TRAVAILS OF TOOTHLESSNESS - Part Three.Final Part.

TRAVAILS OF TOOTHLESSNESS - Part Three.Final Part.

I had written the blog series Travails of Toothlessness between August and November 2007.

I was 58 then and had just lost all my teeth with the extraction of the last tooth.
Even though I published the blog, I was not very happy.
I have redone it, and the revised edition of the 2007 Blog is being published now.
TRAVAILS OF TOOTHLESSNESS - Part One.
Part one covered my experiences about how I lost all my teeth over a period of 7 odd years.
TRAVAILS OF TOOTHLESSNESS - Part Two.
Part one dealt with how one's speech is affected and other incidental changes that occur after the loss of teeth

TRAVAILS OF TOOTHLESSNESS - Part Three, The last part.

Look at the extracted tooth; the root portion embedded in the gums is almost twice the size of the visible tooth. In some cases, as long as one cm. A wound a cm deep in the gum is not a laughing matter. You look at your jaw line, look at the root portion embedded in the gums, and you wonder and marvel at the fact that how 32 teeth were fitted so tightly in such a limited space of the jaw. God is great.
After the last tooth is extracted, the mouth is full of 32 wounded gums. Some wounds have healed, some are almost healed, while the recent ones are raw and painful. The healing takes time. Dentest give about a month to a month and a half before they call you for fitting the dentures.
That one month or a month and a half is full of challenges.
The diet of necessity turns liquidy. Breakfast is invariably porridge or such similar item. For lunch and dinner, Chapaties are put through the mixture grinder, the output is mixed with dal/vegetables and mashed by hand till you get a homogeneous slurry. Rice is not put through the grinder but given similar treatment till similar results are obtained. Then you more or less drink your lunch and dinner. All this for a month and a half. Thank God you have to go through such an experience only once in your life 😉
The dietary challenge is in addition to the challenges of a toothless, collapsed face, impairment in speech and saliva spray due to a few missing front teeth, though embarrassing, no doubt, but these are minor embarrassments and challenges compared to what is yet to come.
The biggest challenge during this period of a month and a half, between the last extraction and fitting of dentures, is totally unexpected and hits you out of the blue.
What happens is nature's response to all those wounded gums that need something to keep them infection-free and also help in the healing process. To do this body produces saliva. As we all know, Saliva, or spit, is a watery fluid made by glands in your mouth, mostly water (99%) but also containing proteins, enzymes, and minerals that moisten food for chewing/swallowing, begin digestion (starches), fight germs, neutralise acids, protect teeth, and help with taste and speech. In this case output of saliva increases manyfold to keep the gums almost submerged.
For this period, during which your gums heal fully, most of the time, your mouth is full of saliva.
The saliva quantity has to be controlled by occasional swallowing. A sort of suction has to be created before you open your mouth so that this excess saliva does not overflow.
However, in moments of carelessness, you DROOL !!!
If you are lucky, this can be when you are alone and if not so lucky, when in company. Unfortunately, this happens often as you have never experienced such excess saliva before in your life.
In those moments, you wish the earth to open up and you to vanish in that chasm!
Reminds one of the infant stage when such drooling could not be controlled, and one had to use a bib to protect the clothing and maintain hygiene!
It is for nothing that old age is compared to and is called "second childhood "!
After a month and a half, the gums are fully healed, and you visit the dentist. A mould is prepared. Another three or four days and you return to the dentist. You are fitted with dentures.
When you leave the dentist this time, in your mouth, you again have 32 teeth. These are no match to God given pearlies but you thank your stars and the technology because something is better than nothing.
Dentures are better than toothlessness 😁

Umed Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur.

 Umed Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur.

The year 2002.

Priti and I, just the two of us, were going from Delhi to Nagpur via Rajasthan, in our Maruti Car.  We visited Ume Bahavan Palace on 24 Jan 2002.

On our way to Umed Bhavan Palace, we did not see much traffic. In the final stretch, when we started climbing, our car was the only vehicle on the road. 

We reached the central courtyard of Umed Bhavan Palace. We were directed to the parking lot by a very imposing personality with an impressive moustache and a finely attired Rajput gentleman. After parking the car, we entered the central Hall. We were very politely asked whether we had reservations. When we told them that we had come to visit the Umed Bhavan Palace Museum, we were informed that we were in the Taj-Umed Bhavan Palace Hotel. The Taj staff then directed us to the Museum part of Umed Bhavan Palace.

