Started back on January 23rd, 2010, we completed 10 years of UTISA in 2020. On this occasion, these are some of the experiences shared by the people.
Blog No. 1, by Rahul Garg
Japan’s Friendly Police
CAUTION: THESE STUNTS ARE PERFORMED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
Me: “Bhai thoda tez bhaga” (Bro! Faster)
My Friend (D): “Ye sabse tez hi hai bhai! Meri mamachari hai” (This is the fastest I can go. My bicycle is mamachari type)
After 15-20 min when I can’t see my friend behind me. I stopped and called him.
Me: “Kahan reh gya?” (Where are you?)
D: “Bhai Police ne pakad liya?” (Bro! Police caught me)
And boom!
Well! This is not a crime story but surely an unforgettable incident for me and my friend. It happened when one day we decided to go to Yokohama from Mitaka on our bicycles. We started at around 8 ‘o clock in the morning after having double espresso shots from Lawson. Opened google maps, set our destination as Yokohama red brick house and started our journey right away. On our way we saw some beautiful views of river Tama. Enjoying our ride while following the google maps, a flyover came and without giving it much thought, we took that flyover. Soon, we realised that there is no cycling lane on this flyover. So, we slowed down and discussed:
Me: Arey yahan cycle chala sakte kya? (Can we ride bicycles here?)
D: Lag to nahi raha. Cycling lane bhi nahi hai. Vapis chalen? (Doesn’t seem like. Even cycling lane is not there. Should we head back?)
Me (disappointed): Hmmm. Maybe we can take the next exit from this flyover.
When the next exit came suddenly a motorcycle passed and our evil mind woke up and said: “yaaaaar agar motorcycles allowed hain; to cycle me bhi kya hi dikkat hogi?(If motorcycles are allowed, then there shouldn’t be any issue with bicycles also). In India, motorcycles are also not allowed on expressways. So, this is not an expressway. Let’s keep going.”
D: Han, zayada se zayada kya hi hoga. Chalte hain. (Yeah, what’s the worst that can happen anyway? Let’s go)
And we continued. After cycling for around 5 km, I told my friend that let’s take a break at the next stop. On google maps, it showed that there is some convenience store nearby. I didn’t zoom in much and just assumed that it’ll be okay. So, informing my friend that we will take the next exit on the left. I started riding faster and after around 2 km I reached that left turn. I stopped and realized that I can’t see my friend anywhere. I waited for 5 min and then called him. That’s when he told me about the encounter with police. He told me to go ahead. When I continued to that exit, I realized that it was a toll exit and I was surprised because we didn’t enter from any toll gate, so how do we exit? Adding to my surprise, there was police waiting there for me to come. Lol. Yes! The police which caught my friend informed these toll guys and thus they were already waiting for me. I went to them and parked my bicycle. They asked me where’s my friend and I told he is behind and will come soon. Suddenly, another police guy came out and told, “Just wait here, my colleagues are bringing your friend too”. I waited and after 10 min my friend arrived in a police car. I was scared that it’s gonna cost a lot and I just hope they don’t inform my professor or something (I know it’s stupid to think but you know right? It was that moment when you just start thinking every negative thing possible. Haha).
We pretended that we didn’t know Japanese AT ALL and were just following the google maps. The police guy took my mobile and told me that there is an option to avoid highways (I told I didn’t know what he was asking for :P because; ‘No Japanese’). He checked our student ID card and guess what? It was the last day of my student card validity. Yes, it was the 31st of August. Lucky enough? Lol. They informed us not to ride bicycles on the road with green signs (expressways) however, blue ones (highways) are okay. They let us go from some back gate which was locked. Also, luckily we didn’t need to pay any fine. One of the guys told “NO MONEY” and we understood (Phew!).
After leaving them, we went to the nearest convenience store and laughed so much about the whole incident. My friend bragged that he came in a car for 2 km as if he did something great. Haha. We were pretty close to Yokohama by then anyways, so we reached in another one hour. It was one heck of a trip for us which we are definitely not forgetting for a long time. 😉 Though my friend does have one regret from the trip:
“Yaar! Maine 2 km kam cycling ki” (I rode 2 km less on bicycle).
<Please respect all the traffic rules. They are for our own safety>
Blog No. 2, by Rahul Garg
During our stay in Japan, we get multiple opportunities to expand our field of knowledge by attending conferences and visiting other reputed universities around the world. But since we (Indian passport holders) need visa for most countries, sometimes going to another country becomes burden as we are not very aware of the visa process and suddenly your schedule gets hectic.
Also, we often go back to our family in India to enjoy time with them. There are multiple airline options ranging from 40000 yen to 90000 yen (a general range, you can find cheaper and expensive also). Further, often we have connecting flights having transit in another country which confuses us more about how to go?
So, this blog is to give you an idea about what to expect when travelling from Japan to another country so that you don’t get frustrated and enjoy your journey.
