To love is to trust

The marriages of most of our parent's have been arranged. Love marriages, were not so common back then. How did they manage to stay loyal for so long without even being in love with the person? We tend to judge more, have more doubts on each others loyalty and perhaps break ups are so common than ever. Out true love lasts for couple of months. We have forgotten that even after being in relationship with someone we still have the independence to go out for a meal with a colleague of opposite gender, take a ride on their two wheeler, click a picture together, share a conversation, visit each others residence and have some good time. Why do we have so many doubts? Why do we even think that it is necessary to have sex with the person with whom we have gone out for a meal or shared a ride in their pillion? Why do we even think think that it is necessary to have sex with everyone? Has time changed or our mentality has degraded. Perhaps we are misinterpreting independence or we haven't learned to trust anyone. If you have been in love with someone than how can you not trust that person? Is trust not a part of love. Or we have been so decorated by bills and EMI's that we know to trust only when a bond is attached and that too duly signed in under legal jurisdiction. I have seen people for being together for years and then approaching counsellors and detectives to check on their partner. Aren't we spreading hatred? How could our parents have no doubt on each other? How could they be in love and not say it by words everyday but prove it by their actions? We must learn something from the ear that just passed by. They would define love better to us. They have known to trust and also to respect each others trust and stayed away from being heartbroken for always. Why aren't our parents so bothered that if each of them had anyone special during their past life? Are we suppose to call ourselves modern after we fight over the past issues so much  that we end up spoiling our present. Perhaps our generation has learnt only to click good pictures, spend a lot to pretend being in love, spend extravagantly to show their love and post pictures only to make others jealous. We have also deteriorated ourselves to a whole new level. The futures of tomorrow believe in proving love by sending nudes. God bless the lust addict trust deficit generation. 

The love deprived generation

What do we get by the enthusiasm of today's generation to celebrate an entire week on valentine's day? Why are they so crazy for just one day. They have never ever realized that love blooms in those small moments everyday than celebrating a grand  on one special day.

I belong to a generation with one leg on the modern era that's running now and the other on the era that belongs to a decade back. I am not modern but a semi-modern lover and that has made me realize the deprivation of today's generation. This generation has abundance of sex and sex partners. I am not pointing my disagreement on anybody's independence but today's modern generation hardly has any difficulty in finding sex mates. What we lack is that special someone who would kiss them on their forehead or hold their hand while enjoring a stroll in a nearby community park or talk till midnight or just be there and feel the essence of being special to someone or save pocket money to buy a gift. A decade back, things were mostly of that sort. 

Decorating restaurant corner seats with a special dinner and costly gifts are impressive but why are we doing them only on one special week of the year? Anyday anytime we can bring a moment of love in our partner's life. We belong to a generation who is starving for love. We need someone to hold us tighly. We need someone to hug us more frequently. Emotional breakdowns are now more often than anytime else and so we need someone to lend us their shoulder to rely upon. We need someone we can trust always. We needmore of holding hands. We need more of kisses. We need more love. Love is what will keep us alive in this winter of  life.

Religion, Rituals and Superstitions

We can define faith as belief in revealed truth. Superstion is belief in happenings of supernatural activities. Superstition directly contradicts faith. Ritual is set of activities of a particular group of people performed in fixed order for a particular cause, necessarily originating from a religion, community or even a small group. Religion is a fundamental set of belief agreed upon by a group of people who believe in the cause, nature and purpose of universe and performsome devotional activities. Superstitions are although believed to  originate from religion is not necessarily so. Superstition originates with the fear from predicting a series of misdeed happening to an individual or several individuals coincidentally after some same action to happen to all other individual who does that action. It has nothing to do with religion. Superstition is all about fear.

I encountered several such rituals  and superstitious beliefs during my the events after my fathers death. Although I agreed to follow a few of them, I gently denied to follow the rest. 

• There has always been a belief of taking bath after cremation in Hindu faith and taking birth before burial in Islam faith. During my few visits to attend cremation, I don't remember taking bath everytime. I took cremation as a day to day task and only took bath if I hadn't taken bath in the entire day. My rule is to bath daily. I was told to believe scientifically with the logic that wind brings flying ash from the pyre to fall upon the one's standing near the pyre and that's why we need to bath after attending cremation. In that case, I will always take bath after entering home from the polluted city life.

• I was asked to not have anything or drink water even, for three days as I was the one who gave the fire to my fathers corpse, popularly known as 'Mukhagni'. I didn't get any logic to that and I drank water. Although I didn't eat anything, still I drank water. I didn't get any logic to stay thirsty for three days. I was told this was to feel that someone close has left me. My father was dead just couple of hours back and I didn't need anything to impose grief on me. I am still broken because of his absence.

