Of disarming simplicity and defiance

manebhanjang was surely not a visual treat. But simple ways of doing things touched hearts. The way our inn keeper's daughter served food and liquor with folded hands as if we were family; and that did score. the way we were greeted with "khadas"; silk scarves draped around neck. the way a boy was inflating a land rover tyre with a bicycle pump!!! Land rovers are WW-II vintage jeeps, the only vehicles plying from Manebhanjang to Phalut. The only complicated thing was the GL- gorkhaland number plates on land rovers and all other vehicles. These plates underscored a defiant mood in the hills. Gorkha land for others might be a political joke but for these people it was a cause to live for. (won't say die for)

Details of picture

oops!
I put the pic there but forgot to mention details. From right to left: Dhritiman(standing), the poet in the middle, my friend VK singh at Hotel Pradhan, Manebhanjang. They are wearing Khada; a ceremonial silk scarve usually worn around the neck. Mr Pradhan presented Khadas to the entire group as a welcome souvenir.

Singalila;The abode of Khangchendzonga and more

This thread is about my trek to Singalila national park, west bengal, India. The trek is known for views of Mount Khangchendzonga the third highest peak in the world, and mount everest. Both are visible from a place called Sandakphu-see pic "view of things to come". On a clear winter day the entire panorama with Mt everest, khangchendzonga, pandum, kumbhakaran studded on the horizon is breathtaking.
I'll start from NJP (new jal paiguri) the nearest railhead from where we drove down to Manebhanjang, the starting point of trek. And what a trek it was! It was the most well planned trek I've ever done. Everything worked with clockwork precision except rains. At NJP station we were received by Dhritiman; a geat wildlife photographer and a dear friend. On seeing me after three years he quipped"man you've gone old but glamorous." I took that as compliment and had inroductions with rest of team mates who were meeting Dhritiman for the first time. Actualy Dhriti had organised the whole thing through his company "Wandervogel adventures". The package included everything from NJP station onwards till the end of the trip at NJP station after good 11 days. So we were off quickly to the starting point called manebhanjang. We were there at 5 in the evening. Unwound and went out for a stroll in this sleepy village on Indo Nepal border. Nepal side houses didn't have electricity. People have same features as Nepalese. In the evening we had a starter party of sorts where we met an economist & poet! who was visiting the place again after 50 years! alongwith his sons and grandsons. His first visit to this place 50 years ago glistened in his eye as a distant dream. He wrote poetry but not to get published. Not upto the mark yet, he remarked. He spoke good accented english and parted our company after two drinks. No more! and walked away with good balance good gait. Poets afterall know balance and gait!!

Lichens as companions

We were huddled up in the shelter of this rock. Ten of us cramped in two four men tents as this was the only space available. Our rendezvous borasu pass beckoned us but we were to stay put untill early morning next day. There was not a soul around when these yellow spots caught my attention. hardy life! was where I just said there wasn't a soul around. The company of tenacious lichens gave us enough courage to hang on and cross the pass early morning the day after.

The descent from Borasu pass was very steep ending with 2 km walk across Jupkia glacier. Our legs barely supported our weight. And lo! we came across these blossoms right in the middle of glacier moraine. There were many clusters of them. It was poetry in toughest of times written in random verse! We moved on never knowing these flowers too had moved along with us. Moving us. Buyoing us.

sunrise in seraj

Each word said about morning walks in the hills is the truth, whole truth, nothing but the truth. Under a high sun this tree looked like a dirge.
Desolate bereft and dry.
Come morning and it showed spring nestling in its bosom as it filled the valley.
Resurrection is always near.
Hope and withstand.

sunrise in seraj

Waking up early in the morning during stay at Shoja one has to perch oneself at high vantage point to see the morning sun plant first kiss on the lofty peaks of distant dhauladhar range.
Blush on the horizon completes the plot.