To continue with the story last week on the Silk Route, it would be nice to recollect from what is treasured in my memory. It traces back to good old days of our family business known then also as the Nepali Kothi with its branch office located at the Kodamull Building. Old letter head also support as its only documentary evidence to share here. At stone's throw was the Oon Godam to be seen there at 10th Mile, where the Kalimpong College was later located perhaps after the closure of the Indo-Tibet trade. Probably, it was once caught in a fire  but not like the one that engulfed Rhenock bazar more than once. The one that razed mid portion was in 1958 winter perhaps. The reason as per the rumour then heard was a businessman trying to send petrol clandestinely filled in tins filled with kerosene oil. His wife happened to check in to find out what was going on inside the room with a dhibri in her hand that  caused the fire. It was at midnight and we were then staying at the Kothi and me back from school for holidays. Thulo Mama and Buba had rushed down to help in fire fighting that took quite a long time when we watched from the Gate waiting for them to return and know the reason, loss and damage due to the fire. Previous year we had faced such a rage to the house we were staying adjacent to the Kothi when we lost many valuables. My eldest sister Sunita was just a year old baby Muma escaped with safe while Buba was reported to be in a state of shock for this sudden mishap to ruin his whatever documents and property he could bring while moving out from Kalimpong after winding up the business. I was in Gangtok studying and Shanti Daju* had come with nephew Ram* who was grieviously injured in the fire that took place due to his carelessness perhaps as he was the main victim too. He was admitted in the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memmorial Hospital and after spending some weeks he returned to Varanasi. Thi swas also the first time I had visited the hospital which is observing a year-long Centenary Year currently. This closed the Varanasi chapter for our family though Buba and Muma visited the place in insistence of my sisters not only to see our ancestral place there but also to bring home some heritage furniture that we still have here at Rhenock and the safe which was broken when our house was broken in around the time when we were away in the US in 2010. Somehow this too was later stolen when the house was left for major renovation. With Uday Bachau Abhiyan started by our Karuna Devi Smarak Dharmarth Guthi in support of the Nepali literary magazine Uday established by founding editor/publishers Kashi Bahadur shrestha* in 1937, we are in touch with the place and have visited several times along with Buba*-Muma and Thulo Mama*-Maiju for their Gaya Shraddha while we were later there with son and nephew for our Gaya Shraddha in 2005. We had the opportunity to have kind hospitality of the Durga Prasad Shrestha who took over the mantle from his father as the editor/publisher to continue the publication. Earlier that year I was there for the publication of my magnum opus Sikkim : Three Decades towards Democracy along with Rachna Katha Anushthan 2005 and a reprint of Col. Macaulay's A Report of  the Mission to Sikhim and the Tibetan Frontiers 1894. It was during this visit I had the rare honour to hand over Madan Samman to the editor/publisher of Bindu K. B. Nepali from Lumding, Assam. This award for the year 2016 was recently given to Dr. Shanti Chettri for her outstanding contributions to the Nepali literature at Varanasi. Born in a Pradhan family, she is a gem the Black Hill ever produced and we are proud of her for being one of my Buba's brilliant students. She was in the panel of judges for the story-writing competition and Rachna Katha Anushthan 2005 brought out was the best 25 stories to give a fresh taste of the contemporary Nepali writings from Sikkim and the Himalayan region. 

It was not surprising when there was some news of clandestine business transactions across the Nathula border that made some section of the people demanding even the closure of the border trade citing security concerns amid the country-wide cry for banning not only the Chinese crackers and lightings around this Diwali season but all the products from that side. According to a media report, "As per reliable source it's come to learn that Union Home Ministry has seriously taken up Nathula Trade Route matter for national security concern.Very soon a common minimum dialog between state and centre is expected..." There was also a report from the other side claiming about their business getting unusual steep rise over the period. Of late, there was a report of "Retailers demand for Chinese goods dips 45% on boycott demand" in the social media platforms went viral trader's body, CAIT said. Least bothered of things as there was a nice picture showing our PM with his Chinese counterpart and Nepalese PM with wife - some claim it to be a tripartite talk in the sidelines BRICS convention concluded recently  in Goa. Our hope is that everything is resolved with proper checks and balances in the matter to smoothen the path for reopening the fabled Silk Route reviving the dream and aspirations of the  people here in future not very far away. 

