Overwhelmed by Welcome back notes from near and dear ones, we had not out from the jetlag that I thought of getting back to the US once again to be amidst the people of our clan as the opportunity could not be better than this coming immediately next month - Second Convention of the World Newar Organization to be held from 25-27 March at Baltimore, Maryland. It is their love and affection that find me in reverse going mode when I had to take life ahead and get with things moving on here with whatever I have in my share here, good and bad. While trying to be slowly but surely settling down clearing some of the liabilities like checking position in my bank accounts, paying insurance premiums, etc. and yet to go through a heap of The Week, I get the bug bite of publishing a book out of the many articles that piled up over the years, Earlier also I tried with my writings in Nepali for a book but finding it more productive by devoting more time recollecting from my memories recent and past. Age catching up perhaps, I find myself not that energetic enough to write articles both in English and Nepali to contribute to the local dailies. Since I was Off the shore or even before that to keep in touch with my readers more to show my presence in this busy mortal world that find our Sikkim too changing fast to catch with the modern times but for good. It has turned to be the First Organic State in the whole country to bring home the Prime Minister visiting Sikkim to deliver the good news. The occasion soon turned out to rejoice more by finding our lovely capital Gangtok to be amongst the Top 10 Cities in whole of the country. These two were the new feathers added to the hat of the State that boasts to have the highest peak in most revered Mount Kanchanjungha which I get an opportunity to have a faint look one hazy morning in this winter days not always bright and sunny these days. I pay my obeisance to the protecting God for whatever we had all these months away from home and to get blessed for safe passage for rest of the days ahead.
 
I was trying re-connect with near and dear ones by calling them on phone that I had to visit Rhenock within days of arrival. We were with Dr. Hitler Pradhan getting Ranjana’s eyes checked up that I received a call from Bidhan Mama informing that Binod Daju was in the hospital. We rush to the place but find him taken to the Central Referral Hospital as the condition deteriorated to critically bad. We go to M. G. Marg for replenishing our stock of medicines, checking my bank accounts, and go to Lal Bazar/Kanchanjungha Shopping complex walking down the Thado Line/Lal Market Road with badly done, find the Denzong Cinema road being carpeted, finish our greens shopping quickly and get into the taxi to return home. Soon we get the sad news that Binod Daju was no more. He had come here to Gangtok to get his wife necessary medical attention some days back as Bijoy had also informed me about them coming to Gangtok when he had visited back the other day in Rhenock to find Binod Daju not home out for some errand. I had last spoke to him during Dashain like to all my family members and so sad that turned to be the last. We rush to CRH/Manipal and was surprised to see Dinesh, his eldest son, already there arrived previous day from Nepal when informed of mother’s health. Baba @ Prakash was sharing with us when he visited his ailing sister Meena at her daughter Yogita’s place, how Binod Daju was active in opening the ventilation of the room fast when he told them it was getting somewhat stuffy due to heater used. Family members had gathered there in the hospital to condole the sudden demise of our dear Binod Daju, more popularly known as Jetha Babu back home, and console the bereaved children. Soon the family left with the mortal remains to their home for the last rites next day.
 
We reach Rhenock for the funeral but meet on the way - the procession people attending Binod Daju’s last journey few kilometres from his home. A vehicle stops finding me looking for one to go down to ghat at Rorathang and it was our neighbor Damber Singh Gurung’s youngest son Robin. He and his friends in the car talk that even the funerals these days have turned to be on caste lines and people from one community seldom attending other’s as their presence had been the indicator of this trend fast growing in the village. I tell them that to collect Malami (mourners) for our own, we should attend as far as possible though  people go only to those who have come to his place earlier checking from the list of all those who came and paid condolence. Otherwise also it was such an occasion when people reach to mourn the death and offer khada without waiting for any invitation simply on hearing about. This trend had remarkably been noted even by the people in places outside that Sikkim was famous for. We reach the bank of Rorathang River that was not the usual old place for such burning ghat near the bridge but for picnic like we had also gone once with our family. The other side was a quarry where heavy vehicles ply to and fro carrying sand and stones. Slow flow of water is enjoyable but not for performing the last rites. It was allotted by certain company who are now the owners of the place and poor bereaved family turned beggars for such a place once denied for many years but public pressure perhaps they have turned generous so much as to provide basic amenities for such purpose in due course of time perhaps. Otherwise, a local teashop in front of the factory gate was the venue to offer tea and refreshment to those who reached the ghat. They had earlier been served mineral water bottles and juice in tetra-packs.
 
