JALDAPARA TOUR OF 2007
Written by:-
ARINDAM SAIN
Part – 01
Roy: - Oops! Thank God! I have passed in the subject of ‘Macro-Economics & Business Environment’ in our 2nd Semester. I was expecting to fail in it.
Sain: - Ha ha ha…I was also expecting the same. By the way, you have done your B.Com degree from Jaipuria College. In B.Com syllabus, you people have already learnt about Economics. I have done my B-Tech under West Bengal University of Technology. In our curriculum, there was no subject on Economics.
Roy: - All Engineering students have a wrong perception that all B.Com students are good at economics. Boss, in our B.Com studies, we have learnt about accounting in details, not about Economics and Finance. But, one thing, you have to accept that an Engineering student studying under WBUT gets higher percentage of marks than any plain graduate student under Calcutta University (CU). Under CU, a student has to struggle to get 60%. It is very hard to get good numbers in any examination of Calcutta University.
Ayandeep: - Who told you that Engineers always get high percentage? Maybe, the WBUT has a good grading system, that’s why; hardly have I seen any of their Engineering students getting below 60% marks. But, go to Karnataka or Maharashtra. The Engineering students studying in Karnataka or Maharashtra hardly gets more than 60% marks. Take my case only. I have studied Engineering under Pune University. I have secured only 57%. Only 37 students out of 178 students in our college got more than 60% marks. As a net result, I cannot appear for most of the companies that will be visiting our ICFAI Business School – Kolkata campus in this year of 2007 as I don’t have 60% marks throughout in my academics.
Debarjun: - Hmm…that’s a problem. Every University in India should follow a standard and uniform grading system. There is no guarantee that a student of other University with around 85% marks is as intelligent as a student of Calcutta University with 56% marks. It is only because of the fact that there is a huge disparity in the grading system followed by different universities.
Debrup: - Uff…you people have started discussing about the education system and results. Just stop this discussion. We have ended our Summer Internship Program (SIP). We have also got the 2nd Semester results. Our 3rd Semester classes will start from 14th June 2007. Today, it is 30th May 2007. Once the college classes commence, we will not be able to go for any tour because the companies will start visiting our campus. Already, Sumita Madam has declared the company names and their probable visiting dates. D E Shaw, Nerolac Paints, TCS, 3i Infotech, Eveready, Satyam, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Philips and TATA AIG will be visiting in between July and September.
Debarjun: - Dhhurrh…Sumita madam is not as efficient as Piyasi Sen was. Last year, believe me, even IDBI Bank, Eserve International and PWC came to recruit from our campus and that too before the SIP of our seniors. This year in 2007, I am damn sure that many companies will not visit our campus due to the attitude problem of Sumita Mukherjee. Basically, Sumita played politics on Piyasi to grab the position of Placement Officer. Now, Piyasi has moved to Globsyn Technologies and is using all her connections to get their students placed.
Sain: - Arrey, babah…you people don’t know the politics behind placing a student. For placing a student to a corporate, the placement officer charges some amount of money from the HR manager of that company. It is quite acceptable, because ultimately, the placement officer is giving a market ready human resource to that company. ICFAI Business School teachers have given their efforts to transform every ordinary student into a future manager. So, they cannot give their resources to a corporate without charging any money. But, in this case, I think that Sumita is charging more money than Piyasi. Moreover, unlike Piyasi, Sumita is herself deciding, who will appear for which company’s selection process. That’s not fair. Anyway, we will see what happens. Let’s not discuss about it. Debrup is right. We should go for a tour. But, where should we go?
Part – 02
Roy: - We can go to Digha or Puri.
Debarjun: - Dhaath…Bengalis have no other places to tour. Don’t you feel bored to visit Digha or Puri.
Roy: - Actually, these are places, where the expense is very low and you can enjoy the sea beach.
Debrup: - No, no, no…not Digha or Puri…dhaath…I have at least visited Puri for more than 10 times with my parents. I know each and every nook and corner of the Sun Temple at Konark…ha ha ha…
Roy: - Hmm…well…let me think a while. Oho! I forgot to tell you people. Do you people know Mohit Hada and Narendra Agarwal of Section-D?
Ayandeep: - No, we only know Arindam Sain and Arindam Roy of our section B…ha ha ha…
Roy: - You people always have a tendency to bully me. You people are not at all serious about any tour. You people always play jokes about me and Sain. Go to the Section-A then. In Section-A, there are 3 Arindam and 6 Abhishek. In our Section – B, there are 4 Arindam and 3 Abhishek.
Sain: - Uff…baapre baap. Bengali parents are fond of keeping their boy’s name as Arindam or Abhishek. See the fun.
Ayandeep: - Anyway, jokes apart. Roy, now tell us, what you were actually trying to say?
Roy: - Narendra and his gang went to Jaldapara recently. They are saying that it is a reserve forest and the expense of the tour is not more than 4500 or 5000 bucks. So, we can plan for Jaldapara forest tour.
Devrup: - Jeeyo mama…you have given a good suggestion. We will go to Jaldapara. Maybe, you people are not aware of the fact that there are two bunglows inside that Jaldapara forest, which have been constructed by our West Bengal State Government. One is Holong Bunglow, which is at the deep forest of Jaldapara and another bunglow is at the buffer zone of Jaldapara forest. The second bunglow is known as West Bengal Development Authority Tourist Bunglow. One has to go with me tomorrow at the office of West Bengal Tourism. It is in the B.B.D. Bag area of Kolkata.
Ayandeep: - Ok, I will go with you.
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WB Tourism Officer: - You people want to tour Jaldapara…hmm…What is your professions?
Ayandeep: - We are MBA students of ICFAI Business School. It is our vacation time. That’s why; we want to go for a tour. We want to book two rooms in Holong Bunglow for 3 days and 3 nights.
WB Tourism Officer: - Holong Bunglow! ha ha ha…only the lucky people get the room reservation in Holong bunglow. Basically, Holong Bunglow is more or less a guest house for our respected chief minister Jyoti Basu. Whenever, Jyoti Basu visits North Bengal, he loves to spend his quality time in Holong Bunglow. Anyway, I will not disappoint you people. There are two rooms available after 4th June 2007, but not in Holong bunglow. It is in the other bunglow. Will I book those two rooms for you people?
Debrup: - Yes, of course. We are 5 in number. We want to stay for 3 nights. Please tell us about the tour package.
WB Tourism Officer: - See, if you would have opted for Holong bunglow, then for 3 days and 3 nights, the expense would have been around 5500 bucks per head. But, for our ‘Banglar Bunglow’, it is only 3500 bucks per head. This amount is charged for both fooding and lodging. You don’t need to pay any extra money for having breakfast, lunch, evening coffee and dinner inside that bunglow.
Ayandeep: - Ok, we want to book two rooms from 5th June to 7th June. But, we will reach Jaldapara in the afternoon of 5th June. We will not be able to have the lunch on 5th June.
WB Tourism Officer: - Don’t worry, if you log in to our bunglow in the afternoon of 5th June, then you can log out on 12 noon of 8th June and can have your lunch in our bunglow only. Not an issue.
Ayandeep: - Ok, ok. Ei, Debrup. I am paying the entire money through my credit card.
Debrup: - No problem! Let me now call up Debarjun to tell him to book the tickets of Kanchan-Kanya Express of 4th June.
Part – 03
Sain: - Hello! Debrup, where are you people, boss? It’s 5.55 AM now. I have already reached Sealdah station. The Kanchan-Kanya Express is standing on Platform No. 10. The train will start at 6.25 AM. So, don’t be late. By the way, the railway tickets are with whom? What is our coach number?
Debrup: - Tickets are with me only. Our coach number is S-6. Our seat numbers are from 18 to 22. Ayandeep is with me only. I don’t have any information about Debarjun. Roy may have boarded inside S-6, because he reached the Sealdah station at 5.40 AM.
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Roy: - Where is Debarjun? It is already 6.15 AM. After 10 minutes, our train will start. Hey, Debrup, just make him a call.
Debrup: - Dhaath…I have never seen a lazy boy like Debarjun. Let him suffer for his laziness. There is nothing to worry. If he misses this train, then he can board any North- Bengal Express Bus from Esplanade to reach Siliguri. Debarjun lives in Saltlake area and he cannot reach Sealdah station on time.
Ayandeep:- He he he…there is an old saying that the persons who live near the Railway Station always misses the train…ha ha ha…Debarjun is not an exceptional case in this regard.
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Debarjun: - Oh! Yes, I have made it. At last, I have boarded the train on time.
Roy: - Just 2 minutes before 6.25 AM, you have boarded the train like a Hindi film Hero.
Debarjun: - Uff, I woke up at 5.50 AM. Then I came out of my house at 6.05 AM. Thanks to our car driver. He drove the car at a speed of 50 Km per hour to reach Sealdah station from Saltlake. I was actually planning to board the train from Ultadanga station, but, our car driver was confident enough to drop me at Sealdah station on time.
