Magazine of June - 2010 - Rups.net

emergency. All these arrangements in a “desert”along with well-trained staff were truly amazing.The lunches and dinners were a royal affair!The next day, we were woken up around six inthe morning by a “chaiwalla” at our door. Sippingpiping hot tea on a wintry morning, sitting inarmchairs with newspapers for each tent, wassheer fun (for Mumbaikars, at least). Running hotwater in the shower and wash-basin was a greatboon in the freezing cold. Breakfast was ready by7.30 am as all of us had to board buses by 9 am forsightseeing.In the evening, seated in the VVIP enclosure,we enjoyed the opening of the festival amidst greatfanfare. The next day, the Rotarians who had cometo meet us, informed us that two exchange students,the inbound co-ordinator and I, had won prizes forbeing the best-dressed tourists and our names hadbeen published in the local newspapers.The evening of the second day was an affair toremember. We were taken by buses to a point inthe desert from where we traveled by camel carts.The half kilometer ride seemed never-ending asthe camel cart trudged with 10-12 of us in themoonlight with only the silence of the desertringing in our ears.We got off the carts to walk on the “WhiteRann”. The salt shimmered in the glitteringmoonlight. We dropped our jaws in awe of thatbreathtaking moment. As we walked on the whitesheet of salt, we had to watch our step as many ofus were caught unawares to find our feet slippingin the quicksand.A makeshift stage, with wonderful arrangements,awaited us. The programme began with a dancerecital by a famous danseuse of Gujarat andher troupe. Well-known people of Kutch werefelicitated by the CM, and folk dances and musicof Kutch followed. After the programme, we hada chance to meet the CM. and when I told himthat the exchange students dressed in Indiancostumes were eager to meet him, he gladly posedfor a photo-op with us (see picture in Column 2).The students requested him to extend the festivalas they did not want to return so soon.For the next two days, we were taken sightseeing -the Great Rann, Mandvi beach and fort; Dholavira(the ancient civilization of Mohenjo Daro on theIndian side) and the Indo-Pak border - were someof the places we visited. When it was time to leave,it was indeed with a heavy heart. But all of usdecided that we would visit the Rann festival againwith our families.All in all, it was a wonderful experience; I wouldsay that one must attend “Rannutsav” at least oncein a lifetime.28Vol. 91, No.6, June 2010Kanara Saraswat