RUPAIDIHA (BAHRAICH): If one talks about the ‘border’ that exists between two countries, it’s a misnomer here. People living on the two sides of UP-Nepal border are so connected to each other through their ties of roti (food) and beti (matrimony) that the man-made line ceases to exist most of the stretch touching seven district of UP.
So, if there is an election on ‘this’ side, how can ‘that’ side not be affected?
Locals in Rupaidiha, the last town of Bahraich district sharing border with Nepalgunj of Banke district, say that every year about 500 girls are married off to the other side. An equal number of girls from Nepalgunj and around enter into matrimonial alliance with boys from Bahraich and Shravasti, the two neighbouring district of Awadh region sharing border with Nepal.
These all-time ties ensure that the two districts share a rare distinction of having electorate even from the other side of the border as in a number of cases, half of the family lives in areas of Nepal and cross over to vote during polls.
The families are so distributed between India and Nepal that the father is Indian and the son a Nepalese citizen. Ullahas Mal Rathi, 70, has his business in Nepalgunj but he never relinquished his Indian citizenship. Whenever there is an election in India, he crosses over to vote.
With Bahraich being sealed for polling on Monday, February 27, the area was bustling with activity. Ram Saran of Kaisarganj had crossed over a week ago. He went to his in-laws place to take his wife Durgeshwari, a Nepalese girl, back. “We have to move to Rupaidiha before the border is sealed,” he said. Nepalgunj residents depend a lot on Rupaidiha market for cheaper foodgrains, medicines, cements and other housing material.
On the other hand, those from Rupaidiha and other areas cross over for cheaper booze, which is available even on dhabas and kiosks. They too cross over to Nepalgunj looking for petro products, available there sans tax.
Needless to say, during polls, there is a stream of visitors from the Indian side who chill out with a quick swig over fired fish and get over the campaign fatigue. Perks of an open border, you said?