MEET IN BANJUL

I wonder how the boys at the hostels will feel when all the students leave tonite for their respective countries. So far, three quarter of the students have left the Institute after successfully going through the Development Journalism Programme at the IIMC.

It was a touching moment for some of the students last night when Temwa ( from Zambia) plus his wife and Barasa (Barasa) from Tanzania packed their bags waiting for the taxi to airlift them to the Indira Gandira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). Of course, it goes without saying that airports the world over are most of the time busy, but according to my findings, save for Singapore airport, IGI is considered one of the busiest airports in the World. During the winter in January, at a time when the foggy weather was at it peak, in a day some two hundred flights were grounded due to the disturbing weather. Imagine some airports especially the ones in Africa, at times one can say see it from the body language of the airport officials that there is virtually little or no traffic during the course of the day.

Of all the students at the IIMC, I was only one who went to the airport thrice during the course of my studies in Delhi, infact last night, Barasa called me the Chief Airport Escort Officer. My first visit there was the night I went to see off my Nigerian friend Pastor Reginald Facah, who was also one of my many class mates. We have a lot in common; I will tell you why.

Firstly, he likes watching football especially the Champions League and The English Premiere League, though he claims, he supports no team. Due to the amazing time difference, for us, the timings were structured in such a way that if we want to watch the matches we had to go to bed around 3am the next day. Secondly, Pastor Facah likes interacting with Gambians, no wonder when we were in Nanital, he came to see Pierre on several occasions.

Thirdly, he once he once asked me to shoot his last sermon in church, so he was the first person to take me to an Indian church as a video cameraman. Sometimes, he would prepare Nigerian food and invite all his African brothers. One thing that will forever stay in our memories is Facah's philosphy toward India, Indians, the lecturers, the length of the programme etc. He once asked one of the senior editors of ZEE news Tv whether he liked women.

My second visit to IGI was just two days ago, when my friend from Mauritius Karuna Lalloo was returning, like Facah, Karuna has been very kind to everyone moreso the Gambian duo in Delhi. She had made a point of duty to boil tea and put it in her flask for us to drink mostly during the winter. We owe her million of thanks, forgive me for this sloppy expression but these are facts. When her husband decided to her at the hostel in Delhi, I have realised more than ever before the beauty of love, and the spirit of married life. At least, I learnt from her the need to manifest one's love and always to standby your vow 'never betray the love of your life' no no matter what happens. Her understanding of philosphy and metaphysics have impacted positively on her way of doing things, the Karuna way.

As for Temwa, he is someone I would not hesistate to call a man who lead many lives, firstly he works for the P.R Department in the Parliament of Zambia, a Computer programmer, a backing vocalist and the same time an intellectual. Of course, he spends money frivolously, some of us were shell-shocked when we discovered that his office paid him more than (One grant dollars) for his perdiem in Delhi. He was also kind, and sympathetic to the cause of girls. Let me stop here because, if I proceed there may be a mini quake in Lusaka. And finally, he had a nice time with his wife who joined him from Lusaka toward the tail end of the programme.

Barasa was also another outgoing chap, at age 27 and a graduate, he works as a Sports Reporter for a government newspaper in Tanzania. One outstanding quality that these SADC boys have ( I mean Temwa and Barasa) is their sense of humour; the duo can make you laugh the whole day. No wonder they belonged to the Kingfisher club. As a die-hard Liverpool supporter, and the fact I'm blue, Pierre was Man U, we had our own caboodle if you like. When it comes to perspectives on football, Barasa knows his carrots. Sometimes, he will make his predictions and most of the time they come to pass.

Next is Agatha, somehow he calls me my brother-in-law, so don't expect me to spill the beans, but for the sake of the record, I would like to thank her for the support she has been rendering to the Gambian team in Delhi, she is truly a mother, a sister and a close confidente.

The bad news is that while most of us have packed our bags and ready to fly, little did many of us know that if we go beyond the required kilos we are supposed to carry we will have pay 15 dollars per kilo. So for the past few days, the weighing machine have been making the round from one room to the other. Woe betide me if I have pay extra. What should I do throw away my valuables, then that will make news in Tanzania because Barasa is already home he will pick it and say 'Chief Escort Officer....

Hey thank you, Namaste, I love India, and love Indians.