Raising once again, keeping the dream alive, was the welcome news A First for Sikkim (Talk Sikkim 4 October) about the Silk Route Motorcycles - launched around the same time the Silk Route Bikers Rally happened - was the first tour company to be issued with yellow number plates for motorcycles to encourage adventure tourism in the State. Bikes are offered on hire but at least five bikes are needed to be eligible to replicate/start a similar venture. BB Line Ventures offer the bikes for hire for Rs. 1,500 per day after paying a security deposit of Rs. 10,000. Quite perplexed, whether the Silk Route Bikers Rally inspired/blessed Silk Route Motorcycles or the other way around. Whatever be the outcome, the Black Hill would and should benefit out of the Silk Route activities in days to come, this way and that!       

Mantam landslide in North Sikkim last August had made an artificial lake that many took it as a blessing in disguise to develop, promote and boost tourism there but it was not taken in that perspective for the massive disaster caused. Considering the hardship people suffered with many villages submerged, the High  Court had to intervene and order to start emptying the flow of blocked river Kanaka. "Dzongu the land Nature made Dam vs Man made Dam" in the social media was an interesting in-depth article giving the historical/mythological background with local belief of the people in the place affected. Mantam would, however, definitely be a place of interest to visit for many, not necessarily only those concerned with the environment.
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When we could not be present during the inauguration of the new temple here, thought something missed while here in the Black Hill but No. It was not so but again a blessing in disguise, if we are to go by what some section of people later found here. Instead of some sermon they found themselves subjected to and being treated with tirade of being uncivilized and uncultured lot while students here were without proper upbringing. Further, people here always going against the tide in spite of all the good things like this temple served to them. It was, not less than a blessing in disguise for those who somehow missed to be there on the occasion and blessed not to be in person to hear all people did not expect out of a religious function. Anyway, the show must go on and we must count our blessings, not our sorrows and are to have such a marvellous temple like the Sri Vishwavinayak Mandir, which is supposed to be second to none in the region, if not in the country. It would also help to a great extent in reviving the Silk Route Dreams of the people here at Rhenock with the Vedic Pathshala being not only the shrine but also as a modern centre of Vedic learnings as reportedly envisaged giving the spiritual boost for Sikkim. Taking things positively, let us hope that everything goes well improving the environment here in coming days. Let us all including those in the Black Hill strive towards the goal, without being stressed or strained taking such a remark in a positive note as a true reflection of ourselves with the need stressed to improve upon, be blessed by Lord Ganesh in all our endeavours and make ourselves better, dedicated more to the service of the society, state and the nation with our lot improved in days to come keeping with the good names our forefathers toiled day and night to make Sikkim what it is today!

The Newars worldwide would be observing Mha Puja as a part of their Swanti Nakha: i.e. three-day-festival of Laxmi Puja, Mha Puja and Kija Puja/Bhai Tika on the New Year/Nhu Dan Nepal Sambat 1137 the day many Hindus observe the Govardhan Puja. My hearty warm greetings on this auspicious occasion. May the coming year be full of happiness, vigour, sound health with brilliant success in every endeavour of ours - Nhu Danya Bhintuna! as we say to all including the fellow Newars the world over!

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 (*asterisk for those no more), quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]. The Newars World~Wide Connecting the Dots Sikkim is available at the Rachna Books.