Funeral pyre was ready and Dipesh, the youngest son, also reaches after a hectic journey from Doti in Nepal with a vehicle break down somewhere on the way and somehow reached Bagdogra to catch helicopter flight to land on Mining Ground on special request made it possible for him to see his father’s face once for the last time sad having lost so suddenly. They had all met last in Gangtok attending a marriage in the family few months back.
 
While people rush immediately after the pyre was lit by the mourning sons as most have to catch with rest of the day for whatever works they had waiting but the family members were there till the end. Relatives coming from Gangtok and other places reach the mourning home to offer their sympathies to the bereaved family. Next day Meena Bhauju was taken to a Siliguri Nursing Home with her health improved after getting necessary medical treatment. She came back home on Sunday two days before the Antyeshti Kriya on 23rd February.
 
We were in Rhenock last time on a similar occasion attended to offer condolences on the Antyeshti Kriya day to two neighbouring families in the bazar. R. K. Pradhan was of the view that only occasion like this brings people closer home and we should visit often to keep in touch with them all. We were overwhelmed by the love and affection they showed for us. This time too it was meeting them all in the Ghat and later visiting bereaved family that gave us opportunity to meet and revive our cordial relationship once again. Rather it was reconnecting with them after all these months away to make another story altogether to share about in my next!
 
Disclaimer:
This is author’s personal account of memories updated to cherish and treasure often on a detour here and there en route to share the joy of the journey called life. Some names, quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]
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This story announced earlier more than once to appear next week but never came that occasion to see the light of the day but for the last one for ‘Off the shore’ series sharing the life to be in the US all these twenty-five weekends spent in the love and care of our loving daughter Rachna with Vimal Jwain Saheb ever ready to be at our help. The time that just flew off and hard to realize that we were to go back home, sweet home in Sikkim!
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Some years back one of her colleagues offered them if anyone was interested in taking the  US made Sears Kenmore sewing machine (automatic 1980 - a central needle, low bar) for free as she was going for a latest model that offer facility of using chips for computer added designs. Rachna saw no harm trying it as she was well aware of the functioning of sewing machine back home a 1975 make Usha Streamlined model that I had purchased as a first gift to her mother Ranjana soon after our wedding from the amount of the salary received in arrears. Those days as a young civil servant our salary used to be in three digits and the amount slightly more could well be invested proposition for the new bride who knew the art and craft of sewing quite well. Brought home the machine failed to work properly after some initial success with its use in altering her dresses, Rachna was thinking of donating it to someone interested rather than leaving it unused. When we were told of the machine, without wasting any time we took out the machine thinking why not give a try as minor mechanical problems could often be solved with the experience Ranjana had. Moreover, we too had acquired a latest Usha light-weight model Dream Stitch with six built-in stitches, seven applications and pattern selection mode last year only to know functioning of such an automatic sewing machine. It was, therefore, easy to start working on it after some trial runs as the machine was kept safe inside the original manufacturer’s carton well packed with Owner’s Manual and Instruction leaflet to refer for whatever minor hitches we had. Rest of the work was done in a jiffy with her experience much to our glee and pleasure to share with Vimal later!
 
Rachna shared her experience getting her dresses altered here was a difficult task even if there was someone to do the job it would be expensive, around $ 20/- only for altering the length of jeans and $30/- for the dress. During our previous sojourn we had brought a Singer automatic sewing machine to get some of the immediate minor works done but as it was not worthwhile taking it all the way to India, we thought it best to return it to the place wherefrom we had purchase few months back. It is possible to return the good if not satisfied or not found that useful any longer without even a question asked to get back the amount in full without any deduction or hitch and no obligation whatsoever. Back home in Gangtok, if you to return they just not only refuse to refund but even deny any exchange whatsoever for some of the articles. Even if they agree there is not much choice to select from in replacement of that returned. The market is, as such, the one that cannot be termed as customer friendly. I once heard of the anecdote someone shared that a certain official had accompanied the guests from Raj Bhavan to some shops in the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here and one of them asked if she could have a look into that stuff in the shelve in front. The shopkeeper was just not polite but improper in his behavior simply telling back why not see it there itself and saved himself of the trouble taking out and display the garment whereas elsewhere in most of other cities, the shopkeeper takes out not the one but many others also to please his customer and sell off his ware.
 
