As we drove through the heart of India

LAST MONDAY, I was on road travelling from Jabalpur to Mandla. The distance is about 100 kilometers and normally takes about three hours on national highway number 12, which connects Jabalpur to Kanha National Park. Though it was an official hectic trip, the untampered with natural surrounding added a soothing touch to our nerves. The weather was clear and sunny after two days of consistent rains, probably for us to admire the beautiful environment. One could see an early morning sun trying to fit into the gaps between teak trees, with cover of clouds on the curves of the hillocks.

We stopped our cars on a curve, to treat our eyes and tickle our senses. Sound of water fall, chirping of birds, flutter of emigrant and lime butterflies moving over the shrubs and enjoying the sunshine, and rain droppings on leaves of trees around us added to that comforting touch. We were on a hillock and could see kids playing in water flowing down the hillock; it was fun to see them enjoy the nature. Also, there were women with ‘lumps of mud’, trying to direct water in a particular direction to avoid flooding of the fields.

The straight road, which followed the hillocks crossed over meadows and looked majestic with sun shining over it. We wanted the time to stop for a while so that we could enjoy the beauty of nature, but we had a busy day ahead of us, so there ended our communion with nature.

Later in the day, we got an opportunity to pay respect and admire the beauty of Holy Narmada river- the life line of Madhya Pradesh, at Ghats in the Mandla district. It was one memorable experience the memories of which will stay with us for a lifetime. - Anil Gulati