Trust Me, Boss!

As the first female member of the bomb-squad, Liza was often the object of attention.

Initially, when she seemed lost in wires, onlookers remarked, “Women are not wired for this!”

But, Liza never gave up.

-----

The squad’s young leader seemed to understand her perfectly.

He knew what drove Liza.

Her husband was one of the innocent victims of a bomb-blast.

His father too had been killed...

-----

Yes, I Know - It's Year End

The days have gone in a flash,
I know I've been busy & rash.
I can't retrieve what is past,
I know the memories will last.

I sincerely tried to gather lots here.
I know they may not buy me cheer.
No amount of cash or kind-
I know can earn me peace of mind.

The Monument

"Here lies Ijmar The Great", the elderly guide addressed the travel group on their fam-trip.

They were keenly staring at the centuries-old monument of a King. 

Writer Ramji was intently reading the barely legible inscription. 

"Do you know what is written?" their guide asked Ramji.

December Chills

Their team had gone for camping in the forest. 

She tried to express her love for him, but couldn't muster courage.

She knew he was interested in her. 

Whenever she looked at him, she found him already staring...

She overheard him requesting for her mobile number from another friend.

She waited for his call.

“Why didn’t he contact me?”

On the last day, she couldn't find him.

Climate Action

She was staring blankly.

The lake was dry.

There was not a drop of water anywhere.

She realized that her town was in deep climate crisis.

She felt responsible, but just didn't know what to do next.

That's when he came and stood by her side.

He saw what she saw.

He could see fear in her face. 

“No worries! I'm here!"

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

He got into climate action mode.

He chose the colours, brushes and strokes.

The Scientist

As a young sincere scientist and smart historian, Lata proudly held her latest invention in a bottle in her hand.

She wanted to test whether her invention worked.

If all had gone right, just one drop from the bottle on the ground would show a picture of the structure that previously existed on that particular land.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Authentic Black Beauty

They rejected me outright & treated me like dirt.
I could only pity them, far from getting hurt...
I emerged refreshed by dipping into my private pool,
They still gave their verdict- I am a loser & uncool!

Seeing my skin-colour, they said I'm "black".
They felt they were being "right" & on track.
Correct that I'm black; but, there's more to me.
They can't see the real me- filled with authenticity!

I Rest My Case

I visited my college buddies for their 10th Marriage Anniversary.

I had played match-maker to bring them together.

A rude shock awaited me…

Sia & Tinto, my perfect romantic-pair, wanted to separate citing irreconcilable rift.

This was no reward...

Their request to employ my law-skills, touched a raw nerve. 

Two new jars with Black Olives and Peach Jelly stood proudly.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ronda Del Boccio

The Balancing Act

"This newly excavated city was built 5000 years ago," the senior researcher announced.

As Deena's eyes were fixed at the creative expression on stone, she looked like a woman possessed.

"Does this remind you of something?" her friend Rosy inquired.

"That's me!" replied Deena.

"You in your past birth 5000 years ago!" Rosy joked.

The Storm Magic

There is a storm that has been raging for long,
But, we choose to debate what is right/wrong.
We never acted before, now reaction is our chance?
We choose to ignore & continue our old stance!

The storm is on and that we understand.
We are at a terrible loss with no magic wand.
Even if we have a magic spell, it's worthless
Unless it's used, its magic is anyone's guess!

50,000 Rasagola Distribution By UMBS In Bhubaneswar

"Distribution of 50,000 Rasagolas", did you ask?
Yes, you read it right!

Today, 50,000 Rasagolas will be distributed by the Utkal Mistanna Byabasayee Samiti (UMBS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, at a sweet function planned.

Frequently Freaky

They were looking for a governess to manage their home and were happy when Maruti joined.
A short and fair woman, Maruti was very efficient with her work.
But, things never remained the same after she joined...

They wondered why there were frequent storms.
The drastic weather change was a point of concern.
Their tent got blown away.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields

When their new tent also got damaged, there was niggling doubt and fear.

Odisha Rasagola Earns GI Tag #OdishaRasagola

Odisha has finally earned the GI tag for Odisha Rasagola on 29th July, 2019!

