Travelling is very much in fashion these days. It is common knowledge that education is not complete until one’s mind is widened by seeing more things, with a hungry heart, of the world. In the West, excursion is an indispensable part of education. Nowadays both our Government and our colleges encourage the habit by granting various concessions and contributions for travels. Opportunities are provided, and we ought to take advantage of them.

So when the Railways announced concessions to students willing to undertake educational tours, it was an opportunity too good to be lost. We made up a small party of ten, including our professor of History, to go out sight-seeing. We applied to our principal for some financial assistance and be was pleased to grant a contribution out of the college funds. Packing up was a simple affair; each of us got a hold-all into which we pushed all our necessaries, to make it a light luggage.

Puri was our first destination. We reached the famous seaside resort early enough in the morning to be able to dump our baggages in a hotel. We took some light refreshment and then rushed to the seaside. To us, inlanders, the sea is something marvelous, seeing it for the first or the tenth time, it makes no difference, we just stand and stare and wonder. In the evening, we first went to the great Jagannath Temple and spent a little time looking at its imposing architecture. We admired the pattern of the detailed carvings and panels.

For a few days, we spent our time visiting the sea and the temple morning and evening, and in between, managed to see various places of local interest. Not the least attractive were the products of the humble handicraftsmen, whose skill is world famous. Then one morning we hired a motor car and started off towards the famous Sun-temple of Konark – over twenty five miles of road, good, bad and indifferent. We reached the famous spot. What a magnificent piece of architecture it must once have been. It was designed as a mighty chariot. The marble horses and their grooms seemed to be bursting with life – so powerfully these had been carved on stone by the sculptor. Indeed, the glory of Konark lies in the stone images of animals, – horses, elephants, and tigers. It had a massive splendor and vitality that no other country can rival.

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On the journey, back we took Bhubaneswar on our way. We saw the exquisite workmanship of the temple and the design of the rock caves nearby. In the new capital, we had been to the open zoo garden Nandankanan with the freely moving wild animals, including lions and tigers around.

There was a great difference between our journey for Puri and the return to Kolkata. Then we were laughing, singing and enjoying ourselves. Now our minds were full. When we talked, the spell of the past was upon us – the glorious heritage of our country. And then inevitably we thought of the future of our country, – the new India which we are all too eager to build.