• I suddenly turned untouchable. Some people started standing away from me. Luckily I had near and dear ones who too didn't believe in anything of that sort. They believed that for 10 days my fathers soul would be wandering around me and so touching me could land them up in danger. 

• I am asked to not visit any temple or take part in any religious activity up to an year after my father's death. I seldom visit any temple, but I feel sorry for my mother. 

• I was also asked to remain wet for three days. Everytime I dried up, I had to take bath again. This was supposed to go till three days. I was told to do so to feel the grief. I denied to stay wet for three days in temperature range of 24 C - 14 C. 

• Me and my Mom had to take meal only once in day and that too at a time when nobody ever felt hungry. This continued for 13 days.

• I am asked to stay away from attending weddings, cultural gatherings, eating outside, going to any social event and anything auspicious. This is to keep  me feeling the grief.

I would consider most of these to be superstitions as I don't see the root of any perfect logic. My father was not at all superstitious and we would often laugh at such superstitions. Although he was religious, he was not superstitous. My fathers rational nature gave me the strength to oppose such beliefs. Social pressure compelled me to follow a few of them and I shall continue to follow those few for the works of everyone dependent on me. However, for whomsoever I would be dependent upon I would ask to deny such beliefs. If it is believed that by following certain activities blindly I would feel the grief of someone's absence than its absolutely not so. It would turn me more rebellious. I will always feel my fathers absence and it is not for just a year. I will feel my fathers absence even if I don't follow these. It comes from heart and it can't be imposed. This is all about respect. I believe these superstitions are just to impose the grief of someone's absence on his near and dear ones and which is not at all necessary.

Travel and Learn

How do you define learning? If it is mugging up big books and jolting them down then seriously you are being trained to be a parrot. You are just repeating things that is already felt, discovered or jolted by somebody else without even contributing anything to it. That won't help anybody. Obviously some teacher who is not accustomed to innovation would have given you good grades, but he has obviously killed the little left zeal of innovation in you. 

Learning is gaining knowledge. I believe the best way is to travel and learn. The thrill and adventure teaches you that there is no charm in waiting for the destination, but the worth is in valuing your journey. 

Travelling brings you across new cultures, new people, new places, nature, terrain and food habits. It is said that culture and food habits change every 100 kilometres and what is more fun in travelling across such varied forms of cultures and food habits. 

Travelling also develops your micro-mentality in to a broader prospective. You forget to differentiate across people by the caste, community, religion and wealth. When you stay inside your home you forget to love your neighbours, when you live only amidst your neighbours you forget the other parts of the city, when you live only in your city you forget the other places in your state, when you live only in your state you forget the rest of the country, but when you travel like the whole world is your  home you are not confined to restricted thoughts in your mind. 

Travelling also drives away the inner fear of home-sickness. I have seen a lot of people around who could achieve big but they refrained themselves from doing so because of their inability to give up with their home-sickness.

I was always discouraged by my friends to try trekking because of my weight. I did a lot of things which people of my weight generally refrain themselves fearing adverse consequences. I was never encouraged by anyone to trek up across rocks to a ice filled hill. If ever I tried, nobody was there to motivate me. Last year, when I stood below one such icy hill I was again lacking motivation from within and surrounding. When I saw a few people nearby mocking me because of my weight I gave up the fear and got up to the topmost peak without anybody's help. I did it and I am proud of it. They who tried to mock me, gave up in between. I accomplished another fear of life. I could do that because I travelled to a new place and that led me to discover a different part of me inside me.

Life is such a journey which is not possible to learn it all. In fact, nobody has ever known the whole of it. Travelling just lets you know a different part of it everyday. So I believe in the mantra - Travel and Learn.

Gradual Love

Love is the result of a momentary impulse or it grows with time?? The momentary impulse or what we call as 'Love at first sight' is exaggerated attraction. Most momentary impulses are due to attractions to a beautiful physique. I believe in the old quote, what comes fast goes fast.  

Love is the flower you've got to let it grow.

                                                                         - John Lennon

To be in love means to be in love with the worst part of your partner too. You can't ignore your partner at the darkest hour of life. To be in love is being like the captain of the ship. When its soft and smooth, he enjoys sailing with the breeze; but when the ship sinks he dies with it. When love develops gradually there is an entire story behind. Having an entire story behind can be either from being school friends or even hooking up with your best friends girlfriend. It can be anything. Falling in love  is easy, but staying in love isn't. Sometimes there are less of agreeable beliefs and more of opposing views. People can be totally opposite in beliefs and habits and yet love is what makes both the bipartisan's meet at a midpoint.

