MIRACLES OF NATURE

BY SREELEKHA CHATTERJEE

Our rowboat sails lazily through the narrow, meandering creeks and channels of the Sundarbans, maneuvering the low, jutting out branches of the coastal mangrove trees, with the mid-day sun playing hide and seek through the emerald forest, unfolding an astonishing world before me.

The boat rows on through the labyrinth of the channels, with dense foliage of the salt-tolerant mangrove forest spreading over miles deep, almost impenetrable, secretive and growing by the side of the coast and edges of the delta formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. The Sundari tree (meaning “beautiful” in Bengali), after which the place gets its name, is the dominant mangrove tree species of the Sundarbans of India and Bangladesh Sundarbans is a cluster of islands, constantly made and remade along the banks by the incoming and outgoing tides, forming the largest block of littoral forests

Awe-struck, I stare at the tall, hardy Sundari trees, with elliptical leaves which form an unbroken canopy, while keora trees with long, cone-shaped aerial roots, line along one of the shores and their drooping branches lean over the calm water A horizontal network of cable roots gives the trees support while the aerial roots take in oxygen and sustain entire underground ecosystems beneath them Monkeys and deer eagerly consume the keora leaves and their sour fruits

The peaceful, unique nature surrounding divine and bright helps me to relax and unwind and takes my mind off the hustle and bustle of my city life My eyes feast on the magnificent scenic beauty rich treasure of flora and fauna that nature has bestowed.

I can see estuarine crocodiles basking in the sun on the river banks I have heard that at the salty edges of the islands thrive water monitor lizards, and mudskippers. A migratory, scattered flock of brownwinged kingfishers fly over our boat. The atmosphere is filled with the symphony created by the chirping of a variety of colorful birds, probably snipes, herons, coots, yellow lags, and sandpipers My eyes wander around in search of the majestic being and celebrated resident, the world-famous Royal Bengal tiger

“Sir, if you are lucky, you’ll get to see a tiger ” The boatman says, strangely reading my thoughts.

I strain my eyes in a desperate attempt to spot a shiny, striped yellow coat hidden amongst the dense vegetation The thickets of the lethal bushes appear to be hiding someone. The short, squat, palm-like mangrove leaves, also called tiger palm, appear to be slightly tinted with yellow and red at the edges, providing a perfect cover, and camouflaging the royal beast The dark, dense jacket of the green barrier can protect anything from being seen.

“The coastal mangrove forest experiences high and low tides, twice a day ” The boatman says, pointing toward the sandy shores of the islands I notice that the tide has receded exposing the wet, sparkling shores of sandbars that appeared to be like floating forests a couple of hours ago An incredible, concealed-woody world of tangled roots an active, underground network that’s visible during low tide resembling the wobbly, crookedness of elderly folks, makes an appearance.

As we ride along further down the delta, we notice a swarm of people on a shore with not-so-dense vegetation, probably villagers, carrying a Royal Bengal tiger upside down, its limbs securely fastened with tight, jute ropes onto two wooden sticks placed on four human shoulders The dark brownish-black stripes on the tiger’s yellowish-orange, 9-feet long body are prominent even from a distance, giving it a majestic appearance. A group of spectators bearing with untiring enthusiasm, making strange noises, follow them, peering over one another’s shoulders with nervous, bewildered eyes Disturbed by the commotion, a collared kingfisher resting on a high branch takes flight spreading its blue wings in the refreshing air

“The tiger has become a man-eater ” The boatman says raising his eyebrows, observing the inquisitive look in my eyes, beholding the royal beauty, one of God’s finest creations The Royal Bengal tiger has a healthy prey base of spotted deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, monitor lizards, other reptiles, frogs, and fish found in this region. Why on earth will he become a man-eater?

The boatman narrates the folklore of Bonbibi Legend says that Bonbibi, the deity of the forest, saves and protects the people of the Sundarbans from the tyranny of Dakshin Rai (half-man, half-tiger; a god/king who rules over beasts of the jungle, or a demon rival of the revered Bonbibi) who stalks, kills, and devours human beings Both Hindu and Muslim mythologies have mingled here, religious differences have dissolved, and communal harmony prevails, as people of both faiths worship the goddess jointly to ward off the peril in the form of a wild cat Small temples have been set up along the river banks where the goddess Bonbibi is worshipped along with Dakshin Rai. In these places of worship, the chants of “Ma Bonbibi, Allah, Allah!” and “Baba Dakshin Rai, Hari, Hari!” blend naturally, as both the communities unitedly pay obeisance before venturing into the jungle for subsistence. Their daily livelihood involves collecting honey, gathering wood; catching crabs, prawns, and fish

“Where are you taking him?” I ask in Bangla, the local language, pointing towards the sleeping being, exhibiting child-like innocence.

“It has entered our area That’s why the Forest department has tranquilized. We are taking it to the nearby jungle.” One of the locals says.

“If we enter a tiger’s abode, we are bound to land up in its stomach If it moves into our land, how can we leave it?” says another.

