Window Seat |
Mrinal Chatterjee
The last Sunday of the Year
The last Sunday
of the year has a different charm. The year 2017 has not been a good one. The
economy refused to be energized. The Middle East continued to burn. Africa saw
more bloodshed in the name of religion. President Trumph helped popularize the
word fake news. Gujarat elections threw up a result that both the major parties
claimed to be their victory. Pollution in Delhi forced children to stay indoors
and pushed the sale of masks.
But go to the
bazar, and you will see people merrily making their purchases, haggling over
prices of vegetables even as the vendors insist that they are selling at rock
bottom prices of the year. In the fish market, you’ll find people and vendors
indulging in friendly banters. There is a palpable atmosphere of bonhomie.
That people
have not lost their ability to enjoy life’s small moments despite everything-
is the hope for humanity. Last Sunday of the year reinforces that belief.
Udaipur
I just returned from a wonderful trip to Udaipur, the ‘city
of the lakes’ in the 'desert' state of Rajasthan with amazing company. I went
as a resource person in a training programme on development journalism. There
was great fun, great food and some real-time learning. But let me tell you
about Udaipur, a city I’ll strongly recommend my readers to visit.
Founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh, Udaipur was
the capital of the kingdom of Mewar in the former Rajputana Agency. It remained as the capital city till 1818 when it became a British princely
state and thereafter the Mewar province became a part of Rajasthan when
India gained independence in 1947.
Udaipur is located in the southern part of
Rajasthan, bordering Gujarat. It is surrounded by Aravali range, which separates it from Thar desert.
Udaipur is popularly known as City of
Lakes because of its sophisticated lake system, which gives the city its unique
distinction. Besides lakes, Udaipur is also popular for its massive historic
forts and palaces, museums, galleries, natural locations and gardens,
architectural temples, as well as traditional fairs and festivals.
Poi
About 40 km from Udaipur amidst hills and plateaus lies Poi
gram panchayat. It is one of the first ODF (Open Defecation Free) GP of
Rajasthan.
It was difficult to make it ODF because of several reasons-
lack of the feeling that it was necessary, as the villages and household lie
scattered, lack of water, and economic condition of most of the villagers were
not good. However, the young BDO and not so young Panchayat Pradhan went on
mission mode and tried every trick in the book and some out of the box idea to persuade
people to construct toilet at home and use it. They focused on school children
to trigger the mission. There were several obstacles and bottle necks. But at
last they could do what many at the initial phase were thinking to be
impossible. They made Poi ODF.
We went there, spoke to the villagers, and spoke to young
school girls. We realized that when people are convinced and energized, change
happens.
Found Yamraj
We also went to Silpagram, a beautifully designed place for
artists and artisans, including a huge open air auditorium, couple of open air
exhibition areas- where a weeklong
handicrafts fair was being organized. Artisans from about a dozen states were
participating, selling there wares. A number of cultural programmes were also
organized.
As we were moving around soaking in the atmosphere, looking
at the beautiful handcrafted artefacts from different states, taking in the
aroma of food from the nearby food stalls – I found them. Conspicuous in their
familiar attire- Yamraj and Chitragupta were standing there greeting people,
engaging in small talks.
Call it providence. English translation of my book Yamraj
number 5003 is about to be published.
I requested the two actors donning the attire of Yamraj and
Chitragupta for a photograph with me and they readily agreed. As they smiled at
the camera with me standing between them, I was thinking would the real Yamraj
and Chitragupta be as jovial and good natured as their avatars in Udaipur?
Rajasthani Googly
Bhagaban ko
diyero sab hai
Daulat hai,
Ijjat hai, Sohrat hai
Tato pani vi
hai
Par..
Nahane ki ichha
koni
(God has given me everything. I have wealth, respect, fame. I
even have hot water. But … I don’t have the desire to take bath.)
***
The columnist, a journalist turned media academician lives in
Dhenkanal, a Central Odisha town. He also writes fiction. English translation
of his Odia novel ‘Yamraj Number 5003’
is being published shortly.
