While sipping tea at a tea-stall opposite to
the recently collapsed imperial entrance (Smiha Dwara) of Jeypore palace of
Nanda dynasty I reconfirmed my belief in the eternal truth- NOTHING IS
PERMANENT IN THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING SHALL PASS AWAY………
The tea was hot and steaming. But I had
forgotten to sip it. My heart was steaming with a burning emptiness. And it was
because the collapse was before time & could have been averted.
6 years back, in 2006, I had landed the place
with a metal trunk to join in the teaching job in a college. And thenceforth a
new relation was formed with this enchanting place. I remember how, for the
first time, when I viewed the dilapidated palace, I was completely awe struck.
And how magically the characters of the past became alive in my imagination and
I could feel as if I was standing under the imperial sun of the Kings and
queens. But now I see those feelings & structure crumbling down and the
earth engulfing it.
……..Holding my tea cup I realized that by the
time my one half year old son grows up to understand the historical importance
of the palace and the rich heritage of the place I may not be able to show him the
decipherable remnants of the princely palace. Therefore, I have made this post
with some photographs so that at least he (my son) may feel proud that his
father had witnessed the last stand of this imperial structure……….
“I love you so much my dear son but I am not
a good daddy. Because I could not preserve that brilliant flash of the brick
& mortar made royal palace for you. Alas! For my insincerity I apologize to
my posterity and at the same time I hope & dream that when the GenX
(generation next) come to my age, they shall never repeat such mistake what I have
made & repent for.”
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