Delighting Doti

You guys need to go 'Out of Cocoon'. Step out of the box and get some fresh air. You guys need to learn how things go at field. 

This is how our boss inspires us for field visits. Still I haven't been able to make remarkable field trips so far. I am always fond of travelling to new places. Yet, as works continue to pile up during travel days as well, I don't feel like travelling. 

So you need to go Doti.

.....

Doti, when?

Monday...

..but I have to finish so many works. I have already enough work piled up. I can't go right now...

You need to complete this, this and this and move Doti. Start preparation from right now.

Can't we postpone this for some time. 

No, that's the top priority for now. Finish your remaining works once you get back.

I was not quite happy. As my plan to complete pending works after finishing 'Annual Get together' thing was now like obsolete. As I had no option than going, I consulted team members and was with procedures and preparations. 

We left for Doti on 1st day of Nepali New year. We were already half and hour late than the time we had agreed upon. My friends were not quite happy with my decision to go field. I was leaving city when rest of the city was preparing for new year celebration. This is life. We moved ahead. 

We had brief snacks session at Ghashi Kuwa. The owner was once local motivator at our institution. This is how me including all staff felt connected and had snacks in his particular shop. We were talking of having food. Ganga Dai told he will make us eat at place where we get non veg Khana on just Rs. 100. 

We were surprised. In fact, I did not believe him. He made calls on that place and  placed orders. Vehicle stopped at Jugedi, small mud made house named 'Hotel Dhido'. Soon we were found very busy eating. 

My phone rang. Mom was on line with her regular queries. 

Who else is in team? Oh, you have good people around. It's good. Take good food, take rest and all. 

(Life would have been bliss if only people around us would care us as Mom does...)

.................

Hello. When will your Programme start?

Which programme? 

The one you invited me for. Picnic. No what you called, Annual Get together. 

No, it was one day before yesterday. Why are you asking now?

Ah.. I thought was for today. So, it's over already. 

It was over days ago actually. 

Ah...Sorry Dai, but why were you confused. Did not I tell you that it was on Saturday. 

I might have got it wrong. My mobile network had some problem, I got it was for today. 

Oh.. sorry. Anyway, Happy New Year Dai. 

Happy New Year to you as well. So Dai, what are your plans for today.

I don't have any plans, as I left today for your programme. 

Oh sorry. 

So where are you? 

I am now at Chitwan, for field trip to Doti. 

So who else are with you. 

Kamal Dai and Laxmi D..

May I talk to them.

Of course. 

(Phone was revolved around both of them and the same story continued with laughter this time)

Yes, bills proved the delicious Non Veg Khana was on Rs. 100 only. Ganga Dai was proud of the place in actual. I passed light.We are back in vehicle. We stop before ATM counter at Narayangadh as Laxmi D wanted to draw some amount. ATM system have made us very dependent and instant. Sometimes when we rely on ATM too much, this does counter attack due to system/machine malfunction and prolonged power-cut. Anyway, she was able to draw some money and we moved forward. Suddenly, the vehicle had some problem. It's not generic problem, it had something to do with the brakes. We were worried. Well, we were not worried only, we took at time to have some snaps as well.

Laxmi D posing for photo. [Background: Jhalak Dai and Ganga Dai are trying to trace what went wrong?]

Ganga Dai managed it in his River brave attitude in his own terms somehow. Then, we stopped by our Site Office in Kawasoti. Krishna Dai gave us warm welcome, well her daughter's smile was ever pleasing. We looked through all the rooms when Jhalak Dai and Ganga were busy uploading some machines for Ghanteswar Office, Doti. It was one of office which was recently expanded with additional human resources. It looked like there were some changes made which were on it's process of completion. We stopped in Gorusinghe, Ganga was with the mechanic to fix the problem, and we found a place for tea/coffee break.

