Postcard from JP, by Saifuddin
From up above, in the sky.
I think I may fall, what if I do! But what have I to fear? God has, after all, made me to fly. But some of the others like me live the fear more intimately, and have begun to shy from flying. Perhaps it is the sights that they see which makes them fearful. I remember one such sight. Brick after brick was falling apart. It was a heart-wrenching sight. From the sky, people flocking and moving from where they live looked like us flock of birds. Constantly on the move. But when their place of abode is destroyed, what is it that they go out to seek? Is it for a new home? A new set of troubles and woes? A new identity? A new recognition or regard from the city? But from here, up above in the sky, from where I watch them, I feel all of this will not be possible...
I think I may fall, what if I do! But what have I to fear? God has, after all, made me to fly. But some of the others like me live the fear more intimately, and have begun to shy from flying. Perhaps it is the sights that they see which makes them fearful. I remember one such sight. Brick after brick was falling apart. It was a heart-wrenching sight. From the sky, people flocking and moving from where they live looked like us flock of birds. Constantly on the move. But when their place of abode is destroyed, what is it that they go out to seek? Is it for a new home? A new set of troubles and woes? A new identity? A new recognition or regard from the city? But from here, up above in the sky, from where I watch them, I feel all of this will not be possible...
And so it flew, over the city, amidst its flock, and looked down and watched. What did the city look like from that height?
The first one: Can you see that family?
The second one: Yes, of course!
The first one: In their condition, do you think they will be able to settle down and make a home again? My sense is, maybe not. Otherwise would they have hung around in the park the last three days?
The second one: So are they contemplating spending their entire lives in this park?
The first one: No you fool! They are the few hopeful ones, waiting for someone to arrive and reassure them. Or perhaps they are organising means to return to their village with the entire family. The will return to the time they had left behind and spend the rest of their life in their past. Maybe they will never return to the city.
The second one: But a majority of them will stay in the city. Then how will the city get cleaned? The government says Delhi will become clean when slums are removed. But people are scattering, and they will resettle here itself, just in a new location. Maybe when they don't have a home they will not think of making a family. Maybe this is the government's population control drive!
The first one: Again foolery from you! Habitats may be cleared, but not peoples' will to make life in the city! And you, who can see the earth and the open sky, can't you see how much pain there is in being uprooted and being separated from your neighbourhood?
The second one: You think too much. Why can't you just concentrate on what you have to do!
The first one: And you talk like a caged bird who sleeps away his time. Take a friend's suggestion - open your ears once in a while, listen to what people say about how they make their life, what is going on in their neighbourhoods, listen to them talk about their sadness, and how they express it.
The second one: I see no need to do all this! Maybe I will sometime, if I get the time. And you friend, will do well if you look ahead of you. See how much grain there is on that roof there!
The first one: Lets fly faster. We have got left behind from our flock. Someone may think we are pigeons from his flock and summon us to his roof. Come, lets fly back into our own flock.
The second one: Hey all of you, wait up! We are right behind you, and are flying faster to join you.
The first one: Can you see that family?
The second one: Yes, of course!
The first one: In their condition, do you think they will be able to settle down and make a home again? My sense is, maybe not. Otherwise would they have hung around in the park the last three days?
The second one: So are they contemplating spending their entire lives in this park?
The first one: No you fool! They are the few hopeful ones, waiting for someone to arrive and reassure them. Or perhaps they are organising means to return to their village with the entire family. The will return to the time they had left behind and spend the rest of their life in their past. Maybe they will never return to the city.
The second one: But a majority of them will stay in the city. Then how will the city get cleaned? The government says Delhi will become clean when slums are removed. But people are scattering, and they will resettle here itself, just in a new location. Maybe when they don't have a home they will not think of making a family. Maybe this is the government's population control drive!
The first one: Again foolery from you! Habitats may be cleared, but not peoples' will to make life in the city! And you, who can see the earth and the open sky, can't you see how much pain there is in being uprooted and being separated from your neighbourhood?
The second one: You think too much. Why can't you just concentrate on what you have to do!
The first one: And you talk like a caged bird who sleeps away his time. Take a friend's suggestion - open your ears once in a while, listen to what people say about how they make their life, what is going on in their neighbourhoods, listen to them talk about their sadness, and how they express it.
The second one: I see no need to do all this! Maybe I will sometime, if I get the time. And you friend, will do well if you look ahead of you. See how much grain there is on that roof there!
The first one: Lets fly faster. We have got left behind from our flock. Someone may think we are pigeons from his flock and summon us to his roof. Come, lets fly back into our own flock.
The second one: Hey all of you, wait up! We are right behind you, and are flying faster to join you.
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