Life around the Banyan tree
For those of us who belong to the generation of 70s and 80s, we all were familiar with the big banyan tree which was always the centre of town or village. This banyan tree was always considered sacred and adorned with holy threads around it or some visible symbols of divinity. This was not just a tree, it used to be the centre of attention, for young and old alike. It used to be the favourite spot of gossip mongers, small vendors, a playground for children and a marketplace for the entire community. It welcomed the young and old alike. It sheltered many species of birds, insects, animals, and worms as it was always alive and welcoming everyone, around the clock. Somehow, this tree was always rooted in culture and became a witness to the lives of everyone who went around it. During the absence of any electronic gadgets, the banyan tree became the centre of transmission of any news that travelled faster than light. As the...