The GI Application for "Odisha Rasagola" was filed on February 23, 2018, by Odisha Small Industries Corporation Limited (OSIC), under the MSME Department of the Govt. of Odisha.  Utkal Mistanna Byabasayee Samiti, an association of Rasagola sweet-makers of Odisha, was the joint applicant.

Busy Night

The first time he saw her, he desired to whisk her away.

Her exquisite beauty cast a spell.

He could not wait to lay his hands on her.

He had been working diligently to make a secret passage to her room.

He was excited that all his sleepless nights would finally make his dream come true.

"Gonna be a busy night", he thought as he bridged the final barrier.

                                                             ----o----

He was the focus of her attention.

A Journey Cut Short

Little Sam was excited to get ready for his first train journey.

He had just seen the pictures of trains in his books and videos of trains on TV and internet!

He would get to finally experience a real train!

He held on to his mother's dress.

She was busy with her cellphone.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

Suddenly, a burly man pushed his mother.

He picked Sam up and started running towards another train that had started moving in the opposite direction.

Beautiful Attraction

The street party was exciting.

There were food-stalls and plenty of fun-events.

They had invited the city's most important people.

She felt privileged to have got a pass.

She was enjoying herself when she saw him...

She was seeing him after nearly a decade.

He looked smart and handsome as usual.

He had always made her go weak in her knees.

She did not want him to see her.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

The Young Scientist

"Just because you won the 'Young Scientist' award, doesn't mean that we will believe your crap!"
Twelve-years old Ashok heard this from his classmates.

While his friends played games, he was lost in his science projects.
He was explaining about powering up satellites.They asked him to "act his age".

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Hera Panchami - Goddess Lakshmi Expresses Her Anger

Ratha Jatra is celebrated every year on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month). This grand festival that began in the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, is now very famous and celebrated all over the world. But, many are yet to be aware of the celebration of the days following the pulling of the chariots to Gundicha Temple on Ratha Jatra.

On Ratha Jatra, Lord Jagannath leaves the Shree Jagannath Temple and goes for a nine-day-sojourn with His siblings, Lord Balabhadra & Devi Subhadra, to their birth place at Gundicha temple, located 2.8 kms away. Lord Jagannath does not take His wife, Goddess Lakshmi along with Him when He goes with His brother and sister for the Ratha Jatra.

Text by Dash Benhur; Art by Tapan Moharana

Box Office Hit

She felt elated to walk into a movie hall after ages. A huge movies fan, she had to watch the latest release.

The last two years had kept her very busy in completing her autobiography.

A book publishing-house had accepted it.

She was excited that she'd soon get to see it in print. 

She hoped that her story would be accepted by a movie production-house as well. 

PHOTO PROMPT - Ted Strutz

Fellow Passengers

He was glued to his phone in the airport when he dashed against a fellow passenger.

Picking up her boarding-pass, he noticed her Indian name - "Roopa Dev".

Apologetically handing it over, he saw that she strikingly resembled his fiance, Natasha.

PHOTO PROMPT - Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

As Roopa walked away, Natasha came alive in his mind.

They were to get married some years ago.

She went for a trip to the Himalayas.

He was devastated to hear the news that Natasha had perished in a bus-accident there.

Three Musketeers

The journalist was eagerly interviewing the billionaire, who lived a frugal life.

There was a huge glass showcase where he had displayed trophies of all shapes and sizes.

The journalist could not understand why an old tea-kettle, a spoon, and an iron occupied space there.

PHOTO PROMPT - Valerie J. Barrett

"Don't these three stand out from the rest of the showcase?" he wondered aloud.

You Are A Part Of Me

I'm in my own world doing my own thing,
When something crosses my head that's exciting!
A word, image, gesture, smell...reminds me of you.
You are a part of me, and you haven't any clue!

My thoughts race to the moments we have shared,
The unspoken words & the secrets we have bared...
Something triggers and I see those moments replay,
You may have gone far; a part of you'll always stay.

That Familiar Place

Sanya often wondered what lay beyond the bright blue door in her grandfather's home's backyard.

He never answered her queries.

Sanya decided to investigate. 

When she found a fancy looking key and key-chain, she acted as though it was her genie in a lamp.

Castaway

When he came to his senses, he could feel the harsh rays of the sun.

