Tuesday, August 31

Leisure

I see a dragonfly hover over the dry twigs in my backyard. The twigs fallen from the small shrub that will shed its leaves with the advent of winter (which is not very far now in the north-eastern part of India). The dragonfly finds a suitable place to settle down. Its glossy brown wings match the exact color of the background of earth and twigs to camouflage its body and to save it from being eaten by the possible predators.

There are also a few butterflies fluttering amidst the flowers – mostly in duos, probably it’s their breeding season. They appear in so many brilliant hues of black, blue, yellow, white and what not. The butterflies hang around each other to appeal their mates and seek a chance of union with them. The planet grows and this is the season of growth. There is love in the air and beauty lies at the horizon for everyone to admire.

New leaves are sprouting on the mango trees in my yard. Their pinkish-greenish hue imparts such an incredible look. The retreating rains are the season of growth and reproduction for almost all plants and animals. The environment is abuzz with life and beauty. Even death is beautiful, sometimes. The fading yellow leaves in another plant contrast well with the blossoming soft new petals and leaves.

The nullah (rivulet) behind my house shows the transforming clouds on the blue background. Gaze at the shifting shapes and you will feel a sense of motion inside you. They drift your soul off to a new and splendid world altogether. There are many shapes created and smudged in minutes by the almighty wind.

I come back to reality and look for the dragonfly, but it is gone. Perhaps, it has found its mate and has gone to create a new universe for them.

I’m blessed with the leisure of being able to observe them, appreciate them and love them. The leisure to even have a glance at them is rare. I’m lucky.

Rain drops

I see the rain drops
From my windows
They fall on the open petals
The lips hold them and mine
The drops fall on my heart
As first drops on mud
The feel is refreshing
It’s blissful to bathe in rain
Each drop heals the pain
The flowers are cheerful
My lips are quenched
I see the rain drops smile

Wednesday, August 25

YOU

Bliss to me is your beautiful smile,
Smile that reaches your eyes and my heart
My heart elates with warmth of your smile
The brown eyes mesmerize me
Hypnotize me, tie me to you
I think of them with every beat of my heart.
They keep watching me wherever I go
The honey of eyes flow to my heart
Sweetens my life and love.

Tuesday, August 24

Scared

I’m scared. For the first time in my life I’m seeking approval. I do not fear rejection here, as I know she liked me. As a matter of fact, that is what is making me all the more nervous.

I was scared to death and was shaking in anticipation during our first meeting. I had been told that she is very strict. I immediately recognized her despite the fact that I had never seen her before, save in the 20-25 year old photograph. Her presence made me relax. She oozed warmth and calm. She was so sweet and motherly. She was scrutinizing me, of course, but her way of questioning me never made me feel awkward. I liked her in the very minute, however was unable to figure out if she liked me or approved of me. Later on, I came to know that she liked me.

Now, when the real test for everything begins, I’m scared again. I do not want her to dislike me, my work, me as a person or anything for that matter. It will not be good start for us and our relationship. I want her to approve of me and then modify, teach me, train me. I know that I need to improve and learn if that begins with a sense of dislike then it is not the sign of a healthy relationship.

I seek to understand and get to learn at least something from the vast knowledge she has. She would be the best teacher I ever had – if she agrees to take me as her student and her daughter. I want to earn it. I want to make things good – for a better life. I want it to work. I will be extremely lucky to have her blessings and her presence in my life.

God bless me please.

Thursday, August 12

Marriage Gyaan


Well, marriage is an interesting topic of discussion for people in India. It is considered to be the most essential part of Hindu life aka “Grihasta Dharma”. It is one of the ways, following which a person opens the gates of heaven for himself. A girl of marriageable age is the matter of concern not only for the family but for the idle relatives and family friends as well. Even if the parents do not want the girl to get married so soon (at the age of 22-23) relatives will coax them to hell and will ask them to find a suitable groom for the girl as she won’t get any good guys if she gets older.

A few points/Gyaan that I have been preached about marriage (as I’m so anti-marriage for me) are:

  • It is the conjugation of two souls and is made by God himself (as if He does not have anything else to do-Please ask Him to stop terrorism instead of making matrimonial matches).
  • Your life partner creates ways for you for a better life for both of you (I never understood this point though, so, kindly do not ask what it means).
  • You will remain alone for the whole of life and there will not be anyone to take care of you in adverse situations.
  • People mentioned this point very subtly – So I’m putting it their way with my explanation included. After a certain point in time, people start to feel alone and they start to feel the need (Carnal desires taking over your sense of morality) of a partner in their life.
  • It is a legal way to bear children and continue your generation.

