70. Report - The fine

There are only 2 days left until departure. There is still no information about the exit permit.

 

In the evening comes Jalam, the policeman who has to take care of my all-round security in the temple prison. He says to check my email. – Indeed, now a message has come in from FRRO. I will be allowed to leave the country once the stipulated fine has been paid.

 

I control the amount of the penalty. During the interrogation last week, it was said that the punishment might not be applicable or that it was only minor. Now I see the amount - and I'm shocked: I have to pay 50,000 rupees - 600 euros. This is another extremely unpleasant surprise!! Besides, I don't have the money!

 

I put my hands on my face, close my eyes and see what's inside. It's good that I'm aware of this situation. It's funny - positively funny: I can feel my financial worries dissolving. Instead, there is confidence: I will also borrow this money and at some point I will simply pay the money back. It will work. Secure. It's not really a problem anymore.

Jalam starts to say something but I ignore him. I'm doing very well inside right now and I want to enjoy this state longer. My stomach and chest are pretty relaxed.

 

But Jalam keeps talking. "There is a solution (there is a solution!)" So I take my hands off my face, look at him and play unnecessarily offended: "What's that! I need 50,000 rupees. Do you want to give me the money?"

 

Then he says "Not me, but the Maharaj!" - I'm flabbergasted - what's that now!?" - Jalam explains a bit more. The Maharaj is very influential politically and financially. If I would go to him, bow properly to him and explain the situation, he could help me!”

 

I'm having a hard time trying this option because I suspect it's the Maharaj who started this whole mess. My pride forbids begging from him. But he has shown respect through small gestures in recent days. Maybe he even got a guilty conscience... I'll try it. My injured ego must not play a role now.

 

The next morning I have to wait in front of his terrace for a while. With the help of Google Translate and Jalam, I prepared the translation of my request into Hindi. – When I can go in to the Maharaj, I play him the prepared sentences. His head bows slightly. In the end, however, he looks at me briefly and signals that he will help me.

2 hours later I'm back with him. Some police officers came. He hands me a stack of money, the whole sum! One of the police officers photographs the act; someone else does the online transfer to the FRRO account for me. Shortly thereafter comes the official confirmation that I can leave the country the next day.

 

 

But the Maharaj goes even further: in a small ceremony he puts a saffron-colored shawl around me, the color of the Indian seekers of God. It is a certain honor with which he shows respect. He also hands over a book and a fine mala, a prayer chain, which has not happened to me before on this trip. And he brings a 20-foot pink cloth and has one of his followers tie it into a turban.

 

 

A turban!! It has been a secret desire since Maharashtra. On top of that, he hands me a few large bills as a personal gift. A few of his followers also bring money and touch feet. But the best thing is this moment: I look longer at the Maharaj with a relaxed, grateful and curiously amazed look. He notices and looks back. Then he comes and slaps me on the shoulder, laughing loudly.