Arunima Rao

Thanks to Indigo, I got stuck in Patna for 36 hours!

Had gone to Patna for a friend’s wedding - that was the fun part of the trip. But after that the downfall of the entire trip started - after staggering the delays of my return flight, Indigo eventually cancelled my return flight back. No proper communication about the delays too - I just kept checking third-party sites to check the flight status and figured. Then they eventually sent the cancellation message - absolutely no transparency about what’s happening

Tried to find trains and flights out of Patna but everything was either insanely expensive or booked already. Local travel agents also gave up. I didn’t even have enough clothes for this indefinite delay because I’d packed for a wedding. So went ahead and did some last-minute shopping.

I thought of different permutation combinations. My mom back home booked a vande bharat to lucknow and another ticket from lucknow to delhi. But unfortunately even that couldn’t get confirmed on time.

Thankfully, my brother found a ticket available in a previously-sold out Air India Express flight via HDFC smart buy. I was mentally prepared that it would get cancelled but tried my luck (paid an inordinate sum too but no other option)

To kill time, I ended up exploring Patna with other folks who were stranded like me. We tried local street food like batata puri, til k*t. I particularly LOVED visiting Bihar museum - such a wonderful curation. Just tried to look at the glass half full in this entire chaotic experience

It worked out and I’m now in Bangalore but man I wish Indigo had communicated better so that I can plan my life out. V unexpected turn of events.
6e

Tag someone who wants to study abroad! ✈️Ever wanted to study abroad but found it too expensive? Well, I felt the same way but getting a Charpak scholarship opened a lot of doors for me. And till date, that opportunity has helped me make some of the fondest memories of my student life 📚 Want to know more about how to study in France on scholarship? Well, Choose France Tour 2024 is happening in October. Details are on French Institute in India! Which course do you want to study in France? Comment below! 👇