There comes a stage where liking the goodness in each others phase comes to an end and people start getting irritated by the differences. Fighting the differences and ignoring  the past are the two major tests. The best part comes when you know your partner and still there is something that doesn't pull you away. Its like falling in love again and again with the same person.

Falling is love is like trying a new drug. You like the hallucinations but when  the intoxication starts fading away you hate the hangover. To grow with love gradually is being an addict who would die with the drug. It isn't easy. Its love after all. It can't be easy. It can simply be adventurous, gradual and forever.

Submitted to the 241st edition of Indispire.

Mission China - Somehow a reality

08th September 2017 - The director and protagonist of the movie 'Mission China' released the movie across theatres not only in the state, but also in the whole country. The reason behind the date is to pay his tribute to the 'Bard of Brahmaputra' Late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on his birthday.

It is the first ever Assamese movie with a huge budget of 2 crore. What had put the viewers eyes into arrest was the exotic locations that was screened in movie. The protagonist of the movie, 'Colonel Goswami' with three of his handpicked soldiers traveled alongside Indo-China border to rescue a young girl from the trap of kidnappers. Zubeen Da's anguish look in the whole movie drops several hints that there could have been another reason why he gave his consent for such a risky mission even after being from jail for something where he was trapped into and nobody gave an ear to his innocence.

The movie was a success across the state. Pabitra Rabha, Sattyakee D'Com Bhuyan, Deeplina Deka and the others in supporting roles gave their best for the role they played.

The movie wasn't an ordinary one for the state. In fact, it was a festival. People stood in lines for long hours for the first day any show tickets. Online tickets were booked for the entire week.

It wasn't an easy deal for me to watch the movie. On 8th September I was at Lunglei, Mizoram which is 650 kilometres from Guwahati across West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Barak Valley and crossing several districts of Mizoram. I reached Aizawl on the night of 08th September. Due to vehicle puncture, I reached Aizawl late and had to sleep skipping my dinner. I headed to Silchar the next day. I could have watched the second day last show at Silchar itself. I didn't want to watch it alone. I reached Silchar at 04:00 PM. With a small halt at my room in Silchar, I headed towards ISBT. Surprisingly there were 14 buses and all were totally occupied. It was never in my lifetime that I found so many passengers from Silchar to Guwahati even when trains were operational. I sat beside the driver in one of the last buses and travelled entire night to reach Guwahati without any sleep. While we stopped for dinner, I asked few boarders what was the reason behind such rush. The rush was to watch Mission China at Guwahati. I reached Guwahati and took a nap. Third day last show - I finally made it. I finally made it after a long journey of two days from Lunglei to Guwahati.

The Touch and Trust

What is the need for physical intimacy in a relationship??

There has always been a debate on whether to get swept over by your partners love or not or when is the right time to get swept away from your partners love. Intimacy helps to feel the warmth. A simple hug builds a trust that there is someone beside, always.

Its good to have an assurance of togetherness, but is it always necessary to get naked in front of your partner? Can't we build in an intimacy without touching?

There are people who meet their partners once in a year. The only intimacy that they carry with them is their partners pic safely walled in their purse. Our soldier brothers and sisters have been living all their life with only the emotion of real touch for a fortnight or so in the entire year with their partners and this doesn't make their relationship less stronger. Even in this modern day concept of global village, people are staying apart, some in different cities of the same country and some even in different countries. Their need and greed for intimacy doesn't drive them to be unfaithful to their partner. They too meet after months.

I don't believe that happiness, faithfulness and intimacy can ever be correlated. Life isn't so uniform for all. A couple can be happy without any intimacy while another might need that happiness of intimacy quite often. A couple can be far and still be loyal while someone can just be near his partner and still be deceiving.

There are couples who find it exciting to have that touch quite often and that they need their daily dose of orgasm. There are also people who are so corrupted by sex that they find happiness in changing partners often. There are also people whose only intimacy is the walk they walk together back from office holding hands.

The real intimacy between two souls is when you don't speak and still your partner understands. Spoken words are to make sense to the world and unspoken emotions are only to the one who is intimate to you. He, who knows you for being yourself will understand when you are happy and what makes you happy.

“there's nothing more intimate in life than simply being understood. And understanding someone else.”

          - Brad Meltzer, The Inner Circle

 The article is penned for 236th edition of Indispire, "Is physical intimacy the only thing which matters in a relationship? Can you live without it and yet be happy?"

