- published: 04 Feb 2013
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Silchar (/ˈsɪlˌʧə/ or /ˈʃɪlˌʧə/) (Bengali: শিলচর Shilchôr) is the headquarters of Cachar district in the state of Assam in India. It is 343 kilometres (213 mi) south east of Guwahati. It is the second-largest city of the state in terms of population and municipal area.
It also has the 2nd busiest Airport(76 civilian flights/week) in Assam and 4th busiest in North east after Gauwhati, Agartala and Imphal. Silchar airport is hosted in www.flightradar24.com, along with Guwahati, Agartala and Imphal in the NE region.
Being politically stable in the otherwise disturbed Northeast earned it the bon mot of "Island of Peace" from India's then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Approximately 90% residents of Silchar are Bengalis who speak the Sylheti dialect, the rest being Bihari people, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Dimasa Kachari (Barman), Manipuri (Meitei), Marwaris, Assamese and some tribal groups like Nagas. Silchar is situated by the banks of the Barak River in what is popularly known as Barak Valley. Rice is the staple cereal. Fish is also widely consumed. Shuţki (the local name for dried fish), shidal chutney and chunga-r peetha are some of the local delicacies.
Flying lord, God of all times.
Swept in rage as we left it.
As its gold whips our minds.
And fierce tongue scratches our eyes.
Wake me from my sleep,
And lead me gently (on my way) to hell.
And it would rain in waves.
Or in clouds of ashes.
And wash off all taste.
And creep into my spotless heart.
My tears in a tin box.
Bubbling, seething, covered with flies.
Its grace leaves me tender.
My eyes, wrapped in plastic.
Swarming, curdling, wretched inside
Its beauty makes me blind.
The sky turns vaster.
It rains in flesh.
Its elegance wakes my slumber.