Tomichan Matheikal's blog

On the way to Kupup, Sikkim One of the greatest delights of life is travel. My whole life has been a protracted travel, in a way. I started working as soon as I graduated and the place where I managed to secure a teaching job was Shillong, 3500 km from my home. The train journey lasted nearly four days. It could extend indefinitely depending on the hartals and bandhs called by various political organisations on the way, particularly in Assam which was passing through a turbulent phase in those days. I touched seven states of India during each of those annual journeys, learnt about the politics there, and the cultures of the people. Travel isn’t about reaching your destination; it is about the journey that teaches you, transforms you. Later, as a middle-aged man, I shifted to Delhi. Again long train journeys (until our school offered to foot part of our flight bills). This time our train passed through a few other states. Apart from these annual journeys were the many trips I made...

When we climbed back to the top of the hill we were met by a young boy who offered us a peep at the Kanchenjunga Peak through his telescope.   The charge was Rs10 per peep.   I must add that his telescope was indeed of good quality; the glory of the Kanchenjunga came alive through its lenses.   For the full text please log on to http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

The Kanchenjunga as seen from the top of a tea garden in Darjeeling For the text on this: Please log on to http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

This is a view from the Darjeeling Railway Station The people of Darjeeling have been fighting for a separate state because the West Bengal government had been neglecting the Gorkha-populated regions for too long.  Finally Mamata Banerjee, the new Chief Minister of the state, has signed a pact with the Gorkha leaders for some autonomy to the Gorkha regions. I hope to take a better picture of Darjeeling during my next visit. For the full text on this issue, please log on to: http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

The Darjeeling Railway Station For the full text on this: please log on to http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

The Tung railway station between Darjeeling and Kurseong. It is at a height of about 3500 feet. The railway station is just a small office on the roadside beside the residences of ordinary people. Every signboard in the Darjeeling Hills carries the name Gorkhaland, though Gorkhaland is yet to become a political reality. A view of the toy train. One of the many charming life-like stuffed creatures in the Natural History Museum in Darjeeling. The Kanchenjunga Peak - two views. For the text related to these pictures, please log on to: www.matheikal.wordpress.com