Day VI in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

When I took a shower this afternoon I found the water soothingly lukewarm, heated by solar energy. We don't have any solar panels or anything fancy like that. The overhead tank water was warmed by pure and natural sunlight. 

Feels so cool to take bath in this environment friendly environment. No electricity, natural gas or natural gas was needed to warm the water to a lukewarm temperature. No boiler or geyser was operated, water only warmed by unadulterated sunlight. But mention of this earth friendly fact only elicited lukewarm response from most.

Post noon it turned excessively muggy, with heat index feeling not be less than 115 degree (50 degree Centigrade). Then around 5 PM came lightening followed by Thunder which sounded music to my ears. The squals of wind swirled in causing tree branches to swing and sway, instantly sweeping the floor with leaves and twigs. It was the harbinger of KALABAISAKHI or the summer thunderstorms, an integral part of the tropical weather.

I was watching the pouring rains in India after a long time. Intermittent lightening brightened the western sky, relegating Sun to the background. The view of the silvery strings of rain lashing against the grayish dark horizon was awesome. Streaks of lightening, a la the forking tongue of a giant Serpent partitioned the dark sky in the horizon, creating a spectacular view.

It rained good for good 30 minutes, lowering the temperature with a still still, muggy air around. From the balcony of home, I watched the gray Bull of our locality and couple of pariah dogs taking shelter under the mango tree protruding out near our gate. The animals shared the natural canopy, respecting each other's space with mutual trust and respect.

Their bonhomie did not last long. No sooner the rain stopped, than the bull headed Bovine charged at the doggies to shoo them away. One of the dogs stealthily walked towards a bike and lifted its legs to pee on it. 

Suddenly came out the pillion driver from nowhere yelling "Hey Hey, JA JA (Go away), frantically snatching a broken branch on the ground to chase the doggie away. The mongrel fled away fast with its tail tugged well between its legs, its peeing job half finished. The guy wasn't amused by his freshly rain washed bike to be overridden by fresh dog urine.

Couple of Marwari guys in our locality drenched themselves by coming out in open wearing NADA (string) shorts stressed to the hilt by their protruding bellies. I thought they were simply excited, to enjoying their shower under fresh showers. Later I discovered the more profound reason behind their action - the belief that bathing in summer rains cures skin ailments.

The power went poof for little more than an hour. Haven't seen the electricity playing truant so far, today was the exception due to the thunderstorms. Some voltage fluctuations and few minutes of power outages notwithstanding, the electricity is far more cooperating compared to my prior trips. More later....

Day V in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

After taking an early morning shower on Monday morning, following my mom's diktat I walked towards SUKHMESWAR MANDIRA, one of several Shaivite (of Lord Shiva) temples scattered around adoring my neighborhood of Old Town.

Before that I drank Tea, Amul Lassi and couple of glasses of PAIDA (young coconut) water. While on my way back, I realised my bladder was about burst as I won't be able to hold on to it much longer. 

As there was still some distance to be covered (distance is a relative term and not just a number when you walk with or without nature's call), I thought it would be prudent to open the valve midway.

Frantically looking for a spot with privacy, I found a suitable peeing spot by roadside. It was a dry spot near a wet wall, heavily stained by betel leave saliva and more heavily stenched by rivulets of urine mixed with red saliva.

Couple of guys joined me on my side, inspecting the site for a location. The guy on my right looked up into the sky while relieving himself. I turned my head to the left and smiled at the other. He reciprocated by smiling back at me, exposing his phalanx of dark, betel stained 32 teeth.

We all shook ourselves off, lifted and tightened our pants and bid each other an unspoken good bye. It is another feeling relieving yourself under open, blue sky. I managed to leave my scent behind, may be back one day to reuse the spot. It is the best way to recycle these wall urinals lurking around the smart city.

No place to wash hands, I knew it will be a few minutes before I reach home to do so - sincerely wishing of not getting an opportunity to shake my hands with someone. Feeling completely light and relieved, I started trudging my way back home.

Soon my wish was to be belied. On my way back, I saw a familiar face rushing towards me - "HAIO KEBE ASILA. KETE DINA ACHHA" (Hey when did you come. How long you will be staying), extending his hands for a warm handshake.

I reluctantly took my hand forward, squinting my nose and hesitantly took his hand for a handshake. The smiling guy on the other side shook his hands enthusiastically for few seconds. 

Post handshake, he rolled his hands over his lip and chins, making me squint and raise my nose further. Hope someone recorded this handshake moment, it could very well get million plus hits on YouTube a la the greatest handshakes in history - Chamberlain with Hitler, Nixon with Chairman Mao, Reagan vs Gorbachev and so on. Glad I didn't meet any more Mr. Fortunates on my way to shake hands with. More later...

Day IV in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

Bikes are the most conducive mode of transportation in Bhubaneswar traffic, if you want to get to your desired destination on time. I had a taste of it today while riding on the back of a pillion for a long distance for a long time. 

The motorcycles are apt at and sleek enough to manoeuvre through the crawling traffic. Like a skilled Caesarean surgeon, the guy driving me would screech through the narrow gaps in the labyrinth of mostly three and four wheelers in immaculate accuracy, careful enough to avoid any stray dog trying to barge in (Bhubaneswar has a huge population of stray dogs who at the current rate of growth are expected to overtake its human population in a decade).

If challenged, I can barely drive beyond a mile in this traffic without me hitting someone or someone hitting me. Give me a vehicle and put wager on me - Rs.1000 if I cross 100 meter, Rs.20000 for 200 meter, Rs.100,000 if I cross a kilometer unscathed. It would be a spectacle to watch.

This morning on an Odia News Channel I saw a Congress politician named Debasis Patnaik talking "Kie Kie Paisa Khaichanti Se KHULASA Karantu" (He should disclose those he accuses of taking money. Never heard of about the word KHULASA in Odia lexicon. 

The purist in me isn't convinced that KHULASA is a native word. I found it quite astounding that this word is not uttered by the Chief Minister of the State often criticized for his inability to speak the language, but a pure Odia politician named Debasis Patnaik from the Odisha heartland, bearing a name as Odia as PAKHALA (A popular Odia staple food of rice soaked in water) is or as American as Apple Pie. (I personally know at least a dozen Debasis Patnaiks). 

There is new version of Odia used these days, especially by girls anchoring on the leading Odia TV channels with a typical accented Odia with almost an equitable spread of 49.9% Odia, 30.1% Hindi and 20% English. My observation was soon to be vindicated by a lady anchor taking interview of an aspiring, young female singer. 

She started by introducing the budding singer - "ASANTU SUREELA SANGEET SUNIBA. (Come, let's listen to melodious songs). APANANKA SAMNA RE PES KARUCHU (We are presenting in front of you)." The Interview continued further, "APANA Exception way RE GAANA GANTI, ETE KAM UMAR RE KEHI KEBE Playback singing KARI NAHANTI (you sing in an exceptional voice. No one has done playback singing at such a young age)".

The anchor kept on injecting phrases - "Audience KU APANA HILEI DELE (Appeared to me HILEI is a SANDHI (conjoint) of Hindi HILA and Odia word HALEI, both meaning shaking. It marked an addition of a new page to the SANDHI BICHHEDA chapter of Odia grammar lexicon)." More interjections of "soooo sweet, soooo cute" followed, the anchor going overboard in praising her interviwee.

A person usually speaks with an accent when speaking a language other than his or her mother tongue. Odisha is perhaps the only place on earth, where many love to speak their own mother tongue with an accent.

As if not enough, I have come across a few more terms or phrases of modern Odia, derived from Hindi. A few samples :

CHUTIA BANEILA (Chutia Banaya) -  Made an ass of me.

MAHANGA PADILA  (Mehnga Pada) - Prove costly.

