‘Do you mean to say what China has said is reasonable? Why should India move back? China has already occupied our land. If we agree to that, we will be agreeing to their claim that the encroached land is theirs.’

‘Forget all that. All we are worried about is security. What is the use of living in a free country that cannot provide security? The central government might be thinking NEFA and Assam are not a part of India.’

‘That’s true. What have we received in these years after Independence? The central government has always looked at us with a stepmotherly attitude. Forget about other things, we had to struggle even for our own language. Think about the NEFA border – till recently the Assam Rifles were deployed there. The paramilitary forces were tasked with safeguarding the border! Huh! They couldn’t even properly demarcate the border all these years, because they don’t consider Assam or NEFA parts of India.’

Another announcement was made – ‘Now, Srimati Kaushalya Dutta will render a Chinese folk song.’

‘Do you think the Chinese living here are unaware of what is going on?’ one of the dignitaries commented.

‘They may be unaware. Most of them are illiterate. Manual workers. They don’t keep track of what goes on in the world.’

‘Oh sir! Your notion is wrong. It will take time for you to understand these so-called timid people. They are not as simple as they pretend to be. They read Chinese newspapers that come from Calcutta, did you know? They listen to Radio Peking. They have information of what is happening around but they feign ignorance.’

‘They may do that, but they are not what you have said they are. My son has a few Chinese friends. I have not seen anything bad in them. They are just like our children. They are not different in any way, even though they are Chinese.’

The leading people of the Chinese community who were seated near the other dignitaries wore a glum look. The whispers of the non-Chinese dignitaries had worried them.

After the cultural programme was over, the speeches started. The first person to come on stage was Radha Krishna Khemka, the legislator.

‘I am happy to be here today. We Indians believe in the principles of Panchsheel. We want to maintain good relations with our neighbours. As a token of our friendship we sing “Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai”. We want to live like brothers forever. But if someone comes to attack our sovereignty we cannot sit silently, without doing anything. Today our neighbour China has encroached upon our land. Honourable Prime Minister Nehruji has said this will not be tolerated …’

‘What is he talking about?’ Ahlin asked Ananta, perplexed.

‘I don’t know. Forget it. When will we have mooncakes?’

‘Come anytime. What is he saying? Is he talking about us?’

‘Are you Chinese? Then tell me how to say I love you in Chinese.’

‘Dhet!’