An Indian 'Unindian' in India

It was a chilly Friday of January in Delhi. Much was anticipated from the trip to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, partly because it was a deviation from the usual winter shivers, and partly due to the vacation being sponsored. For a non-Indian who has lived across India, the diverse flavours in each quarter of its vast expanse will have been well-acquainted with. A North-Easterner (with mongoloid features) that I am, and having traversed the maximum of all corners of India, my being addressed ‘Unindian’ in my own soil pierces my soul at times. While Eastern India is known for sports, Western India, Rajasthan in particular, is renowned for its pompous forts. I was in to soak in the ‘in season’ of Jaisalmer. In my hometown in Manipur, I would welcome the January showers, but there I was, caged inside the four walls, to subdue the icy-cold weather with no sunshine. ‘I want to break free’, my ringtone buzzed. I picked up, not letting the song end. The voice from the other side whispered, “Meet me at the old Delhi junction at 5.25 pm”. My Ola driver dropped me right on time. I boarded from platform number 10. My friend was already seated. After a while of chit-chatting, we set our berths, side lower and upper, and rested unperturbed: the best part of a fortnight journey by train. The next morning, we hurriedly devoured the complimentary breakfast, and headed towards ‘Jaisalmer Fort’ and its vicinity. The city bewitched us with its locales of monuments constructed mainly of sandstones and lime mortar. The enchantment was all ours. At the counter, my friend gestured for two tickets with her fingers, handing over 100 bucks. The guard asked for 200 bucks more. “Why, Bhaiya?” my friend retaliated. “Madam, you seem to be accompanied by a foreigner”, quick came his response, while motioning towards my direction. I was immersed in the massive beauty all around. My friend shook me to slur a few words in Hindi. I was stunned for some seconds and replied hastily, “Main kya bolun? (What do I say?)”. The cashier smiled and handed us our tickets. In my head, I was totally unpleased. When will this conundrum end? Brushing aside my thoughts, we entered the highly embraced Fort. Once inside, we loitered around every nook and corner, and also the neighbourhood. It was mesmerizing. Every palace, temple, lake, fort, and even chabutara (raised podium) in each aisle of this city displays a grand touch of Architecture mastery with simple ‘sandstone and lime mortar’ work. Some adorn lime polish replicating polished marble. During our visit, we encountered a contractor, whose family and ancestors have worked for the Royals since ‘THIRTY-SIX’ generations. Unbelievable! I don’t know my great-great-grandfather. I was so intrigued I made a quick quid pro quo with him, his workmanship and my design. After a much accomplished period, we tried Rajasthani Ker Sangri curry (local vegetable cuisine) at the Top View restaurant, and called it a day. The chitter-chatter of the hotel guests awoke us. It was already 7.30 am the next day. The sun shone effervescently on the window panes. We ventured out, all geared up for the pre-booked adventurous Safari ride. The excitement was high to dwell in tents, while absorbing the sundry desertscape. The bumpy ride was compensated for by the experience of dunes and rides on healthy camels. The night invited with the exemplary folklore performed by local musicians. There were only five tents in the entire vastness of the desert. There was no network either. My mother needn’t be worried. She was pre-informed. Amidst the wilderness, our tent housed an amazingly hygienic attached toilet, a rare scene in Indian outskirts. The fact that I could tread this soil without a passport is a wonderful gift of being an Indian. All this beauty in diversity makes my ‘Unindian' looks a ‘Much ado about nothing’ (halfway through the iconic movie). For a sneak peek, I stepped outside. The moon hovered in the blue sky, the stars galore. Not everything is hunky dory in this life, yet each day is lived. On a happy note, we dozed off humming the melodious Rajasthani tune.

That Lonely Night!

            Life, after a certain age, becomes quite meaningful and yet, overwhelming, especially when you have to fight, to make a living everyday, all alone. Rhetorical it may sound, it still echoes the truth every fighter comes across, every single day.
            When days shine, you smile. Your smile aromatizes every place you tread on. The trail you leave shows a path to many helpless tramps. You are in a happy space and every little detail seems to vitalize every corner of your heart. You sing to serenade your love, with all your soul.
            It's so typical of me to over think and dissect every small conversation, we have ever had. The old adage, "Life is full of ups and downs", keeps recording in my mind. It makes me sad spontaneously, with an impulse I can't subdue.
            That night was no exception. I was so besotted by his charm that it could kill me any instant. He had promised he would come by. I waited and waited, but I could see only darkness approach. My loneliness and I became inseparable mates. We talked for hours. The night seemed long. It never ended. No amount of brainstorming session could separate me from my loneliness.
            I could hear the chirping of birds, giving me new hope, to begin a new day, to start afresh. It was twilight. At that moment, I could hear the doorbell ring.
            That lonely night finally passed.

Who am I to opine???