KANA KHECHUDI PAKUCHI  (Kya Khichdi Pakta hai) - What's cooking

LAJABAAB (Speechless)

GUDGUDI HAUCHI (The word Kutukutu in Odia, meaning tickle is wiped out by Gudgudi)

KI GARMEE RE BABA (It's so hot. As if Ki Garam hauchi is a complex Odia sentence to speak).

Either Odia is enriching itself by liberally accepting the influx from other languages, or destined towards oblivion. God bless my mother tongue. More later...

Day III in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

A stubborn Jet lag can be a real pain in you know what. My body clock simply refuses to relinquish the US Time Zone. Compared to 2.30 AM, I woke up at 3.30 AM this morning - a small step by me in tortoise speed and a giant step towards getting rid of the jet lag which seems to be too stubborn to relent as I age.

Feels miserable to get up so early in morning, without being able to sleep further. Kishore Kumar's song from Rajesh Khanna's movie AAP KI KASAM - KARWATE BADALTE RAHE SAARI RAAT HUM (turning sides on bed for whole night) never sounded more prophetic. 

Thanks to internet, Facebook and my addiction to blogging, I kept myself busy until the cacophony of GHANTA (brass plate) from a nearby MATH (monastery) sounded like music to me, announcing the arrival of dawn.

A jet lag can be an irritant, a nuisance especially for those plying between India and United States. The long journey can put one's body clock out of whack, which varies from individuals who experience little or no jet lag, to those who have to make a trip to the Doctor's office for medication when their jet lag stubbornly refuses to relent. Eventually most get over it. For me it lasts for 3 to 5 days, now more on the later side. 

Here are a few tips on how to minimize the jet lag. This is hardly scientific, rather based purely upon my personal experience. 

Try not to sleep during the day. Keep yourself busy, sip some caffeine, especially late in the afternoon when your eyelids refuse to stay open. The more you sleep during the afternoon, longer you body takes to adapt the new edition of clock.

Drink plenty of water and go easy on food. Don't splurge on fried foods and alcohol when you still have a jet lag, it can cause havoc to your system. 

Last but the least, time is the best healer. Let your body clock take its own sweet time to adjust. If it's already a week since you have landed and the jet lag stubbornly refuses to go, better see a doctor.

After arrival, the annoying incessant honking and zigzag traffic was a reverse cultural shock to me. It's no more, as I see music and vibrancy in this honking and chaos. 

Reminds me of a joke. A person once went to an astrologer, who after seeing his chart said "You will be begging after two years". "What will happen after 2 years ?" asked the curious and now somewhat concerned person. The astrologer responded "You will get used to it". Now I can proudly proclaim of getting used to the chaotic, snarling traffic. More later...

Day II in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

Today I spent my first ever Rs.2000 note (as a currency bill is called in India) and the new Rs.500 ones. The later look pretty sleek and crispy. At IGI Airport in Delhi after breezing through immigration (the paperworks now are dramatically reduced), I proceeded to a "Thomas Cook" counter for money exchanged.

The guy at desk asked me to fill out a form while holding my $100 bill up against the light, eye scanning it from upside down, East, West, North and South. He found a small trace of black ink mark at one corner.

Please give me another $100 note (as a bill is called in India). I asked - "anything wrong with this one ?" Fetched from my local branch from the American hearland I had no reason to suspect the the note with Benjamin Franklin on top was anywhere close to counterfeit. 

"Nothing wrong with it, but we can't take it. Try the next counter" - came the curt reply from the Thomas Cook guy. "May I know why ? You just said this is perfectly legal, yet you can't take it. Doesn't make sense", I asked. "Though perfectly legal tender, we only take shiny, crispy bills which are easily convertible", he replied back.

Tired and jet lagged, in no mood to waster time in arguments, I proceeded to the adjacent counter of Punjab National Bank. The guy checked my $100 bill, did'nt see any issues with it, looked at my Passport and gave me the equivalent currency - without asking for any redundant paperwork for me to write an essay on it.

Credit should be given where credit is due. For a difference, I found a government of India undertaking more efficient and Customer friendly than Thomas Cook - A private corporate which boasts of professionalism.

Weather isn't so bad after my arrival and has been very cooperative so far. Though muggy, it is not inordinately hot. City's weatherman with an interesting last name, Sarat Chandra Pasupalak had predicted early arrival of monsoon. Evenings are nice and breezy, reminding me of my growing up days in Bhubaneswar.

We never felt the heat so much those days. But today after couple of hours outside, I felt something missing. It is the comfort of AC - acronyms of Air Conditioning which was kinda luxury when I grew up in Bhubaneswar. Over dependence on AC makes us feel and complain about the heat. 

As the saying goes in Odia - MANISHA EKA SUBIDHA BADI PRANI (humans are creatures of comfort). Now that I have the comfort of AC, every now and then I look forward to it. Same applies to most from our parent's generation who grew up in villages. After living in Bhubaneswar for decades, I doubt they can spend more than a day in village which don't provide the same comforts of the Capital city.

During the World war II at the time of relentless Nazi Bombing on England the British Royal Air Force fought bravely against the air blitzkrieg of Germany's Luftwaffe. Winston Churchill, the then British PM said this about Royal Air force - "Never in the History of mankind so many were dependent on so few", a tribute to the contribution of the handful of pilots who stubbornly defended the entire English population from the Nazi onslaught. Same can be attributed to AC - never in the history of Bhubaneswar, so many were humans were dependent on a devise. More later....

RIP KPS Gill

They say - If there is a will, there is a way. In 1991, the terrorism in the Indian state of Punjab was looking beyond solution and by mid 1993 it was solved - a sign from the years old night bus services restored in the state.

What happened in between ? After P V Narasimha Rao came to power, he announced elections in Punjab in early 1992, which he was able to conduct despite terrorist violence and low voting. A Congress led government came to power.

The PM Narasimha Rao gave a free hand to Beant Singhr, the newly elected CM of Punjab, who gave a free hand to the Supercop K P S Gill, the then head of Punjab Police. The later have a free hand to the police force, motivating them with "Kill a terrorist and earn a promotion", often literally.

The Punjab Police force followed the Diktats of their head and went on a head hunting spree, harvesting bounties of terrorist heads which would give a run for their RAVI (Winter) crop harvest during the BAISAKHI (the Spring Festival in the State).

The Spring cleansing, followed by further cleansing thw following summer wiped out the majority of the terror elements. The Punjab Police of KPS Gill relentlessly went after the heads of the terror cells - akin to removing the heads of the Serpents which takes out their venom, making their fear mongering torso useless. 

It put a full stop to the ubiquitous terrorism which tortured Punjab for years, breaking its backbone from which it could never recovered. It yet vindicated that strong, able and decisive leadership can fix nagging issues. KPS Gill was a major part of that leadership. 

Unfortunately KPS Gill who turned around the terrorism problem in Punjan failed spectacularly as the head of 

Indian Hockey Federation, an institution known to be both inept and corrupt, was unable to repeat the miracle on the hockey field. It yet debunks the myth that a turn around expert whose forte of expertise is in one field, may not be able to replicate the same on another area or arena.

The Punjab super cop's handling of terrorism need not automatically qualified him to be IHF chief. During his tenure it was rumored that Scotch flowed liberally IHF meetings held in the upper floors of 5 star hotels, where as the ground reality was he failed to resuscitate Indian hockey.

Yet, he will be forever remembered for pulling Punjab out of the killing fields of 80s and early 90s - a well earned credit he fully deserves. RIP KPS Gill.

Day I in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

My first night's sleep in Bhubaneswar was broken by sporadic QAWAALIs (group music) from stray dogs. No sooner one side finished with a seqience of wooo..woof..woof, than the other side reciprocated with their version of wooo.. wooo...woof. After a cat nap break, the dogs resumed again.

