Radha is the supervisor of a nursery that sits on the slope of a tall cliff and a gently bubbling stream high up on the Himalayas. A quaint and charming outlet in Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand.
I walked through the sprawling green slope on a sunny and cold day in early December. Rows and rows of perennials in pink, lavender and red lay in rectangular symmetry. Saplings and buds sat in random spread with tall branches of Poinsettias hanging over them. Purple ripe figs lay scattered on the ground. Under thin nylon coverings grew hundreds of succulents of an amazing variety – lush, plump and throbbing with green health. I walked within a maze of ferns, mini palms, ficus and endless flowerbeds. We posed under a tree with leaves like night-blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum). Instead of white flowers it had beautiful pomegranate colored flowers. We learnt it was called – Raat ka Raja – king of the night. A romancing pair for the night-blooming Jasmine which is commonly called Raat ki Rani – queen of the night.
We were in a pristine garden nourished by air and water. One could easily forget that it was a business too.
At the time of finalizing the sale, Radha took charge. I talked to her briefly. She has been working at the nursery for 20 years, since her husband died. She makes a salary of around INR 6500 every month. She knows all about the vegetation there – makes sure the plants are tended to and everything is taken care of. She has four sons and two daughters. She said she must work to support her family.
We took our time exploring the green labyrinths. Under the blue sky with the sound of the stream rippling gently, the plants seemed to have found a place we look for all our lives.
When I left, I looked back at the mountains looking down on us. The story of the blue mountains and green slopes will never finish – I hope.
