Chapter 1
Last Saturday in the late morning, I was feeling bored due to home-quarantine necessitated by Coronavirus. My mind started weaving a story to refresh the monotonous mood of prisoned life. I thought of a special Mental Time Machine by which I could move back to the past by pressing the keys, that is, a journey away from the present Covid year of 2020. This idea got stuck in my brain.
I thought of going back to the beginning of the earth. According to mythology, the earth was created by Brahma, the creator God. Earth was so green in the beginning with the presence of god felt even in ants, snakes, earthworms. Once humans evolved, we failed to visualize God in any other way than to feel Him in a harmless positive attitude. When I reached the point of creation of the earth, I met the creator God Brahma and I asked Him, “Oh God, you are busy with your creative capacity to make the advancement of the earth! Do you know my present era 2020 is affected by Corona Virus?” Brahma replied, “Alarming Global Epidemic, no doubt. So, I hope it would be better to discuss with the God of maintenance.” At that time, God Vishnu was sitting on a large pink lotus with his goddess Lakshmi. I told God Vishnu, “Oh God, do you have some required vaccines to prevent Corona? Save us from the terror of the frowning Virus.” Vishnu said, “I am not the right person to solve this crisis. You please consult with God Shiva who is known for his destruction when he feels necessary.” Shiva was in Yoga-nidra. I slowly rang the large awakening bell. Shiva woke up and said loudly, “From where have you come?” I told him about the Corona Virus killing everyone in 2020. I asked Shiva, “Why 2020 is suffering suddenly from that type of infectious germ? Is that condition the result of your destruction?” Shiva said, “Not so. I destruct when there is extreme torture inflicted by the sinner. But I am also the God of Peace. In the Bengali language ‘Shanti Satya, Shiva Satya, Satya sai chirantan.’ So my child, don’t be afraid, my blessing is for a peace which can prevent not only corona but cancer too.”
God Shiva put a touch of a smile on my gloomy face. On the other side, Ganapati was sitting on a marble throne. He gave his blessings reassuring me of the sure success of anti- Corona. Then, I requested the Trio-Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesvara, and Ganapati to be seated together, and I took a selfie with me. I presented a box of Motichur Laddu to Siddhidata Ganapati. From my bag, I took out the boxes of various types of sweets of Bengal eg. Rashgulla, Sandesh, Malai chomchom, Mihidana, and also chanar jilipi and presented to the Trio. I bowed down to them with pranam and came out from that world of Gods to go to another era.
I thought of going back to the beginning of the earth. According to mythology, the earth was created by Brahma, the creator God. Earth was so green in the beginning with the presence of god felt even in ants, snakes, earthworms. Once humans evolved, we failed to visualize God in any other way than to feel Him in a harmless positive attitude. When I reached the point of creation of the earth, I met the creator God Brahma and I asked Him, “Oh God, you are busy with your creative capacity to make the advancement of the earth! Do you know my present era 2020 is affected by Corona Virus?” Brahma replied, “Alarming Global Epidemic, no doubt. So, I hope it would be better to discuss with the God of maintenance.” At that time, God Vishnu was sitting on a large pink lotus with his goddess Lakshmi. I told God Vishnu, “Oh God, do you have some required vaccines to prevent Corona? Save us from the terror of the frowning Virus.” Vishnu said, “I am not the right person to solve this crisis. You please consult with God Shiva who is known for his destruction when he feels necessary.” Shiva was in Yoga-nidra. I slowly rang the large awakening bell. Shiva woke up and said loudly, “From where have you come?” I told him about the Corona Virus killing everyone in 2020. I asked Shiva, “Why 2020 is suffering suddenly from that type of infectious germ? Is that condition the result of your destruction?” Shiva said, “Not so. I destruct when there is extreme torture inflicted by the sinner. But I am also the God of Peace. In the Bengali language ‘Shanti Satya, Shiva Satya, Satya sai chirantan.’ So my child, don’t be afraid, my blessing is for a peace which can prevent not only corona but cancer too.”
God Shiva put a touch of a smile on my gloomy face. On the other side, Ganapati was sitting on a marble throne. He gave his blessings reassuring me of the sure success of anti- Corona. Then, I requested the Trio-Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesvara, and Ganapati to be seated together, and I took a selfie with me. I presented a box of Motichur Laddu to Siddhidata Ganapati. From my bag, I took out the boxes of various types of sweets of Bengal eg. Rashgulla, Sandesh, Malai chomchom, Mihidana, and also chanar jilipi and presented to the Trio. I bowed down to them with pranam and came out from that world of Gods to go to another era.
Chapter-2
I went to the Islamic period when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was ruling his reign (1632-1654) with grandeur. Upon reaching Agra, I went to meet the emperor in Agra fort where he was seated on his famous Peacock Throne. I took a selfie with him and told him, “ Hello, king! From the pages of history, you are now in front of me! Your empire is adorned with pearls, gold, silver ornaments, and showpieces. Taj Mahal, the priceless memorial, echoes your priceless love for your begum, Mumtaz. The world has counted your memorial as one of the seven wonders.” A nostalgic moment of my first glance at Taj Mahal on Kojagari Lakshmi Puja on a full-moon night flashed my mind. I remembered how in the serene glimpse of a moonlit night, the Taj Mahal was overflowed with the flood of white heavenly light.
I snapped out of my beautiful nostalgic trip and said to the emperor, “But I also look at you, Samrat, with hatred for your cruel act of cutting the thumbs of the artists, architects of this sublime monument. What brutality! It contrasts with your image of eternal pride to be the builder of that special love-memorial which has no parallel. Actually, the Taj Mahal is a black history of Emperor of Grandeur, Shah Jahan. So, Raja, always keep in mind, architecture is unparalleled when it bears no cruel blood. We are facing such a tragic global pandemic in 2020. I just want to request you not to kill people. Some endemic might do that anyway.”
