Down through memory lane in Pandonagar: people of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया)

We meet amazing people in our life.
Though strangers they are
but bear character of profound depth and diversity.

 
Their story quote with photograph 
makes it magical-reality, as if this being an incredible act of  freezing a fleeting moment.

Portrait of strangers, inhabitants of a state, 
vibrant monologue of human life, 
to share herewith !!



"I remember things."
"My memories are not so good now."
"As more often they keep on slipping out of my mind."

"Do you remember the President of India's visit to your village?"

"Yes, very well, he gave me 3 houses to live in, a bullock pair for farming...."

"What was your age then?"

"Well, I had two sons...."

Note: Gendi Bai, the oldest survivor (claims 105 years age) of the village, reminisces the visit of  India's first president Dr. Rajendra Prasad's visit to her place, 62 years ago on 22nd November 1952, to rehabilitate the Pando Hill Tribe in the plain.

blogger Anjani Kumar Tripathi with Gendi Bai

blogger Anjani Kumar Tripathi at the monumental site

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): village down foothill

We meet amazing people in our life.

Though strangers they are

but bear character of profound depth and diversity.

Their story
quote with photograph 

makes it magical-reality,

as if this being an incredible act of 

freezing a fleeting moment.

Portrait of strangers, inhabitants of a state, 

vibrant monologue of human life, 

to share herewith !!

========================================== 

"Yes, I have crop field, but it's all up to God."

"If it rains, then we do it."
"It is like famine."

Raja Dashrath Pando,
Pando hill tribe
Pandonagar, near Ambikapur

"What's your age?"
"105 years or more, don't remember now."
"What are your best memories?"
"He came to us (Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, in 1952), gave me cloths, Sari, ration (food grains), Nagar (bullocks & harrow tool), three Chhind (leafy roof top) homes to each of us."

Gendi Bai,
Pando hill tribe
Pandonagar, near Ambikapur

"I'm in this Krishna temple since I was 11 year old."
"King brought my father-in-law as priest for worshiping. He passed away. My mother-in-law arranged my marriage."
"Do you remember him?"
"No, I haven't seen him."

Maheshwari Pandey, 
Pahadgaon, near Ambikapur