‘बाह्र छोरा तेह्र नाति बूढाको धोक्रो काँधैमाथि’ यो युक्तिसँग ठ्याक्क मिल्दाजुल्दा पात्राहरू हुन् यी दुइ बृद्धहरू। उमेरले डाँड़ाको घाम। अनुहारमा निराशा अनि कुण्ठा। साहराविहीन जीवन। खाना र लाउनका लागि पुगिसरी छैन। हो, यसरी नै बित्दैछ सत्तरी वर्षीय मनबहादुर तामाङ र उनीको श्रीमतीको जीवन।दक्षिण सिक्किमको मल्लीस्थित पाँचघरे गाउँमा यी बृद्धहरूको बसाई छ। उमेर हुँदा पाखुरी बजाएर बारीखेती गर्ने दुइ ज्यान अहिले कमजोर भइसकेका छन्। बस्तीमा बाँझो खेत, सुक्खा जमिनमा उनीहरू आफ्नो सास अड़काएर बसेका छन्। रात काट्न दुइ कोठाको घर छ। अवस्था दयनीय छ। स्यार-सुसार छैन। माटोले लेपेका भित्ताहरू भुइँमा खसिसकेको छ। आकाशको पानीले काठपाठ मक्किसकेको छ। छानाहरू हावाले उड़ाइसकेको छ। कुनै पनि बेला ठूलो हुरी चले घरै उड़ाएर लाने अवस्थामा छ।

हेडलाइन सिक्किमकी पत्रकार अन्जिता राजालिम यी बृद्ध दम्पतिबारे स्थानियहरूबाट खबर पाएपछि उनीहरूको गाउँमा नै पुगिन्। एक जोड़ी बाख्राले आँगनमा नै घाँस खाँदै थियो। मनबहादुर तामाङ धुलाम्मे भुइँमा घाम तापिरहेका थिए। श्रीमती पनि छेउमा नै थिइन्। उनीहरूले आफ्नो कथा सुनाउन थाले।

“छोरा नातिहरू जम्मै गान्तोकमा छन्। लाखा पाखा लागी हाले। हामी दुइ मात्र छौँ। राशनपानी,सौदापात उनीहरूले नै पठाइदिन्छन्।” बोजुले भनिन्।

गाँस,वास र कपास आममानिसका प्राथमिक आवश्यकता हो।तर यस्तो बुनियादी अधिकारबाट पनि बञ्चित छन् यी दुई बुद्धहरू।

यति लामो समयसम्म पनि दुःखको दिनहरू काटिरहेका तामाङ दम्पतिको दुःख न सरकारले सुन्यो न गाउँका पञ्चायतले देख्यो। जंगलबाट दाउरा ल्याएर खाना बनाइ खान्छन्। पञ्चायतबाट वितरण गरिने ग्यास चुल्हासम्म पनि नपाएको उनीहरूको गुनासो छ। गाउँका पञ्चायतले धेरै चोटी सहुलियत दिलाइदिने आश देखाए पनि अन्तमा कागज-पत्र फर्किएर आएको छ भनेर पन्सिने गरेको दुवैको भनाइ छ। उनीहरू बस्ने घरको अवस्था रामो छैन। हावा बतासले घर लड़ी पो हाल्छ कि पीरले दुवैलाई सताइरहन्छ। यसैले हाल उनीहरू छिमेकीको घरमा रात काट्ने गरेका छन्। तर त्यो घरको अवस्था पनि उस्तै छ। उनीहरूका घर बनाइदिन्छु बनेर धेरै चोटी विभागले फोटो खिचेर लगेको छ। तर नयाँ घरमा बस्ने सपना केवल सपना नै रह्यो। घरको धुरीमा लगाएका राजनैतिक पार्टीको झण्डा बदलियो। सरकार र मन्त्रीहरू बदलिए। तर उनीहरूको जीवनको दुखदायी कथा कहिले बद्लिएन। यी दुइ बृद्धहरूका जीवनले शास्ती नै भोगिरहेको छ। अब बर्खा लाग्न आटेको छ।

