The Jill and Hill

by Anshu Dahiya (India)

Making a local connection India

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Driving amidst pines and spruces over constructed twirls with mild traffic, the day long journey headed to halt under thunderbolt of night sky in a parochial village called Shakola that rested few kilometres away from hustle-bustle of town Ranikhet in Uttarakhand, India. There laid a picturesque resort over hill with an extraordinary house-keeping staff which also included the pet dog- Jill, coated of white fur shining under night sky chasing fireflies hovering over moist-green grass. The sky roared at loudest that is usual phenomenon in the month of June causing dip in fervour to trek but it was short-lived as one of the young girl , Vidya from staff who was also a local from the village assured of shiny morning. Waking up to rising sun in mid of hills with sharp chirping birds was an enchanting dawn with an everlasting impact. With an enchantment, there broke a spine-chilling news of wild tigress who absconded from adjoining range of national park - Corbett. Such news bloomed to be regular phenomenon causing no harm to day choirs. The travel expedition continued with trek over hills guided by Vidya (who was aware of local routes) and Jill . She enshrined upon the built-structure of wooden homes and lifestyle of Garhwal community that included gathering of wooden logs and water by women of huts to regulate everyday affairs when men of the family were working as travel agents, translators and doing negotiable jobs. Jill followed us throughout trek ensuring utmost security and strengthening his bond. The day passed with discovering the routes and travelling local temples as well as market that had cultural orient. With an approaching dusk , Jill became obnoxious as if guiding of forthcoming danger ; discarding his warning he was tied far away from resort near the hut while continuing with bonfire saga. Vidya dressed up in traditional dress hosted an event with garhwali music and dance adding to the serendipity of dawn in Shakola. Expecting to wake up to another lively morning, we slept gazing star-lit sky from resort’s window with disturbing bark of Jill which later faded away. The next day began with shrieking cry of Vidya who could not find Jill after repeated search. It was believed that Jill who had previously fought with tigers and saved his master in history was taken away by Corbett’s tigress. Paying tribute to the bravery of that faithful pet- Jill, We prayed for his well-being and left for the next destination. The Jill of the hill, who was as eloquent to chase fireflies and fierce to face tigers remained live in our memoirs of that travel expedition. It is his one year death anniversary today. It is and will always be the Jill as equivalent to any local who connects me to that hill. It is this local connection that rejuvenates with every visit to that hill.