The jet lag forced my son and I to wake up at 2.30 AM in the morning, preventing us from sleeping any further. Sidhant got busy, Skyping with his friend in US. I caught up with the World Wide Web (www) world, following US's share of the World News and prices of my Shares.

I opened the faucet. The tap farted twice prrt...prrt, before pooping out water. The long arduous wait in darkness paved way to dawn. The eastern sky grew brighter, turning crimson red, slowly the early rays of the morning sun had chased the darkness away. The chirping of birds became louder, so also the sound of GHANTA (sound from round brass plates when hit with a stick) in rhythmic unison of DHAIN DIDHAAIN DHAAIN... DHAIN DIDHAAIN DHAAIN from the nearby MATHA (Monastery).

I went on to the balcony to take a peek outside. Half a dozen mongrels were still napping at a safe distance from a sleeping Brown Bull, careful not to disturb the giant bovine catching up some sleep before the day starts to get hot.

From distance a came the newspaper walla (guy). Swinging his arms, he threw the newspaper past our main gate with immaculate accuracy. A biker went past honking nonstop. It was needless on an empty road, but apparently as he kicks off on his bike, honking sound keeee.. kick kick...keeee.. he gets a kick.

In one of my earlier India trips in winter, one fine morning I saw a guy who just bended over our fence, stealthily plucking flowers from our yard. Oblivious of my presence he looked left, right and let out a loud boom, creating ripples behind his LUNGI (Loincloth). With enough sight and sound, a new day dawns, my first day in my home state in India. GOOD MORNING ODISHA, more later....

Arrival in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2017

The Vistara flight from Delhi to Bhubaneswar left on time and was full from front to the back. The local MP (Member of the Parliament) was travelling wearing his characteristic Saffron dress. I have seen him earlier on a Delhi bound flight. The man has gained age, but politicians are ageless.

Groggy with jet lag, I dozed off with my head drooping sideward, as the Airhostess politely woke me - "Veg or Nonveg Sir ?" (Non vegetarians is the term used for those who eat meat, fish or eggs, tantamount to meat eaters, fishitarians or eggtarians in US)." I am pure non Veg", I almost uttered.

Bumping into strangers and tete a tete with them can be interesting. Once travelling alone on a flight to Bhubaneswar, I intitiated a conversation with the a guy next to me conspicuously scanning "The Economics Times". I queried him what brought him to Bhubaneswar. He was on a short trip to reach out to organic farming which he envisions as a potential future money spinner. Odisha offered him some virgin avenues.

During the course of our conversation the amateur farmer in me asked him certain aspects of farming, which I expected from a person with prospective farming interest. But he turned out to be a novice, sounding more of an investor on a hunt for big bucks and ready for the kill, not to nurture the nature, akin to a soldier who had never set foot on the battle field. 

Back to present, just 30 minutes away from landing, the roaring big bird lowered itself whizzing below the clouds, enabling me to take a peek outside to get a Bird's eye view of the rivulets meandering through the gray undulating land down below. The green waves of undulating Eastern Ghats was taking shower of morning sunlight. River Mahanadi bed was dry, its patches of water less flowing, more looking like giant poodles, a labyrinth of Oasis amist golden brown sand under a slightly hazy sky.

Just before the flight landed I had one of the rarest sights of my life, similar to the Johny Walker Blue Level Scotch made from the blend of the rarest of the rarest of the Whiskys. It's the unique bird's eye view of the areas of Bhubaneswar I am familiar and grew with. Every other year I fly over Bhubaneswar, sadly I see more concrete and asphalt, less green foliage on this urban jungle. Way too many skyrises are a growing environmental concerns - gonna to bite this city sooner or later.

How contrasting is the warms eye view of the sky from the ground to the bird's eye view from the top. It makes me understand the meaning of the phrase "Down To Earth". When it all seems you are on top of the world, in minutes you are back on the ground. So are the vagaries of life. How much and how high you fly you have to come down one day, similar to the fate of airplane at 39000 feet is destined to land.

I was welcomed by a hot and muggy Bhubaneswar weather, though it was not as bad as it had been during my recent summer visits. I rolled over the windows to take a view of the city where I spent my childhood and youth, savoring the sights of the millieu, as vehicles yonked their way through in a zizzag manner.

The breeeze breezing through the window caressed me, drying off the beads of sweat swelling on my chin and forehead. Apparently, the old law of Physics "Evaporation caused cooling" still holds good. 

As I stepped out of the vehicle in from of our house, a burst of breeze from South-West made the strangs of hanging green mangoes swung like pendulum. A little birdie on the branch was on a Twitting spree which would have given Donald Trump run for money - " Tweetwoo... tweetwoo...tweetwoo..", without bothering about the 40 character limit. 

Couple of mongrels seeing new faces in the block gaped at us for a while before melting away chasing each other's tail. A lunch of Mahaprasad (Great offering) and a jet lagged sleep was waiting on me. More later...

Amsterdam to Delhi - India trip 2017

At Amsterdam Airport I met a couple of Odia couples who were returning from an Italian sojourn. Not a bad time to visit the salubrious  Europe as a getaway from the stifling heat and humidity of the Indian Summer. I was doin' the exactly opposite, yet excited to core.

I was rudely woken from my slumber when the pilot announced "Welcome to Delhi IGI Airport. It's 02.00AM in morning. Hazy, 34 degree Centigrade (95 Fahrenheit) outside." 95 degree at 2 O'Clock in the morning, imagine about the day time. 

No sooner the pilot announced for passenfee5 to remain seated and fasten seatbelts, than our Desi BHAI and BEHENs started getting up, rushing to the toilet. They also did the same on couple of occasions during turbulence. Not sure if they love to rock while relieving themselves. The fact that two airhostesses were shaking their heads, smiling at each other at this sight, didn't go unnoticed to me.

During one of previous trips, just before landing in Delhi came abruptly the voice of an exalted teen sitting close to me exclaimed to his buddy, "OI UTTH, BAI**OD DILLI A GAYEE  "(Get up, the Sister Slammer Delhi has arrived). More than the pilot, I found the teen's welcome far enthusiast and more apt way of welcoming to Delhi.

It was a grand Welcome to Delhi, Punjabi style, where a sentence can start with Bai**od, interspersed with a few liberal dosages of Bai**od and ends with Bai**od. It's how the Dillwalle (Heartful) Dilliwalle (Delhites) often greet each other.

Bai**od" is not such a bad word in Delhi and Punjab  (in the Pakistani part of Punjab too). Apart from the usual meaning, it can stands for multiple euphemism, to describe a scene or situation. Bai**od KYA THAND HAI YAAR (my friend, it's so cold), Bai**od MEIN GIR JAUNGA Bai**od (I will fall down, spoken after sighting a pretty girl), Bai**od KYA MATCH THA (what a match it was). Friends hug each other, A GALE LAG JA OI Bai**od (get a hug, my friend). Same way "O' Calcutta" symbolizes Kolkata, "Jai Jagannath" denotes Odisha  "Oi Bai**od" defines Delhi.

The Terminal 3 at Delhi Airport is quite impressive. Immigration and Customs were shoo in. Restrooms (toilets) maintained nice and clean. No strong smell of ubiquitous phenol. 

Once no sooner I came out of IGI Airport in middle of night night than was treated like a hapless hare amid hounds baying for my blood by haranguing touts. I was forced to do an about turn and beat a hasty retreat, only to come out at break of the dawn to be ragged again. Things are a whole lot better now, no more such situations these days. 

At Amsterdam Airport on the way to motherland - India trip 2017

Boosted by couple of Bloody Mary cocktails (A Vodka and Tomato juice mix), the best Cattle Class can offer, I passes 8 hours flight to Amsterdam to be welcomed by a fleece of pretty bluish white clouds which would have made another Mary of Little Lamb fame proud - for the top view of the spotless white cloud from an unadulterated virgin sky looked like millions of white furred lambs on move.

