A glimpse of my homeland

 

My homeland is indeed a land of distinguishable perpetual verdure. It is a narrow strip of territory along the great chain of Western Ghats in India culminating at its southernmost extremity at the promontory Land’s End, Cape Comorin where the lively waves of the Indian Ocean break endlessly. It bears some likeness to the county of Cornwall in England, the southwestern tip jutting out into the English Channel. There are a good deal of rivers flowing from the mountains to the sea before forming estuaries over the low grounds. These estuaries are united by canals making navigation by waterways possible. These waters are diverted and conserved with several reservoirs and dams to facilitate irrigation. The reservoirs also satiate the electrical energy needs of households around.

The tropical climate is moderated by a cool sea breeze and abundant rainfall. Every May or June the south-westerly winds pay their visit bringing with them water vapours from the ocean followed by copious rainfall thereby maintaining the luxuriant produce of the plant kingdom. Winters are delightfully cool and pleasant. Amongst this picturesque and fertile valley are found its dwellers shining with remarkable splendour living, labouring, aspiring and relishing, loving, struggling and accomplishing, hurting and exhilarating, and dying. Its brilliant topography is quite distinguished from the rest of India.

Historically one may find this land peculiarly unique unfolding at the conquest of early rulers, the rise of the Travancore kingdom, and its advancement to its current day limits. The people have always nerved to put any effort in defense of their beautiful land from misrule either by foreign or native rulers.

Having spoken of the beauty of this land, I can’t but mourn about the ills that corrupt the whole framework of the native society. Women are taught feigned modesty. A childless wife isn’t often met with sympathy but rather with blame. Yet, over the years women have hard gained influence in social and domestic life now. Up to the present time, dumb superstitions and gross practices darken all that is otherwise fair and pleasant. Ignorance, hopelessness, and wretched gender inequality are even popular today. We still need refinement on more equal distribution of public office, steering clear of delusions with intelligence and knowledge, remedying mutual bitterness and rivalry among classes, and avoiding fostering of mendicancy.

As I write this blog, I am steeped in nostalgia and pride. I managed to mention only some details and avoid going too far. In writing, you have to “kill your darlings” and ruthlessly eliminate pretty pieces of prose to stay on track. Naturally, shall my homeland be what she is now fantastically loved, populated, and denominated by her people.