N. Francis Xavier
Part XX, (Continued from last week)
Col. Thomas Cadell, VC., Chief Commissioner of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, got down from his horse. A group of people in white shirt, dhoti and turban waited for him in the clearing. Four officers in spotless white drill suits came forward and saluted. He was guided to a place where a wooden plaque was fixed on a brick platform. Beyond that the land has been cleared and divided into plots. Capt. Birch, who accompanied Col. Cadell addressed the people in Hindustani.
“Listen you people, today Colonel sahib has come all the way to lay the foundation for a new village. You know very well you have all earned this special favour because of your good conduct and loyalty towards the government. This village should develop as a model village. Col. Cadell will now distribute the ‘pattas’ for your house sites. It is only proper this village should be named ‘CadellGunj’ so that you and your descendants will remember the great man who gave you this land. Let there be three cheers for Col.Cadell.
The group cheered lustily.
Birch continued…
“Within six months Colonel sahib has brought about far reaching reforms for the benefit of the Ticket-of-leave men. More villages will be added soon. We hope to tackle the Jarawa problem also. We want your cooperation in tracking down runaways. If any of you have any information about the whereabouts of Hemraj or his associates please come forward and let us know. You can meet me in absolute confidence any time in my office on Ross Island. You will be suitably rewarded, as always.
The crowd nodded.
“Now I request Col. Cadell to address the gathering…
Cadell came forward, twirled his walrus moustache and spoke.
“My dear Islanders, today is an important milestone in the history of these islands. Here’s one village of self-supporters which will be a model village. We have provided all facilities here. There’s a good source of water. The land behind the settlement could be developed into good farmland. We need your help to build bunds to keep off the seawater. Then we shall drain the swamp and make it arable land. It is not impossible. Once done, it will be for you and your descendants, forever. I have signed on the pattas. You will enjoy the fruits of this land for generations.
Cadell wiped the sweat from his brow.
Birch got the signal. He took over immediately.
“Now I shall call out the names. The nominee shall come forward, stand at attention, salute, take a step forward, collect the patta, take a step backwards, salute, about turn and go back to his place. Do you understand?
“Jee sahib,” the crowd answered.
The patta distribution ceremony was completed. Liveried servants brought tender coconuts.
“Bill”, Cadell said, “I hope my name doesn’t get corrupted to ‘cattle gunj’ with the passage of time. See how the names are changing even now. Phoenix Bay has become ‘Poniks Bake’…”
“No sir, it’s impossible. We shall continue to rule these islands forever. We’ll teach them good English.
“You wanted to tell me something about the convict letters. What’s it? Is it for Hemraj?” Cadell said while sipping his tender coconut.
Birch took out an envelope from his coat pocket.
“Sir, its nor from Hemraj, but its for Liakat Ali, the Allahabad Moulvi. I found it while censoring the letters that came by the last mail steamer.
Cadell looked at the envelope. It was in English, written in a beautiful hand.
“My dear Liakat”, the letter read. “Hope you are doing well. I know all letters are censored in jails. I hope you get to read this. I can never forget the love and affection you showed me during those terrible times when Nana’s soldiers were hunting for the British. If not for you I would have been dishonored and dead by now. I will forever remain indebted to you for this. I hope our roads cross again somewhere.
Lovingly
Amelia
“Who the hell is this Amelia?” Cadell roared.
“Sir, that’s a long story. I’ll tell you in the evening, when we get back to Government House” Birch said.
Cadell understood that Birch was inviting himself for a drink.
“Alright, join me for drinks.” He said.
The village headman came and saluted. The horses were lead to the podium. Both the men mounted. The horses trotted away followed by the army of servants in bullock carts. ( To be continued…)
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