Kudos to the person who coined the term Cattle Class for the Economy Class which sounds more politically correct. A la Cattles heading for QATAL (kill) loaded in trucks, the economy class passengers are packed like sardines. While getting out of flight, they scramble to pluck their carry ons from the overhead compartments, only the HEK HEK sound of the cowherd goading cattles as seen during twilight in villages of Odisha conspicuously missing.

Curtains fell on the day as it became night around 9.30 PM. Flying East at 50 degree latitude close to a speed of 600 miles (960 km) per hour about a month close to the Summer Solstice, the night was still young. The darkness lasted hardly 4 hours when bright daylight seeped in through the window of my window side seat somewhere above the vast blue Atlantic under a matching azurre sky.

One thing I noticed at Amsterdam Airport Restrooms (toilet) - the faucets on wash basins work opposite to their counterparts in US. You turn the faucet right to get hot water and left for cold.

This is my 5th flight to India via Amsterdam. Like any first experience in life, my first flight to Amsterdam from US was unique enough live an imprint on my mind. The flight left the Detroit airport late due to a thunderstorm. Just before reaching the Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam, I realized that I might able to make it to my connecting flight in nick of the time - if I am one of the first to get off the Airplane.

I ran to the front and explained to the Airhostess my situation. "May I stand close to the front door, holding the handle of the emergency door on one hand and my carry on bag on wheels on the other before the plane lands ?" - I asked for the permission. That way, I will be the first to run off the plane fast enough to catch my next plane".

She gave me a sarcasm laced look, followed by laughed - " Sir, you can't do that. You need to go back to seat and fasten your seat belt as we are about to descend for landing". I got the message and turned back to my seat.

She must have thought of me of some kind of GANWAAR (rustic) guy. If she would ever had travelled in a bus in Odisha, I am sure she would have empathized with me. I have jumped the line multiple times while travelling from Dhenkanal to Bhubaneswar.

No sooner than the bus reached its final destination of Badambadi bus stand, than I would jump the line to be in the rat race to be the first one to get off the Link Road, appropriately named so, for it provided the link to Bhubaneswar. As I trampled over others and others trampled on me, it's a struggle to finish before I board my bus to BHOWNSARA (as pronounced by touts and bus conductors loitering around).

Apparently, I was still in the Badambadi - Link Road mode, replicating what I used to do on MAHABAHU (The Great Arms, another name for Lord Jagannath) bus on the KLM Airbus 330, another name for the Royal Dutch Airlines. Old habits die hard. More later...

  

Preparation for India trip - 2017

Jet, set and go. Columbus --> Atlanta --> Amsterdam --> Bhubaneswar. Hours left before I leave and miles to go before I reach. This is the moment I eagerly look forward to every other year, an exciting time before I makemytrip to India. (not a typo, Makemytrip is the name of a popular travel website, which might very well find its way into the English lexicon).

Incidentally and coincidentally - I am travelling to India on my Birthday. The choice of the day is inadvertent, as the such trips are planned months ago, governed by factors like getting time off from work, social & family occasions, children's school schedules, price of air tickets and of course the weather in India (which not exactly salubrious now, but overridden by rest of the factors. Apart from cricket it is arguably the weather which unites India at this time of the year. Barring a handful of hill stations, from Ahmedabad to Agartala, Chandigarh to Chennai it is invariably hot and muggy now).

I am too excited and ready to take the heat. In life the feeling of apprehensive curiosity in anticipation of an event is often more pleasant than the event itself. It is going to be my 13th journey ever from Coke Land to my Motherland, India. As the D-Day approaches, excitement builds up.

Can't focus on work as my mind is preoccupied about the trip. My team members at work find it a bit odd, that we visit our home on vacation, when they travel away from home for the same. But there is so much fun homecoming when you are away from home.

Upon arriving in India, the initial days of jet lag and reverse cultural shock gives way to lots of attention from friends and relatives (an infrequent guest is treated more cordially than a regular one). Even if I try not to, I invariably end up eating like a pig.

My other favorites are typical Odia sweets like CHHENA JHILLI, CHHENA PODA, PAHALA RASAGOLA, Cuttack Mixture, freshly baked Naans, numerous Street foods, AVADA from temple. Especially those stuff we don't get here, even if we get it rarely tastes the same. I made a solemn promise to myself not -to eat any Pizza, KFC and McDonald (the last one doesn't have an outlet in Bhubaneswar anyway). Be Roman in Rome, be Indian in India, food or otherwise.

Excitement would be an understatement, I am so thrilled and ready for the dog days of summer, hoping for an early arrival of monsoon as predicted to wash off the heat from the air, enough not to put a spanner on my vacation. Keeping my fingers crossed, for a nuisance free trip. For almost 4 weeks, no work and full play. Dear Motherland, here I come.

Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - XVII

This is the 17th and my last blog in the series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Hope you enjoyed..

TOWARDS SUNSET IN 1950s ODISHA

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In 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India visited Bhubaneswar. Due to his chronic diabetes, Nilakantha Das could not go to meet him. On hearing this, the President himself went to the later's house. Both were once roommates in Hazaribagh Jail, where they formed a special bonding. Even though he was the First man of India, Dr. Prasad made a point to see an ailing Nilakantha Das.

Sri Das hasn't forgotten to mention about his wife Shrimati Radhamani Devi, who played a supportive role to her husband in politics. She was once the President of Satyavadi's NARI MANDALA SAMITI, a women's group and chief proprietor of the local Girl's school. In 1931 she went to jail for protesting against British.

In the same year, he was elected as the pro-Chancellor of the newly formed Utkal University, along with Godabarisha. In 1957 he was honored with the PADMA BHUSAN Award.

In 1957 elections Nilakantha Das was elected unopposed on a Congress ticket and became the speaker of the house. But his term lasted only 3 years, as the coalition ministry headed by Mahatab collapsed due to the differences of partners, followed by imposition of President's rule.

The President rule was lifted and fresh elections was announced for May, 1961. This time the Congress party in Odisha was led by Biju Patnaik, a strapping 6 feeter and an industrialist with a reputation for flying his own plane on daredevil misssions. A sidelined Mahabab refrained from campaigning, with Nilakantha Das watching from the sidelines how nasty, low level politics and corruption slowly creeping into the system.

He was soon to be vindicated. Under Biju Patnaik in charge of ticket distribution, his application to recontest was rejected. It surprised not just Nilakantha Das, but many stalwarts of Odisha politics, for in the prior election he was elected unopposed. 

Pandit Nilakantha Das was thus reminded of the HADA BALADA RA ATMA KAHANI (The biography of an aging Ox). An already aging Das felt as helpless as an old Ox, taking conniving maneuvering of the political newcomers into his stride.

In last throes of politics, this incident in early 1960s marked the end of his political career. A few years later, Pandit Nilakantha Das breathed his last on 6th November, 1967. He was the last of the Mohicans, the last of the PANCHA SAKHA (The five friends) whose demise marked the end of an era - for after him Odisha has produced many MPs, MLAs but hardly any leader.

(CONCLUDED).

Odd man out at Volunteer Luncheon

Yersterday I went to attend the Tax Preparer Volunteer's luncheon. No sooner the lunch started after the introductory speech by the Coordinator, than I noticed something unusual. I was the only man amongst a score of people inside the room, the rest were women, including our site coordinator - evidently the odd man out amidst a group of women. 

Over a long lunch of Barbecued chicken, pulled Pork, Coleslaw and Potato salad washed down with Iced Tea and Soda the mostly ladies only room was ignited with typical girly gossips. While eating silently, my poking eyes and ears savored on the tete a tete circulating around the room.

