2115 UP: 2/17/08

Monday, February 18, 2008

Stars

In a moonless night when I sat under a tree pining for what I never had and could not get in time's future-they, the stars were seen above the tree, aloof, alone and far.
Aloof-as they were stripped off all the needs-this world could create. Alone as they got lost in their own selves. Far, as to protect themselves from a sense of physical nearness their imperial dignity. As I was in my thought the following questions came to me...

Do they ever speak?
No-they are the notes of a celestial music,
singing an eternity.
Can they be heard?
No-they are playing the silent bosom
of a naked infinity.
Do they ever listen?
Yes-the secret parleys of destiny's steps
with the eyes of a hidden night.
Who are they for me then?
They are the hints of my hidden address.

SITARAMPUR RAILWAY STATION AND 2115 UP

Sitarampur is a small railway station in Bihar. There are thousands of railway stations big and small in India. Bihar is bounded by Nepal in the north and by Jharkhand in the south. Very few people know about this place outside the district of Rohtas, where falls this small town of Sitarampur. However The British liked this place perhaps the surrounding of Sitarampur was picturesque. The climate was healthy. There was a deep forest near Sitarampur. The Englishmen camped here frequently for hunting. And there was beyond the jungle a mica mine. The mine was owned by the British. So –quite naturally the local people of Sitarampur were accustomed with the white sahibs and they liked them also. It was because of the British- railway line was laid through this place and the Sitarampur station came into existence.

The British have gone and also the old people with them, who knew many things about Sitarampur. They were fond of their past and tales. So we heard many stories that still hang around the air of Sitarampur.

It’s a calm place with greenery on every side. I love this place and especially the railway station and enjoy strolling on the not so crowded platform or sitting on the bench under a tree to think about impermanence of life as the station is not a permanent destination of a train.

There is one passenger train running through this station. This is 2115 UP and 2116 DN. But like people of Sitarampur –I’m also accustomed to know it as 2115 UP. I love trains still like a child who loves to watch the driver of the engine with awe and wonder.

So if you ever feel to visit Sitarampur, just start for the place Sitarampur by 2115 UP and leave your destiny along the rails. Wish you a happy journey.