My Gulmohar Tree

I am fond of plants and had a good collection of plants in my garden at Devlali. Its a small hill station type in Western Ghats with variety of flora and fauna. I don't remember from where I got this plant but from day one I was attracted towards it. It had few leaves and every day I use to watch it but it refused to grow. I along with my Gardner was taking a good care but of no use. After a month or so I couldn't see a new leaf on it but didn't loose hope. suddenly one morning I saw a green nod which gave me immense pleasure to watch it grow I was so happy that At least it has accepted to grow in my garden.  The growth was very slow but I had the faith that it will bloom one day. It kept me going till one day I came to know that we were posted to Varanasi and we had to leave a beautiful place. It was disheartening but we had to move on.

Packing for the house was going on, I sorted out my plants like what and how to take. Everyday in the morning I use to go to my gulmohar plant and felt that it wants to convey something I thought of taking it but did not had the courage to uproot it. It was decided that I am not taking this plant with me. Next few days I noticed that my plant was wilting and no longer it was healthy. so decided to carry along in a big pot with other plants and I did not notice any significant change in it. life keeps moving went to the new place with new hope and aspirations.

We shifted to a new house with all our belongings and plants. Few of the plants were broken, some of them wilted and some had died but to my surprise this plant was healthy and growing I saw the difference in few days reason is not known. I took it out and planted next to my window from where I can actually see it growing. My gulmohar has finally got a home where it can bloom and spread happiness and greenery.

Next few months were very tiring for the family I along with my teenager son was down with chicken pox and were confined to one room. The company I had was my gulmohar it was very small but within few days I saw the growth in it .Every day it grew and greeted me from the window. It saw our sufferings and pains but gave me only happiness in those gloomy days, in fact it was our actual companion and friend. we both grew together and the bonding  was strong. after reaching my window sill It appears as if it has stopped growing , but it was converted into a young tree and we were very happy to see it grow. Now it does not require my care and attention it was ready to become a part of that house where we were staying.

One day my husband informed me that we have to move to another house in the same campus but in opposite row. I was happy because It will be a bigger house. But was suddenly realised that we have to leave this gulmohar tree. Some how thought about it and shifted to the new house it was close by so I did not miss it much everyday I could see it, the new occupant were also fond of plants so I was sure that my gulmohar will be a grown up tree. It was a routine for me that in the morning with my cup of tea I'll go out and see my gulmohar, it always gave me a smile. This morning I got up, weather was changing I could feel the chill in the air with my morning cup I went out looked at my gulmohar ah it was not there went ahead to check it was lying on the road. Mrs Mishra had asked her Mali to cut it down because it has strucked her sight from the window. I could not have my tea and did not know how to cope up. 

Till date I must have planted hundreds of trees but not my gulmohar it moist my eyes.

Sound Of Silence

I am a teacher working in a remote border school. This was a normal busy monday morning of the week. I reached the bus stand on time in few seconds the bus arrived, normal good morning wishes from my students and friends. We started our journey for the school. The school bus was on its way to pickup school children and teachers. It was a very small and new school so everybody knew each other. One of the stops we saw a small girl along with her elder sister boarded the bus reluctantly. She was crying very loudly, and caught our attention. We tried to pacify the young girl but she was in no mood to listen anybody. slowly the bus started and moved to another stop, we also got engaged in our own sharing and talking and finally reached the school.

After arriving at the school we were all busy with our daily timetable and classes. Had our lunch during breaktime and one of the teacher mentioned about this young beautifu girl, she was crying silently without saying anything and the teacher was worried. After the break I had an arrangement period in one of the junior classes which I never liked but I had to go to that class irrrespect of my liking or disliking. I reached the class and saw it was the same class in which this young girl was crying. I went to her desk, she was sitting and tears were rolling down without any sob or expression it was unbearable to me I came to know that she did not speak to anybody, didnt had her tiffin and since morning she has been crying. As a mother and teacher I tried my level best to talk to her but she did not speak a single word. Then I decided to call her elder sister who was in 4th standard, she informed us about her father that he is posted out to Srinagar and had to leave in few days time. This use to be a very normal thing in our school because it was a border school.  People were coming in and moving out to different part of the country.

I explained to her in a plain simple way took her to staffroom and tried to make her understand that this seperation from her father will be for few months he will be back after her halfyearly exams and then he can take his family to his unit of posting. She gave me a stern look which I could'nt understand. By that time she has stopped crying and had a biscuit. It was the last period for the primary section so she went back to her class. I was happy that I could bring her back to normal.

Time will wait for none three weeks later in the school we heard that there was an ambush in Srinagar and this girls father's gypsy was blown by the terrorists. We were shocked to hear this... we went to this girl's house everybody in the house had tears in their eyes and this girl was emotionless..... she saw the teachers from her school came to us and holded my hands I could feel what she wanted to convey.  We came to know that she did not shed a single tear after hearing this news. Did she knew about it??? I have no answer but I can't forget this.