The stray moments of history still romances under the cloud!

SOHBAR (CHERRAPUNJEE) INDIA - The stray moments of history still romances with the folklore of the 'Drum,' whistling and chugging up, trying as hard as the tired clouds of these hills.

This is the saga of a failed and forgotten project of a bygone era. Like the clouds, the 'Drum' too wanted to climb higher and higher up from the Bengal plains to Cherrapunjee. But, as with the tired clouds, it too broke down and fell.

The locals here fondly romanticize this story of 'Alan Sahep' and his dream to bring the 'Drum' to Cherrapunjee in the late 1800s, in an almost forgotten folklore.

"Alan Sahep committed suicide after his project failed," ninety-year-old Opren S Khongsit muttered recalling the legacy. "My grandfather told me the story of Alan Sahep's 'Drum' when I was a boy…," the veteran romanticized.

Historical background of this lore is almost gnawed by time. But, fortunately some record book give a brief account of this fascinating history.

In 1895-96, the British Provincial Government of Composite Assam constructed the Cherra or Theira Comanyganj railway line. The ‘Drum’ was in fact a Tramway, which was about 8 miles in length.

Meter gauge line was found too expensive. So Tramways, 2" – 6" gauge of varying length were devised in many parts of composite Assam. These Tramways were meant to be feeder lines to the main railway line in transporting passengers and goods.
The Cherra or Theira Comanyganj railway line was one such feeder line to the main line at Bengal’s Sylhet province (now in Bangladesh).

In this project, no private company was engaged by the provincial government, like in the case of similar projects during that time.

For 'Alan Sahep' and his men it was the biggest challenge to bring the Tramway atop Shillong plateau which juts vertically from the Bengal plain.

So steep are the inclines that even the clouds gets exhausted during this ascend and break down at Cherrapunjee causing the heaviest rainfall on earth.
Nonetheless, 'Alan Sahep' surveyed and managed to identify friendly inclines and lay down tracks and bridges for the project.

A trek through this forgotten legacy was a discovery of an isolated, but, amazing wonderland jungled only by neglect and probably over-sight.
The eventual climb was a stupendous maze of criss-crosses through dense forests and rushing cascades.

Remains of railway bridges over waterfalls hidden behind dense forest for now a century were found. Ancient stone ramps (now covered in thick foliage) ran up to these bridges. Moreover, scrapped bits of this history were discovered in nearby villages.

In Sohbar village for instance, scrapped rail tracks are now used as lamp post. Many of these tracks were also found in the village headmen's office.

“These were scrapped from the jungle nearby,” Steward Lyngskar, Saidar (headmen) of Sohbar village informed.

Record say, this Tramway carried passengers and also limestone in Sylhet province. Villagers here add that the Tramway came right up to Thangkrang near Cherrapunjee.
“Attempts were made to link the line up to Cherrapunjee”, the record book say adding, the project failed after the earthquake of 1897.

"At Tharia (near Sohbar village) the Engine of the 'Drum' derailed. It laid there for years. Eventually, villagers scrapped it," Opren narrated.

What is astonishing is that there are scant records about this amazing engineering feat. Very few, in fact, know about it in Meghalaya. The folklore has been kept alive only by persons like Opren.

There are many more pieces of the jigsaw that need to be put in place to get the complete picture. Many more questions relating to this amazing journey of 'Alan Sahep's Drum' yet to be answered...

THE TRAIN TO SHILLONG

SOHBAR (CHERRAPUNJEE) INDIA – For the first time, on June 16, 1886, people from this quaint hill-station, undertook a memorable journey aboard one of the most romantic Mountain Railways of the World – the Cherra Companyganj State Railways (CCSR.)

CCSR was a contemporary to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), which opened for traffic in 1881. DHR is now inscribed on the World Heritage list.

The CCSR after opening for traffic chugged over gurgling streams and through thick forests, for at least 10 years. Passengers and goods were ferried to and fro between Tharia – a sleepy hamlet near Cherrapunjee – and Companyganj (now in Bangladesh) during those sojourns. The distance of this journey was 7.5 miles.