Before settling down in Pennsylvania Rachna had seen life in the northerly Indianapolis and later New Jersey to work in the UN commuting by train daily. Life here is to enjoy the weekend and more when it is longer with a Monday suffixed or Friday prefixed to go holidaying often with friends like we did last time when here to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard or Finger Lakes and to far-flung New York to see the Halloween season during Dashain before Tihar for Mha Puja and Kija Puja at New Jersey. We had travelled all the way to Maryland to be with our relatives too for these festivities the same evening that made our stay not only pleasant but also memorable thanks to Vimal for taking such long driving in/to his stride. This time around, we do not know if we could make it the same way since time has changed a lot and five years means a lot to take on our health and spirit. Our family set up has somewhat changed with elderly people moving back to while some visiting their native places. Future is yet to come and we too see how it comes with us this time around here.
 
Earlier when quite new to this place Rachna had difficulty into getting her clothes altered until she reached and settled down at Exton near Philadelphia to hear of Indira Ben. Indira Ben did fair amount of business not only doing altering clothes and stitching some lady garments like kurta salwar, she also supplied some homemade food to those interested in Indian cuisine. Those days, not much of the Indian stores were here around nor the restaurants to serve Indian meals. Over the years there is tremendous increase in the Desi population here these days and Rachna was telling us that there are altogether six such food joints in the vicinity of the area we now stay. Indira Ben used to take cooking classes for Indian food as well. With husband and wife both working here and not much time left even to cook as the life is so busy meeting the schedules each day. For them cooking was no problem as the help from her was there to come home and cook for you to last for some days together since storage too is no problem as they are by now in the habit of taking frozen food with microwave oven ready to serve them cook/warm the food in jiffy. Only thing was that you have to fetch the help and reach back her home as she does not know and drive a car of herself. Otherwise, driving a car here is a must as the places are located distantly and no taxi or public bus service is available. This makes many learn driving buying a car of his/her own to commute daily to work and back. But here in this case driving a car was not a problem for her at all as with her talent known in the locality or service made available, people who could afford reach all the way go to her, bring home to cook and reach her back to her place. You may be thinking that her family conditions compel her do such a work, but no her daughter and son-in-law both are in medical profession very well off with their monthly income running into millions. She is earning some extra money of her own while coping with the time pursuing the skill she has developed over the years. There are many online sites like Manjula’s Kitchen to learn from for those interested. Classes for yoga and cooking are quite popular here while a sizeable number of people go to gym to keep themselves fit and healthy that the lifestyle of people here take a heavy toll on their body and health. Another interesting anecdote to share here about good works of Indira Ben, recollects Rachna, was that there is a toy very popular here is commonly known as American Doll that costs around $200/- each and even its dress is expensive at around $ 90/-. Indira Ben not only made its dress affordable but also designed on Indian dresses like Kurta-Salwar, Sari that she held an exhibition in the community fair and sold like hot cakes at $ 35/-. Supporting herself promoting as well the culture of the country she belonged popularizing the dress-sense making available on such festive occasions catching the mood right.
 
Festival knocking at the door and you need to get your house cleaned you have the services readily available at the door at the appointed time. They start with the bathroom and finish it off whistling and talking to each other within an hour or so quickly. Scrub, vacuum the carpet and polish the floor to see the difference that you have been doing all the while. You might be cleaning and keeping your home clean daily but them to compliment you with how bad was the bathroom. At the end while paying them they would offer a deal to get it done regularly every month that we may not need and end up paying little less than what they asked for. Earlier a man had come to clean corners and crevices outside spraying done to free the house of insects including spiders and we need to have another time someone to clean the glass panes in the windows high beyond our reach but again the services are available just a call away but at a price.
 
Last weekend we were quite reluctant but excited as well to join the birthday party of Prasad-Bindiya’s son Rinay alias Chakloo, yet another get together of friends. Reluctant because it was only the other day we met them visiting us and excited for the Mallu food we were told of being served especially made to order for the first time this occasion. Enjoying home-made food was the excitement of the Mallu, Malayali or Kerala cuisine when the couple with a kid had no time to prepare the goodies themselves but had to celebrate inviting friends and their parents here the best way possible anyhow. They had been enjoying such parties and now their turn to have one. No need to worry about as they had heard of someone in the locality catering to such a need and for them to save the situation. Curiosity too makes things exciting and ours was to find how good the food would be and what variety spread on the table would do justice to what the Mallu cuisine was famous for. We had the taste of authentic Malayali delicacies all the while when in Palakkad with Rachna-Vimal at his parents’ place. We knew the culinary delight having tasted many varieties over the week there and during my month-long stay in the Institute of Management in Government, Thiruvananthapuram way back in 1982 would not all be here but something best for the lunch to meet the taste of all the guests mostly from the region but us. Local crafted seasonal brew Octoberfest was good choice for it is hearty mellow and smooth to savour the flavour to be authentic Marzen recaptures the malty flavor of the 19th century Munich brews – deep amber, rich, smooth and almost creamy, this brew is meant for celebrating with layers of smooth malts and roasty sweetness with hints of caramel and toffee balanced by subtle Bavarian Noble hops said Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream. Vipin’s were veggie, else the lunch was sumptuous and delicious topped with payasum as dessert. $300/- for 20 heads was a deal good with quantity enough compared to the usual stuff from restaurants coming with higher dose of spices to cost our health and higher billing to cut your pockets.  This was possible just from a kind housewife only offering home-made food to serve the section of the society who would love to support such efforts and to have such fare more often to make them feel being closer home food-wise especially on joyous occasion like this with friends together in the weekend while for rest of the week they have nothing else in their mind but the work and work to long for another weekend ahead!
 
