Representing India In China · Story 02
How a denied Hong Kong transit turned into an unexpected route through Bangkok and Shenzhen
While G. Anumitha and G. Siva Narayana were battling injury, weather and cancelled flights to reach Delhi, Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar, Member of the Indian Memory Sports Council and Trainer to G. Anumitha, was preparing for his own journey to Sanya.
His journey would take an unexpected turn.
The Original Plan
Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar was scheduled to travel:
Hyderabad → Delhi → Hong Kong → Sanya
His Hyderabad–Delhi flight was scheduled for the night of 5 December 2023.
From Delhi, he would travel to Hong Kong and then continue to Sanya, where he would meet G. Anumitha and G. Siva Narayana.
G. Anumitha and G. Siva Narayana already had valid Hong Kong visas from their earlier participation in the Hong Kong Memory Championship in August 2023.
Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar, however, had applied online for a Hong Kong visa, but it had not been approved.
There was no longer enough time to obtain an offline visa.
The Transit Assumption
Since Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar was only changing flights in Hong Kong and had a valid Chinese visa, he understood that a Hong Kong transit visa would not be required.
The travel agent also confirmed the transit arrangement.
With that understanding, he proceeded with the journey.
The Problem At Delhi
Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar reached Delhi and arrived at the airport around 2:00 AM on 6 December for his early-morning flight to Hong Kong.
At check-in, he was informed that he could not board because he did not have a Hong Kong visa.
Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar explained that he was only transiting through Hong Kong and continuing to China.
But the airline maintained that the required immigration arrangements would not permit him to board without the visa.
There was no way forward.
He was denied boarding.
G. Anumitha and G. Siva Narayana continued their journey.
Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar remained in Delhi.
Back To Hyderabad
After dealing with the situation through the night, Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar booked a return flight from Delhi to Hyderabad.
After reaching Hyderabad, he spent the day resting after the exhausting night.
For a moment, it seemed possible that the journey to China might end there.
But one thing remained clear.
He still had to reach Sanya.
A New Route
On the morning of 7 December, Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar decided to find another route.
The new plan was completely different:
Hyderabad → Delhi → Bangkok → Shenzhen → Sanya
He travelled from Hyderabad to Delhi again on 7 December.
From Delhi, he flew to Bangkok on 8 December.
From Bangkok, he continued to Shenzhen.
Then, on the morning of 9 December, he took the final flight from Shenzhen to Sanya.
Finally, Sanya
After multiple flights, an unexpected return to Hyderabad and a completely new international route, Dr. P. Srinivas Kumar finally reached Sanya, China, on 9 December 2023.
G. Anumitha and G. Siva Narayana had already reached Sanya through Hong Kong.
The journey that had started with a simple travel plan had taken a completely different path.
But the destination had finally been reached.
The Indian team was now in China.
And there was one more small but important problem waiting to be solved.
The Indian flag had been left behind.
To be continued…
Continue The Journey
Previous Story: The Journey That Almost Didn’t Begin
Next Story: The Flag Holds Its Own Story
