Hrithik Roshan’s character wasn’t exaggerating in the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara when he described his first scuba dive as magical. My scuba diving experience at the Havelock Islands in Andaman was no different. The water was a bit choppy (as were my insides) when the boat was taking us to the location of the dive which was about a kilometer away from the shore. Though I was excited about the dive, I was naturally a bit nervous about staying underwater for thirty minutes. My nerves subsided in a minute or two post diving off the boat, as I got comfortable breathing through my mouth using the regulator in the water. And as soon as this happened, I could feel a sense of immense peace and calm. As the white noise (which I think is a default setting in all of our lives) completely died down underwater, I became aware of each and every breath I took. Marine life is beautiful. The vision is still crystal clear in my mind. Schools of different species of fish swimming around stunning corals of various forms and colours against a beautiful shade of marine blue. It was unlike anything I had seen before. To my utter delight, I also found Nemo. I lost track of time during this entire experience. I remember feeling aware of everything around me. I could feel every sensation. I felt alive. In retrospect, I think this is what living in the moment and being completely present means. Those thirty minutes were undoubtedly among the most peaceful times of my life. I’m definitely going back to Havelock to become a certified diver in the near future