CSSR at the end of its first year of service in 1887, chugged away to earn Rs. 4,734. It doggedly toiled on to increase its earnings to Rs. 17,490 by 1890, thus reducing its total loss to about Rs 2000!

CSSR’s main objective was to connect Sylhet province with Cherrapunjee a distance of 15 odd miles and later Sylhet with Shillong.

The total cost of building this romantic mountain railway project covering a total distance of 15 miles was just about 8 lakh – about the price of a mid-segment car these days!

There were three sections to the CCSR. Tharia to Companyganj was the first section. The second section, from Tharia to Mawsmai covered a distance of about 5 miles. The third lag was from Mawsmai to Cherrapunjee, a distance of about 4 miles, atop the Shillong plateau.

Building of the second section proved the most arduous. It was a treacherous climb of 3,616 feet from Tharia to Mawsmai through the heart of thick jungle and over babbling waterfalls.

Although the Tharia to Companyganj section was opened for the public, the work to connect Tharai to Mawsmai was completed only by November 1887.

But, owing to the difficult inclines of the second section, attempts to run carriages failed. The numbers of derailment were far greater then successful runs. Builders did try to realign the lines and futilely tried for months to run carriages.

At last, after much hesitation, the provincial government of Assam inked the closure of CCSR in 1891. It did however allow the Tharia to Companyganj section to run.
But, the Earthquake of 1897 had other plans and destroyed this section too consigning the CCSR, also called the Cherrapunjee Mountain Railways, to the pages of history.

State-sponsored terrorism of CPI (IM)

The state-sponsored terrorism of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Nandigram, against farmers revealed the fossilized-party’s fascist character. The West Bengal Chief Minister and a supposedly senior CPI (M) member justified the CPI (M) cadres’ thoughtless violence as pay back time.

Would the party have any right now to stand against violence perpetrated in other parts of India and the world? It would be out-rightly hypocritical if the CPI (M) ever speaks against a retaliatory violence anywhere on earth.

Buddhadeb – sad he shares a name with an apostle of peace – says the CPI (M) cadres only retaliated what some goons and anti-social has done and ‘paid back in the same coin,’ in Nandigram. By saying so, he only equated the CPI (M) of being a party of goons and anti-socials - didn’t we have a hint about that!?

Scores of people have been rendered homeless in Nandigram. The CPI (M) has all along championed the cause of the poor and landless in its state. Those – now we understand – were all rhetoric.

The party is nothing but a bunch of anti-national elements that have always dragged its foot against development, just to assert its credential of being anti-imperialist and anti-American. But it should bear on its mind that its greatest ally - Communist China - is inching towards America with every passing hour and is Uncle Sam’s third largest trading partner in the world! The CPI (M) should get out its Abacus out to do some quick reality check.

The party has even held the Indian Parliament to ransom with its handful of MPs with pre-historic mind-set. The power hungry Congress is equally responsible for the Nandigram violence by not requesting the President of India to dissolve the Assembly and imposing President’s Rule to protect life and property of innocents.

The Congress should not give into the CPI (M) blackmail anymore and should immediately ink the nuclear deal with America even at the cost of a general election so that people get an opportunity to hammer out a defeat of this dangerous breed of CPI (M) politicians.

Shillong on seventh heaven!

Shillong reached the seventh heaven today, with 1730 guitarists strumming persistently for five minutes, soft and melodiously tunes on the doors of the Guinness books and finally forcing it to open into the world of record-holders.

Once inside the hall of fame, it was a matter of time, until the high priest (nominated witnesses), of the Guinness Book of World records, Director General of Police, BK Dey Sawain ordained victorious Shillong into the halloed precinct.

" Shillong you broke a world record. And created a new record for the largest guitar ensemble with 1730 guitarists," Sawain bawled at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports’ complex, transformed into a unique world of its own and waiting with bated breath for the official announcement.

Hardly had he finished his ordination, crowds broke out into rapturous cheers and embraced each other into bear hugs. Colorful festoons flew in the air and music blared.