Hey your hairstyle is soooo cute ! This lipstick suits you soooo well ! You look so nice on this Scott. Where did ya get it from ? You look soooo pretty today, got the compliments a girl sitting right in front me from another. It made her face glow instantly, like a lamp just switched on.

I wish some complimented on my looks or dress, as lipstick was out of question. No one bothered to. Unfortunately neither I was not from Scotland where men are known to wear scott. Next time I might try wearing a mulit color, check LUNGI (loincloth), aptly folded to get as close to a scott.

Reminded of this incident in New Jersey inside my apparent complex when one of our DESI (Person of Indian origin) guy was roaming wearing a folded Lungi. A woman in the neighborhood reported to the property management - I just saw a man wearing Scott roaming around the complex. It might be time for me to emulate the feat.

My ever prying ears were up, a la ears of an alert cat, as I continued overhearing their conversation. An old lady was bitching about her daughter in law (it is not unusual for in-laws not to get along, an universal phenomenon it seems). 

She was uttering to the lady sitting next to her - "My daughter in law has an extra key to my house. The other day, I found some of my missing items in her home". When confronted, rather than being apologetic she retorted back, "You have been hoarding stuff  inside since time immemorial. What's wrong if I use them? "EXCUSE ME, the mom in law exclaimed !!! Ain't taking stuff without permission from my house tantamount to stealing?" - she shook off her head as she went on doing character assassination of her daughter in law. Ummm, Ummm...her listeners nodded in unison.

Another not so old lady whined about her hubby spending way too much time chatting to his ex. His readymade response to the apparently jealous and nosey woman was very standard - "We are just friends". The suspicous wife feels they're more than just friends. Her listeners drooped their heads sidewards - " Ah, the Men. Amen". The lonely man in me inside the room was thoroughly outnumbered to register even a token protest. I continued munching my Barbecued chicken, enjoying the milieu.

A few discussions veered around dogs and cats. They were showing pictures of their pets, with "Awww..awww..cho chweets" around. I was also shown the picture of a hazel eyed brown kitty. But my response was very bland - "A cute cat", in contrast to the spicy flavor of the hot Sriracha sauce I liberally poured on my plate.

Read somewhere before, Women -"Divided by ego, United by gossips". More united, if the gossips are mother in law and daughter in law related.

ICJ Verdict against Pakistan in Jadav case

India beats Pakistan yet again, as it has done more so often these days in the field of cricket and hockey. This time at another one at ICJ court. I am so glad it happened.

Following the victory, Pakistan falls in line. Within 48 hours it releases its prized catch Jadav at the Wagha border. That's my midsummer day dreaming.

Though I sincerely hope so, I doubt it will happen. Even if it happens, it may not happen anytime soon, as the wily Pakis are adept at playing hardball. The good news - India won a court battle in ICJ, a toothless tiger anong courts. The bad news - the war is far from over and Pakistan cares a hoot about India. 

Clina and US can enforce Pakistan to bend by threatening to stop writing their next check. If they te Pakistan to jump, the later will ask "how high". Modi and India are hardly in a comparable position, rather positioned themselves well for the next push from Pakistan at its place and time of choosing.

And don't be surprised if Jadav dies of diarrhoea or dengue, may be from sudden heart attack - all duly certified by the Paki authorities. The best of our reaction will come in the form of KADI SE KADI NINDA (strongest of strong condemnation).

Why so ? Reasons are many and not that simple. It is rumored that Pakistan has the Trump card of posessing a list of dossiers on some high level folks in India well compiled by ISI using the good office of Dawood Ibrahim. 

Those can move and shake our movers and shakers, causing irreparable damage to a lot by creating an earthquake of sorts. Jadav can be a collateral damage - a sacrificial pawn in the great games played behind the scene. And we always have our portent weapon of KADI NINDA handy as a mode of retaliation.

Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - XVI

This is the 16th and penultimate blog in the series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Enjoy...

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS

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Nilakantha Das was a maverick but progressive person, piquant and at odds with the prevalent superstitions of the time. He has devoted an entire chapter to this, clearing the aura of BHAKTIKA MITHYA or devotional lies attributed to famous personalities.

One of them was about UTKALAMANI (The Jewel of Odisha) Gopabandhu Das. Sri Lingaraj Mishra wrote this sometime in 1950s when a statue of Utkalamani was inagurated in Cuttack - When Gopabandhu's only son was laying on death bed in 1904, he got the news about the devastating floods in Odisha.

Bidding adieu to his son at his bedside, Gopabandhu said - "so many sons of my country are perishing. I have to serve them, even if I have to leave my son on his death bed", before proceeding to flood impacted areas to serve the impacted folks.

Then poet Radhamohan Gadanayak wrote a long poem eulogizing Gopabandhu on this. No question about our beloved Utkalamani's unflinching dedication and commitment towards social service, but this was simply a devotional lie spread by his BHAKTs (devotees). 

Nilakantha Das has kept the records straight on this by providing detailed facts with timelines. Lingaraj Mishra who wrote this popular anecdote didn't know Gopabandhu before 1921. The later was never involved in serving people in flood or draught affected areas until the year 1908 when he formed the "Young Utkal Association". It was good 4 years after 1904 when the claim of him abandoning his sick son to serve the calamity stricken people was made.

Per Pandit Das who knew Gopabandhu from close quarters - Utkalamani was not a stoic person, rather he had a soft, caring heart. Nilakantha had seen in his own eyes, in presence of Late Sadashiv Mishra (a famed teacher in Puri Jilla School) the death of Gopabandhu's infant son in the arms of his wife. Needless to say, the parents were inconsolable. He was his only son and there was no flood during that time.

Another devotional lie was Gopabandhu after his son's death and before the great flood of 1908 was a saffron clad Sanyasi (yogi) roaming across the nation. That was also nowhere close to truth. Had these facts were not disclosed by Sri Nilakantha Das, these urban legends would never have been debunked and turned to gospels.

 (MY CONCLUDING BLOG FOLLOWS, AS I READ 📖 FURTHER)

Mid term performance assessment of Modi

We just passed the 3 year anniversary of Modi's spectacular victory in the 2014 Parliamentary election in India. Unlike many, I reserved my judgement about its performance till now. Because it takes a while for the results of performance to tickle down to ground, so 6 months past the midpoint is a good checkpoint of the ground realities.

ADMINISTRATION - We can cherry pick on some administration lapses, but in general Modi's administration is a nice breather from the scams and corruption scandals in a huge scale which was the sine qua non of the previous UPA government. A focus has been made on infrastructure development which had been stalled and is key to sustain India's economic progress. But more needs to be done to tackle the Maoist menace which is periodically raising its ugly head.

ECONOMY - It is doing not so bad at this moment with 7 plus GDP growth, especially when the world economy is facing headwinds. Though some dispute the GDP has been manipulated, still it is better than what it was under the moribund UPA which suffered from policy paralysis.

Also is important to note, Indian economy has been benefited by couple of factors beyond its control.

First, the monsoon has not played truant in last 3 years. Agriculture is still an unorganized sector which employs 70 percent of its population and a monsoon failure can put a spanner on the growth.

Second, the global crude oil price has halved since Modi took office. This has been a boon for India, an enery hungry country which imports 80% of its crude oil from outside, putting less pressure on its national exchequer.

DEMONETIZATION - though a step in the right direction, corruption is hydra headed moster who needs more than overnight demonetization to cut off its head. It would be futile to expect the demonetization to put a full stop into corruption, so its impact was limited and temporary. Those who indulge in corruption have 101 innovative ways of escaping from it and escaped the threat post demonetization threat. (If a Nobel prize is given on innovative ways of escaping from corruption, India's draught of winning the coveted prize will vanish).

INCLUSIVENESS - Though extremely popular within the Hindu community, especially among the upper caste, Modi has not been able to bring the vast majority of minorities into its fold. Almost all my Muslim friends have a dislike for him - some overtly, and the rest express in private. Bottomline - Modi is still a divisive personality, a status hardly changed since 2014.

