The Gates of Heaven - Part-VI

‘The Gates of Heaven’ & My Close Encounters with Peter (These chronicles are dated May 2011)

It was not just a thrilling weekend as one would see it from a distance; it was a seminar on personality development; it was nothing less than a religious discourse preaching that service to humanity is service to God; it was a presentation on leadership qualities; it was a workshop on unified power; it was also an awareness program on environmental preservation. It was a package conceived and rendered by Peter not as a professional activity but as a mission to mould the youth cleverly using the expeditions and programs as tools. Just as the parent attracts his one-year-old child by extending a toffee while encouraging him to take the right steps forward, Peter plans these ‘trekking expeditions’, the ‘beach-cleaning’ programs, the contributions to ‘child orphanage homes’ to infuse the most valuable qualities into the youth who could lead to correct the social errors that have been multiplying without any check.

The News of An Accident

My apprehension early in the morning was wrong, I was more at ease in the adventurous parts than yesterday, but the exhaustion was immense. My body demanded rest frequently and I gulped the glucose water from time to time until it was used up completely, then I mixed the Electrol into my aluminium water bottle. This could be because of the short sleep I had last night, alternatively, it could also be merely a state of mind.

At the bank of the Dead End Pool, most of us sat on the rocks and pulled out some eatables for lunch. I was surprised that my bag reached without Brijesh and I quickly pulled out the carry bag where I stored my share of the ration. I chose to have only two Teplas and I handed over the rest along with other eatables in the carry bag to Naveen to distribute to whoever was short of food. I told him confidently that the two Teplas for me will do for the day. I chewed the tasty Teplas and washed it down with the Electrol water. As I finished my lunch I looked up to find that Eric Courage and Friedhelm were swiftly passing the Dead End Pool walls scaling them with skills we could never imagine. They sped with their bare feet but at a slightly lower velocity than yesterday. To me, they looked like some flying dragons in a Chinese caper, with unbelievable movements. One of them shouted “Peter and others are held back. One of the guys had an accident while jumping and fractured his ankle. Someone asked with concern, “Who is the guy who met the accident?” “We do not his name” they replied and disappeared after the announcement. Immediately there were discussions among all wondering who the accident victim was. But they had no clue.

Naveen got concerned knowing that Peter would not make it in time, for he would be involved in organising the transporting of the wounded person safely until the village where we parked our vehicles. “Guys, now we need to reach the dam fast before it is dark. Peter will be late.” He instructed all who were ready to start off immediately and he made sure he assigned a group leader to organise the stretch so that no one would be lost in the wrong directions. “Be careful and do not proceed from the point where there the stream divides. Wait for me at that point” He instructed the first group leader who was leaving with his batch.

Radhakrishna also completed his crossing of the Dead End Pool and he signalled me that we could also start off trailing the previous group. On the way, our discussion mostly consisted of the wounded person, and he was narrating to me how Peter would take the maximum care in safely bringing him to the destination. “Peter is an extraordinary person” he continued “and has a passion for the adventures”. “He plans everything after he himself tests the terrain along with a few of the experienced members” he informed. “And when it comes to the regular trek, he involves everyone especially the regular guys to organise food, transport, etc” Radhakrishna continued “I have taken part in Peter’s CTC treks many times but this is the best.” Eric and Christine were behind us overhearing our conversation “I too have never experienced such a thrilling trek,” he declared. “We are thrilled.” “And congratulations to you,” he looked at me “You made it and it’s just great.” I clarified it to him, “I wouldn’t have come farther than the first pool if Brijesh had not volunteered to carry my backpack,” not wilfully accepting his praise.

Return to Base

We reached the first pool, and then the final lap came. Naveen instructed all to take out the flashlights from the bags and keep them handy for it would be dark in another half hour. Everyone said we could reach before the estimated time, but I doubted. I frequently rested to grasp my breath for all were striding at a different pace hurrying to reach the vehicles before it was too dark. “You don’t worry sir, you can rest,” said Sinu who caught up with us from behind “we have plenty of time” she advised with concern. It was comforting compared with the strict instruction Naveen passed. I sat down until I was ready. In fact, Naveen was right, which I found out after some time when it became dark and we had to slow down the stride. The coverage of distance became almost half of what makes in daylight, apart from the possibility of losing the right path was very much imminent.

My torchlight was in my backpack which someone was carrying because Brijesh stayed back to help the transportation of the wounded member. Radhakrishna gave his torch to me, “Keep it, sir, I can manage” he volunteered. I thanked him and strode behind him. Some faint information about the accident came in. The name of the person who met the accident was Vijay Kumar; his injury occurred when he jumped from a high cliff into the water; and that Peter and three others made some sort of arrangement with the branches and ropes they had and were carrying him, Brijesh being one of them. "They could trail four hours behind,” everyone said. We felt sorry for the agony Vijay Kumar would be experiencing and all praise for Peter and the three others who were carrying him.

