The mangrove-dominated Ganges delta – the Sundarbans – is a complex ecosystem. It comprises one of the three largest single tract of mangrove forests of the world. It is shared between two neighboring countries, Bangladesh and India
My journey to Sunderbans was the first expedition of my life. So naturally I was very enthusiastic and excited about it. Our Duke team from the school headed by our teacher, Mr.Nipendra Kr Dey and sixteen other fellow students along with me, boarded the train to Kolkata named, ‘BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS’ at 06:00 a.m. on5th October,2005. We reached Howrah Railway Station at 10:30 a.m.
Crossing through the busy streets of Kolkata and seeing beautiful ” Howrah Bridge ” we reached “The Salt Lake Stadium ” where we had our bookings. We were excited on seeing the largest football stadium in India. We really had great fun there sitting on the stands and watching the Players practice during their practice session.
The next day, on 6th Oct., our bus had arrived at 08:00a.m. to take us to the port from where we had to reach Sunderbans by streamer. Away from the City of Joy, we now entered into a new world of jungle wildlife. The forest of Sunderbans lies at the mouth of the Ganges and is spread across areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India ,forming the seaward fringe of the delta. The only thing we saw around us were the forests and wild animals like deers and various kinds of birds. The forest covers 10,000 sq.kms. of which about 6,000 sq,kms. are in Bangladesh. We crossed through the following rivers, while going through the region of Sunderbans:-
1.Hoogli River
2.Matla River
3.Kortal River
4.Pidya River
We finally reached Sunderbans around 5:00 p.m. in the evening. There we were welcomed by the Vice Chairman of the East Zone of Duke, Mr. Mukhoty. We had to stay in a guest house along with the boys of La Martiniere Calcutta School that also took part in the expedition. We also got to learn many new things from them .
The morning of 7th Oct. was very special indeed. It was special as we had to visit a village named Anpur that day and collect various information about the habits and lifestyles of the local villagers. So it was great fun talking to the local villagers and seeing how they managed their lives in that small island. It was really a great fun talking to them in some distorted Bengali. In the afternoon, we had a self cooking competition in which a team consisted of 4 members. Each group was told to cook any food f item within 1 hour. Surprisingly our team won the first prize for the Kichdi that we had prepared. At night, there was an antakshari competition as well.
Finally after three complete days of fun & frolic , we finally returned to Dhanbad on 9th oct. We all thanked Mukhoty Sir for the great hospitality. We had a nice time with our new friends from La Martiniere School . I enjoyed my company with friends like :- Sakky, Anirban, Gurdeep & Shivang.
Some Memories of Life are so Sweet
That their sweetness never ends with time
That Keeps on Increasing on Always
The same was my trip to Sunderbans.
Welcome aboard, Johny!
It is always fun to read about school expeditions, one is always reminded of the good-ol’-days. I can imagine how you guys must be dying to go to the other side of the border where the sq. kms (wow! that’s HUGE!!) remain.
Well done for a first attempt, Johny!
Write more about your destination, next time.
Keep up the good work.
Welcome aboard Johny. I am sure you know much more about Sundarbans then you ended up writing :). Very good start.
I heard that you were off to Ranchi for some school science exhibition. Write if you had a chance to explore the city.
best of luck and write more.
Good story Johny. Would like to know more about the Sunderbans. I feel that history and geography in school would have been a lot more interesting to study and easier to remember if our lessons had been written like the posts on ghumakkar.
nice post..sunderbans has always fascinated me ever since school.. I agree with Geetha..I do wish we had more outdoor sessions in schools
Very neat description of your journey to Sunderbans.
It is a good first attempt. Please do keep on sharing your other experiences too.
Keep it up.
When we were planning to include Ganga Sagar also in our eatsern pilgrimage trip, Sunderbans was also on our agneda. But eventually we missed this leg, but your report takes us to the Sunderbans. Khichri and Antakshari make for a great combo!
In fact, I have learn from my grandparents that when they would go to the banks of Ganga for ganga snan on Kartik Purnima, Khichri would be an integral part of the trip. They would tie the rice in a cloth and would leave it in the riverstream for sometime, before cooking it. The Khichri made of this rice tasted like heaven is what they used to tell. I remeber them telling that they also used to burry the pot with the cooked stuff in the sand for sometime for some added taste, though I am note sure if I remeber correctly.
Hello Johny,
Your entry is very neat. It is very clear from the entry that you have had full on masti n mazaa in this trip. Being out with school-mates is a gret fun. I wish i would have been there.
Keep going.I m waiting for your next entry.
Swasti Shipra
Its a nice account Johny. I am wondering that you are in which standard.
Well keep sharing your trips and yes such journies with friends are someting that one cherish forever.
Rajeev, Its so interesting to read your comment. My mouth is already watered thinking about the award winning Khichri and Khichri in Ganga water :)