My building watchman, all enterprise and enthusiasm, went sleuthing early this morning to find me Bhang for Holi. He is an industrious little man. For whom no odd job is too big or challenging. And I knew he would return successfully. Right enough. He came back triumphantly holding up a small pot. I gave him half. And had the rest myself. The euphoria has yet to set in.
The best Bhang I had was in Varanasi Maha Shivratri. In a bylane behind an old Shiv temple, where sweetmeat shops and wrestling akharas jostled for space among people’s tiny homes, and where cattle wandered around freely feeding out of garbage dumps, was this little shop making and selling Bhang. I have heard its consumption is illegal. But nobody else in Varanasi seemed to think so.
Bhang is an intoxicating flavored drink made by grinding cannabis (Ganja) (Ganja) leaves to a paste and adding milk, rosewater, nuts, spices, and yogurt for richness. It gives a kick different from alcohol. I am told it is psychoactive and affects the way the brain and nervous system work. Just enough brings ecstasy. Too much can cause hallucinations leading to fear, panic, depression, and short-term memory loss.
I have experienced neither the highs nor lows of a Bhang hangover. Maybe years of imbibing fine wines and single malts have made me tolerant. An old-timer sharing Bhang with me in Varanasi said it did not make you drunk as much as put you in the right spirit. Maybe he was right. The Bhang my watchman procured tastes like a strong Thandai. It didn’t hit me. But I wonder where the watchman is. I haven’t seen him all morning.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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