Deodhani Festival - Kamakhya Temple

Deodhani festival is a three day long festival which is celebrated at the intersection of 'Sawan' and 'Bhado' month as per the Assamese calendar. Situated atop the Nilachal Hills, the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a consort of Lord Shiva. The temple is considered to be the principle seat of the Hindu cult of Shakti. The temple comes alive with the celebration of the Deodhani Festival which forms the core of rituals related to worship of Ma Manasha (Serpentine Goddess). During the festival the temple is full of drum beats and priests chanting prayers.

Two Deodhas dancing at the Deodhani Festival

The Deodha of Lord Shiva

The temple dancers or 'Deodhas' get possessed by spirits of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The Deodhas dance to drum beats which are continuously played by drum groups. There is no uniform dance form, but each Deodha dances as per the dance form of the God or Goddess who has possessed him. The male temple dancers are smeared with colour and sacrificial blood. The Deodhas also carry the swords of the corresponding God and Goddess. The preparations of the festival starts a month back, when the Deodhas leave their home and start sleeping nearby the temple of the corresponding God or Goddess who is going to possess him. The Deodhas consume boiled rice and vegetables and no form of non veg is allowed. A slightest mistake in following the rituals would lead to the God or Goddess being angry on him and not getting possessed to him and which is believed to be inauspicious for the particular Deodha. One of highlighted moment of the entire festival is when the Deodhas get up on the sharp end of 'Dao' (a form of Assamese sword) and dances above it without hurting himself. Three or more Deodhas get up on the Dao and whose number and person is selected by the mutual agreement of all the Deodhas. The Deodhas defy their age and health during the course of the festival. There are several Deodhas who are senior citizens and they too get up on the Dao bearing all risks, only for the devotion to Goddess Kamakhya. Before getting up on the Dao, they take the blessings from Goddess Kamakhya and also young girls (Kumari's). They believe the Goddess Kamakhya resides in the heart of the young girls and so seeking their blessings is significant. During the course of the festival, offerings of goats and pigeons are made, which is because of the belief that they get supernatural powers from the Goddess. They also drink the blood of the offerings they make. After the death or default of any old Deodha, a new person gets possessed by the God or Goddess. While he can be recognized by the sudden movements that are caused by the possession, still he is being questioned with certain questions about the Goddess to establish his authenticity of the purpose.

Another Deodha

A Deodha dancing to the drum beats

The Deodhas roaming around the Kamakhya Temple with the Kumaris leading their way.

After the dance they take three rounds around the temple and take some rest. Visitors meet the Deodhas and seek their blessings during this time. On the last day, the festival continues till dawn. The Deodas have to get their possessed God and Goddess leave their body. It is painful to watch the session and it continues for hours. The family members of the Deodhas go in to tears seeing their near and dear one in such pain. The Deodhas leave their temple and start staying at their home after few days of the end of Deodhani festival.  

A Deodha standing on the sharp dend of Dao.

Another Deodha

It is believed that seeking blessings from the Deodhas can get your long dreamt wishes fulfilled and so visitors visit the temple and wait for the Deodhas to take rest and seek their blessings.

Two Deodhas dancing

A Deodha with his sword

My maternal Grandfathers elder brother Late Shiva Das, was the Deodha of Goddess Dakshina Kali for nearly 50 years and till his death until 2 years back, he was performing all the rituals without any dint. Just before the last Deodhani festival, he had a small accident and couldn't walk properly. On the day of Deodhani, he danced with the sword on one hand and a stick to support his broken leg on the other.

Another Deodha with his sword

My mother's Grandfather, Late Faguna Das was the Deodha of Goddess Chalanta. While he was on his early forties, on the first day of Deodhani he expired. When he was laid for his cremation the Deodhani drums started to beat. To everyone's amaze, he stood up from the pyre and ran to the temple where his sword was kept. He danced till the end. After the festival was over he returned home. My grandmother who was the youngest daughter says she was very delighted to see him back. I know most of you shall find it hard to believe, but I myself have spoken to a few of the funeral visitors and everyone has said the same story. While most of the funeral visitors are themselves dead, the ones who are alive are very old and they still get amazed when they recall the incident. He lived for near about thirty years after the incident and was the Deodha of Goddess Chalanta till his death.


Kamakhya resides in the heart of Guwahati city and it is well connected by public and as well as rented cabs. Two new hotels have also come up for accommodation. Kamakhya is well known for the homestay facility provided by the locals where they welcome every guest with their heart. The kitchens of Kamakhya are famous for the delicacies that are cooked in them.

Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava - The Indian Charlatan

Born in the year 1912, he graduated to be a lawyer, but couldn't stick to the noble profession for too long and he soon became what he was destined to be. He had 50 different aliases.

Duping signatures wasn't any big deal for him. He duped the signatures of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, prominent businessmen of the country Dhirubhai Ambani, The Tata's and The Birla's. He duped the signatures of the businessmen in order to take out money from their bank accounts. Paying forged cheques and demand drafts to shopkeepers was one of his regular deeds and many shopkeepers were his prey.

He wasn't a mere train duper or a chain snatcher. He was one of his own kind. He posed as an official of the Indian Government on occasions and he sold several historical monuments. He sold the Taj Mahal thrice. He also sold the Red Fort. He also went to the extreme end of selling the Rashtrapati Bhawan along with 545 sitting members.

For all his good deeds he was sentenced for 113 years in prison, out of which he served 20 years. He was in warrant from the cops of 8 states in over 100 cases. He was arrested 9 times and he managed to escape everyone. He made his last escape at the age of 84 when he was escorted to the hospital. It is also said that at that time he wasn't even able to walk properly.

He wasn't an ordinary conman. He even cheated death and even till date his date of death is not certain. His brother claims that he died in the year 2009 while his brother claims that he died in the year 1996.

He was a Robinhood for the needy. He helped several needy people from his native and would love to spend time in his native village. The residents of his native also planned to install his statue.

Word picked - Charlatan (The 04th word of the 04th column of 221st page of the Ninth Edition of The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English, published by the Oxford University Press, Delhi).

Chamkaur Ka Yudh

'Chamkaur Ka Yudh' or 'The Battle of Chamkaur' is one among the few battles in world history where one of the opponents exhibit exemplary bravery and sacrifice without any second thought. The historic battle was fought in between the Sikhs and the Mughals, in which barely 40 Sikhs confronted an army of 10 lakh Mughals which was led by Wasim Khan. Guru Gobind Singh described the entire war in the 'Zafarnamah'. In the Zafarnamah, Guru Gobind Singh Ji describes how Aurangzeb had broken his vow sworn upon the Quran and how Guru Gobind Singh Ji won in spite of all efforts made by Aurangzeb. The Zafarnamah is a consortium of 111 verses with varied descriptions regarding the happenings. 34 verses written there praise the Almighty, 32 speak about Aurangzeb’s invitation to Guru Ji to meet him and Guru Ji's refusal to meet the Emperor, 24 verses speak in detail the events in the Battle of Chamkaur, 15 verses are regarding Aurangzeb's breaking of his promise and the remaining 6 verses praise Aurangzeb.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was accompanied by few Sikhs when he left Anandpur Sahib on Dec 5th, 1704. The Hindus and Mughals had promised safe passage for the Sikhs. The Mughals promised it in the name of Quran. However the Mughals couldn't keep their word and an army lead by Wasim Khan attacked Guru Ji and his accompanies. The attack was made during night and in cold and darkness many Sikhs lost their lives. A group of Sikhs decided to stay back and fight the Mughals and thus act a cover for Guru Ji and few Sikhs who had to cross the river Sarsa. While crossing the river Sarsa, Guru Ji and his two sons got separated from their rest of the family. Guru Ji, his two eldest sons and 40 others were able to cross the river. Many others perished in the river currents.

After that Guru Ji and his accompanies were offered shelter at the Haveli of Bhai Budhi Singh. Even after being surrounded by such a huge army leaded by Wasim Khan, Guru Ji never lost his calm and even continued with his daily prayers. When Wasim Khan warned Guru Ji that he would spare him if they surrendered, he got a befitting reply from Guru Ji through the shower of arrows. Guru Ji denied the messengers urge to negotiate.

The Sikhs got ready for the war even if they were very less in numbers. They cried their war cry of 'Sat Sree Akal' and came out for war with the self motivation that one Sikh equaled one lakh twenty five thousand others.

Guru Ji had no differences between his sons and the other Sikhs accompanying him. Baba Ajeet Singh Jee, who was Guru Ji's eldest son came out to face the Mughals with eight other. They fought such that even after having such a huge army the Mughals got afraid and soldiers had to run. Guru Ji watched the battle from top of the fort and Baba Ji was surrounded by Mughals on all sides. Baba Ji attained martyrdom at the tender age when he didn't have any trace of beard on his face. He had experienced death like a true warrior at a very youthful age. Hearing the news of his elder brothers death Baba Juljhar Singh stepped ahead took Guru Ji's blessings to fight the war. He had no fear and took blessings from his father to meet the life giving bride - death. Baba Ji confronted the Mughals and while he was surrounded on all sided he got cover fire from Guru Ji. Baba Ji fought till it was dusk and attained martyrdom. Guru Ji watched both his sons die.