Ok. Now that I do not see myself prepared for marriage anywhere in near future, I do not understand the reason why my family keeps pestering (no offence) me for the same. As per me, marriage is a very sacred institution and people should step into it with complete sense of responsibility. It should not be done under any moral obligations or pressure or emotional blackmail or any other similar stupid reasoning. I call them stupid, as they do not seem correct according to any parameters.

Forget that, I wanted to say that I do not intend to become an exhibition sample for anybody to come scrutinize me, saying that I’m dark, I’m too tall for the guy, I have a tattoo, I’ll have to work after marriage (compulsorily; I mean it’s my life and I should have the right to decide if I intend to work or not), and many more reasons. They will come have a look, talk for some time, leave and then will reject me for all Godforsaken reasons. The reason will not even make sense. Moreover, I would be rejected because even if the guy looks like BS, they would want a milky white girl with average features and she should be working. What the hell do they want, a robot?

Well, I’m not against the institution, but I believe it’s a little too early for me. I even don’t know whether I believe in arrange marriages or not and I’ve my set of reasons for that. Let’s hope by the time this showcasing of me gets over, I probably am prepared to get married and live happily ever after.

Wednesday, August 11

Travel through spaces

I have finally left Mumbai and it is a feeling that I cannot describe in words. I’m happy to go home to my family after long; on the other hand I’m feeling at loss to leave the city of dreams. The city is a part of me and has imbibed its qualities in me. The city flows in my bloodstream. I left Mumbai on the 3rd of August. The start of journey was a little “not happening” as the train started 3.5 hours late from the destination. I had enough of time to venture through the streets of Chembur, visit Udipi restaurant, Barista coffee shop and roam around the parks in rain. My plan to meet somebody was foiled due to the train delay and I missed it. I believe we shall meet some other day in near future.

Finally, the train left and the sinking feeling settled in my gut. I felt as if I’m leaving a very important part of me in the city. I love the place despite the good, bad and ugly situations faced by me here. It taught me to be strong and get over so many inhibitions. It made me understand that every person is special and they have their set of issues. It taught me to be a fighter in all the adversities. I loved every minute of my life in there.

If I would have believed in destiny then I would have surely said that if I’m destined to come back to Mumbai I will, for sure. However, in this situation, wherein I don’t believe in destiny - I will say that if the city needs me then it will call me back, or else, I will go wherever life takes me along its way. I am proud to have taken the decision to leave the city and not be a part of the race, though the race is in me and will be with forever. I love to run – in competition with nobody but me. How can one escape the race, you will have to stop dead. There will not be any motivation to sustain you. How can one live without any competition to thrive their existence.

I will find myself with some more food for thought...till then wait for another write-up honey....

PANGSAU PASS-PASSAGE TO INDO-BURMA RELATIONS

This article is a part of my sister’s college project...and I’m publishing this coz majority of people do not know much about Arunachal Pradesh...probably this will throw a little light on the region...

Pangsau Pass, 3727 feet in altitude, lies on the crest of the Patkai Hills on the India-Burma(Myanmar) border.  Pangsau pass is a passage in the mountain ranges that lie at the border. It opens twice a month, on 15th and 30th, to encourage trade and tourism between the two countries. Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh is the last stop in the Indian Territory towards Pangsau Pass. The pass became famous during the World War II as the initial obstacle encountered by American General "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell's forces, while constructing a land route to isolated China. The 61 km (38 miles) road that connects the Indo- Burma pass, from Ledo, is known as Stillwell road or Ledo road. It was also nicknamed "Hell Pass" during the war due to the fierce gradients and the mud that made the route difficult. Pangsau, the first Burmese village, lies 2 km beyond the pass to the east.

Today, the pass is considered to be one of the most important aspects to improve Indo-Burma relations, in terms of trade, tourism, and cultural identity. “The pass was made in 1945 during the second World War to connect to Burma and China through land. To enter Burma legally through the Pass one needs to get a pass from the administrative office (EAC), Nampong. It is an exhilarating experience. From the Pass we can see the ‘Lake Of No Return’ - a 15-km drive from Nampong down the historic Stilwell Road, around which many myths similar to Bermuda Triangle revolve. The Burmese people give you a very warm welcome. The local delicacies are mouth watering, the smile contagious, the responses cordial, and the attitude towards strangers amicable, which makes this place an ideal destination to visit”, said Mr. C. C. Singpho, MLA, 49 Bordumsa-Diyun assembly constituency, District Changlang, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the parliamentary secretary for the department of Handloom and Handicraft.

