‘Gorkhaland’ the very name evokes strong sentiments – from a motley crew of passionate supporters to very dedicated gang of opposers, to a vast majority of well-meaning but clueless neutrals who irrespective of their understanding of the issue or absolute lack of it, comment on it passionately.
There is a famous story about this king Satyavrata, who wanted to ascend heaven in his human form. He found a willing partner in Sage Viswamitra – who through his immense powers managed to send Satyavrata to heaven without dying, but Indra, the king of heaven, refused to permit a human to enter the realms of heaven, alive – for it was against the law of nature. Amid Indra’s refusal, and Viswamitra’s iron will — Satyavrata by now known as Trishank, hung upside down between heaven and earth and there he has remained ever since – in a state of limbo.
Fascinated by the era I grew up in as a teenager, my daughter wished if she could be teleported for a day back into our times and see how life was so different back then.
Generations grew up, not having the luxury of travelling in taxis; generations of students became excellent men and women without having the privilege of school…
Migration of labour has taken a toll on the population of the Darjeeling district. As in Economics, Migration occurs due to the search for Financial stability or Social security motives, but the recent situation of Darjeeling district cannot be simply clubbed into any of the two.
The Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars are one of the most complex and complicated, cosmopolitan regions in India. This region is a miniature replica of our nation and the complexities surrounding it. Anyone wishing to govern such a complex piece of geography should have a thorough understanding of its history, polity, politics and socio-cultural fabric.
In fact, two of the tallest TMC/BT faction leaders from the hills Mirik Municipality Chairman LB Rai, and current GTA Chairman Anit Thapa, couldn’t help Amar Singh Rai win even in their respective booths. Imagine a scenario, where they don’t have the trust or support of people from their own neighbourhood, yet are leading constitutional bodies.
Where even an accident is described humorously, by none other than Humjayega as “Thiching the gear, uffring the gadi, posing in the gu ghari“, this…
If what’s written above, makes sense to you, then your youth was awesome… to those who are wondering what that title is all about, read on… maybe somewhere in this piece, you may find something you can relate to, and if you do relate… please share… spread some nostalgic cheer.
Though we grew up as Y2K generation teenager, the exchange of love letters was very popular in our school days. Each epistle of love used to have a rhyming quote.