Now they were only 10 Singhs left. The association of Guru Roop Panj Piarey order Guru Ji to leave the fort. Guru Ji abided to their orders, but not like a calm loser, but like a winning lion. He clapped thrice and said that the Peer of India was leaving.

The Mughals initially searched for him in and around Chamkaur but didn't find him. Later Aurangzeb himself stood for peace. Guru Ji wrote the Zafarnamah to Aurangzeb.  

Baba Harbhajan Singh

Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh or Baba Harbhajan Singh, as he is known today was born in the village of Sadrana, Gujjarawala district now in Pakistan. He enrolled himself in the army in the year 1956 as a soldier in the Signal Corps. In the year 1965 he was granted Commission and posted to 14 Rajput Regiment. In the war of 1965 he served as the Adjutant of the Unit and later  was transferred to 18 Rajput.

The hoarding at Baba's Shrine giving a brief introductory description about Baba

On 4th October 1968, he slipped past a glacier near Nathu-La Pass in Sikkim and drowned to death while carrying ration to remote post from Tuku La to Dongohui La. The downline water stream carried his body two kilometres down the nullah. His story doesn't end here.

Baba's shrine with the Tricolour

He appeared in the dreams of one of his co-soldier and guided him to the exact location where he was found after three days of his death. He also instructed one of his colleagues in his dream to construct a shrine in his name. Accordingly, the Unit then constructed a shrine at a place which is 9 kms away from where the present shrine stands today.

The idol of Baba with photos of Hindu and Sikh Gods surrounding him

Even after his death, Baba guards the frontiers and warns soldiers of any impending attack at least three days in advance. Resides among the soldiers guarding there many stories about Baba waking up soldiers who fall asleep during night duty and night patrolling. Indian Army has accepted his presence in the post with his colleagues even after his death and his salary was being sent to his family without any fail. He also received two promotions and was promoted to the rank of a Captain. He also gets two months of leave every year and soldiers carry his picture along with his belongings to his native. A special arrangement is made in such a manner that a train seat is left empty in the entire journey. The army deployed at the post becomes extra cautious whenever Baba is on leave.

Baba's office room

He is not only alive in the beliefs of Indian Army; but equally amongst the Chinese troops posted across the Border. Nathu-La is one among the four posts where Ind-China meets are help. Chinese Army has also admitted seeing Baba on several occasions doing patrolling near the border. During any customary meets between both the armies the Chinese army still keeps a seat empty as a tribute to Baba.

Baba's bedroom with his well maintained uniform beside

The current shrine of Baba is reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang road and the pathway leading to Menmoichu Lake as apart of the watershed memorial complex. The Baba  Mandir is a three-roomed structure. The central room has a portrait of Baba with some portrait of Hindu and Sikh Gods. The room to the right is the personal room of  Baba with household belongings like clothes, slippers, bed, shoes etc. The room to the left is his office room cum store room. Water bottles, slippers and tooth brushes are kept at stock in the store room. It is believed that the water kept at Baba Harbhajan Shrine is capable of healing ailing people. It is also believed that the slippers kept there helps people with foot problems.

Jawan's distributing prasad to devotees at Baba's shrine

We all are born with a debt to our motherland. As we start working for the betterment of the land and its citizens we start repaying the debt. The day we give our ultimate sacrifice for our motherland we can consider complete repayment of the debt. However, there are people who believe that death can take the soul apart of the human body but the patriotism remains within. Baba's love towards our motherland is an example of extraordinary service to our motherland. Salute to revered Baba for his services to our motherland.

The Unsung Hero

He always wanted to be a soldier. Once when asked by the teacher in lower primary regarding the aim of his life, he replied that he wanted to be a soldier and die saving the frontiers. Instead of appreciating such wonderful words from such an young boy, everyone laughed at him. They saw the fat and stout boy and not the brave-heart within.

He grew up taming the same aim. He tried hard, but he couldn't shed weight. He was rejected by the defence forces because of his weight. He was left disheartened every time. He didn't let the grief stay long and he kept trying.

It took him sometime to understand that service to the countrymen meant service to the country ans that he didn't need an uniform to serve his motherland. He started doing odd jobs which none could imagine. He filled potholes, taught kids who couldn't afford tuition's, and spend most time working with farmers in the fields. His life went along by rendering service to the people. He gave all time for community service. 

