to a cricket match in New Delhi
This serpentine story is from "The Asian"
A Testing time for the saperas
GAYATRI RAMANATHAN / New Delhi
SNAKE charmers are suddenly in demand. After a gap of almost four years their professional services are being actively sought. This is thanks to the Shiv Sena and its threat to unleash snakes in the stadium during the India-Pakistan cricket match in Delhi, which began Thursday.
The Shiv Sena is reported to have hired saperas from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to bring snakes into the stadium. And the Delhi police, taking no chances, have drafted the local saperas to check out the entry points at the stadium for snake smugglers. Part of the body search operations would be a search for hidden reptiles.
Says Durga Nath, "Only a sapera will be able to handle a snake. And only a sapera can differentiate a sapera from others visitors... it is how they carry themselves. Snakes have to be carried very carefully. Whether you are carrying them in a basket or on your body."
On your body? As Lord Shiva does?
"Yes. You can carry it on your head -- in your turban. You can also carry them in your undergarments."
Well, what if you get bitten... umm, you know where?
"That is the most difficult way to carry a snake. But we can do it. And only we know how to walk when a snake is hidden in the undergarments. It is a very special walk."
Very, VERY special...