We're driving from Gopalpur by Sea to Bhubaneswar and Ganga Singhji tells me that we've crossed 10,000 km in our trip so far. We left our homes a month ago in distant Delhi. At that time, it seemed like a task of mammoth proportions.

We had no idea how we were going to do shows everyday. We knew we were terribly excited and hoped our enthusiasm would carry us through. And it has till now. Even now, though we've done it for four weeks and are kind of pros, we spend tense hours every morning hunting for stories, for newsmakers and lining up our shoots.

Naghma and. I are constantly worrying - are we going to get it all in and all within our deadline? (it's become more tight since the Hindi show has moved to an earlier slot of 6.30). But every weeknight when the director says 'cue' in my earpiece at 7 pm, it all seems to fall into place. I hope this stands true for the rest of our journey as well.

Being a constant worrier, my concerns have changed a bit though. Now I wonder how I will ever go back to the newsroom. I report in Delhi all the time anyway. But after this assignment, when will I next have the thrill of doing a rally in Vijaywada, a live show on the road and breakfast in Vishakapatnam?

This one's going to be a hard act to follow.

Post-script: There is one problem. I've travelled more than halfway across the country, I've spoken to so many people who speak so many languages, but I confess, I still don't have a clear sense of who is winning. An ex-boss once told me that the key to predicting an election is just speaking to maximum people as you travel. I have done that but still can't figure out. I think the junta has got the better of a silly journo like me.