Dear Teesta,

Thank the gods. And everyone. I have been so worried that I couldn’t even enjoy ice cream. And then I read your letter. I cried. You’re one of the bravest people I know. And I am so relieved we’re friends still. An elephantine hug to you.

I want to be there. Hold your hand. Watch TV with you. Listen and cry with you. But I will cry from here, okay. And also smile.

Things in the Silent Valley are in what Acchan is calling a limbo. We’re waiting for the prime minister to decide. It makes every walk feel more precious, because what if it’s our last?

The pressure continues –

• Poets are storming our world with their words.
• Journalists on both sides are reporting the story, but I must admit our side is way more compelling and persuasive. But since we are all already persuaded, we might be biased. I think you will make an excellent journalist because you will write the searing truth with your pen. And you will never fear the forces, daunting as they might be.
• Student nature clubs are springing up everywhere like wildflowers. The KSSP meetings are going strong, and every time they meet, I feel the numbers have doubled or tripled. Science will prevail. Or, as my father keeps saying, “vigorous public debate” will.
• The forest continues to stand tall and proud, unaware of the threats that might submerge the trees, drive away the animals and silence the Silent Valley.

More and more important people are speaking up! You know TN Seshan and Nalini Jayal, who work in the government, are advocating to our prime minister. And the world’s eyes are on us! On us! In Kerala!

The prime minister has set up a committee to be all scientific and tell her the good parts and the bad parts of building a dam. It’s chaired by MGK Menon, and has three central government and three Kerala state government nominees, including Dilip Biswas and Madhav Gadgil. Which explains why our town is full of people traipsing through it and it is quite exciting. Okay, it’s not that full, but it’s quite full.

Acchan spoke to Madhav Gadgil, who is part of the committee! And it seems that the Kerala government nominees were saying that the Silent Valley is not unique in biodiversity. How! But they’re collecting data, and it will show just how special our forest is. Also, one official saw the lion-tailed macaque at the Delhi zoo and “took an intense dislike to it” and discussed the “ugliness of this beast”!

How! They need chashma. Soda-bottle chashma. To see things clearer. Silly questions everyone is asking: who is important, man or monkey? Excuse me, everyone is important.

It makes me hope that the people will prevail. The government will have to listen to her people. After all, that’s why we are a democracy, aren’t we? Maybe I will be a politician when I grow up. And then I will always listen to the people. And you, as the journalist, can keep reminding me if I am neglecting my civic duty.

For now, I am concentrating on preparing for my board exams too. I am so envious that you get to go to high school in college. I will still be in school, wearing a uniform, and having to go with oily hair that one can fry bajjis in. You’ll do great; best of luck to both of us.

Actually, all of us. Once it gets over, we can celebrate with mangoes and cricket.

Aren’t you excited about the World Cup! I am so excited, and Pushkin, Annmary and I are making plans to listen to the commentary together. I’ve finally got them excited about cricket; who’d have thought that was even possible? Wouldn’t it be amazing if India won, Pushkin keeps chanting. And I don’t want to get his hopes up or mine or even Annmary’s, but it would be amazing, wouldn’t it? I’m going to make a big poster that says ‘India, India’ and sit with it during the matches.

And now you have a TV, so you can watch the matches. You will have to watch them; you have no choice, so you can tell me all about them.

In awe,

Jenny

PS. Welcome back. I am so happy you’re back.

PPS. Love to your mummy and Salil. Did I already tell you how brave you are?

Excerpted with permission from A Revolution in the Valley, Bijal Vachharajani, Duckbill.

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