Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 1

Budhia Singh from Bhubaneswar, India, has been invited by the Nepal Government to participate in the "Lumbini To Mount Everest Peace Run 2017".

14th May 2017 - Day 1 - Bhubaneswar To Kathmandu via New Delhi

Our day started early as both Budhia Singh and I woke up at 3 AM to be ready and to reach the airport before 4:15 AM to be on time for our early morning Indigo flight that was at 5:15 AM. 

My sister, Amrita Sabat, and our driver dropped Budhia & me at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.

The lady CISF officer was happy to check the name on Budhia's Aadhar Card. 

PC:  Amrita Sabat

She exclaimed "Budhia Singh! Itne se thhey jab dekha tha. Kitney lambey ho gaye ho!" (You were so small when I had seen you last. How tall have you grown!)

After the security-check, we clicked some pictures and occupied our seat #s- 8A & 8B. 

Budhia was drowsy.

We reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Next, we collected the shuttle bus ticket for transfer from Domestic Terminal to International Terminal.

As Budhia Singh is a minor and also has no other id-card apart from his Aadhar card (that's not allowed for Nepal entry), we faced difficulty to collect our boarding-passes. When I informed them that he is THE Budhia Singh on whom the movie is made, the Indigo ground-staff said- "Born to Star!" I corrected him, "It's Born To Run."

Thankfully, the authorities were kind enough to issue the passes as this is a special case. They warned,"Next time, better have proper valid document." 

When we reached our international departure gate, we found that Dr. Ravindra Panth had already arrived and was waiting for us. 

Former Director/Vice-Chancellor, NavNalanda Mahavihara University, Dr. Ravindra Panth is presently Professor of Buddhist Studies, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida & Senior Executive Director (Academics & Research) of IBC i.e. International Buddhist Confederation.

From L To R - Budhia Singh, Dr. Ravidra Panth, Dr. Anita Sabat

After clicking one quick pic, all three of us proceeded to board the airplane from New Delhi to Kathmandu. To our surprise, we realized that all three of us had been somehow assigned seats on the same row- 8A, 8B & 8C! 

The main organizer, Shri Bikram Pandey KAJI, who has been in constant touch, communicating programme details, termed this as- "Destiny. Lord Buddha must be blessing us all."

We reached Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport where the organizers were waiting to greet us.

The organisers gave us a warm flowery welcome. 

PC: Rohit

And we boarded the cab they had arranged to drop us at the hotel.

From L To R - Dr. Anita Sabat, Budhia Singh, Dr. Ravidra Panth, Mr. Puri

We checked into the Airport Hotel that is about 5 minutes drive from the airport. 

Along with the room keys, and wi-fi passwords, the organisers handed us brand new personalised cellphones with our names written on them & that were pre-loaded with local SIM.

Budhia was very tired and wanted to sleep. 

When he woke up, all three of us went to have dinner at the revolving restaurant at the 7th Floor. 

Dr.Panth briefed us about the law of Karma, the law of cause and effect & the law of attraction that can make anything possible. He believes that Budhia's talent and desire to run is because of Budhia's past lives. Dr.Panth said that we all are here for a special cause. We must work hard to attain our goals and realize our potential. That's the reason we are here...

The super ambiance with 360 degree views of Kathmandu, along with the food, company & the learned discussion about Lord Buddha's teachings thanks to Dr.Panth and Budhia's queries made it a memorable evening. 

We have a morning flight to catch to Lumbini where the peace run event will commence at Maya Devi Park today (15th May 2017) at 10 AM.  

This post has info about our travel to Nepal for the Buddha Flame Peace Torch March Run 2017. 
We were at Nepal for the Buddha Flame Peace Torch March Run 2017. Thanks to Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, Department of Tourism, Government of Nepal. 

You can read about-
"Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 2"
"Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 3"
"Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 4"