I was in full concentration writing the second chapter of my ambitious project, a thriller spanning three continents when Deepika announced that she is going to Ranchi for a day to address the students of SAIL Management Institute. I instantly said, “Okay, I will come along and spend the day with Indrobodon. He recently had a cataract surgery; I will boost his morale.”

“But there will be others going with me, wouldn’t it look odd if you pile on?” Deepika protested.

“I am only taking the flight with you, that too separately, just tell me which flights you are taking, I will book accordingly,” I said calming her.

I informed Indro about my plan and asked him to book me a single occupancy room at the Royal Retreat Hotel, just a walking distance from his home. He protested and said, “Why don’t you stay with us, it’s a matter of one night only?”

“That’s the problem, my dear, it is the night that I am worried about because of the medical issues. In any case, I will be spending the whole evening and the morning with you guys. In fact, you will get tired of my relentless badgering.” I countered and prevailed upon him. I told him that I will share the flight details once booked and he will pick me up from the airport.

The Indigo flight took off after a 40 minutes delay but managed to cover up 20 minutes and landed at Birsa Munda Airport around 8:30 pm. The runway being short, the pilot had to apply a hard break to bring the aircraft to stop at the precise point of disembarkation. I had only cabin baggage and so did Deepika and her colleagues, we came out in double quick time. There was an uniformed chauffeur standing with a placard for Deepika & party, I too saw Indro and Tania at a distance, so we bade goodbyes and moved on for our respective destinations. Indro due to his cataract surgery was not driving and Judha, his son was at the hospital attending to patients, so Tania was driving. She drove quite well, even though she’s just learnt driving and still to get her permanent license. I asked them to drop me at the hotel to freshen up promising to join them at their home ASAP.

I reached almost simultaneously as Judha and we took the elevator to their home on the 8^th floor. The Roychoudhury’s had made elaborate arrangements to entertain me, Jagrata had made Taal er Bora (Palm Fritters) and Prawn Balls as snacks with the drinks. I had, once told Indro that in my home, the food preparation is always “fusion food” or an amalgamation of Bong-Panju cuisine making it a cosmopolitan affair. Therefore, I sometimes crave for typical Bengali cuisine, he had conveyed this info to Jagrata, who took it upon herself to feed me with Bong dishes.

The dinner was served as Thaali, with many items in bowls resting on it… the ones I recognised immediately are Shukto (some people call it Sukhtoni), a mildly bitter mixed veggie curry, Kumro Chhechki, fried pumpkin, Sona Muger Dal, Aloo-Kopir Dalna, Sorshe-Posto Chingri, Katla Maachher Kaliya. The last item though looked delicious; I declined as I am not a fish eater. There was plain basmati rice to go with these as also Tomato-Date Chutney to end the feast. Unfortunately, we got so enticed by the culinary display that none of thought of taking a single picture of the spread!!!

After dinner, we sat in the balcony taking in the night view of the city horizon and seeping Oolong Tea. The pet turtle of RoyChoudhury family has grown big, from about 4 inches in 2021 to about 7 inches now and quite agile… They have added two more little turtles in the family I offered it some cabbage leaf which it consumed quickly looking for more…

Later, Indro and Judha walked me back to the hotel but before that Jagrata told me not fill my tummy with hotel food and have breakfast with them at their home. She had soaked the dal and prepared other ingredients for Dhuska with Aloo+Chana in the morning.

The Manager at the Royal Retreat recognised me, having stayed there in 2021 for couple of days when I had come for Judha’s engagement ceremony. He insisted that I must try their breakfast platter consisting of the flavour of Jharkhand, interestingly, they too had Dhuska with Aloo-Chana sabji besides Lithi-Chokha. Out of curiosity, I tried both in small quantities, must admit, both were quite tasty enticing me to grab more but I resisted as the home-cooked Dhuska is waiting for me. I checked out of the hotel and proceeded for Indro’s residence.