पानी पर्दा कोठाहरू जम्मै आहाल हुन्छ। पोहोर पनि भेलपानीले निकै दुःख दिएको उनीहरू सुनाउँछन्। जसले गर्दा आफूहरूको घर सरकारले नयाँ बनाइदियोस् भन्ने उनीहरूको ठूलो धोको छ।

“मेरो यति घर बनिए कति धन्य हुने थिएँ!” सुस्केरा हाल्दै बृद्ध सुनाउँछन्। यी तामाङ बूढाले झाक्कलझुक्कुल बृद्ध भत्ता पाउने गरेको बताउँछन्।

लामो समयको अन्तरालमा अचानक पाउने गरेको चार-पाँच हजार राशिको भत्ताले उनीहरूलाई एक छेउ पनि पुग्दैन। बोजुले पनि साठी वर्ष काटी सकिन् तर उनको नामको बृद्ध भत्ता पसेको छैन। हालको सरकारले त उनीहरूको दुःख देखेनन्। तर गाउँघरमा परिवर्तनको लहर चलिरहेको घटनाबाट भने तामाङ दम्पति अनभिज्ञ छैनन्। यो राज्यमा नयाँ सरकार आए उनीहरू मात्र होइन, उनीहरू जस्ता गरिब मानिसहरूको जीवनमा पनि परिवर्तन आउनेछ भन्ने आशा र उत्साह पनि मरीहालेको छैन।

Writes: Bipal Rasaily

The post A Village Awaits Development: विकास पर्खेर बसेको गाउँ appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

For the last couple of days, members of the Drivers’ Welfare Association plying on the Balasun-Ringtong-Margaret Hope roads took time-off and spent time clearing the road and filling potholes to make the road fit to drive. However, there is only so much they can do without the necessary equipment and expertise.

A member of the association while speaking to TheDC states “Today, many students who were going to schools in Sonada returned home because they couldn’t walk through the road. Our association members did not ply taxis yesterday because we had to fix whatever little we could on the road. The residents and especially old and sick people are trapped here and unable to go out of the village. How long can this continue?” He asks.

An audio message sent by BA-RI-MA Drivers’ Welfare Association states that the major problem lies in the 7 Km stretch between Balasun to Gorabari, which include some deep turns and a huge waterlogging problem during the monsoon. He states that there are about 23 culverts installed in the 7 km stretch, at every 10 meters but without any proper survey or planning. He alleges that the culverts are erected in places where there is no drainage requirement, but those places that need a culvert don’t have one.

The audio states “while we understand there are business interests in installing so many unplanned culverts, we request the higher authorities to look into the matter urgently roads are one of the most important aspects of our region’s development. With such road conditions, our lives are threatened, students are unable to attend classes, and the general public is gravely inconvenienced.”

While corresponding with TheDC, a member of the association says “For the administration, the delay may be paperwork issues, but for us, it is a question about the education of our children, our daily income and employment, access to healthcare, and everything.” He says some engineers from Kolkata had visited the site a few days back. The Bha-Ri-Ma driver association and villagers had met with the engineers and requested to expedite the construction. “We even hosted them warmly with Khada and they assured that the construction will be taken on priority. We are worried that any further delay in the construction will stall the work for the whole year as Monsoon will soon hit the Hills.”

Requesting the authorities to urgently intervene in the matter, the Ba-Ri-Ma Drivers’ Association raises deep concern for the students who are missing their classes, for the old and sickly who are unable to travel for medical care, and even the livelihood of people who depend on daily wages.

There is always so much talk about development in the media, but without properly planned roads, we are simply putting people’s lives at risk.

The post Unplanned Road Constructions a grave public concern: Says Ba-Ri-Ma Drivers’ Welfare Association appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

With family, we first decided to visit the famous Rock Garden, one of Darjeeling’s most mesmerizing tourist spot, managed by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). We were enjoying the scenic drive along the Hills, but were suddenly jolted by heavy turbulence for almost 1 km from the beautiful spot. The broken roads, washed away by the monsoon rains was slippery, waterlogged, and full of pits. It brought back childhood memories of riding the Bullock Cart, just like a rocking cradle, with all passengers choreographically swinging as the roads demanded.

The next stop was the Chunnu Summer Falls, a site dedicated to one Gorkhaland movement ‘martyr’ and inaugurated by Late Subash Ghisingh. Though filled with emotions for the sacrifices made by the people for Gorkhaland statehood, I could not help notice the condition of the roads, torn everywhere.