Ayandeep: - for your kind information, this train does not halt at Ultadanga station. It will just slower its speed and gallop through the platform slowly. Had you been waiting at Ultadanga station to board this train, then it would have been very risky for you, because you had to board on the running train.
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Debrup: - Accha, when will we reach New Jalpaiguri station?
Debarjun: - We will reach NJP station at 6 PM.
Debrup: - My goodness. It will take 12 hours to reach NJP. Babah, in 12 hours, a person can cross the entire state of Orissa and the half distance of Andhra Pradesh to reach Vizag. But, in our journey, we will remain inside West Bengal after 12 hours of journey also.
Sain: - He he he…have you not seen the map of West Bengal? The state of West Bengal is very big in its length but very small in its breadth.
Ayandeep: - We will feel bored. Hey, Roy, have you brought the pack of Cards?
Roy: - Yeah, yeah, I have. We can play call-bray here inside this train only.
Debarjun: - What is that in your hand, Roy?
Roy: - This is my i-pod. It has 1 GB memory space. You can store any .MP3 songs and listen to it with the help of these ear-phones. At present, I am listening to some new songs of Bengali bands.
Sain: - Hey, Roy, do one thing. Let us share the ear-phone. One will be in my ear and other one in your ear.
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Debrup: - This train is going through which route? I mean to say that the main Sealdah line goes towards Shantipur, Kalyani and Krishnanagar. But, this train has to go through the Bardhaman line to meet the main route to North Bengal.
Sain: - Yeah, yeah, it will surely meet the Bardhaman junction. After Bandel junction, this train will bend left side towards Adisaptagram and then move towards Bardhaman. I am not sure, but, maybe that is the only route. After Naihati station, this train will cross the Hooghly River.
Part – 04
Tranny 01:- Ei deh naa…hai hai…Chikney…come on, give us some money.
Ayandeep: - I can hear that typical clapping sound. Again, a group of tranny has boarded the train. Half an hour ago, I was literally harassed by them. I got rid of them by giving 10 bucks. Excuse me please. I need to go to the washroom of this side.
Sain: - ei, Ayandeep, wait, I will also accompany you.
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Tranny 02:- Come on, dear, give us some money.
Roy: - Hey, don’t touch me. Just half an hour ago, we have given money to your friends.
Tranny 01:- Hai hai, they were the trannies of different district. Every district has its own group of trannies. Now, the train is running through Malda district, dear. Come on, give us some money.
Debarjun: - Sain and Ayandeep have fled from this place to avoid this situation. Hey, Debrup, do you have any 5 rupee coin. Just give them.
Debrup: - Ei, just take this 5 bucks. We cannot give more than that.
Tranny 02:- Uff, both of you are so naughty, but this boy is sweet, mmuaah….lakkhi cheley…
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Sain: - Ha ha ha…uff…baapre baap…ei, Ayandeep, we should have not fled to the washroom. We have missed the lovely scene, where a tranny was giving a flying kiss to Roy. Oho! Roy, a tranny has fallen in love with you. You should give us a treat for that. He he he….
Roy: - Hmm…you people are laughing at it. Actually, this is harassment. That tranny has physically abused me.
Ayandeep: - Arrey, this harassment was still a good one. You know, what happened to one of my friends, while he was travelling to North Bengal by train. He was having a nice nap on the upper berth in the afternoon. Suddenly, some trannies boarded the train. One of those trannies pressed my friend’s natural asset so hard that he woke up with a painful surprise. Imagine, how you feel, if someone presses your pipe so hard, when you are having a nice sleep. My friend uttered so many slang languages to them, but, it hardly matters to those trannies. At the end, those trannies forcefully collected 20 bucks from my friend.
Roy: - There is no law to prevent these trannies from boarding the train? They always harass the passengers. They have some sexual organ problems and malfunction, so, what can we do for that? God has created them like that. For that reason, why should we be harassed by these trannies?
Debarjun: - Oh! Come on. Now, forget that topic. We have given them money. Those trannies will not disturb us again. So, just forget it. Hey, look at my mobile handset. The Airtel connection is showing a tower of Bihar. Is this train going through Bihar?
Sain: - No, the train is going through the Malda district. If you see the map of West Bengal, you can locate a region in Malda district, where the state of Bihar border and Bangladesh border is just about to touch each other. But in between those borders, there is a small portion of Malda region of West Bengal. Our train is going to that small region.
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Debrup: - Uff…chalo, after a long journey, we have reached New Jalpaiguri station. It is now 5.55 PM. Wow, the train has reached the station before the scheduled time. That’s quite good.
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Auto Driver: - Silguri! Siliguri! This auto will go to Siliguri. Yes, Sir! How many are you in number?
Debarjun: - We are 5 in number. We want to go to Siliguri. How much will you take?
Auto Driver: - I will take 40 bucks. Just sit inside my Auto, Sir.
Part – 05
Roy: - The Auto Rickshaws of North Bengal are quite different. In these autos, at least 10 people can sit easily. It has seats on its two sides. These autos are basically like trekkers only.
Debrup: - We have reached Siliguri. Now, we need to find a lodge. Accha, bhai, is there any good lodge here?
Auto Driver: - You can go to the Dragon Lodge.
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Lodge Manager: - Oh! You people want to stay for tonight only. Then, it’s better for you people to book one double bed room only.
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Sain: - Let us freshen up and take a nice bath. Then, we will go for our dinner.
Debarjun: - Accha, we need to go to the other side of the Siliguri town. We need to book a car for tomorrow to reach Jaldapara forest.
Roy: - Ok, ok, now it’s only 6.50 PM. We have enough time to do all those things.
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Ayandeep: - What is the name of this river flowing under this bridge?
Debrup: - Maybe, it is Mahananda River. I am not sure about that. Uff, look at the two sides of this river. There are so many slums. All these slum dwellers are polluting the waters of this river. No one is taking initiative or special care to clean the waters of this river.
Debarjun: - Have you noticed one thing? The lodge, where we are staying is on that side of the bridge. That side is the residential area of Siliguri. On this side of the bridge, it is the market area. All government offices, bus stands, travel agencies, big restaurants and markets are on this side of the bridge. Silguri is a planned city but now it has become a den of anti-socials.
Roy: - Siliguri is the main dumping center of Chinese products in India. If we get time, after our Jaldapara tour, we will try to visit the China market of Siliguri. You will get many electronics goods from there at a very cheap price. The only thing is that you have to spend some time to choose the quality electronics goods.
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Sain: - There are no cabs or jeeps available in any of the travel agencies, which will take us to Jaldapara forest. Actually, they are saying that for them Jaldapara is an odd route. Basically, all their cars are for Gangtok, Darjeeling or Kalimpong route.
Ayandeep: - Then, we will request our lodge manager to help us in this regard.
Debarjun: - Yeah, we can surely do that. Accha, there is one thing, we should be concerned about. We have not got the return ticket to Kolkata in any train. So, I have asked 2-3 travel agencies regarding the Volvo buses to Kolkata. The rate for A/C Volvo seat to Kolkata is 792 bucks per head and for Non A/C Volvo it is 510 bucks.
Roy: - Arrey, that we will book on the returning day only. Don’t worry about that. Boss, I am feeling very hungry now. We should have our dinner now. I can see the Dragon Bar & Restaurant from here. I think that we should go and eat there. Maybe, we can drink also.
Sain: - These three people don’t drink. Maybe, both of us can enjoy Strong Kingfisher beer.
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Ayandeep: - The Mixed chowmein of this Dragon Restaurant is really tasty and the Chicken curry is good too.
Roy: - Yeah, and it becomes tastier, if you drink Kingfisher beer with it. But, one thing you have to appreciate that in this part of the country, you will get the real Chinese noodles. These noodles are very thin, smooth and tasty, unlike the fat local noodles that we eat in the food stalls of Kolkata.
Part- 06
Lodge Manager: - Sure, sure. I will arrange a cab for you people tomorrow morning, which will take you to Jaldapara. The name of the cab driver is Shakti. Maybe, he will take around 600 bucks.
Debarjun: - That’s not an issue. Please arrange the cab.
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Debrup: - Dhaath…after a long journey also, I am not feeling sleepy. What is the time now? Let me see. Oh! It’s only 10.30 PM.
Sain: - Hey, Roy, come here. Just lean your ear on this wall. Can you hear something?
Roy: - Ha ha ha…yeah yeah, in the other room, the couples are having great performances. The moaning sounds are revealing that.
Ayandeep: - Hey, what happened? What are you people whispering at the side of that wall?
Roy: - Arrey, Ayandeep. Our room number is 23. In the room no. 22, some adult scenes are going on.
Debrup: - Taai naaki…uff…then we should make a hole in this wall to watch the live performance. I have never seen a live porn performance in my life.
Sain: - Ha ha ha…uff, Debrup, don’t make me laugh. Already, my stomach is too full with mixed chowmein and one bottle of beer.
