First, they came to build temples grand,
A modern dam in my valley's land.
Silent I stood, who'd question a shrine?
Lost my village underneath Govind Sagar's mighty sign.
Then they came for electric grid lines
Electric veins scarred my skies with silent pains.
Basic need, they said, for factories to thrive
My hills wept, but progress must survive.
Then they came for railway bridges, expressways sprawl,
Symbols of progress, they did install.
Gave my land for the path of Pragati,
Now my Joshimath is sinking, no one hears the plea.
They don't come anymore, the crisis untold,
Silent sinking, as the land folds.
No one left to speak for the fading dream,
Joshimath's lament, a silent scream.
No more they come, the crisis unfolds,
Silent sinking, as the land molds.
No voice remains for the fading dream,
Teesta's lament, a muted scream.
