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My village Dimmer(Soul Of a Village)
My Village Dimmer (Soul of a village)
I recently read an article by a poet in exile. He simply said, living
away from home is like living without breath. Like many city-bred persons, I visited my Village last year.
Dimmer is small Himalayan village inhabited by Pundits ( Scholars). They are like Rabbi, Pastors of West. ADI SHANKAR, a renowned Sage of India, established this village.
Most of the men here earn their living by doing religious services.
They are traditional servants of Lord Vishnu (Badrinath ji). Hinduism places respect to scholars and religious figures therefore Former Maharaja Of Garwhal and Present Maharaja Of Nepal have given special status to Dimmripundits.
Therefore, they survive on financial support given by rich patrons. However, it must never seen as religious exploitation as one witness in other parts of India.
At first, I felt motley crowd of nameless faces will pay no attention to me.
Then how was I going to survive without any modern mean of communication? For weeks, this place is without electricity and public toilets are nowhere to be seen.
Somehow, my inner voice made me to join link with those subtle voices. Those were voices of many experienced souls, who may never have studied sociology but were wise enough to understand why many like me feel alienated.
Soon I found out my knowledge is no match to scholars of ancient language Sanskrit, Ayurveda and astrology.
Then I understood each village has a soul. Like living entity, village too need love and care.
This village cannot claim of modern amenities but it has always upheld its traditions. You may never witness exploitation of ancient traditions there. A guest is always welcomed and he can have free hospitality.
You may be wondering whether I am writing like a schoolchild. Yes!
Simplicity of our villagers can never be described easily. When many of us who are like freeloaders do not do enough, will these villages survive?
Flip side of this village is, this is one of area village whose self-centred generations have made a place in outside world.
They are doctors, technocrats, civil and military officials, and scholars of repute.
Alas, no body thinks of opening a cyber cafe and a small library for young adults.
No body cares if our daughters and sisters have access to public hygiene
No body cares if the so-called road is completed on time.
Insensitivity from all corners has made our village more philosophical.
It would never curse us. However, like a parent will always long for us.
It could be saga of somewhere in Israel or swanky part of this world.
That poet was right; we are all breath less and need fresh air in form of love for our past.
(Ashish Dimri, A freelancing Indian Journalist wrote this article)
Published: April 07, 2006
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