breathe or die. Fortunately, I choose to breathe. There are millions of others who made the choice of not breathing. In this fight I was alone. All my relations, mother, father, the doctor and the nurse – cannot but be spectators. They watched me to fight my lonely battle. Thus began the concept of being alone.
- When I eat, I eat alone. My taste and quantity are not the same even as that of my mother. I eat what I want & the quantity too is decided by me. All others on the dining table are but spectators.
- When I read, I read alone. My understanding cannot be the same as that of my classmates / teacher. We all read together, learn from the same teacher, yet our understanding is differently unique. Each of us understands differently. Thus, in our reading, we are all alone.
- When I decided to walk, none of my family and friends are walking with me. On the contrary, they discouraged me from walking. I have to walk alone. Even the so-called loved family ones run away. No one stands with you. You will have to walk all alone. Ekta chalo.
From these examples it is clear, though we often think otherwise, that you are alone. Your choice, your existence, your life has to be lived alone by you. I am alone and will remain alone. And finally, when I go, I will have to go all alone!
Most important is: During this long walk, I was not in a position to maintain journal on day-to-day basis; though I shall make every effort to write for the journal. This apprehension stems from the fact that I usually begin my walking journey around 5 am. And I walk till either the next destination or till 6 pm whichever is earlier. Since writing during journey with a fountain pen is difficult, I have elected to write with non-fountain pen. Hence you will observe the change in the color of ink and even in my writing in the journal. Anyway, allow me to write a typical walking schedule of this long satisfying journey:
The 240 KM walking schedule
Starting Point: The Hyderabad Public School Ramanthapur, Hyderabad – 500 013. This is where my house is! 19th February, 2024, Monday – 5 am.
Finishing Point: Nookapalli (Village), Malyal (Mandal) Jagtial -505452. This is where my ancestral home is! 25th February, 2024, Sunday 10 am.
Hyderabad like any other Metro City in India has huge population, too much traffic, highly polluted and you will have to gasp for good air! We breathe the exhaust fumes! Hence the best way to avoid these things (at least to some extent) is to commence journey early morning, when the traffic is less. This is what I thought and hence, I began journey at 5 am. Though it is only February, it is not feeling like winter. Usually in India, winter lasts up to the end March. The Sun is too bright and by mid noon it is scorching hot. Hence, I began journey at 5:00am.
I love to watch the Indian women decorating their front yard by sprinkling water mixed with cow dung. This is an early morning routine and this routine in Telugu language called అలుకుట (Alukuta). We also call as – అలుకు చల్లుట (Aluku Challuta). Challuta means – to cause water to spatter about with force or sprinkling or splashing water. Having completed splashing the cow dung water in their front yard, the women decorate the yard with beautiful designs of Muggu (ముగ్గు) / Rangoli. This act happens generally between 5 am to 7 am. Hyderabad houses do not have front yards, due to space constraints. But who knows? I may find a house with front yard even in Hyderabad! Hence, I began journey at 5am.
Indian Hindus believe that it is around this time (i.e., 4am – 5am) the Creator of the universe Lord Brahma goes about with his work. Hence this time is called the “Brahma Muhurtham” – the auspicious time of Lord Brahma. To enjoy this moment, one has to be an early raiser. At this time, it is said that you can even hear the sound of the sun rise! You must have that keen ear. As the sun rises, the sounds of evaporation of night dew drops can also be heard! I was excited to hear these sounds. Hence, I began journey at 5:00am.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
