SHILLONG: The clouds and rain have not changed here but everything else has. From barren landscapes to dried rivers and unscientific cutting of hills in search of stone chips, boulders and sand, Cherrapunjee has shed all its natural sheen that it once boasted of.
Poverty in Meghalaya is rampant, and much more attention of the government is needed in the tourist spots in the wettest place on earth, to boost economy.
A recent visit to Cherrapunjee revealed numerous children selling petty items in search of earning a livelihood.
These little entrepreneurs are sent to sell their stuff at the tourist spots where public visits are more.
With an umbrella over their head to shelter themselves from the intermittent downpour these children targets every new visitor. The areas in Nohkalikai Falls is filled with a beeline of these children indicating the failure of the government, where development is yet to set its foot.
The view of Bangladesh is clearly visible from uphill, especially from Thangkhara Park as the flooded borderlands on the other side are equally reciprocated by poverty stricken children on this side.
Tourists are seen talking to these children seeking to know their story. One such child said that she studies at the Ramakrishna Mission HS School (RKMHSS), Cherrapunjee and helps her parents by selling cinnamon, locally grown flowers, chocolates, honey and other items to tourists.
Cherrapunjee is famous for cinnamon and honey and every shopkeeper in whatever they are dealing with are seen selling these two items. The honey of Cherrapunjee is known for its purity and is extracted right from beehives.
A good thing about these children is that all of them are studying at the RKMHSS and their parents have ensured that are educated, besides seeking their help in livelihood earning.
Further inside beyond the view point from where the falls is visible, lives a woodcutter Drok Lyngdoh in a shanty hut, who was wearing a monkey cap with a pipe on his mouth.
He earns his living by selling firewood and his old appearance gives one the impression that he has lived and knows much of the transitional era of this valley.
One commonality in all tourist spots in Cherrapunjee is the presence of little entrepreneurs. This is the dignity with which all tribesmen in this state lives that whatever may come they won’t beg for alms.
One can also find sellers dealing in seasonal items like maize whereas kwai (betel nuts and leaves) is sold by one and all. There are no beggars anywhere, and that fills Cherrapunjee with unparalled pride.
