I was born in a small village called 'Chukiapathar' in the Sarupathar district of Assam, India. I have a vivid memory about the village even though I just stayed there until I was about 2.5 years old. It’s been a long journey since then. Now sitting in Banaglore, I wanted to share my experience of this journey. I am in love with the North East (NE) and I am sure many people share the same view.
The moment someone mentions NE I instantly gave a glance so as to see if I can see any familiar faces. Well the places are such you just cant ignore them. One such place is Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya (Abode of Clouds). Also known as the 'Scotland of the East' well and truly live up to its name.
As I mentioned earlier I come from a very small village. The village life was simple. No schools, no studies and loads of fun and running about. Parents did not care much as to what their children were upto. Running after snakes and squirrels, jumping in the ponds, climbingup trees and trying to catch birds, these were the activites typical of most children in the village. We had fights over a piece of Guava or while playing marbles. Inbetween all these activites we did have our responsibilities though. Almost everyday in the evening we had to make sure that all the cows had come back home. Otherwise it would be a long time before we can rest again. This reminds me of an incident where one of our cows did not come back home in the evening. So my father, brother and I set out to look for it. We looked everywhere but she was nowhere to be seen. Atlast dejected and with a heavy heart we came back to find her sitting behind our hut and chewing on the grass she devoured earlier. That was just one of the many days we spent our evening looking for a cow. On the other days when such incidents didnt happen we all would sit in the veranda with the elderly people and listened to their fascinating stories of ghosts and evil spirits.
Then it was time to move on. My father took me to Shillong. The first time I saw a car on the street, I was fascinated by it. There were big and small cars all aorund, I was mesmerized by all. Even more amazing things were waiting to be discovered by me. I saw the Television, Fridge and many more. It was like I have come to a place where everything was abundant and free. I would dress properly and stare at the TV incase the people inside the TV might see me. Slowly I started to cherish every moment in Sillong. Afterall how many people can boast of a life where I had seen poverty, death, starvation and suddenly these becomes the past. I saw a different culture altogether. The places were breathtakingly beautiful. One cannot get bored of Shillong. My identity took roots in this beautiful place Shillong. I spent 18 years of my happiest moments in this sleepy town, went to school and made friends. Now even after 8 years of not visiting this place I still have a sense of belonging with Shillong. The charisma never dies.
VIVA LA NORTHEAST!!
I have travelled to different parts of India and even hill stations but I could never find a place that can replace Shillong or for that matter any other northeast states.
If anyone wants to visit the Northeast please read the given links below.
http://www.northeastindiatour.com/
