A Little Wednesday Existentialism

A policeman’s daughter, my designation plate at the moment being RD green gets my father smiling. He’d always wanted me to be in Civils.

I travel in a beat-up old Gypsy with the license plate MZ 01 F 6377 which is younger than my dad’s Maruti 800 which is MZ 01 E, but is in much worse shape than the latter. Public vehicles. There’s a lot to be said about this. But probably for another day. 

In any case, I see people reading my designation plate sometimes. Some of them look up and read my face. I don’t know if they can see my face, and I don't know what they think. What I know is how different we all are. Sometimes I see recognition in their eyes but I don’t know what to make of it. What is a BDO? When I was little, I certainly didn’t know who a BDO was, much less what a BDO did. I am a policeman’s daughter. All I knew was what policemen did. Different people, different lives, I guess.

If we make it work, we make it work. And we should be thankful for it. A lot of people don’t. A lot of times, we don’t. People are fighting battles we know nothing about. I think the only real thing we can take away from any situation is to be kind. Very difficult to do, of course. I know for a fact that sometimes I make up my mind to make things as difficult as I possibly can for some people. And I have, too. Because when you meet with rude disrespect, all the little metaphorical warrior cells get activated in your system and they strike hard. I am happy that this impulse is lessening with age. But some days… ya.

Some days it is hard to accept where I am in life. Is this what was always going to happen? Could things have gone a different way? 

Most days, it is hard to guess what goes on in people’s lives. Sometimes I meet people I’d met once in some duty or event and spent time with. I smile or wave if they seem to recognise me too. It feels nice. Like an acknowledgment that I’m alive in someone else’s lives. Because some dark existential days, it feels like I am the centre of the universe and people solely exist because I do.

Of course, this narcissism is fueled up by the prevalence of social media these days. We all have our platforms that boost up our perceived importance. We feel important. We feel seen and observed. It is like an IV feed right into our vanity. And unfortunately, our self-worth. 

It is becoming so hard to differentiate between what is real and what is not, AI not making anything easier at all. It is harder and harder to tell who is fake and who is not. We collect receipts like memories will fail us if we don’t; pics or it didn’t happen!

And to think, if I were in Arthur Dent’s world, I could hitchhike my way to Betelgeuse! For now, I’ll wait for December to watch for it in the night sky.

Aibawk Through My Eyes

For a hobbit adventure from Aizawl, Aibawk RD Block is pretty ideal. Start your engines, pack a light bag, a nice camera and a few tucks and you’re good. The RD block itself starts at Hualngohmun, only about 10 kms from Aizawl. The last stops would be Sailam, Sialsuk, Lungsei, Chawilung to the South depending on what roads you take. The area is rife with places of interest that would tempt the merry traveler. You can get a feel of legend, history and geography, taking Instagram worthy pictures and be the envy of friends and family, all the while creating special moments that could last a lifetime.

The general area around Tachhip, Phulpui, Maubuang are the hills which had been the Elysium of the legendary lovers of Mizo folktales – Zawlpala and Tualvungi, their stories embedded in the very land. You have Va Ko Peng and Tualvungi Sangha Khawina, Zawlpala Thlantlang and Tualvungi Vawkthleng. I don’t know if Lalruanga the Sorcerer was a great traveler because I saw some of his shit in Champhai as well but even here, in Sumsuih, you have Lalruanga Lungdah. Come to think of it, Sumsuih also has Thangzawra Lunglen Tlang which I suppose you can visit when you want to cry in solidarity over unfortunate unfulfilled romances in your lives. You also have Chhura Fa Rep; I don’t know if that interests you.

As far as actual history goes, you can visit Sibuta Lung at Tachhip, which marks the memory of the ‘cruelest’ chiefs in Mizo history. Chief-wise, you can visit Maubuang as well, the kingdom of Khawvelthanga, the first of the Mizo chiefs to abolish slavery in 1910. And my grandmother’s father. Tachhip-wise, you can also visit Chhingpuii Lu Khaina which is morbid and gory, but when you have head-hunting in your cultural history, I suppose it is apt. Oh and Chief-wise, you can also visit Sailam which deserves its own para, I think.

So, Sailam. In 1871, Mary Winchester was captured and held hostage at Sailam, then under the Chieftainship of Bengkhuaia. Her retrieval in 1872 marked the beginning of British rule in Mizoram. This historic event has essentially kick-started the genesis of modern civilization in Mizoram. The perfume of history is strong there. Actually, you really should visit Sailam and give it an entire day. History aside, you can do bird-watching and even spend the night there camped out in the open or at Birders’ Cottage. Or check out their sunflower fields (April and October best seasons probably). Or their Orange Orchards. Or their Sarovar; gorgeous lake! But don’t go during monsoon because leeches. Or visit the many houses (most households of Sailam) where people weave Puanchei; beautiful artistry and amazing culture having been nurtured through apprenticeship. Or check out Rophum Tlang where you can view Phawngpui Tlang, the highest peak of Mizoram. Or simply carry a picnic basket and spend it on the meadows. Good way to spend the day.

