“The Bridge That Took Too Long”

 

A story about governance, blame, and the path to impactful implementation.

In the heart of a growing nation stood a small village called Sampurna. For decades, the people of Sampurna had been waiting for a bridge—a simple structure over a river that separated them from schools, markets, and hospitals.

Every election, the bridge was promised. Every year, paperwork piled higher. Committees met. Reports were drafted. Budgets were “under consideration.” And whenever delays became too visible, someone always had someone else to blame.

The Blame Game Begins

When villagers complained:

• The local officials blamed the state office.
• The state office blamed the central planning unit.
• The planning unit blamed environmental clearances.
• Environmental authorities blamed incomplete paperwork.
• Contractors blamed lack of funds.
• Finance departments blamed improper utilization in previous phases.

Everyone was accountable, yet no one was responsible.

Meanwhile, students crossed the river on makeshift rafts, farmers lost produce during floods, pregnant women struggled to reach healthcare, and the village economy remained trapped in stagnation.

A New Officer Arrives

One day, a young development officer named Aarav was posted to Sampurna. Instead of starting with files, he started with people.

He visited the riverbank, spoke with villagers, met local leaders, asked contractors what they needed, and gathered every department involved into a single room.

The truth became obvious:
➡️ The program wasn’t failing from lack of intent.
➡️ It was failing from lack of coordination, lack of ownership, and a system filled with isolated silos.

Aarav’s Three Actions Changed Everything

A Journey of Change, Roots, and Rediscovery

Hi, I am Biswajit Daspattanayak.

I was born and brought up in a large village of Balasore, fondly known as Barunasingh, in Odisha. I call it a “big village” not merely because of its size, but because of what it gave me — values, warmth, resilience, and a childhood that shaped the person I am today.

Honestly, I cannot quantify how much I have received from my village. The lessons, the people, the soil — all of it nurtured me in ways that words often fail to capture. All I can say is this: I am deeply grateful.

Life, Change, and Self-Realization

Life, in its short span, has offered me countless experiences. Among them, one truth has stood out clearly —
Change is the only constant and the most honest reality of life.

Life continuously evolves, gently or sometimes forcefully pushing us to adapt, reflect, and redefine ourselves. It is this very process of change that shapes our future and gives direction to our personal journeys.

Around five and a half years ago, I paused and looked at myself deeply. I conducted a personal audit of my life — my choices, aspirations, and purpose. That reflection became a turning point. It gave me clarity and a direction that I still hold close to my heart. I may not claim perfection in following it, but I try — sincerely and consciously.

Landing in the Land of Smiles

Perhaps as part of aligning myself with that inner direction, life took an unexpected yet beautiful turn. Along with my wife, I landed in Nigeria, often called the land of the happiest people in the world. Over time, our journey here became even more meaningful with the arrival of our cute son, Yash, who added a new dimension of joy and responsibility to our lives.

Our move to Nigeria was driven by both personal and professional reasons, but what stayed with us was something far deeper — the warmth of people, the richness of cultures, and the everyday lessons that life outside one’s comfort zone teaches.

The Realisation to Document Life

Just a few days ago, I encountered an important realisation —
I have lived, learned, explored, and experienced so much, yet I have never documented my journey.

That felt like a loss.

Documentation is not just about writing; it is about reflection, gratitude, and creating a mirror for oneself. It can serve as a guide — reminding us where we came from, how we evolved, and why we must keep moving forward.

So, here I am — beginning this journey of documenting small moments, experiences, learnings, and changes. Not to impress, but to express. Not to preach, but to preserve.

A New Beginning

This blog is my humble attempt to capture life as it unfolds — one thought, one story, one experience at a time.

Let us see how far I succeed in documenting these little yet meaningful pieces of my journey…
Because sometimes, the smallest stories carry the biggest lessons.

Me and Hausa: Learning a Nigerian Language from the Heart

Nigeria, for me, is truly a country of languages. With over 700 languages and dialects, it represents one of the richest linguistic landscapes in the world. Among these, English, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa (Fulani) are the most widely spoken and influential languages.

Language use in Nigeria is deeply rooted in geography and culture.

• In the North and North-Central regions, Hausa and Fulani are predominantly spoken.
• In the East, Igbo is the main language.
• In the West, Yoruba dominates.

Despite this diversity, English serves as the official and unifying language across the country.

However, as a development practitioner, I strongly believe that meaningful engagement goes beyond official languages. To truly connect with communities, one must be willing to walk in another person’s shoes—to respect and embrace their language, culture, traditions, and beliefs. Language, after all, is not just about communication; it is about understanding lives.

With this belief, I made a small but sincere effort to learn Hausa, the language of the community I worked with during my time in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. What follows are some of my personal learnings and everyday expressions—simple, practical, and deeply human.