FOREIGN POLICY - Not to mention the hype surrounding him, Ajit Doval has so far failed to produce any tangible result on the ground. Kashmir is boiling, Pakistan is as recalcitrant ever and doesn't care about the 56 inch chest of Modi. India is still perceived as a toothless snake by Pakistan - can hiss, but can't bite.

Relationship with China is at stalemate. In spite of Trump's ABAKE BAAR TRUMP SARKHYAAR (after this Trump Administration) harping about India being a victim of terror attack from Pakistan, there is hardly any sea change in American policy towards Pakistan Rest assured, Uncle Sam keeps on writing checks to India's western neighbor for its nuisance value.

In the meantime Modi has learnt the art of winning elections, an art perfected by the Congress party under Indira Gandhi. Coupled with the TINA (There Is No Alternative) factor, Modi led BJP is all set to win reelection in 2019 (Though India is a Parliamentary democracy, elections are often personality based contests, like in Presidential elections)

In geography, we studied about Absolute humidity vs Relative himidity. So in Absolute term, I will give 6 out of 10 to Modi's admission, a slightly better than average. On the relative term, it is much preferrable to the Congress led UPA, any day, any time.

Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - XV

This is the 15th in the series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Enjoy...

POLITICAL LIFE POST INDEPENDENCE

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In 1946, Nilakantha Das's ex colleauge at Satyavadi, Sri Lingaraj Mishra was elected to Odisha Assembly. But an insecure Mahatab was reluctant to make Mishre (Mishra jee in Odia) a minister. A peeved Mishre approached Pandit Nilakantha, after whose intervention Lingaraj Mishra was made the minister of "Health and Education".

At the same time, with a plan for building a modern hospital in Satyavadi, Pandit Nilakantha Das invited the Queen of RANAPUR (another vassal state) to a massive rally organised by him at Gopabandhu Das's cremation ground. Thousands swarmed the meeting. Impressed by Pandit Das's oratory skills and dedication for a good cause, the queen immediately granted 2.5 lakh Rupee, a pretty good amount at that time. Lingaraj Mishra repaid his bebt to Nilakantha by facilitating its grant as the minister.

In 1951, Pandit Nilakantha contested as an Independent candidate against his rival from the Congress. It was a risky step to contest against the official Congress candidate, a party at its height of popularity post independence for bringing freedom to people. Nevertheless, he took this risk. 

Being from the Congress party, a party in power at the center his rival had the advantage of MATARA GAADI (automobile), though motorable roads were a luxury those days. In contrast Pandit Das's best luxury was his bullock cart which took him to the nooks and corners of his constituency, the best mode of transportation in a labyrinth of fair weather roads connecting the villages

But the indebted Satyavadi folks had not forgetten their hero. They spent their own money and effort, volunteering to campaign and working hard for their candidate's victory. He won that election by comfortable margin.

Nilakantha Das again won the following election in 1957 - this time uncontested.

He then became speaker of Odisha Assembly in 1958, the same year Odisha Sahitya Academy was formed at Bhubaneswar with an annual budget of Rs.1 lakh. He was the President for the Academy for a year.

Soon he got a letter from Nehru who knew Nilakantha for a long time, requesting him to join the Congress party. Nabakrushna Choudhary, another prominent leader persuaded him to join Congress. 

(TO BE CONTINUED, AS I READ 📖 FURTHER)

Banvaas boon from Lord Ram

When Lord Ram went to BANVAAS (self exile into forest) for 14 years the entire population of his Kingdom Ayodhya came to see him off. As he crossed the river Saryu he told the crying audience "All NARA (male) and NAARI (females) subjects of mine, please go back". 

After 14 years when Ram came back he was astonished to see 2 persons still waiting for him. A bewildered Lord Ram asked "Why you two did not go back ?" 

"O' Lord, you told that all NARA and NAARI can go back. Both of us are neither NARA nor NAARI. So we followed your order and stayed back" ' both responded in unison. 

Pleased with their devotion Lord Ram granted them a boon that both of you will rule UTKAL PRADESH (Odisha) for at least 14 years. 

Years later both were re-born to rule Odisha. No prize for guessing these two are. One of them ruled exactly for 14 years in 1980s and 1990s. The other one still enjoying Sri Ram's blessings.

Justin Bieber in Bombay

A lot of fanfare is on in anticipation of the pop sensation Justin Bieber’s visit to India. His itinerary is a closely guarded secret, with no one willing to talk about when he is expected to set foot in India, or where will he stay, or places he goes.

Hype and hoopla associated with the Western popstars visiting India is neither new nor unprecedented. Couple of decades ago Michael Jackson made a trip to Bombay, which was not yet Mumbai. He visited MATOSHREE, the residence of Bal Thackarey - the head of Siv Sena. 

After giving the Rockstar a rockstar's welcome, the undisputed Don of Bombay and the self proclaimed growling Tiger who scared the hell out of the city's citizens, cowered like a Kitten, posing for a photograph with MJ.

The lord of Bombay even went on boasting, being privileged by Michael Jackson using his loo. More than the Moonwalker's ever gyrating hips, his residues left in Balasaheb's residence mattered the most, the later openly expressed how blessed he was by the American doing so at his home.

Not long ago Justin Beiber had the largest number of followers on twitter. His records are blockbusters topping the chart. I can't remember anyone capturing the imagination of teenagers in recent times the way he has done. Girls swoon and go crazy over him. Boys emulate and desire to be him. Fans flock in hordes from neighboring nations when he has his concerts outside North America.

Alas, celebrity status does not come free. Too much fame can make one infamous. Some of his actions are not exactly worth idolizing. Success had apparently gone to his young man's head and at an young age he lacked maturity to handle it. 

Three years ago he was caught throwing eggs at his neighbor's home in LA. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of careless driving and resisting arrest seven months after his arrest in Miami Beach following what police initially called an illegal street drag race. 

At that time cops stopped his Lamborghini in Miami and charged him with possession of drugs and DUI (driving Under Influence). Not to mention in early 2004, he was caught in a kinky incident involving several girls inside his Limousine at his home country Canada. 

Reminds me of a stanza from Kishore Kumar' s song from movie NAMAK HARAAM (True to the Salt)

DAULAT AUR JAWANI

EK DIN KHO JAATI HAI;

SACH KAHTA HUNSARI DUNIYA

DUSHMAN BAN JAATI HAI.

(Wealth and youth, 

One day one goes away;

Truly speaking, the whole world 

From you turns away). 

Nothing sounds more prophetic. Sooner or later a new music star will eclipse him. Another celebrity will surpass him as far as twitter goes. World has seen Michael Jacksons and Britney Spears. Nothing lasts forever, never has.

Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - XIV

This is the 14th in the series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Enjoy...

NILAKANTHA DAS AND SUBAS BOSE

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In 1939, just before the World War II, Netaji Subash Bose called Nilakantha Das to his 32/8, Elgin Road residence in Calcutta. He heard about impressive leadership quality and charisma of Sri Das. In spite of an extremely busy schedule, he huddled a conference with the triumvirate of Pandit Nilakantha, Jadumani Mangaraj and Godabarisha Mishra. 

Netaji told them - "My hunch is, Japan is going to win this war as British are on decline". Anticipating it, he laid out his vision of an independent India where the Eastern region is going to play an important role. He continued further, "It's now time to start the groundwork of governance for the eastern states of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. So, Mr. Das, I would leave Odisha to your leadership as I can't think of anyone better than you".

Nilakantha interacted extensively with both Nehru and Subash Bose. No doubt, Subash Bose was the more charismatic and a fiery, arousing speakers compared to Nehru. Nilakantha fell to Netaji's charm and his blood curdling, goosebumps arousing slogan - "Give me blood, I will give you freedom". 

