By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi
Can someone heal Silchar, Assam? Indeed, a tortuous question? Anytime the name of Silchar pops up in my mind, my whole body starts aching with pain. It is not the distance that causes it. It is something in the air that I can't breathe. I find my village - Dad's village Mohanpur and Mama's village Baromoni- much better than the Silchar town. I get peace there. You can say I am bit prejudice about the town. May be I can't converse in Slyheti Bengali. This may be the one reason.
I introspect why I am allergic to the town. As soon as I get there my whole body swings in lightning speed to get in as soon as possible to my village. I don't want, mere the urge, to amble around the town. It doesn’t arise in my conscious. I am always in the escapist mood.
I have asked many - how do they find living in Silchar, Assam. I haven't found to my memory, someone nodding in the favour of it. I analysed what would be the reasons that had made me No-No to Silchar. I don't have any sympathy or empathy to the town. Very blunt-isn't?
Cutting slice by slice - what would be the key reasons hating the silchar town. First, let me take the case of language - Sylheti Bengali. I have spent seven years of my golden schooldays there in Kendriya Vidyalaya Panchgram and Kendriya Vidyalaya Masimpur. I haven't converse a bit of the local dialect while I studied there. Now, when I face the fact that despite staying there for a long time, I am not able to fluently converse the language - is this the one reason that somewhere I negates to the town. It may be the reason. I don't know.
Second, is it the infrastructure of the town that puts me off? Well, I would say India is a big country if there are towns and cities which are well planned, than there are pockets of areas where the name of infrastructure doesn't arise. However, very early in my life I have seen both the world where one hand there are islands of excellent infrastructure, and another where there is nothing. And Silchar - comes in both the world. I would say equipped with modern infrastructure.
In statistical term, according to the Census of 2001, in the Cachar district (read with Silchar town), in 1020 villages drinking water facilities was available, compared to neighbouring districts Hailakandi it was 327 and Karimganj (915). In case of bus services in the villages, however it was pathetic. It is mere 381 villages, more than in Hailakandi where it was 141, connected to the bus service. In Karimganj it was 614.
Coming to education, the Cachar district is far ahead of the two neighbouring districts. The district got 381 Middle school, Secondary/ Sr Secondary Schools (155) and colleges (17). Hailakandi, it got 206, 60 and colleges (data not available).
So, I give a clean chit to infrastructure, this is not the reason that I love to hate the Silchar town.
That was enough to see the town externally and with all measurements, let me put down the colour glass that I am wearing and see inside what was the state in which we were living. Was there any type of scarcity scar that had remained in my mind to this day? I would say - Yes, there were numerous incidents where we have felt the heat of the town. From scarcity of cooking gas to kerosene, to water. Uffff....My heart slips out of my body! This may be reason. I got it.
Wait. This is not the absolute reason. I hate the business cartel that is running in the National Highway between Guwahati and Silchar. May be this is the reason behind my No-Silchar belief. There is a big business mafia that is stemming the growth in this stretch of road. They are not allowing the stretch to be connected with railway connectivity. After all for transportation mafia the road spins out million dollars to them. Sorry, this is not the reason. It can't be. The stretch has provided food and shelter to many Bishnupirya Manipuri people working as drivers or conductors or travel agents.
Enough! Don't read more. There is no strength in my intensity of my hateness. I love the town more than any other city or town in India. After all the town is the epicenter of my existence.
Can someone heal Silchar, Assam? Indeed, a tortuous question? Anytime the name of Silchar pops up in my mind, my whole body starts aching with pain. It is not the distance that causes it. It is something in the air that I can't breathe. I find my village - Dad's village Mohanpur and Mama's village Baromoni- much better than the Silchar town. I get peace there. You can say I am bit prejudice about the town. May be I can't converse in Slyheti Bengali. This may be the one reason.I introspect why I am allergic to the town. As soon as I get there my whole body swings in lightning speed to get in as soon as possible to my village. I don't want, mere the urge, to amble around the town. It doesn’t arise in my conscious. I am always in the escapist mood.
I have asked many - how do they find living in Silchar, Assam. I haven't found to my memory, someone nodding in the favour of it. I analysed what would be the reasons that had made me No-No to Silchar. I don't have any sympathy or empathy to the town. Very blunt-isn't?
Cutting slice by slice - what would be the key reasons hating the silchar town. First, let me take the case of language - Sylheti Bengali. I have spent seven years of my golden schooldays there in Kendriya Vidyalaya Panchgram and Kendriya Vidyalaya Masimpur. I haven't converse a bit of the local dialect while I studied there. Now, when I face the fact that despite staying there for a long time, I am not able to fluently converse the language - is this the one reason that somewhere I negates to the town. It may be the reason. I don't know.
