INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE EXHUMED ME

I drove from Phuntsholing through the Indian roads at 0630hrs and reached Samdrup Jongkhar by 1230hrs. Road being large enough, I cruised through very easily. Occasional sleepiness on the road was overcome by drinking water. Picked up from BOD Phuntsholing, I had company of a carpenter from Punakha stationed at Gelephu. He told me that he was in Phuntsholing to see his Uncle who suffers from carcinoma related heart problem. I dropped him at Samthaibari, Assam – Bhutan diversion that takes one to Gelephu.

I left Samdrup Jongkhar by 1330hrs and crossed Narphung by 1540hrs. As I reached the last huge turning above the Lhakhang, a GREF carrier stopped about just 10 meters in front of me crushing itself on the wall of the road. I wondered why? On enquiry, I learned that the vehicle suffered brake failure. Had it not been for a smart driver who decided to crush itself to the road wall, I could have landed somewhere unsafe. That appeared strange to me. Line of other vehicles just crossed the dangerous road debris carrying nose-less tipper and stopped abruptly in front of me. I recalled the incident an hour later and started perspiring with the thought of “what could have happened to me had the driver decided not to crush itself to the road wall.” Some experiences are chilling. The GREF vehicles are dangerous and they hardly maintain their machines as visible for everyone to see on the roadsides. But they do manage somehow, we know for reasons they know themselves.

Not many minutes later, I reached Khilam in convoy, but we were blocked due to another stupidity of the workers. They spoiled their Machine driver and pulled whole of the hillock on the road making it impossible for us to move ahead at least for next 24 hours. I did not know what to do but followed others on the Berdungma road from Khilam. The ride was long and tiring. I had to sleep at Thrimshing with my young college mates, a couple of an Agriculture Extension Agent plus a Livestock Extension Agent. The drive was terrible to say. Scary small road, steep climb and bridge that connected two sides made of logs that may give way any time. But, had no choice. The travel must continue. The dangers must be faced.

Only the Lord can save you at times. Guru Rimpoche is my Lord and I guess he saved me that day!