Disclaimer:
This is author’s personal account of memories updated to cherish and treasure often on a detour here and there en route to share the joy of the journey called life while in the US. Some names, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached on [email protected]

Hardly had we thought the joy of celebrating our Wedding Anniversary being confined to foursome due to the Blizzard, it had already reached our near and dear ones far and wide bringing their love and wishes showered on us till this date. Rachna had posted three pictures of the occasion catching the 41-year old couple in the best ever mood bursting out in laughter perhaps to be the best shot together of the present sojourn. Otherwise, soon thereafter there was a similar celebration seven years senior with postings and pictures that invited a comment from our friend Jayshree Pradhan demanding ‘This occasion demands a photo both of you together. Please Daju.’ Mitra Daju also obliged and another wrote, ‘Beautifully together! Madam is blushing like new bride even today.’ So true and how best captured was ours by Rachna that the joy continued next weekend too when our relatives gathered here to wish us ‘Good Bye and Safe Journey.’ Nevi had a surprise for us bringing the Happy Belated Anniversary fruit cake she is perfectly good in making it. We were yet to share the pictures and thank them all for making the last Sunday so wonderful to conclude our twenty-fifth and last weekend bringing an end to the present sojourn helping us move ahead in our life/journey ahead enthusiastically.
 
We had two more days to stay and have something more in our share. The gift Nevi brought for buhari Sarvada was of the same brand and colour also the same Rachna had purchased months earlier that took us next day to the Philadelphia Premium Outlets more popular as King of Prussia Mall, a landmark and said to be the biggest of all in the US. It was so lonely and forlorn compared to what we had found it during the Thanksgiving Friday, might be due to rainy weather. She could find one to make quick purchase and we could return home as it started drizzling out as exposure to cold could bring us health problem in the journey ahead. Back home, we had snacks Rachna prepared planned since long but weather helped this day. Vimal helped to take the weight of suitcases packed that needed some repacking that we left for next day as we had to be for dinner with Tejas-Urvi. Prisha was excited to see us and more to get the books as gift she immediately got into the one that was a game of learning alphabets to play with. There we enjoyed delicious Bhel followed by fulfilling Dahi-Vada Gujarati style to the tune of Deewani video-clip that little two-year baby Prisha demanded to show her dancing prowess learnt from her mother like the language she picked up a lot recently. This made the song more memorable than the actual scene in Bajirao Mastani we had seen together on its first day here. Ranjana called Archna to say bye and she narrated about little Anvi so fond of science at this age not even two to pick up words like earth, moon, sun , star and asteroid even.
 
Tuesday we kept ourselves busy in packing/repacking up the baggage. Anu visited with her kids to wish us safe journey back home. We gave her a copy of Hanuman Chalisa, the booklet even the US President Barak Obama keeps with him as we learnt recently from the press. It took a lot of efforts adjusting the weight of the baggage. By the time we finished it was around 8.30 with no time or energy left to prepare our food. Rachna wanted us to taste the food at R&Z’s Ping Pong, her favourite place she frequented for lunch when working in the office nearby. So we rushed to the King of Prussia as they close by 9.30 and it was almost half-an hour drive. While searching for the eating places nearby earlier, Rachna found one to be the Most Romantic Restaurant in the whole of the USA but the place inconspicuous to her that Vimal could recollect and remember to have seen once. On reaching there we found all workers getting ready for their dinner together as usual with the Chinese. We were served promptly and to notice that they had already taken out the chopsticks from the table replaced with forks finding us to be Indian and taking for granted that we do not use them, perhaps. Back home, as usual I get a glass of milk for good night rest before the long journey for which friends, relatives and well-wishers sent their safe trip messages on the picture shared by Rachna on Facebook from the Ping Pong. First to wish us was Saroj D. Prajapati, president NPPA, who asked ‘Hope you can stay unto WNO Convention’ to which I replied, ‘Wish we could but are leaving tomorrow night. Thank you and all for making our stay so joyful to treasure pleasant memory for a long time!’ I thanked for ‘Have safe trip’ from her. Somewhere deep inside I was sad for not being able to visit her father Ram Malakar, founder president of NPPA, who had invited us but Ranjana’s prolonged bad cough followed by the blizzard made us helpless.
 