Definitely, it was no mean achievement for a group of amateur school children, housewives and youths strumming Bob Dylan’s classic "knocking on Heaven’s door", together with professionals from all over the northeastern states to create the record.

The existing record set by 1721 guitarists from Kansas City, US who strummed Deep Purple’s "Smoke on the water" earlier this year was broken.
Fifty-three-year-old, S Kharshandi’s, fingers quivered under the vibration of her guitar strings. But she happily managed to squeeze out the melody from her guitar.

Likewise, ten-year-old Daminika Wahlang, of Loreto Convent School, struggled to grab the entire fret of her guitar. Her little fingers searched to reach the top sixth string while her other finger held on the bottom first string. But she too managed to twang out the Gs-Ds-Ams and Cs beautifully to create music and history.

A twenty-one member troupe from Assam, led by singer JP Das, was also part of the event. " I was born in Shillong, I love Bob Dylan and particularly this song, so I traveled down here", Das said.

Finally, a word of caution, the final seal of confirmation would be given by Guinness Book authorities in London, after video recording of the show is passed on to them. But irrespective of the confirmation, today’s performance made a strong statement about northeast’s capabilities knocking as a unit for a better future.

LOST IN AN ADULT WORLD

The child in them, for once, swung, hopped on merry-go-rounds and frolicked on seesaws today. Circumstances otherwise have ensured that these children assume the role of adults.

Most of these children of a lesser God, coming from broken families and some living in the streets got together to celebrate pre-Christmas and also perhaps the joys of being a child. Childline organized the pre-Christmas get together at the Don Bosco School here in this hill state of Meghalaya in northeast India.

12-year-old Ibalang (names changed) said she works as a housemaid. Her contribution towards her family of seven siblings and single mother is immense.

"Normally I don't get time to play. When I get back home I am tired and go to bed," she said. Ibalang was here early hours today playing most of the time, with other children with the expectance of a Christmas gift.

"I want a dress," she added coyly. The elder brother in Kordor (15) was responsible in bringing his 8-year-old brother for the celebration. Kordor is a newspaper vendor.

Kordor brought his brother along because he had not witnessed a Christmas celebration before in their family of five siblings and single mother.

For others like Suresh (14) living on the street for years now, today was a rare opportunity to expect for gifts from someone. He scavenges for rags and sells them and earns barely for his daily food.

Tomorrow these kids would again be lost in the crowd of adults leaving behind their innocence! (EOM)

IN THE LAND OF RADCLIFFE'S GHOST

The unhurried sun-baked paths of these dusty villages seem to begin and end at some unknown place, haunted by the ghost of one English gentleman - Cyril Radcliffe. These villages are pregnant with pause. Time seem to have stopped ticking here since 1947. There is only fear here now with little socio-economic development.



However, this has not inhibited life to force out of the earth. Be it the verdant grass, full with juice, or the wild daffodils swaying with the humid air. There are also the occasional Mimosa plants, remaining, seemingly incommunicado, after several attempts to reach them. These are some of the villages dubbed "in adverse possession" (for whatever it means) near Pyrdiwah along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya.


Here the Bangladeshi cow does not hesitate to graze on (Indian) grass. She lifts her head to take a glimpse at the approaching strangers. Seconds later, she resumes, nonchalantly, her munching. The area is dotted with 'T, sub and International boundary pillars'. From far off, they look like ink blots caused by a messy pen on a topographic map. The Azan from the distant Bangladeshi mosque wafted over these blotches.


Witnessing all these, it's easy to lose oneself, and accidentally tread inside Bangladeshi as if pushed by the Radcliffe ghost. Here too the air hangs humid, the Mimosa plants are equally ashamed. Only a sickle-wielding Bangladeshi charging across the uncultivated paddy fields can bring home the point of being in an 'unreal world'.


"Amrare marte aiso ni?" (Have you come to kill us"?) With this suspicion, he gathers his fellow men and queries: "Bandook diya ki korba… marba ni? (What are you doing with guns … want to kill us"?), pointing at the Border Security Force (BSF) Guards.