Alas, he missed UTKALAMANI (Jewel of Odisha) Gopabandhu Das and the later's poem which was no less inspiring

MISU MORA DEHA E DESA MATIRE

DESA BASI CHALI JAANTU PITHIRE,

DESARA SWARJYA PATHE JETE GAADA,

PURI TAHIN PADI MORA MANSA HADA.

May my body blend in this country's soil

May on my back my countrymen take a walk,

The potholes on path of self rule of my nation,

May it get filled with my flesh and bone.

Fully motivated by Subash Bose, upon returning to Odisha the troika went on political blitzkrieg, building a formidable combination of personalities from different spectrums, as diverse as the King of Paralakhemundi and Suhaan Khan of Muslim League - a Party who at that point riding the crest of Jinnah wave was giving Congress run for money, drastically cutting into later's support among Muslims.

In the meantime Hitler's tanks blitzkrieged into Poland on 1st of September, 1939 - marking the beginning of World War II. Later that month Subash Bose came to Odisha. As President of State Congress Nilakantha Das took Netaji around Cuttack atop an elephant. During that jaunt, both stayed in the same house in Odisha. During that period Netaji would consult Nilakantha, his Man Friday in Odisha before taking any decision during his campaign in the state.

Many of his colleagues were trying to persuade Netaji to give speech in Bengali. Nilakantha told him bluntly - "Please give speech in Hindi, English or Odia. Not in Bengali". Subas Bose duly obliged. In Puri BADA DANDA Netaji gave a fiery speech in Hindi, mocking Gandhi SUTA KAAT KE KYA SWARAJ MILEGA (isn't it preposterous to get self rule by making threads out of cotton) ? 

(My grandfather, then in his 20s heard this speech by Netaji and mentioned it in his Diary which I still hold on to like a Precious Jewel. I used to ridicule him when he showed me his photograph from 1939, wearing starched DHOTI or loincloth, thick, well drenched hair combed to a side divided by a prominently visible thin hairline, with RASHI TELA or til oil conspicuously dripping from it. I, as the NAATI or grandson was entitled to poke fun at my Grandpa ).

As expected, Nilakantha Das's closeness to Netaji aroused jealousy, especially in his native Satyavadi (Odias are champion in harboring jealousy towards the success of the fellow Odias, especially your near and dear ones). It shows the difference between leaders like Subash Bose and ordinary ones. A la GUNA CHINHE GUNIA, SUNA CHINHE BANIA (A talented person can spot a talent, as a goldsmith. can truly judge the quality of gold), Netaji Subash Bose was head above the rest. It was shameful and disgusting that the small time leaders of Odisha, rather than working under Pandit Das's leadership and making our state progressive, did everything to clip his wings.

This trait of his fellow Odias neither surprised Nilakantha Das and hardly perturbed him. This was an expected, inevitable political hazard, about which he was well advised and warned in advance by his mentor UTKALA MANI Gopabandhu who once told him - "JETE TU SAPHALA HEBU, SETE SHATRU SHRUSTI HEBE. HELE KANA KARIBA. EMANANKU NEI TA JATI NADNDIGHOSA KU AGAKU NEBA KU PADIBA, (The more successful you will be, more enemies will be created. But what can we do, we have to live with them to keep the  Juggernaut of Odia race chugging ahead). Nilakantha harbored no ill will towards his jealous detractors, so also the pragmatic Gopanadhu whose thinking was well ahead of his time.

(TO BE CONTINUED, AS I READ 📖 FURTHER)

Death Sentence for Nirbhaya killers - 2017

Today the Supreme Court delivered death sentence to the culprits of the Nirbhaya rape case which shook the nation few years back. The decision was on expected lines and didn't come to me as surprise. 

Jumping into judging the judgment of the judges regarding death sentence can be tricky. It's veracity needs to be looked beyond the narrow prism of caste, race or religion. Dastardly acts provoke dastardly response. 

The debate about Capital Punishment and the state taking law into own hands in a civilized society is probably as old as the civilization itself. I have seen many squabble over the efficacy of death sentence. The gloat over the death sentence awarded to those responsible for this heinous act was highest amongst women as they could relate to the agony of the victim. 

Males were certainly anguished by this heinous act, but the outpouring outrage from the ladies is quite understandable.  It probably explains why more males than females question the righteousness of the death penalty, especially in case of rape.

Yet, the contrast of opinions is quite conspicuous. Before passing some armchair judgment, let's take a pause and contemplate by stepping into the shoes of the victim's family, be it Nirbhaya's (the girl raped in Delhi) or anyone else.

It would be easy for me to preach eye for an eye is wrong, State has no right to kill an individual, blah blah. But would I be talking at the same breath if I can relate the victim to one of my near and dear one ? I don't think so.

In America death penalty is a state subject, most conservative states have it, most liberal states don't. The nation is evenly divided on the issue. Here the family of the victim is allowed to watch the execution of the perpetrator. 

They perhaps do it for a reason. It may not be humane, but it is human. I have no  illusions to be superhuman. Normally I won't hurt a fly, let alone watch someone die. But God forbid, if one day I am invited to such an event I will take the first row. 

No wonder in movies nobody sheds a tear when the bad guy falls. These Nirbhaya convicts goose is cooked, for one fine morning (not sure why hangings are done in the morning), they will be hung until death from the hangman's noose, as the President is highly unlikely to pardon them.

Hang in there. Before I end this blog, I can't but mention this monologue sonnet delivered by in the Hollywood Western Classic - "3.10 TO YUMA ", based in 19th Century US. Electric Chair wasn't invented yet, when Hanging in the Public was the preferred mode of execution in America's Wild Wild West. A hangman taunts the convict before taking him to the gallows :

"They will hang me in the morning,
They will hang me before dawn.
They will hang me in the morning,
I will never see the Sun".

I can attribute the same sonnet to these convicts. RIP Nirbhaya.

Raising fang can be as effective as biting

In our school, there was this mild mannered kid who was regularly bullied by his classmates. He lacked courage to counter attack and used to meekly say - CHHADA, MATE MARIKI SE BHARI BADA LOKA HEIJIBA. (Leave him, as if by bullying me he will be a big guy). 

That was his way of retaliation. Not that he was forgiving in nature, he was simply weak. And his tormentors knew it.

Considered as a BHALA, SANTA SUDHARA PILA (A good, quite, cultured kid), he earned everyone's empathy.  But no one ever came to his rescue and the bullying barely stopped.

Same happens to India, who is praised by big and small for showing immense restrain when constantly battered with fusillades from its western neighbor Pakistan. The only tangible and visible response it has done so far is KADI NINDA (strong condemnation). Alas, it hardly helps in stopping the bullying, not withstanding paeans of praises heaped at it from the Biggies, aka US, Russia, Western Europeans for showing immense restrain.

Reminds me of a story from the great PANCHATANTRA (Five Treatise), a series of meaningful short stories compiled by our ancient story teller Vishnu Sharma. Once a sage told a snake to stop biting people. The snake followed the sage's order quite literally.

One day the badly beaten snake came back to sage blaming him for his bad HAALAT (plight). The sage said - "I told you to stop biting, did not tell you to stop hissing or raising your fang". 

The snake got the hint and was never attacked again. Hopefully we take a cue from CHANAKYA and our Ancient texts. Our Nuclear weapons can be used to strike a lethal bite, but is redundant as hissing or raising the hood, snarling our poisonous teeth can do wonders.

Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - XIII

This is the 13th in the series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Enjoy...

THE POLITICAL PLUNGE

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Nilakantha Das was a member of Central Assembly from 1924-45 along with C.R. Das of Bengal. He was the part of Pro-changer section of the revolutionaries who wanted to fight for freedom by joining the political process via legislature. Gandhiji was a no-changer, who boycotted the Central Assembly. 

