Now and Then

Now and Then

 

 

Counting the lines on her fingers,

consulting her dears and neighbors

connecting with their cherished celebrations

characterized by its sacrificial commotions

caused by her devotional spell over the village

casted by Lordess when acceding to the bondage

comes Ma kanta Bausani to them, to bless

Budu’s age, his widowed mother could asses

for a job in NALCO

forty years ago.

Now from Nalco Budu will exit.

No longer he will come on a shift,

no longer he will put on the uniform

a feeling of excelling over their social norm.

Shocked at the thoughts of separation

severing his loving lifelong connection

Thought, he over his days then and now

without Nalco and with Nalco on full flow.

Dances in him a comparison

between his father and his son

To mitigate huger not just for fun

after a deer, his son will never run

or will not hide behind a bush

to catch a rabbit from ambush

or will not tussle with jackal over jackfruits

nor can outmaneuver bears for sweet roots.

Need not he climb high for mangoes

or need not hit them with his throws.

To run up and up on the hill his dad was fitter.

For fishing in the swelling streams, father had no fear.

His dad counted on fingers and sticks

but his son has been taught mathematics.

His dad has not seen a hospital.

but his family had many a medical referral

to go to Vizag for expert medical services,

before Nalco they followed traditional practices

enduring pains under superstitious belief.

Now the medical aids give relief.

His father died at a young age

unlike him devoid of medical coverage.

He looks smart, civilized as a man western

being suited and booted with fashion modern

Clad with dirty torn cloth above the knee

in the special occasions with the same, his dad was free.

His mother mothered him at the age of thirteen

but his colleague's daughter at twenty is still a virgin.

Now the evenings at the center of recreation

his villagers go to booze and fun under illumination

In comparison then under the darkness cover

with howling of hacks; and running of many bear

after the days’ physical strain

being up and down in the mountain

farming on the hard and hilly field

protecting from beasts its yield

they get exhausted and ache

physically emotionally break

Hence resort to drinks fermented in houses

wih rice and ragi by their spouses.

Often tempt them some miscreants

with stuff kicking better cause health ailments.

but now with foreign beverage

addict persons and premature health damage.

A four-wheeler first time he saw

remembers then, the thrill and awe.

When a helicopter hovered around

with its typical ear breaking sound

the birds fluttered around the trees

jackals, mongoose and bears felt ill at ease

swarmed on the open field a few brave

inside cottage, many hid, their life to save.

Now and then the comparison

NALCO to his wonder has drawn.

Their children instead of rotting in the forest

has gone out to serve the world at its crest.

Listened to, he often many guests wise

that Tribal were better off then, in precise.

The roofed houses in place of cottages,

the literacy, lifestyle cultural change

that Nalco has brought to them to rise

to be the bests in the world as their prize.

imaging his grandmother at the age of thirty

looked like a lady he now sees at age of ninety

with sigh of relief he differs on their conclusion

with his exposures to Nalco’s contribution.

Hey Budu, our colleague, an epitome of the tribal race!

NALCO achieved her success by your deeds and grace

you sacrificed your customs and tradition

to make Nalco as the pride of the nation.

The world civilization is grateful to you tribal

not only because they got precious metal

but also Aluminium tycoons learned lessons to be wiser

as to why the rejected bauxite stock Nalco did the wonder

“The least of the needs and tough endurance

on the tribal belt to Nalco ‘s success s is the essence.

Through you Budu to the tribal community at the tribal belt

The world bows with gratitude and respect.

 

 

{ P K Routray

in the service of Lord

 

 

(NALCO is an integrated Aluminium complex based on the eastcoast bauxite deposit once rejected for extraction and being in tribal belt. NALCO succeeded with tribal on her role as many of my colleagues. This poem is composed as a tribute to them. Budu is the name of one of my tribal colleagues.)