JYOTISH DUTTA

Teer, a local sport in Shillong, is now a very addictive legalized form of betting. “Teer” meaning “Arrow”, is an everyday event   where several groups of archers shoot at a specified target. Counters spread across Shillong ensure that market is adequately addressed. Best part is that anyone can bet. A cab from Police Bazaar took me to Polo. It wasn’t hard finding the location as the people I asked for directions were headed there. So I joined them. We entered a somewhat nondescript compound with high walls on one side and small betting counters surrounding it. A cylindrical target made of bamboo and straw had been placed in front of the wall. Archers in groups, with their bows and arrows made of bamboo, were ready under an arched shooting gallery. Suddenly, on a signal, arrows began to whiz through the air. It was 4.30PM in the afternoon, the light was low and it was drizzling… The Target The Archers The Archers Within minutes the shooting was over and the officials p...

Recently, on an assignment for WTI where we had to rescue 2 himalayan bears, I had an opportunity to travel with their team to Lohit and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Didnt get much of a chance to explore as we were on a tight schedule. The bears had to be rescued and brought back to the centre in Kaziranga without any delay. Almost all pictures taken from the vehicle. This is where we stayed after rescuing a 3-4 month old bear cub..... Forest IB in Namsai.  The very next day we were off to Khonsa, the headquarters of Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh, to rescue another himalayan bear..... I sure was surprised to see Tea Gardens on the way to Khonsa.... When we arrived in Khonsa, the view was truly majestic. How I wished  I could get down from the car for better pictures..... In Khonsa, a grown 1year old himalayan bear awaited to be rescued. We were in for a shock.....it was huge. Hunting is still very much a tradition in ma...