The present generation of the Royal family still occupies part of the Umed Bhavan. Part was given to establish the museum, the remaining portion was taken over by the Tata group, who operated the Taj- Umed Bhavn 

The museum itself was not crowded. We went around the museum, looking at the artefacts on display. It was all very peaceful and quiet. We could take our time to view all the items on display.

 After seeing the museum, we again entered the Taj, reclaimed our car, and left with unforgettable memories of the grandest and the biggest private residence of an individual in the world, the  Umed Bhavan Palace. 

We had a colour camera with a colour roll with only 36 exposures. Took only two photos at that time. They are given here before the digital photos taken during the 2025 trip.

Fast forward to 2025.

Plenty of traffic all over Jodhpur. Halfway up the final stretch to Umed Bhavan, our taxi took the left bifurcation in the road and reached the tourist parking area, which was already full. Our driver offloaded us and went in search of a parking place. Purchased an entry ticket and after making payment took a guide ti guide us through the museum. The museum was full of tourists. Noise level was high, and our guide had to really raise his voice to make himself heard. Could not spend much time in front of the exhibits, as another guide with his group was urging us to make room for his group. In a way, we were pushed along the museum due to the pressure of the crowd and completed the round of the museum. 

What a difference between our visit of 2002 and 2025.

Umed Bhavan was the same Museum was the same but the joy and pleasure of seeing such a magnificent sight and the priceless artefacts were not at all the same. 

Greatly disappointed.

Umed Bhavan Palace 2002.

Umed Bhavan Palace 2002.

The painting "Rajputs In Battle With Mughals". 

It shows Rajput forces, led by Durgadas Rathore on a white horse, fighting against the Mughals, with the Mehrangarh Fort visible in the background. 

Painted by  Polish artist Stefan Norblin in the 1940s. 

Umed Bhavan main Visitors hall.

The painting.  The Triumphant Return of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman to Ayodhya from Lanka,

Painted by  Polish artist Stefan Norblin in the 1944 and 1946.  

It is located in the Royal Throne Room of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Text of this photo is given below.

Welcome To

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Home to HH Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur - Marwar

Umaid Bhawan Palace, last of India's great palaces and one of the largest in the world, was commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1918 1947) on Chittar Hill, southeast of the city hetween 1929 and 1944. Named after him, the palace is today the home of his grandson, Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur-Marwar and in part a luxury Hotel of immense grandeur

Built as a drought relief measure amongst many other Public buildings Dams, roads and schools, the Palace construction generated employment for over three thousand people for fifteen years at a total cost of Rupees 94,51,565.

Designed by Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a renowned Edwardian architect, the Palace integrates many Indian architectural styles still imbuing Rajput traditions.

This magnificent edifice with Three Hundred and Forty Seven rooms is one of world's largest private residences. Converted to a hotel in 1978, the Palace was thrown open to the public at large as a residential hotel. The private museum attached to the Palace contains a special exhibition on Maharaja Umaid Singh and making of Umaid Bhawan Palace

'The Life Style Gallery' recalls life in the Palace in the 40's and 50's with displays of Art Deco furniture, dining and writing sets and a special Sporting Section.

The Legacy Continues Gallery is dedicated to the present Royal Family and their interests and preoccupations.

A superb collection of antique clocks rounds off a memorable experience

In praise of the Monarch, a Plaque in the museum,

 The text of this photo, unfortunately, some parts are not legible, is given below.

Maharaja Umed Singh 

'The Monarch'

There is about Maharaja Umaid Singh something uniquely exciting, an extravagance of vision, power not only to dream but even to realise, in many ways, albeit on a smaller scale. not unlike that of the Mughals. He enjoyed polo. So he took his ..... team to England with an army of ponies and syces and Jodhpur emerged a world polo power. He loved flying so the Jodhpur Aerodrome became an international airport  (connecting) Delhi, with three trans-continental airlines stopping here

This family which which suaves many a modern day develoment project, gave rise to one of the largest and mest magnificent royal residences in the world and a dam that remained, half a century later, Jodhpur's main source of water.

