In loving memory of Nepal ..
It is a difficult proposition to tear yourself away from tragedy and
begin to lead matters that conduct our lives normally. We are often
placed in such, in the course of our existence, at times once or at most
twice, but for some, several times ; perhaps each occasion graver than
the other. Would there be a sense of guilt within if we were to begin
living normal, or would there be a sense of ‘time to get out of it and
lead normal’ ! A question or a situation that has often troubled many
and me in particular. We seek to be given the isolation and respite,
when we grieve. Yet we also seek the strength from within and without,
to bring continuity for the morrow. Which one is correct is unknown.
Perhaps it is better that it is.
The grave tragedy in Nepal, continues to haunt our minds, hearts and thoughts.
Nepal, was a dream, a geographical location in the early years of
growing up. A foreign land, but one that displayed several universal
qualities with India. It was next door, much like the next door
neighbour in our living residential conditions, and there was an
emotional connect with the region.The Himalayas added their lure to my young mind going through the various photographs in different magazines .
I visited Nepal in 2002. It was for my honeymoon. We flew Royal Nepal Airlines direct from Bangalore to Kathmandu, the Capital of
Nepaon March 6'2002 on a sparsley occupied flight.
It was my wife Kavitha's
first experience on a plane, and of course our very first visit to a
foreign country-together,that too on our honeymoon. The excitement generated was beyond compare. I was in
some very superior space during those times, my worth and value among my
friends reaching its peak.
It was drizzling as we landed & lo,the sight at arrival in the Tribhuvan airport was bliss..
The
hotel pick-up car was waiting for us & as we drove to our hotel
Ambassador, could marvel at the neat clean roads a major observation
considering the jampacked roads of India.
The Royal
family
had been devottes of Sri Sathya Sai Baba & hence was pleasantly
excited watching the huge cut-outs of SriSatya Sai Baba along the
mainroads of Kathmandu leading up to the Hotel Ambassador.
Kathmandu, in 2002 was in the process
of development. It was bare and scarce and basic. The air was fresh & climate pristine.The wind was cool & sun not very warm. The Himalayas all around made the hilly terrain a welcome change with abundance of greenery everywhere.
The landing strip at the airport
was still a mud and earth track. And I still remember being told that
the only metalled road in Kathmandu then, was the road from the Indian
Embassy to the Royal Palace, then
of King Mahendra his heir, and after, to that tragic incident in the
Palace when the heir to King Mahendra, who was the ruler, and his entire
family being shot and killed by his own son.
For a change we felt rich outside of India. 1 INR=1.6 Nepali Ruapiyya. Indian currency could be easily traded at any roadside shops/malls.
Three aspects of that
Nepal visit remain still in memory - the wow cakes/pasteries that me & wife gorged ourselves with, the wow scenery & the ever smiling/humble people all around. Courtesy & a sense of service was visible. The winding roads & the various Hindu temples were a sight to behold..
I remember that
great big open space, a large maidan in the centre of the city, Tundi
Khel. And the only Nepalese that I learnt then which has remained with
me since : Kankdo kayo ! Kausto lago ? Ramro lago ramro lago !!
( Did you eat the cucumber ! how was it ? it was good, it was good )
The other delicacy was MOW MOW..a podak kinda dish filled with either chicken or beef.
Understand that old time memories remain fresher as we age,
than what transpired a few days ago !!
Coincidentally and quite
ironically, it was during this trip that I took a strong aversion to cow slaughter !! I remember being told by our guide that 108 cows are annually slaughtered in front of the kanya/princess as a ritual during Dasara. Hair stood on end as we were led into corridor where the Kanya would sit & witness the mass slaughter. The place still had stains of blood all around & caused a majour thought within me....is it right to kill poor animals in the name of religion? If so Hindus were supposed to consider cows as sacred?! Was Nepal really a Hindu kingdom?
The Durbar Square was an experience of a life time.So many wonderful temples of unique Gods & Goddesses.Remember praying at the temple of Brahma for a wonderful child as what most couples do at that temple. Had so many pictures clicked at this world heritage site having spent almost our entire day there.Vivid are memories of having had a coffee on a terrace top restaurant over looking the reddish Durbar Square.....Now only memories & thoughts left of those wonderful buildings ...
We returned back to Bangalore on 10th March'2002 with such wonderful memories of days well spent amidst nature. Nepal in contrast also looked developed and gushing with its modernity, yet still preserving its
history, tradition and culture. The love of the people, their
hospitality, the frenzy with which they gave audience to us, and of
course their love for our Hindi films !
It has been heart breaking to
witness now, those very exquisite archeological wonders, in the
surrounding of which we clicked so many photographs , reduced to rubble by
the recent tragedy. Painful and filled with sadness !
I wish and
pray that as life moves on, Nepal and its brave people shall recover
from this unfortunate event and bring their lives back to normalcy as
soon as possible. My prayers are of course with them, but so is my
concern for support. I have made contribution. No single contribution
can ever be enough. It has to be a collective effort. Each drop counts.
The sacred Pashupati Nath temple, in Kathmandu, has been saved through
some divine force. It is a unique phenomena. The temple itself has a
great history and we had visited it on the river banks . Vivildy remember having to remove belts or any leather articles /accessories to visit the holy temple.Witnessing these wonders of divinity, one cannot put
aside some of natures grace towards them.
All now left behind are happy memories from a land amidst the hills where we started our life together as husband & wife..with only photographs now as memoirs to show our child Jyeshta .
One wish remains unfullfilled,as one day wanted to show my child where we had been on our honeymoon & take her to all the lovely places we had visited.....Now only can be shown in photographs.
Divinity ... Nature ... Fate .... Belief ...
What ??
Lesson for life..enjoy what you are blessed with...for you never know...if you can replay time/place/people...so make the most at that moment .....because only HE knows best...when things might change...
Pray God blesses the people of Nepal cope with the devastation of earthquake & recover soon,back to normalcy.
Prayers with offering of support.....
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