Newbold Church and Others

May 07, 2020

The Fourth Day

There is something strange about this day. Some people get crazy because of this day.

However, we, students and staff during our “Golden Age of SDA at CMC Vellore”, looked forward to this day.

Adequate planning is needed to make the maximum use of this day.

There are many places to go and the logistics has to be spot on, especially the food from the hostels.

One choice is the Amirthi Forest, a sanctuary almost equal to the Amazon rain forest, where during the day, the bright sun is blocked by the branches and leaves of the forest trees.(not in size though)

We preferred to hike all night on the fourth day and spend the next day playing games and cooling our legs in the small stream that meandered through the forest. But this choice is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Another imposing choice is to climb Mount Kailash.

For this we had to travel by bus to the base of the mountain and it takes the whole day to climb. We then rested the night on the fourth day and relished the food, scenery and played a few games, hiking down the next day. This also is for a once in a lifetime experience.

But here is what we repeatedly looked forward to on the fourth day; that is to cycle to Katpadi farm.

There is a watering tank and we could swim there. We had to enter quietly and not to get the attention of the farm workers. That is why we choose the fourth day for this adventure.

The staging points were: MIQ (Men’s Intern Quarter) at CMCH Vellore.

1, The ground floor, where Dr Philip and Dr Rohini stayed during his MD study. This is usually where the ladies conglomerate.

2. Two floors above, where I stayed during my Ophthal training. 1975-1977. Men were packed in my room.

There was a time when we reached the water tank and found it empty. We were so eager for the swim and slept in frustration on the floor of the tank. However, we had a rude awakening when the filling pipes poured cold water on us.

On a good trip, we came back exhausted and tired.

There was a time when we were so tired that we just dropped dead in the two rooms.

Being small rooms, all the floor spaces were utilised by us; on the cot, under the cot and under the table etc. We did not know whom we kicked in our sleep. Another awkward awakening

This then is our escapades on the fourth day when God made the moon and a full moon night was the time, we ventured out.

Surely, were we not lunatics?