Yet there was in him an astonishing simplicity, a grace he was born with and carried always, whether playing polo at Hurlingham or big-game hunting in Africa, salmon-fishing in Scotland or foxing at his sumptuous estate "Arranmore" in Otcumond (South India ). Feted in the most fashionable of salons the world over, he was as Chief Scout of the Marwar State Scouts Association, equally at home at a boy scout's camp on the dusty grounds of his palace! It was this simplicity and humility, together with his stature and style, that earned for the thirty-sixth Rathore ruler of Marwar the nickname "The Monarch" And it was always used with affection and respect

Scale model of Umed Bhavan Palace on display in the Place Museum.

View of Jodhpur from Umed Bhavan Palace.

View of Jodhpur from Umed Bhavan Palace.

View of Jodhpur from Umed Bhavan Palace.

View of Jodhpur from Umed Bhavan Palace.

On the Rocks, Jodhpur.

On the Rocks, Jodhpur. 

Anuj loves food. 

When visiting new places, when 'googling', along with places of attractions, etc, he also googles for 'best chaat in ( place to be visited)', etc.

Another good source is the driver of the local taxi you have hired for the duration of the trip.

From these sources, for Jodhpur, we got Shahi for Samosa, Surya for Kaochri, Chaturbhuj for Gulabjamun, Janta for Ghaver, Gypsy for Rajasthani Thali, and On the Rocks for Lal Mas (Red Mutton). 

Believe you me, we tried everything, and it seemed that the sources were not lying. 

Now it was the turn of  'On the Rocks'  for Lal Mas.

Located in a single-story block of about 10 odd shops with a frontage of only about 10 feet, sandwiched between Kanchhi Jewellers and GS Art and Craft shops,  'On the Rocks' did not look impressive at all. Looks were deceptive. Like an iceberg, it showed much less than what it hid. 

Once you enter, first sight to greet you is an impressive artificial 10 odd feet waterfall from the wall built of big rough rock blocks. The  Pintails, the Red Stone Cafe, and the Tipsy Buffalo Bar, in fact, the whole place is built using only big blocks of rock. Maybe the reason for its name. 

Thereafter, the property is fairly large. An open courtyard large enough to accommodate 15 to 20 tables, accommodating four diners. It serves as an open-air dining hall. There are a large number of huge 20 years plus- old trees and other plants and giving shade and a very good, close-to-nature ambience to this open-air dining hall. Sounds of bird calls and Chirping of birds further added to this close-to-nature feel. Only after a little while, you realise that these bird sounds are recordings. Lowering the volume may extend the make-believe close to nature feel. 

During the time of our visit, mid-November, it was very pleasant, and we decided to enjoy our lal-mas in the open dining hall.  

For starters, we had Mixed Non-Veg Platter and Bruschetta. For the meal we had, Jeera Rice, Tandoor Roti, Dal Tadka, Chicken Curry, and of course the Lal Mas. 

The starters were quite good, and so was the rest of the food. Lal- Mas deserved and stood up to its fame. 

 The service was good.

                                                       On the Rocks, Kaya, still in her photo shoot dress.                                                                                                                                                           

Kaya, her photo-shoot dress.at On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

The waterfall. On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

The Water Fall. On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

Indoor dining hall.

Tipsy Buffalo, the bar. On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

Open air dining hall, On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

Open air dining hall, On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

Bruschetta. On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

Mixed Non Veg Platter. 

Dal Tadka and Chicken. On the Rocks. Jodhpur.

The Lal mas, 

Tandori Roti

Jeera Rice.

Gypsy Restaurant- Review.

 Gypsy Restaurant- Review.

We were told, if you visit Jodhpur, go to Gypsy, famous for its authentic Rajasthani Thali.

So during our recent visit to Jodhpur, we did visit Gypsy. It is a 'Vegetarian only' restaurant.

The Gypsy occupies two floors. The ground floor caters for a wide variety of snacks and mini meals. From chats and snacks from North India, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, South Indian specialities, dosa, idly etc etc., not to be outdone in varieties, they also serve Continental, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean snacks.  Then there are iecereams, various shakes, etc Just mind-boggling varieties.

 Thali is not served on the ground floor; it is served on the first floor. Entrance is by a staircase on the side of the building.

When we reached, the dining hall was almost full, and we occupied one of the very few remaining tables. The place was doing good business.

So far as the ambience is concerned,  it was a purely business-like arrangement with putting in as many tables as was conveniently possible.

