In the heart of North Sikkim, the picturesque town of Lachen is currently facing unprecedented challenges after the catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from the South Lhonak Glacier Lake on October 4, 2023. As a result of this natural disaster, the vital road connecting Munshithang and Phiring near Chungthang remains impassable, isolating the local community and forcing residents to carve their own trail through the rugged terrain. In a display of sheer resilience and determination, the community members have come together to create a makeshift path, defying the odds imposed by nature. Recently while trying to reach Lachen from Chungthang, I captured a series of video clips vividly showcasing this trail. The trail, weaving through the breathtaking landscapes tells a powerful story of human spirit, adaptation, and survival strategies in the face of adversity. This footage not only captures the challenges faced by the locals but also highlights the indomitable spirit that thrives in Munshithang. In the midst of adversity, the community has demonstrated remarkable improvisation, emphasizing the strength and unity that binds them together. Let this video be a tribute to the resilience of the people of Munshithang.
In 1937, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay chronicled the adventures of a Bengali boy named Shankar. This novel was named 'Chander Pahar' (English: 'Mountains of the Moon', as the fiction refers to a range of mountains and not a single standing mountain). 'Chander Pahar' went on to become one of the most loved adventure stories in the Bengali literature. In his lifetime, Bibhutibhushan wrote 16 novels and over 200 short stories. Interestingly, even though most of Bibhutibhushan's works were largely set in rural Bengal; in this particular novel the writer chose the setting of 1909 Africa. Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894-1950) In the story 'Chander Pahar', our protagonist Shankar gets a lucky break to go out from his little riverside village in Bengal to work for the Uganda Railway. Thus begun his sudden and long journey from the mundane to the extraordinary. A roller coaster ride through adventures involving the infamous man eating lions of Tsav...
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