The following poem by Aditya Saha from Malbazar, West Bengal was selected as a commendable mention in Wingword Poetry Prize 2020
Plant your steps softly dear
for the fallen leaves may look
familiar brown and homely old -
but the street has a coat of tar new ,
a new pair of potholes few steps
from the lamp post standing beside
Hush dear , don't fish out from
your childhood days of playing truant ,
the name by which you used to call that
street of your favourite sweet shop
beside that stout alphonso tree with
welcoming boughs and a shade of respite
nor don't you pay your dues in here
with your old notes 500 or 1000
( saved aside from what your relatives
thrust into your hands during the puja)
for they are good for naught but origami
ask that atm kiosk standing there
by the turn of this street
about how he had to cope up
with the unending lines from
dawn to dusk as the entire nation
stood sweating with bowed knees
and trembling upturned hands
just as one stroke of twelve on clock
on one cold November night
turned pockets of country men
to trash , as bunch of promises , men
and national assets sell out for cheap
wear your sweater tight dear
for the winds blow bitter cold
and not just the thermometer
but the gdp shows drops
however the jawans are on guard
in the glacier outpost of Siachen
surely you could learn a thing or two
of sacrifice and self reliance
from the brothers putting their lives in
the crossfire of hostile neighbour
Step aside dear , you might get lost
in the crowds rushing about
for they are seeking their identity
in midst of lists questioning their existence
temples and statues rising up anew ,
cities changing names ,
paper notes acquiring new colors ,
bills diverting your attention
Put on your mask dear above your nose
for many have lost their sense of smell
either in literal or in figurative sense of words
or like bio hazard many have been dumped
stay back in favourite corner of your home
( unlike the scores of migrant workers )
with a note of thanks to the farmers who
turn their sweats to keep your nutrition intact
you can afford to live on your bank
and stream the old Masakali on Spotify
for you are not locked up without internet