Everyday is not Sunday (recently it was one without my regular column or even an issue/edition thus missing an episode of Black Hill Journeys) and there was no show of the guardian deity Mount Kanchanjungha this morning for me from my residence Jaisri at Rhenock in the Black Hill. Otherwise, it was there yesterday morning to have a daybreak view mesmerising in all its glory to share the picture on Facebook and the same picture was posted by a friend Jasbir Pradhan to say Good evening. It was first time from here to have the glimpse beautiful in the evening with sun rays falling partially to make it so special the day for all those who care. With Mohani 1136/Dashain 2016 bidding us a good bye, it was Dashainko Gham whole day when Ranjana thought it best for picking the red ripe tomatoes before they fell themselves off like some of the fruits due to weight the plant could not bear even as we tried to give some support with bamboo-stakes.These were the fruits tied well to the support. All who saw these when here for Dashain or before could not help but stop awhile taking a mobile shot like Ratan Chettri of Tadong who was here the previous week. Best, therefore, was to share the memories 2014 and 2015 this day on two great places we could make together with Rachna-Vimal in God's Own Country and North Carolina/Florida. These happen to be the best places seen with Facebook reminding of the Memories to share on Sharad Purnima/Super Full Moon to look forward like the one we had with clear sky here yesterday that gave first ever view of Mount Kanchanjungha at sunset as well! Everybody is not impressed nor does appreciate what it means to see the mountains in its glory at dawn or dusk day after day to find it different every time one looks at. Such is the joy of feeling blessed by Mother Nature to have the view from the comforts of own home. Only thing, one should have a knack for such a wonderful gift that I find coming re-knocking at Rhenock, the Black Hill. When I shared the Full Moon shot with that popular song Aajko Juneli Raatma, Dharati par hai Aasmaan ( a popular duet with opening lines in Nepali from the film Talaash sung by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mageshkar lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri music by S. D. Burman with Rajendra Kumar and Sharmila Tagore 1969), another writer-friend Harish Moktan 'Allarey' complimented it with Koi Rhenock ke Shaan bankar, Utara Black Hill ke Aangan.What a compliment, it is sheer joy! But again, Chaar din ki Chandani, Phir Andheri Raat as the adage goes.
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Mohani 1136/Dashain 2016 was celebrated here after a gap of seven years to be back home for the festival blessed by Muma. It gave us an opportunity to welcome some of our near and dear ones to spend a night or two but this year we missed to be with the family we always spent Dashain day together. Dashain brings back memories how we managed to reach to be with them at the Kothi right since childhood days. It was, otherwise too, almost a daily affair to be there with Thulo Mama*-Maiju and little sisters or our own kids were no problem as I would take them on my back climbing uphill way back. We enjoyed our visit there as they too were equally happy to be sharing the latest news and views as those were the days no mobiles or even telephones till we got connected some fifty years back while Thulo Mama had one with number Rhenock 30 as the telephone exchange had subscribers limited to two digits in number and ours was 36. Rhenock was among the first places in Sikkim to get a Post Office and Telegraph Office due to the Silk Route and The Chandra Nursery. It was also the place to have one of the five earliest missionary schools in Sikkim. It also had one established by Rai Saheb Ratna Bahadur Pradhan* and Babu Durga Shamsher Pradhan* in memory of their mother Bhima Devi near the Kothi next to the sprawling Chandra Nursery to encourage girl-child education like that for their own daughters and others from the locality to attend and have primary education. Even in 1960s vehicles were few, could be counted in fingers with most of them service either to Gangtok or Kalimpong.  For us even that did not help much as driver was allowed to spend the holidays with the family unless he happened to be a local hand like Suk Bahadur Sherpa* or Ashok Bhujel, who too often failed. With time change there are over a hundred taxis with almost every house having a car parked outside.Down the lane/Highway it seems the picture has not changed much with people standing for a taxi to come to their rescue even for a short distance. With the benefit of a taxi to share who cares to walk and mobile phones in every hand a taxi is always a call away, if you have the number of a friendly driver or two. If not available, he would help give you his friend's number. With a new generation savvy, smart to drive and own a vehicle, even banks happy to finance it, days here are blessed and getting better in the Black Hill. With husband-wife both working and some owning a vehicle or two have changed the picture here like in most part of Sikkim. Even house-wives joining a Self Help Group or the other and many running a Homestay in Aritar near the Dak Bunglow and lake with Lampokhari Tourist Festival held every year has boosted Tourism as well as the family income of the people here like some other places in Sikkim. Many here would not be surprised to know that the Festival was extension or concentration of the annual ritual and in celebration of Chaitay Dashain/Ramnavami when people used to climb uphill towards higher reaches of Rachela to pluck Rhodedendron flowers burning the forest red in blooms. People still go there but more come to Lampokhari from outside to enjoy the place the nature has endowed/blessed with as it has turned out to be a favourite tourist destination over the past decade. The tourism boom has really improved the lot of many here and adjoining places. Lampokhari, as such, has been a blessing in disguise for the people in the Black Hill!

