Sep 03, 2024

Main News

A City that Runs

 

*Nayanraj Pandey

 

Nepalgunj is not my dream city. However, it is definitely the city that always comes to my dreams. I was not even born in Nepalgunj. However, if we accept our common culture of respecting the mother city, even those who are brought up in its warm arms, then I would have to say with pleasure- Nepalgunj is my 'mother city', whose warm arms still overwhelm me.

 

Though this city has expanded over time, its space has increased; I always feel that I know the dust, soil, wind, and water here. Some relationships cannot be expressed in words. My relationship with this city is as deep as this. I learned to stand on the ground here. My parroted speech is still echoing in the atmosphere of this city. Now there are no dusty roads here. But if you see dust somewhere, my footprints on some unknown letters will still be on that dusty road. Some of the faces here show the shadow of the characters of my story. They are always present in my mind with all their dignity and stories. I did not write anything new; I just expressed the moving expressions of those faces in words. There is no such legal system! Otherwise, the copyright of my every creation would be with these faces here.

 

Once upon a time, I had a house in Nepalganj. Not anymore. Now when I go to Nepalgunj, I almost have to be a tourist. Most of my childhood friends are not there. There are some, but they are engrossed in their own business world. They only have a little time. They have also been hit by the calamities of life. Some are journalist friends, and some are interested in literature. Apart from them, the new generation of aboriginals does not know me.

 

Earlier, when standing at Tribhuvan chowk or Dhamboji chowk, I used to meet acquaintances within seconds. And we used to chitchat and exchange intimacy. We used to go to shops for biryani, chaat, jalebi, or lassi. Nowadays, when standing in the same square all day long, one does not meet any acquaintances except for some coincidence. However, I will not complain to this city on this matter. Such is the nature of the city. The city has no memory of its own. Instead, the city lives in our memory forever. We need to complain to ourselves. Because in search of a little opportunity and livelihood, we immediately fall in love with this city and run to another city. From one to the other. Anthropologists say that the creation of civilization is based on this wandering tendency of people! Life is ultimately a race of ambition. Life is a continuous journey to follow your desires and dreams.

 

 

Things turned a little more emotional. Now let's get to the reality. My visits to Nepalgunj have turned less frequent, but it has not stopped. Some friends like TS Thakuri, Jhalak Gaire, and Bhojraj Sharma Nadir will connect me with Nepalgunj whenever I get an opportunity. Lately, TS Thakuri is the person who has compelled me to visit Nepalgunj again and again. Nepalgunj Marathon' which has started happening here every year now, has become a reason behind it.

 

At first, I was confused. Marathon was just a long race. A long run of breaths and steps. But now I have started to understand it is not just a race. It is also a great adventure event to introduce one's city and geography. In this sense, I salute the energy of TS Thakuri and the friends of the organizing group.

 

The village, place, or city we have lived in for years may not seem special to us. Looking at it day by day, even the beautiful mountains look monotonous. It is also our eternal habit to always seek innovation. But when you get far from that village, place, or city, then you start thinking about your place, its geography, environment, culture, customs, costumes, customs, local language and rhythms, food, and people. In fact, all those things make your personality, thoughts, and dreams. That's why when you go abroad, you remember your country. The same thing happened in my case. Now I remember Nepalgunj in all intensity.

 

All these are my personal matter. These expressions of mine are not new to my dear readers. However, when these words of mine fall into the eyes of an unfamiliar reader, they will surely be lost in the memory of their place and city. They may become nostalgic. The fascination with the past is the most seductive thing. That is why I remember the Ramlilas of those days in Nepalgunj. One remembers the fun fair held during January and February at Mahendra Park. I remember the circus, the well of death, and black magic.

 

My memory has some limitations. It is because during the period when I lived in Nepalgunj, economic, social, and cultural activities were very limited. Even a small event seemed like a big festival. But now the time has changed. The charm of Nepalgunj has changed. The then-sluggish city is now in full swing. Life here is like a marathon now. So now you have prepared many reasons to keep Nepalgunj in your memory. That's why my past memories have come to light in the colorful light of present-day Nepalgunj. Now I can easily and proudly tell many stories about my city Nepalganj. I can say my Nepalgunj is a city that should always be remembered for its intimacy and harmony. Paharis (the hill people), Madheshis, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians are here. But everyone has respect for everyone. So in the morning, while the melodious sound of bhajans resounds from the Hindu temples, the sound of the holy ajaan is also heard at the nearby mosque, and bhajans are also being sung in some churches. To feel this equanimity and respect towards religion, one must spend a few days in Nepalgunj. I believe that every moment you spend in Nepalgunj will be a huge treasure of your memory, which you will be able to enjoy for the rest of your life. And the treasure of your memory will never run out.

 

Nepalgunj is always in a festive mood. That is why Nepalgunj is now called the city of taste. The original taste of Mughal food like Biryani and Shami Kebab is found only in Nepalgunj within Nepal. This journey of taste that starts at 5 am will keep you busy until late at night. You will not find such a variety of food anywhere else in Nepal. Chaat, Rabdi, Jalebi, Chhola Samosa, Ghamanja (prepared with dumplings of different types), Pathani Halwa Paratha, Lassi, and Puri Kachori. Meals and snacks according to time are another feature of Nepalgunj that will stay in your memory.

 

For travel enthusiasts, this city is the gateway to western Nepal. One needs to set foot in Nepalgunj to explore many points of jungle safari, including civilization, culture, geographical and cultural heritage.

 

On the surface, you will obviously see the religious tolerance, the joy of the jungle safari, and the satisfaction of the food. But with Nepalgunj as a center, you can study and research the vastness of the language, folklore, and folk culture of entire western Nepal. This is such a world in which you will be exposed to many dimensions and colors of life on a daily basis.

 

However, for all these, your steps must be dynamic, not static. Nepalgunj Marathon teaches this dynamics. As I said above, Nepalgunj Marathon is not just a running event; it is an art ritual to introduce Nepalgunj, West Nepal, and Nepal as a whole. It would be best if you reached Nepalgunj once during this ritual. If you can, run. If not, watch as a spectator. Then you will see the energy and enthusiasm of this city. I believe energy and enthusiasm will take your life to a wonderful and exciting world, where you will also be running in an endless marathon of spiritual peace.

 

Then you will realize yourself - there is no need to run away in life. However, it is necessary to run. Friend TS Thakuri is currently teaching Nepalgunj to run.