Opening his eyes, he saw that he was lying on a soft bed of sand on a golden beach of a tiny island.

He remembered his boat getting capsized in a terrible cyclone the previous night.

He was alive!

PHOTO PROMPT - Susan Eames

Just Keep Swimming

“Ready! Get, set, go!”

The moment Sita uttered these words, the little ones jumped into their respective tracks in the pool.

PHOTO PROMPT - Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Having adopted these orphans, Sita provided them shelter and food.

They had to fulfil her long-cherished dream.

They had to earn medals for their country.

Sita put in a lot of effort to train them.

Unique Budhi Thakurani Jatra of Odisha

Budhi Thakurani Jatra (Old Goddess folk theater) marks a big celebration with the homecoming of the Goddess to her adopted father's place in the silk city, Berhampur (Brahmapur) of Ganjam District in southern Odisha.

Thakurani is the presiding deity of the Berhampur town. She is a form of Goddess Durga. 

Berhampur's Thakurani Mandir (Goddess Temple) is very auspicious. 

As the story goes, when Thakurani was a young girl, she was adopted by a local man named Deshibehera, belonging to the Dera community, a barber class. Once in two years, the presiding goddess, Thakurani visits her father's home.

Her father invites Her and an auspicious time of visit is decided. Thakurani's friends and neighbours are happy to see Her and visit Her. The kids are made to dress up in different attires- sort of fancy-dress viz. - Lord Krishna, Tiger, Hanuman, Radha, Monk etc. They do so to fulfill the maansika (wish) of their elders.

Devotees enthusiastically accompany Thakurani and take her around in a grand procession, moving around from house to house. There is a grand ceremonial procession. Many cultural activities are planned for kids.

Thakurani stays in Her father's home and makes everyone happy including herself. Then, She returns to Her temple.

Visitors throng from far and wide for Her darshan.

Anyone, irrespective of caste, creed, colour etc. can honour and worship Thakurani. 
Villages fix a wooden pillar/pole called the Shubha Khunti (auspicious pole) on an auspicious date.

After that, Thakurani comes to Her father's home on an auspicious time. After she stays for some days, it is time for her to leave till she comes again after two years.

I visited the Thakurani Jatra this year. Proud of our culture and unique celebration.

U for-Unique
I am blogging related to Odisha, India for the #AtoZChallenge this year.
Do check out my other #A2Z posts here. 

Padma Shri Agricultural Scientist - Kamala Pujari

Kamala Pujari is a strong tribal woman from Koraput district. This activist and scientist has done a great service to society by preserving hundreds of local varieties of paddy and promoting organic farming. This year, she was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award "Padma Shri".

Rice And Odisha Connection

The name 'Orissa' is derived from 'Rice'.

Rice is a cereal grain that is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima (African rice). 

The previous name of Odisha was Orissa. It was named so owing to its rich rice varieties.

The term 'Orua' prevalent in Orissa since early times seems to be the same as the Greek 'Oruza' meaning rice, and the Oxford Dictionary states the 'Oroza' is a loan word in Greek from some oriental source. The 'Oretes' (Greek) or the 'Or'/'Odra' (Sanskrit) people may, therefore, mean either the Rice-eating; or the 'Rice growing' people.

Quiz - Odisha Geographical Indications #OdishaGI

Here are five quiz questions to test your knowledge about the Geographical Indications of Odisha.
How many answers do you know?

1. You can see colourful lampshades and bags in this image. Identify this applique work of Odisha.

Ans1- Click here for the Answer


2. The bark of which tree is used to prepare the natural dyes that are used for this handloom fabric?

Ans2- Click here for the Answer

Padma Shri Chaiwala - D Prakash Rao

Shri Devarapalli Prakash Rao has recently won the Padma Shri for Social Work. A social worker from Odisha, he has been working tirelessly in the field of affordable education and health.

D.Prakash Rao is a simple and humble man. He is a change agent of Odisha. I first met him at an award function and then at many events of an NGO named 'Yes We Can'. 

This tea-seller barely manages to make his ends meet.

He always says, "I am a poor chaiwala" (tea-seller).

Wooden Sun Temple Of Odisha - Biranchi Narayan Temple, Buguda

The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Konark Sun Temple has been in the news for many reasons, including the recent #SaveKonark campaign to save this famous heritage site.

