‘Why can’t we take the flight instead of ship to go to Andaman?’ asked Trina.
‘Because I want to follow the path of my grandfather’ replied her mom.
‘Your grandfather was sent on a prisoner’s ship but this is a luxury cruise’ said Trina.
‘Yes but the path is same. I want to identify with his painful journey’ replied mom.
‘That’s hypocritical Mom. He was given a Kalapani and abandoned for a lifetime to Andaman. Later he was executed. You can never feel his journey to Andaman sipping champagne on a luxury deck. It must have been different.’ Trina retorted.
WORD COUNT: 100
Genre: Historical
P.S. The cellular jail in Andaman was known as Kalapaani when India was a British colony. The prison was used by British to exile political freedom fighters who protested the British rule. Kalapani meant lifetime abandonment to cellular prison. Many prisoners were also hanged in cellular jail.
THIS IS WRITTEN FOR FRIDAY FICTIONERS HOSTED BY ROCHELLE WISOFF FIELDS.
IMAGE COURTESY: Ted Struts.
Trina Looks Back 
A historical tale well told, Balaka.
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Thanks dear
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Welcome 🙂
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I like the notion of trying to relive the past from the comfort of luxury – a lot of tourism feels that way. Nicely done.
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Thanks a lot lain
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A nice take on the prompt Balaka 🙂
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Thanks Radhika
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I can so see someone recreating a voyage of suffering by going on a luxury cruise. Thank you for the history lesson.
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Thanks a lot Alana. I loved your comment😘
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Again a very effective use of the prompt to weave magic in 100 words.History retold in such a powerful manner.
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Thanks a ton Vishal…am so happy that you liked it.
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I love your stories! I always learn a little something new, too, in your comments. What a scary trip that must have been for him.
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Thanks a lot…i am glad you learn from my posts…keep visiting
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I do believe Trina is right 🙂 Nice little story. What’s a kalapani?
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Kalapani was a punishment where the convict (usually freedom fighters) were banished to a jail in an God forsaken island forever. It was a point of no return.
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Aha! A prison island for life. Thanks!
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Yes…
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The British resorted to that solution quite often. So did other countries. Like Devil’s Island and the penal colony in Australia. Have you reax the book Papillon?
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Ya Christine I read papillon…it is one of the gripping stories I ever read
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Dear Trina,
The daughter makes a very good point. Well written. Thank you for the history lesson. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle…i was inspired by you to write a post with historical connection…i hope I did justice
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You did. 😀
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This means a lot to me…thank you Rochelle.
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Novel take on the prompt. Good job.
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Thanks granonine😃
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Those are tragegic events. Felt like weeping in reading your post. Such a profound post.
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Thanks a ton Vasantha…they were indeed tragic…I am touched that my post made you emotional…it is a great compliment..💓💓
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Good story. I liked your touch.
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Thanks Ted
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The daughter should be less judgemental. She cannot know how her mother feels.
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Probably yes…
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Perceptively told. It’s true you can’t understand the suffering by taking the luxury route
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Thanks a lot Michael
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So much history is airbrushed, your writing told the gritty truth
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Thanks a lot Michael…kalapani was a sad truth of our country
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We can only hope she found what she was looking for. Excellent
My story – ‘An empty bottle’
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Thanks Keith…Even I hope so
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Beautifully written. But I feel we should not discount the mother’s sentiments. The ship might be a luxury liner, but the seas and winds are the same. Maybe she might have got some solace by traversing the same distance across the sea on a ship.
On a side note, are there such cruises to Andaman. Would totally love to take my mum.
Cheers, Varad.
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Varad, I know there are ships to Andaman… however they are not as luxurious as the ones abroad. I went to Andaman by ship when I was a child..it left from Kolkata.
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Good contrast. Well rewritten. Thanks for your P.S. I enjoyed learning some history.
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Thanks Mike
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