The Rest House there had marks of ‘Khukuri’ cuts everywhere on the walls and doors; broken window panes, and shattered window glass everywhere. Feeling curious about the pathetic condition of the rest house, I mustered up some courage to ask to a staff about the neglect. Hesitatingly, making sure no one was around, the staff replied “Oh this is the Price of Gorkhaland movement 2017 when local goons broke and cut it in provocation of one leader Daju’s order. The crowd said thousands of rest houses can be constructed once, Gorkhaland, the 30th State in Union of India is achieved.” What a shame that Darjeeling’s heritage and properties was being damaged and vandalized by our own leaders.

Next, we paid our visit to Gangamaya Park, named after another martyr of Gorkhaland Statehood movement in 1986. The condition of the part was equally disappointing, severely lacking care and neglect. Some locals said that seasonal leaders rule Darjeeling with seasonal support from Kolkata. When one Valley doesn’t support a leader or party during its tenure, the punishments can be felt on the development of that valley.

One question that comes to mind – Why Development in Darjeeling has to suffer because of the vengeful politics of our Gorkhey local leaders? Such instances of petty politics make us understand the wisdom, knowledge and farsightedness of our leaders who are supposedly leading us towards statehood.

The last destination in our itinerary was Bijanbari. On the way, I notice how the road from Marybong to Pul Bazar was another such victim of vengeful seasonal politics. The entire trip has left me in a state of shock, pain, and made me question the politics of Darjeeling Gorkha leaders. This episode had made me question the politics of the West Bengal Government and its Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had promised to make Switzerland out of Darjeeling. And not to forget the new GTA leaders like Binoy Tamang, whose only promise after the 2017 agitation was Development of Darjeeling and Gorkhaland region. Whatever happened to those promises, but it time our leaders rise above their petty personal politics, seasonal enmity, insecurities, and vengeful politics in the Hills.

Jai Gorkhaland

Writes: Sanjay Subba

The post Sightseeing in Darjeeling: The Reality of Development and Switzerland Dreams appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

This tourist, a friend actually, is from Kolkata and visits Darjeeling ritually every Christmas for a week, and goes back after celebrating New Year here. She is very aware of how things are politically and otherwise, both in Bengal and Darjeeling.

She has seen visuals of “London” and parts of “Europe” unfold right before her eyes. She has seen development happen. Everything developed at a break-neck pace. Buildings turned from red to white and blue, so did the bridges, culverts, even electric pole and taxis. She being a Spanish football team supporter doesn’t like Argentina much, so you can imagine her distress when the entire city, in fact the entire state of West Bengal, gradually transformed and developed into a giant Argentinean Flag replica.

Darjeeling was her only salvation. She comes here, for one week in a year, just to regale in the green and orange and pink and yellow, and of course red and all other colours she doesn’t get to see much in her part of the country anymore.

“I can’t believe development has made its way to the hills too” she says with a little hint of sadness in her voice.

“You know Mirik lake? that bridge there” she says, in a tone that  expects answers

“Yeah” say I, “Indreni Bridge”

“As in rainbow?” says she

“Nahhh… as in the great Gorkhali freedom fighter Indreni Thapa” says I

“Huhh? I thought it was named after the rainbow shape of the bridge?” says she

“Nooo… Indreni Thapa was with the INA, along with Saheed Sabitri Thapa after whom the park next to the bridge is named, blew themselves up to stop British tanks from attacking INA troops” explains I

“Park, what park? I thought, someone was preparing the grounds to plant paddy there… there’s no park, only mud, endless mud” exclaims she.

“There used to be though” says I

“Ahhh, development, see Unoyon… it has happened there too” says she.

“Anyway, never mind, that bridge remember, the rainbow shaped one, that has also been developed, now it looks like a perfect Argentina flag” says she.

Switzerland Much – United colours of Argentina [Pic by: Nanda Kalanja, originally posted at Darjeeling Diary]

Mirik lake these days looks like a disaster zone. There is a thick layer of oil floating on the water. The fishes are barely alive. Boats that would earn money for the locals are not on the water anymore, but lying on the shore rotting. Ironically a shop has come up inside the lake, not on the shore.

