Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
One Fine Morning
Since it asked politely, "PLEASE WAIT" I had to hit the brakes and walk. But I feel it should have gone the other way, around the sewer cover, the way I usually drive my car through. Like all the people who live there do.
It's come to a situation where instead of collectively removing the water, or mending the damaged water pipes people would rather go around the sewer cover. The truck driver, no doubt, was new in the area or thought the wheels were too big enough to drown in the mud.
The contractors don't bother. Once I had the back wheel of my car in a manhole. It was uncovered and unmarked. No signs of warning were put up.
Today morning I read in the newspaper that such unprotected ditch helped police catch a burglar. But my granny loves to visit my uncle close by and I am worried for her. She is in her 80s and no burglar. What if something happens to her?
The contractor's employees, who are in the office and out on duty, were confronted numerous times, but it's like walking into a brick wall.
They'll let their huge trucks carrying huge iron rods and other materials roll in and create craters but they'll never cover up the holes they've created.
They'll dig up and pour water and create mud slush right in front of your door but won't be kind enough to put a plank over it so people can walk home.
Workers will throw CGI sheets from top of buildings which are in the process of being constructed, and you've to shout not to do so because you're down there, maybe looking like ants.
During lunch while making way through the dusty, muddy road, you'll reach a dead end. No signs again.
They'll block a road and say they are building something there and for the next couple of days, sometimes even weeks, no construction work will be done. No workers will be seen.
... and on and on and on.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
Snowy
This story is based on true life events of animals living in and around the expressway, Chang Jalu and Chang Olakha, Thimphu, which is experiencing a construction boom
Snowy was not as white as snow. Not since the heavy construction machineries rolled on into the paddy fields, dug it and planted iron rods from which a concrete jungle grew.
He was once white, but now his hair was matted with earth, grime and cement. Just the other day he overheard his owner say, "Maybe we should shear him." But Snowy wasn't a sheep, he was a sixteen-year-old Lhasa Apso.
On his neck was a dark brown leather strap, but despite being a pet Snowy had the spirit of a wild dog. His guardians never kept him cooped in and he loved running amuck the green fields and the banks along the green blue river. But that was ages ago, or so it seems.
When his farmer guardians brought him home for the first time, he was merely a month old puppy. He could barely understand the human language. The farmer's educated daughter had held him on her lap the entire journey. The daughter was visiting her parents. She lived in Punakha. When they pulled over at the edge of what looked like a cliff overlooking a settlement, the first thing Snowy noticed was the lush greenery. When the daughter called out 'ama' Snowy's attention was drawn to a tanned woman at the roadside. Her lips wide apart giving a peek to doma stained teeth. He took an instant liking to this hardy woman, who resembled the sleek woman who'd stroked his fur the entire journey.
The years rolled blissfully. He developed friendship with the cattle, the villagers and the wide expanse of fields. But, something happened. Suddenly there were no green fields. The earth, which remained uncultivated became hard. Giant machines were ploughing through and soon vehicles were zooming through what was once paddy fields.
Now, he lived in the middle of chaos. His world no longer made sense.
Just the other day, Snowy faced a near death experience. Like a person with unsettled mind, he'd been roaming around trying to make sense. He saw Dema, a cow he'd grown up with, across the road. He called her named and sprang forward only to be blasted by a blaring noise of a car honk. It was so loud it took him by surprise. And he blindly darted forward towards Dema, who looked on with fear in her eyes.
Soon there were screeches of tyres and a heavy clash of metal on metal.
When the first vehicle missed Snowy, the other trying to overtake the first had screeched to a halt when Snowy appeared suddenly. The car following the second one lost control and hit it.
The drivers were cursing the dog. The traffic on the expressway came to a halt. Shattered glasses were on the road.
"You're lucky you didn't get hit," retorted Dema. "What were you doing anyway?"
Still recovering from shock Snowy was at a loss for words. Soon, sirens pierced the air. A limp body was dragged out of a vehicle and loaded on to the ambulance.
"I was coming your way," said Snowy. "I don't understand what's happening. Why can't I do what I want to do and live like before?"
"It isn't the place anymore," said Dema. As she started to move, Snowy noticed pain in her face. She limped and each step was agonizing for her.
