The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is scheduled for January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
17 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) have already been held. The previous one was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Each year, there is a theme for the event.
The theme of the 17th PBD Convention was "Diaspora: Trusted Allies for India's Advancement in Amrit Kaal."
This is the first time Odisha is hosting this event.
Odisha has several sites linked with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
However, these sites are unknown; even the famous ones are not included in the heritage map, route/trail, or circuit.
Let us take the Ramayana Circuit, for example.
Significantly, the Indian Government is taking steps to include all the sites related to the Ramayana. This welcome initiative will link and connect many devotees while helping forge cultural connections.
The Railway Ministry has introduced the "Shri Ramayana Yatra- A Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train."
प्रभु श्रीराम से जुड़े सभी महत्वपूर्ण धार्मिक स्थलों के दर्शन हेतु आज से भारतीय रेल चलाएगी रामायण सर्किट ट्रेन। जय श्री राम! pic.twitter.com/VWVE5Bms14
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) November 7, 2021
However, there is exclusion of some sites of Odisha like the Mahendragiri.
Great to find “Shri Ramayana Yatra- A Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train” @RailMinIndia.
— Anita Sabat - ଡ. ଅନୀତା ସାବତ (@anitaexplorer) June 21, 2022
But, there’s exclusion of Mahendragiri in the #RamayanCircuit.
Please include Odisha too.
Sites are linked with Ramayana #IncredibleIndia #dekhoapnadesh #VocalForLocal #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav https://t.co/pjlqxxTcGR pic.twitter.com/DIdf5Mbhsq
It was the
hottest-ever summer.
Liza had
never experienced such scorching heat.
Liza wasn't
prepared for what she saw next.
The sea receded
at least a kilometer away from their home on the beach!
Photo Prompt- Lisa Fox
Notable was the stump of a tree that was visible.
Their meeting was a coincidence.
Or perhaps destiny had special plans to bring them
together.
Otherwise, why would they have met in the theater,
seated side by side, to watch "The Special Ship" movie?
He asked her for a date at the promenade.
She agreed.
They saw the same special ship there!
Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot
It seemed like the ship had been shipped from Heaven for them!
It stopped in front of them.
Richy felt totally lost.
The signboards did not help.
She could not understand the local language.
Richy could not blame anyone.
The decision to visit this foreign city was entirely hers.
She thought she would see and learn new things.
But, this was such a challenging exercise...
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| Photo Prompt- Lori Wilson |
And then she remembered!
Today is a very auspicious day- The Dwadasi of Bhadra i.e. "the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra" is celebrated as "Bamana Janma" & "Onam."
Today is the tithi birthday of my father, Shri A.K.Sabat Finance Guru - CA AK Sabat.
Papa was born on this day (& not date).
May Mahaprabhu bless him with great health and happiness and fulfill all his wishes🙏
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| Papa at the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Agara, Bengaluru |
They had set their eyes & dreams,
They wanted to explore new realms!
They had to conquer the seas,
They were willing to pay hefty fees.
The sea seemed vast and rough,
They were intrepid and tough.
They constructed vessels to sail,
Skills & constant efforts never fail!
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| Pattachitra - Art of Odisha depiciting Bali Jatra |
"I’ve checked each and every box; there’s
no trace of the drugs."
The officer-in-charge, O, told the detective,
D.
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| Photo Prompt- David Stewart |
"O! Don't you know? This is a smart move
by the drug cartel to make the case slow!"
"Think out of the box; don't go with the flow!"
Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is hailed as the "Second Buddha".
He belonged to Uddiyana or Oddiyana. That is why he is called- Uddiyana Guru Padmasambhava.
Uddiyana refers to Odisha, India.
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| Book by Sri Prabir Kumar Pattanaik;BK Publications |
As per the Wikipedia-
Guru Padmasambhava's place of birth is disputed.
Most scholars believe he was born in the Swat Valley, Pakistan.
While on a long car journey,
little Chiku was impressed with the signboards.
There were quite a number.
 |
| Photo Prompt - Dale Rogerson |
He was excited to read them aloud.
When their car stopped to make
way for a gaggle of geese on the road, he read- 'Art Gallery.'
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| Photo Prompt - Jennifer Pendergast |
Guru Padmasambhava is revered across the world. He is also called Guru Rinpoche.
There are several texts about him. Udiyana or Oddiyana is believed to be his birthplace.
While looking for Udiyana and Oddiyana, the above image and the following posts on X (Twitter) were accessed:
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara organized a two-day International Conference, "Exploring the Life and Living Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava."