Though many know about this architectural wonder located in Konark in the Puri district of Odisha, many are not aware about the existence of the wooden Sun Temple of Odisha that is located in Buguda, a small town in the Ganjam district of Odisha. Sun God is worshipped in the form of Sri Biranchi Narayana.

Source: @Odisha_Tourism

Snow Queen

Sana could not believe her eyes seeing the snow.

PHOTO PROMPT - Roger Bultot

It hadn’t snowed in their town for the last five years...

Everyone knew it was the effect of climate change, but no one would do anything about it.

Akhaya Trutia and Chandan Jatra - Auspicious Festivals of Odisha

Akhaya Trutia is considered to be a very auspicious day in India.

Listening to Ved Vyas's dictation, Lord Ganesha started writing the Mahabharata on this day.

Akhaya Trutia is spelled in different ways- Akshay Trutiya, Akshaya Tritiya, Akhyaya Trutia etc.

In some Indian languages including Odia, the word "Akhyaya" means that which never gets diminished.

Akhaya Trutia day is chosen as an auspicious start for new beginnings like- house-construction, office/shop inauguration, performing marriages and thread-ceremonies etc.
Many people buy gold and jewellery on this auspicious day.

Adopt An Animal Of Nandankanan Zoo

If you visit Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha in India, you must visit the Nandankanan Zoological Park.
The name of this beautiful and rich zoological park is Nandankanan - meaning "The Garden of Heaven".

This zoo has amazing wildlife. I have many memories associated with this zoo, as I have visited it many times during my school vacations and on trips with my cousins.

Yogini Temples of Odisha

Odisha, a state located in eastern India, has many ancient temples. From the 7th and 8th centuries of the Christian era, tantricism had a strong presence and was practiced in different parts of India. 

The concept of Yogini cult was propounded by Matsyendranatha in Kamarupa in 8th century A.D.
The Kaula-Kapalika school and the Mattamayura school streams of religious thoughts contributed to the development of tantricism and the construction of shrines in the early medieval period in Odisha. Tantric arts and thoughts were very popular and well-developed in the ancient Odisha's regions- Kosala, Kalinga and Utkala. 

Odisha has two important shrines of the sixty-four Yoginis. One is located at Hirapur near the state capital, Bhubaneswar and the other is at Ranipur Jharial near Titlagarh in Bolangir district.
Goddess Parvati or Sati is called "Shakti". Shakti is divided into sixty-four parts; each part has a distinct identity/function and is termed 'Yogini'.

Sixty-four is called "Chausathi" in Odia language.

Thus, these temples are called Chausathi Yogini.

Both the Yogini temples are circular in shape and have no roof.

Hirapur village is located at a distance of about 15 kilometres to the east of Bhubaneswar. 

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Fani

Odisha, a state in eastern India, gets cylonic storms as visitors regularly.
The Supercyclone of 1999 wrecked large scale devastation. Thereafter, the recent cyclones namely-Cyclone Phailin in 2013, Cyclone HudHud in 2014, Cyclone Titli in 2018 etc are still fresh in our memory.
Now the state is on high alert as an extremely severe cyclonic storm "Fani" is slated to hit the Odisha coast in Puri district on May 3rd.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, India, has issued warning about Cyclone Fani.

Pretty Sunrise Partners

The pretty writer was enjoying the sunrise.

The bright hues in the sky were painting a story in her mind.

She loved happy stories.

She was comfortably seated on the beach, when a man came right in front of her.

PHOTO PROMPT - Sandra Crook

Vote For Bharat #VoteKar #Vote4Nation

Voting is our time & opportunity to choose!

Make use of the chance; why to lose?

11 April to 19 May - 7 Phases, 7 dates.

543 Constituencies; voters of 29 states.

Politicians, poll campaigns & multiple views,

Make the informed choice; not by fake news.

Misinformation, spoofs & parodies galore,

Offers- cash, drugs, gifts, biryani, petrol & liquor...

Don't be swayed by the lure of such gifts/notes.

Our country deserves our conscious votes.

Vote is not for sale; be responsible for right selection.

Let's commit & pledge ourselves for a fair election.