The table was already laid out with a thali with bowls neatly arranged, ready to be served as soon as the customers were settled.

 As soon as we had settled, there was a parade-like queue of servers, each with a serving vessel that had two types of food items. Each server called out the name of the item he was serving; this way, the customer knew what was being served. For example, the first one called out 'kadhi' and 'Raita'. Another one, 'Ker ' and 'Sangari', which incidentally are two of "the"  many Rajasthani cuisine items. 

Gradually, all eight bowls were filled. Further, the sides of the plate were also filled, then the centre, eventually the complete tahali was filled. Sweets and "churma" formed part of the centre serving. See photo.

Service was good. Waiters were going around asking for anything needed and serving the required items. 

Thali lived up to its reputation. Tasted typical Rajasthani dishes. found them a bit spicy for our taste. 

The Gypsy thali was good as a change.

Gypsy, Jodhpur.

Rajasthani Thali at Gypsy.

  

Konark War Musium.

 KONARK WAR MUSEUM.

As I am a retired Air Force officer and I was staying at the guest house of 59 Medium Regiment, located right across the road from the Memorial, we just walked across there, so I am unaware of the procedure. However, as the Konark War Memorial is located in Jodhpur Military Station, all civilians desirous of visiting the memorial are advised to check the procedure for entry prior to visiting the Konark War Memorial. 

A memorial where tanks, guns and aircraft are displayed dispersed over a very large and well-maintained area. Each equipment has a plaque giving brief details about the equipment. Very inspiring and well done.

The black top road leads you up to the heart of the memorial. You can either see the war equipment first and then go to the memorial proper or the other way around.

If you want to see the memorial and all the items on display, it may take an hour plus and involve a lot of walking. So be mentally prepared. Avoid hotter parts of the day for the visit.

Konark War Museum is one of the best war museums seen by me.

Its plan, layout and execution have been done very imaginatively and artistically and aesthetically. 

As you approach the memorial, you see a beautiful and grand sight of artistically engraved pillars and the statues of war hero awardees who made the supreme sacrifice, all arranged in a semi-circular pattern, further up, stairs climb through an enclosure where engraved plaques describe various battles fought by the Konark Corps and the nominal role of gallantry awardees who made supreme sacrifice in all those battles.

Climb further up, and there is the Grand Memorial Pillar topped with Ashok Lion embalm dedicated to the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland.

 The Grand Memorial Pillar is enclosed by circularly arranged, red sandstone pillars with a stone lamp post of stone jali . Each pillar represents a unit under the command of the Corps that participated in various wars. 

Behind this is the great 108-foot-tall tricolour falg post. 

This sight is emotionally overwhelming. 

On the left is Desert Corps Prerana Sthal. Engraved plaques mounted on red sandstone slabs give brief descriptions of six battles of outstanding bravery, Courage and sacrifice fought by the corps. These are: Raid at Chachro, the Battle of Khinsar, the Battle of Parbat Ali, the Battle of Lungewala, the Battle of Gadra City and lastly the  Battle of Islangarh. 

After reading these descriptions, you feel the name "Prerna Stahal", a 'place to inspire', is very apt.

Visiting the Konark Memorial was indeed a memorable and moving experience.

Just a couple of observations. 

The statues of the Heroes were all covered with thick covers. The desire of the unit to save these statues from the ravages of very harsh desert weather is understandable; however, it denies the visitors who come to pay their homage to fallen warriors a glimpse of their appearance. The cover of the statues could at least be removed in the early morning and late evening  hours when the weather conditions are not so harsh.

The approach to the tanks, guns and other equipment on display is either not there or not clearly visible. We had to go cross-country through rough ground. Not a pleasant experience. A properly marked approach path should connect all the items on display.

At the Konark War Memorial.

To commemorate the 'valour, courage and sacrifice of the desert corps warriors' as part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations, a major upgradation was undertaken at the existing war memorial estd on 26 Feb 05. 

A 'Prerana Sthal' has been dedicated to commemorate victory in six major battles fought during 1971 ops, along the western front in Rajasthan and Gujarat Theatres. 

To signify the might of indian armed forces and motivate future generations, a total of nine military equipment, including two Marut aircraft, are on display, suitably merging with the landscape.

