J for Jorhat

A tea garden in Jorhat
Jorhat is a city and is the headquarters of the Jorhat district in the state of Assam in India. Jorhat is one of the major cities in Assam and the city acts as a gateway to upper Assam and to the state of Nagaland. It was the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom and home to many historical monuments of Assamese culture. Jorhat ("jor" means join and "hat" means market) means two hats or mandis- “Macharhat” and “Chowkihat” which existed on the two different banks of the river Bhogdoi. Nicknames of Jorhat include Tea capital of World,  Cultural Capital of Assam and Knowledge City of Assam.
 
For 22 years, Jorhat town had been our home-town. Deta (my father) served Assam Agricultural University his entire job life and the last 22 years of that he was posted in Jorhat. He had also been educated in the same university. On the other hand, my maternal grandfather (Koka) was also educated there and served the same fraternity. So Ma and her brothers also grew up in the university campuses in different towns including Jorhat. Hence Jorhat has a special place in all of our lives.

While our time in Jorhat, we resided in a single house for 19 years. That is the true home I shall always cherish. We had all our ups and downs there. It was there that I grew into a teenager, and finally transformed into a responsible young woman. Neighbours there became family for life. School in the day, games in the late afternoon, cycling through the nooks and corners of the campus and moonlit walks in the summer. Growing up in a campus is truly an unparallel experience. People serve the university for years there, make their homes there, make friends and family for life. And one day, they are made to leave on their retirement. And along with theirs, the worlds of family members also collapse. But to move on is life, isn't it. Of course with the memories and the lessons.

More of our home in Jorhat in my post A House That Became Home. It is a post close to my heart.

I am taking part in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge [April 2014].
Deta (my father) served Assam Agricultural University his entire job life and the last 22 years of that he was posted in Jorhat. He had also been educated in the same university. On the other hand, my maternal grandfather (Koka) was also educated and served the same fraternity. So Ma and her brothers also grew up in the university campuses in different towns. - See more at: http://natasha-pointstoponder.blogspot.in/2013/03/a-house-that-became-home.html#sthash.hHpyvzuq.dpuf

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