Debarjun: - Uff, four of you are so frustrated. Chee chee…Let the couple enjoy themselves in their room. What is the problem? For your kind information, it is not twosome but foursome is going on. When I was going to meet the lodge manager, I saw two Nepali type girls and two boys entered that room. This is Siliguri, boss. In every lodge, these things happen.
Roy: - Come on; let us also hire two girls for tonight. We are in full energy tonight.
Debrup: - Naa babah…I am ok with porn films on VCD only. I don’t want to perform live before my marriage. Whenever I see a naked body of a woman in front of me, I feel hyper-tensed.
Sain: - Ok, ok, let us now stop this discussion. I have laughed so much that I am feeling tired now.
Ayandeep: - Hey, Roy, just take out the pack of cards from your bag. We will play call-bray for some time and then go to sleep.
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Debrup: - Hey, do you know, what is the time now? It is 4.30 AM, ha ha ha…We are playing call-bray for 5 hours, he he he…
Roy: - Hmm…I am feeling very sleepy. Let me go to sleep.
Ayandeep: - Ei, this is not done. When, I was having the highest points in the call-bray, he didn’t give me the chance to sleep. Now, I have got some negative points in this game and he is having the highest point. That’s why, he wants to sleep.
Debarjun: - This is not fair, Roy. You have to play for another 5 games. After 5 games, whoever has the highest points is the winner. Then, we will go to sleep.
Sain: - Ha ha ha…what is the point in going to sleep at 5 AM? He he he…
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Debarjun: - So, you are Shakti?
Shakti: - Yes, Sir. Just get inside the cab. It will take around 3.5 hours from here to reach Jaldapara.
Ayandeep: - Where will we have our lunch?
Shakti: - Well, Sir. It is now 11 AM. After 1 hour, we will halt at a roadside restaurant for lunch. We will reach Jaldapara by around 2.30 PM.
Part – 07
Debarjun: - Oh! This is the Sevoke Road. Look there. The entire campus is under Assam Rifles.
Ayandeep: - Actually, this Sevoke Road also has a new By-pass route. That road goes through the industrial zone of Siliguri.
Shakti: - Yes, Sir, you are right. The by-pass route is not so congested but very risky to drive a cab there, because the truck drivers on that route don’t follow any traffic rule.
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Shakti: - Sir, just have your lunch in this roadside restaurant.
Debarjun: - Ok. Hey come on guys; let us have our lunch here.
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Restaurant Manager: - Sir, we don’t have meal system. We have parathas, rotis and Heenger Kachuri with Cholar Daal, Alur Dum and Fried Brinjal. In a plate, we will give 4 Kachuris, 1 paratha and 2 rotis with a small bowl of dal, alur dum and fried brinjal each. The plate costs 20 bucks.
Sain: - baah…it is more than enough for us. Just bring 5 plates for us.
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Shakti: - This is the entry point towards the West Bengal Tourism Bunglow. Sir, if you want to buy packets of Cigarettes, then buy it from this shop, because, the bunglow is at a distance of 1 km interior from this highway.
Ayandeep: - Oho! Is it so? Then, we must buy three packets of Cigarettes from this shop only.
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Bunglow Manager: - Welcome to our Bunglow. I hope that till now you have not faced any trouble in your journey. Ei, Taasi, come here. Just keep these luggages to room No. 15 and 16. Just go to your respective rooms, Sir and take rest. Taasi is the caretaker of this bunglow. If you want anything, just feel free to tell him.
Debrup: - Accha, when will our tour start? I mean to say, what is the tour program for us?
Bunglow Manager: - Tomorrow, you can go for Elephant Safari. Not an issue. Don’t worry, just relax. I will tell you, where you should tour in this area.
Taasi: - Come on, Sir. Let us move towards the rooms.
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Roy: - Baah…this bunglow really looks nice. It is entirely constructed by woods and some plywood here and there.
Ayandeep: - Today, we have nothing to do. Come on; let us have a walk around the surrounding area of this bunglow.
Sain: - Hey, you all, come here. I have found something very interesting. Look there. That is a cage of Cheetahs.
Debrup: - Ha ha ha…Quite true. A Cheetah will love the cage of Cheetahs. After all, Sain is the Cheetah of our Section –B. Cheetah bhi peeta hain.
Roy: - Ha ha ha…yeah, yeah, Debrup, you are right. By the way, Sain, why your name is Cheetah?
Sain: - This name actually came from some Marwari naughty boys of our Yellow House in Julien Day School. I was a good sprinter of Yellow house and whenever I used to run on the tracks, at least, I used to get a bronze medal out of 8 competitors. I never missed out any chance to earn a medal. That’s why, jokingly, they used to call me Cheetah, he he he…But, after Julien Day School, I hardly took part in any sports. In colleges, you don’t feel that school life spirit. School life is school life, boss.
Debarjun: - Yeah, that’s true. You can forget your college life, but not your school life. Arrey, the caretaker of this Cheetah’s cage is just treating these Cheetahs as if they are little pussy cats.
Ayandeep: - These Cheetahs know their caretaker and will never attack him, but, the caretaker is not going near that big cheetah, which has been kept inside a very secure cage. That Cheetah must be a man-eater. That’s why; the caretaker is not going near that cage also.
Part – 08
Debarjun: - Oho! It’s overcast condition here. I think that after some time, there will be a heavy downpour in this forest.
Sain: - See the fun. You have just uttered about a heavy rainfall and the dark clouds have responded to you by starting the drizzle from their end.
Roy: - Oh, my God! Debarjun, you have become a good astrologer.
Ayandeep: - Ha ha ha…Roy, you have become expert in doing mimicry of our famous Finance teacher of ICFAI, whose name is Tamal Dutta Chaudhury (TDC). But, at least, you are not better than our Chiradeep in mimicry. Recently, Chiradeep has opened a fan club of TDC in Orkut, he he he…After going back to Kolkata, I will also join the TDC fan club in Orkut.
Debrup: - Hey, just look at our left side. After few meters from here, there is sunshine and at this point, where we are standing, it is raining here. Do you know when this phenomenon takes place?
Sain: - Yeah, yeah, I know. In my childhood, whenever there was a situation where sunshine and rainfall occurred simultaneously, my grandfather used to say, ‘My dear grandchild, this is the ideal holy time for a fox to get married to his beloved female partner. So, at this time, a fox is getting married.’ I don’t know whether it’s true or just a superstition.
Roy: - Ok, ok, there is no need to analyze about that. But, I think that at present, we should start running towards that shelter, otherwise we will get wet in this rainfall. We can have some nice gossip, while sitting on the benches under that shelter. Come on, let’s run.
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Ayandeep: - Hey Debrup, what are you staring at? Suddenly, you have become quite serious. What’s the matter?
Debrup: - I am just looking at those tribal women, who are walking towards their huts after cutting down the small trees; these forest people have no tension in their life. All tensions are in the life of urban people like us. We have to study books. Then, after graduation, there is always a tension to grab a job. Uff…it is just disgusting. The forest people are always happy with the natural resources and don’t even need to study books to survive.
Sain: - Do one thing. Just stay in this Jaldapara jungle for the rest of your life. We will go back to Kolkata.
Debarjun: - Debrup always have a tension. Arrey, babah, you will get a job very soon. You have done your SIP from IMRB right? Last year, around 70% of our seniors who did SIP in IMRB got the job offer in that company only. Just be in touch with Arna Madam to get the latest information about when the IMRB will be visiting our campus.
Ayandeep: - I don’t think that this time Arna Madam will give any extra effort to bring IMRB to our campus. Already, there is a cold war between Sumita madam and her.
Roy: - Amay prashno korey neel dhruva taara…aar kato kaal ami rabo disha haara….
Sain: - What happened? Suddenly, you started singing a song.
Roy: - You people were talking about Arna Madam, which reminded me of Srikanta Acharya’s song. After all, Srikanto Acharya is the husband of Arna Madam.
Sain: - Hmm…he has a good voice. He could have competed with Piyush Kanti, the famous Rabindrasangeet singer. But, the song that you were singing is not the original track of Srikanto Acharya. It is a very old classic song. At least, our Roy doesn’t have any tension. Debrup, you should get inspiration from our Roy. He is always in a good mood.
Roy: - I always try to refresh myself because I am the most tensed guy among us. Also, I don’t earn pocket money like you people do by doing Stipendiary Assignment Program (SAP) under ICFAI.
Sain: - Who has told you not to do SAP? Debojyoti Sir is such a nice person that he helps all his trainees to his optimum level. Look at me only. Till now, I have given 7 clients to ICFAI and 2 more to come this month.
Debarjun: - Baah, then you are surely going to this forthcoming SAP Conference. As per your Vortika’s information, it will be in Goa again.
Part – 09
Taasi: - Sir, it’s time for your dinner. Please come at the dining room.
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Sain: - Dhaath…this is buffet system. I hate buffet system. First of all, the plates are of heavy weight and secondly, you have to stand and eat. Thirdly, you have to take your own food with your one hand.