Burma, which is an extremely backward country, gets an opportunity to widen its business and trading options during these two days of every month. A very large section of Burmese people suffer from extreme poverty, however there a few people that own gold mines and are very rich. The local Burmese population faces acute shortage of certain basic amenities like salt, torch, batteries, etc. “The most popular product which Burmese people come to buy is bicycle. It is not available in Burma and even if it is, the rates are sky-rocketing”, adds Mr. Singpho. While the Indian visitors get to shop for various handloom products at extremely cheap rates as Indian currency is much higher than Burma’s. The expensive local artefacts are available for us at quite an affordable price. “If you are looking for traditional Burmese goods, Pangsau is the place. One can get beautiful handloom products without making a hole in the pocket. You can also get a taste of a wide range of local delicacies that are an absolute treat”, said Mr. Singpho.

Through this exercise, Burma also intends to improve tourism opportunities in the country. The country has many tourist attractions that come into spotlight during these two days. People not only from the ‘Seven- Sisters’, but also from far off places like Bihar, Bengal and other states, visit to enjoy the sceneries of this beautiful terrain. “I went there twice and it was a wonderful experience, both for my business and holiday”, said Mr. Beta Kimsing, a reputed businessman of Jairampur, Arunachal Pradesh, who runs various business institutions around the state including Handloom and local artefacts.

Pangsau Pass is the main hub of cultural diversification for the people of India and Burma. Relatives living on either side of the border get a chance to meet each other on these days. These two days, one can see the mixing of various tribes. Also, a temporary visa is provided by the administrative office to those people who intend to stay more than the given deadline. For this, the person has to inform a few days prior and go through the necessary interrogation.

One thing that defines Pangsau pass and the region around it is “The Pangsau Pass winter festival”, an initiative of the legislative speaker Mr. Setong Sena. Started in 2007, the festival has been a huge success ever since. The festival unfolds the serenity of this secluded place.offers international exposure to almost all the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. These festivities have altered a sweet sleepy town like Nampong, Jairampur and its neighbourhoods into global village or tourism hub. It has helped to integrate distinct tribes and cultures in the region that once drifted due to religious differences. This festival

The Pangsau pass winter festival is an unforgettable event which blends the joy of New Year to various ethnic amusements. The festival provides an enriching experience of Arunachal Pradesh and its culture and cuisine. Nampong, the venue of the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival, is an EAC headquarter for Changlang district (situated in the south-eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh). A small hilly town along the Indo-Myanmar border and Namchik river basin, Nampong is covered with evergreen tropical rainforest.

The festival provides us the heady thrill of the folk songs and dances, fashion shows, the ethnic food fiesta, traditional sports, the Pangsau Pass expedition, sightseeing, eco-trekking, boating on the Rima and Namchik river, Burmese culture, as well as visits to the World War-II Cemetery, the Border bazaar, The Lake of No Return and The Hell Gate, amongst other attractions.  The most interesting land mark which catches your eyes during the trip to Pangsau pass is the coffee garden in Jairampur. One can also see the aeroplane that crashed during the World War II stuck in a tree in the coffee garden. The jungle which spreads from Jairampur to Nampong is covered with the Rudraksh trees in wild.

“People from as far as Kashmir set up stalls at this festival at very affordable prices. It is a merger of colours, fun, games and food. Burmese also participate in the festival with full enthusiasm, which is held on the border for improving our relations with each other”, said Biswajit Paul, a resident of Jairampur.

Mr. Singpho also mentioned that Burma is one of the most backward countries with poor infrastructure. “India, being an advanced and powerful country, can help Burma build good roads to help them become a major trade centre as it has numerous gold and precious stone mines. This will also help the unemployed youth to become self-employed”, added Mr. Singpho. NEC (North Eastern Council) and Tourism Department of Arunachal Pradesh are working upon building better roads between India and Burma through Pangsau pass to improve trade options.

“Earlier excursion in Burma was free, but today it is restricted because unlike India, there is military rule. We get only two days in a month to visit the place and to top it, journalists, especially fair-skinned reporters, are not allowed to cross the border. We can only hope that Pangsau pass will lead to the betterment of people in Burma”, concluded Mr. Singpho.