Last evening, my hotel receptionist, knowing well my craze for ganja, dropped me off at a nearby Shiva temple where devotees supposedly gather at sundown and big chillums are smoked. The small temple had a sign outside saying Sabka Malik Ek - The Lord Is One - and it featured the symbols of four faiths - Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and, of course, our "Om." But the great party didn't happen. A lone priest showed up late and performed some prayers and lit some incense. He offered to "score" some grass for me - but this, too, was terrible stuff. Imagine that, the holy priest of a Shiva Temple that respects all faiths smokes ganja laced with chemicals!
The sun rises very early on the East Coast. I was bathed and ready, out on the beach for a cuppa by 0530. Then, I trekked it to the market area - but everything was closed. Spotted a rickshaw-wallah - the 3-wheeled cycle type - who looked like a major stoner, wispy beard, matted hair, lean frame - and, sure enough, he confessed to smoking 10 chillums a day. We rode off down the main thoroughfare - no footpath - and it struck me that Juggernaut Puri ought to get itself a tramway. These days, underground railways are coming up in two land-locked cities, Nude Elly and Bangalore, and both are under State-ownership. But cities like Puri can get tramways from private players, preferably foreigners, who know something about these things. Our guys know nothing. This City of the Juggernaut needs The Wheel - and all these three-wheeled beasties must go the way of the dodo.
On the ride, it became apparent that this is a completely uncared for city. Passed the BNR Hotel - and how grand it still is. It came with The Wheel - the private Bombay-Nagpur Railway (BNR).
The wheels in this town are all obsolete - mainly three-wheelers, of the motorised sort. Many financed by banks. How does Kathmandu have Toyota taxis (and a tramway)? Import! Import second-hand cars from the East. Get rid of these beasties. Dump them in the sea.
The rickshaw-wallah and I had a couple of chillums - bought not from a government shop, but a private entrepreneur. Little pudias for 5 rupees each. No kick at all - but no chemicals, at least. Then the guy offered me a "trip" for 25 rupees - and they mix some hard opiate into the ganja and smoke it! I refused.
I began the post with the tale of the holy priest at the Shiva Temple smoking chemical-laced ganja. I end it with this tale of the rickshaw-wallah who gets no kick out of the stuff being sold - and so heads for opiates.
Why can't we get GOOD SMOKE?
This is VERY BIG BUSINESS.
Big ganja-charas companies ought to be floated on the Stock Exchange.
Only Brand Names can guarantee quality.
Legalise it!
Don't criticise it!
I'll advertise it!
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