My first trip to Mussorie

This was my first trip to Mussorie. And I think this is going to be the most wonderful, throughout my life. The timing was perfect, as it was beginning of September, when it is raining here and the hill slopes are lush green and just perfect. Also the fact that I was going to Mussorie to join LBS National Academy of Administration was making my trip even more memorable. I was accompanied by my bhaiya who came to drop me to the Academy.

As we moved out of Dehradun Railway station, it was early morning probably around 7. We hired a taxi and started our journey. Bhaiya had already been here some years back but this was first trip to this land. As we moved out of Dehradun, the road started its upward journey with winding and serpentine turns. Since morning it was drizzling and as we moved on, there were patches on the mountain slope where it was drizzling and where it was perfect dry. The road was wavy and winding and the weather became cool. At 5000 feet, quite below the height of Mussorie, it was perfect picture for me. The lush green slopes of surrounding mountains were looking very beautiful and the rain had made them sparkling green in colour.  The fog was spreading on the road, which from Dehradun people see as clouds. It engulfed the slopes with its white layer and was moving swiftly. I always feel great when I travel among the clouds be it today on road or by flights. I closed my eyes and just left my mind free to enable it to fly along the slopes, above the greenery, amidst the clouds. The cool breeze was hitting my face and I enjoyed every bit of it. The sun started rising, which made the scene even more beautiful. The bright shining rays were coming out from behind the dense canopy of Deodar trees. These trees were covered by creepers, ferns, algae, mushrooms all along their trunk. Every bit of the forested slopes was enchanting to me.

 

The small tea-shops around the turns started serving morning tea to their tourist customers. We halted at a beautiful location midway and took some photographs. For me it was a gratifying moment. Standing at the mountain top and viewing down to see green mountain slopes and Dehradun far away on undulating land was so perfect. With increasing height, it started getting cold. We had to take out our jackets in order to protect ourselves from the cold. The intermittent rain was producing added visual effects. There were many taxis, buses and other vehicles going up and down the slopes even in this weather. My taxi was following three other vehicles for most of the journey. The drivers in mountain areas are much more careful while driving and they follow all rules, which was quite contrary to what happens in the plains. I was cherishing the journey in my mind and heart as it was stupid to cry and shout every time, on every turn, whenever I saw some breathtaking scene.

Bhaiya told me that Mussorie is not always so beautiful, especially in the summers, but I was fortunate to come to Mussorie at its perfect timing. At a point on the higer reaches around 6000 feet, we passed through  a very simple gateway which read 'The queen of mountains, Mussorie, welcomes you'. I was thrilled as we neared Mussorie. The Library point was bit crowdy. Bhaiya told me that it was the hub of Mussorie, where I would come quite often during my stay. Finally after around 1hour and 30 minutes we reached my Academy which is located at a height of around 6500 feet.

मिथ्या-सत्य

कौन कहता व्याप्त जो सर्वत्र है वो तू मसीहा,
विश्व में तेरे दिखा है दरिद्रता का ही अँधेरा ।

एक पीड़ा के तले ईमान खोता जा रहा है,
दूसरा घर-बार को अग्नि दिखा के जा रहा है,
वो गरीबी में धंसा बस पाँव पटके जा रहा है,
और वो तो, माँग भीख कर पेट पाले जा रहा है।
फिर बता तू सृष्टि पर है कर रहा उपकार कैसा ?
मांफ करना मैं नहीं हूँ मानता अस्तित्व तेरा।



कौन कहता व्याप्त जो सर्वत्र है वो तू मसीहा ?
विश्व में तेरे दिखा है वहशीपन का ही नज़ारा।
एक अबला पर अनगिनत कहर ढाए जा रहे हैं,
दूसरी की शान-इज्ज़त को उधेड़ा  जा रहा है,
वो जन्म से संघर्षरत अस्तित्व पाने को स्वयं का,
और वो बनी, हिंसक पशु की भूख का बस इक निवाला।
फिर बता तू सृष्टि पर है कर रहा उपकार कैसा ?
मांफ करना मैं नहीं हूँ मानता अस्तित्व तेरा।

कौन कहता व्याप्त जो सर्वत्र है वो तू मसीहा ?
विश्व में तेरे बिछा है बेबसी का ही बिछोना ।
एक कोमल हाथ से चट्टान तोड़े जा रहा है,
दूसरा बचपन जलाता भट्टियों में तप रहा है,
वो काम कर दिन-रात माँ की दवा-दारू  कर रहा है,
और वो माँ -बाप की बस कल्पना में जी रहा है।
फिर बता तू सृष्टि पर है कर रहा उपकार कैसा?
मांफ करना मै नहीं हूँ मानता अस्तित्व तेरा।
मांफ करना मै  नहीं हूँ मानता अस्त्तिव तेरा।।


------ राजेश मीणा बुजेटा