This is worth your time to watch. Well, we know there is no love lost between the two countries. I’m surprised they ever open the border. India-Pakistan Border NIGHTLY Closing Ceremony. Both countries have nukes, and both countries have come close to war a number of times. If they do, it’ll be a different ballgame for the ENTIRE region.

The Wagah border is the only road linking India and Pakistan. And every night, the border is closed with a most unusual ceremony. Only 156 seconds long, it is one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen.

I received this link and just thought everyone would enjoy this. It is so typical. They do love a show.

After all this time we traveled two hours over pothole-laden roads to Nandagomukh. This village of battered, mishmash mud-brick huts and shacks is still one of my favorites. Upon on arrival we were greeted with a megawatt smile by the old “chupple maker.” He had received a gift of two goats from the Christmas giveaway. Both of his goats are pregnant and will soon be an income producing small flock. Already, his family’s diet has been enhanced.  Laughing and singing he actually danced a jig when Dr. Suresh gave him the goats.  He said, “Now I can resign from chupple making.” All of his life, this man with dark leathery skin of a village dweller had made chupples (sandals) out of old tires.  Walking barefoot 10 miles a day was not uncommon for him.  Most of his sales were to farmers who wear these sturdy chupples to help avoid being punctured by the many thorns in the fields. I asked him, “Do you wear the chupples you make?”  A resounding “NO!  No shoe has ever touched the bottom of these feet.” Now at an age of 60+ and having severe asthma he was finding it next to impossible to make a living wage. This gift has significantly improved the remainder of his life.

Gautam’s dream is to own a Cappri Chupple stall in Nandagomukh. With a population of 20 thousand, he would have a sizeable clientele. Buying the chupples at the wholesale market here in Nagpur, he would then sell them in the village attaining a nice profit.  When and IF he presents a business plan, he may be the recipient of a micro-lending plan.  Self-reliance would then be a reality.

Finally, finally the generator has arrived.  I am going to attempt to give you the play-by-play of the delivery process and I am NOT kidding, this is how it actually happened.

The generator was manufactured in a city about two-day’s drive from Nagpur.  When it was ready for conveyance, it was then placed on a lorry (truck) for a straight through delivery.  After about a day’s drive the lorry driver gets an “emergency” mobile call.  (Let me tell you, if you think a soccer mom, driving an SUV, while talking on her cell phone is dangerous, a lorry driver is a 100 percent worse.)  Anyway, he parks the lorry and takes off, WITH THE KEYS! The sales company is panicked and is in constant contact because we are putting the pressure on.  By this time they are way out of our contract agreement.

At long last, another driver is sent to the location with another set of keys.  The new driver travels with our precious cargo only about 60 miles down the highway, an oxymoron if ever there was one, and the lorry breaks down.  Being a conscientious driver he leaves the lorry ON the highway and diligently places Indian flares (Actually, flares are simply rocks) around the vehicle.  He then calls his boss.  Eventually, a mechanic is sent to the breakdown location.  For two days the mechanic tries to repair the lorry ON the road, ultimately deciding the lorry is beyond repair.  The decision is then made to send yet another lorry to retrieve the generator.  A crane also needs to be procured.  This lorry is new and has a sign across the back, “Don’t be jealous, it is still on loan.”  I kid you not!

This third lorry driver is also the owner so after the generator is loaded he decides that it is not prudent to drive all the way to Nagpur half empty.  Surly there is enough room to haul a large load of 50-gallon oil drums.

At long last, the yearn for generator arrives in Nagpur, BUT it is at the front of the lorry, the oil drums needing to be unloaded first.  Guess what??? It is a “koolie” holiday.  Honest to goodness. No one could be found willing to unload the drums.  We could see the generator, smell the generator, but could not obtain the generator. Creatively thinking, our General Director, hired a crane operator who would not only take our generator off the lorry, but also unload the oil drums.  After much to-do, the lorry and crane arrived on campus. This was not an easy task to retrieve generator off the lorry and place it in the newly prepared location, especially, without destroying trees and buildings in the process.  Of course, everyone had to come for a look-see and be the expert.  The gaggle of people shouting directions, with arms waving was hysterical to watch. There were times as I was snapping photos, my nerves atingle, and heart pumping; I feared that the roof was going to be smashed or a cable splinter. Loren stood, with arms folded, wondering,  “Do we have to pay extra for the dents?”  Hoping that “Murphy’s Law” was not still in effect, he immediately asked the maintenance guys to fill the generator with diesel and start the much-needed new piece of equipment.

Lookie here—a new working generator at Prakash!

A celebration /dedication will take place and “sweets” distributed.  Padmaker’s hands are just itching to say the prayer of thanksgiving.  Words really cannot express, to all of you, our deep appreciation for this wonderful gift.  What a God-kiss you have been.