By Sarpreet Kaur
Geographical transition – A whole new world
It was December and instead of shivering in the hazy fog of Punjab, I was sweating in the sparkling sun of Andaman. That beautiful Andaman where curvy roads caress the wise and subtle mountains like a sari draped on women’s navel. In no time a swooshing sound makes you look on the other side of the road and you will be welcomed by an expanse of the blue sea playing with a yawning sun amidst the orange-red evening hue. The mind is boggled and wonders, whether to appreciate the dense green mountains where birds sang in a symphony or to be amazed by the lullaby waves, played on the shore. This is the world of exhilarating contrasts. This is Andaman.
To reach here from the north you need to cross the major landmass of India regionally called mainland India. And here far into the sea lazily floats another India merrily dancing on the blue wavy ground. Come to Andaman's by sea or by air you will be foremost welcomed by the patches of dark green dotted on a blue canvas of Infinite Ocean. Dozens of small, almost secluded islands will smile at you and then an island bustling with lights and life will greet you with open arms.
Not only Nature, here humans are mesmerizing as well
Many great writers have written about Andaman and Nicobar Islands in detail. We know about the nature dominated surroundings, the eye-soothing beaches, the lush green mountains backing the shimmering and endless water. We also know about the chirpy Corbyn’s Cove, the sensational Chidiya Tapu graced by Munda Pahad, the legendary Havelock island where eyes witness beauty beyond its definition, the happening Neil island and we cannot forget Our Ross Island famous for its proximity as well as history. Many have talked in length about exotic birds like Andaman teal, and much has been written to know about the struggles of tribal people; their culturally rich ancient times and their dreadful near past. But there is one thing that is seldom talked about- A section of people under the wider umbrella of Islanders - The Settlers.
The ancestors of these people took an adventurous flight when the government in different phases in the 1900s gave them an option to come to Andaman’s from the mainland. Many people from Punjab, West Bengal, Kerala and many other states were settled in this cup of scenic beauty. At that time no one knew that this small initiative will lead to the formation of a whole new India of its own almost 1400 km into the sea from the coast. Whatever were the reasons behind this movement, I am glad it took place. Apart from the beautiful nature surrounding Andaman and Nicobar, these Settlers have given a voice of their own to these hitherto silent islands. As a cynical person who always carries a Swiss Knife of pessimism in her pocket, I am myself surprised by the amount of goodness I sensed.
First Tryst with surroundings
When you step out of the airport you will see a dozen of yellow-black cabs desperately waiting for you, bringing in the fragment of past Bombay alive before your eyes. A man in a pure Bihari accent will come out of the driver’s seat and speak in English “Madam ji where go, my taxi take”. The cab will take you through amazing roads. At one moment you are on a hundred-foot wide highway and the next moment you are on a road too small even for a single car to trundle along. The steep roads up will make you wobbly and on your way down your soul will be smiling giddily. Looking around you will see a bazaar with its bustling gold shops transporting you to South India. Reaching a mohalla, a contractor who belongs to UP will be standing on the balcony of his white house-sharing walls with a Jharkhand migrant’s cosy shack. And interestingly whenever you ask someone how they ended here they would say
“Bs aa gya and fir jaane ka mann nhi kiya”. (Just came and then never thought of going back)
People of all kinds yet one
In the evening in the bazaar, you will see the whole Punjab getting out of the Gurudwara merry and loud. A few minutes later the sound of masjid will fill you with tranquillity while in the background somewhere tinkle of Mandir bells danced gracefully, all the while murmurs of peaceful prayers echo inside grand architectural wonders of Church.
Here the secularism comes to life and divisions merely exist
In the next few days, I saw a Hindu gentleman standing eyes closed and hands folded in a Gurudwara while a turbaned Sikh is buying oil to put in the lamp before goddess Lakshmi. When a Muslim Coconut shop owner talks merry and loud saying “Sir Allah Bhi Hamara aur Ram bhi Hmara” (Allah is also mine and Ram is also mine) you at once know that all is not lost for human beings, we can still love. These tiny islands will make you shiver with the righteousness it beholds.
The surrounding nature still amazes me but the people living on this beautiful city island break the shackles of everything I have known to date. Yes, there are faults, no one is perfect and things always need amendment. But Andaman is just a little bit closer to the milestone of Perfect as compared to other cities. Because this place accepts you the way you are, there is no dominant religion, newspapers are filled with information rather than anti-nationalism and there exists a sense of security that makes you feel at home. People here bring out the best in you.
THE YOU -- that you never thought existed.