This charming little house in Kolboung Basti in Darjeeling, has seen a difficult and violent past. You would never know it by the way it looks now – peaceful, beautiful and nestled cozily in the hills.
The home belongs to Mr. Meptu Limbu and his wife Sukhang. Their only son and daughter-in-law live in a nearby town where they work. Their eldest daughter Paruhang, now lives with Meptu and his wife. They farm, she studies, and they spend a beautiful life together in this little house.
Meptu is the son of a subedar in the Indian army. He met his future wife Sukhang at a ‘dhaan naach’ ceremony (a rice harvest dance performed usually during festivals or weddings), and they quickly fell in love!
After a few days of courtship, they were married. Being the only son, Meptu lived with his new bride in his parents’ home, and they’ve lived here ever since.
This house was built in the 60s by Meptu’s father. When the violent Gorkhaland Agitation started in 1986, none of the houses were safe from danger.
Meptu’s house was broken down and stoned. Luckily, unlike many of the other house in the neighbourhood, this house survived the violence and fire. After peace was restored in 1988, Meptu and his family came back from hiding in Sikkim, and rebuilt their home.
Meptu now works in a sericulture farm nearby, while his wife Sukhang looks after the home. Their granddaughter studies in the neighbourhood school.
Life is good for Meptu and his wife, and like doting grandparents everywhere, their world revolves around their granddaughter!
‘Houses of India’ is our weekly photo-story project, where we discover one home, and its story. Follow us on Instagram @housingindia, and join us on this beautiful journey across the country.