Meanwhile, a garden snake criss-crossed the International border with ease. The Border Security Force (BSF) did not worry much about the infiltration. "Apko kuch nahi karega… yeh zaheerila nehi hai,' (it won't harm you… it is not poisonous), echoed the border guards in unison of the Bangladeshi intrusion.


On further trekking upon the zero line inside the Indian side, the suspicion and misinformation (probably) spread like wild fire across the border. Children dashed off like wind. Disappearing behind plentiful Banana trees and Betel nut plantations. They left a trail of dust, chaos and tension in the air.  More Bangladeshi gathered and ran and walked parallel to the Indian team. All the while shouting across the border. There was perceptible pandemonium on the other side.


A woman in the Bangladeshi side, being probably misinformed of the Indians' visit, hurled the choicest expletives from near her thatched-hut doorstep. Her lament interspersed with abuses continued for at least 20 minutes until the Indian team found (thankfully) natural cover of the hills.


Finally, at Lyngkhat village (Lakhancherra in Bangladesh), the villagers gathered. The cameras and tripods intrigued hoards of children here. The Bangladeshi children too squatted and watched with amaze from across the International border about five feet away. Bangladeshi women bathed in a soiled stream nearby. 

There are no fences here, no words exchanged, between the two neighbours.  The BSF stood vigilant. The village is tagged "in adverse possession'' and claimed by Bangladesh. There are about 52 such land tagged "in adverse possession" in India claimed by Bangladesh. India claims for about 49 such land 'in adverse possession' of Bangladesh. These small pieces of land vary in size from 5 to 500 acres.


Moreover, there is the trickier issue of Enclaves. Enclaves are small pieces of land totally surrounded by a foreign country. There are 111 Indian Enclaves (known as Chits in Bangladesh) measuring 17, 258.24 acres in Bangladesh. Similarly, there are 51 such enclaves claimed by Bangladesh inside Indian Territory, covering 7,083.72 acres.


"We are scared," said, Thomlin Khongthohrem, with knitted brows, one of the village elders at Lyngkhat village. "Last year some of our people were dragged into Bangladesh", he laments. None knows what happened to them thereafter. Ironically, in his hut, commentary of a cricket match between Bangladesh and Kenya was being bawled out live on Bangladesh radio.


On being queried, if the children enjoyed cricket and the names of Indian cricket player, the village kids drew a blank. "We listen to whatever we get on the radio (read Bangladesh radio)," said one kid. "We love to play football," said another enthusiastic kid.


Here again a classic example of a Radcliffe goof up is the village football field. Half of the field is in India the other half in Bangladesh. The players effortlessly cross the International border during their games. All the football players here are, therefore, of International repute, literally speaking.


Does it feel weird playing simultaneously in two countries in a ninety-minute game of football? "No," said one of the young football players. "Never felt the differences, it is the same". Neither did Radcliffe! This English gentleman drew a straight line on a topographic map tragically dividing rivers, market places etc. He paid the least heed to ground realities. This English gentleman headed the Boundary Commission to partition India in 1947.


On trekking back towards Pyrdiwah village, everyone dreaded to pass through the patch where the Bangladeshi women had hurled abuses. But, she after the long tirade had probably decided to do something constructive… perhaps… get her chores done.  The April heat, at Pyrdiwah, was roasting the afternoon. Simol Khonglah was in a chirpy mood. She was one of the first villagers, who informed of the Bangladeshi incursion of Pyrdiwah way back in April 2001. Then, the village was besieged, house and crops damaged and looted for days by the Bangladeshis, helped by Bangladeshi Rifles (BDR) and its army. Villagers fled and remained in neighbouring villages for days then.


She says, the villagers here are 'not scared anymore', with the BSF re-enforcing itself after the incursion, from a Platoon to a Company.Nonetheless, the fact remains the BSF is greatly understaffed. The  normal distance of the Border out Posts (BOP) is between 5 to 8 kms. This distance is high by International standard. And with vast stretches of the total 4000 km of the Indo-Bangla border remaining unfenced, the BSF's task is cut out. In these unfenced stretches there are routine theft, murder and border related crimes perpetrated by Bangladeshis. However, New Delhi has not been able to fence these stretches due to Dhaka's insistence that such areas are her's.