In Sumsuih, there is a Commemoration Stone Kumpinu Lungphun erected for King George V of Great Britain, then Emperor of India. Even though the dates may not be entirely historically accurate, this is a fascinating bit of history and the influence of British India in Mizoram. In Falkawn (15kms approx. from Aizawl), you can turn back time and visit Zokhua and experience for yourself the set-up of an old Mizo village. Also good medical facilities at Mizoram's only medical college ZMC.

If you travel the ATL Rd., I’m sure you’d see the commemoration marker where the Tropic of Cancer passes through Maubuang Lungsai village. Good photo-op that will make for bragging rights at a party! 

Ooh, before I forget - there is a local cyclical wind called Chalkhan Thli that originates somewhere in R. Mat. From there, it makes its way to R. Lau and wanders over to Reiek Peak and back to Sailam in the evening, which has resulted in the locals saying it visits Reiek maidens during the day. Chal being a type of light-weight, thin bamboo, at Hmuifang’s Chal Kham, it was once the local amusement to throw chal down the cliff and watch the wind pick it up and deposit it back to the peak. Today you can throw an open umbrella down and the wind will pick it up. Maybe try it with your most disposable umbrella though?

If you travel this route, you’ll find a number of beautiful scenes that will take your breath away. People are already pretty familiar with joyrides and picnics at Hmuifang Tlang (1619m; highest point in the RD block) (track recommendation: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond) and Sialsuk. But I’ve curated more camera-ready places for the digital world for your ease of travel planning:

Trees-wise, you have Lianphunga Bung at Sateek, Zathawma Bung at Samlukhai, and Sangkungi Bung at Sailam (she’s the sister of Bengkhuaia, FYI).

Meadows-wise, we got Hmunhlui Tlang at Thiak, Phulpui Mual at Phulpui, Sialsuk Tlang at Sialsuk, and Sailam Phul at Sailam. In fact, the general slope along Chamring-Lamchhip-Chawilung is gentler and can be loads of fun. Also insanely picturesque.

Waterfall-wise, there is Rangtla Li at Tuirivang, Phulpui. It’s this beautiful natural waterfall that rests on a giant basin. NB: This waterfall rests on rocks that have craters of different sizes and different depths. While extraordinarily beautiful, I’d advise the traveler to not venture into the waters that can sometimes be treacherous and trap even the most agile and experienced swimmers.

Brook-wise, you have tons of options although don’t litter and destroy the general beauty. But there’s R. Changte, R.Tuisik, R.Paikhai… gentle streams and so pretty! Sialsuk also has Dilpui I & II; you might have heard of it from their fishing sports. You can do plastic boating there well-equipped with life-jackets; it’s tons of fun.

Otherwise, there’s Kelpuk and Lungpher Sei at Maubuang; I’ve yet to visit these myself. I bet they’re cool too.

I think the best time to visit would be starting from October well on through April. That’s when Mizoram is prettiest anyway.

For you when you come on your nice, easy Hobbit adventure in this hill range, I’ve listed these places for you so it’s easier for you to plan your time. Cheers!

Places to fuel up:

1. Melriat

2. Hmuifang

3. Sialsuk

Lodging:

Tourist Lodges at:

1. Aibawk

2. Hmuifang (Tourist resort)

3. Sialsuk 

PWD IB at:

1. Aibawk

2. Sialsuk

Others:

1. Lodging run by Sialsuk Tlang Committee 

Private-run Places to eat/lodge:

1. Tachhip:

i. Thelma restaurant

ii. 2 Sister restaurant

iii. Fel Fel restaurant

2. Aibawk:

i. Amawii hotel-cum-restaurant

ii. Mabiaki hotel-cum-restaurant

iii. Achawii hotel-cum-restaurant

iv. Pi Lalkhumi restaurant

v. Chanchinmawii restaurant

vi. Rebeki restaurant

vii. Matluangi restaurant 

3. Sialsuk

i. R.K. restaurant

ii. 3 Sister restaurant

iii. VL restaurant

iv. Omom restaurant

v. Ruati restaurant

vi. 2 Sister restaurant

vii. NR restaurant

viii. Dingpuii restaurant

ix. Achhingi restaurant

x. Taverna restaurant

xi. Chakkhai restaurant

xii. Rhino restaurant

xiii. Chalhmingi restaurant

xiv. Tuichangral restaurant

4. Thiak

i. Liankaia restaurant

ii. K Lalrinliana restaurant

5. Chawilung

i. Chhungpuii restaurant

6. Muallungthu

i. Felfel thingpui dawr

ii. Zothanpuii restaurant

iii. K&B restaurant

iv. Vensang restaurant

v. Lawmi restaurant

7. Hualngohmun:

i. Chawngthu hotel-cum-restaurant

ii. Chamtei chicken grills restaurant

iii. Vanngian restaurant

iv. Pachuau restaurant

v. Nung Nung restaurant

8. Melriat:

i. Adeline restaurant

ii. Brigit restaurant

*I'm sharing with you my drawing superimposed on the block map when I first joined as BDO here in May 26, 2023. For my own study. It's not accurate by any means but I'm very fond of it and it makes picturing the block easier.