First published in the Saturday Statesman, 13th June, 1998
There is perhaps no agency more persistent than the winds of change. And when they seek to transform their abode, it is with pleasure that this change is viewed.
Batasia - the windy place - is a natural spur of the Tiger Hills 5 km from Darjeeling towards Ghoom. A small settlement, it is famous for its "Loop" - a double loop made by the narrow gauge rail as it winds its way between Ghoom and Darjeeling. A marvel of modern day engineering, it was constructed to help trains cross the 1,000 ft. drop between Ghoom and Darjeeling. For those not so fortunate enough to have visited Dary, as it is locally known, the Loop exists in photographs, films and verbal accounts.
The Wind God pronounces his verdict and slowly and surely, Batasia is spruced up. The resident winds watch in amazement as their perverse cousins rework their home with concrete, granite, steel and flowers. The result - the war memorial, an imposing testimony to the valour of the brave soldiers of the region.
The memorial complex of 50,000 sq ft. is covered with flowers and shrubs as opposed to a uniform scrub earlier. The memorial consists of a raised oval platform, 37 feet by 24 feet, with two sets of steps leading up. The circumference of the platform is railed entrance is forbidden except by special permission. On the platform is a 30-ft-high cenotaph of gleaming granite on a three feet wide octagonal base A Roll of Honour is engraved on the cenotaph.
In front of this gleaming pillar, his head bowed in grief, stand a bronze statue of a Gurkha soldier. A 9-foot-high statue, carved by a renowned artisan from Krishnanagar, it cost more than Rs. 3 Lakh. This lonely sentinel stands in "Shot Shastra", arms reversed, mourning for those who have perished. There are plans to conduct a wreath-laying ceremony here on Armed Forces Flag Day.
Maintained by the Villa Saint Board, Darjeeling, the developments at Batasia Loop are an example of tourism aggressively promoted. There are prominent signs saying "Do not step on the grass" and personnel observe that there is no violation of this order. An entry fee is charged. As you approach the site, you have to cross a bridge. It is a curved steel girder structure with a span of 37 feet - 8 feet wide and 16 feet above the railway track.
Hawkers selling novelties flank the rail track. Where the curve of the loop is maximum stand a number of men with odd contraptions. These are binoculars fixed on iron stands. For a fiver, these men will conduct what may be called a long-distance sight-seeing tour of the Queen of the Hills. The blue dome of the Burden palace, the Residency, Lalkuthi - they're all there. And behind it all loom the dark hills beyond which lies Sikkim.
Yes, the winds of change have swept the windy place. They have brought pleasant changes that will hopefully prove to be a step towards prosperity.
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