Before we reached the dam, Naveen stalled all the members of the first batch at a clearing and took a headcount; satisfied, he let everyone move in a line carefully searching the path in front with the torchlight. I started accompanied by Vivek as Radhakrishna was ahead guiding in the dark those who were first-timers to this range. Vivek was very inquisitive to know why I had dared to take this adventure, and I narrated my story from school days. He listened to my narration with interest and we talked about many vacations that I had enjoyed all my life right from my school days. We could hardly see our faces in the dark but our discussion went so intense as if we knew each other for ages.

As we came close to the dam, we could see that all have already assembled at the top of the dam waiting for us. We were the last. We got stuck in a slushy path and were unable to place our footing properly. As we struggled, Naveen sent Divesh back to help us and he guided us through the dry area. The final climb was the dam, and I could scale it without effort because of the rough stony slope and with the support of Vivek and Divesh.

“You made it sir” Naveen congratulated me in the dark. “Of Course, with all your support” I gave him the credit. All were sitting tiredly on the dam worried about what had happened back there and when would Peter and the party return. Soon within minutes, we could see flashlights glowing at a distance near the Temple and Naveen confirmed it was Peter. “Ok guys, let us climb down to the other side and reassemble at the parking” he instructed and we all started to move. By the time we reached the bottom of the bund, one of the Tempo van came near the end of the road to pick us and drop at the parking. We jumped into the van like school children searching for comfortable seats.

The van dropped us at the parking, but I had to wait for my bag to change into dry clothes. All had assembled and there was a lot of noise as everyone was organising himself to depart. The accounts person called requesting if anyone is yet to make his initial payment of Rs 500 and also asking for any accounts of purchases made for food etc. A few minutes later the accounts were finalised and it was decided that an extra Rs 150 was receivable per head. Everyone paid the extra Rs 150 in an organised manner. In the meanwhile, my bag reached me to the parking lot, and I quickly located my wallet and paid my extra share of expenses, and after a while, I was repaid Rs 1,000/- for my car diesel which I was informed was the slab fixed for any car.

I removed my shoes and changed to dry clothes and enquired who was coming along with me. I found that those who came along with me on Saturday morning had already left by bus and there were two new members now, including Radhakrishna. As we dumped the luggage into the boot and were getting ready, Peter arrived in the Tempo van which shuttled back to the dam to pick him up. Everyone gathered around him enquiring about Vijay Kumar to which he patiently replied as he prepared to take out his Fortuner to pick up Vijay Kumar and others who were waiting at the dam.

I too approached him and enquired about Vijay Kumar and felt sorry for him. We then bid him goodbye, and as I shook his hand I thanked him for permitting me to participate in this wonderful adventure. I also revealed, “This is not a trek Peter, it has more impact than a management workshop, and I promise to send you a write-up on this.” “Yes, it is better to substitute for the youth than to hang out at bars and multiplexes,” he smiled and requested “Please do send me the write-up, I will look forward to it, and it would be a great motivation to all.” I once again thanked him before bidding a final goodbye.

The Final Drop

We were five returning in my car and all of them requested me to drop them at Koyembedu, and I obliged willingly. We had some parottas and dosas at a shabby restaurant on the way before we sped off to Chennai. Except for Radhakrishna all the three in the back seat slipped into a deep slumber and we could hear the snoring in full throttle. I and Radhakrishna chatted all the way back about our families, profession and mutual interests before we reached the destination drop, having no measure of the time we spent in the return drive.

All the four thanked me for the drop and bid me goodnight and I then sped to my home which is another 10 km away, and despite the hectic weekend, I was surprised to find that I was not at all tired to the extent that I may fall asleep at the steering.

The Message I Understood

Satisfied that I have made the best use of my weekend I was very glad that I had dared in the first instance. I would not have had this invaluable experience if Peter had not shortlisted me in the first place; if Brijesh had not taken up the burden of my disorganised backpack; if Naveen had not given me special attention all the way; and all those youngsters Divesh, Muthu, Sinu, and many others who were compassionate towards me and whose names I cannot remember now; and the warm company of Radhakrishna.

If one could see the way I had seen and make a little effort to tread the path Peter guides, then it is not necessary to seek shelter in holy texts and visit holy places; for the following the path shown by Peter itself is ‘the most blessed pilgrimage’. Hence I decided to respect Peter’s act of naming the pool at the night camp as ‘the Picnic Pool’ and borrow the name I had given ‘The Gates of Heaven’ to the path shown by him. It is not only St Peter who holds the keys to the Gates of Heaven but also our Peter Van Geit, in flesh and blood, who can give you a real experience throwing ‘The Gates of Heaven’ wide open to one and all who reach him.