Over the Arabian Sea, on to the Kutch peninsula and finally Bhuj, dry, windy, arid and Air Force station armed, one looks down upon the passing land with awe and wonder. Miles and miles of grey brown muddy landscapes, dried rivers and ocean tributaries making their limited invasions into the mainland appear as though painted by hand on a large and unending canvas.

The airport in Bhuj has been newly constructed. The devastation from the horrible earthquake when the entire city was destroyed looms largely from each corner. A sizeable posse of government administration meets me at the aircraft and as we clutch all our loose belongings in the storm like wind conditions, we make our way gingerly to the exit amongst hundreds of locals who have, armed with their mobile cameras and waving screaming hands, gathered outside to give me a warm welcome a la Garvi Gujarat style !!

I feel blessed and honored that even in this remote corner of my country there are still some who show affection. Some who still value a contribution that I may have been able to make in my career. For, events that unfold at times, give you that impression that we are indeed of no great substance or worth. Anyway, that is another story.

A farm house accommodation has been prepared, 7′ feet bed and all !! A photograph of it has reached the front pages of the media. A bed, in the front page of the media ?!! The less said the better.

I check in and check first the internet connect. It works, albeit slowly, but it works. And as soon as that is confirmed in my mind I trundle off to the shoot. Different costumes, different looks, first impressions all keep pouring out until finally when they dress me up in the traditional Kutch i costume, the smiles and expressions of the entire creative team seems to spread wide and far.

Abhishek PINGS from Istanbul about Bhuj, about his first shot ever that he gave in the city location for his very first film Refugee and that feeling of nostalgia that seems to overcome him.

Bhuj or is it Kutch, is the largest district in India and Gujarat produces the largest quantity of salt in the country, about 80%. And the major portion of that salt is made in Bhuj. Over dinner the administration talks about the various sites of importance that the state possesses and how promoting tourism would bring out that one aspect of the region which is not heard so frequently of.

Abhishek PINGS again to inform me that the food is delicious in the city. I wonder if I would get time to go to one of these restaurants - ordinary common man settings, but exceptional quality of food. May be not.

I am stationed here for a while and then shift to the other regions, but the interest of the campaigns and its benefits have already started trickling in. My next stop after a few days will be with the lions in the Gir Forests and a major hotel chain owner had opened a facility there and closed it for lack of visitors. Coming to learn of my visit he has informed the authorities that they start business again ; an anticipatory action expecting trade to go up. Happy !

The 7′ specially built slumber facility awaits me in the adjoining room, as I endeavor to send to you a small flavor of the day …

From Kutch with my prayers and love ..

Amitabh Bachchan