Roy: - Saala, Ghoti toh Ghoti ee thakbi. Why don’t you understand that in a buffet system, there are no limitations on any food item? You can eat any food item as much as you can. Don’t forget that we have paid around 1000 bucks per day for fooding and lodging in this bunglow. So, just eat as much as you can. The smell of the chicken curry is awesome. Wow, I can also see a dish of Pabda fish curry. Come on guys, let us start eating.
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Debarjun: - Baah, the chicken curry is great. But, the problem is that they have mixed the desi chicken and broilers chicken in the same chicken curry. Look at my plate. One piece of desi chicken and another 2 pieces are of broilers chicken.
Debrup: - babah…look at Roy. This is the 4th time; he has taken rice and chicken curry. Roy, is it your stomach or a deep borewell?
Roy: - Actually, I am angry on the caterer people of this bunglow. They said that you cannot eat more than two pieces of Pabda fish, as there is a shortage of fish supply in this forest. That’s why; I am eating as much chicken as I can.
Ayandeep: - Uff, you look like a fool but you are very smart in dealing with these things. Hey, where is Sain? I cannot see him inside this dining room.
Debarjun: - He cannot eat, while standing. That’s why; he is eating, while sitting on a bench at the balcony. My goodness, to whom is he having a chat there? Who is that foreign girl? Arrey, someone go and control Sain. Who knows, maybe, Sain is doing a setting with that foreign girl.
Debrup: - Oho! You are always suspicious about Sain. He is not so a bad boy. Let him chat with her, what’s your problem?
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Sain: - Excuse me! You are from which country? You are not an Indian.
Natalie: - Yeah, I am from Russia. My name is Natalie. What’s your name?
Sain: - Oh! I am Sain; Arindam Sain. You can call me as Arin also, if you find any difficulty in pronouncing my full name. You have come alone to tour in this jungle.
Natalie: - No, no, my boyfriend is with me. There he is? His name is Harris. We are on India Tour. Both of us work in a TV channel of Russia. We are doing a program on India Tour. That’s why; we are here.
Sain: - Wow! That really sounds good.
Natalie: - Are you here with your girlfriend or wife?
Sain: - He he he…not at all. I am still single and a college student. Let me introduce you to my college friends. Hey, you people just come here. The names of my friends are Debarjun, Roy, Ayandeep and Debrup.
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Debarjun: - You have already visited our Kolkata city. What is your opinion about Kolkata?
Natalie: - Oh! It’s a nice city. You know, the people of Kolkata really have a good heart and are always helpful. Our Russian culture always has a good cultural bond with Kolkata. Now, the culture of Circus is not so popular in Kolkata. But, there was one time, when one of my aunts came to Kolkata from Russia to perform in a circus at Park Circus Maidan. We started our journey from Kerala and then went to Tamil Nadu. After Chennai, we came to Kolkata. Then, we have come here. Tomorrow morning, we will start our journey towards Gangtok.
Sain: - It was really nice talking to you. Good night. Have a nice journey tomorrow.
Natalie: - yeah, thanks. Good night to all of you.
Part – 10
Roy: - Sain, it is raining outside heavily tonight. It’s now 10 PM. I have a nice plan. I have not told you people one thing. In my bag, I have brought 2 nips of Royal Stag whisky. God is great. He has created such a cool rainy environment now, that you need to drink whisky. What you say?
Sain: - jeeyo mama…tumi kamaal korey diyecho, guru. But, let me ask these three guys, whether they will also drink or not. Hey, Debarjun, Ayandeep and Debrup, tonight, Roy and I are in a mood to drink whisky. Why don’t you accompany us? It is raining outside. There is a cool breeze in this forest. Come on, let us enjoy the drink.
Debrup: - Chee…Both you and Roy are just drunkards. I have never drunk whisky in my life and will never drink in future also. Debarjun also does not drink.
Ayandeep: - I would have preferred drinking Rum instead of Whisky. Anyway, I can accompany you. But, I will drink only one peg and then go to sleep. Last night, I have not slept. I am feeling very sleepy. I really don’t know, where from you and Roy get so much energy.
Sain: - This is not energy but enthusiasm. Anyway, Ayandeep, you just go inside the room. I will manage 3 glasses and a 1 litre bottle of cold drinks from Taasi.
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Taasi: - Sir, now it is 10.30 PM. everyone has gone to sleep and you have come to me for a cold drinks bottle and that too in this weather.
Sain: - Aah…don’t ask too much question. I will give you extra 10 bucks. Just open the fridge and give me 1 litre bottle of Thums-Up.
Taasi: - Sir, only 2 half litres bottles of Fanta is there inside the fridge.
Sain: - Ok, give those two bottles.
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Ayandeep: - Cheers! This is the first time in my life; I am drinking Royal Stag whisky with Fanta cold drinks.
Roy: - Drink it slowly, Ayandeep. The combination of Fanta and Royal Stag is a dangerous combination. It will give you a fantastic kick after 2 pegs.
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Ayandeep: - Ei, I have already taken 2 pegs. I will go to sleep now. Goodnight.
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Roy: - Dhhurrh…these three guys don’t know how to enjoy life. In this dark, silent and rainy night inside the forest, you should enjoy hard drinks. Are you not feeling fantastic? Everything around me is looking very good. Wow. Every time, we should visit a forest. What a pin drop silence outside.
Sain: - Roy, I think that you are drinking too fast. You are now talking like a drunkard.
Roy: - If you want to enjoy life, then be a drunkard and feel the eternal bliss of your soul. Sometimes, I wish, if I could fly like a bird or maybe, if I would have a magical power like Goopi and Bagha of Satyajit Ray had. There would have been no tension in life. This jungle is not at all a boring place like Kolkata.
Sain: - Dhaath…you are totally out, Roy. What are you trying to say, I am not getting any head or tail of it. Roy, if your dreams will always become a reality, then what is the difference between a dream and a reality? A person always feels bored when he resides at a same place of the world as a monotonous laborer. That’s why; people go for tours frequently after 3-4 months. That’s human psychology. That’s life.
Roy: - Oh, my God! What are you saying? You are talking like a philosopher now.
Sain: - Roy, somehow, my sixth sense is triggering an alarm that I am also completely out after drinking Royal Stag whisky with Fanta cold drinks. Don’t suggest anyone about this drinking combination. Good night, Roy. See you tomorrow morning. Oh! Roy, you are already asleep. You are snoring like a lion in your sleep. Let me switch off the lights and go to sleep at my bed. Good night.
Part – 11
Bunglow Manager: - Good morning to all of you. There is sad news for you. Due to heavy rainfall last night, the elephant safari will remain closed today. Today morning, the sky is looking clear and sunny. So, I hope that tomorrow you people will be able to go for the elephant safari.
Debrup: - Then, what will we do the entire day. Tell us some spot, where we can go?
Bunglow Manager: - Well, I could have suggested you to go to Gorumara forest, but that is also closed today due to heavy rainfall last night. I suggest you to go for a tour at Bhutan Border. The Phuntshilling market is just around 17 Km from our bunglow. I will arrange the car for you people. You people need to spend only 500 bucks for that.
Ayandeep: - Ok, not an issue. We are willing to go there.
Bunglow Manager: - Ok, have your breakfast now. By 12 noon, the lunch will be ready. After taking your lunch, you can head towards Phuntshilling. The name of the driver is Omkar. He will come here with his jeep at around 1 PM. I hope that is ok with you all.
Sain: - of course, not a problem. But, I have one personal request. During lunch or dinner, please keep some chairs inside the dining room.
Bunglow Manager: - Ha ha ha…ok, ok, I have understood your problem. I will surely arrange some chairs inside the dining room.
Roy: - Oh! Natalie and Harris were staying inside a camp, not in this bunglow. They are going now. Hey, she is waving her hands towards us.
Sain: - Oho! Yeah, let us also wave our hands. Tata, bye, bye.
Natalie: - Ha ha ha…same to you all.
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Omkar: - Are you all ready, Sir. Ok, just get inside the jeep.
Debarjun: - How long will it take to reach Phunshilling?
Omkar: - Hardly, it will take 35 to 40 minutes from here. Accha, after roaming in the Phuntshilling market, if you have time in your hands, then I can take you people to the Law Hill of Bhutan. It is around 8 Km from Phuntshilling market. For that, I will take another extra 100 bucks.
Ayandeep: - That we will decide later. Now, you first start the jeep.
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Debrup: - Look at both sides of the road. Hardly, I can see any residential houses. There are tall grasses and some fences everywhere.
Omkar: - Yes, Sir, this is the extension of Jaldapara forest only. You can see the residential houses once we reach the first check-post of Bhutan Border.
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Roy: - This is Bhutan border. Baapre, hardly I can see any such security in this check post. Only two Bhutanese army men and two Indian Army men are sitting in the check-post.
Bhutanese Army Man 01:- Yours Driving License please. What’s your name?
Omkar: - My name is Omkar, sir. These people have come to our Jaldapara Bunglow only.