Our vehicle had some problems when we were on road with dark forest. As the vehicle seemed to be bit problematic, our faces were shrinking with tensions. Ganga notified, it's ok again. Then we continued from there to Kohalpur. Mechi Mahakali Hotel was communicated in advance. We just dropped our luggage and jumped over dining tables. As two of us (Laxmi D and me) had been to west for the first time, we were supposed to provide 'Panthe'. Well, it was new year eve, and 'Panthe' was a good reason to celebrate both things. On another note, we could do that with small budget as no one was interested in liquors.  We scanned through a long list of items shown in menu, among  which french-fry and papads were the few items which could be served. We didn't took long for initial season, then turned in for dinner and went for a much deserved sound sleep. Next day began with alarms, rush, payments and tea sessions. We stopped at Attariya, Ganga was soon seen bargaining with fruit vendors. Soon, no one was talking. How could anyone talk, everyone had their mouth full of oranges.

There were check points in High way within area of national park. Those check points were administered by Nepal Army. Whenever they stopped, Ganga Dai was there with his small papers, half of A4 size paper. He signed the paper off and instant and forwarded to the security personnel with one smart smile. Till the time the security personnel would have read the paper we would have almost crossed at least 500 meter. Then, he told, 'See, this works like this'. He continued the same in all check points thereafter. Jhalak's phone was continuously ringing. He was talking very wise things and we were quite amused to hear him using local accents and dialects. Well, this is how you can work with local community better. Hmm, we were impressed. Ganga promised us that we would get chance for small break at Ghodaghodi and Karnali bridge while returning.

Then we saw Bhashu Pahad. Ganga was relating to me, this is even bigger than your Bhalu pahad, Baini.

'Well, that's not mine'.  

That's at Syangja, as you are from there, I told so. What's the difference?

Argument was not required. I responded with smile. 

Jhalak Dai was busy ordering food at Budhitola and ensuring the meal would be more than perfect. We were too hungry when we stopped there. There appeared the board, 'Hotel Waling Syangja'. 

What? I was like perplexed. Jhalak Dai told, yes, they are from Syangja, they were here since their ancestors moved here long ago. World is a small place. So, Nepal is even smaller, and people from Syangja are spread all over. Smart old man served us delicious food with lovely aroma.  He again came up with local ghee. As I said few drops for fragrance, 'Fine, you were brought up with care, so no worries'. I understood he was talking about extra bulges. I let it go.  

We stopped at Site office Gahira. Laxmi D was checking the ledger and finance stuffs. Whereas, Kamal Dai was asking on trials, seeds and all. I was trying to find details of assets. As soon as we finished our works, we moved for Silgadi. The roads were like whirls and swirls. At times, suddenly the bus and vehicle would be seen in front. They did not gave horn. The landscape was really beautiful. Red red rhododendron were all the way. We could see some white flowers, some light pink flowers. And there were several small small flowers which were very small yet large enough to attract the passer-bys. Ganga showed us 'so that's Deuba's village'. Not sure, whether he meant it or that was just for fun. Then we could see shining fields where light yellow wheat was sparkling as people were busy for harvesting preparation. Now, I could see some ladies with Bulakis and typical dress. Well, I had seen my grandmom wearing Bulaki long ago, but it was almost rare these days. We reached Dipayal, then the high hills of Silgadi started. Ganga told it's like Sarangkot. We reached Danfe. Well, thanks to Adhiraj Sir. He had made good arrangements for us. We got fresh. As we moved outside, we could see one person who later turned out to be the helpful Adhiraj Sir. We had some consultations and discussions followed by tea and snacks. We just climbed to the road that went up, up and up only. Soon, it was too difficult to move ahead. We stopped by a Chautari and again were stuck with work stuffs. As soon as we returned, we took our dinner and were there for final round discussions for tomorrows programme. 

As soon as we moved out of Hotel, Adhiraj Sir was ready there. We moved to two houses, both of them were not like upto the mark. In between, we went to Shaileswari temple. There were few kids asking for money. Adhiraj Sir was telling 'I had seen noone like such before, these boys should have been very new'. We understood his notion, he felt awkward that we could have bad impression of Doti. Well, it happens everywhere, and Doti is not an exception. We rushed for lunch as were were already late than the planned time. It was now my turn to receive calls. Was quite worried with the latest developments and revelations. We moved in to Adhiraj Sir's office and had several round of consultations and discussions. The programme went well. We again looked one house, which was in fact very nice but the budget was much more than very nice. 