For Japan to India:
1. Visa – Your entry visa on the passport to Japan has an expiry date but since you have residence card once you enter Japan, it is enough for getting entry in Japan again. Do not forget to fill the form and state that you will come back to Japan within one year.
2. Cost – The direct flight cost to Delhi is around 65,000 yen. Depending upon the season and when you book, it may vary. Booking one month before you can expect around 80,000 yen. Indirect flights are of course cheaper.
3. Via China –
a. Shanghai – There are two main airports (Hongqiao and Pudong) in Shanghai. So, make sure that you check if your connecting flight is from the same airport or a different one. If same, no problem. If different; you will need a temporary visa. Because you will exit one airport and then go to another. If you don’t get a transit visa in advance, you can get it at the airport also but then keep sufficient time margin so that you don’t end up missing the next flight.
b. Beijing – Mostly your connecting flight will be via capital airport (PEK). Keep sufficient transit time when travelling. One and a half hour is sufficient but it’s risky because if the flight from Tokyo gets delayed a little bit, you’ll end up missing your next flight.
4. Via Hong Kong –
a. Transit at Hong Kong airport is simple. If you have longer transit time and you wish to go out, you can …………
5. Via Bangkok –
a. There are two airports in Bangkok so book your flight carefully. If
i. Changing airports – It takes around 1 hour (traffic) to change airports. And you need a visa to go out of one of the airports (you can get it at the airport itself). So, keep enough time for your transit if you have to change airports. Not recommended if you have a lot of luggage with you.
ii. Not changing airports – No problem, best option. But if you want to go out as you have a long transit time, you can get a visa on arrival.
1. To the United States – You can apply for B1/B2 visa if you wish to visit for leisure or conference. The process doesn’t take a long time (unless your documents are not complete). You can get your visa within one week.
2. To Europe – The visa time depends on the embassy to which you apply for a Schengen visa. The process may take some time. For programs like Musha Shugyo, they will need an invitation letter from University professor.
3. To Australia –
4. To China – The visa process is not very tedious but they are very specific about the application rules. If you don’t do as exactly written thinking that ‘this will also be fine’, chances are that they will tell you to change it. With all the correct documents, it doesn’t take much time.
मैं
कई दिनों से वह दोबारा करना चाहता हूँ। पर अब जब वैसी दुस्साहसी हरकत करने की उम्मीद
ठंडी होती दिख रही है तो बेहतर होगा कि इसे ब्लॉग के माध्यम से UTISA की आने वाली पीढ़ियों पर उगल दिया जाये। मेरे लिए
उस एक ट्रिप ने अकेले ही जापान के सबसे सुन्दर चेहरे को सामने कर दिया।
2015
के सितम्बर में एक रात दो लड़कों ने सगामिहारा
के एक जापानी ठेके पर मादक पदार्थों का सेवन किया और अगले दिन तड़के टोक्यो से फुजि
पर्वत तक साइकिल से जाने का षड़यंत्र रचा। साथ ही उन्होंने मुझसे भी पूछा चलने को। गियर
वाली साइकिल का इंतज़ाम भी था। ये वो दिन थे जब मेरे सिर्फ एक कोनीचिवा बोल देने पर कई सुन्दर जापानी
युवतियाँ दिल फेंक कर “निहोंगो ज्यूज़ू देसने”
बोल दिया करती थीं तो कॉन्फिडेन्स का लोटा दिन-रात भरा ही रहता था। फिर बिना सोचे
समझे हाँ बोलने में भारतीयों का मुकाबला कर भी कौन सकता है। ऐसे आकर्षक अवसर
को तो नकार पाना असंभव ही था।
हमें
जाना था यामानाका-को। दुनिया भर का सामान,
पंक्चर किट , एनर्जी जेली , लिटरों पानी और हल्दीराम लादे हुए हम तीन लड़के निकल पड़े।
पहले दस-पंद्रह किलोमीटर तो मज़े से निकले।
मन में आया की ऐसा तो हर हफ्ते किया जा सकता है । पर फिर पहाड़ी चढ़ाई शुरू हुई । ऐसी
ऊंची लम्बी चढ़ाई कि जिसके सामने "दूर
से देखा तो साइकिल आ रही थी , पास आकर वो ट्रक निकला" जैसे चीज़े भी फ़ीकी पड़ जाएं। बाकी दोनों मंजे हुए धावक थे। एक तो iron
