Lost & Found – New Delhi Terminal 3
It was 29 years ago when I first took up the paintbrush and drawing pencil. Initially, I had no confidence in my artistic abilities, but I was determined not to give up. Slowly and steadily, with the support and guidance of my art teacher, I developed a burning passion for art. I started painting portraits, landscapes, nature, and all that I found beautiful. It was Mom and Dad’s wholehearted encouragement that spurred me to take my passion for art to greater heights.
In particular, Mom’s statement that once we have our own house we will frame and display my paintings on the walls. While I was at school, many of my paintings were selected to be displayed for state-level exhibitions. My parents preserved my paintings like their personal treasures, careful not to get a single scratch on them. That was 25 years ago.
In March 2024, while on a work trip from Bangalore to Delhi, I made a quick stop at my parents’ home in Bhubaneswar to pick up a few of my old paintings and bring them back with me to Bengaluru to get them framed and fulfill my parents’ cherished dream. The paintings travelled with me from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, then to Rudrapur, and back to Delhi.
However, on 23rd March 2024, while clearing the security check at the Delhi airport to catch my return flight to Bangalore via Air India AI 807, I somehow forgot to collect my paintings that were rolled up in a newspaper. I sat in front of Gate 55 in the T3 terminal, merrily chatting with a colleague, excited to return to the office and report on my successful work trip.
Mid-flight, as I gazed out the window, mesmerized by the beauty of the orange-blue skies, I suddenly recalled my paintings and realized that I had lost them at Delhi airport! The realization hit me with a jolt of anxiety. As soon as I deboarded at Bangalore, I rushed to the Air India counter and then to the Lost and Found Section of Bangalore Airport Terminal 2. However, no resolution was forthcoming as I had left my items at the Delhi Airport. With the help of the Bengaluru airport staff, I managed to get the contact for the Lost and Found Section at the Delhi Airport T3 terminal and called them repeatedly. On reaching home, I immediately drafted them a request by mail.
Since losing my mom to COVID-19 two years ago and my dad 10 months ago, I’ve been trying to honor their every word, thought, and wish, which is why these paintings were very dear to me. I spent two sleepless nights calling the Lost and Found Section 5–6 times a day and through the night as well. However, every time the response was, “No such items have been deposited with us yet”. It was an emotionally draining ordeal. I started praying deeply to recenter myself and get my missing paintings back. Two and a half days later, I received a response to my mail from the Delhi T3 lost and found that an item matching my description had been found however the contents could not be confirmed till I went over to physically verify it with proof of ownership or authorize someone to do it for me. Luckily, two of my colleagues were travelling to Delhi the next day for an official function and I was able to send all the details through them, keeping the flame of hope burning in my heart. My desire, determination, and prayers to receive my paintings became stronger and more powerful. On the evening of 28th March, my colleagues collected the paintings after confirming they were mine through a video call, and on Monday, the 1st of April, I finally received my paintings in hand.
To quote my life mentor, Mr Daisaku Ikeda, “To feel gratitude to one’s parents sounds like a trivial thing, but this is the mark of true maturity and growth as a human being” and, “People whose hearts are full of gratitude and appreciation are truly beautiful. A humble heart is the wellspring of great growth and development”. I offer deep gratitude to every single life I encountered during this ordeal who prayed for me and supported me to retrieve my cherished art.
