The Strange Encounter

From the early childhood, I ever had a keenness and curiosity to view the diversified beauty of Bharat land and all her people, cultures, climates, beliefs, geography and languages. I ever dreamed of a job that enables me to roam around the country.  My dream got realized when I was selected as PGT (English) and posted in Assam, the heart of the North Eastern region in August 2007. Though few initial days and months were full of multiple challenges to adjust with new job, people and surrounding, yet the remaining years we all enjoyed and relished each and every minute with varied faces and experiences of the country. It was joyful to sit together with fellow staffs from different states of India like Rajasthan, Kerala, Himanchal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and all other states.

Hailing from Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, I had merely heard of wonders about seven sisters of North East India. We had mere map information taught or learnt in the classes and books. Being least educated, my parents and elder could not help more in this regard. Coming from a simple background, I had little access of media modes like newspapers, magazines, television, computers or internet. I merely heard that the north eastern people hate Hindi speaking northern people. The more I heard or knew was the terrorist bombing and killing of ULFA and NSCN. Whatever I could imagine about them from the stories I had heard was that they were uncivilized, brutal and rustic people.

During the autumn break in October 2008, we planned to view the beauty of the region. During last one year service in Assam, we had overcome several doubts, fears and rumors about life styles, practices and concepts prevailing in the people. We had developed enough courage and confidence to communicate, mix and cope up them.

Our lethargy and void social touch and connections especially after the school, and breaks prompted us to make this plan. It took more than two days onward and two days backward journey to reach our hometowns, and almost no time we got to stay with family members, friends and relatives.  This worked as impetus to our wonderful plan. We were extremely excited, zealous and impatient with this plan. We all thought to quest something which were new, unheard and amazing. We wanted to make our trip full of thrills, adventures and funs.

After long ruminations, we decided to visit Kohima, Nagaland. The people, who had visited Magh Mela at Sangam Allahabad, told that the Nagas were nude and very dangerous. They further told that eat mouse, snakes and man too. So we had an earnest desire to see the people and land of Nagaland.

Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is located in the frontier region to Myanmar. It’s around 346 kilometer away from Guwahati. Early morning around at 4 a.m. we hired a taxi from Paltan Bazar Guwahati to Kohima. After a long hectic 5 hours we reached Kohima at around 9 o clock. After a short halt of refreshment and food, we went for local sightseeing of Nagaland State Museum, Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima Heritage village, Kohima Zoo, Kohima Cathedral, Dzuko Valley and Japfu Peak and Mokokchung. After day’s bewildering and beautiful experience we returned to the hotel Ariel. We heard much talk of Nagaland’s Hornbill festival, but being in the odd season, we could not regale it.

The next day we decided to visit some deeper and distance location. While rushing to Touphema village, our hired taxi’s hind tube got blasted amid a forest. The driver started repairing, while we got attracted to the bizarre and fabulous forest. Though the driver warned us not to move in the forest, but we all ignored and delved deep to the forest. We got so infatuated by the beautiful place, and went on probing into hilarity and ecstasy.  We forgot the turnabouts and twisted ways of the forest. Out of tiredness and hunger, we sat beneath a tree. We dozed off. My eyes suddenly opened on an eerie sound. My eyes were wide open, throat dried and heart breathless. I awoke others and pointed towards a strange creature. All were stunned and stupefied. 

We had a strange encounter with someone whom others of human race had never seen. This was the Nagaland’s most famous forest named ‘Aholi’ which was known for the variety of natural plants, rivers, ponds and numerous animal species. The thing that still hovers in my mind is the sudden encountering with a creature having half animal and half man body. We all got panic stricken seeing the never before. The half head was of horse and remaining lower portion of the body was of man.

It was hardly at a distance of hundred feet and glaring on us. We were frightened but could not move from the place. Later the creature started moving towards us that increased our terror and uneasiness. No one knew what was going to happen. We shuddered into high heart beat with wetting sweat. We had no other option than to stay, wait and watch. We prayed to our Almighty with folded hands and closed eyes. Our hearts throbbed and mind rigged on every step, the creature moved towards us. In the snorting and staring of the horrible creature we all saw our approaching end. Its round rolling eyes, furs flown and angry look panicked us hugely. Now the creature was merely few steps away from us. It roared, howled and growled. It lofted tail in the air and tugged the leg on the ground. We all hugged and lapped one another tightly. We were fear stricken and death driven.

The creature came near us, smelled but did not react aggressively or frantically. It was to the great surprise and shock to us. It stopped and spoke miraculously in the language which we knew. Our mouths were wide open with what was going on before us. Though the creature welcomed us in the forest and persisted to accompany it into beautiful new things of the forest, but no one seemed ready to respond what the creature said. As we all still were not in the position to believe what was going on. Was it real or mere fantasy? The creature then seemed to show more intuitiveness by guessing our misery. It talked in more friendly and familiar tone. And changed it form into compete human shape. After the long hide and seek process we started communicating. The creature explained that it was the spirit of the jungle and had the capability to assume any shape at any time. it was also capable to speak the language of the next person. The creature motivated us to see the beauty of the nature in the extensive and pervading forest.  It also used to punish those who harm the plants and animals.

After that it transformed into horse total seven in number as we were total seven in our group and led us to the most charming and never before seen beautiful places of the forest. During our return we named the creature as ‘HUMELIA’. On its way, it told us how the man has mercilessly bruised the beautiful Nature with all its animals, plants and resources for his avaricious needs. It expressed in utter agony that man and machine has devastated their natural habitats. The man left no safe place to live and nothing to eat. This is why we have frequent clashes with mankind. He said that he spared and entertained us only because we looked guiltless and inoffensive. He showed the variety of beautiful natural world so that we might convey the message to all human beings not to become so cruel and unkind for such innocent species of the earth.

After relishing us sweetest fruits and flowers of the forest he left us to the safe roadside and bade adieu.

Our trip to Nagaland was full of excitement and pleasure and surprise. And the encounter with Humelia was unforgettable and amazing experience to all of us.