After having put in a lot of words about my disappointment with the trip to Darbhanga I started to think and ponder on the positives of the trip. Was it so bad that I did not see any thing I liked? I wondered and concluded that no it was not that bad.
- The four lane highway from Patna to Darbhanga is almost done. Once it is done the traffic flow will improve and the journey will be comfortable. The stretches where the road was completed was good.
- The Raj Dharbhanga fort stands tall. A majestic structure it reminds you of the forts in Delhi and Rajasthan.
- Alongside the old untouched cinemas we see several new structures. The buildings around our dilapidated lal kothi states that money is flowing in. It is understood that children from Darbhanga are moving out and doing well for themselves. It is interesting to note that they are ploughing back the gains into Darbhanga. With land at a premium it is understood that land costs are pretty high.
- Our plot of land continues to remain the largest in the town. The plot of Gopalji Chacha comes a close second and his son Arvind told me that there were only two landlord families left in Darbhanga i.e. after Darbhanga Maharaj, of course.
- Gujju Chacha, my uncle who has stayed back has continued to retain the goodwill built for the family by my grandfather and his predecessors. We had several visitors and all appeared keen to retain contacts with the family.
- Nitesh, Neha and Dolly, Gujju chacha's children and my younger cousins have done well for themselves. Nitesh seems to be doing well in his business venture in Chennai, Neha is already recruited by Ranbaxy through her campus and Dolly, who is still in school appears to be on the right track.
- The hotel we stayed in was Airconditioned, we had electricity for the major part of the day and the comforts were at least three star. Did not expect this in Darbhanga.
- My childhood friends, Arvind and Mani came down to meet me and we effortlessly slipped back into those days when sitting in our verandah and playing cards was a full time activity. They did not have the paunch that most people in mid age acquire and looked as good.
- Sanju and Nitesh are good cousins to have. Sanju has matured.
- Although the Lal Kothi is beyond repair and rennovation we can still think of something for the place.
- Our entire family got together at short notice. This shows that there is a chance of doing things together.
- Cleanliness remains an issue but you cannot have everything can you?
Hope seems to come back when I think of the positives. I only pray that matters get sorted out legally. I cannot afford to get into any legal tangle.
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