Namste London : A Journey Through Time and Culture (Part-1)

Traveling always proves to educate you more than any book. This is a lively medium of acquiring knowledge and experience. I got a chance to go on one such trip last year when I closely observed London, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and some other cities of the UK also. Although it has been almost a year since this happened, but now if you think about it, it seems as if it happened just yesterday. So let's start the story of this beautiful journey-

Although this journey had started from 12th April, but actually the excitement of this journey started in the last days of January 2023 when I received a message from the SOAS department of the University of London asking me to send a research paper. This message was from Peter Flugel, Head of SOAS, who had requested me to send a research paper focused on Jain saint Acharya Taran Swami.

Suddenly a desire arose in my heart that perhaps there might be an opportunity to present this research paper in a seminar of University of London, hence it should be prepared with full hard work and dedication. When I prepared that research paper and sent it to Mr. Peter Flugel, he considered it worthy of presentation in the seminar and recommended me to the organizing committee and somehow I got the slot to present it in the seminar. In this work, I got help from many people direct and indirectly.

In this way, after it was confirmed that I would go to London, my rush to get my passport and visa started. With less time and it being my first time to go out of the country, it became quite difficult to manage everything. But finally, after a lot of struggle, everything became clear, now that the possibility of my first foreign trip was ready, fate was also working in the same way.

Finally, on 12th April, the journey from Bhopal to Delhi and then from Delhi to London started. Meanwhile, there was also a stop of a few hours in Istanbul, so there was a lot of excitement that after landing on the soil of two countries, there would be a chance to understand it to some extent. My companion in this journey was Achyutkant, who was a student of the same Todarmal Jain Siddhant Mahavidyalaya from where I have acquired knowledge. Many friends, family and acquaintances bid an emotional farewell to this trip to London.

On the morning of 13th April, we first reached Istanbul by IndiGo flight and after a layover of about 3 hours there, we reached London's Heathrow Airport at around 5 pm. As soon as we came out of Heathrow Airport, we were welcomed by the cold winds coming from the North Pole, which we were not used to, hence these winds seemed a bit cold.

My acquaintances Richa Di and Gaurav ji had come to receive me at Heathrow, at whose house I was to stay in Langley for the next few days. Achyut left Heathrow to Greater London for his hotel. I had to meet Achyut in Greater London to go to SOAS the next day. 

After having dinner on the 13th and falling asleep very quickly due to jetlag, the next morning I left Langley by tube (train) for Russell Square. As I stepped onto the bustling streets of London, I was immediately enveloped in the city's vibrant energy and rich history. After handing over some essential items brought from India to Peter Flugel at SOAS, Achyut and I set out to explore the streets around London.

Our journey began with a visit to the iconic Tower of London, where the ancient walls echoed with tales of kings and queens, knights and prisoners. Walking through the Crown Jewels exhibition, I marveled at the dazzling treasures that symbolized centuries of royal splendor.The attractive buildings and beautiful bridges built on the banks of the River Thames were creating quite an attractive sight. London's iconic landmarks, including the majestic Tower Bridge, the modern marvel of the Shard were amazed us.

Notting Hill's colorful streets and charming cafés provided a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks and moments of reflection. The Portobello Road Market was a sensory delight, with its array of antiques, books, and quirky finds. London evenings are quite happening, the performances of street singers outside the railway stations and on the streets make you say wow.

After exploring many places around Tower Bridge on 14th April, we had to devote all our time to our conference on 15th-16th April. My presentation was on the 16th so there was some nervousness, we spent most of the next two days in the SOAS conference hall. Where I got an opportunity to listen to the knowledge and experience of many international speakers.

My presentation took place on 16th April, which was much better than I expected and was appreciated by the people. After this presentation, now I had enough time to just explore London and some other places in UK which I could enjoy without any stress. On the evening of 16th we reached Herro to meet some of our friends and acquaintances. Where we met my senior friend Saurabh ji, Kajal Bhabhi and the friendly Hetal Ben and Milap Bhai who took care of me in London. We also visited the Jain temple at Harrow, which is a major Jain center of London established in the Prabhavana Yoga of Gurudev Kanji Swami.

Next Day, We ventured to Buckingham Palace, where the majestic Changing of the Guard ceremony unfolded before my eyes. Exploring the British Museum was a journey through time and civilizations. While walking on the streets of London, Achyut and I enjoyed beautiful buildings and locations like Big Ban, National Gallery, St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Parliament Square etc. 

Achyut had to return to India the next day, so this was the last day to visit London together. I had also planned to go to my cousin's house in Banbury the next day and I also wanted to visit Oxford and Birmingham in the next few days, so we explored the locations of London till late night. Due to it being late in the night, I also forgot that the frequency of trains reduces late on weekend night, so I hardly changed many trains that night and reached Langley at 1.30 in the night. For this, I got a little rebuke from Gaurav ji and Richa di and also got advice to be cautious in this unknown country.

The next day I left for Banbury with some of my important things, now I just had to come to London to take a flight to India at the end of my UK trip. Therefore, most of the belongings were left at Richa Di's house in Langley. I had to catch the train to Banbury from London Marlybone station which is near Saurabh ji and Kajal Bhabhi's house in Harrow. Therefore, the next night I stayed with Achyut at Saurabh ji's house, the next day Achyut left for India and I left for Banbery.

As my London adventure drew to a close, I reflected on the city's timeless allure and cultural richness. Each moment was a chapter in a captivating story, weaving together the past, present, and future of this dynamic metropolis. London had captured my heart, leaving me with cherished memories and a longing to return to its embrace.

I'll be back with some memories of Oxford, Birmingham and Banbury in my next blog, that's all for now....