But that doesn't mean he abhorred Gandhi, the disagreement was healthy. He also participated in Gandhi's famous Dandi March in 1930. From 1932 Pandit Nilakantha became President of the Odisha Congress. Soon he went to jail for 18 months before getting elected for Central Assembly again and continued until India's independence in 1947.

After Gopabandhu's death, his enemies were creating sustained roadblocks against his political path. The major one was the wily politician and ex Chief Minister of Odisha, Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab. Not long before his death in January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi proposed Nilakantha's name as a member of All India Congress Working Committee, a rare honor for an Odia. 

But wily, old fox Harekrushna Mahatab fixed him. (The Crabby character, better known as KANKADA PRAKRUTI of Odias is legendary. Like crabs we are world champion of pulling legs of our own who we perceive as pulling ahead of us. The story goes - once a truck carrying baskets of crabs from different states of India turned over. All the crabs escaped from baskets sans one, the basket from Odisha which was found intact. No sooner an Odia crab tried to move out of the basket, than the others pulled him down).

Another touching incident was the death of Utkal Gouraba Madhusudan Das vividly described by Pandit Nilakantha. Couple of days before his death, KULA BRUDDHA (The Grand old man) Madhusuduan queried Braja Sundar Das - NILAKANTHA KAHIN (Where is Nilakantha) ? Braja Babu took a horse driven carriage to manoeuvre fast inside the city of Cuttack (the city wasn't congested yet) and traced him out of the house of one Chandra Sekhar Mishra.

Nilakantha rushed to Madhu babu's house and was saddened by his plight. He was in a very painful state, unable to have bowel movement in spite of having the urge to do so. But he gathered enough strength to utter - "After my death, I am passing the baton to Nilakantha. He is going to be the savior of Odisha. You should cooperate with him". (The two Pandits, Gopabandhu Das and Nilakantha Das were akin to the left and right hand of Madhu Babu. As the former was already dead, it was but natural for Madhu Barrister to pass his baton to Nilakantha Das). 

"Don't worry. It won't be necessary. You are going to recover" - responsed all present inside the room in chorus. "No, I don't think so," said Madhu babu, as he covered his head and went to sleep. 

The next day Madhu babu spoke in a feeble voice - "I am so overjoyed that the far flung territories of Paralakhemundi (part of Gajapati district now) and Jeypur (Koraput) are going to be now part of Odisha. I am so glad it is happening". He passed away the following day. To Nilakantha, it was akin to another shining star above the sky of Odisha grounded forever.

(TO BE CONTINUED, AS I READ 📖 FURTHER)

Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - X

This is the 10th in series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Enjoy...

Invited by Sir Ashutosh, then the head of the University of Calcutta to teach "Odia and Comparative language principle", Pandit Nilakantha Das left for the metro. It was September, 1920. 

His stay at Calcutta was important for couple of incidents, which brought the rebellious tendency out of him. It was during this stay in Calcutta he heard Lala Lajpat Rai's fiery speech, calling to embrace SATYAGRAHA (Followers of Righteous path), a mode of protest against the British rule.

Also, it was during this stay, he started keeping moustache as a youthful SHOUK (fashion). But soon it turned out to be a rebellion against the prevalent culture, shocking his fellow Brahmins from Puri when he came to the temple town. A leading Brahmin from the SOLA SASANA (16 Brahmin dominated villages surrounding Puri) Lokanath Rath bluntly told Sri Das - "Here in Puri, we will uproot your moustache". "Respected Rathe, don't ever dare that. It would be be tantamount to putting your hands inside a snake hole. You can be bitten big time", retorted back Pandit Nilakantha.

It was equivalence of waving a red flag before an already enraged Bull. A visibly annoyed Lokanath Rath organized a meeting against the moustache rebel inside "Ani Mahari Building", which famously housed an old Prostitute (the world's oldest profession thrived even during those days in the temple town of Puri). But they were no match to the oratory skills of Nilakantha Das, well supported by the influential and charismatic Gopabandhu Das. It didn't take long for the anti-Moustache protest to fizzle away.

Now back to Calcutta - inspired by the speech and later motivated by Sri Gopabandhu, Nilakantha Das left his cushy job in Calcutta and came to Sambalpur in the year 1921 to join the Freedom movement. At Sambalpur, the major city of Western Odisha, he started a school on the lines of the now famous Satyavadi School. Many eminent, rich persons of the city started sending their kids to the school as it flourished.

Soon he organized HARTAAL (protests) against the British, joined by students and lawyers of the city, singing SWARAJ BHAIYA ALBAT HOGA (Self rule will definitely occur). He also continued serving cholera and small pox stricken people in the remote villages of Western Odisha, caring and nursing them when no one would come close to the victims. 

Pandit Das started a weekly newspaper called SEVA (Service) to inform and educate the people. But like any new endeavor, money was the need of the moment. Padmalochan Mohanty, a renowned businessman of the time immediately pitched in, contributing Rs.120 for advertising. During his stay in Sambalpur he taught Odia in college for sometime before coming back to his place of birth near Puri.

Gandhijee visited the Satyavadi School during his trip to Odisha in 1923. Sri Das disagreed with his mode of operandi by getting freedom through spinning the wheel of CHARKHA. After completing his meeting at Puri, it was Gandhi's turn to proceed towards his next stop - Cuttack. 

Gandhi's team suggested that half of them would travel by train and the rest by PADAYATRA (March on foot). But Nilakantha advised all of them to take the walk, so as to build the momentum of public enthusiasm, giving Gandhi an opportunity to better connect with the local polulace. Gandhijee heeded to Pandit Das's advice, opting for a walk. 

On the entire journey Gandhi's entourage survived on boiled rice and vegetables. It was tough on Pandit Nilakantha, who loved his fish. Midway he came across a leper and donated his hand spun KHADADA (crude cotton cloth) to the destitute. Next day, Bapuji encountered a group of KELA (nomads) feasting on Barbecued KATASA (wild cat) who strayed into their camp. 

He went on preaching vegetarianism to them, trying to dissuade them from eating meat. Gandhijee advised them - "Eat milk and ghee which are good for health. Stop committing the HIMSA (violence) of killing animals". But for the poor nomads, milk and ghee were pipe dream, a distance luxury and KATASA MANSA (Wild cat meat) was the crude reality.

(TO BE CONTINUED, AS I READ 📖 FURTHER)

Kadi Ninda Singh

Once Home Minister Rajnath Singh was driving from Lucknow to Delhi. On the way he met an hitchhiker who asked him for a ride. "Hop in" - said Rajnath Singh.

Oblivious of the person who gave him the ride, the hitchhiker asked his name. "Don't worry. By the time I finish telling my name, we will reach Delhi" - replied the Honorable Home Minister. "Do you have such a long name Sir ? You don't sound South Indian" - queried the now perplexed hitchhiker.


It's a long story, as long as my name. My original name was Rajnath Singh. Not long after I became the home minister, Pakistan launched a terror attack on our soil. I responded with NINDA (Condemn). So, I was christened - Ninda Singh.


Then Pakistan launched one more attack. I responded with KADI NINDA (severe condemnation). I became K. Ninda Singh. Another attack followed, I retaliated with KADI SE KADI NINDA (Strongest of the strongest condemn). I was renamed as KSK Ninda Singh.

As they reached the outskirts of Delhi continued the home minister - After the 489th attack and my 489th response, I became KSKKSKKSKKSKKSK Ninda Singh. The hitchhiker on the backseat was seen scratching his head, rolling fingers on his forehead.

He was immensely relieved when finally he arrived at his destination. "Going through the longest of long names in Chennai Telephone Directory was a walk in the park for me. But I can't take it any more", said the hitchhiker while thanking Mr. Singh for the ride. As he disemarked, he requested - "By the way Sir, do you have a headache pill to spare" ?