Often I remember my childhood days when I see kids in my apartment playing in the corridor. Sometimes I also join them, sometimes I relax and have my evening tea while watching them. Sometimes their shouts of joy even makes me irritated. Seeing them I also go back to some 20-22 years back. But one thing makes all the differences.I feel that they are very demanding. They play with all up-to-date toys and cars. I could not afford that much when I was a kid. I had to be satisfied with few plastic dolls and a set of plastic cooking set purchased yearly from the village fair.
The village fair was a great attraction to all the kids of our locality. In every Raas-Poornima it would be arranged near the rail station. There was seesaw,there was giant wheel,merry-go-round...........many more attractions among which two things I liked the most. One was small plastic kitchen sets along with table,chairs,dressing table etc. and the other one was mouth-watering,freshly fried chanachur,a Bengali variety of mixture. Mom was very strict;if she allowed me to buy the kitchen set,that year I had to sacrifice the yummy chanachur. I used to wait for that special item throughout the year,and many times the kitchen set had been sacrificed for it.
When I was in 4th class,I decided to have both of them. I was not provided pocket money,so it was tough for me to arrange for 2 rupees,the price of one fistful of chanachur. I kept thinking many days,how can I arrange for it. First I asked granny for it. We had a deal. Whole day I have to keep an eye on the bottle of mango pickle which was kept on the terrace,otherwise crows will eat it all! Why to blame the crows,I myself felt like eating it all many times! Well, I placed it near the stairs,sat in the shed with a book and a stick to protect the jar. It was not an easy job. All those dirty crows seemed to target the jar once I take off my eyes from it. Nearly four hours I spent protecting the jar,then I started feeling thirsty. So I placed the jar on stairs,closed the door and went to drink water. When I came back,I was shocked to see that jar had been turned upside down! The top lid was broken,and a little amount was spilled out. Being very scared I went back to granny with the jar. She scolded a lot,and my long-awaited 2 rupees just vanished without explanation! I was heart broken!
Next target was dad. Again I had to make an agreement. I will pluck out 100 gray hairs,in return he will buy me the chanachur! Well,an easy job. Started plucking his hairs, and stored them in dad's specs-box,in case he wants the proof! When I was half done,mom appeared from nowhere. She got angry seeing me doing that work,pulled me out of the bed, and gave me 10 very difficult sums to solve. She didn't like wasting time on plucking dad's hairs.......according to her dad would go bald if I keep on doing that!!!!!!!!! Again my dream shattered! I felt hopeless..... my favorite chanachur seemed to be away from me....... days became dull, approaching Raas poornima lacked all its colors and events.
How much I want to avoid it,the day came finally. All were ready to visit the village fair. Only I wanted to avoid it. I will see the chanachur,feel its warmth, get the beautiful aroma,but only my tongue will be deprived from the awesome taste! Nothing could be more sad. Reluctantly I went,tried my best not to look at the stall,and felt sad when visited the Rass platform. Lord Krishna seemed to be smiling at me,which made me even more annoyed. Lord,you understand everything,then why depriving me from my ultimate satisfaction? may be you also became heartless like my parents!
Did he listen to my prayers? Oh yes! Mom was calling me when I finished my two rounds on the giant wheel. She smiled and pushed a packet between my palms. Before opening only I came to know what was there inside!!!!!!!!!! My long awaited, tasty,crispy,freshly made chanachur! That also a packet full!!!!!!!!! Wow,mom looked like an angel to me. Or,was it Lord Krishna?No, I think it's mom only. She realized what her child was longing for. That was one of the remarkable days,now I can feel. I don't get that happy if I get a costly dress or jewelery now. That was the most pure form of happiness,I can realize. Simplicity was the essence of life at that time.
If I give that chanachur to the kids of these days,they will turn away. But still I relish the memory of those days,how I longed for that,and finally how I got that chanachur. It brings a smile on my face,and also the thought: If you want to achieve something; whatever comes in your way,finally you will be able to achieve it if you have the determination.