Second, is it the infrastructure of the town that puts me off? Well, I would say India is a big country if there are towns and cities which are well planned, than there are pockets of areas where the name of infrastructure doesn't arise. However, very early in my life I have seen both the world where one hand there are islands of excellent infrastructure, and another where there is nothing. And Silchar - comes in both the world. I would say equipped with modern infrastructure.
In statistical term, according to the Census of 2001, in the Cachar district (read with Silchar town), in 1020 villages drinking water facilities was available, compared to neighbouring districts Hailakandi it was 327 and Karimganj (915). In case of bus services in the villages, however it was pathetic. It is mere 381 villages, more than in Hailakandi where it was 141, connected to the bus service. In Karimganj it was 614.
Coming to education, the Cachar district is far ahead of the two neighbouring districts. The district got 381 Middle school, Secondary/ Sr Secondary Schools (155) and colleges (17). Hailakandi, it got 206, 60 and colleges (data not available).
So, I give a clean chit to infrastructure, this is not the reason that I love to hate the Silchar town.
That was enough to see the town externally and with all measurements, let me put down the colour glass that I am wearing and see inside what was the state in which we were living. Was there any type of scarcity scar that had remained in my mind to this day? I would say - Yes, there were numerous incidents where we have felt the heat of the town. From scarcity of cooking gas to kerosene, to water. Uffff....My heart slips out of my body! This may be reason. I got it.
Wait. This is not the absolute reason. I hate the business cartel that is running in the National Highway between Guwahati and Silchar. May be this is the reason behind my No-Silchar belief. There is a big business mafia that is stemming the growth in this stretch of road. They are not allowing the stretch to be connected with railway connectivity. After all for transportation mafia the road spins out million dollars to them. Sorry, this is not the reason. It can't be. The stretch has provided food and shelter to many Bishnupirya Manipuri people working as drivers or conductors or travel agents.
Enough! Don't read more. There is no strength in my intensity of my hateness. I love the town more than any other city or town in India. After all the town is the epicenter of my existence.
Its almost a decade that I ve been juggling with Park Street, Gariahat, Ezra Street, Sulekha, Olypub, Trinkas, Somepalce Else, Hazratgunj, Charbagh,Gomti Nagar, Jubillee Hills, Hitech City, R T Nagar, M G Road, Khar, Andheri, Cuffe Parade, NFC, S J Enclave, Dilli Haat, Gurgaon, DND, Djinns, CR Park, Comesum, Shopper’s Stop, PVR, S n Market, Basant Lok, NH8,Tonk Road, NH24, Sector 17 Madhya Marg, Picadally, …..despite… I just cant forget Premtala, Devdoot, Ambikapatty, Motilal’s adaa, Hasty Tasty, Sudaskhana, Sreyoshi, Bhakatpur, Kuarpar, G C College, “ kita re ba. Bala ni” .. “Jharia maro”.. “Farillao”.. “Mari falaidimu”.. “Kissu disos”....… those typical Silcharite slangs…
ReplyDeleteSilchar is a place where I grown up and graduated…. Even though there was no significant developments in infrastructures, reason may be many …as it is always an isolated place in a state dominated by Assamese…despite Silcharites are making their mark in every sectors every corners of the globe…U name a happening place .. u find a Silcharite…
Despite many odds it may definitely considered as one of the safest place in India now…
For me.. Silchar will always occupy a special place in my heart…. as the moment I touch ground in Kumbirgram… an unknown ecstasy and euphoric sense runs over…..
Its always an excitement to think about visiting Silchar….my town, my home…..
Love u Silchar…….
Really, I appreciate b n snha`s observation about the places, he mentioned,it also well known to most of us.In our college days, the Premtola was the most famous (place)junction to search and find any one(friends).
ReplyDeleteI fully agree to what b n feels once he touches kumbirgram.The one hour flight changes one`s tougue so swiftly,it is beyond imagination.My daughter,prior to departure of the flight,always says..baba! baari pouchhe phone korbe.Reply goes, On arrival at Silchar as...Tumi chinta korbaina,
amra khup balo koria pouchsi and on reaching home at village, call her again as.. aami hoba oya phou- oilanga.In otherwards some one asks me at kolkata..kothai yachchhen dada?and after an hour at Silchar..Dada koi tono arai?
This sudden change of laguage does`nt bother us at all.His Silcharites slangs like 'koi jaach re?'really fascinated me.