When the Hirakud dam was built as the first Hydro-electric project of independent India, it displaced about 150,000 people.
The residents of Rampila village too, tearfully, packed up their belongings and moved out to re-settle their lives in other villages where the government provided them with some land.
One such family moved to near-by Sason. The only male member of the family, my Dad soon took up a job in the same project which had rendered them homeless. From there he, subsequently, moved to Waltair.
They say that you can still see the ruins of Rampila and its temples at the end of summer when the backwaters recede.
But as on 18th August 2011, the monsoon has replenished the reservoir. The ecosystem that the backwaters begat, is thriving.
Chandan Oram, the little tribal boy, is fishing in its waters along with his grandfather.
The bigger boat is awaiting passengers to take them to other banks.
I have to wait another day to see the ruins of Rampila.
The residents of Rampila village too, tearfully, packed up their belongings and moved out to re-settle their lives in other villages where the government provided them with some land.
One such family moved to near-by Sason. The only male member of the family, my Dad soon took up a job in the same project which had rendered them homeless. From there he, subsequently, moved to Waltair.
They say that you can still see the ruins of Rampila and its temples at the end of summer when the backwaters recede.
But as on 18th August 2011, the monsoon has replenished the reservoir. The ecosystem that the backwaters begat, is thriving.
Chandan Oram, the little tribal boy, is fishing in its waters along with his grandfather.
The bigger boat is awaiting passengers to take them to other banks.
I have to wait another day to see the ruins of Rampila.
Beautiful set of pictures. Do I wish that the reservoir level goes down so that you can see the ruins of the temple? Not sure because that may mean drought - and that is not a good thing to even think of!
ReplyDeletei hope someday the temple appears as the waters recede and surprise you! I hope you are there with your father standing by your side......Great pics as always!!
ReplyDeleteWhere is shammiji??
Thanks Ahana and Ramesh san. Shammi is queued up next.
ReplyDelete