This conference was held on 28th and 29th August 2024 at Nalanda, Bihar.The two-day International Conference on "Exploring the Life and Living Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava" is scheduled for August 28-29, 2024, at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar, India. Organized by the International Buddhist Confederation in collaboration with @nnmnalanda under the… pic.twitter.com/HZZeKHg3Qo
— International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) (@IbcWorldOrg) August 27, 2024
Odisha, a state in Eastern India, has had many names and references in the past.
We have discussed some of them in this post-
Utkala, Kalinga, Orissa - Some Names of Odisha -
https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2018/04/utkala-kalinga-orissa-some-names-of.html
ORIXA
"Orixa" is another name of Odisha.
It is shown in the following map of 1711 by Samuel Thornton-
Source: themaphouse.com
She leaves her home to stay with her man,
She adopts the new & does the best she can.
She sacrifices her dreams at the drop of a hat,
She accepts all & willingly becomes a doormat.
 |
| Source: X (Twitter) |
When I first met her, I was struck by her simplicity and dazzling smile.
It was 27 May 2017 & the event was the YES We Can Change Agents Awards Function- "Be The Change"-2- "Lesser Known Change Agents of Odisha."
Ikat is a technique of tie-and-dye of handlooms.
Some Indian states have the Geographical Indication (GI) tags for their own unique and special Ikat.
This includes-
Odisha- Orissa Ikat, Sambalpuri Bandha Saree and Fabrics, Khandua Saree and Fabrics;
Telangana- Pochampally Ikat; Telia Rumal;
Gujarat- Patan Patola
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| Can you identify this Ikat? |
Hati Besha or Gaja Besha or the Gajanana Besha is represented on Snana Purnima as a part of the Snana Jatra tradition.
Proud to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga today- on June 21st.
The 2024 Theme is: "Yoga for Self and Society."
Deba Snana Purnima or Snana Purnima is on June 22nd this year.
It is also called the Jyeshtha Purnima as it is in the "Jyeshtha" month.
It is also called Snana Jatra. The name has the term "jatra," which means "journey."
Snana Jatra means the journey to take a bath.
It is no ordinary journey or bath as this is related to the sibling deities - Shree Jagannatha, Shree Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. As we know, everything about them is grand.
They are moved from their Ratna bedi to the Snana Mandapa in a Pahandi just like during Ratha Jatra. The difference is that this movement - Snana Jatra - is within the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.
During Ratha Jatra, the deities move out of the Shreemandira.
I had written a previous post on Snana Purnima in 2022-
"Snana Yatra and Gajanan Besha"-
https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2022/06/snana-yatra-and-gajanan-besha.html
I have felt guilty (and still feel guilty) about using words such as "Yatra" instead of "Jatra" in the past.
Using the local word "Jatra" will be true to the Odia spelling and pronunciation.
Today, while searching online, I found that most articles and reports—including my own blog post mentioned above — have used "Snana Yatra" as the name.
I used "Yatra" in the name as it is more widely known, and people would find my Snana Jatra post if and when they searched.
Greetings
to all on the auspicious occasion of Basumati Snana🙏🏽
Basumati means- Goddess Earth.
Snana means- Bath.
After the Raja festival, Goddess Earth is bathed and worshipped today.
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| Bhudebi Maa - Mother Goddess Earth |
The latest art exhibition in town featured a famous artist whose name was familiar to Maria.
He had been her classmate in junior school!
Then, he was transferred elsewhere.
Later, Maria found him featured in the media.
She started following his work.
She always felt proud of his achievements.
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| Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot |
A cake competition was announced.
As an expert baker with years of baking experience, she registered.
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| Photo prompt- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields |
Apart from the preparation process and quality, the contestants would be judged by their cakes' unique ideas.
With stars in her eyes, she set out to bake a cake that was out of this world!
After an entire day's work, her spaceship cake creation was ready!
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| Photo Prompt- Mr. Binks |
Rosy thought of new stories to keep her daughter engaged.
From their terrace, they could see a beautiful
tower.
During the day, the tower sparkled with sun-rays.
Rosy narrated how a princess stayed there
and the sun sent her gifts- light!
Her daughter said that the sun also sent them
gifts and their terrace too had light!
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| Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson |
She was the coolest one for everyone.
It was not just about her looks.
She dressed uniquely.
She thought and spoke differently.
She was eco-friendly.
The sustainability champion clicked with everyone.
She was a great hostess too.
She hosted parties, events and get-togethers.
Everyone wanted to be friends with her.
They knew that would earn them invites and access to her
cool place.
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| Photo Prompt- Lisa Fox |
"The explosion of media over the past two decades means local stories can be told in local languages at a mass level in ways that was impossible in the past.
