The Lost Generation

“Jaan Dinchung - Praan Dinchung, Gorkhaland Hami Linchung Linchung.”

I was six years old when the cry for a separate state of Gorkhaland reverberated in the Darjeeling hills. The hills had come alive demanding what was rightfully ours, a separate identity and recognition in the Indian mainstream. For a six year old it didn’t mean much and I believe same goes true for all of us who were still kids. It was not possible for us to truly understand the significance of what was going on or to comprehend what it truly meant.

Unfortunately, as I look back now, I see that it was not just the six year olds who were unable to understand the significance or meaning of that era; it was an entire generation that failed to recognize the sly crafts of higher political masters. I call them The Lost Generation and this is my humble attempt thank those brave souls who led a selfless life to ensure that we (the future generations) had a better one.

I remember the air filled with tension yet the hope for a better tomorrow, driving the youth of that era. With nothing but the raw courage for which Gorkhali’s are renowned world over, the youth’s whole heartedly supported the leader who promised them the world and beyond. Taking the sacred vows to Do or Die for the cause they truly believed in, a whole generation took a plunge into the sea of fire; which would eventually end up engulfing them and erasing even their memories from the face of this earth.

Young sons and daughters of the soil, honoring the traditions of our brave ancestors preferred to die rather than surrender to the CRPF. They were selfless and did not think about their present for the sake of our future. The youths had no politics, but just blind faith in their leader; and because of this, they had no means to understand the treachery that was breeding in the mind of their leader whom they supported whole heartedly and followed with conviction.

I would like to mention two names from that era, Michel Rai from Sonada, and Raju (Okharey) from Jorebunglow. I mention these names as they gave in their all, and received nothing from the society, community or the leaders they followed. Michel died a disillusioned man, shunned by the very leaders and community for whom he fought and was ready to sacrifice his life. Raju is now working as a waiter in Mumbai, as he is not allowed to return to his birth place, because of numerous police cases still pending against him. I know these two are not the only ones whose lives were ruined, every village and town in the hills (in fact almost every family) has numerous Raju’s and Michel’s, some dead, and some dying. Their stories and acts of bravery lost forever with the passing of time to our complacence and indifference.

Ironically, we still celebrate Sahid Diwas (martyr’s day) to honor and respect the dead, but what about those who are still living??? Should they be ignored the way we have always ignored them??? Don’t we have any obligations or responsibilities towards them?? No, goes the answer as far as the so called present day leaders and system is concerned.

What perplexes me the most is that, how come all those who were not even in Darjeeling during Andolan (days of the revolution), have successfully established themselves within the DGHC and those who fought the real fight, risking everything they had, never got anything in return??? For instance, a school teacher in Hong Kong during Andolan days is the current chairman of Emergency Construction Cell (ECC), DGHC; while the real warrior Raju, is currently working as a waiter in Mumbai, unable to return to the land for which he sacrificed his everything.

What perplexes me next is that, how did our fight for a separate identity and freedom go on to become a means for the opportunists to earn and amass unprecedented wealth?? For instance, an uneducated, previously unemployed person now owns a fleet of vehicles, properties in prime lands in not just Darjeeling, but even Siliguri, Kolkatta and Delhi and tones of other amenities, within five years of his/her being a DGHC councilor.

Finally I wonder why do we allow these things to go on???

I know many would say “aaaa gu jatti kottayo teti ganaucha..” (The more you poke a piece of shit the more it will stink), I feel like agreeing, but … “hold on a minute mister/miss…” Our fight for freedom was not a piece of shit; the memories of the brave martyrs and warriors are not a piece shit; the generation that has been lost is not a piece of shit.

So who do we blame for all that has been lost??? Many feel the leaders deceived us and we love to shift the blame on their heads; but what about us??? Is it not our fault too, we who elect these politicians to lead us??? There’s a saying in Hindi “… jo boye pedh neem ke woh aam kahan se paaye …” (Those who plant neem should not expect to reap mangoes). Our leaders are as good as us, and they reflect what we truly are. It’s not the leaders who are to be blamed but us. We have become so indifferent to everyday happenings that we don’t even bother to look up and see what’s going on around. This allows the people whom we elected do as they please, and so they do.

Our complacence is not just ruining our present but it is sullying our past and puts a big question mark on our future. It is high time that we act, take matters in our own hands and set the balls rolling. Don’t forget numerous dictators and tyrants have been crushed and smashed within a matter of days, when people decided to take matters in their own hands; the most relevant example would be that of the King of Nepal.

We can bring about a change and make ours a better society, if we decide that’s what we want. All we need is awareness and the will to speak and act with a united voice.

I sincerely believe that getting rid of the present system and people in power is the least we can do to honor the memories of the martyrs, the lost generation and the land. Don’t forget we are obliged to act for the future generations as the lost generation acted selflessly for us.

Finally I leave you with the immortal lines from the poem Utsarga Gara… “…. Dekhos Na Dekhos Yo Bartamaan… Bhawi Pidi Le Dekhne Cha… Kasailey Chandha Bhes Ma… Timro Itihaas Lekhdai Cha…. Utsarga Gara… Utsarga Gara “.

Hope! I made some sense.

P.S: Dedicated to the brave hearts of the lost generation.