82/100 @ #100sareepact

Neha-Jyoti.

Two women who impacted me the most in Raipur’s MATS University conference on “Women in Literature and Media post-globalisation” which I attended yesterday, 30th October. Neha Champawat, IPS, Supdt of Police, Mahasamund, and Jyoti Singh, producer director of TV show Swayamsidhha. Articulate, strong, but not strident, soft spoken but firm in their resolve to improve the lot of women, they were panellists who made wonderful presentations in their areas.

Lucky Saree, I not only read my paper but was asked to chair a session too! I chose it as I carry good vibes woven in it, I have good memories of a brother from another country, who chose this special one for me.

Mujib saheb, Mujibur Rehman from Bangladesh is not as famous as his historical namesake, but a kind man who visited us, and was later diagnosed with cancer and passed away after a prolonged struggle. He told me so much about Bangladesh, it’s religious policy, it’s love for the Bangla language, and it’s struggle against Islamisation. That they use the Bengali Almanac or Pownjika, that their priests, of all religions, are all government officials. And of course that they are prepared to die for Bangla Bhasha.

He gifted this original Dhakai Jaamdaani Saree to me.. Such a beautiful combination, orange with yellow and green, such tiny flowers all over …. It reminds me of the culture of our neighbour, the little stories he told, and make my blues all go away. And what blues if you’re in the greenest of gardens in Subroto Roy’s schoolmate’s house in Bhilai, posing away among the greens? I want those leaves on my Saree, and basically, I don’t want to go back home, is what I’m thinking… Pretty, no?