Threads of Legacy:
Nani's Wishes for Gaya's Future

Once upon a time in the city of Gaya, Roma, a young and curious girl, rushed to greet her grandmother, Nani, who had arrived home late.

"Nani, what happened? How did you get so late? Where were you stuck?" Roma asked with concern.

Nani replied with a sigh, "Oh, my little child, the whole city is drowning in water just after two days of rain. The roads are flooded, making it difficult to move around. Autos and buses are struggling to navigate through the water, so I had to walk, which made me late."

Surprised, Roma exclaimed, "But Nani, how did you get so wet and dirty?"

Nani chuckled and said, "You see, my dear, I have traveled these roads for the past 40 years, but I never realized when they turned into waterlogged paths. Amidst the flooded streets, I stumbled and got drenched. Luckily, I didn't get hurt. The city hasn't changed much, Roma. When we used to go to school, there were no proper roads. We had to ride our bicycles for five kilometers. During the rainy days, we had to swim through those paths, carrying an extra pair of uniforms. Now, there are roads, but they are inadequate and don't connect every corner of the city."

Roma sighed, "Oh, Nani."

Nani, lost in her thoughts, continued, "My little child, during my school days, I wished for proper roads. But seeing the current condition, I wish for a well-developed road system and an efficient drainage system for the future generation. I hope they don't have to suffer due to infrastructural issues."

Roma then changed the topic, excitedly mentioning her friend's birthday invitation for the following day.

"Tomorrow is my friend's birthday, Nani. She invited me to her home," Roma said cheerfully.

Nani smiled and replied, "That's wonderful, dear. Enjoy the celebration."

After returning from her friend's birthday party, Roma shared her experience with Nani. "Nani, I had so much fun today. But guess what? I saw something different at my friend's house. They have a room filled with machines used to knit towels and bedsheets. All the freshly made clothes were drying on their terrace and angan. Oh, Nani, it was such a picturesque sight. We played hide and seek with the curtains fluttering in the breeze."

Nani nodded, her eyes gleaming with nostalgia. "Yes, Roma, our city has an area called Patwatoli, where every house is like a small-scale industry. They have been weaving bedsheets, towels, and chaddars for a long time. Unfortunately, they are confined to those small congested lanes. Our city has the potential to become a textile hub, providing more employment opportunities so that our breadwinners like your father and grandfather don't have to migrate to other cities."

As the evening approached, Nani reminded Roma about her uncle leaving.

“Roma, don't forget your uncle is leaving this evening. So come back early from playing," Nani gently reminded her.

Roma's face clouded with sadness and anger. "Why, Nani? Why is Uncle going? First, Dad left, and now Uncle is also leaving."

Nani sighed and explained, "Yes, my dear. Your uncle has to leave to pursue his higher studies. Our city lacks better colleges and universities for higher education. You know, during ancient times, our city was a renowned educational hub. Students and scholars from different parts of the world, like China and Tibet, came here to study in Nalanda and Vikramshila universities, located a few kilometers away. These institutions were known for their exceptional education. But now, we have only Magadh University, which fails to meet the needs of the modern world."

Roma quietly left the room, her thoughts filled with a mix of emotions.

Nani, watching her leave, thought to herself, "I wish, my child, that by the time you grow up, our city would have abundant educational options and better facilities, so you can pursue any field of study while staying close to your family."

Nani decided to share more about their city's heritage and culture, hoping to instill a sense of pride in Roma. 

"Oh, Roma, come sit beside me. Today, I'll tell you more about our city," Nani called out.

Gaya, their city, had a rich cultural heritage. Nani enthusiastically shared, "We have the Vishnupad Temple, which we visited last time. It holds immense significance as it houses Lord Vishnu's footprints. The Falgu River flowing beside the temple is known to the entire world. People from miles apart come here to perform Pinddan, a ritual to honor their ancestors. This tradition started when Lord Rama and Sita, during their 14-year exile, performed Pinddan for Lord Rama's father's liberation. Our city is blessed with spiritual vibes, with numerous temples and small mountains adorned with lush greenery."

Roma's eyes widened with curiosity. "Nani, is that the same river we cross on our way to school?"

Nani smiled and replied, "Yes, Roma, it is."

Roma continued, "But Nani, I often see garbage spread along its banks near the pool we cross, and it smells terrible."

Nani's expression turned serious. "Yes, Roma, it is indeed strange. People from different parts of the world consider the river sacred for their ancestors' last rites. We perform our rituals and festivals there, worshiping the river. Yet, we also use it as a dumping ground for waste. Our city lacks a proper waste management system. The water waste from drains across the city flows into the river, and solid waste is dumped into the Falgu itself. It's a grave concern where our youth is heading. They seem to be forgetting their culture and heritage. 

You can also see with an increase in the number of motorcycles and cars in recent years, our city, with its limited space, is struggling with traffic congestion and pollution. Our air, once clean, is now polluted, posing serious health risks. If this continues, I worry about the future of our city."

Nani paused for a moment, her eyes filled with concern. "I wish our city to be as green as it can be. I hope our youth understand their responsibility towards the environment, develop a proper waste management system, follow traffic rules, and preserve our culture and the pristine beauty of the Falgu River. I wish to leave this city as pure, clean, and green as it once was."

As Nani spoke those heartfelt words, Roma listened attentively, understanding the importance of their city's future and the role they must play in shaping it for generations to come.

Next evening, Roma's voice filled with excitement as she shared the news of their neighbors planning a trip to Bodhgaya, a place she had recently visited with Nani. Nani's eyes lit up with a spark of recognition. "Oh, yes! We were there last month, weren't we?"

Roma nodded eagerly, her face beaming with joy. "Yes, Nani! I loved that trip, especially sitting beneath the magnificent Mahabodhi Tree. It was so serene and peaceful."

Nani smiled, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and hope. "That tree, my dear, holds great significance. It was beneath its branches that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodhgaya is a spiritual sanctuary for Buddhists and a center for learning about Buddhism. It's truly a treasure and an ever-developing hub for tourism."

Roma's eyes widened with curiosity and listened to nani talking "In our time, there were only a few temples near the Bodhi Tree. But now, the government is expanding and enhancing the tourism potential of the area. I've always imagined our city experiencing similar development as it is doing in the case of Bodhgaya, while preserving its natural beauty and spiritual heritage."

Bodhgaya's growth inspires hope for our own city. We have so much to offer as well. We can develop other sources of tourism, showcasing our rich cultural heritage and inviting people from far and wide to experience the beauty of Gaya."

As Roma and Nani immersed themselves in memories, their conversation took a poignant turn. Nani spoke with a hint of longing in her voice,you know Roma, these trips we used to take in the past were different. Nowadays, it seems like every family plans their own outings, and we hardly interact with our neighbors. The social connections we cherished seem to have slipped away in the busyness of our modern lives. In the past, every evening, our entire society would gather. Children would play together, laughter echoing through the streets. The women would engage in heartfelt conversations, and the youngsters would discuss the world's affairs, dreams, and aspirations. The elders would share their wisdom, and we would all come together to savor delicious meals, prepared with love and shared without a care."

Roma's voice filled with wonder as she imagined the scenes painted by Nani's words. "It must have been magical, Nani. Everyone is like an extended family, living in harmony and support."

Nani's expression grew solemn as she continued, "Yes, my child. It was more than just enjoyment. We found strength and security in those connections. Whenever anyone faced a challenge or needed support, we were there for one another. Incidents like theft or robbery were unheard of in our society. We had a sense of social security, knowing that our neighbors would stand by us. But with time and the rapid pace of development, people have become busier, and those social connections have weakened. It saddens me deeply when I recall those days. I worry if this trend continues, the future generations may not even know who lives next door. We need better connectivity, ways to bring people closer and foster a sense of community."

Nani's voice quivered with emotion as she spoke her silent wishes aloud. "My little child, I yearn to leave behind a beautiful city for you and your generation. A city of green development, with improved infrastructure, better connectivity, flourishing tourism, and diverse income-generating sources. But not at the cost of what we already hold dear. Not at the expense of our rich cultural heritage, nor by harming our precious motherland and its green environment. Above all, I wish for a city that doesn't lose the social connections we have cherished. A city where neighbors are not strangers but friends, where bonds of community are strengthened, and where the love and compassion we once shared are revived."

As the weight of Nani's words settled upon them, Roma's eyes glistened with a newfound understanding. She embraced Nani tightly, her heart filled with a deep sense of responsibility. In that moment, Roma vowed to carry forth the legacy of love, unity, and connection that Nani held so dear.

Roma Kumari is from Gaya. She a Ph.D. Student at IGIDR in Mumbai.

This piece is part of Nagrika’s Annual Youth Writing Contest. Through the writing contest we encourage youth to think creatively and innovatively about their cities.