Dashain talk is incomplete without Khasi-mansu and Chiura for most of the Newars like me and feel blessed with teeth good enough to enjoy them best. Sadly, some from our new generation lack this taste. When the mutton was brought home paying a premium of Rs. 10/- per kilo against the normal price, disappointed to find it an unusual mixed lot with plenty of fat and other sundry parts. But we thought it best of using them to make Khoyenla - a Newar delicacy which we had not made ever since it was last prepared during our son's marriage with a whole goat at our disposal. It was, as such a blessing in disguise, especially for me with even difficult bones turn deliciously soft and relishing with all nutritious virtues quite good for advancing age. Readers might be wondering what is so special about this Khoyenla also known as Takhala that has a variant in Sanya-khuna a hot favourite for many in Newar Bhoye/Bhoj in the mainland Nepal. In plain words, Khoyenla is just Cold Meat with plenty of gel good for your bones, soft to your teeth that melts with ease in tongue and of course good to taste but somehow seldom produced at home these days. Sanya-Khuna has dried fish added to give a different unique taste altogether. It might be due to buff meat many enjoy in its dried form available locally imported in the capital Gangtok. Both go best with, again, Chiura. If anyone is interested to have the recipe, we shall be glad to oblige. Friends would definitely enjoy it, especially during coming winter days with festivals, festivities and marriages. 

Recently the Black Hill was in the news as the Sikkim Express had the headline 'New Spiritual Retreat at ancient Silk Route town' Vishwavinayak Mandir inaugurated at Rhenock. So was the news enthralling of the Silk Route Motorcycle Rally making headlines to a warm public reception next day at Mahatma Gandhi Road in the capital that saw felicitation of all some odd 80 bikers. They had ventured out from Aritar the previous day with Area MLA Bikram Pradhan leading to take them through what once used to be the much remembered Silk Route for the Indo-Tibet Trade that was there till 1959. But much before there were signs of decline in the cordiality between the two great powers to be in the South Asia. This I could personally understand from the decline of the business our forefathers  after years of toiling to come  finally to Banares and settled down and start a business house under the name and style of Harishankerlall Ramshankerlall Nepali established as long as back in the year 1886 at Chaukhambha by the two cousins. Somewhere I read of tracing out the first use of the word Nepali in India to a much later date but to this author it was already there in our family a century or two ago. This enterprise that came later to be popularly known as the famed Nepali Kothi. It would not be much surprising if some scholar doing research on the Newars would find this historic event also very much akin to the advent of the Newars in Sikkim around the same time when Laxmidas Newar with his cousin Chandrabir Newar first came to Sikkim invited to make it their new home. The younger/latter was entrusted the onerous task of bringing development in that part of the Himalayan Kingdom what is fabled now that we know as the Black Hill. Someone was telling me that this word Back Hill is the actual meaning of the name Rhenock for it was the den of all ills right from ferocious wild animals, killer diseases, mosquito and all venomous insects infested to the cruel inhabitants who wanted to skin Chandrabir and sing song of victory playing drum made out of it. Not an easy task to overcome all the hurdles and befriend and be blood-friends out of them bringing laurels to them with much coveted honorification of the Taksari. This illustrious Taksari Family gave Sikkim in its next generation six sons to be honoured by the British Raj the title of Rai Saheb for their outstanding contributions to make a difference in the life and society here.  Black Hill had this for the founder of The Chandra Nursery Rai Saheb Ratna Bahadur Pradhan who made it a landmark achievement along with his brother Babu Durga Shamsher Pradhan. His younger son Mohan Pratap Pradhan* became he first chief secretary to the Government of Sikkim from the Nepalese community while the second to follow him was Keshab Chandra Pradhan son of Rai Saheb Bhim Bahadur Pradhan*, another brilliant son of Taksari Chandrabir Newar from his third wife, known for his epoch changing contributions in the Himalayan Kingdom as the Forest Manager.  The Rest, as they say, is history that everyone would not take the cudgels to trace out in the present scenario as there is no time to dwell upon the past except for this soul who is attempting to write a few episodes connecting the past with. It is, as such, a blessing in disguise for me to be here in the Black Hill after a decade of retirement to jot down things past and present related to it and share with along with some pictures off and on to make reading somewhat interesting and relevant enough of making story out of things that happened recently and not that very recently as well!

