The dog and the madman- A Jaipur's bazar story.

In 2022, I was enrolled in a graduation program under one of the leading companies in India on a scholarship specializing in culinary arts. It was my first time when I was living away from my father's shelter and my mother's care and I never realized what the outside world would be like. Three years away from home, I made my own family who were my batchmates and colleagues. At an age of 18, an early stage of adulthood, when everything seems so scary and every dream seems to be impossible to achieve, I packed my bags and left for Jaipur-The pink city.

Jaipur is the capital city of the largest state in the country- Rajasthan. This princely city has a deep rooted history of rulers, architecture, culinary treasure and wait ! How can I forget?! The vibrant colors everywhere you see. Especially pink . I will give a little pause here for you to think about why pink?

Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" because in 1876, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II (the then ruler of Jaipur) had the buildings in the old city of Jaipur painted 'pink' or actually the color of terracotta to welcome the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. Pink was chosen as the color of hospitality in the local culture back in those times.

A few months after I settled in Jaipur is when I began with my expedition. However, how scary it appeared to me at that time but somewhere in my heart I knew I was a 'hodophile'. In the mid -November of 2022, I was exploring the local market of Jaipur. The hustle and bustle of this colorful market had my heart. It was one the most colorful experiences I have had before and honestly, a really fun day.

I was accompanied by one of my batchmates that evening. We were walking through the lanes of the Old city in Jaipur. We ended up reaching the local market. The local market in the old city of Jaipur is quite prominent. It is always busy but yet closes by 8:30pm and shuts by 9:00pm if you ever plan to visit. Although there are many prominent markets in Jaipur, but Badi Chaupar is the intersection of the crossroad that connects the major bazars i.e. Tripolia bazar, Johri bazar, Bapu bazar Ramganj bazar and Hawamahal road. They are some of the most colorful markets I have witnessed till date. That evening there were two markets that we covered in 3 hours of time by walk, which was a complete pack of bargaining, eating street foods and of course goofing around . They are known as 'Johri Bazar' a great market if you're looking to buy jewelry, and 'Babu bazaar', which is my favourite, known for handicrafts and artisanal excellence. Both the markets will offer you beautiful options for buying traditional 'lehariya', 'bandhani' or 'block print' textiles, hand made bags and home decor options.

But there was this one incidence that changed my ingrained way of experiencing and looking at things profusely. We were two 18 year old's, out in the world when everything seemed like a fairytale or to be more precise, a house made up of candy from the story of Hansel and Gretel, where we only wanted to eat candies till we were full ( which we never are) unaware and unconscious of the consequences we may have to face. But yet, we ate. Just like that, we were immersed in our own world unknown of what the universe may put in front of us. A sudden cry I hear and it heard as if someone was calling me out. Though I ignored, but the second time my conscious made me turn my head. We were already standing and bargaining at a shop. I turned my head and there was man asking us 'mera pilla kahan hai?' which if I translate meant, 'where is my puppy?' We both, me and my partner in crime, stared at him for minute long and then looked at each other at the same time and completely confused, but it felt amusing because he was already carrying the puppy like his baby, and yet, looking for him, asking us. For that one minute (till i realized he was either drunk or actually a mad man) I began to fear if he just accused us for something or do I know him, really? Till it just turned into a funny moment when me and my friend actually looked left and right to look for a puppy while it was on his shoulder the entire time and we only realized when the shopkeeper told us from behind. But it was also totally cute when the strange man kept on treating the puppy like his baby. I am not sure if the man that day was actually  mentally unstable or if he was just another drunkard but i really hope that they take care of each other, the man and the pup. But even today we laugh thinking of that day.

Yes, this five minute incidence may not be a very important event that had taken place, but yet it made me feel grateful for all the people who have come across my life but also played a significant role. This man made me think about how God never leaves his children alone. Everybody finds someone or the other at some point in their lives like this man found the puppy or the puppy found the man. Although, his mind was in a pretty different state yet he knew he had to care of the creature in his arms. This was the moment I realized, however,, the world may be scary but there is always love, that is for all.

But I will also not lie about the fact that even when i was away from my family's vicinity, I was never really scared to explore and witness greatness of life. More often I like to give the credit to the people who became my friends from strangers really quickly. My batchmate, he was one of them. When we used to stroll together, every adventure with a dead end or every moment with a blurry sight would automatically became humorous and amusing instead of terrifying us. Everything just seemed funnier. Now instead of fearing things and getting nervous due to anxiousness, Everyday feels like an amusing adventure and anxiousness feels like excitement and by the end of the day I feel grateful.