The woman walks topless. The viewers stare at her insanity. I just admire her beauty and hey, I'm straight, there's nothing wrong in appreciating beauty. I feel like defending her but who has given me that right? Who am I to judge??? 
As children, a girl can bask in the sun naked so long as her breasts don't start growing. A boy is only becoming a man, he can take off his clothes and still be normal at any time of his life. Who am I to comment on??? 
There's something wrong with the lady who doesn't want to get married. An unmarried man is very dedicated to his contributions. He sacrifices for mankind and mind you, it's not humankind. Shhhhh!!! I must keep mum, otherwise, no one will marry me, mustn't I???
I get periods and I buy sanitary pads too but the shopkeepers hand me those in black polyethylene bags. They are for hygiene and do I really need to hide? Who am I to decide??? 
Oh yes, I have PMS too every month but you must bear with me. Oh hell, no, you shouldn't, it's not your fault. Then again, who am I to advise you??? 
I fall in love and yeah, not just one time because I have a big heart and yet, I might sound like a slut. Hey, who am I to say that??? 
Telling a lie by elders and bribing a child with chocolates are all perks which I fail to fathom everytime. I can't speak it out because I am just a child and elders are supposed to be right. After all, they inhabited the earth before me. Who am I to voice against??? 
I can go on making mistakes. This is my life journey. How are you going to understand my sufferings, my helplessness? They shouldn't have committed the sin. How could they hit the teacher just because their son was punished for teasing a girl? This is horrendous. If they do, it's wrong. If I do, it's a necessity. Who am I to blame anyone??? 
I can't tell people we can minimize health hazards by examining the risk factors and balancing our body elements. I am not a doctor so why would they listen to me? Who am I to complain??? 
Children catch slangs very easily. It's quite natural so they're prevented from using them as it's wrong but it's very right for parents to use in front of them and you're not to intervene. After all, they're parents and they're always right. You're here because you were born to them. Your whole existence began because they brought you here. How can you even think of speaking against them? Who am I to intrude??? 
Everywhere in the world, many a lives are taken everyday for no reason by the so-called self-proclaimed powerful lot. You're not to revolt against them, you have to keep quiet. After all, their relatives are compensated. Really!!! Were their lives worth just a lakh? How much will your life cost then? Who am I to protest anyway??? 
Children prosper, they've a good father. They fail, their mother didn't give them a proper upbringing. And all this while, I thought parents would make love to make babies. If this is right, who decides how much and who is to be credited to or blamed for? I believe they have equal rights and duties. Who am I to balance??? 
I am a girl who just loves action flicks as I prefer less drama, both in reel and real lives and yes!!! I'm a lady and very much normal. Yet, who am I to blow my own trumpet??? 
Humans feel something else in their hearts, think differently with their minds and yet, what comes out of their mouths has no connection with either the heart or the mind. How will you be human if you speak your mind? You'll be alienated. Don't be a stranger, people kill strangers. Do you want to get killed? Who am I to opine??? 
I want to fly and live my life my way but baby!!! I have got no wings nor ways so how can I??? 
I live in an amazing dreamland and love to dream. I dream of a peaceful world but then, it's only a dream. Dreams are meant to be secretive, aren't they? I'm going to sleep to dream yet again. 
Peace out and in !!! 

The Green amidst the Blues!

Gone are the days when we used to find happiness in blowing balloons, sipping
a cup of hot coffee curled underneath a blanket on a rainy day chit-chatting with
our siblings, playing dumb-charade while fooling the other team. The community
feeling invoked by hide-and-seek games is all replaced by the competition of online
games. Dinner time stories get converted into intercom calls for room service.
Are we intellectually evolved or have we just become pseudo-intellectuals?

The robotic life troubles everyone, yet we seem to get accustomed to it more and
more with the seemingly approaching machine-age war. Every soul starts enjoying
solitude! Perhaps, the distrust, the betrayal, the frustration, the fears, the
depression, the pain have all traumatized the good heart willing to give, help, love,
sacrifice. The shells have already been cocooned even before being seasoned out.
Detachment is aspired more than attachment.

Amidst the chaos, one fine day, the child in me awakens remembering the promises
she kept to herself. Still young at heart, she travels to get replenished. Sure, she
does for she finds the greener side long concealed behind the intellectual idiotic mind,
all thanks to the good people she chances upon.

The happiness is all there---in the daily small activities which seem mundane, the
pollution-free roads, the sky, the nature bountiful enough to offer anything and
everything, the earth calling to be saved from the bad people, the love of the genuine
souls.

A silver lining exists even in minute things! Awakened, it's bliss to be alive!

Why I might be far richer than I possibly imagine?

A roof above my head and attires to shield my bareness, I lie snuggled up in my bed listening to my favourite playlist. I think of the days when I was a little girl, quite protected even by my younglings. Dreams as vast as the oceans hover above my sky, the horizon of which leads me on. The thought of basking in the sun leaves my skin bare. The tides rise to haunt me only to bring me back to reality. I shudder at this realisation. Time and again, I cleanse my vision with a few drops of eternal tears, sometimes out of fear, sometimes out of love and sometimes, out of loneliness. With much efforts and understanding, weaknesses become my strengths and loneliness suddenly converts to solitude. Perhaps, I am happy from inside. I have a lovely family one can ever have and some friends worth a lifetime, a few nice acquaintances too and of course, I love my work. I don't get murky with fights nor do I get jeopardised. Maybe, I am far richer than I possibly imagine!

