Hello, Pluviophile 2.0

“Let the river teach you—to move with grace, to soften stone, and carry only what matters.” Dede Hawkins

Hello again, dear readers.

This post feels like the second chapter of Hello, Pluviophile. If you haven’t seen the first part yet, I’d love for you to give it a read: https://adaline.family.blog/2021/06/13/hello-pluviophile/

The last time I wrote was during the rainy season of 2021—a time filled with inner turmoil. The world was in the grip of the second wave of COVID-19. I was trying to keep up with my PhD work while dealing with anxiety, stress, and the heartbreaking loss of a close friend to the virus. Despite everything, the rains brought with them a strange peace and some of the most powerful lessons I’ve ever learned.

And then… nothing.

For three whole years—2022, 2023, and 2024—I didn’t write a word. Do I regret it? A little, yes. But this year, the rains have come back—not just to the land, but to my mind too. With them, they’ve brought new Thoughts, fresh Lessons, and a different kind of Healing.

And I feel like I have to share this with you all.

I live in a small, quiet town in Jharkhand—Ghatshila.

If you’ve seen the movie Chak De! India, you might remember the characters Suimui Kerketa and Rani Dispotta proudly introducing themselves as being from Jharkhand. One of them even joked that she got hurt riding an elephant to the train station! Yes Yes—that Jharkhand.

To be honest, I didn’t fully appreciate this place either—until I really looked at it.

Ghatshila is nestled along the Subarnarekha River. A quick search will tell you:

“Ghatshila gets its name from the geographical feature of a ‘rocky landing’ or ‘ghat’ on the Subarnarekha River.”

And what a poetic name that river carries!
“Subarna” means Gold, and “Rekha” means Line or Streak.
The Golden Streak.

There were once traces of actual gold found in its sands near its origin at Piska village, close to Ranchi. Whether those traces still exist, hidden in time and legend, I don’t know. But the real treasure is in how the river flows.

The river is barely 800-900 meters from my home. This season, with the heavy monsoon rains and cyclonic winds, it’s full—roaring, alive, wild. I’ve started visiting the bridge over the river almost every evening. And something magical happens every single time.

From the bridge, I see people—every kind of person.

Children squealing with laughter, parents gently walking toddlers, couples side by side, groups of friends chatting, tourists posing for photos, tired workers pausing to watch the water before heading home.

Almost everyone holds up a Mobile Phone, trying to catch the moment.

But maybe, beyond the picture, they’re really trying to catch a feeling.

A break from the day’s weight.

A small moment of peace in their own battles.

And for a few minutes—just standing by that wild river—something softens inside them.

When I stand there too, my mind drifts…

When did I first see this river? Who was beside me then?

Who have I stood here with since? How many stories have I told myself here?

What was life back then? What is it now?

AAH!!!!! And I realize—this river truly is golden.

Not for the gold in its sands, but for the moments it holds. THE GOLDEN MEMORIES!!!!!

Golden memories—of the child who skipped stones for the first time,

of the friends who sat by its banks dreaming of a future,

of lovers who stood hand in hand on the bridge,

of the elderly who came seeking peace,

of travellers who paused to reflect,

of those who are no longer here, but whose presence lingers in the air.

Time moves on; people drift away. Some leave forever. Moments pass and never return.

But that’s what this river reminds me of:

Keep moving!!!!!Keep flowing!!!!!!

No matter what—DON’T STOP.

Carry only what really matters. Let the rest drift away.

The past few years, months and dates— the heartbreaks and the headlines—made one thing painfully clear:

Just like the river—charging ahead, pushing away waste, weeds, anything it doesn’t need.

It never clings to the unnecessary.

Life is fragile.

So why do we make it heavier than it already is?

Forgive.

Be gentle.

Be happy.

Stay rooted.

Hold close the ones who value you.

Take them along on your journey and keep flowing forward.

Take time for yourself. Step away from the noise.

Sit by a river. Sit in a garden. Sit under a tree. Feel the breeze. Look at the sky. Say thank you. No phone. No distractions.

Just be.

Who knows where we’ll be tomorrow?

So today—feel the raindrops on your face again. And every drop reminds us:

We are not alone in our journey.

Our memories, too, are now part of this streak of gold. Meet yourself again.
And just like the river, look at how far you’ve come.