Warning: Post filled with reference to cats and cat photos :)

So let me tell you my story. The owner of this blog decided to leave me with a shipful of cats and a dog while she was away traipsing all over the place. Actually, it was her annual home visit, but I was excluded from the trip. Not that I mind. Airplanes give me a headache and my heart can’t handle the pressure.

So there I was surrounded by cats (or so they claim to be) of different shades and hues. Of course, none of them were as cool as me. I am after all the ultimate cat.

Polly

And then they expected me to socialize with these so called cats. I refused. Kit Kit does not socialize with common cats. Besides for a long time, I had the impression that I was the only cat in the world. I can make peace with the fact that I’m not, but how can she possibly expect me to socialize with these… common things?
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After a hectic week at home, it was time for a flying visit to Singapore.

I’d had a stop over at the island years and years ago, so I didn’t have too many ideas about the place. All I knew was that it was a smallish island very close to Malaysia and Indonesia. And some pictures I’ve seen in magazines and television.

Firstly, I must say, what particularly surprised (and distressed me at the same time) is that the women in Singapore are extremely… thin!

And I must say that I did notice that several of these thin young women tucking in many delicacies. And yet, they were as thin as a needle. How do you do this, I asked a nice Singaporean girl, who surprised me by admitting that she had had 3 kids already and still looked like she was still in her twenties. Of course she wouldn’t divulge the real reason - she was hardly about to make it easy for me!

Anyway, apart from this alarming trend, what really surprised me about Singapore are the following points (comments are exaggerated, so please take them with a pinch of salt. They are by no means the last word on the state of things but just first impressions!).
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Rongali Bihu is a fun time for us Assamese people. Luckily for me, I landed in the thick of action. The second day itself I was whisked off for a Bihu gathering by my dad. Apparently it’s a tradition for his group of friends (going way back to 1957!) to meet during Bihu and spend some time together. So a group of his friends was there along with their better halves in some cases, making it a motley collection of about 20 odd 60+ year folks recollecting their school days and still bonding so many years later. It was a rather nice sight to see.

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So, here I am at home with the parents in Guwahati. The phone, not surprisingly, has been out of order for a while. Finally today, I hear a shrill noise that shocks me out of my reverie. Apparently, it’s the phone ringing. Once I’ve confirmed the instrument is actually working, I log on to the net and lo and behold I actually manage to get myself online.

Which brings me to the story about how I got here. On my last fleeting visit with friends in tow, I had received a threat (and not a veiled one either) that I was on the verge of being ex-communicated from the family due to utter insensivity. Which in plain terms means that I haven’t spent any time in the last few years and I should get myself here before I am completely erased from all the family albums. So this year, one of my resolutions was to keep aside a few days of my holiday to come and visit the folks.
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Post dedicated to the lovely Aqua

I first understood what it meant never to know one’s country when I met Aqua. Her parents are exiled Tibetans living in Darjeeling, who will never go back to their country again as long as it remains a Chinese territory. And the same goes for Aqua, who is Tibetan, but who might never get to see Tibet.

I want to break free

For me, this was a difficult concept to come to terms with. I go back to my home state when I want, I live in my own country wherever I choose to (at least as of now!) and travel where I please. Imagine not having this basic right. Imagine leaving the country one day and not being able to go back.

Lighting of the lamps: A glimmer of hope

Tibetans today are settled in large numbers in the North - Darjeeling, Dharamasala and in the South in Bylakuppe.

One young man who has been fighting for Tibet’s freedom is Tenzing Tsundue. I knew of him only from the news but it so happened that my sister had met him in Mumbai. His struggle has been documented and you can read more of his evocative writing. He was recently released after having been arrested for being part of the March 10 protests.

This post is dedicated to Aqua, Tenzin and all Tibetans who are fighting for the freedom of their land.

The young and the hopeful: Will he get to see his country some day?

- Bylakuppe Album: taken during a visit during the Losar (New Year) celebrations