I wonder whether it’s our territory that he has entered or the other way around, as humans are encroaching on the habitat of the wild animals, depredating the forests, and in turn, endangering our own survival. Suddenly, the tiger shows signs of movement, while his eyes still remain closed. I see his lips parting, exposing the white teeth, and his bosom panting rapidly, suddenly arising from the forced slumber Fear laden, the bearers hurriedly dump the wooden sticks carrying the animal and run inland, along with others who have gathered to witness the occasion of transferring the big cat to a new home, a wilderness unknown to him The tiger wakes up with a start and tries to free himself He looks up and notices us at a distance of about three to four feet away in the boat. I gaze at the majestic being, with mouth agape, unable to move a limb mesmerized by his glittering eyes with an unblinking stare Terrified, trying hard to stifle a scream, I remember that he is a uniquely aquatic creature an expert long-distance swimmer, who hunts skillfully and strategically, both on land and in water I feel beads of perspiration on my forehead My clothes suddenly feel wet with sweat and tears running down my face The boatman motions me to sit down, remain calm, and don’t make any noise. I remember all the gods and goddesses whom I had and hadn’t prayed for in my lifetime Being an inhabitant of the world for just a few more minutes, stationed at the threshold of life and death, my entire life flashes before me in an instant. I recall the faces of my loving wife, and my five-year-old son, engulfed in grief and sorrow, sodden with tears The tiger flashes its canine which sets into action and frees himself from the clutches of the rope tied onto his limbs. Anxiously, I await the consequence of the antecedence initiated by the menfolk, which I observed on the land a little while ago I kneel down in the boat, surrendering myself to the fate that is slowly approaching me it’s a misty, unclear face so abrupt and shocking to me. The animal appears to be magnificent and graceful even at the advent of our death

The king of the forest looks at us for the one last time, before averting his eyes, and saunters toward the dense vegetation, a little away from the shore. He seems to have realized the unsaid agreement between humans and other inhabitants dependent on the forest to respect each other’s requirements, keeping in mind that nothing more should be extracted than what is needed to survive and to live a life of peaceful coexistence It is perhaps time for the humans to understand it as well

Sreelekha Chatterjee’s short stories have been published in various national, and international magazines and journals like Indian Periodical, Femina, Indian Short Fiction, eFiction India, The Criterion, The Literary Voyage, World of Words, Writer’s Ezine, and Estuary, and have been included in numerous print and online anthologies such as Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul series (Westland Ltd, India), Wisdom of Our Mothers (Familia Books, USA), and several others. She lives in New Delhi, India.

You can connect with her on Facebook at facebook com/sreelekha chatterjee 1/,

Twitter -@sreelekha001, and Instagram @sreelekha2023

50 Captivating Lives by H.D. Sharma Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hill by Kasturi Ray

"50 Captivating Lives" by H D Sharma is an excellent anthology that goes beyond the well-known, captivating lives of those who shaped and transformed India. Though everyone is well versed in most of them, reading historical people's biographies rather than those people's stories who created History offer valuable insights and benefits By learning from their experiences, understanding historical context, and gaining perspective and empathy, you can grow personally and develop a deeper understanding of human nature These biographies inspire and motivate, enhancing historical literacy and appreciation for cultural contributions The book "50 Captivating Lives" by H D Sharma also includes compelling and significant lives overshadowed by more dominant names in popular culture and media.

H.D. Sharma is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. He has worked as a librarian and taught library science at universities in India and abroad. He was educated at the universities of Punjab, Delhi, and Michigan. He has authored several books that showcase influential personalities around the world. In this book, Among the captivating lives explained, hidden treasures are brimming with new mysteries and information for the readers to explore further Through these stories, readers can connect with the past, broaden their knowledge, and apply the lessons learned to life and understanding the world The individuals featured in this book have profoundly shaped our country into what it is today They fought tirelessly for India's freedom from British rule and set us on a trajectory of growth and success, which we continue to enjoy. These remarkable individuals can be described as captivating, not solely due to their popularity, but because they deserve our gratitude and respect.

This anthology is a tribute to their courage, altruism, and ability to inspire and nurture future influential thinkers and leaders.

"Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hills chronicles the extraordinary journey of a tribal girl who defied all odds and emerged as a symbol of resilience, determination, and grit The book is published by Rupa Publications and written by Author Kasturi Ray. She delves into Murmu's life, recounting her remarkable achievements from her humble beginnings in the village of Uparbeda in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district to her historic appointment as the first female President of India. Through interviews, data available and meticulous analysis, Ray follows Murmu's path as she navigates through school, college, and various roles such as a teacher, social worker, councilor, minister, governor of Jharkhand, and ultimately the leader of the nation The book is divided into seven chapters Each chapter defines the stages in Murmu's life The book also mentions the many things the public isn't aware of Author Kasturi Ray in the narrative, highlights Murmu's ability to triumph over personal tragedy and recommit herself to serving the marginalized and underprivileged Droupadi Murmu is a live embodiment of the 'never give up' mentality. She is also one of the most humble women today's generation has witnessed. As hundreds of TV networks broadcasted the announcement of her candidature as the NDA's (National Democratic Alliance) Presidential candidate, her modest and friendly attitude remained constant, and she proceeded to wash the floors of a Shiv Temple, as she did every day. Droupadi's childhood ideals and subsequent political ambitions were always modest Still, they were thwarted by her conservative neighborhood, which did not believe it was right for a woman to leave the house She stated in an interview with the TV show 'Ek Mulakat that she merely intended to study, acquire a regular job, and financially support her family This inspiring book portrays Murmu as a tenacious fighter, unwavering believer, and ultimate victor, leaving behind indelible footprints in the annals of time. The foreword by an iron lady - Kiran Bedi, adds more power to the book.

At this juncture, this book is highly recommended to all women, young and old, and others.