 

🔢 Numbers in Hausa

1 – Daya
2 – Biyu
3 – Uku
4 – Hudu
5 – Biyar
6 – Shida
7 – Bakwai
8 – Takwas
9 – Tara
10 – Goma

20 – Ashirin
30 – Talatin
40 – Arba’in
50 – Hamsin
60 – Sittin
70 – Saba’in
80 – Tamanin
90 – Tis’in
100 – Dari
1000 – Dubu

 

📅 Days of the Week

• Sunday – Lahadi
• Monday – Litinin
• Tuesday – Talata
• Wednesday – Laraba
• Thursday – Alhamis
• Friday – Juma’a
• Saturday – Asabar

👋 Greetings

• Good Morning – Ina kwana
• Good Afternoon – Ina yini
• Good Evening – Ina yamma
• Good Night – Sai da safe
• See you tomorrow – Sai gobe
• Rest well – Huta lafiya
• See you later – Sai an jima
• Hello – Sannu

One of the most beautiful elements of Hausa greetings is the warm expression:
“Ya waa…” – a friendly and heartfelt way to begin a conversation.

 

❓ Common Questions & Expressions

• How is your family? – Yaya iyali?
• How is your wife? – Yaya matarka?
• How is your work? – Yaya aiki?
• How is your child? – Yaya yaro?
• What is your name? (Male) – Mene ne sunanka?
• What is your name? (Female) – Mene ne sunanki?
• How much is it? – Nawa ne?
• Come and eat food – Zo ka ci abinci
• Thank you (singular) – Na gode
• Thank you (plural) – Mun gode
• No problem – Ba wahala
• Yes – Eh
• No – A’a

Exclamation (Really? Is it so?) – Habba!

 

🏠 Commonly Used Words

• Water – Ruwa
• Electricity – Wuta lantarki
• Fire – Wuta
• Food – Abinci
• Friend – Aboki
• Book – Takarda / Littafi
• Office – Ofis
• House – Gida
• Fruits – ’Ya’yan itace
• Vegetables – Ganye
• Dress – Riga
• Cap – Hula
• River – Rafi
• Sea – Kogi / Teku
• Hair – Gashi
• Animals – Dabbobi
• Cow – Saniya
• Milk – Nono
• Yogurt – Nono
• Butter – Man shanu

🌍 A Personal Reflection

Learning Hausa was not about perfection—it was about connection. Every word spoken in the local language built trust, warmth, and respect. It reminded me that language learning is an act of humility, and sometimes, even a few words can bridge worlds.

As development professionals, educators, or travellers, when we learn a community’s language, we do more than communicate—we belong.

Na gode. 🙏

A little experience of Binu in Kano, Nigeria

Dedicated to Binu.....

Life in Kano………………..

Life in Kano is endlessly fascinating. The city never seems to pause. People are always on the move, deeply engaged in their daily routines. Roads are alive with cars, massive trucks, and the ever-present achabas—our friendly motorcycles—darting up and down, ferrying passengers and goods, keeping the rhythm of the city alive.

The streets are equally animated. Children run around, roadside vendors spread their goods across pavements, and almost every few steps someone stops to chat, bargain, or rest. With a predominantly Muslim population, the five daily calls to prayer gently but firmly structure the day, adding a unique spiritual cadence to the city’s constant motion. Truly, it is a busy life in Kano.

Kano Feels Surprisingly Familiar

In many ways, Kano feels strikingly similar to an Indian township—minus Sharia law. The resemblance is uncanny: crowded roads, honking vehicles, smoke-filled air, unclean streets, garbage lining corners, and of course, friendly domestic animals casually occupying the middle of the road as if they own it.

Young boys often rush toward any vehicle that stops, asking for a few nairas. Add to that the occasional sight of Bajaj auto-rickshaws, and for a moment, you could almost forget you’re in West Africa. The twist? These auto-rickshaws are reserved only for women. Men simply don’t attempt to stop one—they know better!

For most people, the easiest, cheapest, and most adventurous way to move around is on an achaba. Helmets are officially recommended for safety, but wearing one may invite trouble—the common belief being that only the rich wear helmets. So you’re left with a dilemma: save yourself from a crash or save yourself from being robbed! Kano keeps you alert in every sense.

Food That Feels Like Home—Almost

Food in Kano, and Nigeria in general, surprisingly resembles Kerala cuisine from southern India. Rice dominates the plate—rice, rice, and more rice—accompanied by yam, cassava, and plantain (the large banana, ethakka). Markets overflow with huge onions, tiny tomatoes, Irish potatoes, occasional cabbage, and the rare brinjal.

To my pleasant surprise, many markets sell Indian spices—fennel seeds, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, dry ginger, and several others whose names I’m still trying to learn.

