Day1: Medical test at DHLI, Delhi
It was a 0600 hrs start at Gujrati Samaj that morning. It was quite early for me but the best was to get used to it as we would be getting up much earlier the following days. The accomodation at Gujrati Samaj was quite comfortable. All the yatris were kept in an A/C dormitory, which was quite useful in getting adjusted to each other.
KMVN, that organises the trip on the Indian side had organised a bus for us to take us to the DHLI for our first medical tests. With all the yatris boarding it by 0700hrs we took off. A lady from an NGO accompanied us on the bus giving us some yoga tips on how to cope with high altitude problems. That was quite informative actually.
We had to report at the DHLI empty stomach as a complete medical test would be carried out today. A sum of Rs 3100/- has to be given to the hospital for the medical check-up.
Also during that time KMVN official collects the passports and Rs.400/- as Visa fees from the yatris. The Chinese give a group visa for religious purposes for this trip and nothing is stamped on the passport
The yatris were divided in 2 batches so that the tests could be completed as quickly as possible, but it still took around 8 hrs for all the yatris to finish their tests. There were some yatri's who had to undergo some more tests if the medical authorities felt that they had to so an additional sum of Rs2500/- was collected from them.
After everyone finished their tests and lunch we had a small briefing by doctors at DHLI on high altitude and its affects on human body. After that evryone could take the bus back to Gujrati Samaj.
The medical at DHLI is quite stringent and the results will determine if you can undertake this yatra or not. The medical reports are passed on to the ITBP doctors in Delhi who take a final call. Their decision is final and if found unfit yatris are not permitted in any batch that year.
So its essential for yatris to ensure that they are in good health and are fit before they apply for the yatra.
Pic: Briefing held by doctors at DHLI
Day 2: Final Medical at ITBP, Delhi
Today was the day when the results of the medical tests would be announced at ITBP Base Hospital so there was an uneasy calm in the bus. Before the doctors checked the reports and gave the green signals we had a briefing by an ITBP personnel. The briefing was on Do's and dont's on high altitude. It also discussed about the route and the possible problems we might face and the solutions.
Then came the moment of truth when we were again divided in 2 groups and the doctors met us one by one with our reports from DHLI and suggested us things according to our body conditions.
Unfortunately 2 yatris could not pass the medicals here and had to be left behind.
Lunch was served by some NGO at ITBP base hospital itself. They distributed lots of Puja Samagri and devotional books to us during that time. Again there was a speech on this trip and the importance etc etc. The NGO also offered food ration for the group (to be used in China- more about it later) at a subsidized cost of Rs5100/-
Also on sale were some warm clothings that are essential on this trip. I was not sure of the quality so I say its the best to pick up all clothings from home or from some reputed store.
Also they gave us a free medical first aid kit for the whole group that actually came out to be very handy during the yatra.
Today was also time, to form committee's within the group for the smooth functioning of day to day activities. The committee's that were formed:-
1. Food committee
2. Finance committee
3. Luggage committee
4. Entertainment committee
The Liason Officer is the head of the group and all the committees work under him (more on this later).
The day ended at Gujrati Samaj with bhajan's and devotional songs!!
Pic: Briefing at the ITBP base hospital
Pic: Lunch served to us by an NGO
Day 3: Briefing by MEA, Delhi
We reached MEA by 1000 hrs AM. More briefings took place and the same information that we had been hearing for the last 2 days was repeated again and again.
After the briefing at the MEA, we got our passports back. Here we had to submit the rest of the money to KMVN for the trip on the India side. KMVN charges a total of Rs27,000/- for the trip. As Rs5000/- was already sent as non-refundable advance the rest of the money had to be given here by cash or DD.
Other things that were to be given to KMVN officials are:-
1. A duly signed and attested indemnity bond on Rs10/- non-judicial paper
2. Helicopter evacuation undertaking in case of emergency
3. consent forms
4. email id's of relatives (KMVN from this year has started sending daily updates to relatives, which is an extremely good thing)
Later those yatris who did not arrange for foreign exchange were taken to a bank from where they could purchase dollars, which are to be given to the Chinese officials at Tibet side. Apart from other expenditure like pony and porter while parikrama, phone calls and shopping a sum of USD$ 750/- is required to be given to the Chinese officials for the yatra.
A function was organised by the Delhi Govt at the Gujrati Samaj in the evening. After bhajans and felicitations some free stuff was distributed. That contained
1. A big rucksack
2. a torch with 2 batteries
3. Reebok track suit
4. Ducbac rain coat and pant
5. Some havan samigri
6. A white cap like cricketers wear
7. waist pouch
I did not use any of the stuff except the track pant as all my stuff was already packed and I did not want to re arrange it. I just packed the rucksack as it is and decided to take it to Dharchula and leave it there in the cloak room. Gujrati samaj also has cloak room fascility but at a charge.
The rest of the evening was spent packing bags, making them rain proof and tieing them up properly. The packing material and nylon rope with walking sticks was given to us complimentary by another NGO.
It was almost midnight by the time packing was done at the next day would be a 0500 hrs start from Delhi. I had to get up at 0400 hrs as I was a part of the luggage committee and we had to collect and count all the luggage that was to go in a truck till Dharchula.
Pic: Briefing at the MEA
Bhajan and felicitations organised by the Govt Of Delhi
Dinner at the Function
The real journey starts tomorrow