I Am Happy

I am happy to welcome a fresh new day.
I am happy when things go my way.
I am happy when I get to have a say.
I am happy when I drive negativity away!

I smile when life proves me right.
I smile when there's a funny sight-
Even when things don't appear bright!
I reach success, climbing its height.

When Fear Made Me Cheer

I was wondering if my life is out of gear.
I heard a knock that was loud and clear.
"Who is at the door? Who is here?"
I heard a rough voice, "I AM FEAR!"

The answer's gravity made me feel giddy.
My eyes opened WIDE, but I wasn't READY.
I couldn't believe my ears; it was heady.
When fear visits, how can one feel steady?

Orissa Ikat #OdishaGIs

Ikat is a process of tie-and-dye weaving. Orissa Ikat is locally called “Bandha”. 

Orissa Ikat fabrics on Cotton, Silk, Tussar and their combinations are handlooms made through a special tie and dye yarn technique - either in warp or in weft or in both warp and weft threads, so called Warp Ikat, Weft Ikat or Double Ikat. 

Kotpad Handloom Fabric

Kotpad refers to the vegetable-dyed handloom fabrics of Odisha, India. Kotpad is named after the village where such weaving is being done from centuries. 

These natural handloom fabrics are handwoven by the tribal weavers (Mirgana caste) of Kotpad cluster of Koraput district in Southern Odisha.

Kotpad was the first product from Odisha that received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.  

The bark of ‘Aul’ tree is used to prepare the natural dyes. The bark is collected seasonally and stored for the year. It is dried and powdered. The powder is mixed with other oils and natural items for the dye. Many looms in the Kotpad cluster are engaged in the production of “Vegetable dyed Kotpad Handloom Fabrics”.

The motifs are universal (crab, fish, conch etc.) & regional (boat, axes, fan, temple, bow etc.) which reflects cross-cultural-linkages of the area. The motifs are manually developed by extra wefts.

Kotpad has been mostly used a bridal fabric and the tribal communities have been weaving this for centuries. Usually, the yarn is Cotton and Tussar. The products are sarees, shawls, dupattas, stoles, dress-materials, cushion-covers etc. Maroon and black colors are mostly used. It takes 3 weeks for the dyeing process and 3-4 weeks for the weaving. 

Kotpad products are suitable for all seasons.

I love the natural smell and colours of the Kotpad handloom fabric.

Kotpad is a GI of Odisha, India.

Type: Handicraft

GI Application# 10

Certificate Date: 2/6/2005

Ministry of Commerce & Industry organized an Exhibition of Geographical Indications (GI) at the GI Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) at New Delhi in Nov 2018. I represented Odisha GIs at the GI Pavilion at IITF. You can read more about the #OdishaGIs here. 
Let us all use GI products - the "invaluable treasures of incredible India", and encourage our artisans, weavers, and farmers.

Up To Date

He liked her.
He never could muster enough courage to tell her that.
The college picnic was in a hill-station.
The ambience was perfect.
That day he had decided to share his feelings.
But, a youth came in his vehicle and she went away with him.

It was the last time he saw her in his college.
She was gone...