Those forty minutes

Those forty minutes were real enriching! The time was spent on the road, in a taxi, facing an out-of-character weather ( this is nature’s fad these days in Sri Lanka), when it was pouring, and I was heading toward the temple after a very long time. The conversation I had with the taxi driver kept me wondering whether I was in Kerala or Sri Lanka. In Kerala, one can confront the most interesting political discussions, heated arguments on bi-lateral trade agreements, India’s space research, or the cricket team’s latest goof-ups ( basically anything) in a way-side kiosk or while travelling in an auto or a taxi. Most often, these drivers are Masters holders in some discipline and have to actively take on their current jobs due to the sad state of unemployment.

On this particular evening, the taxi guy, starting with the errant weather, embarked on a conversation, the script of which was extremely diverse and encouraging. Man! Sri Lanka’s development challenges in his eyes were over-dependence on imports without diversifying our exports; not being self sufficient and not starting own production units – manufacturing, industries etc; that politicization of projects eat into the overall goals…! How the national challenges get translated to the ground, where it matters – is an interesting phenomenon to observe across boundaries. More often than not, it is the same.

On hearing my place of origin, he got interested in knowing about Kerala more – its culture, population, similarities – He was trying to fathom how one of the small states of India is larger than Sri Lanka. Mallus are (in)famous in this land for (black) magic – the spread of which, incidentally I learnt only after I set foot on this island a decade ago! You have no chance – Mallus are all considered charmers here! End of story! This perception, had in fact, prompted me explore more on this with my father. I must say, the coloring of this particular belief, in Sri Lanka is overly dipped with native additions that even a Mallu may find it a new genre!

In no time I reached the temple and back home -once more fascinated by the thought that Sri Lanka is another Kerala outside India, in more ways than one.