He visited a nearby town for an event. There was a huge crowd. His source of recreation was  such small town mela's where he exchanged conversations with those few people whom  he knew. Not many people knew him. Whosoever he was acquainted to, knew him as the old teacher's  kid. His duties always remained unnoticed. He neither publicised nor ever he repented. As he was strolling across the stall's he noticed a miscreant pull out the grenade pin and throw it towards the crowd. He had no time to decide. His decision was to be taken in an impulse. He gave no other thoughts and jumped above the grenade covering the grenade with his chest. The grenade burst pushing splinters across the young boys chest and tearing apart his muscles from the bones. It took no time for the soul to leave his torn body. He died minimising the impact with least casualties. The crowd enquired to the panel of old and known men from the villages about the whereabouts of the brave boy and they found out that he was the old teacher's son. Soon as the old teacher arrived weeping to see his sons corpse, the old folk pointed towards the teacher and said, "There comes the  brave-heart's father."

The father wept at the young son's death. The crowd cheered the bravery. A hero left the world saving it. They mourned his death only to forget him just after a few months, precisely after weeks.

He killed the child

A young kid in his early teens walked to school holding his younger brother who was in such a age when school usually meant a place to unite with co-agers and play until they realize hunger. As the bell rang, a man who resembled to be an adult, but actually was a person in his early twenties waited rolling his moustaches, smiling a bit, but obviously not laughing. His acquintances often said, they had forgotten how he looked whenever he smiled. He walked with the young kids and asked them to have their lunch and take a nap.

The man often looked at the kids as they played. He saw them smile with joy. He seldom spoke anything. He spoke only when he felt that thee time was getting over. At the call of his one word, the kids ran to their home.

The man fearlessly killed the child. He thought nothing. He wasn't so but he acted merciless. He always saw his younger brothers play and he often thought to join them. He refained himself always. He was still a kid within. He too wanted to play football, walk across streets aimlessly, eat icecream, play holi and live for the child within him. He couldn't. He had already killed the child within him. He had to be an exemplar of a perfect man who was socially accepetable for his brothers. To be an exemplar for his brothers, he had killed himself.

Things to do in Dhubri

Dhubri district lies to the Easternmost part of the state of Assam bordering internationally with Bangladesh and nationally with West Bengal. It is one of the most populous districts of the state. Dhubri is filled with scenic beauty and is a heaven for fish lovers. There are a few hotspots around the district and are explorable for first-timers to the district.

• Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara Dhubri is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in the district. It is located in Dhubri town itself. The first Sikh Guru Guru Nanak Dev visited the place in 1505 AD and he met Srimanta Sankardeva on his way from Dhaka to Assam. Sahidee-Guru-Parav is one of the renowned festivals which his held here every here. The place although holds importance for people of Sikh religious beliefs, but it attracts people from all religions.

• Mahamaya Dham is located at Bogribari, between Dhubri and Bilasipara town. The temple has its significance from past 400 years and it was also the presiding deity of the landlord of Parvatjohar. There is a bathing river bank nearby the temple, which is believed to be the bathing site of the Goddess. Every year a Shakti Yogya is performed by the priests of this temple.

• Panbari Mosque, Dhubri is located at Panbari and it has its roots from the era of the Mughal Era. The mosque holds its importance because of its architecture. One of the remarkeable facets of this mosque is the volunteer involvement. People are present round the clock near the donation box to facilitate donation from the bus passengers to the Mosque donation box.

• Panch Peer Dargah, which is located at Dhubri Town is a Mazar Sharif of five Sufi Saints who accompanied Raja Ram Singh during his Assam Invasion. The Dargah attracts people from all religious backgrounds and is a perfect exemplar of religious harmony.

• Netai Dhubunir Ghat at Dhubri Town is also a nature lovers paradise. It is a port connecting Dhubri Town with Medettari and Fakirganj. There is a small park attached and it a hotspot for Morning strollers of the town. It is one of the famous spots in the dusk to go on a date with your better half with the beautiful river breeze gently kissing you.

• The park at Gauripur also holds its significance. One can sit beside the pond and enjoy his day. Mostly cricket tournaments go on the beside field and one can stop by and enjoy the cricket while sipping his evening tea. To add to the list, there are several fast food joints nearby.

• The Hawamahal or Pratima Pandey Baruah's palace is also a noteworthy place to visit. The palace is now maintained by her relatives and the charm of its architecture has faded. However one can find the beauty and glory of Koch - Rajbangshi's hidden amidst the old walls.

• The marketnear the Panbari Mosque often holds beautiful Bangladeshi cotton sarees. One can stop by and take a look. There aren't too expensive, but obviously they hold significance.

