We (me, Priyambada and children) were in Laddakh recently. I was part of their teachers fellow program which was a prelude to their upcoming K-12 school – Desert Flower. Unfortunately, just couple of days after we reached their , the Leh Voilence and arrest of Sonam Ji happened. The school, insitute and most of their programs were affected. We were suggested to leave looking at the seriousness of the situation and how things were unfolding. The program got cancelled and Desert flower was also put on hold. We were there for around 20 days. The trip was full of lot of learnings, experiences and reflections. Internet was blocked , so I used to make short notes on some of the topics that touched me. I am sharing some of those notes as micro-blog here in two parts – one is a mix of various topics , the next one I will publish soon that is more focused on “schooling and education.”. Do share your comments, thoughts and feelings if you feel like it. Thank you for still visiting blogs in the world of reels. 😉

#1 : Fighting Devils in Kaliyug (Witten on the day of arrest of Sonam Ji)

When power packed maniacs rule the world and the system becomes unjust , people around us getting affected. The problems are no longer limited to newspaper or insta feeds but becomes a tale of the town or even an incident next door. Anyone sensitive, would get perturbed. Anyone bold and courageous would feel the angst and urgent need to act. But soon feel helpless because when the fields are not levelled , fighting the forces is almost suicidal. With too much power on one side, entire system, police, military, judiciary on one side and few individuals with a meek voice of truth on the other, it becomes a dangerous battle where often there will severe losses for marginal gains. But then , what can one, who refuses to turn a blind eye to what’s happening, do ?

I remember one of my professors at MICA , someone I used to look forward for his intelligent advice, told me something very interesting when I was rebelling against the education system there, he said something like this – “Rebelling these days is not an intelligent response, to bring about change one rather needs to device a strategy.”

To fight with the right is the duty and sign of a responsible human being. To die for it is also unregretable. However, one must also not let the evil forces take away the life, peace of one’s life so easily, so cheaply.

Perhaps, a more intelligent response would be to fight at another plane where things are more level. Directly fighting the evil forces in modern times may be foolish but newer, indirect ways will surely turn effective over a period of time. The times of revolutions are over while the times of quite silent revolution are here. Team up with the natural forces, the ones who don’t talk but act at right time and right way to re-establish Dharma. Rest assured, Truth prevails, Dharma is victorious in the end.

#2 Helpless ( Evening time…)

I am siting in corner of the dining hall and looking at both of my son’s smiling, playing , laughing. My heart sinks when I wonder how long can one preserve these innocent smiles ? The world out there is getting difficult, most schools and most adults don’t know how to care for or love children. The entire system is becoming very difficult to deal with. It’s becoming so difficult to remain loving and hurt-less. As a guardian of these two little angels , I feel incapable and helpless. What am I to do ? 😦

#3 Beautiful Indus and Ugly Waste

The other day we went to a beach next to Indus river in Laddakh and like it’s common, we found the footprints of human beings – left over plastic bottles, plastic wrappers, shoes etc. I was tempted to pick it up and clean the area , so I gathered the visible bottles and waste and got them back to a waste management center at SECMOL. My children were watching me do all this as they were playing with the sand and stones building a mansion, a dam etc. I didn’t say anything, just collected and came back with them.

Next day we went again and I thought lemme just go a further this time towards a more peaceful spot. I sat little further away from children who were busy building something new and interesting today. Few minutes later , my younger one spotted me sitting a little further from their play area so he started coming towards me. As he walked towards me,I saw him stop and do something. He was collecting all the plastic bottles that he found on the way. By the time he reached me , his small hands were full of plastic waste , hardly able to hold so many with support of his tummy. He came close and looked at me and right in front of our eyes , we both saw a huge dump of plastic bottles. Hundreds of them scattered all over. Difficult for few individuals to really collect and clean. He dropped all the bottles right at the sand and laughed and said ” idhar to bahut sari hai, lekin udhar kam thi” . ( So many bottles here, but there were few there). He went back to play soon. I continued sitting alone by the Indus river looking at the scattered piles of water bottles and various other human waste, wondering what should I do now ?

#4 Hopeful ( next day of arrest, confirmed death of 4 innocent youth)

The more depressed I become ,the more frustrated I become , the more desperately I plead for answers and solutions to complex current problems, I am left with one and only possible hope. Feeble and vague but I got no other hope. It’s to surrender to God and live life of Dharma. Leave all the problems and solutions to the almighty, let go of power we feel we have to bring about change. Let’s just trust that life will take care of itself. All that lies in our hand is to live a life as per Dharma. Dharma , may mean different things to different people but it’s core remains universal – no intentional hurt or pain to any living being , less and less of self gratification, more and more of serving the others.

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At the end, I am reminded of a something really beautiful that is gonna stay with me for long. It was a Ms. Thukjay che , an old lady I met at SECMOL (their older institute, one Sonam Ji started almost 25 years back) who was music teacher (of Laddakhi folk songs) there. She was almost blind but somehow managed to take care of herself with whatever little vision she had. She was sitting right next to Kale* Sonam Wanchuk (*Kale is respectful prefix used in Laddakh for certain eminent individuals, most people used to refer Sonam Ji as just Kale), when the violence happened. She has heard the sound of the gun shots. Later, she was rescued and brought to SECMOL. What happened has had a deep impact on her. She shared that she clearly could hear the shots and was terrified. Her warmth is what touched us most. She was so warm with everyone. She would come sit with anyone , known or stranger and strike a conversation. She would gently touch , hug and giggle. Once in a while, when the talks are over or paused , she would start singing some beautiful melody in Laddkahi. It was such a sweet music to ears. Just before leaving , I happen to ask her – What is that song you keep singing ? She said , the song is titled – “What has happened to my beloved land – Laddakh ? – what will happen to my Laddakh ?” And do you know her name , Thukjay chay mean ? It’s Thank you in Laddkahi.