 A 'Pakistani Sherman tank' captured during 1971 ops has been placed at the entrance of the war memorial with lowered barrel saluting the valour and supremacy of the indian armed forces. To enhance the aesthetics, an environmental park has been created, merged with natural surroundings, encompassing six new waterfalls & fountains, with over three acres of lush green cover and plantation of more than five hundred trees and bougainvillaea with white flowers signifying eternal peace to the fallen heroes. 

On the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Varsh and 36th raising day of the corps, the upgraded Konark War Memorial has been dedicated to Jodhpur Military Station

 by 

GOC and all ranks of 12 Corps 

on 

26 Feb 22 

Sword in line 24x7 x 12

Sunset at the Konark War Memorial.

Captured Pakistani Sherman Tank with lowered turret on display at Konark War Memorial

Sunset at the Konark War Memorial.

Sunset at the Konark War Memorial.

As you approach the memorial, you see a beautiful and grand sight of artistically engraved pillars and the statues of war hero awardees who made the supreme sacrifice, all arranged in a semi-circular pattern, further up, stairs climb through an enclosure where engraved plaques describe various battles fought by the Konark Corps and the nominal role of gallantry wardees who made supreme sacrife in all those battles.

Climb further up, and there is the Grand memorial pillar topped with Ashok Lion embalm dedicated to the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland.

 This is enclosed by circularly arranged, red sandstone pillars. Each pillar represents a unit under the command of the Corps that participated in various wars. Behind this is the great 108-foot-tall tricolour post. 

Konark War Memorial.

Dedicated to the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland

Grand memorial pillar topped with Ashok Lion embalm dedicated to the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland.

 This is enclosed by circularly arranged, red sandstone pillars . Each pillar represents a unit under the command of the Corps.

This sight is emotionally overwhelming.

View of Uned Bhavan from the Konark War Memorial.

At Konark War Memorial.

108 ft flag pole has been dedicated to the Konark War Memorial by the President's Flag Foundation of India in the presence of GOC Konark Corps on the occasion of Vijay Diwas (16 Dec 2022)

Desert Corps Prerana Sthal. Engraved plaques mounted on red sandstone slabs give brief descriptions of six battles of outstanding bravery, Courage and sacrifice fought by the corps. Raid at Chachro, Battle of Khinsar,  Battle of Parbat Ali, Battle of Lungewala, Battle of Gadra City and lastly the  Battle of Islangarh. After reading these descriptions, you feel the name "Prerna Stahal", a place to inspire, is very apt.

An enclosure where engraved plaques describe various battles fought by the Konark Corps and the nominal role of gallantry wardees who made supreme sacrifice in all those battles.

 

Camp - E - Khas.

 Camp - E - Khas.

The location of Camp E Khas resort is a bit off the main route in a quiet solitude.

The tents were spacious and comfortable. I do not think I have ever stayed in a place where an air conditioner and a heater as well, were provided. This was a thoughtful gesture because during this month, and particularly during our stay, daytime temperatures were high, and the nighttime temperatures were quite low, so both an air conditioner as well as a heater were required. 

Hotel staff have to be told to switch over from the air conditioner to the heater.

The food was good. 

The evening entertainment was also good. With one of the lady dancer giving good performance. Nimuda singer and Kerpal dholak players were also very good.

The staff was very helpful and met all our requirements. A particular mention of Mr Prem Singh, the Manager, he went out of his way to restore my backpack, which we had forgotten at the resort. The fact that the backpack was restored the next day at a place called Manavar Resort, at a distance of more than 200 KMs, clearly reflects the thought and the effort he had taken to return my backpack. Many thanks to him.

The Jeep Safari was not good. The jeep ride was just that, a mad rush at breakneck speed from the resort to the sand dunes. No resemblance at all  to a safari-like drive. It appeared that the sole aim of the driver was to squeeze in as many trips as humanly possible before sunset.

A comfortable and nice stay.

Near Reception. Camp - E - Khas. 

Tented accommodation at Camp - E - Khas.

Dressing Room. Camp - E - Khas.

Bath Room. Camp - E - Khas.

Toilet. Camp - E - Khas.

An area for cultural programmes in the evening.

Dining Hall and an area for cultural programmes in the evening.

Dining Hall. Camp - E - Khas. 

Dining Hall. Camp - E - Khas. 

Enjoying the evening. cultural show.

Enjoying the evening. cultural show.