Bhutanese Army Man 02:- Is anyone of you having any identity card of yours?
Sain: - Yeah, I have my Voter ID Card. Here it is.
Bhutanese Army Man 01:- Hey, just note down all these numbers. Ok, you people can proceed now.
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Ayandeep: - Indo-Bhutan Border is not so strict at all. Any terrorist can easily pass through this border with their arms and ammunitions to enter India.
Omkar: - No Sir. It is not so easy. They wrote down my driving license number, my jeep number and the Voter ID card number of one of you. They will cross-check it with the Indian Army personnel and their databases. If they find any information invalid or wrong, they will not let you go outside of Bhutan at any cost, till the Indian Army Men or BSF personnel give the green signal. Just wait for another 10 minutes. We will reach the second check-post of Bhutan to enter the Phuntshilling market.
Part – 12
Omkar: - This is the second check post of Bhutan. On your left side, this is the Lord Shiva or Pasupatinath temple. Wait, one of the Bhutanese Army men is coming towards our jeep. Don’t open your mouth. Only, I will talk with him.
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Bhutanese Army Men 03:- Have you given the driving license number to the personnel of the first check post? What is that number? Let me check your driving license. Just wait for a minute. Let me confirm with the security personnel of our first check post though the phone.
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Bhutanese Army Men 03:- Ok, confirmed. You can proceed. But, you need to go out of Bhutan within the next 8 hours; otherwise, you will be penalized for every extra hour, as you don’t have any special permit.
Omkar: - Yes, Sir. Not a problem. Now it is 2.10 PM. We will go back to Jaldapara within 7 PM. Thank you, Sir.
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Omkar: - We have reached Phuntshilling market. You have to give me another 20 bucks, as there is a parking charge for every vehicle in this market. In every lane, there are at least 3 Security Personnel of the Municipal Corporation of this Phuntshilling area. If you don’t give the parking charge to the Municipal Corporation, they have the power to seize your car for 1 week and you have to pay a fine to release it from them. Bhutan Government is very strict in its rules.
Debrup: - Ok, ok, take it. Accha, I can see many women security personnel in the streets of Phuntshilling market. Bhutanese women are so courageous!
Omkar: - Sir, unlike India, in Bhutan, there are hardly any inequality concept between men and women. Rather, in Bhutan, women are more active in various risky and intelligent professions than men. Majority of Bhutanese men spend their time in gambling, smoking hi-fi tobaccos, drinking and skin or flesh trading. Anyway, how long will you people take to roam this Phuntshilling market? Now, it is 2.25 PM. Come back to that Parking Zone by around 4 PM. I will park my jeep there only. If you don’t find me in front of the jeep, then just give me a miss call. I have the BSNL number. It works in Bhutan border areas also.
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Sain: - Boss, one thing I must appreciate that Bhutan maybe a very small country, but they have discipline in their country. Can you find any garbage in the streets of Phuntshilling market? Hardly, maybe, in one or two places, I can see some newspapers and beer bottles, but, majority of their lanes are clean. Now, it is 3 PM, still I can see 2-3 sweepers are cleaning the roads.
Roy: - Another thing you have noticed? In almost every shop, be it grocery, stationary or a beer bar-shop, everywhere, you will find at least one woman or young lady is sitting inside, which proves that women in Bhutan play a major role in earning money for their family. In India, the Meghalaya state is the only state, where women are more active than men. Similarly, Bhutan can be termed as second Meghalaya or maybe Manipur also.
Ayandeep: - The liquor is very cheap in Bhutan. Roy and Sain; you people can surely try out here in this Phuntshilling market. At least, ask the bar owner, how much a beer cost?
Sain: - Ok, let me ask him. Accha, what is the cost of this ‘Brown Dragon’ Beer.
Bar Owner: - It is 15 rupaiya, Sir.
Sain: - What? It is only 15 bucks? Are you sure? We are coming from India. Tell us the exact price in INR.
Bar Owner: - Yes, Sir. In this area, we sell our goods in INR only. If we sell in INR, then it is more profitable to us rather than in our Bhutanese local Currency.
Roy: - Ei, Sain. Don’t take any risk. Maybe, the beer cost 15 bucks, but, what is the guarantee that it is not a very strong beer. If anything goes wrong after drinking this beer, then don’t forget that we are in Bhutan, not in India. Therefore, just cancel the plan of drinking Bhutanese Beer in Bhutan.
Debrup: - Hey, you all; come here. I have found a fantastic cake shop like ‘Monginis’ or ‘Kathleen’ of Kolkata.
Part – 13
Sain: - My goodness, there are so many varieties of cakes in this shop. You can see these types of cakes in the Park Street Cake shops of Kolkata during Christmas time only. The little school kids are very fond of those ping-pong sized chocolate ball. See there. They are all buying those chocolate balls. Come on; let us also try it out. Excuse me! What is the cost of this chocolate ball?
Cake Shop Owner: - It is 5 bucks.
Sain: - Umm…it’s really good. But, the taste of this chocolate ball is not as sweet as Cadbury’s Dairy Milk.
Ayandeep: - It is because of the fact that the content of Cocoa is more in this chocolate ball than in a Cadbury’s Dairy Milk. Cocoa is basically not sweet in taste, but somewhat bitter.
Roy: - Hey, look at that cake. I have never seen such an amazing cake. On one side of the cake, it is Chocolate flavored, on the other side, it is vanilla flavored. In between those two flavored slabs, there is a butter-scotch creamy layer followed by an orange jelly. After that layer of orange jelly, I can see another fine layer, which is a mixed paste of dried grapes and cashew nuts. Let us buy this cake. It only costs 10 bucks.
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Debrup: - This cake was really a heavy one. The cake had so many tastes. In our school days, we used to eat ‘Double Bites’ cakes, where, there were 2 flavors. This multi-flavored cake reminded me of that cake only.
Ayandeep: - Hey guys, now it is 3.45 PM. We should go back to that Parking zone. What you people have decided? Should we go to the Law Hill?
Sain: - Omkar wants another 100 bucks, that means the expense will be 20 bucks per head. It hardly matters, boss. We will never get a second chance to visit the Law Hill of Bhutan.
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Debarjun: - We are ready to go to the Law Hill. Take these 100 bucks and start the jeep. By the way, what is there to see in the Law Hill?
Omkar: - Sir, there is a famous monastery of Bhutan on the Law Hill. The name of the monastery is Gumpha monastery. It is a very nice place to visit.
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Roy: - Really, it is a very peaceful place. I have never visited any Buddhist monastery before. I have only seen many artificial monasteries in Durga Puja ‘theme-pandals.’ Few years back, the ‘Shimla Byam Samiti’ of North Kolkata won many awards for constructing a Buddhist monastery theme pandal during Durga Puja.
Debrup: - Buddhism is a very peaceful religion. After Hinduism, I respect Buddhism only. Accha, what is written in these manuscripts? There are lots of flags in the surroundings of this Gumpha monastery. Many things are written on those flags. I can’t even read a single letter. What is that? Three big objects are rotating simultaneously and devotees are touching it and bowing their heads in front of it. I think that those have some sacred value in Buddhism. Also, look at those hanging bells. He he he…with the wind, they really produce some soothing sounds.
Ayandeep: - Who is Gumpha? There is a plate behind this monastery, where a name is written in English with the surname ‘Gumpha’. Is Gumpha a surname of a person?
Sain: - No, I think that ‘Gumpha’ is a title or an upadhi, like we have ‘Roy Bahadur’ or ‘Roy Chowdhury’ in our Bengali society.
Debarjun: - Wow, you people still have some idea about Buddhism. I don’t have any idea. Only, I know the name of one person and that is Mr. Dalai Lama.
Sain: - Arrey, boss, ‘Dalai Lama’ is not a name of any person, but a title or a concept in Buddhism. ‘Dalai Lama’ means a Buddhist person, who has immense knowledge or wisdom like the unlimited waters of Pacific Ocean. Basically, a ‘Vidya Sagar’ of Bengali Hinduism is termed as a ‘Dalai Lama’ in Buddhism. If you read the English version of ‘Tripitaka’, the scripture of Buddhism, then you will have the idea of ‘Dalai Lama’ in details. At least, Buddhist people respect and regard their learned men as God, but in Bengali Hindu society, people have forgotten to buy the ‘Barna-Parichay’ books also.
Part – 14
Roy: - Uff…Sain; you and your Tata Indicomm connection. Your GSM mobile phone has a problem. It always makes a sound when it gets a tower signal or misses it.
Sain: - I am in Bhutan now. I don’t know, where from it is getting an unknown tower signal with a peculiar number. Hey, from this Law Hill, we can see the entire Phuntshilling market and its outskirts. No one of us is having any camera; otherwise, these moments could have been captured easily.
Ayandeep: - I have camera in my mobile phone, but it is VGA. The quality of the picture will not be so good.
Debrup: - Who cares about the quality? We just want to capture these moments to become nostalgic later on.
Debarjun: - Accha, is there anyone among us, who have visited any foreign country before?
Ayandeep: - No, there is no one among us.
Debarjun: - Hurrah! Then, we have made a record today. For the first time, we have visited a foreign country.
Roy: - Ha ha ha…In my opinion, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan should not be considered as our foreign country. Any Indian can visit these countries at any time, especially Nepal and Bhutan. Nepal and Bhutan should come under India only as states or union territories. See, the logic is simple. Nepal and Bhutan don’t have any connection with the sea-routes. If India blocks the trade consignments of Nepal and Bhutan in Siliguri itself, then their goods will never reach Garden Reach, Haldia or Paradip ports. As a net result, the economy of Nepal and Bhutan will start weakening. Automatically, these countries will sign the deal to become a part of India only.
Sain: - Roy, don’t make these controversial statements while standing on Bhutanese soil. Once upon a time, Hrithik Roshan visited Nepal and commented that Nepal is just like another state of India. That statement created a controversy and the Nepal Government became angry. One thing you have to understand that if Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet remains as an independent country, then it is advantageous for India only. If you make Bhutan and Nepal a part of India, then you have to spend too much money to create a strong Indo-China border along northern territories of Nepal and Bhutan. Don’t forget that if Indians are Royal Bengal Tigers then Chinese are Dragons. It is a fight between Tigers and Dragons, though Dragons are an extinct species. If China tries to do some silly things, then at least, you can pressurize the Nepal and Bhutan government to take strong actions against China. In that case, the Indian Government is outsourcing its administrative job to Nepal and Bhutan government.
Ayandeep: - Uff…neither we understand politics nor we have any interest to know it. Come on, let us go back.
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Roy: - Baah…look at the sky. In Kolkata, you cannot see so many stars in the night sky. We are in Jaldapara forest, which is why; we are seeing so many stars with our naked eyes. There is a thrilling darkness everywhere. Just keep quiet and listen carefully, you can hear many peculiar sounds. Uff, it is just amazing.
Debarjun: - Yeah, it is indeed. The surrounding area of this bunglow really looks like a dark haunted place at night. Arrey, who is focusing a torch-light on us?
Bunglow Manager: - Ei, what you people are doing there in this darkness? Now, it is 8.45 PM. Have you people gone crazy?
Debrup: - We are loving this darkness and silent ambience. That’s why, we are roaming here. Also, we can see so many stars in the night sky.
Bunglow Manager: - Boss, this is not your Kolkata, this is Jaldapara forest. Even a fox of this jungle is capable of biting out a piece of flesh from any human’s body. There are wild animals everywhere in this jungle. They can come here anytime.
Sain: - But, there are electrical fences everywhere surrounding this bunglow.
Bunglow Manager: - When a wild animal becomes hungry, they can clear any fence. Many a times, leopards have entered in this area. That’s why; we have constructed this bunglow at a 3 feet height from the ground. Just go inside now and be ready for the elephant safari tomorrow morning. The safari is from 6 AM to 9 AM.
Part – 15
Bunglow Manager: - Oh! You all are ready. That’s good. Accha, this is Dolui. He will take you to the Holong bunglow. The elephant safari starts from Holong bunglow only. Don’t worry; you don’t need to pay any money to Dolui. You need to pay only for the elephant safari in the booking counter in front of the Holong bunglow. Now, just get inside the jeep.
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Debarjun: - We are going to the deep jungle now. Isn’t it?
Dolui: - Yes, Sir. The Holong bunglow is around 4 Km from here. It is at the center of the Jaldapara jungle. Now, the jeep has to go through this muddy road only. Be alert and don’t make any loud sound.
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Ayandeep: - What happened? Suddenly, why have you stopped the jeep in this no man’s land?
Dolui: - Hssssh….I can hear some galloping sound. Maybe, a herd of bison is very near to this muddy road. Let me stop the jeep here for few minutes and blow the horn of this jeep loudly. It will signal them that we are here. By hearing the sound of the horn, they will move backward towards the Gorumara forest.
Debrup: - Gorumara forest? Where are we now? Is it Gorumara or Jaldapara?
Dolui: - This muddy road belongs to Jaldapara, but can you see those fences just a few meters away on the eastern direction of this road. Beyond that fence is the Gorumara forest. There is one common area between Gorumara and Jaldapara forest where fencing has not been done intentionally. Through that area, the animals keep on moving from one jungle to the other.
Roy: - Which is more dangerous, Gorumara or Jaldapara?
Dolui: - Gorumara is more dangerous and denser too. The number of tigers and leopards are more in Gorumara forest. That’s why; you will not often find tourists going for a safari in Gorumara forest. We are nearing the check-post. All the forest security guards are always vigilant here. Holong Bunglow is just at a distance of 1.2 Km from this check-post.
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Dolui: - We have reached Holong Bunglow. Note down my jeep number. I will be parking my car in that parking zone. After your safari, just come back in front of this jeep. Now, go and enjoy the elephant safari.
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Debarjun: - So, this is the Holong bunglow. Hmm…it is not made of woods or plywood, but of bricks and mortar. I can see 5 elephants, waiting for their customers. All elephants are domesticated elephants and are controlled by their respective Mahoots.
Roy: - Don’t under-estimate these Mahoots. They are very courageous and take risks every day. They are also government employees. I mean to say that they have been recruited by the West Bengal forest department officials. Look at those baby elephants also. They are running here and there. They are so cute. Look at Sain. He is touching the body of that baby elephant. If that baby elephant becomes angry and swings its trunk, then God save Sain.
Sain: - Ei, I have discovered a very funny thing. Look at the skin of this baby elephant. It is not at all smooth as it looks from a far distance. The skin of elephant is having long thorny hairs. Maybe, it gives them some protection. This baby elephant is very fond of dust and mud. See, every time, it is picking up some dust with its trunk and releasing those dust on its body.
Debrup: - Ayandeep, I will take a pose with that baby elephant. Please click my photo.
Debarjun: - Arrey, we should not waste our time. We should book the tickets for elephant safari from the counter now. It is 25 bucks per head. Each safari is for 15 minutes.
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Booking Counter Officer: - Your safari will be at 8.30 AM. Now, it is 7.45 AM. It is time for the elephants to have some breakfast. There is one more travelling party before you. They will go for the safari at 8.15. After them, it is your turn. Till that time, just roam around this Holong bunglow or sit somewhere. Accha let me tell you another thing. Only 4 people can sit on a single elephant. You are 5 in number. So, 1 person from your group has to ride on another elephant.
Part – 16
Roy: - Baah, there are so many birds in and around that pond. The pond is just beside the Holong bunglow. Come on; let us sit on the concrete ghat of that pond. This is an ideal place to gossip. There is a cool breeze. The water of this pond is so crystal clear that you can see all the little Magur, Morla and Punti fishes playing among themselves. It seems as if, you can catch those fishes with your hand very easily, but they are very reflexive and always alert. You cannot catch them with your hand.
Debrup: - Let me wash my hands, mouth and legs in this pond water. Aah…the pond water is so cold. Ei, do you people want a lotus flower? There are 7 lotus flowers in this pond. One lotus flower is very near from this ghat. Wait; let me try to pluck it. To pluck that lotus, I need to put my one foot on those tall grasses near this ghat.
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Caretaker of Holong Bunglow: - Hey, what are you doing? Don’t sit or roam around that pond. Hello, Sir, don’t try to be a hero. Don’t go near that tall grass. If you want a lotus flower, I will pluck it for you with a long bamboo stick, but don’t go near that tall grass.
Debrup: - Why? Is there any crocodile in this pond? He he he…
Caretaker of Holong Bunglow: - No, there is something more deadly than a crocodile. This pond and its surrounding tall grass area is the sweet living place for deadly snakes like King Cobras. Only one bite of those snakes is enough to kill any adult human within 25 minutes. So, for a lotus flower, don’t take a huge risk for your life.
Debrup: - Babah re…I don’t want any lotus flower.
Ayandeep: - I was having doubts about this place from the very beginning. This type of condition is best suited for poisonous snakes. Come on; let us not sit near this pond. Let us go in front of that pillar, from where the safari will start. Oh! Already our previous party is ready to go for the safari. To ride on the elephant, you have to first climb on that staircase of around 7 feet. The elephant will come near that stair and you have to sit on its back.
Debarjun: - They have created a seat for 4 people on elephants’ back, with a long rod, which will act as a secure lock, so that no one falls down while riding on those elephants.
Roy: - in ancient days, the Indian Kings used to ride on their elephants like that only.
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Safari Controller: - Accha, you 4 people go and ride on that elephant. The name of the Mahoot is Manohar. He will take you inside the jungle. You stay back. You have to ride on another elephant.
Debarjun: - Ha ha ha…the controller has blocked Debrup. He will ride on another elephant.
Roy: - Debrup is basically lucky. Look at the elephant seat, on which Debrup is going to sit. There is a middle aged woman and her beautiful looking daughter of our age. We were staring at that beautiful girl while sitting near that pond, but, Debrup is now eating the pie by sitting beside her. Uff…I am feeling jealous. Hey, Debrup, wish you a best of luck. Enjoy the ride.
Debrup: - Roy, you don’t need to say that. I am already enjoying. I can understand your pain.
Ayandeep: - Debrup is smart in these things. You have to appreciate that. But, look at the way; he is trying to ride on the elephant’s back. He he he…uff baapre baap.
Sain: - He is a ‘Lal Mohan Babu’ of our tour. In Satyajit Ray’s ‘Sonar Kella’ movie, there was a scene, where ‘Santosh Dutta’ had to ride on the back of a camel. He was so scared and tensed. The condition of our Debrup in this case is just similar to that scene only. Wait, let me shout at him. Ki, Debrup babu, sab thik achey toh?
Debrup: - Yeah, yeah, everything is ok. I pray to God that I should not fall from this elephant’s back.
Debarjun: - Ha ha ha…he is still scared, he he he…
Part – 17
Manohar Mahoot: - Accha, we are now about to enter inside the deep forest. Just keep my earnest request. Please don’t shout, scream or talk loudly among yourselves. Also, don’t try to tease or shout at any animal, once you spot it inside the jungle. All animals in this jungle are scared about elephants, but side by side, it is also true that an elephant is a peace loving animal. It does not want to go in any kinds of confrontations with wild animals.
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Roy: - We are roaming inside the jungle on this elephant’s back for around 5 minutes or so. We are yet to spot any wild animal. Really, today is our bad luck.
Ayandeep: - Look at your right side carefully. There are two deer behind that bush. They are now running away from that place.
Manohar Mahoot: - Everyone look at your left direction. Can you see that rhinoceros standing quietly on its own muddy territory.
Debarjun: - What is wrong with its horn? Why is it half broken?
Manohar Mahoot: - in the last mating season, he had a fight with his competitor and was badly injured.
Sain: - Competitor in the mating season? What does that mean?
Manohar Mahoot: - unlike humans, animals of the jungle have their own rules of mating. To access a female animal, there are several contenders. As per the jungle rules, only one male animal will get access to a female animal for a mating season. There is no scope of sharing a female animal among several male animals. In human society, a woman is permitted to become a Draupadi, but not in wild animals’ society. But, yes, if a female animal goes to a new territory, then she starts finding for another male partner and rejects her former mating partner. This rhinoceros has lost the pointed tip of its horn, which is why; nowadays, he does not fight with any other male rhinoceros. He just remains on his own in this territory. That’s why; all the safari tourists of Jaldapara can always spot this rhinoceros. This rhino is injured but act as a marketing icon for this Jaldapara elephant safari.
Ayandeep: - Hey, have you people noticed one thing? This Mahoot is carrying a bhojali, the typical Nepali Sword-like weapon. He has kept it on his left thigh and is very firmly tied with a red colored towel. Debarjun, just ask him, why is he carrying this bhojali?
Debarjun: - Accha, Mahoot bhai, what is the role of this bhojali in this safari?
Manohar Mahoot: - Many a times it has happened that a tiger or a leopard has pounced on the tourists or Mahoots from the trees or bushes. When a tiger attacks you; you will hardly get some fractions of seconds to protect yourself. Within those moments, if you can play smartly, then you survive, otherwise, your death is inevitable. For 3 times, in my career as a Mahoot in this Jaldapara forest, I have faced the tigers. In 2 instances, I was lucky enough to save myself, because my domesticated elephant changed his direction of walking. But, in one instance, it was a direct confrontation. The leopard was on the tree and jumped towards me. I just swung my bhojali targeting that leopard. Luckily, I survived. My left arm was badly injured. Still, there are marks in my left arm. The leopard’s right paw was badly injured and after some days, the forest officers confirmed that the leopard had died due to excessive bleeding. Don’t regard my words as a joke. This elephant safari is very risky as any time a tiger can attack you. That’s why; this safari is conducted only in the morning for security purposes. Sometimes, the elephants also start running out of fear, when they can smell any tiger within its few meters.
Roy: - An elephant can easily throw away a tiger or a lion with its trunk. Then, why an elephant runs away after seeing them?
Manohar Mahoot: - An elephant’s skin is very thick and rough. Scratches or wounds on an elephant’s skin take too much time to heal. Also, an elephant cannot lick its skin with its own saliva, which clots the blood. Elephants are not afraid of tigers but always try to avoid injuries from those sharp claws or paws of tigers.
Part – 18
Roy: - Hey, look down. A python is having a nice sleep under this big tree. But, the size of this python is very small.
Ayandeep: - Not so small, Roy. Actually, we are looking from 7 feet height. Moreover, the python has kept itself in its spiraling form. This python can easily swallow a deer or even legs or hands of humans.
Manohar Mahoot: - Look at the top of that tree. It is a special type of monkey of North Bengal. It is dark- grayish in color with red lips. Nowadays, these are very few in number. But, these dark-grayish colored monkeys are far more intelligent than the light brown colored monkeys.
Debarjun: - We can hear some sound. It is coming from that side. Something must be there behind those bushes. Take your elephant towards that direction.
Manohar Mahoot: - No, my elephant is unwilling to go that side. I cannot force my pet to take any risk. Look at the trunk of that tree. I am damn sure that you have not seen these birds before. I don’t know the name of these birds. These birds are basically golden yellowish in color with black stripes and are somewhat bigger than a sparrow. These birds can produce multiple sounds. Even I have seen another bird, which is completely grayish with some pink shades on its feathers. It is a migratory bird. Those birds are more expert than a parrot. Whatever whistles you will blow with your mouth in front of those birds; they will do the mimicry of those whistles within 5 to 10 minutes. Sometimes, they also copy the cuckoos, but you can easily make out that these birds are doing the mimicry.
Sain: - Baapre….look at the web on that tree. The black colored spider with its bluish legs is constantly weaving its webs. The size of this spider is twice the size of a cockroach. Is it a poisonous spider?
Manohar Mahoot: - Yes, indeed it is. This spider does not bite. It will secrete out a white colored liquid from its mouth if you attack it. That white colored fluid creates rashes on your skin. After 1 week, those rashes will start blackening, if you don’t use any medicine. That black patch will harden up gradually and then after 1 or 2 months, the skin will start peeling off from that area automatically. In Bengali, we say, ‘Noon Chaal uthtey arambha korbey’. So, be careful from these spiders. One of our forest officers had this bad experience with one of these spiders. Accha, now, we should go out of this forest. Already 15 minutes are over. Other safari tourist parties are also waiting for their turn.
Roy: - Oho! We will give you extra 20 bucks. Come on; take us to the dense forest area.
Manohar Mahoot: - No, no, already, you have spotted many animals in this safari. All are not lucky like you people. Many people don’t even get a glimpse of a deer also in this safari. Also, my elephant is not willing to go in the deep. He is marching towards the Safari counter only.
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Dolui: - So, you people have enjoyed the elephant safari. That’s really good. Accha, what are you people planning to do in this afternoon? You people said that you will log out from the bunglow at 12 noon tomorrow.
Debrup: - Nothing as such. Basically, we don’t have any plan.
Dolui: - Well, then, I can take you to a place known as Jhullong-Bindu, which is in Indo –Bhutan border. It is a nice place. You will really enjoy the afternoon there. For that, I will take only 300 bucks. Now, you people decide.
Ayandeep: - Yeah, yeah, not a problem. After our lunch, we will start our journey towards Jhullong-Bindu.
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Debarjun: - Oh! This is just the opposite route. I thought that you may be driving your jeep towards Phuntsilling to reach Jhullong –Bindu.
Dolui: - no, no, both are in different routes.
Sain: - What is there to see in Jhullong-Bindu area?
Dolui: - Well, a big project is going on. The project is about generating Hydroelectricity. The implementation of this project will help both Bhutanese and Indians of this region to get good and uninterrupted supply of Electricity.
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Dolui: - We have reached the spot.
Part – 19
Debrup: - So, this is the Jaldhaka River. Hmm…I have read about this river in class VI, when we had a chapter on West Bengal in our Geography subject. But, I never thought that one day, I will stand beside the Jaldhaka River. Basically, this river has its source in Bhutan and it flows in south direction towards India. But, this river is not as ferocious as Brahmaputra River.
Sain: - Don’t compare Jaldhaka River with Brahmaputra River. Brahmaputra River is one of the deadliest rivers of the world. But, one thing you have to appreciate that they have selected the perfect location for this Jaldhaka river project. Here, the river is flowing downwards from the hills of Bhutan side with full force. The dam is blocking the water for some time and then releasing it to the Indian side. Now, as you are blocking the water for few seconds intentionally, so, automatically, you are increasing the force of the water. When the floodgate is opened, the immense force of water creates a good amount of hydel power.
Roy: - Not only have that. Come here. Let me show you a small canal from this side. The water of this Jaldhaka River has been artificially channelized towards that hilly village area, to help the poor farmers in their irrigation purposes. That side of the dam is Bhutan only. Again, we should enter Bhutan. But, this time, there are no check-posts of Indo-Bhutan border. Come on, let us enter Bhutan again.
Debarjun: - Wow, we are seeing a different Bhutan now. In Phuntshilling market, we saw the urban culture of Bhutanese. But, in this bank of Jaldhaka River, we are seeing the rural picture of Bhutan. That is a Bhutanese village. The people living in this hilly area have intentionally created a ‘Terai’ region, to improve their agriculture. Also, their houses are made of woods and have asbestos ceilings only. I can see that no one has domesticated cows, but only sheep and hens.
Debrup: - Look there. It is a small Bhutanese Military camp, as it is their border area. In that camp, only 8 Bhutanese army men are on duty. But, they are not looking strict at all. Basically, no Indian tourist comes in this region to enter Bhutan. Even if you enter Bhutan through this route, you have nowhere to go. On the other three directions, I can see green-colored hilly ranges. Between the hilly ranges, it is a dense forest. No one will dare to cross these hills to march towards Thimpu.
Ayandeep: - You are right. Bhutan has a much secured geographical position. In ancient days, when any Kings tried to conquer Bhutan, they failed continuously because Bhutan is landlocked with hilly ranges on all its sides. To conquer Thimpu, you need to be expert in climbing hills, he he he…
Sain: - Nepalese and Bhutanese people are hilly people by birth. Therefore, they can cross any hill. Basically, Sherpas and Bhutias have their origin in Nepal and Sikkim, whereas, the Gorkhas have their real source in Bhutan only. In ancient times, both Nepal and Bhutan used to be Princely states. Even in this modern era also, you will find that there are concept of Kings in Nepal and Bhutan. Sherpas and Bhutias are tall, stinky and hard-working in nature. Gorkhas are sturdy, healthy, short-heighted and moody people.
Roy: - These Bhutanese little children are so sweet. They are bathing in reserved dam water on its backside, where there is mild water current. Wow, these little Bhutanese children are just too good in swimming in this water. As they always swim in this water daily, that’s why; their bodies have become V-shaped automatically. The more you swim, the more is the chance that your body will become slim and V-shaped, without any obesity problem. They are playing water polo. Come on; let us also enjoy the match of water polo with them. We will not swim, but at least, we can walk inside the open water tank, which contains water up to a height of 2 feet. Ayandeep, just click some photos. We are posing with these sweet Bhutanese boys.
Sain: - Just watch the training of those Bhutanese Army Men. They are throwing round shaped stones to target it on a hole of the soil, which is at a few meters from them.
Part – 20
Debrup: - Dhaath…let those Bhutanese Army Men practice those martial arts, stone throwing and long jumps. I am least interested in it. Ei, sabbash…ei, ei…listen to me guys. Come here at the extreme end point of the dam. I have something to show you people.
Ayandeep: - What you need to show us? Tell us.
Debrup: - Arrey, babah…just look down. Can’t you see a little muddy road along those bushes leading to a beautiful waterfall down in that area?
Debarjun: - Wow, it’s a fabulous place. We should go there.
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Roy: - Uff…I am feeling like sleeping on this rock in front of this waterfall. This rock is absolutely smooth and dry. It is like a rock-bed with a length of around 6 feet. Let me just relax on this rock. Hey, why you people have opened your shoes and socks? Where are you going again?
Sain: - We will go to that side of this waterfall. The water of this waterfall is also joining the Jaldhaka River at that point. But, near this waterfall, the current of the water is very less. Therefore, we can easily cross and go to the other end, from where we can have a complete view of this hilly range in our background.
Debrup: - Yes, I was expecting it. The water of this waterfall is very cold. The moment I touched the water with my feet, I felt as if I have poured a bottle of water, after taking it out from a refrigerator, he he he…
Ayandeep: - Ei, Roy, why are you sprinkling waters at us? Ei, Debarjun, Debrup and Sain; just do one thing. Forcefully open the shoes and socks of Roy and force him to walk in this water.
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Roy: - Dhaath…you people are more mischievous than me. You people have dragged me from that rock and pushed me into this water. Now, my pant is wet. If I suffer from a fever after reaching Kolkata, then you people have to sponsor all the medicines.
Sain: - Ha ha ha…I can only sponsor on Homeopathic medicines if you suffer from a fever after this tour.
Debrup: - Kyachal korechey…everyone just have a look at the sky. The sky is becoming dark. Again, there will be a heavy rainfall. If we wait for another 5 minutes here, then maybe all of us will have to suffer from fever after reaching Kolkata. So, guys, let us run towards our jeep, but not so fast that we start slipping here and there.
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Bunglow Manager: - I have arranged a cab for you people which will take you to Siliguri. I hope that you have enjoyed your stay at our bunglow. Don’t hesitate to visit Jaldapara forest again. Thank you.
Debarjun: - Thank you for your kind gesture and hospitality. We have really enjoyed this tour. See you again. Good bye.
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Ayandeep: - Now it is 1.30 PM. We will reach Siliguri within 4.30 PM. A/C Volvo bus will start after 7 PM. Where will we stay for these 3 hours in Siliguri?
Roy: - Very simple! We will roam in the Siliguri China Market for around 2 hours and then we will reach the bus stand. We can even buy some good electronics goods from that market at a cheap price.
Sain: - Hmm…not a bad idea. We will visit that market only.
Part – 21
Sain: - Basically, there is too much hype about this China Market of Siliguri. This torch costs 90 bucks! In Esplanade area, Chandni market and Fancy market; you can buy this same torch at 40 bucks only. Chinese government is smartly playing fool with the Indian government. These electronics products don’t get sold in their own markets, because these are all defective. Now, the Chinese people just dump these products in this Siliguri Chinese market. People of North Bengal are fools. They will buy these products by thinking that Chinese products are of high quality and cheaper than Indian products. But, they don’t understand that it is a trap. Moreover, the Chinese products are such that if you buy it once, you have no other choice than to buy it again and again. It becomes an addiction. The ‘Use & Throw’ concept came due to Chinese products. Their strategy is to force the Indian customers to forget the Indian products. Recently, a ship carrying all these Chinese products sank near the Jammudweep Island of Sundarbans. All the fishermen collected many Chinese products by using their fishing nets. Go to Kakdwip market of South 24- Parganas. There, you will find all the Chinese umbrellas, torches, batteries, transistors, mobile handsets and other electronic goods in a very cheap price because the fishermen didn’t incur any expense to buy those products. They got all those products from that point of the Bay of Bengal, where that ship sank. You people can buy products from this Siliguri China market. I will not buy anything.
Ayandeep: - Then you just do the time-pass by staring at the beautiful girls, who are walking in this China market.
Roy: - Siliguri girls are really beautiful. In Kolkata, I can’t find so many beautiful girls flocking together in any market. Majority of Siliguri girls are Mongoloid in nature. They are wearing tight jeans and tight-fitted T-shirt to display a bulging effect on their upper important portion. They are not so fond of high-heel sandals. 7 out of 10 Siliguri girls are always eating the chewing gum. I don’t know, whether they are trying to hide the bad smell of alcoholic drinks from their mouth or not.
Debrup: - Hmm…the physical qualities of Siliguri girls are better than Kolkata. It is always profitable to visit any red light area of Siliguri rather than of Kolkata.
Sain: - Aah…you will even get these Nepali type chinki girls in Park Street area also, provided that you become a loyal, regular and a rich customer for them. Good quality demands a good price too. In Siliguri, you may get at a cheaper cost, as it is their domestic market, he he he…
Debarjun: - Uff…you people have again started discussing about girls?
Roy: - Oh my God! Debarjun is not interested in girls. We should better maintain a safe distance from him.
Debarjun: - Ha ha ha…I am more attracted to girls than you people. That is why; I always pretend in public places that I am not so interested in girls because if you run after the girls, they will make you run. If you don’t run after the girls, they will start the marathon race to become your wife.
Sain: - See the fun. We are the whales, that is why, we always have to breathe oxygen above the surface of the sea water, but Debarjun is a shark, who is breathing oxygen under the deep waters only, he he he…
Ayandeep: - You people just need a topic to discuss, baapre baap…that‘s what makes a Bengali person unique in this world. Bengalis don’t have any dearth of knowledge but at the time of implementation, they will have nice sleep. After waking up from the sleep, they will start pointing fingers at others and again a new series of debate or gossip starts. It is already 6.55 PM. We should now go to the bus stand to board the A/C Volvo bus to Kolkata.
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Debrup: - I will never board any A/C Volvo Bus in future. It is 7 hours late. It took 19 hours to reach Kolkata from Siliguri.
Sain: - Anyway, the tour was a success, that’s the big thing. Guys; don’t forget to visit the link 01: http://arindamsain-jaldaparatour.blogspot.com and link 02:- http://arindamsainjaldaparatourphotos.blogspot.com . See you all in the college tomorrow. Till then; Goodbye.
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