Mesmerising Assam: A Tea Garden called "Baghchung Tea Estate"

5.00 AM

Tong Tong Tong Tong Tong… The time bell rang from tea garden manager’s bungalow put the entire world in a rush.

“Baba, wake up. Its 5o’clock in the morning!!!”

“Oooo..maa..few more minutes!!please..”

“No, wake up!!! Get yourself brushed and go to your study table. I am preparing breakfast for you.”

Momma’s order, I woke half asleep knowing that what would happen to me if don’t. Putting the brush inside mouth, I came to the gate. It’s the month of November and the tea garden gone under mist. Birds were playing a melodious morning raga. Behind the mist the Sun was also trying to join this party. The whole atmosphere was so overwhelming.

“Baba, what are you doing there? Breakfast is ready, have it quickly, I must see you on the reading table in 10 mins”

“Coming maa”

I came inside and washed my face, but still feeling so sleepy. On the breakfast table all were waiting for me.

“Wake up Bro!!!”

Bro pat on my head and left for tuition class.

I put my reading table near window of my room and just behind the window there was a small mango tree. I opened my books and tried to do some algebra. After solving a few sums to freshen up I just looked outside the window. Two sparrows were playing there. They were jumping in joy from a branch to another making some happy note. I started gazing at their activities for a while, but suddenly they flew to another tree. So, I got back to my books.

Tong..Tong.. the time bell rang again for 8 o’clock. It is the time when all tea-garden workers have to report in their head office. Also, it’s the time for me to get ready for my school.

“Baba, don’t go inside tea garden today! A tigress with two cubs was seen yesterday. She allegedly also killed a cow.”

Dad told warned me before I leave for school.

Tigress with two cubs!!!

Sounds scary, isn’t it??? Well these were almost regular warning in winter days when I was a kid. I grown up in a small village near this tea garden called Baghchung Tea Garden.

Baghchung means Tiger Habitat (Bagh=tiger/leopard; Chung=Habitat). Leopard often changes it habitat. This tea estate was such one. But, in the last 8-10yrs nobody witnessed a tiger here. I am not sure whether they were killed or all their paths are closed because of human encroachment.

Baghchung Tea Estate belongs to the Bezbaruah family, the famous tea gardener of Assam. To be frank I don't have much information about this tea garden, but I can assure next time when I go home I will collect some for sure. Till then enjoy a few sanps..