At the end of the conversation, I presented a parcel box of mutton biriyani with Shammi Kabab. The emperor was very glad. Keeping aside the lunchbox, he embraced me with delighted mood and assured me of his good wishes for my diseased present era.
Chapter-3
Then, I went to the British era during 1857 where I noticed the agitation of the Sepoys, The Sepoy Mutiny. British rulers noticed me with a frowning face. But I did not care for them. I became friends with revolutionary sepoys by giving them sweets from my bag. They said, “Are you an Indian? From when you have come?” I told them, “I have come from Independent India. Why are you sitting in this relaxed way? You should be furious that someone is killing the culture of our country by forcing you to eat beef and pork. Any kind of attack on our beliefs won’t be tolerated. Our country will face the terror of thousands of deaths in 2020. So, fight against this degradation to our nation. Let’s kick these Britishers out.”
The sepoys looked motivated. I took a selfie with the sepoys. Before departure, I presented them a box of Rajkachuri with chutney and a box of a special sweet malai chop to cheer them up. Then, I got out of that area with a warming farewell.
Chapter-4
I landed in Rabindra-Yug. I was always interested in Bengali Literature. I had contacted Rabindra Nath Tagore on my way to Shantiniketan. I went to Uttaryan, his residence at Shantiniketan, where Rabindra Nath was sitting in an easy-chair.
I took a photo of him first and then a selfie with him. I said, “I’ve come from 2020 to meet you. Bengal, as well as the entire country, is benefitted from your literature, songs, dramas. The cultural world of India was also rewarded by Nobel Prize for your literature, Gitanjali. You are the best poet worldwide. In mental healing, your songs bring eternal relief and are used as preventive healers of serious diseases. You are poet by nature with poetic voice, no doubt. Your writings have also protested against Jalianwala Bagh. You refused the knighthood given by Britishers as a protest against the cruel torture of native Indians. Your literature always sympathizes eternally with the poverty-stricken people. Your composed songs are the eternal resort of human feeling. We are suffering from a pandemic in my current world. I hope your songs bring us the much-needed strength to fight the coronavirus.”
He felt sad to know that such an epidemic would occur in 2020. I presented the ice-cool scented Rabri and rasgulla, from famous old shop K.C. Das, to make our Gurudev cheerful. I took his blessings for an epidemic-free and pollution-free world. Bidding him goodbye, I stepped into another era.
I took a photo of him first and then a selfie with him. I said, “I’ve come from 2020 to meet you. Bengal, as well as the entire country, is benefitted from your literature, songs, dramas. The cultural world of India was also rewarded by Nobel Prize for your literature, Gitanjali. You are the best poet worldwide. In mental healing, your songs bring eternal relief and are used as preventive healers of serious diseases. You are poet by nature with poetic voice, no doubt. Your writings have also protested against Jalianwala Bagh. You refused the knighthood given by Britishers as a protest against the cruel torture of native Indians. Your literature always sympathizes eternally with the poverty-stricken people. Your composed songs are the eternal resort of human feeling. We are suffering from a pandemic in my current world. I hope your songs bring us the much-needed strength to fight the coronavirus.”
He felt sad to know that such an epidemic would occur in 2020. I presented the ice-cool scented Rabri and rasgulla, from famous old shop K.C. Das, to make our Gurudev cheerful. I took his blessings for an epidemic-free and pollution-free world. Bidding him goodbye, I stepped into another era.
Chapter - 5
I wanted to meet the dictator, Adolf Hitler. He thought of himself as the supreme god of Germany. I wanted to talk with him about a peaceful world against war, bloodshed. I stepped into the year 1935. At that time, the world was tensed with World-War between Germany, Italy, and Japan on one side and France, Britain, the US, USSR, and China on the other.
I saw Hitler seated in his confidential room. I told Hitler to have mercy on the Jews. I had read that he had animosity towards the Jews. Jews had always been neglected by boastful Christians. So I told him to think about the world- peace. I told him my current era was free of such massive bloodshed. I presented Hitler a box of chicken burgers and a bottle of expensive scotch. I took a selfie with him, shook his hands, and said, “Hail Hilter! I am going. Please consider my request for world peace. Different countries have different cultures and values, and hence, different troubles. Still, troubles should be discussed peacefully without bloodshed. Epidemics would wipe out millions at any time. At least, humans shouldn't be against humans.”
I saw Hitler seated in his confidential room. I told Hitler to have mercy on the Jews. I had read that he had animosity towards the Jews. Jews had always been neglected by boastful Christians. So I told him to think about the world- peace. I told him my current era was free of such massive bloodshed. I presented Hitler a box of chicken burgers and a bottle of expensive scotch. I took a selfie with him, shook his hands, and said, “Hail Hilter! I am going. Please consider my request for world peace. Different countries have different cultures and values, and hence, different troubles. Still, troubles should be discussed peacefully without bloodshed. Epidemics would wipe out millions at any time. At least, humans shouldn't be against humans.”
On the way back to my current era, I thought of our duties to cover values of humanity, safety, hygiene, and compassion an integral part of our education system. I realized besides the corona problem, my era was more peaceful than other eras of the past. I would like to live with health and peace in my current dwelling.
Written by:
Mitali Ghosh
Edited by:
Aanchal Agrawal
About the author:
Mitali Ghosh is a grandmom in her 60s. She is an avid reader. She is a Bangla literate devout. She loves to write. She's always been writing in Bangla. This was her first story in English.
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