The home-cooked Dhuska with Aloo-Chana is any day far superior to the restaurant variety and I ended filling up right upto my neck.

I wanted to see the famed Patratu Valley, especially driving on the serpentine road leading to the valley and dam. The distance is less than 50 km and takes just over an hour to reach. Judha suggested we take his Bullet 500 motorcycle and asked me, “Uncle, can you drive the motorcycle?” I used to drive a Yamaha RX100 long ago, in fact I haven’t driven a 2-wheeler for more than 2 decades, I told him so… “You try it out and get acclimatized with the machine within the complex, if are comfortable, then you must ride it to Patratu Valley, it’s an altogether different experience”, Judha insisted. So, we went down to check out the bike, these days, most of the bikes come with button start instead of kick start, a great thing for old people like me. After a bit of hesitation, getting used to the gear shift and breaking distance, I drove the bike inside the complex easily.

Patratu Valley offers a picturesque escape for travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences. Just 40 kilometres from the bustling capital of Ranchi, this once-forested area has transformed into a popular tourist destination. Our half-day excursion from Ranchi to Patratu was a scenic delight. The drive along the ghat roads was exhilarating, with stunning S-curves, hairpin bends, and panoramic views of the Pithoria-Patratu valley. We couldn’t resist stopping at a viewpoint to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and indulge in local golgappas. Indro had told me that we would be crossing the Tropic of Cancer on our way to Patratu Valley, on reaching the spot, we stopped to see the scenic surroundings and took a snap as well.

The Patratu Lake Resort, developed by the Jharkhand government, is a major attraction in the area. Located near the Patratu dam, the resort offers a range of water sports, including jet skiing, motorboating, parasailing, and thrilling adventure activities like wall climbing and bungee jumping. While we explored the resort’s facilities, the lake’s serene beauty captivated us.The thrill of driving up the valley through the winding roads and the desire to experience authentic Adivasi cuisine led us back to Ranchi, leaving us eager to return to Patratu for a more extended stay.

Indro introduced me to Ajam Emba, an authentic Oraon tribal-food eatery tucked away in Ranchi. The name, meaning “great taste and healthy food” in Kurukh, is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to preserving indigenous culinary traditions.

Stepping into Ajam Emba felt like entering another world. The rustic decor and murals depicting local life created an authentic atmosphere. The menu, rooted in Oraon traditions and the biodiversity of Jharkhand, featured dishes cooked in earthen pots and served on Sal leaves.

Indro expertly guided me through the menu, recommending Marua Chilka (finger millet crepe), Sanai Phool (Jute flowers), Bodi Sandhana, a curry made from bamboo shoots. and Beng Saag chutney. Each dish was a revelation, showcasing the unique flavours and ingredients of the region. Indro explained that Beng Saag is a versatile medicinal plant whose name is inspired by baeng (the Bengali word for frog), for the chorus of frogs announcing the rains coincides with the appearance of this saag. Our lunch ended with stewed desi chicken, sourced from rural markets.

After our culinary adventure, we headed to Tagore Hill, an iconic landmark in Ranchi. Named after Jyotirindranath Tagore, the hill is a treasure trove of history and culture. We explored Shantidham, his former residence, and admired the intricate reliefs on the boundary walls.

Brahma Sthal, a serene spot on the hill, offered a moment of peace and reflection. We watched the sunset from the hilltop, taking in the breathtaking views.

Returning home, we enjoyed a delicious barbecue prepared by Judha. We enjoyed whiskey with lovely juicy grilled chicken pieces while the Bengali feast was prepared by Jagrata and Tania. The early dinner was simple and light as per my desire. I had posto bata, mochar kalia and Pabda machher jhol. And then Indro and Judha dropped me at the airport where I joined Deepika and together we came back to Delhi and home. It was a whirlwind trip to Ranchi simply on a whim but thoroughly enjoyable.

Deepika and I decided to explore the natural scenic beauty of the Jharkhand at a more leisurely and opportune time in the near future, maybe I will be able to persuade few more Langotias to join.