I am not one of the travelers in this journey but I am an observer in this particular journey. It was announced that the 1st leg refresher course for the Eastern Desuup will start from 4th of July to 7th of July, 2018 at Deothang, Samdrup Jongkhar. I was eager and I did register to attend the course. The number of Desuups who registered for this event was few and I did not give a second thought. Volunteerism, selfless service and sense of desuup duty have almost become passion for the DEESUPS! Especially for those desuups who did the registration for this event. At the last moment I decided not to attend the first leg but I made sure that I will attend the 2nd leg which happens in the month of December every year.
As I did the registration the only concern I had was the heat of Deothang! I could already imagine myself turning reddish with apple like face. I think the same was the case for those desuups who did the registration that day. Often times we fail to imagine the journey while only focusing on the end. My end was the four days refreshing refresher course and so were the end of my nyamros who did the registration. Who actually took a little time to think that the one day journey was going to determine all the four days? Ahh… I think it was our other nyamros who did not register for this event. Did they study the situation? Or was it a coincidence?
I asked my nyamro Sonam Tshering on when was he and the mates starting their journey. He said as early as six in the morning. The next day started, it is 3rd July 2018! I get a message that they have started their journey and they crossed Rolong (junction from where you can start to Narang). Few hours later I get a message that they are stuck in the block. Ahh… I forgot to mention you the rain! It was raining since yesterday evening and it hasn’t stopped yet.
I get another call and there I see my phone beeping with the contact name “Desuup Shacha Tenzin”. The first thing I get to hear from him is “Come to Rolong with packed lunch”. And as I listen to him they (he and the three other mates) started their journey early taking the Gyelposhing-Nanglam Highway route. Thirty one kilometers into driving and they find that the way is completely blocked. Blocked beyond human clearance! If it was in their reach they would have cleared it. Cleared it for them and for all because they are the desuups. For the service of the desuups comes from the heart!
They had to turn to take the Mongar-Tashigang highway. Sadly I could not go to reach them packed lunch but was later glad to find out that they had their lunch from Desuup Tenzin Tshomo at Yadhi. Then the evening came and I get a message from Desuup Sonam Tshering that he and his mates have reached the destination safely. I was sure Shacha and his mates made to the destination that evening.
It was seven in the morning as I woke up and I get a message from Shacha “Good morning, Stuck here at Wamrong”. Do you know when do fat (sorry nyamros… indeed you are all strong and bold) people participate in 100 meter dash running competition? It is when they are involved in clearing the block and you look up to see another mountain like obstacles fall. They were literally running as fast as they could. Luckily they escaped from the falling boulders. This is the story I hear from him. With another news that few desuups from Lhuntse lead by Dasho Dzongdag of Lhuntse is stuck in between Kurigongri (highest waterfall of Gyelposhing-Nanglam Highway) neither able to move forward nor able to turn backward.
The first day of the refresher course is almost coming to the end and I see my enthusiastic nyamros ready in the uniform to join the other nyamros at whatever time they may reach Deothang. Here I am but I wish that the weather gets clearer, the blocks unblocked and may my Nyamros reach safe and sound to the destination.
I hope that their journey of earned leave and whole heartedness reach them to destination one and back to destination two (home). Summer surely is not a travel time for travelers but Desuups have no travel time. They just own a whole hearted heart and through sun and rain they travel for a greater cause.
Salute to all the Desuup comrades and especially to nyamros who registered and actually made for the event.
P.S I requested my nyamros (strong and bold) to send me a picture for this post. Thank you so much.
Wandering Thoughts 