The Ambiguity of a Combing Operation

“The disturbed land”, the article on the local newspaper brings chills to Peaky’s peaceful life since long. Tears roll down her cheeks as she experiences a flashback of the day she witnessed a combing operation at a tender age. Combing operation generally refers to a military operation in the lookout of any suspect at any random place.

Strikes, protests, bandhs, curfews were common during those days. In spite of this, it pains Peaky to realize there was no specific reason for the occurrence that fateful day.

As usual, Peaky was basking in the sun when suddenly, a few men in uniform entered their courtyard. She shivered at the sight, unable to ask anything. Sensing trouble, her mother pulled her aside. Their old home housed an attic below the pitched roof. The operation was carried out in full swing in the locality. Everyone was assembled at the central area, the old and the young alike. No one was exempted.

The military men stood at the threshold of Peaky’s house. One quick glance at the loft was about to make them question her father, when something unusual struck them which left them spellbound. Just beneath the attic, at the central pivotal spot of the lobby, hung the portrait painting of ‘Swami Vivekananda’. It was made by her father.

To everyone’s surprise, the painting spared them the haunting agony, usually accompanied with such operations. Nonetheless, her bachelor uncle was summoned to be present at the locality’s club area. He was let go after a few interrogative sessions.

Such an incident at childhood often leaves scars in one’s mind. However, the innocent Peaky believed in prayers. Every evening, she would pray for a better and peaceful Manipur.

The prayers of a young and pure mind are seldom left unanswered. Over the years, Peaky’s city gained momentum towards constructive works. People became more focused on collective progress. The number of curfews and strikes reduced exponentially. Although, time and again, unrests, outbreaks do take place.

As an adult, Peaky still tries to understand the happenstance of that combing operation.

“Was it really necessary?” she frequently questions herself. However, it seemed rather ambiguous. She concludes certain things are beyond our understanding. They are better left that way. She continues praying as she has always been.

Amen!

5 Places in Manipur, India as serene as nature (SEO Sample)

People in Manipur are always busy with their daily mundane activity, sometimes leading to stress and frustrations out of which spring the deterioration of their health. They need an escapade not far away from their livelihood and yet close enough to vanish into the bounty of nature. They need to get replenished for a better living. This post brings to you top 5 places in Manipur as soothing as nature.

1.     Loktak Lake, Moirang

Loktak Lake, located near Moirang in Manipur, India, is the largest freshwater lake in North- Eastern India. The presence of floating phumdis makes Loktak the only Floating lake in the world.

The socio-economic and cultural life of the people is highly influenced by this ancient lake. The traditional fishermen construct khangpok (huts) on these phumdis, the lake being the only source of their livelihood. Its ecological status and biodiversity values attract tourists from different places all year round. The views and landscape the lake creates add to the scenic beauty of the lake. The bountiful lake invites people from all walks of life. The enthusiast, the loner alike come looking for peace towards the awe-invoking lake. Regional films are shot here from time to time. The travelers can have the taste of the local heikaks which are a good source of various nutrients. 

2.     Leimaram Waterfall, Bishnupur

Only one of the three waterfalls of the “Sadu Chiru falls” is usually frequented by the public owing to its location near the foothills. The proximity of the waterfall to Leimaram has led to the coinage of its popular name, “the Leimaram waterfall”. Quite picturesque and splendid, with a picnic spot, the waterfall has become a major tourist attraction of the state. It is often used as an idealistic backdrop for many Manipuri pop albums. Families and couples alike visit this waterfall, not only to have a calm environment but also to spend some quality time, admiring the vistas the surrounding offers.

3.     Santhei Natural Park, Andro

Santhei Natural Park, located at the foot of the ever popular Baruni hills, is fast growing as an enthralling tourist destination. The natural Park has a stream overflowing which adds to the enchanting views captured in the bosom of Mother Earth. Properly maintained, the entire area hosts an aura of hygiene and order. One can enjoy Manipuri special pakodas along with local wine available with the road-side vendors.

4.   Singda Dam, Singda River, Kangchup

Singda dam, located about 20 kilometers away from Imphal, the capital of Manipur, is the highest mud dam in India. The drive to the dam is bewitched with picturesque sceneries juxtaposed with paddy fields and lush green hills. A popular picnicking spot, it hosts various hiking activities. The dam not only provides drinking water to greater Imphal but also offers proper irrigation facility to its nearby area. It also houses an inspection bungalow.

 

5.   Kaina Ching, Imphal-Yairipok Road

Kaina Ching, located about 29 kilometers away from Imphal, on Imphal-Yairipok Road, is a beautiful hillock, believed to be a sacred place for the Hindus. Schools organize picnic parties at this cinematic spot. The wonderful stretch of land helps people heal by simply walking and absorbing the vastness of the area. The Temple in the Kaina Ching gives the worshippers an opportunity to get emancipated while enjoying the serenity of nature.

So, next time you plan your visit to Manipur, accommodate these top 5 destinations also in your list. You never know! You might get healed from your own stress and rejuvenated. Nature invites you all.