Observers feel, New Delhi and Dhaka has not done enough to exorcise the ghost of Radcliffe in the eastern sector. There is perceptible fear and anxiety in these villages after all these years. These somewhat unreal places have real people living in there, which both countries need to acknowledge. These fears and a will to fight on are probably akin to the life in Bangladesh itself during Pakistan's occupation of that country. At that time people lived in dread of the Pakistani army's regime, but nonetheless fought on with their lives and gained independence with the support of New Delhi.


Famed Bangladeshi rebel poet Nirmalendu Goon wrote in his poem 'Firearm' of that occupation and the military diktat during that time, which is freightingly akin to the life of the people along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya:


Frightened citizens, in accordance with military directives/ are depositing their shotguns, rifles, pistols and cartridges/ like promised offerings at some holy shrine/only I, disobeying the military directive, turned a mild rebel/ I am openly returning to my room, and yet with me rests a terrible firearm/my heart/ I didn't surrender it.

AMBASSADOR CAR, INDIA'S ROLLS ROYCE

Meghalaya Legislators have been advised to use and buy the desi-Rolls Royce, the Ambassador, and travel in economy class airfare.

"If the President, Prime Minister of India and other ministers can travel in the white Amby than why can't legislators here," asked Economic advisor to the Chief Minister, Charles Pyngrope today, announcing the austerity measures.

In June last, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) had asked party men to show some austerity and go window-shopping or use cost-effective vehicles. Included in that shopping list, is the dogged Ambassador.

"We can save between Rs 3 to 4 Crore annually by slashing unnecessary expenditure. This amount can be used to pay salary of ad hoc school teachers," Pyngrope said.

The present Chief Minister J D Rymbai has a Rs. 15 Lakh worth Octavia. Former Chief Minister DD Lapang used a Sonata car priced anything between 12-14 Lakh.

Other legislators too have used such expensive luxury vehicles. "Only the CM and the Deputy CM may use such luxury vehicles," Pyngrope stated.

With this sudden change of heart, the good old Ambassador car, which epitomized Independent India's quest with progress and development, seem to have sidelined it's faster and swankier imported cousins.

In fact, the 'Old Lady', these days fires up the with a powerful 1800cc Isuzu engine. It first hit the Indian roads in 1957 and epitomised India's
potential to build indigenous vehicles.

THE FIRST SUPERMAN, HANU-MAN!

Hanuman flew to Garo Hills, according to legends, to collect the life-saving Sanjeevani (medicinal herb) after Lakshman was injured, said India's Tribal and DoNER minister PR Kyndiah.

When Lakshman was injured by a poisonous arrow shot by Ravana's son Meghdut, it was diagnosed, that only the Sanjaveeni could save his life, as per the Ramayana, the holy text of the Hindu.

As Lakshman laid battling with his life, Hanuman went in search of the herb, the Union Minister said in his inaugural address at the 29 thIndian Folklore Congress in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in northeast India.

Hanuman flew from the battlefields of Sri Lanka and came to the Himalayas looking for the herb. From top of the Himalayas he sighted a hillock and proceeded straight towards it.

That place incidentally was Balpakram National Park in South GaroHills, Meghalaya, Kyndiah said narrating the legend. Hanuman not being able toidentify the herb pulled up the entire hillock and flew back to the battlefield.

Lakshman's life was saved after the herb was applied to his wounds. Kyndiah said, although scholars have not yet come to a definite conclusion whether Hanuman actually came to Balpakram but, the place bears tell tale sign of a massive uproot.

"The place has a huge tunnel shaped hollow. Moreover, the area is strewn with ancient religious shrines," Kyndiah told the gathering. He added devotees from India and also Bangladesh visit the place. The area also has places known as Shivbari and other names attribute to Gods and Goddesses which adds to it's the mystery.

Balpakram National Park stands nearly 3,000 feet above sea level and covers an area of 200 square kilometer. It is a tableland and the plains of Bangladesh can be seen from atop.The park is rich in rare flora and fauna. It has some baffling topography; moreover, various mystic places still veil the National Park.