In print. On radio. On TV. Online. On digital video. Even on hoardings. As the regional language pipes grow, brands have wonderful new avenues via which they can speak to their consumers.
Festival of Indian Languages (FOIL) is a conference that will try to paint the linguistic patchwork that keeps together the magical idea of India.
Are we tapping all the opportunities that localisation of language offers? What more could we do? FOIL is the first such multimedia conference in the country that explores the power of local languages in mass media. It has been organised by afaqs!"
Languages are special.
Languages keep us connected.
They truly provide a "linguistic patchwork."
In a clubhouse, members were sharing their childhood memories.
Sara shared about her best friend- Ted.
Ted listened to Sara attentively, played whichever game she wanted, and threw no tantrums.
Actually, Ted could not speak.
Sara tried to get Ted to talk.
Ted had lost his voice.
Doctors had given up hope.
Sara persisted.
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| Photo Prompt- Ted Strutz |
With the advent of digital media, online cheating and scams are commonplace now. Users need to be aware to exercise caution and refrain from falling for tempting offers and clicking suspicious links.
If it looks too good to be true, it truly isn't true.
It is said- "All that glitters is not gold."
Indian banks, other institutions, and individuals have been sharing the need to be cautious about glittering deals and offers.
Through its public awareness initiative, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been sharing a series of communication- "RBI Kehta Hai... Jaankar Baniye, Satark Rahiye".
In English, it means- "RBI says... Be Aware, Stay Cautious."
In other words- "Safe Digital Banking starts with you. Transact Safely."
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| Source: RBI Kehta Hai |
April 23rd is "World Book Day" & "World Copyright Day".
To all the shameless copycats, here's what I wanna say-
Lisa went to their garden with her notebook.
Being inspired by nature, she wanted to write a story for “Earth
Day”.
She settled in the cool shade of their mango tree.
She spotted a well-crafted tiny door attached to the tree
trunk in front.
Photo Prompt- Fleur Lind
Who lived there?
Should she open the door and check?
The Odia New Year is called Pana Sankranti or Mahabishuba Sankranti.
Details about Pana Sankranti are in my previous blog posts here.
This time let us all ensure correct representation in our social media posts.
As per the Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha, an Odisha encyclopedia- a monumental 7-volume work of about 9,500 pages published between 1930 and 1940 by an illustrious son of Odisha, Sri Gopal Chandra Praharaj (1874-1945):
Bishuba Samkrānti ବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି —ସଂ. ବି —ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ବର୍ଷକରେ ଯେଉଁ ଦିନଦ୍ୱୟ ବିଷୁବ ରେଖା ଉପରେ ଗମନ କରନ୍ତି; ତହିଁର ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଦ୍ୱୟ; ଜଳବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଓ ମହାବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି; ବର୍ଷକରେ ଯେଉଁ ଦିନଦ୍ୱୟ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଥମେ ଯଥା— କ୍ରମେ ମେଷ ରାଶିକୁ ଓ ତୁଳ ରାଶିକୁ ସଂକ୍ରମଣ (ଗମନ) କରନ୍ତି —The two Saṁkrānti days in the year falling after the equinoxes; the passage of the sun to the next sign at the vernal and autumnal equinoxes; the passage of the sun to the first points of Aries and Libra after the vernal and autumnal equinoxes; the equinoxial passage (Apte).
Mili was visiting her grandparents’ home.
They
had passed away...
Though
Mili was visiting after many years, she saw that not much had changed in their
home.
There
was still no air-conditioner or television.
As
a kid, Mili never missed electronic devices whenever she visited her
grandparents.
They
played many board games together.
She
loved listening to their stories.
Many
memories came flooding her mind.
Photo Prompt- Susan Rouchard
The villagers had always wanted a bridge.
During the rainy season, boatmen either didn’t come or didn't dare to ferry passengers.
School students suffered.
Some diligent students, who didn't want to miss school, used to swim to attend school.
The villagers had communicated during meetings with politicians.
All letters to leaders had been in vain.
Governments came and went; the river had no bridge…
-x-
 |
| Photo Prompt- Sandra Crook |
Imparting dance lessons to
Persons With Disability (PWD) was tough.
She trained them wonderfully.
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| Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson |
Her dream University beckoned.
She often saw the building through
her netted-curtain.
 |
| Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot |
In her last attempt, she was
rejected.
They had challenged her that she could never learn to ride a bicycle.
"You are already so old!"
"If you fall while learning to ride a bicycle, your broken bones are not going to heal easily!"
They all taunted her!
--x--
The choice was hers.
The field was hers.
She started earnestly.
It was tough with arthritis...
 |
| Photo Prompt- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields |
