Imagine that you are a journalist or you are writing a book or you are doing research or you have to write an assignment on your family or any other imaginary scenario. As part of this scenario, you have to interview any character from the Kabuliwala fictional universe.
Answers
Explanation:
Republic Day is a national holiday in India. It honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act as the governing document of India and thus, turning the nation into a newly formed republic.
Answer:
Ravi Shankar, a good friend of Mini’s father shared his dilemma with him. He told him that he wanted to interview a person from Kabul as a part of his series, “Kabuliwalas of Calcutta”. In this series, he documents the livelihood of people from Afghan who are living in Calcutta (present day Kolkata). Mini’s father referred Ravi to Rahamat. Here is the transcript:
Explanation:
Ravi: Hello Mr. Rahamat. I’m Ravi Shankar, Mini’s father must have told you about me.
(Ravi takes out his pen and notepad)
Rahamat: Greetings Ravi. Yes, yes…He adverted about you… you are here to interview me. Welcome sir!
Ravi: My curiosity got the better of me. I had to step out in search of Kabuliwalas (people from Kabul), who have since been assimilated into vary culture of this city. And now, they call it their adopted homeland. So, how are your lives going on here?
Rehamat: The Pathans who come to Calcutta found happiness here. Found a way to fill their stomach. A way to earn a respectable living. We have received everything we could have asked for! We have made a life for ourselves here. We’ve grown old here. We are happy! (a gentle smile on his face)
Ravi: Tell me for how long have you been living here?
Rahamat: Me and my uncle came to Bombay from Kabul. He passed away in Bombay. After that I came to Calcutta. Now, it has been more than a years in Calcutta. And everything is going absolutely fine!
Ravi: Where is your family now? In Kabul?
Rahamat: No, they are in Kandahar.
Ravi: Do you speak Pashto?
Rahamat: Yes, sir.
Ravi: Kandahar has been named after Alexander, the great. From Alexandria, it changed to Kandahar.
Rahamat: Sir, you know everything. (amazed)
I swear. You seem to be a wise man. (With confidence in his eyes)
Ravi: No. It's not like that. Okay Rahamat, tell me something….Your ruler, Abdur Rahman...
Rahamat: yes.
Ravi: What is your opinion about him? I mean, is he a good ruler? Or is he a puppet of the British?
Rahamat: Sir, I am a small-time trader. I don't understand politics. But yes, due to his negotiation
with the British…...people like me come here and do small-time business. Because, it's very difficult
to grow anything in my country.
Ravi: You are an optimist.
Rahamat: I am a trader, sir. I live away from my country and my home. I have come here to earn a decent living. If I get that, that's enough. I don't care about politics.
Ravi: Okay Rahamat, apart from this can you tell me what kind of relationship and interaction is there between Pathans and local residents of this city?
Rahamat: No one has ever interrogated me, here on my whereabouts, neither have I ever had to explain myself. What else can ask for in life? We are friends with Bengalis, Marwadis, Catholics, all of us share love for each other.
Ravi: That sounds amazing (in appreciating voice). Now tell me, what kind of work do you do here in Calcutta?
Rehamat: We sell almonds, pistachios, walnuts etc. We have 34 ‘khan families’ here, some were married in Kabul and some have married here. The homes where these ‘khans’ live are called ‘khan kothis’. Those ‘Kothis’ have high ceiling and minimal furniture, but full of warmth!
Ravi: Hmm…what about your food, do you cook it by yourself?
Rehamat: ‘Kabul Calcutta restaurant’ is the place where we go to eat or drink tea. During the month of Ramazan (the ninth month of the year in Islamic calendar). We sleep during day and in the evening, we go there to hang out, relax, play cards or carrom.
Ravi: Well today is Eid (a Muslim festival), how do you spend this day?
Rehamat: It’s a day for good food! For embracing those close to you. Friends, brothers spend time together after Eid namaz.
Ravi: For years I have been fascinated by the morning of Eid. So, can you tell me something about it and how do you spend your whole day? (Ravi asks with curiosity)
Rehamat: ‘Red Road’ is the place in Calcutta where Muslims from all over the city come together to offer their prayers. And so do the Pathans living here.
Maidans come alive during Eid. The Afghani beats blasting add to the ambience. And the men dance as if there is no end to the evening!
You can see the faces, the comfort, the ease, the happiness in their dancing and singing! It’s heart-warming.
Ravi: Considering your situation in Kabul there is reluctance in going back to their homeland is understandable it is however very endearing to see the way you have been able to create the synchresis between your own culture and that of the city of joy.
Rehamat: Each and every Afghani living in India loves and respect this country as their own.
Ravi: Do you (people from Kabul) ever feel going back to Kabul?
Rehamat: This is our home now. (Both laughs)
Ravi: I’m very thankful to you for giving your time to me. You have given me a lot of information.
Rahamat: My pleasure. I hope you’ve found answers to your questions.