Switzerland Much – The boats, are learning how to walk on the land

I just shake my head, and add, “Same with almost all public infrastructures in Kurseong and Kalimpong. Kalimpong mela ground remember? Even that looks like Argentinean flag now, so does their main road.”

“Vikash, see that’s the definition of Unoyon…” says she.

As we head to Mahakal, “man, who are these people, are those the people from Switzerland?” she screeches.

“Beggars” I explain, trying to be helpful

“Righhtttt” says she, obviously irritated by my inability to comprehend her sarcasm

“But who are they?” she asks.

Before I can answer, she blurts out, “Could they be from Switzerland? Where do they come from? What are they doing here? Who brought them here? All of them have a kid each… like all of them… look at them… look… see, even that one over there… oh God her too, that little one too… see see… can you see?” She keeps on pointing out.

Switzerland Much – the good people of Switzerland?

I don’t know what to say. I know she must have seen thousands of beggars in her life; she comes from Kolkata after all. But her reaction was weird to say the least, till it actually hit me, and it hit hard.

Indeed all those beggars had a kid each. How come all the beggars here are all female, with one kid each?

 It almost felt like someone had put up an AD saying, “Wanted Single Mothers With One Child – for excellent begging opportunities in Darjeeling. Please note, this opportunity is just for single mothers with a single child, single mothers with double child may apply for similar begging openings in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Calls for Hyderabad and Chennai posts will open shortly”

“Don’t you guys have government officials or NGOs, that work for the welfare of children here?” she asks.

“We used to have, but the District Child Welfare Officer and his wife got arrested for allegedly selling off orphan children to the highest bidder, now I am not sure” says I. “We also have lots of NGOs, they do everything for them, they cut their hair, trim their nails, give them bath, clean clothes and feed them food… they do that every three months or so…” I say with pride in my voice.

“They put up pics on Facebook too.. of their doing good… see see…” I say, scrolling my phone in an attempt to show her the awesome work our hill NGOs do.

She looks at me aghast.

“You mean to say, no child welfare organization or government official or people associated with NGO have ever asked these women why their children are begging. Or who brought them here? Or where they originally came from?” wonders she

“Well, you know how it is… if you question anything these days, you are labelled as being racist, and inciting communal hatred and cases are slapped against you… so everyone keeps quiet” explains I.

She is livid with rage, “find me, find me the phone number of these people, give me, give me your phone… I want to call them” demands she.

Being a big city person, she has a big city rage. I find it cute, but naive.

“Don’t call, you will get me arrested” says I

“What, why?” asks she

“Cuz the big brother and their bigger sister listen to all all the calls in the hills, if they know, you are raising trouble and I am with you, they will come and arrest me. They don’t like trouble makers here” explain I.

I guess that hit the bull’s eyes or balls, whatever that expression is, I can’t ever remember that one proper.

Her anger ebbs. She understands how things are. I told you already, she is astute.

“If this is Switzerland, I would rather not live here” exclaims her

“Oh don’t worry, things will become better… they always do…” I try to cheer her up.

“I know, they will… but these children…” she is really concerned, I can see that

“Don’t worry, NGO people will come and feed them… and they will post pics on Facebook… you can check later and feel good” says I

“Unoyon huh… Vikash… Development… I am fed up of it and its blinding pace… I was thinking of moving here to escape all that, but seems like that epidemic has caught roots here too…” she is still angry.

I don’t say anything, as having an opinion against development is highly dangerous these days.

“I don’t know what to do next year for Christmas?” says she

“Do what you always do, come here” says I

“I can’t… my system won’t digest all this development, I guess I will move away to another country,” says she.

“Where?” I ask

“Anywhere, but definitely not Argentina, or Switzerland… I have had enough for a lifetime” says she

We both finally find something to laugh about.

Switzerland Much: This is the Saheed Sabitri Thapa Park in Mirik – tara papi le dekhdaina

Switzerland Much – Kalimpong has also become an Argentinean fan city

Switzerland Much – Mirik Lake, come for the scenery, enjoy the oil spill

Switzerland Much – Store on the water, boats are learning to walk on the shore

[Read more from Balkrishna Here]

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