China, for me, was a utopia that reserved its place in my heart right from a young age after hearing communist leaders of the world and a few intellectuals say, 'Madhura Manohara Manonjna China’. Even when all hell broke loose here people would say, 'China is not like that’ or ‘nothing of this sort happens in China’. Cuba Mukundans were an abundance in my hometown and were all praises for the country. I had promised myself back then that I would travel to China someday and take in the glory of that country.

I went there, not once, but twice when I became capable of travelling. Now, whenever I hear Cuba Mukundans talk about their ‘Madhura Manohara Manonjna China’, I can barely suppress my laughter. I would laugh so hard that tears would come rolling down my eyes. On both visits, I did not see a beautiful China as I had imagined, but a terribly cunning China as the great poet Vayalar once wrote.

When I landed in Beijing for the first time, the capital was being tormented by heavy storms and rain. I decided to visit Tiananmen Square no matter how hostile the weather conditions got. The greatest struggle for democracy took place in that very land. I feel that the Chinese people believe in size. Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall became famous for their size. That may be due to the short stature of Chinese people in general. Tiananmen Gate means 'The Gate of Heavenly Peace' in Chinese. Chairman Mao declared China a communist nation here in 1949. It was on that very land that the first cry for democracy was raised on June 3, 1989. Hundreds of students arrived in groups on bicycles by 10 o'clock that morning. A young man walked onto the martyrs' dome and addressed the crowd. He inspired them to fight until democracy dawned in China. When the students refused to leave, the army personnel opened fire from the tanks. Tanks were driven over the crowd. People were crushed to death. As I stood in front of the gate, a symbol of Chinese nationalism, the cries of students and democrats that filled that place once, echoed in my ears.

From my two visits to China, I learned that there are only a very few in China who strongly believe in communism. Only a small section of people in the world's most populous country has party membership. I felt that the party and its principles were inaccessible concepts upon my interaction with the people there. According to my belief, everyone in China was a communist. I raised the question: "Are you a communist?" to many people I met there. Most of them, including my guide Leiho replied, "No, I'm a Buddhist." Many people in China don’t even believe in communism.

Read more: ചെറുപ്പത്തിലേ എന്റെ നെഞ്ചിൽ പതിഞ്ഞുപോയ സ്വപ്ന ദേശമായിരുന്നു, 'മധുര മനോഹര മനോജ്ഞ ചൈന'