CHEMICAL LOCHAS IN WATER'S MEMORY

Does water have memory!? Can it actually recall flowing in a carcass-filled polluted River? Making its way to an irrigation canal. Then drank by a tuberculosis-infected Cow. Thereafter, flowed through its glands to be eventually liberated by urination.

Water has every chance to suffer from Senile Dementia from such an arduously disgusting sojourn. But it's true that some medicines (for example) are being made from substances extracted out of 'a Tuberculosis gland of a cow.'
Many people taking Homeopathy medicine would give a hoot to such questions and innuendoes relating to Homeopathy.

So! What is the fuzz about?

For years now, these tasty and easy-to-pop-in sugarcoated pills prescribed by Homeopaths, are encoded with some of the most debatable questions regarding their usefulness.

Homeopathy was pioneered some 200 years back by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It bafflingly defies logic; many argue.

Aspects that make Homeopathy mysteriously debatable are its two underlining principles: 'like cures like.' Basically it means diseases could be cured by administrating small quantities of substance causing the same symptoms.
For the layman, it means 'take poison to cure poison!' For example, cold and Hay fever can be cured with Onion, which has substances causing Cold and Hay fever.

Besides, many homeopathic ingredients are poisonous. Some truly bizarre as: Tuberculosis gland of a Cow, Disease products, Deadly nightshade, Venom etc.
Since these substances are poisonous in its concentrated state, Homeopaths dilute them, in special ways. This leads to the second debatable principle of Homeopathy.

Homeopaths practice the serial dilution method. A drop of the original substance, whether its Tuberculosis gland of a Cow or Snake venom is added to 99 drops of water or alcohol. This is a 1C solution or one part in 100.

Dissolving one 1C solution in another 99 parts of water gives 2C solution. The medicine is one part in 10,000. The whole process is repeated till it is a 30C solution. Even in 6C the medicine has been diluted a million million times.
At 12C it is a drop of medicine in the Atlantic Ocean! So 30 C is unimaginable. 30 C is equivalent to one drop of medicine in all the Oceans on Earth and many more in the Universe!

A drug's molecule, after interacting with the body, cures an ailment. With such homeopathic dilution, there is less chance in a billion, for a single molecule of a medicine to remain in the solution. After such dilution, it is plain water or alcohol, scientist avers.

So if there isn't one single molecule present in the solution the question of its interaction with the body and subsequent curing of a disease doesn't arise.
Homeopaths say this astronomically diluted solution combined with sugar pills actually help cure diseases. Scientists brand it as plain and simple quackery administrated to gullible patients.

During the early 80s, Homeopathy literally received a shot in the arm. Jacques Benveniste, a French researcher, having many discoveries to his credit, came out with another stunning discovery.

During his experiment on Basophile, a type of blood cell and its allergic reaction, he made a startling finding. He had diluted a substance to homeopathic level and added it to Basophile. This activated the Basophile; bizarrely!

There was sensation in the scientific community after his findings was published in June 1988, in the greatest journal of scientific discoveries: Nature.
Benveniste termed his finding as the 'Memory of Water'. Water. According to his theory, water had the capacity to remember and react with the natural characteristic of a substance it was earlier mixed with. Even if it was diluted to astronomical levels like Homeopaths do. The world of homeopathy was ecstatic with the finding.

But, the then Editor of Nature, Sir John Maddox had convinced Benveniste that his discovery would be published if he allowed an investigation team to visit his centre and he carried out the experiment again in their presence. So the story had just begun and so too the histrionic of James Randi.

Randi a magician and an opponent of all things supernatural was invited by Sir Maddok to be in the investigation team together with other scientists and fraud busters.

On 4th July 1988 the investigative team arrived in Paris for the test. Randi with his often-sarcastic magic tricks, popping things out thin air, made the researchers uneasy.

Eventually, the test was a failure much to the dismay of Benveniste and his team of researchers. The Memory of Water theory fell into ignominy, but not for too long.

Madeleine Ennis, a reputed professor of Pharmacology, performed an experiment akin to the French researcher using the same kind of blood cell, some times later.