Jhalak Dai had organized interaction programme with Biodiversity Conservation and Development Committee. We had planned to stay at Amargadhi so that we could reach Gahira early next day. Ganga contacted with Shining star hotel and we checked in there. The ladder looked scary, but the rooms were good enough. They had wifi as well, it was bonus for us as we had no connection for almost two days. Next morning, when we were getting ready, there was someone knocking our door. 

Your tea,.. Maam.

Well, this was something beyond expectation. Laxmi D was so happy. Hotel looks be kuch special. 

Hmm.. I agreed with her statement. 

Again, packing luggage, billings and all. Jhalak was on line telling one should not miss the opportunity of going Ugratara, otherwise Dadeldhura trip won't be complete. We were in rush, so continued with our plans. We dropped at Gahira. Some Biodiversity Conservation Development Committee (BCDC) members were already there. BCDC members chipped in the vehicle and we stopped by Dabdhi wheat trial fields.

Members are discussing within themselves before formal meeting starts. "So, let's decide. How are we going to put our concerns forward. We need to tell the challenges we are facing right now, right?"

 Kamal Dai was discussing with BCDC members on wheat traits and their trials. I found some amusing flowers and tried some macro  effects. 

There were two elderly ladies by the side of trial fields. I tried to talk with them and sought their permission for capturing their pictures. One of them replied me, Nani, what do you want to capture? We are so old, beauty has left us long ago. You want to take photos of us, our wrinkles? 

No, Aama, you look even more beautiful with your wrinkles. This is how your maturity is reflected. (Well, that was the only way to console her) 

She showed her hands and shared how difficult was her with her joint pain problems. I shared how my neighboring grandmother used to find ways for her living despite  her joint pains. 

We are with dimples, let's not worry about wrinkles. 

I followed Kamal Dai in wheat fields again. He was bit shy when I was clicking his pictures. 

Soon, Jhalak Dai started the programme. Female participants were quite clear on what they wanted. We were quite happy with their responses and expectations. 

This is how we are growing with the changes. Yes, we are changing. We are growing. [A lady is signing the minutes whereas another is busy with her mobile.]

As interaction continued, this sight was one of such which really inspired me. 

A lady sad on wooden planks as she did not find space for her. She was comfortable with that and confident enough to share what she felt. 

Interaction programme was shortly finished and we were seen doing final greetings. We went to the same place for lunch. Old man greeted with same sweet smile though the food served had not the aroma and sweet taste as before. Ganga Dai lived through his promise of stopping us by Ghodaghodi lake and Karnali bridge. We stayed at Mechimahakali itself, firstever destination we repeated in this trip. We moved early next day and stopped over at Bhalubang for snacks. Things were not that good, yet coffee after five full days tasted real good. We stopped at Daunne for lunch, served with Latte (Amaranthus), Dhido and local chicken, this lunch was declared as 'best lunch' of tour by our team. We reached Mugling where Bidhata D was eagerly waiting for her friend, Laxmi D. We had short chitchats, review of trips. Our roads diversed from there, one to Kathmandu (Laxmi D, Bidhata D and her spouse) and ours to Pokhara. 

We moved ahead. Kamal Dai was sharing on how it feels like staying in hostel, all the way from Gandaki Boarding School to IAAS Rampur and LI-BIRD Finally. 

The thrilling scene you find in Highways. "Why road safety is such a disaster?" This question always rules me whenever I am in highway.

Well, I enjoyed this trip a lot. Lot of discussions, sharings, exchange, interactions, fun, view and amusements. These kind of visits are much needed to give yourself a break for the sake of change. We can learn a lot from people you meet, places you stay, through the roads you pass by, you will be amused by the lovely view, scared by the thrills. All in all, what we get is enriching experience. In short, doti trip was delightful. I was delighted by Doti. :) :) :)