Tuesday, December 16, 2008

CHAPTER SIX - FEATHERS AND BLOOD.

Where the night is afraid to sleep and life doesn't like any rules and
regulations. Yes that's the glory of Mumbai, which attracts crores of
people from all over the world. Mumbai has modified a lot in last
couple of years. The common birds like crow and sparrow also
disappeared from the City. But only one bird stayed back in the city
and managed to build its nest somewhere on the old buildings. Your
guess is right it's the pigeon. Red roofs of the old Godown's and
buildings, and almost all the seacoasts of Mumbai are occupied by the
pigeons.

The place I am talking about is the heritage of India and the
incredible part of Mumbai where hundreds of pigeons have built their
nest. Every morning when the sun rises, all of them fly into the
sky... and later on come back at the same place near the heritage
where the old gentleman awaits for them with the bucket in hand filled
with grains. An old gentleman simply throws the grains and those
pigeons simply catch it, few pigeons used to also sit on his hand. The
luxury of seeing them while eating grains and fluttering their wings
has been experienced not only by the gentleman but also by any other
heritage visitor. Those pigeons have become as famous as the Heritage.
The Pigeons are famous for making relations I guess.

Taking sky under the small wings they fly wherever they want to but
Heritage house is the destination for them. It's been many years and
the bond has become stronger. The vast sea and the ships are also an
awesome thing which is right opposite to the heritage... but things
happen, situation changes and life shatters.
That's what happened that night. When the sun went back all the
pigeons reached to their respected nests on the heritage house...But
something went wrong, somebody started firing, within a while many
places blasted. Few pigeons flew into the darkness; they never knew
how to fly in the darkness. But they had to fly, even the small sound
of clap make them conscious what would have happen to them after
hearing the bullets, which could drilled the wall. Many pigeons
breathed their last after the blast and firing. Few of them collapsed,
few nests burned along with the pigeons... the situation didn't settle
down till 3 days. Those who left will not dare to come back to the
heritage. The heritage is wounded and the biggest bond is broken....
The dust will settle down, the blood will be cleaned... but will those
pigeons dare to build a nest on the heritage house?.... The sun is
rising everyday but now no one is there to take him under their wings.
The gentleman is coming at the same place with a full bucket, but only
2- 3 pigeons are there...
Will the Heritage Tajmahal Hotel ever have pigeons on its roof?....