The Silk Route that once passed through Aritar in the Black Hill to the high altitudes of Jalepla and Nathula is still much valued trade route and the most hard hit by its closure was the town of Kalimpong 42 kilometres from Rhenock. My Buba used to be there at 10th Mile in the Kodamull Building with the branch office of the Nepali Kothi.With the closure of the Indo-Tibet Trade it was but natural for Buba to move the family to a place close by and choice was naturally Rhenock as both my mothers belonged to the place. He not only settled down but dedicated himself and rest of his life to the cause of education in the much needed part of  and time in Sikkim and the people find him best to be remembered as their Head Sir - name given out of love and respect. This author could thus come to Gangtok exactly six decades ago and get his education in the Sir Tashi Namgyal High School (now Tashi Namgyal  Academy) in the premier educational institute of Sikkim under the careful guardianship of his maternal uncle Mohan Pratap Pradhan*. Half a century later when the vice-president of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat* visited Sikkim, it was this author in the capacity of the Secretary in charge of the Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department in his welcome address in the civic reception held in the Chintan Bhavan at the capital had said that the people of Sikkim looked much ahead of the Indo-China Trade that had restarted that year in 2006 and far beyond to Kailash Manasarovar Pilgrimage in days to come through the Nathula Pass. I was posted in that department for the second time in my 36-year long career and this rare feat could be due to my brilliant and successful first tenure that saw a befitting end given to the concluding month-long state-wide functions held celebrating 50 Years of India's Independence in 1998. This (2016) was the second year for the pilgrims thus to visit that place making dream come true for the fortunates but this author felt being blessed to have such an opportunity to put across the message that time while for the present he is age-barred as no person of age 70 and above can go there for the arduous trip when even people much younger had to come back half way disappointed as their health did not permit them to travel beyond. It would be no surprise if the dream of the people in Kalimpong come true in coming days with the fabled Silk Route too opened up much to the economic, social and overall upliftment of those here too. With my early education and stay there, I am fully with them on this matter. Such an eventuality would be a blessing in disguise to the people in the Black Hill as well. Our people are well prepared with several homestays opened here at Reshi, Aritar and Zuluk along the SilkRoute to welcome such an opening ambitiously. Those days are not very far off seeing the well-built Reshi-Rongli-Nathula/Jelepla Highway getting spruced up with road widened all along in tune with the hopes and aspirations of the people here and other side of the Reshi as well. It could also be similar for those in the other side of the border too, who knows! 

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 (asterisk for those no more), quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]. The Newars World~Wide Connecting the Dots Sikkim is available at the Rachna Books.

It was not only this lonely soul who enjoyed darkness to write in lengths as to see Monday morning Doordarshan National for the literature enthusiasts Prof. Namvar Singh discussing with presenter Madan Kashyap in their weekly programme Aaj Savere about a book eulogising the dark. Excerpts from Zid by Rajesh Joshi was quite interesting to know about. A line that stuck to my mind was Andhere mein andhere ka gaana gaana ujale ka gaana saman hai meaning 'To sing about darkness in the darkness is to sing of the light.' In praise, of course that need not further elaborate but to add another line they shared from the book was Andhkar mein jeenewale deshmein dahshatgardi karte hain or something similar as words which escaped my attention or ears. Anyway, it was so close to the theme. A song that emerges out from our youth days here is from Sambandh (1969 lyrics Pradeep music O.P. Nayar voice Mahendra Kapoor) Andhere mein jo baithe hain, Jara un par bhi najar kuch dalo, Are o roshaniwalon - Bure hain nahin hum itne, Jara hamein dekho bhalo, Are o roshaniwalon What message could we give better  to voice our woes more aptly than these few words from the Black Hill or for that matter from any part of the world in similar suffering!

