Theme Reveal #AToZChallenge 2020 #OdishaGI

Our country, India, is vast and varied and boasts of 'Unity in Diversity'. 

Odisha is one of the 28 states of India. Odisha is located in the eastern part of India.

Like India and many other states of India, Odisha too has a rich history, heritage, and culture. 

There are many unique products of Odisha that are being made by certain communities from many centuries. Some products belong to a specific part of Odisha i.e. they are only made/manufactured in a village, block, city, or district. Some of these products are internationally famous. 

My Theme for this year's April #AToZ Challenge is - the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI.

I have taken up this theme as I would like to share information about the GI-Tags of Odisha. These are linked with the culture and traditions of my state, Odisha.
Many people are yet to know and to be aware. A lot of misinformation and fake news is still being .

I feel we need to know the facts and truth so that we can stand up for them and defend them.

This is my humble endeavour to create awareness.

Do follow my posts to learn more about the GIs of Odisha.

This is the fourth year I am participating in the April A To Z Challenge.
This is the first time I am sharing a Theme Reveal post :)
While in my maiden challenge in 2017, I had written and shared poems, in the last two editions of the challenge, my theme was- Odisha. 
You can check out my #AToZChallenge posts here.

Are you aware of Geographical Indications? Do share in the comments below.

Coronavirus Too Shall Pass

Coronavirus too shall pass and become the past,
This attack can't continue; surely it won't last.
All we need is be hopeful & stick on like glue.
"Tough times don't last, tough people do."

All of us are on the same boat now; united we stand.
Our world has a common enemy; we understand.
As each of us battles coronavirus- deadly & invisible,
To win this war, let's be optimistic & responsible.

No colour, gender, border, religion, region or race,
Time to show our nerves of steel & our brave face.
Our contribution can help our world in this fight.
#StayHomeStaySafe & Social Distancing is right.

Pattachitra from Odisha, India - Traditional art work depicts a woman wearing mask

Telecast of Ramayan And Mahabharat

When PM Modi ji announced Janata Curfew on March 22, 2020 to fight coronavirus, and citizens followed his call countrywide, the streets were deserted that Sunday. Seeing the visuals in the news, I told my father that this was how the streets looked when Ramayan and Mahabharat used to be telecast on Doordarshan in the late 80's.

I was in school and I remember how the whole family used to be glued to the screens when these shows were telecast. My grandparents, both from my paternal and maternal side, were particularly happy.
My maternal grandparents were seated in their chairs much before the shows were to start, and asked everyone - all my uncles, aunts, cousins and us (when we were around) to come. If anyone was missing, she/he would be called. It was like an alarm or school-bell to signal presence and alertness to imbibe the precious lessons.
The scene in my paternal grandparents house was not much different. They used to also invite all the 'khalasis' (workers) and household staff and all watched together as the extended family-members in the huge hall.
Everyone looked forward to the screening. These were truly mega-family shows. They brought together family members of different ages, and they all enjoyed watching the shows together.
They were popular with all, especially all the elders of the family, who advised everyone to watch.  Their wishes were the family's command.
Also, there was no alternate channel for choice/competition, and thus no jostling for the remote or flipping channels! 

Micro Superhero

"Sorry, we cannot accept this for publication! 

It has some words that are not even in the dictionary! 

Is the plot even possible?"

Amy had typed every word with great imagination.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jeff Arnold

She clutched her novel's manuscript and made her way out.

It was their loss that they could not understand her Micro Superhero's story. 

She self-published.

The scientific fraternity was shaken six decades later. 

Lessons From Coronavirus #Covid19

The coronavirus i.e. Covid-19 has several lessons for the world.

Pandemic for the World

World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic. Almost our entire world has been affected by the coronavirus, with patients now spread over 195 countries by now. We are all on the same boat and united in our fight against the coronavirus.

Source

Many have been killed across the world.

About 30 military trucks have crossed Italy’s Bergamo, from the cemetery to the highway, with about 70 coffins of people killed by coronavirus that the cemetery can no longer manage: there are too many and will be cremated or buried elsewherehttps://t.co/OBTvmfIyuK

— Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) March 19, 2020

Haves and Have-Nots 

Coronavirus does not differentiate between the rich or poor nations, or the non-religious or religious. Age, gender, race, income etc. factors do not matter as now all that matters is - whether we are safe and do not 'have' the virus, and if we do 'have', then how to ensure we do not infect the 'have-nots' (i.e. those who are not suffering and do not 'have' the virus.). Nations are busy working to ensure the 'haves' population in this case is checked and 'have-nots' maintain their status.