She was astonished to find that Histamine a chemical diluted down to homeopathic levels activated the cells.

At that time, James Randi had already posted in his Web site a public promise challenging to pay a million Dollars to anyone who could prove anything scientifically impossible.

The BBC's Progammme, Horizon, contacted Randi and decided to conduct its own scientific experiment using Ennis's experiments to find if water had memory.

Some of top scientists from Great Britain were gathered. Amongst them was the Vice-President of the Royal Society, Professor John Enderby.
Randi was flown from the United States. The grand show began. None of the experimenters knew if they were handling homeopathic solutions or pure water, on Randi's insistence.

Scientist Rachel Pearson started the serial dilution of Histamine. At 15C it was diluted to one million million million million million times.
Some were taken down, to 18C! The diluted solution and pure water, each in different test tubes, were applied to the cell. Some solution activated others didn't.

Eventually the test fell flat on its face. It failed to prove that water has a memory.

Scientists concluded: people's faith on homeopathic cure is all about Placebos effect, or as Munnabhai would probably term it as 'Chemical Lochas' in our brain that make-believe.

Homeopaths rubbish such generalization. They say Homeopathy medicines cures babies and children's ailment. When they have the least knowledge of being administrated with the medicine.

Vets too have used homeopathic medicines on animals to cure ailments. Sheep, Goats, Cows and other wild animals have been treated with homeopathic medicines.

Despite claims and counter claims, some of the highlights of homeopathic medicines are prescription of one medicine for one or more ailments.
Allopathic doctors on the other hand may prescribe a cough syrup, multiple tablets for a case of cold and fever. Undoubtedly, homeopathic medicines are therefore cost-effective. Although many know such medicines are of little assistance in emergency situations.

Nonetheless, who can forget the delicious taste of homeopathic medicines? The gentle fatherly demure of the practitioners (with a bit of generalization) alleviating some of the problem – physiology - during counseling and the elaborate questioner sessions.

Then the homely ambience of the Chamber with cupboards stashed with myriad small bottles of medicines.

The classic part is the preparation of the medicine; like someone putting in a whiff of this and that Masala while jarring that favourite homemade chutney and handing out the secret family recipe to future generations.

But the most important aspect is the faith of millions who say homeopathic medicines does work. From the rich to the poor from the influential to unsung heroes all repose faith on this two-century-old branch of 'medical science.'

In fact, Homeopathic medicine gained popularity manifold after Benveniste's theory Memory of Water failed. Homeopathy medicine therefore is somewhat like the Gauls marauding the mighty Romans (read Allopathic medicines) with the assistance of magic potions of Getafix in the Asterix comic.

Many feel Homeopathy has nothing to lose and everything to gain, including the one million prize of James Randi.

ROAD TO PERESTROIKA!

Nine-year-old Donboklang is least aware what the future holds for him or his family. He rushes and dangles on local Taxis selling Kwai (betel nuts), cigarettes in the never-ending streets of hardship, here in Shillong the capital of Meghalaya, India and at times extends it as his elusive school playground.

He is the bread-earner of his four siblings and single mother. For him, a day at the office begins at 7 in the morning and closes at 7 PM. It is full of thrill, and he is least bothered about the hazard of running in this heavy traffic.

" I am not scared. I enjoy it," he confided with childlike innocence. "I earn Rs 60 to Rs. 100 daily and give it to my mother in the evening," Donboklang said.
There are scores of children like him working on the streets, Hotels and other hazardous work places here. Most are unaware that they might lose their job and subsequently right to provide their family's sustenance.

Ban on Child Labour would be enforced from October 10 throughout India.
Minster in-charge Labour ED Marak told the Assam Tribune that the state was 'not in a position' to implement the ban on Child-labour from tomorrow in the state, as per the centre's directive.

"The government has sought Rs 15 lakh assistance from the centre, a month ago, to survey first the number of Child, below the age of 14, employed as labour in Meghalaya," Marak said.

The state does not have any data regarding children employed as labour. " First, the age has to be ascertained, if the child in question is below or above 14 years of age," the minister added.