-man की तैयारी कर रहा था और मुझे शक था कि
उसने योकोहामा में दुधारी भैंस भी पाल रखी होगी। वहीं मैं खुद अभी गुड़गांव से नौकरी
छोड़ कर नया-नया पीएचडी करने आया था। तब तक मुझे साइकिल चलाये ३ साल से अधिक हो चुके
थे । वहां गुड़गांव में गाड़ी वालों से ठोके जाने का खतरा था और उसके पहले कानपुर में
गाड़ी वालों द्वारा थूके जाने का। और इस tanθ = 1 स्लोप पर मैं एक ऐसी 6 गियर वाली एक मामाचारी साइकिल चला
रहा था जिसके ३ गियरों ने मुझसे भी पहले दाँत
खड़े कर दिए थे। हाँ आगे एक केरियर ज़रूर लगा हुआ था जो खड़खड़ाते हुए घंटी की कमीं मिटा रहा था ।
खैर
करते-कुराते बॉयज़ ने आधा रास्ता निपटाया। अब
तक दिन चढ़ चुका था। रस्ते में छोटे-मोटे गाँव
आते जा रहे थे। जापानी दादियों को हम देखते
और हमें वो आशीर्वाद भरा "गमबात्ते" कहतीं जाती। कुछ एक ने तो यहाँ तक नमस्ते
तक कह दिया (अतिशयोक्ति के लिए क्षमा )। कभी ऊपर से दुसरे प्रोफेशनल साइक्लिस्ट्स वापस
आते तो हम सर झुका कर “कोनीचिवा” अदला-बदली कर लेते। बल्कि कुछ एक गाड़ी वाले हमारे
बगल से निकलने पर धीमे हुए और "क्योत्सकेते ने " करते हुए निकले। जनता में
हमें लेकर बहुत उत्साह था। मुझे यकीन है कि उस रात दूर गाओं तक आग फैल गयी होगी कि आज हमने तीन डूड
लड़के मामाचारी चला कर फुजि की ओर जाते देखे।
इस यकीन का कारण यह है कि बहुत जल्दी ही हमारे पीछे से रेंगते हुए पुलिस की
एक कार आई और आगे जाकर रुकी। पोलिस वाले भाईसाहब
कार से निकल कर अपनी तरफ आने लगे और पूछे कि भई कहाँ जा रहे हो। ऐसी दशा में मैंने
एक गुप्त जादुई मंत्र पता लगाया था, कि हम Todai के गकुसेइ हैं। ये वैसे ही सीनियर्स
द्वारा बताई जानीपहचानी बात है कि कॉलेज-फेस्ट में DU की नवयुवतियाँ तुम्हारे लिए ही
आ रही हैं, बस एक बार नहा लेना। लेकिन उसके बाद पोलिस वाले भाईसाहब से जो बात हुई हमेशा याद रहेगी।
पोलिसवाले ने चेताया कि इस सड़क पर कई सारी चढ़ाई-ढलान हैं और अंधे मोड़ (blind turn ) हैं। तुम लोगों के पास न तो हेलमेट
है न ही कोई राइडिंग ग्लव्स (riding gloves)। ऐसा करो मैं एक सुरक्षा पट्टी
देता हूँ उसे पहन कर चलाना तो बाकी गाड़ियों को तुम लोग दूर से दिख जाओगे। फिर उसने कार की डिक्की से ३ चमकीली बेल्ट दीं और
हमें "गमबात्ते" कह कर आगे चला गया। पोलिस का काम सुरक्षा सही में होता है
क्या !
उसके
बाद गांव-देहात की जवान हवा से हाथ मिलते हुए, वृद्ध परन्तु बुद्ध वृक्षों का आशीर्वाद
लेते हुए हम देर रात यामानाका-को पहुंचे।
70 किलोमीटर की दूरी और 1500 मीटर ऊँचाई 12 घंटे में तय करने के बाद जब ओनसेन में बैठे तो सारी थकान मक्खन की तरह पिघल
गयी। सार्वजनिक सुरक्षा (public safety) के
लिए "lead by example " बहुत ज़रूरी
है और ये जापान से अच्छा कोई नहीं जानता। उसके
बाद पूरे पीएचडी भर जब कभी साइकिल चलायी, वो चमकीली बेल्ट अपने साथ रखी।
Blog No. 4, by Shreya Thusoo
Blog No. 5, by Gunjan Joshi
My association with UTISA began before I came to Japan. Since I knew no one in Todai I contacted the embassy to connect me to any senior in Todai. The embassy linked me to one of the senior UTISA members and thus began my journey with UTISA. When I landed in Japan, I was helped a lot by the people who had never seen me before starting at the airport when another UTISA friend who was on his way back decided to selflessly wait for me (even though my immigration took close to 2 hours :P ) My journey started with a bit of sickness as I caught chickenpox on my second week in Tokyo. I obviously was at my wit's end, having never experienced chickenpox before, I did what everyone does at the slightest moments of doubt. Googling symptoms on WebMD (we know what that always leads to. I then called up a UTISA friend who connected me to other members in Hongo campus, where I was advised to go for a check-up. This ordeal took hours, and on my train ride back home to Komaba, I wondered what this sickness brought to me apart from the virus. It brought to me friends. And though some of the people who helped me that day are now my closest friends, I think nothing beats discovering new friends in a foreign land in a doctor's clinic while simultaneously rolling eyes at the doctor proudly diagnosing chickenpox as acne…
And that kids ..... is how I met UTISA....... :D
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