The Orange Orchards of Chota Mangwa
I think joy can be found in many things at many places - only that you need to stretch your legs (or turn on the ignition)
. Joy, for me, initially, was very much restricted to the hills. Somehow, the tall deodars and oaks, erect like sentinels; mists obscuring the trunks; serpentine hairpins, loops of Glenarys and Keventers had an overwhelming effect. And any hill lesser than the Himalayas didn’t serve the purpose! But later found joy in Palli gram of the Bengal plains, especially the days spent during winter - the cry of a jackal shattering the silence of the night, blooming lotus floating in the ponds, mud huts and mustard fields. The joy of the sea beach where after a bath in the warm sea water, delving onto a plate of steamed rice-prawn curry and murgir kosha. And in the silence of the forests, in the gurgling of the streams.It took sometime to realise that it was the greater joy of travelling that seemed to dominate and every time I exi
Theres a proverbial saying -
Bangalir baro mashe tero parban which translate to Bengalis celebrate some festival or the other round the year. Heavily influenced by the English culture, the Calcuttans have long adapted to the celebrations of Christmas and the scenes of a brilliantly lit Park Street is a sight to behold. Schools too have long adapted to Winter breaks. The blessing of working (an otherwise mundane job) in an European MNC is - this old habit of holidaying during the year end break is easy! COVID didn t change the scenario much however we restricted ourselves to our home state this time along with following all necessary precautions.