HUMANS OF SUNERBANS

Sunderbans the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world provides livelihood in certain seasons for large numbers of people living in small villages, working variously as wood-cutters, fisherman, honey gatherers, leaves and grass gatherers.

Fishing is the most important means of livelihood and also popular among women and children. Most women in Sunderbans catch crabs and collect tiger prawn seed as livelihood despite tiger, crocodile and shark attacks. 

Fisher men often sail into the narrow creeks for weeks and months obtaining a fishing permit.

Wood cutting is permitted in Sunderbans in limited form. Mangrove and other plants are planted in the fringe area to meet the local need of fuel wood for villages and to conserve the buffer area. 

For years villagers around Sunderbans have been collecting honey from the mangrove forest during summer. It is one of the most dangerous job in the world. They go from island to island in search of bee hives risking their lives. The major risk other than tigers are venomous snakes and pirates.

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SONG BIRD

Here and Now

Life couldn’t have blessed her more than now. A great career and enticing relationship, everything one can possibly aim for is bestowed on her, perhaps a bit too much. She has been undoubtedly gifted with the most enchanting voice one can dream of. Mystic and powerful, an epitome of class, she was capable of bewitching her listeners in an exclusive manner through her impeccable persona. However things were not easy as always. She had to cautiously eliminate each stumbling blocks from her way. She refused to allow the hardships to dictate her. Often she dives into her memory lanes to see if they still haunt her. As years past by, she learnt how to remain calm yet to stand up for herself. She was not flawless moreover she was spirited and passionate which society often misperceived as fierce and self centered. She had always believed in process rather than the consequence. Forty springs and she was headed towards making friends with herself. Once she was her own best friend she could sail her life smoothly with strength, grace and assurance.

Chapter 1

On a lazy spring afternoon she sits on the best loved   corner of her luxurious villa listening to the mind numbing cuckoo calls. Slowly she runs those fragile fingers on her face as if caressing the fine lines. Time is flying like a jet plane she quivers a bit and relaxes gradually sipping the finest first flush. A pale blue feather lands on her left shoulder in a leisurely pace. She carefully picks it up, looks through her glasses. Little did she knew about the new guest in her garden, a blue throated bee-eater. 

She paused a bit before walking towards the garden. A vague memory crossed  her mind, a blurry image ran down her memory. She tried to gather up the image however her vision failed completely. She felt uneasiness as she tried to recollect her thoughts. A perplexing sensation grasped her quickly and she was left dazed. Few minutes past and as the cool summer breeze hit her forehead she looked up to the ombre walls of her patio. Remembered she had errands to run before the day ended. Ana could be here any moment. Ana is a bright young woman, efficient and confident. Her agendas are more organized since Ana joined. “Hello madam! Hope I am not knocking at the wrong hours. I am sorry, we had few meeting todays but I can reschedule those if you wish.”Oh how adorable this little charmer is. She smiled at Ana reassuringly. “Lets begin Ana," she calmly said.Music has brought her recognition and now she has to deal with it; plenty of organizations line up to her with countless pleas and demands. They seek her advice on different cultural  programs and so on. Thanks to Ana, she already shortlisted these meetings making things easy for her. She also has her own art organization which works towards the well being of young artists. It took her twelve years to set this up. Again a lot of hurdles, but she was determined to fight against all the odds. Today’s last meeting was with a visual artist. While Ana briefed the profile, she added, “There’s not much information about him or his past work. He seems to admire your work and you a lot. Could this be a reason at all to be able to meet you?” She rolled her eyes at Ana, “ Any reference?”. Ana quickly answered no. “Can you go through his letter again please? ” then as if talking to herself she murmured “I wonder what art he practices”. Ana repeated the lines from the letter. “Dear Madam, Greetings ! I would be obliged if you kindly grant me the opportunity to meet you briefly. I am primarily a visual artist and wish to discuss a project with you. Looking forward to meeting you in person at your convenience. BestPablo S. Frost Ana tried hard to hide her restlessness and waited for a response. 

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Samik

"এই হাইব্রিডের যুগে হাঁস বা শজারু জন্ম যাবে বিফলে হবে না কোন কম্ম দুর্ভাগ্য তোমার হও যদি হাতি বা তিমি দুয়ো দেবে সবাই মূল্যহীন তুমি তার চেয়ে ভেঙেচুড়ে প্রকৃতির নিয়ম হাঁসজারু হাতিমি হোলে সার্থক জনম। নিজেদের উচ্চাশায় গড়া গোলকধাঁধা একি বিপদ যেদিকে যাই সবদিকেতেই বাধা চাওয়া-পাওয়ার equation যায় না মেলানো সবাই দেখি লড়াই খ্যাপা যাবে না ঘাঁটানো। নিস্পাপ শিশু যারা হাসতে যাদের মানা নির্দোষ দুষ্টুমিতে হবে জরিমানা কল্পনায় নেই আর রামগরুড়ের ছানা কোচিংক্লাস যত সব তাদের ঠিকানা। প্রথম বর্ষার সেই টাটকা তাজা বৃষ্টি জানে না যে তারা কত স্বাদ তার মিষ্টি আকাশে মেঘের স্তরে হাতি দেখতে বাধা শিশিরভেজা সবুজ ঘাসে গড়াগড়ি মানা। দেখ রে বোকা দুচোখ মেলে সুক্ষজ্ঞানের বিচার করে মনের গহনে ডুবটি দিয়ে আনন্দসাগরে খেলে এই মজার নেই কোন নাম নিয়ম ভাঙার জয়গান কিসের শঙ্কা কাকে বা ভয় ? চিরশান্তি বিরাজমান !"

-SAMIK ROY
Samik wrote this poem and someday I shall translate it in English.

Prédestiné

The night was supple and crystalline.

I felt your loomed advance and rushed across the porch to the boulevard.

My eyes searching for the visage I know from reminiscence...

Remember? We brewed this tryst in the past

Yet

You took us by wonderment...

I was worn to a frazzle and so were you

Yet

We were caught up in the maelstrom of perplexity…

Nonetheless

the first time your vibes ran over mine swaying and swiveling the wind in the sky.

While we spoke the language of heart and laughed our souls out.

The nature shivered singing our song when you confound me and I paced around inhaling the twilight chasing your fondling. 

Holy kisses fell over us like dew drops from the infinite sky.

I swear... 

This trip was destined. 

I know...

Our peregrination continues between sweat and honey.

It still remains...Yet breathes.

    I found myself so lonely as never before.
    Its not that I'm scared 
    Just some numbness, 
    screaming out of all the memories...
    Let it all dry away with me
    Let it all burn away in my dreams
    Let the pure stay with me.

Down the Memory Lane

                                                                                                                   Jan 30,1997
                                                                                                                   Calcutta
Dear Baba ,
I want you to know that just because I don't speak of you and I block out all the memories I have, it doesn't mean I didn't love you.  I was 6 when I had to let you go, it took me eight years to realize that I've lost you completely and trust me your absence was even more piercing... 

I just feel unbearably sad while writing this letter something is holding me back from pulling out all the words choked in my throat hence incomplete like always...

Some one once told me I should never say what I am not good at because until I reveal no body knows if am good at it or not. But still I must confess that writing is something which doesn't come naturally to me.
Its been quite some time now that I wanted to start this blog because I have some memories to share. Yes, I do feel the urge to share the tales l weaved. Many of my stories you read here may wind-up without an end like the above written letter as my destination is unknown. All I have is the quest.