Today was the day of our departure and since past few days our worry had been how to carry all the goods in our suitcases that were smaller in size. We tried putting heavier items there but of no help. Rachna finally solved the problem by giving two large ones but still all could not come and we had to leave behind things much against our desire like the book Kiran (Ron) Sitoula gave us since that alone weighed three kilograms. I had put in my laptop bag but she would not allow me carry heavy in both my hands. So much so that we dropped the idea of even getting stuff from Duty Free Shops as both of had our hands were full with laptops and carry in baggage. Prasad and Bindiya dropped in to say good bye and safe trip with a nice gift for Ranjana. I had one for them too from the last and third lot we purchased to make a good gift more for its usefulness than its value. I like it very much and wanted to give this gift to all we wished but Rachna-Vimal were reluctant to agree. After Achyut Bhai, I tried it first with Karthikeyan and Tina was so happy to get such a useful gift that made me encouraged to continue giving it. Vipin-Priya, Sumit-Ruru, Shib-Anu, Tejas-Urwi, Mahesh-Madhu and all were delighted to get such a wonderful gift. I had even sent this gift also to Vimal’s parents and relatives in Palakkad through Vipin’s parents.  Last one when given to Prasad, he said his son Chakloo would be happier to get it. When it was found well received by all friends and relatives, I recollected how well Charles Dudley Warren said, ‘The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than its value.’ The best part of the story and it was so nice of Vimal asking Rachna at the end whether we have any left for themselves in their home. Yes she had and it was the one we brought with us during our last sojourn. When we purchased a number of them so often, the elderly person in the counter too was happy that the good thing we purchased that would reach that very one spot. He himself had one with his name-tag kept on the counter top as Rachna found. Many of my readers must have guessed it right, this useful gift was nothing but the simple ‘body scratcher’ mentioned earlier in my writings as well. It is equally good for doing simple exercise by lifting it with both hands a foot apart and move up and down. This would help from having stiff neck or tennis elbow, if practised regularly 50 times gradually increased to 200 hundred times or more. I practise it as a part of my daily regime after doctors recommended it for me some years ago when I had stiff neck when in Nepal!
 
Rachna wanted us to have some delicious snack prepared by her for tea in the evening as she had been treated to motherly love all the while when we were there all these months. Even her friends were happy but in her good bye, reach safe and sound message on phone, Urvi had just one wish she missed – the yummy momos from Ranjana’s hands. It was chicken momo with fresh wrap homemade unlike they make with frozen wraps and turkey for filling while she was totally vegetarian from Gujrat. The previous evening Rachna had Pani Puri/Puchka with readymade puri from Bhavani the Indian store and for its fillings with all the ingredients made fresh but frozen chickpeas for me as I avoid potatoes. For last evening it was Vada Pao and Bhel Puri she prepared so well having done her BE from Pune in Maharashtra to graduate with these tasty culinary fares. 
 
Towards the end of the sojourn we did not find Passang and Tashi from Nepal working in the Bhavani, who was surprised to see us buying the stuff other Indians love to eat. The Subway in the Exton Mall was run by a Nepali and worker too from Nepal delighted to see us as their customer for the first time ever since he came there. Rachna had come across Nepalese working in restaurants like Devi and Indian Hut / Hot Bread too had cook from Nepal. I have earlier mentioned in one of my writings how a worker was surprised to find Rachna asking for Taja Bhaat Paainchh ki?!
 
