There comes a moment in everyone’s life when it seems like your whole life flashes in front of you. In that one moment, you have sudden clarity – about the ones you love & cherish the most, the ones you live for, you see your deepest wishes and most importantly your mind & body set in motion a deep desire – to fight, survive and make it through! 19th February 2021 was that day for me. The day that possibly has been a catalyst to change my perspective on life as all my resilience, patience and positivity were tested.
Like most stories, I remember that the fateful day started off as a bright and sunny day. In good spirits that we were lucky to be experiencing a vacation after so many months of being help captive by the pandemic, my friend Rita and I set out for our trek for the day. We were in an idyllic location, just shy of Nathu La (near Gangtok). The mighty mountain pass of Nathu La is located at an astonishing height of approximately 4,310 meters above sea level and is one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. Soon, the sun disappeared, and the weather turned cold with persistent snowfall. At first there was the delight of experiencing snowfall. But it wasn’t long before this gave away to fear and frustration.
With the relentless snowfall, roads and passes became impenetrable. Soon all traffic was at a standstill. We did not know it then, but we were to be stranded in the snow for nearly 8 hours, first in our car and then in an Army van that had been sent out to rescue stranded tourists and locals.
At 4300 metres above sea level breathing was tough. Add to this, it was freezing and the mounting anxiety and fear. It was clear to see the gloom spreading all around. Visibility was so low that I could not see even a few steps ahead of me. Bawling children, helpless families and fretful tourists were all around us. There seemed to be no respite in sight and the idle chatter around us informed us that even if we were to be rescued, it would take two days before we could make it back to Gangtok.
This was the moment when I hit my lowest. I recall feeling utterly helpless. All I wanted to do was be on my return flight scheduled the next day which would take me back to Mumbai and to be with my son on his 16th birthday. I tried desperately to search for signs of network on my phone. I couldn’t even call home to let them know I was stuck but safe so far. Did they even know of the predicament we had found ourselves in I wondered?
It was like time had stood still and there was no hope coming. I guess it would have been 3 hours being held captive in our cab when I saw that icicles had started forming on the body of the car. My heart sank and I tried hard to keep at bay all the negative thoughts which threatened to crowd in. Suddenly I had this deep resolve from somewhere inside me. An innate inspiration and determination seemed to envelope me. Rita felt it too, I could tell. In that moment, without saying many words, we both decided that we were going to make it back … anyway, and anyhow.
In the ensuing commotion we witnessed Army vehicles being deployed and as if on cue the army personnel soon announced that we should take our bags and board the army vehicles. We were ready for this and were out of our vehicle in a flash. We sprinted towards the rescue vehicles, as fast as the heavy snow and blinding cold allowed us. Thanks to this alacrity we displayed, we were the first ones to reach the vehicle and were boarded on.
The Jeep took us to an army base where we were given tea. We used this time to get our energy back and spent time comforting mothers with their kids around us. Over the next five hours we jumped on and off from high army jeeps, ran, trudged, stumbled & stood up again. We found and gave comfort in sharing our stories with people around us. We even chipped in and pulled people up on to the vehicle when we saw them walking on the road.
One such individual turned out to be a driver who had left behind his car and was walking home. We saw a glimmer of hope in this moment. We communicated with him (despite a huge language barrier), that we wanted to get back and if he could help. I recall him saying once you reach the base camp it would be difficult to get back so he advised us to get off just before and try to get a Jeep which probably would be headed back to Gangtok.
Thankfully our vehicle stopped just as we turned towards the base camp and thanks to this immense strength, we had suddenly garnered, we jumped. I recall running and negotiating with some drivers that we wanted to go back to Gangtok. We offered money for renting their vehicle and safe charter, but it seemed futile. Eventually, a master stroke of luck was in the waiting. A deal was struck in exchange for “A power bank”. One of the drivers assured us he would deliver us across safely if we offered him the services of our Power bank as in that moment all he wanted was to charge his phone. Delighted, we offered to charge it for him as he drove the jeep. Bless my friend Rita who had some divine premonition to be carrying a power bank on a sightseeing trip :)
We came back movie style, in a rather crowded Jeep, hanging on to whatever we could hold on to and to each other. In an hour and a half but what seemed like a day and several nerve wrecking turns later, we finally reached Gangtok, praising our stars that we were alive, safe and profusely thanking perhaps all the Gods in the universe. Having handed over the fully charged phone and thanking the driver we moved back to where we were staying and first called up our friends and family to tell them we were okay. Apart from a lot of gratitude to the almighty I came away with a few learnings from this crisis.
- Presence of mind – Speed and fast response is critical in crisis
- Crisis brings the humane side of people to the fore- We saw so many people helping each other
- In crisis you somehow get this abundant energy and a heightened appreciation of your surroundings. We used it
- Somehow me and my friend were able to intuitively follow each other’s thoughts and support one another without saying a word.
- Determination and intent are good to have but one has to be brave and follow one’s instinct. It was instinct that we were able to navigate each hurdle that presented itself.
- Gratitude – We were immensely thankful to God that we got back safe and sound after this ordeal.
- Help people – I offered a hand to pull up this gentleman who was the driver who gave us the tip on getting a cab back. That one moment changed the course of our experience.
And of course, carry a power bank :)
Another important aspect is to heal from the trauma of the event. I missed doing it immediately post the event but one year later I took the time to remember that day and write about the entire event. I took a moment to pat myself on the back on getting through that day with determination and coming through and thanked God for keeping us safe.
I could not possibly end this post without a huge shoutout to the Indian Army who saved us during that snowstorm, smiling as they rescued civilians, demonstrating care and hospitality in that cold climate and high altitude.
I shall always remember this experience as “The day I braved the snowstorm”
Ruhie Pande 