He looked down and noticed that one of Dema's hooves was hanging by, what seems like a thread. Her injured hoof was plastered in blood. How cruel can life be? She'd lost her calf only few weeks back to an exposed electric wire.
"I wasn't as fast or as lucky as you were," she said. "This is the price I paid for trying to cross the road."
Dema had seen a patch of greens across the road, a treat was was difficult to come by. Her once farmer guardians rarely cared for her. They'd given up farming for real estate business. Even after being hit by a speeding motor, the want for grass was bigger than her hurting hoof. But when Dema finally managed to get on the other side, the patch was a huge green plastic sheet, the corners of which were planted firmly in the ground by moving machines.
Snowy was not as white as snow. Not since the heavy construction machineries rolled on into the paddy fields, dug it and planted iron rods from which a concrete jungle grew.
He was once white, but now his hair was matted with earth, grime and cement. Just the other day he overheard his owner say, "Maybe we should shear him." But Snowy wasn't a sheep, he was a sixteen-year-old Lhasa Apso.
On his neck was a dark brown leather strap, but despite being a pet Snowy had the spirit of a wild dog. His guardians never kept him cooped in and he loved running amuck the green fields and the banks along the green blue river. But that was ages ago, or so it seems.
When his farmer guardians brought him home for the first time, he was merely a month old puppy. He could barely understand the human language. The farmer's educated daughter had held him on her lap the entire journey. The daughter was visiting her parents. She lived in Punakha. When they pulled over at the edge of what looked like a cliff overlooking a settlement, the first thing Snowy noticed was the lush greenery. When the daughter called out 'ama' Snowy's attention was drawn to a tanned woman at the roadside. Her lips wide apart giving a peek to doma stained teeth. He took an instant liking to this hardy woman, who resembled the sleek woman who'd stroked his fur the entire journey.
The years rolled blissfully. He developed friendship with the cattle, the villagers and the wide expanse of fields. But, something happened. Suddenly there were no green fields. The earth, which remained uncultivated became hard. Giant machines were ploughing through and soon vehicles were zooming through what was once paddy fields.
Now, he lived in the middle of chaos. His world no longer made sense.
Just the other day, Snowy faced a near death experience. Like a person with unsettled mind, he'd been roaming around trying to make sense. He saw Dema, a cow he'd grown up with, across the road. He called her named and sprang forward only to be blasted by a blaring noise of a car honk. It was so loud it took him by surprise. And he blindly darted forward towards Dema, who looked on with fear in her eyes.
Soon there were screeches of tyres and a heavy clash of metal on metal.
When the first vehicle missed Snowy, the other trying to overtake the first had screeched to a halt when Snowy appeared suddenly. The car following the second one lost control and hit it.
The drivers were cursing the dog. The traffic on the expressway came to a halt. Shattered glasses were on the road.
"You're lucky you didn't get hit," retorted Dema. "What were you doing anyway?"
Still recovering from shock Snowy was at a loss for words. Soon, sirens pierced the air. A limp body was dragged out of a vehicle and loaded on to the ambulance.
"I was coming your way," said Snowy. "I don't understand what's happening. Why can't I do what I want to do and live like before?"
"It isn't the place anymore," said Dema. As she started to move, Snowy noticed pain in her face. She limped and each step was agonizing for her.
He looked down and noticed that one of Dema's hooves was hanging by, what seems like a thread. Her injured hoof was plastered in blood. How cruel can life be? She'd lost her calf only few weeks back to an exposed electric wire.
"I wasn't as fast or as lucky as you were," she said. "This is the price I paid for trying to cross the road."
Dema had seen a patch of greens across the road, a treat was was difficult to come by. Her once farmer guardians rarely cared for her. They'd given up farming for real estate business. Even after being hit by a speeding motor, the want for grass was bigger than her hurting hoof. But when Dema finally managed to get on the other side, the patch was a huge green plastic sheet, the corners of which were planted firmly in the ground by moving machines.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Spring
lil' light showers
the sun
and its warmth
the crisp dry clothes
and parched throat
mom's potted flowers
ripe and juicy fruits
peach blossoms
and blue skies
the season that brings
a spring in all my footsteps
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