Chief Secretary SK Tiwari would be holding meeting with various departments to brainstorm and take a decision on this vital aspect, Marak said.
Till that time, for Donboklang and his ilk, there are no roads leading to Perestroika.

Drumming to Guinness record in Meghalaya, India.

Meghalaya has 'banged the drum' for herself and her sister-states announcing to the world of the region's 'positive vibrations'.

Welcome to Northeast India's Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, recording the highest rainfall in the world annually; now also home to the official world record of the largest drum ensemble.

7951 amateur and professional drummers, young and old, smashed the record held by Phungkek charity, Hongkong today, by assembling 226 more drummers than the earlier record, here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Polo.
"Congratulations, for creating a new world record," Guinness World record adjudicator, Michael Whitty's proclamation was greeted with thunderous beats of raised coloured drums of Red, Green and yellow.
"Yes, we did it," exclaimed Judy Nongbet giving her friend, Margaret Swer a bear-hug, who in turn rushed near one of the Cameras and peering into it screamed: "Can the world hear us now. Are we audible?"

The atmosphere was one of general euphoria in the stadium and in the city today. Thousands of people, of all age and colour, lined up in the stadium from afternoon today, after rehearsing for months on the composition 'positive vibrations.'

Drummers were divided into three groups with Red, Green and Yellow drums and each given different beats. Traditional drummers from the region added colour to the event with their participation.

Based on the beats of individual groups the composition (positive vibrations) continued for over five minutes as per Guinness Book guidelines till the record was broken.

But, not everything was music with 'positive vibrations' when the idea was mooted. Some discordant notes were struck from different quarters. These were harmonized soon into a record breaking performance, by many who played conductors.

First questions on the use of contemporary drums for the event were raised. Than anonymous pamphlets, declaring such events as 'unholy and satanic' and urging people to stay out of it, was distributed.

But, today, laughter, smile and joy, together with colourful confetti, flower petals (showered by Air Force helicopters), bear-hugs, was shared amongst the public.

RG Lyngdoh, Chairman of the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum, (chief organizer) said, this record would hopefully take people of the region from 'negativity to a positive approach' towards life and overall development.
Others simply termed it as a historical event. But, little 7-year-old, Lipika Chakraborty, a world record holder, gushed: "Hmm… I enjoyed it. This festival had so many people."

Surely, she maybe right, this could be the beginning of a prolonged festival for the region.

TO PAKISTAN WITH LOVE!

No backdoor diplomacy here. They travel miles from places such as Pakistan's hostile Baluchistan province. Make love in India during winters, and return back with an extended family.

This has been the phenomenon in case of these feathered-friends, many from Pakistan. Wagtail birds have managed to make a mockery of man-made boundaries and growing self-imposed seclusion.

Not only do they traverse miles to nest and breed in the hills of West Khasi hills they also frequent Bangladesh in the day time for their daily nourishment - so much for cross border movements!

Blue, white and grey wagtails fly from Baluchistan and also from Western Himalayas to avoid the harsh winters in the northeastern region of India.

These 'unique' birds with their graceful walk style and tails continuously wagging, settle down near Nongnah village in West Khasi hills in the state of Meghalaya every year. The villagers consider an honour sighting these birds.

They are now urging the state government to convert the area into a community reserve forest to protect the winged-guests.

"We are concerned about the birds' safety," Poly Marwin, Secretary Maharam Syiemship Development Society from the area said. The villagers want the area converted into a community reserve forest, she adds.

The state forest department is certainly listening and interested in the idea. It has sent some formalities asking the villagers to follow, which is a perquisite to convert any area into a reserve forest.

"The villagers approaching the forest department and urging to convert it into a reserve forest is a unique gesture. Less heard off," states B K Reddy, Divisional forest officer, wildlife.

Conversion of the 3.5 acres in the area into a community reserve forest would bring the wagtails under the protective Indian Wild life Act.

Community forest or the absence of it, one thing is clear; wagtails epitomize the eternal spirit of freedom, which mankind continues to strive for.

My first blog

Hi,

This is my first jump into blogging. So I would be postings regularly from today. So do check out this cool space.

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