Describe the plight of the refugees as envisaged by Adil Jussawalla

Describe the plight of the refugees as envisaged by Adil Jussawalla in his poem “Sea Breeze, Bombay”.

Ans.

India got independence on August 15. 1947 but, alas! the country was partitioned on the basis of two-nation theory. The politicians cut the country into twain. They got power but the people got their share of pain. The trauma of violence made them flee their homeland. In lakhs and thousands, people crossed the border and came to India leaving behind everything they loved and possessed. They had to make a long tedious trek in order to get some respite and shelter. The poet says:

“New refugees, wearing blood-red wool

In the worst heat come from Tibet.

The poet sees ‘holes in their feet. It was really painful for the refugees to set out on a long journey in search of food and shelter. They were provided shelter in many refugee camps set up for them.

The refugees were uprooted from their homeland. They started their long trek for an unknown destination. They did not know how they would be received. Driven by fate, many of them came to Bombay.

The poet, in this poem, describes the plight of the refugees who arrived in Bombay. Actually, the plight of the refugees was the same wherever they went in India. But the poet seems to have observed them closely here.

In Mumbai (or Bombay) the sea breeze that blows over the city, keeps the life going by never allowing it to rest or settle. The poet, being a Parsi, appeals to the sacred fire to heal the wound of the refugees who have come here.

One of the great problems of the refugees is to adjust themselves in an entirety new situation. Their customs and traditions are different from those of the local people. It does not allow them to feel at home in this new city.

Again, the local people also view them as strangers. It breeds distrust and helplessness. The poet hopes that such a situation will change for the better. People will regain peace of mind and comfort of heart, feels the poet.

With poignant sarcasm the poet remembers the politicians responsible for partition as ‘gentlemen’ who scissored Sind. Most of the refugees whom the poet knew, came from Sind. The poet’s description of the refugees moves our hearts.