Our member Dr. S. Kishore reminisces the days of Chatra, Jharkhand when she enjoyed her stay amidst the unprecedented beauty of the wilderness. She shares some unforgettable moments of that time.
In the heart of Chatra, Jharkhand, my father served as the District Magistrate, and was allotted a bungalow to stay surrounded by untamed wilderness. The absence of boundaries invited a diverse array of wild visitorsโtigers, leopards, bears, hounds, deer etc. Inside the house was no less with the presence of five sturdy dogs which were fed promptly at 5 or 6 in the evening.
As the sun dipped, tigers frequented the nearby lake, their roars alerting the vigilant servants of their presence. To protect our dogs from leopards and tigers, they were ushered inside after their evening meals. Unfortunately, one evening, a lapse led to the tragic loss of one dog. Its skin was later discovered hanging from a tree branch by local adivasis indicating that it was taken stealthily by a leopard.
The surrounding jungle, adorned with an array of vibrant flowers and fruits, etched memories that lingered. We went to gather mushrooms from the jungle which my mother could identify very well. She used to instruct me about which to pick and which one not to. My mother, devoid of modern conveniences like gas, had mastered the art of culinary finesse on a mud oven fueled by coal. From baking cakes to crafting homemade jam and even concocting chocolate from local resources, her culinary prowess was unmatched. At times my cousins also used to visit. I had a number of cousins and we had a splendid time together in the wonderful bungalow. We all relished the food that my mother made.
I also remember an incident when in the wild enclave, adversity struck. While enjoying in thepristine backdrop I fell from a tree branch resulting in a leg injury. With no local medical facilities, my fathers friend, enroute to a hunt, intervened, advising a journey to Patna Medical College for treatment. It was a pivotal moment that set me on the path to becoming a doctor, eventually studying at the very institution that mended my childhood injury.
