Ganga my influence on childhood memory

I remember during my childhood that is almost 30 years back,when I used to visit my dusty village on the bank of river Ganga in Varansi district of UP.It was a way of life starting a day for village folks.You cant imagine a life without that river.In the morning all the socially active people used to meet at the ganges.Different interests group attracted the people from all walks of life.If it was a adolescent ones they had all the reason to be there in there best form as nubiles would visit alongwith there mothers or grandmother.A glimpse of a face in dupatta or saree would make there day.Exercising and pushups in the white sands was more to create an impression in the minds of young and unmarried girls than a healthy way of life.Probably fitness and being healthy was at the back of there mind.

Another group of young ones would brush there teeth with "Neem Datun" and have a round or two of "Kushti".Some of them were heroes of local "Dangals" a la great Khali.After this they would take a dip in Ganga with a reverence of mother.Jai Ganga Maiyya.

A little intellectuals would carry the edition of "Aaj" and discuss the local and national politics sitting on stone under the banyan tree.Acchey chacha was only listener and very important part of this group.Carrying a long "Neem Ka Datun" he would endlessly brush and scrub his teeth till it became a 5cm's in size.It would take a minimum of one hr to complete this exercise.I always used to accompany him as I had become used to this lifestyle.Frankly speaking in my summer holidays when I used to visit my village from Pratapgarh where my father was working,I really longed for this kind of outing.A fresh cool breeze when you walked towards the river still refreshes my face today also.Passing through the lanes where people sitting on the pavements of there houses,it was a customary to greet everyone.My chacha also got his ego boosted as I was the only child among the same age group of village who can read and write English.Oh! that days were full of joy cool and carefree.

Recently I had to visit the village again due to some family function.I had a deep desire to revisit and experience the whole magic.I was excited like a young child from the night itself about the pleasant morning.And then the morning arrived and I asked my Chachaji to come alongwith me but he refused because of his old age and poor health.I decided that I will go myself and took the "Gamcha" and put on my shoulders.I decided that I will take a "Neem ka datun" from the third left turn towards the Ganga Maiya.But Alas! that tree was not there.I thought maybe I will get a little ahead.But sorry without any success.Finally I decided not to brush my teeth.

To my utter dismay whole environment and activity which reverberated the life of village had vanished.It wa s all empty,no pahalwans,no akhara's,no groups discussing politics.In fact even the water had lost its glow.It was not the same water,almost black as if dirty water coming out my washing machine.I took the same water in my palms and could'nt believe it,was it the same water which we kept in our houses to purify our soul.??????No it wasnt the same.I decided that I had to wash my hands with dettol soap so that I do not carry any infections with me.