THE WELL AT RAMGARH

Deserts have always fascinated me. They taught me most of my lessons. I spent most of my army days in the deserts. Today when I talk of nature and mention the deserts, my trainees wonder as to what nature I found in the deserts. Recently at a laboratory at ISABS one had to sketch ones feelings and when it came to the deserts I carried on and on adding details. The activity stopped but my mind went back to the well at Ramgarh. How one afternoon when I had stopped my jeep under the shade of a big khejri the sight of speeding camels that came in kicking dust was overwhelming. so was the calming effect of a line of giggling girls with their matkas. Everything looked beautiful in the golden hue...till the prettiest sight was of a girl who was so silent accompanied by a playful boy.

We had camped there for quite sometime and I had reasons to be under the khejri so often. No not just her, but for the life that existed there. My mind captured every moment, yes she was the heroine. I liked being there. I wished I was the boy who always hung around her, played with all, enjoyed the slush and pranced around. I can write pages on the life at the well and what it did to me!

Then we moved ahead....a month later we were returning that way, but the camp site was changed. I found reasons to go via Ramgarh. We reached the spot may be a little late. Waited and wondered...then started off. Just then that boy came in waving at us. I gathered courage. Asked him "Where was she?"

She was a deaf and dumb girl. Her father was poor and could not afford her marriage. She was sad. One night she walked away and was hit by a speeding truck.