Well, the electricity for Black Hill was not there since ages, not even at the time of our marriage as we both well remember when Prakash from Kathmandu had come to visit his sister Ranjana as the in-laws were much worried how would she be doing in a remote place like Sikkim where electricity was not there four decades ago in the year 1975. He had reached Gangtok after traveling a whole day and a night. Not finding us there (we had come home for the weekend) he reached with great difficulty locating our place late in the evening. Ranjana could not believe her eyes when she found the voice calling her pet name in the darkness outside was that of her brother seen with the help of a lantern raised in the hand. He too recollects his experience when we met in the US and ask us many things about this wonderful place called Rhenock. That year and the year 2010 Dashain, we were at his place in the far end of New York with his mother our Maili Ma. Her other son Bikash then working with the UNDP too joined us and so also all other Tengal family members from New Jersey. 

Electricity was not there for generations for us until our Thulo Mama Bhishma Pratap Pradhan* then the President Aritar Panchayat with Buba Jai Shanker Lall Shresta* landed up with a number of signatories in the Tashiling Secretariat to submit a petition for their village being provided with such a facility. It had just reached Rhenock Bazar and that must be before Rongli. They were told that the transmission work going on for Rongli, the facility could also be extended to this place too if a representation was made to the Government. It was the year 1976 perhaps when Rinzing Tongden Lepcha* was the Power Minister they met in the Development/Plan Building (the first Office building from the First 7-Year Plan) where the Health Department is located presently. Since the transmission line came through Dalapchand, Kazi Mama and others of Tintalle enjoyed the benefit earlier than we did in this end of Aritar. Even Kothi got the power connection much later than us. We had taken the electrician Buddhiman Tamang with his helper Sukbir Tamang all the way from Gangtok. Some years later we had engaged locally Deepak from Bihar to pass on the trade to his son Rajesh. Things were not the same thereafter as Rhenock Bazar saw many things good and bad to follow. Rice Mill replacing traditional Dhiki had eased life here to be entertained by Nepali/Hindi movies in the Sri Krishna Cinema Hall both examples of Thulo Mama's entrepreneurship as the sheen of The Chandra Nursery with Woodland Nursery he ran till he breathe last was fading away. I do not wish to list the bad part though many people attribute the 2014 inferno that engulfed the main Rhenock Bazar to the short circuit in the electricity that too due to sheer carelessness. 