• The Indo - Bangla border can be visited near Satrashal. There is also a Satra at Satrashal and it attracts a lot of tourists who hail from the religious beliefs of Sankardeva.

• For people who enjoy bike rides on deserted roads, there is beautiful road which is enveloped by nature. The road stretches from Rupshi to Barjan, passing through Bashbari, Kokrakhar District. The road stretches amist forests on both sides and the road is well maintained for bike rides. One can also stop for a fag at Bashbari and continue his ride. However late night rides through the road isn't advisible. I haven't faced anything wrong as of now, but its better to be safe than to dwell around danger.

• Gauripur is also a beautiful place for sweet lovers. Agarwal Sweets and Tridev Sweets are renowned for their 'Kheer Curd' and other sweets. Interstingly, sweets are cheaper at Gauripur than at anywhere else. It is perhaps because of the abundant milk availability.

• Local fish is abundant at most areas of the district and is also cheaper as compared to others because of near river location. Fish lovers must stay in the district for a few months and enjoy their taste.

For people who have been to Dhubri, they shall always be broken once they leave the place.

He waited

Alcohol has been a good healer, at certain times for fever and at most times for loneliness. He was suffering from the former since the day back and the latter for months. Even those wall paintings, cozy cushions and floral curtains which were all her choice, no longer fascinated him. For months, he was away from the beauty of her being present around. He missed the smell of her hair on his face as he woke up, He woke up to the smell of rum on his breath and rarely remembered the last moments of the last night. He drank like a dog. He drank to overcome loneliness. He drank even before he could get over his hangover. She was thousands of miles away from him. He regretted the decision of not having a baby at times, which she often insisted upon. At times, he was glad that he didn't let the baby suffer those moments of loneliness. He spent lonely anniverary. He had made several plans, but she couldn't be home.

A mail popped in. She was coming in a couple of days.

He lost his sleep. He made the house look home again. He bought gifts. On the day he arranged a cake and a bottle of single malt of the dining table. Although she hated him when he drank, however the occassion was to celebrate and he thought not to leave it incomplete and instead bought her favorite brand which they used to drink bunking college classes.

He waited for her at the door. As she walked to him, he openned his arms. She jumped to him. He held his world after a long gap. He kissed her desperately. He got upon her lisptick like a man who was away from food for days. He pulled her upon his lap and they kissed like never before. Her war had ended. He was a proud husband to a lady soldier. He waited for these moments.

Life's best lesson

The night before I didn't have my dinner. I woke up late on that day. I left home without any breakfast. I sat on my friends pillion. We left for breakfast at our old joint, but we couldn't due to an interrupted call.

 

He asked me if I could volunteer for blood donation. I instantly agreed, although I was six months less than the permissible age. My friend rushed to the hospital. While climbing the stairs I asked him who was unwell so as to find out if it any any of his kin. He disclosed that it was none from his kin but a lady who worked as a helper in the school where his mom was the Principal. We rushed to the ward and found a young girl in her early teens lying on the bed. We found out that she had severe haemaglobin shortage and needed blood urgently. Donors were asking for fifteen hundred bucks and the lady's salary was such that she could pay only for two such donors and she needed more. She managed a few donors from her known relatives. We immediately volunteered. The lady and one of her relative rushed to touch our feet, but we asked them not to do so as we were younger than them. We rushed to the room where there was some pre-donation inspection by a doctor.

 

"How old are you guys?" asked a lady doctor.

 

"Nineteen," my friend replied.

     

"Me too," I lied instantly.

 

"Did you guys have breakfast?"

 

"Yeah, we had had rice for our breakfast," I replied.

 

After our blood pressure check we were taken to the room. We were asked to take rest on adjacent chairs.

 

"Are you seriously nineteen?" I asked my friend.

 

He laughed and replied, "I have two months left to be eighteen."

 

"I have six months left," I added.

 

After our blood donation was complete, we visited the lady and said her that few of our friends would volunteer the next day. We were welcomed by a smile of relief from a helpless mother. We were contended.

 

With empty belly's we headed to a food joint. We emptied our purse and ordered for three chapatis and 1 butter chicken. We were allowed credit for some more as the manager was one of our close acquintances.

 

We broke a lot of rules hat day. We rode a two wheeler without any proper driving license and helmets. We donated blood even when we were not allowed too. We lied to the doctor which could have been fatal for our health. Things didn't go in vain. We got the good news a week later, when the lady called to inform us that the girl who had very less chances of survival as per the doctor was out of danger now. We saved a live.

 

The lesson we got is that we should never step away from helping someone because it could even save someone's life.