Every restaurant serves rice under different names—jollof rice, Nigerian-style fried rice, and plain rice. Vegetarians, however, need courage. Even “vegetable soup” often contains dried fish or chunks of meat. For them, that still counts as vegetarian! Finding truly vegetarian food in Nigeria is, frankly, a real challenge.

The Infrastructure Paradox

Nigeria is one of the world’s largest oil-producing nations, yet it struggles with basic infrastructure. There is no proper public transport system—only bush taxis, expensive private taxis, and achabas.

Electricity comes from your most trusted Nigerian companion: the generator. Shops, homes, offices—generators are everywhere. Petrol generators are preferred since petrol is cheaper than diesel. There is an electricity board called NEPA, but its presence feels more symbolic than real.

Another scarce resource is potable water. Like many parts of India, taps often release more air than water.

Why You Still Fall in Love with Kano

And yet—despite everything—you slowly begin to admire Kano. The warmth, resilience, and hospitality of the people make daily hardships feel lighter. Nigerians are often described as the happiest people on earth, and after living among them, you start to understand why.

So you adapt. You smile more. You complain less. As the saying goes,
“When in Rome, be a Roman.”

When the Road Teaches You Safety: A Travel Lesson from Nigeria

Travel is often romanticized as discovery, adventure, and cultural exchange. However, for those who travel extensively—especially across developing or unfamiliar regions—safety becomes as important as curiosity. One such lesson came to me on 7th July 2008, during a road journey in Nigeria that I will never forget.      

The Journey That Changed My Perspective

I was travelling from Jos (Plateau State) to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, along with my wife and two fellow international volunteers. The purpose of our trip was joyful—we were heading to attend the 50th Anniversary celebration of VSO. We began our journey in the afternoon, confident of a smooth drive.

Like many expatriates in Nigeria, one of my co-travellers had recently purchased a second-hand car. In Nigeria, personal mobility is essential due to limited public transport and long inter-city distances. The car was in reasonable condition, and the drive began calmly.

How a Small Mechanical Issue Became a Major Risk

Shortly after crossing Riyom, our journey took an unexpected turn—we experienced a tyre puncture. While changing the tyre, we realised that the spare was not fully roadworthy. Although we continued cautiously, this minor mechanical issue forced us to slow down significantly.

Lesson 1: A weak spare tyre can turn a manageable situation into a serious safety risk. Always ensure your spare is roadworthy before long-distance travel.

Understanding Road Dynamics in High-Security Zones

As we continued driving at a reduced speed, we heard sirens approaching from behind. Initially, we assumed it was a routine high-profile movement—perhaps a government convoy or a cash transfer vehicle, both common on Nigerian highways.

Moments later, a money transfer convoy with armed security personnel approached aggressively. Their response was sudden and intimidating—shouting, striking our vehicle, and pointing firearms at us. In seconds, our calm journey turned into a life-threatening situation.

Our immediate instinct was to stop the car and comply, which ultimately prevented escalation.

Lesson 2: In regions with armed convoys, slowing down or blocking their movement—even unintentionally—can be perceived as a threat. Always yield immediately when sirens approach.

Why Compliance Saved Us

Later, we understood that the security personnel intended to clear the road and stop nearby vehicles as a standard safety protocol during money transfers. Our slower speed—caused by the damaged tyre—had unintentionally placed us in their path.

We waited quietly for about 20–30 minutes until the convoy passed. Once safe, we resumed our journey, replaced the tyre, and reached Abuja later than planned—but unharmed.

Lesson 3: In high-tension security situations, calm compliance is often the safest response. Avoid confrontation, sudden movements, or questioning authority on the road.

Key Travel Safety Takeaways for International and Domestic Travelers

Based on this experience, here are some practical road safety guidelines for travelers, volunteers, and field professionals:

🚗 Before the Journey

• Inspect all tyres, including the spare
• Carry emergency contact numbers
• Understand local road rules and security norms
• Avoid travelling late in the evening

🚨 During the Journey

• Maintain situational awareness
• Respond immediately to sirens or convoy signals
• Avoid sudden stops or slowing down in sensitive areas
• Keep calm and follow instructions if confronted by security forces

🌍 Mindset Matters

• Safety protocols differ from country to country
• What feels excessive may be routine security practice locally
• Respect local systems—even when they feel uncomfortable

A Final Reflection

·       Travel does not just broaden the mind—it tests preparedness, patience, and humility. That day on a Nigerian highway taught me that awareness and preparedness can save lives, even when intentions are innocent.

·      We were fortunate. We were safe. And we continued our volunteering journey with renewed respect for the realities of travel in unfamiliar terrains.

·       Because sometimes, the road is not just a path—it is a teacher.