With all such sweet things to recollect and enjoy how soon all these 25 weekends passed by that we got ready to move on with heavy heart to leave all behind to get into the Acura mdx burgundy that had been a part of our life in sojourn that never made us feel we were away from home. With SIKKIM as its number plate to give that very identity making us a class apart that helped to connect with all these great souls far away from home yet to be a home for us all the while all these months together but to say adieu and depart finally. Weather too was sad as it rained throughout the day, more heavily as we headed to JFK New York airport for our 10’o-clock fight in the night. Three hour drive with Vimal-Rachna recollecting all through the journey the nice time we had together that simply flew off so fast but to settle down deep in our hearts their love and care loaded with gifts abound that yet made us desire one visit more time next but not five years apart like the present one. We have many more to desire and never enough even after so much we felt enjoying to be in the USA as we proceed through Security cordon to board the Etihad Airways waving hands to see off Vimal and Rachna at the far end of the huge hall till our eyes welled up blurred. I could only thank them on my Facebook to say, ‘With best wishes from all our friends, family and well-wishers for our safe journey, we arrived hale and hearty back home last Friday. We express heartfelt thanks to all and America for making our sojourn wonderfully pleasant and memorable lifelong!’
 
Someone rightly said that Every good thing has to come to an end and so did our Sojourn USA 2015 came to an end but not the story to continue and share with my readers one more time like the trip we hope next  ~ God willing!
 
Disclaimer:
This is author’s personal account of memories updated to cherish and treasure often on a detour here and there en route to share the joy of the journey called life while in the US. Some names, quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]

Having celebrated our wedding anniversary the best way with snowfall outside that kept us home, we started the new week thinking of winding up our stay US 2015 that stretched here till January to see the wonderful snow here, there all around. The Blizzard 2016 had put Washington DC and most of the eastern coast in a state of emergency that lost many lives to cost many car accidents. Rachna was narrating us the tragic death of a mother and her year old baby with 3-year kid in critical condition when inside the car with ac on while father was digging out the snow unrealized that the vent pipe was clogged due to the snow. Most of the offices closed on Monday and schools reopening on Wednesday but the heaps of snow piled up more than what melted down in sunny two days that could be known from the half covered window glass panes slowly lowering down. Way back in early-1970s when in Shimla to reach Pahalgam in Jammu-Kashmir attracted by the Raj Kapur’s Bobby and other Bollywood movies, as a youth it was nice fantasizing to enjoy life amidst snow covered surroundings away from the hustle bustle of the modern times realizing well the after effects of broken waterlines and branches laden with snow fallen from trees causing hardships to normal life. Here the roads were cleared immediately throughout the night as more snow piled up due to the blizzard that next day neighbours were seen digging out the driveway, cars, mailbox and walkway connecting thereto while children enjoyed playing since early morning. Rachna-Vimal too started after the breakfast and we joined them but not before taking a few photos in the snow-covered front-yard as snow had piled up to the door covering the whole verandah even the hanging flower baskets there. Ranjana was quite excited to see, touch and feel the soft snow and to jump, sit and walk on the knee deep snow to enjoy throwing balls and Rachna helping her mom to splurge on her as I take a shot of this joyful moment captured for life. We may not get such an opportunity again and ever to see clean heaps clear far and wide all around yet to be spoilt by the weather or the nature rather by the civilization yet. I do not know about life after the snowfall in higher altitudes back home, but some idea I could have was during my visit to Kupup and surrounding areas during 1990 working as the Director of Census Operations, Sikkim. Here it is just magnificent spread everywhere neat and clean with fluffy cover from the digging out mechanically that throws out snow like water from a fountain!
 
We have not been out of home but to enjoy a walk around the neighbouring Park Monday afternoon to have the wonderful sight of bright snow-white spread all over the locality far and wide as far as our eyes could reach. Snow may last for quite a long time due to low temperature hovering around even though sun shines frequent enough these days. From my study I can have a long view deep inside the forest in between the neighbouring houses with some rows of juniper giving greenery for privacy to the deck behind though tall trees are stark naked birds flying occasionally. Wonderful view we have of the beautiful sunrise that turns sky crimson bright with clear sky not with a speck of cloud to be seen but stretches left by jet planes soaring high above in the dome seen covering the whole earth. Such a cover is not visible in our hilly place might be due to the surrounding tress and houses clustered together to mark the horizon. Or late in the evening birds seen flying v-shaped back to their nest to mark the end of the day after day-long search for food and something else more. Where would all these snow go melting slowly and gradually opening the window panes that covered almost half to pile up on the roof over the porch – must be helping earth go resourceful replenishing waterline below unlike our Himalayan glaciers going receding snowline and rivers dried up with unwelcome accumulation eating away embankments down their course. Hazards of thermal power plants could be seen fly ash piling up in the neighbourhood in the national capital but here it is nuclear power station to be seen standing tall next to the King of Prussia said to be largest mall in the US.