Lakhan ki Kahani-Bandhan ka Rishta
We were on a trip to Jodhpur to celebrate the golden jubilee of our unit and it was December 2019, just when the pandemic began. Attending this event gave us a chance to make a quick touristy trip to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Ranthambhore. We took a road trip from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer and as we passed the iconic Pokharan city, I remembered how we had missed this posting by a hair's breadth.
This area of Rajasthan has a charm and beauty of its own with the desert expanses spanning across left and right up to the horizon literally. We reached Jaisalmer by afternoon and settled in our guest room comfortably.
My daughter loves to plan out our trips and she had booked a taxi for us for next 3 days in Jaisalmer. The next morning, we got ready in a hurry scurry as the taxi arrived and our driver was a short, dark, thinny minny, inconspicuous fellow named Lakhan.
My idea of travelling is to be in conversation with the driver as he is the best source to let one know about the local traditions, cuisine, areas and locations of interest and all such titbits. I have to be careful at the same time as my daughter hates this idea of getting familiar with driver etc. and am stopped with those stern looks, but, I go on with my "ChambharChaukashi".
On the first day, we saw the city attractions and had light snack for lunch at a restaurant near Jaisal fort. My daughter's friend had suggested a 5 star place called Gordhan Palace for dinner for exclusive Rajasthani cuisine and we were looking forward to it.
We suggested Lakhan to take us there, but, instead he took us to a lane where all vegetarian restaurants were lined up. So, we requested him to take us to a place that served best Laal Maas and he obliged us. On the way, he told us that he felt we were vegetarians. We had our fill of Laal Maas and other Rajasthani goodies and on our way back, Lakhan told us that he was a vegetarian. Then, he opened up by telling us that he was a vegetarian despite being a Muslim. Now, the talk got interesting and I asked him why is his name Lakhan? He told the story of his father and his father's Bramhin friend who had tied each other a Bandhan, a friendship band and hence, they were in a Bandhan ka Rishta. His father had promised the Brahmin friend that he will turn vegetarian and he was named Lakhan by his father's Brahmin friend. Bandhan ka Rishta indeed!
Lakhan seemed worked up as his daughter in law was about to deliver.
Next day was a day trip to Tanot Mata Mandir and Longewala Border. Lakhan had arrived on time to take us and we all were in upbeat mood. As we got out of the city, we witnessed huge locust swarms and Lakhan told us how these travel across the border and devour all the agricultural produce. He showed us how the farmers deal with the locusts by banging metal plates and spoons and also by creating smoke screens.
On the way, Lakhan was telling us many stories associated with Jaisalmer and desert life in particular. He told us about the opium trade during the olden days and how it was legalised back then. He also gave his opinion of how opium is better bet than liqour.
He kept on about the difficulties of life in desert and how one gets lost among the dunes and vast expanses of sand with no water and said that earlier if a person did not return for about 10 days or more, it was assumed that the person had lost his way and life somewhere in the desert.
He also spoke how fast the desert landscape is changing now with afforestation and how green the desert has become now.
During our journey, as were speaking Marathi, Lakhan was listening intently to our conversation and he started saying that his language had many similar words, so I enquired which language he spoke, was it Rajasthani? He said he speaks Sindhi as he is from Sindh province.
I asked him about tourists carrying the special limestone cup for setting curd from Jaisalmer, he said Madam, usme kya badi baat hai, woh bas fad hai, kya aap ghar me dahi nahi jamate aise hi, usme yahan se pathar kyun le jaana hai? Sorted fellow indeed this Lakhan was.
I was quite curious to know about Lakhan's family. He had two sons who were working and married. I was more interested to know if they were vegetarians too. Yes, he confirmed, all his household is vegetarian. His wife and daughters in law were informed about Bandhan ka Rishta before marriage itself. Such truthfulness, innocence and simplicity.... this is the soul of our great nation.
We generally click one picture with our driver, but, just forgot to click one with Lakhan. Even though I do not have a picture of Lakhan, his memory is vivid all owing to his Bandhan ka Rishta story.
When Lakhan came to know that we were from Pune, he was delighted to know it and exclaimed "Woh Shirdi ke paas wala Poona" and expressed his wish to visit Shirdi someday for SaiBaba darshan. I pray that his wish comes to be true someday soon........
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