But, nations have to address the costly economic aspects too. The 'have-nots' (i.e. the poor- those without social security, bank-balance and income) need support in this tough time.

Apart from the toll on lives, the legacy of COVID-19 may well be deaths due to stress, loss of livelhoods, a rise in homelessness & in extreme situations, civil unrest. The only global experience that has lessons for us in the current situation is the last world war. (2/4)

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 19, 2020

Nirbhaya Case Justice #NirbhayaNyayDivas

On March 20, 2020, four animals were hanged at Tihar Jail. Calling them ‘animals’ is actually an insult to the animal species. As our motherland was relieved of the burden of the four, we breathed a sigh of relief that FINALLY there’s closure to the Nirbhaya Case...
Bharat Mata, Nirbhaya’s parents, Nirbhaya’s lawyer, and Nirbhaya Case followers & supporters now have reason to rejoice.
Efforts have borne fruit. Justice was delayed, but not denied.
March 20 is special as we celebrate the "International Day of Happiness" & Pakhala Dibasa too.

On Spring Equinox, the first day of Spring, we got the happy news FINALLY.
The strong crowd outside the jail cheered.

For us, henceforth the date will also be memorable as - #NirbhayaNyayDivas i.e. the day to commemorate justice for Nirbhaya.
From the past 7 years, we have been thinking why this ‘rarest of rare’ case of 2012 for which capital punishment had been announced in 2013, and that had extensive media coverage, public anger & pressure, law & fast-track court, & President’s support, was taking so long?
Why were the rapists & their lawyers given so many chances to feel victorious time and again?
Why were they allowed to waste precious time of the court?

Why were the dates shifted & new dates getting fixed?

Why new petitions were allowed to be filed by their lawyers again & again?

Who gave the money & support for the rapists’ case? Don’t those people deserve punishment too for siding up with the devils?

Copycats And Plagiarism - Real Life Examples

I have experienced people copying my words, thoughts and ideas many times.

I can never comprehend why some people pass off what doesn't belong to them as their own.

I feel the original thinkers/idea-proponents must get their due credit.

In school, I remember two of my classmates surreptitiously copying my Hindi essay. As there was no scope to photocopy the pages in school, they were doing a quick word-for-word copy. Their strategy was- write it, learn it by rote, and reproduce it in the exam. After all, marks matter.

Then, in Class-X, some classmates wanted my Sanskrit to English translations as our Sanskrit teacher praised my answers in class. Ditto for my History answers. Thus, my note-copies became the reference point for model answers with the teachers' recommendations!

Teachers generally praise you in your absence. You can get to learn of their kind words and benevolence when you find your classmates making a beeline to your note-copies! 

You are expected to be responsible to share and contribute positively to uplift the class standards and average score! 

After all, the all-important career-deciding Board Exams are at stake!

Dream Car

Ever since she was a child, Misu loved cars.

She knew the names of all the models.

She always said, "When I grow up, I will have the best car in the city!"

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Some relatives laughed. 

They reminded her how poor she and her family was. 

"You don’t even have a decent dress!"

Beware of Copycats! Copycats Beware!

You have not any brain of your own?
Does not your conscience prick?
How dare you take ownership alone!
You showcase my work! You're so sick!

Like an expert magician, who enthralls,
You present my very own ideas as yours!
With praise, recognition, awards & calls,
You get to effortlessly enter many doors!

You have not the 'C' of courage/creativity!
Yet they 'see' you as a cool hero/heroine!
You've copied getting down to the nitty-gritty.
The fruits of my efforts- you get to win!

The Spring In Her Life

Folklore says there was an underground spring in that place. 

Rhia's grandparents had heard and read, but never seen it.

"It must have existed some centuries ago, before we were born," all the seniors said.

Archaeologists shared the same opinion. 

The rocks were proof.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ceayr

The other proof was the centuries-old structure that had pipes, but there was no water in them anymore. 

The spring was the source of water that fed it.

Refreshing Attitude

When she started her store named "Freggie Fresh", everyone laughed.

She wanted fresh and organic fruits and vegetables to be available. 

She sourced them with great love from local farmers.

Customer reaction baffled her.

Her brand new store's shelves and walls told a different story- new graffiti daily…

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot