AURANGABAD

"Ankita the officer detailed as an instructor to Aurangabad had backed off due to his sister’s medical condition and even though I have a house in Aurangabad still I can’t go as I am going on transfer so will you go and take a few lectures ?” my boss Sanjay Sir rattled over the phone.

- Ankita Srivastava

I am always supportive and in alignment with my organization without even knowing where exactly this city called Aurangabad is. I casually asked him, sir, if there are other cities also where these training sessions are being conducted ?”

Yes, Pune and Goa” but since all instructors have already volunteered to go there; so you have to go to Aurangabad only. He replied plainly.

I somehow didn’t Google the place as I wasn’t feeling even a bit excited about this unknown destination of mine. While I got busy preparing my lectures, my office boy did my flight tickets. I got a not-so-happy seat on the flight. It was the last row middle seat and my washroom experience was bad too. One of the passengers had dirtied it beyond repair so after a long wait, I was offered the crew's toilet when they saw my remaining neutral excitement draining out of my body.

Thank god the prepaid taxi was prompt, polite, and reasonable at Aurangabad airport. In that short 20 minutes ride, the driver told me about Himroo and paithani sarees are famous in that place.

At the training institute, a bunch of unknown junior male officers ( who had arrived from pan India ) greeted me and I ensured I displayed only my formal demeanor all the time. Since they were all gentlemen, I didn’t know who I could take along with me to scout for a good paithani saree so I asked the coordinator. He told me about a famous shop called Mughal nearby. I walked to the shop and I was treated with utmost patience by the salesman when he explained to me the history and artwork of both Himroo and paithani sarees that depict the historical carvings of that city’s history in the weave and that paithani saree comes in bright colors as is worn by Maharashtrian women during religious and wedding ceremonies. I picked up a bright purple and pink paithani immediately.