Being drowned suddenly in pitch darkness is neither the sole feature of the developing country like ours supported with the abundant hydro-power potentiated natural resources rich state we belong to or the neighbouring Nepal where it has been their way of life with power cuts extended to 12 hours or even more in a day, summer or winter whatever season perennially. No worry since the show must go on that continues in a routine manner even at the worst phase of their life with economic blockade inflicted upon them for months together. They carried on all the while with a smile wedding taking place with bridegroom cycling to bring back the newly-married couple in a rickshaw. No matter if the cooking gas was beyond their reach, firewood out of old furniture or whatever timber they had from the house dismantled by the Great Earthquake not very long ago. People reached Aryaghat at Pashupati Nath for funeral even. So the developed countries have to pass through the pangs of darkness due to some cyclone or calamity naturally no one could escape and would have to face the music. Rachna-Vimal were away for the weekend and their friendly neighbour helped to open the vent allowing water to flow out of the basement for their newly acquired house. Earlier, they had a taste of power crisis faced there staying in the house that is well insulated fully depending upon the electricity for light and all domestic appliances and facilities. A few hours without power means and makes a lot of difference to their otherwise nice and easy-going life with weekdays gone without any break from their routine looking forward for the weekend to enjoy their best and most. We feel blessed to be here by Mother Nature where simply opening the windows gives cool breeze to soothe ourselves escaping from the summer heat in the night or shutting them to remain in cozy homely warmth during the winter days. Only the degree of heat or cold depends upon where we are located in the vast country but being in Sikkim much of our woes are taken away thus to make me believe so. No wonder if people from the plains coming here find it exciting to be always in the air-conditioned environment and people here so blessed, naturally!
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Coming back home to be in the Black Hill unrealized to find that the whole region was under the severe grip of worst ever power crisis that people were helpless for days and nights together. We too had no escape but to join them as if to add to the misery or ourselves brought into such a fate. It was a testing time for us as many in Gangtok asked us why did not you come back the moment learning the grim situation over there. Otherwise, too our lifestyle had already been spoiled remaining there for some ten odd days too busy attending so many things finding ourselves in tight schedule and almost at the cost of our health. How the people cope with that itself is a mystery or misery one has to live with even in rural areas these days! We cannot help nor can we escape but things have definitely now becoming difficult the way life here too has turned out making it easier with multi-storey structures for the residence in lieu of cottages. With a huge water reservoir atop them and such a power failure, my neighbour was ruing for they have to carry water with no power-pump working to pull it up. Earlier, he nearly broke his limbs after a slip from the the ladder while checking the water in the reservoir. This reminds me of a colleague of mine in the beginning of my career working in the Home Department way back in 1975 such an action proved fatal to take life of such a nice and promising officer with otherwise bright career ahead. Life takes me back to many of the electricians mainly linemen losing theirs fixing the fault climbing atop the posts. Here, our cableman Purna from Aritar of local television channel lost his life similarly while connecting/correcting the cable two years back. Recently it was in the news that somewhere in the west district a person working to fit roof-truss happened to touch the power transmission line to bring an unfortunate end to his life. Fault lies with us or with the system we are in but these pass off as accidents one has not control over, whether in the developing country or elsewhere where we are mute witness accepting them as the destiny one brought with.

This time it was beyond their patience to come out to street at Rhenock bazar to protest against the system or lackadaisical manner they had been in the past. People from Rorathang, Reshi and all neighbourhood came together to raise the voice and were preparing for yet another time but to get back the light after five days though intermittently. Similar power failure had taken place some months ago but only half of the bazar and neighbourng area had to suffer but larger misery this time brought them all together in an unprecedented manner. While whole of the hills and vales were drowned in darkness day after day, it was 24-hour supply to some of the industrial units that saw no change to get the power day and night uninterrupted. Much might be behind the scene to have led to such a public resent but confined here with some hear-say stories unconfirmed about the manner the concerned dealt with. 
Bad luck is ours not to have the power-supply restored even after days together drowned in the woes that makes us strongly believe that we are really in the fabled Black Hill even after years of being the nicest/best/cleanest/safest/happiest state. Yet we are happy recalling the now world-famous khukri dance immortal song from our childhood days Yo Nepali seer uchali sansarma lamkinchh, Junkiri jhain jyoti baali andhkarma chamkanch first sung by Prem Dhoj Pradhan (who posted it on YouTube on May 6 this year) and Tara Devi* for Radio Nepal way back in 1955. Penned by Bhupi Sherchan* with its music by Natikaji* this was the first ever patriotic song recorded in Nepal in the system donated by the US Embassy.

Many might be interested to know what about the inverter we had. To save it from lightening when we were not here, it was disconnected from the mains but was not switched off. As a result all the energy it saved was drained off much to our worry whether its battery had not gone the same plight like the last time. Luckily for us the new battery was not to give away so soon and so easily. So, when power was restored, our joy knew no bound when the inverter started blinking, red light turned off much to our  relief and sheer delight.

A quote to came across online to share here ~ "By appreciating the darkness when you design the light, you create environments that truly enhance our lives."

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 (asterisk for those no more), quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]. The Newars World~Wide Connecting the Dots Sikkim is available at the Rachna Books.