Time stops at: 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, 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 !! 

Retiring day is a day of introspection....reflections !!

Looking back.... 

'And it was a young boy who choose class room as his field of working, 

teaching as profession.'

Anjani Kumar Tripathi, year 1981

And now after 35 long years passed... it's a time to say good bye !!
Spirit intact....but bearing body old as in this long journey with time !!

Anjani Kumar Tripathi, year 2015

Saying good bye and turning back from, 
Is a hard time....of course !!

Anjani Kumar Tripathi

Years and years of memories..

But that's a personal treasure too !!

Anjani Kumar Tripathi

Before our final departure, 
Earthly journey to be continued....
Till the grand sleep is awarded from our high reaches.

Anjani Kumar Tripathi

And facing our own self, 
Everyday....

Anjani Kumar Tripathi

 Of 'light (knowledge) sharing' memories with such innocent children and their family....

Some kids and their mothers with lighted candles at Government High School  Saraitikra,
symbolizing knowledge which expels the darkness of ignorance

With dedicated teaching staff and loving students.
 

Staff and some students of Government High School Saraitikra

Schools too have their own history like any other human being..
http://wikimapia.org/8423872/Govt-Higher-Secondary-School-Saraitikra-Ambikapur-Chhattisgarh

Some 'souvenir'..
the 'keepsake'..
'token' of time passed working with so many souls !!

Rain in the air: 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, 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 !!

"Water dripping from these surrounding hills were the source of irrigation in my days."

"And then these canal came to our village in 1980s."

"You are satisfied with things as of now ?"

"What to do sir !!"

"I was retired in year 2000 as a teacher."

"Things have changed so much since then."

"Even the weather pattern...."

"....this year the weather have changed as if it is 'Assam'."

"All through this April month, we had rains."

"It has destroyed our ripened wheat crop in the field."
"....so sad....!!"

Sukhdev Prasad, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/5809763/

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/5829619/

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/5830184/

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/5815184/

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/5846576/

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/5839281/

Karate kids: 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, 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 !! 

It was an amazing initiative taken by the state government.
All over the state of Chhattisgarh of India, all school girls of standard 9th 

were offered 10 days Karate marshal art training course, 

from March 9th to March 18th 2015.
 

Female Karate trainer were provided to each cluster of schools 

selected in a way that each and every school kid including the remotest village 
could easily participate in that.

It was a time perfect, 

the spring time, morning hours, 
just before the school academic schedule starts.

Enthusiasm was worth witnessing.

Upbeat mood, brimming confidence was a common gift 
visible on the faces of all teenager girls.

Crime against women and girls are our common concern.

Empowering women, we all have heard so many time.

Perhaps this was one worth program to achieve both.

Should this be the permanent feature of their trainings 

so that our girls could feel safe 

while they toil their journey in society for their equal opportunities.

My father told me, "Sure you go to these classes, do it well".
Miss Rita Singh, class 9th, Government High School Sukhri, Ambikapur

My mom said, "Be regular to these classes, go daily, so that you come back as you have learn well."
Miss Anusuiya, class 9th, Government High School Sukhri, Ambikapur

"These village girls are so good in running. Endurance is high as compared to the city girls. 
They have all capability to cross to State and National level championship, if they are given opportunity."
Miss Varsha Gupta, Karate trainer

"I participated in National level Karate championship many a time, 
last in 2014 in Tyagraja Stadium in New Delhi. 
This game was regarded as for boys only, 
but now more and more girls are coming to this sport."
Miss Varsha Gupta, Karate trainer

"Karate capability shall boost morale and confidence in girls who go away from their home for studies and parents too will feel that their daughters are safe as they can safeguard them self."
Miss Varsha Gupta, Karate trainer

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

Morning with a difference: 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 !!








"This is how I start my morning with."
"Helping father in ploughing fields for sowing the next crop." 
"Mother and sister too comes to field to help us when vegetables are harvested." 
"We have small land but this is sufficient for our small family."

"And your studies." 

"I discontinued my studies after passing High School exams."
"But now I am planning to enroll myself for under graduate courses with Distance Education Program."

Hari Prasad, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

Saraitikra near Ambikapur

father Dil Bodh, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

Saraitikra near Ambikapur

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): animal love

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 !!




"My granny had many cows in her barn. She called them all by their individual pet names and they responded as well. Their names were all after the name of Indian rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godawari...."

"One evening all cows returned home from forest after grazing, except one the Ganges.
Ganges came home the morning next. Granny was angry on her and she scolded her. Ganges eyes were all swelled up with tears and she was weeping."

"That is so curious, a pet cow responding on emotional level....?"

"Yes, and then granny came close to Ganges and saw blood and bruises all around her neck. Granny understood that somehow she could save herself from some wild animal, lay hidden in the near by muddy ravine of river all night and in the morning she was able to come back to home."

"And now it was my granny's turn to weep, throwing herself on to the Ganges, caressing her neck incessantly...."
(the story place is Chikhla near Nagpur, region called Vidarbh, rich in Mn ores, wild area in the times 1950s, 60s)

sharing story with Saraitikra teaching staff near Ambikapur

sharing story with Saraitikra teaching staff near Ambikapur

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): grief within

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 !!









"My grief is not leaving me, 'Guru ji'!!"

"Why it is so?"

"It has been 3-4 years ago, my brother died. He was double M.A., employed in government hospital. My fate changed ever since. For a year or two, I was mentally not okay. 
Things may turn for better if I can arrange marriage of his son with a 'good' girl."

"And if you don't find a 'good' girl for him."

"Then my grief is going to overpower me for all time."

Nan Sai, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

Nan Sai, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): conversation different

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 !!






"Ayeeeeeeeeee...
TaTaTaTaTaTaTaTa.....
Tata....bey....bhaisaaaaa
Ooooooohoooohooooohoooo...
Tata......beyeeee...
Huurraaaaaaaaa
Bhaisa...bey..
Aaaaaale....ooooooo...kahaaaa....kudto..
Tata....beyeeeee....
Wah...rey....bhaisaa...maan...
Chal beta....'Daadoooo'...'Badka'..
Tatattattabeyeee..
Laalooooo..chal beta....
Harrrrrrrr...."

"What are you doing?" 
"Ploughing sir, going to sow chicken pea in this field."
"Do buffalo understand your talk?" 
"Yes, and they need to be taught like parrot from their childhood."

Pawan Kumar, Majhapara/Saraitikra near Ambikapur

Pawan Kumar, Majhapara/Saraitikra near Ambikapur

Pawan Kumar, Majhapara/Saraitikra near Ambikapur