Column | Window Seat

Indian Railway Stations

Indian Railways has often been criticised for insufficient safety measures leading to tragic accidents, inefficient passenger handling and lack of cleanliness besides hundred other things. However, Indian Railways has done more to preserve and propagate our architecture and iconic monuments/buildings than any other organisation in this country. One can write a book or along with a good photographer prepare an illustrated Coffee Table book on this theme. Howrah Station, VT (now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai or Chennai Central Station are well known examples. From Victorian Gothic architecture to  replica of historical palaces to even archeological monuments- Indian Railway stations have them all. Take for example the Cuttack Railway Station in Odisha. The unique look of this railway station takes inspiration from the Barabati Fort, which is a famous 14th century monument.

There are many railway stations which are not very known outside the concerned state like Ambikapur in Chattisgarh, which has been modelled on Ambikapur palace. These should be showcased. Special efforts should be made to maintain it properly. Souvenirs modelled on the buildings or artefacts related to that particular station or area should be mass produced and marketed. At New Delhi Station there is a store run by Northern Railways selling some railways-inspired souvenirs. But the passion to showcase is distinctly absent. It could be done through credible out-sourced agencies.

Photo: Santakar Chelapila.

Odia Journalism Day

On 4 August 1866, the first Odia newspaper Utkal Deepika was published. Hence this day is celebrated as Odia Journalism Day, like May 30 is celebrated as Hindi Journalism Day (as on this date, in 1826, the first Hindi-language newspaper of India “Udant Martand” was published from Calcutta by Pt. Jugal Kishore Shukla) or July 1 is celebrated as Kannada Press Day (First newspaper in Kannada ‘Mangalura Samachara’, a fortnightly was established by Moegling on July 1, 1843 in Mangalore).

Utkal Deepika was published by Gourishankar Roy, a Bengali who chose to live in and work for Odisha. Unlike many newspapers of that era Utkal Deepika, interestingly had all the constructs of modern newspaper so far its content and editorial approach to issues are concerned. It highlighted the plights and problems of common people. At a time when Odisha was reeling under the worst famine that it had ever experienced, Utkal Deepika worked as a bridge between the common people and the administration to help the administration reach the masses. It heralded the cultural renaissance in Odisha, which had in it seeds of nationalist uprising. It created awareness for the need of education and about the rightful place that Odia language should enjoy, which later crystalized into demand for amalgamation of Odia speaking areas- thus forming the first separate state on linguistic basis. After 60 years of continuous publication Utkal Deepika was closed in 1936. Eighty years later on 13 July 2016 it was revived under the editorship of Jayasish Roy, who also is the editor of Odia daily Sambad Kalika.

Odia journalism like its other regional language counterparts is on a growth trajectory so far number and volume of business is concerned. In fact there is a feeling that Odia mediascape is too crowded. With too many players jostling for space and a share of the business pie, the competition is fierce. Competition is good for growth. But too much of competition is counterproductive, as players tend to take unethical means to outwit competition. That is what is happening in almost all regional language journalism. Generally the media coverage is over the top, loud and often the treatment is deliberately sensational. Trial by media is rampant and truth is often the casualty. On the 151^st year of Odia journalism we must reflect and consciously attempt a course correction.

Kabali kand

Kabali starring Rajanikanth has been released globally with unprecedented publicity blitzkrieg and fan reception, almost bordering on madness. Several companies in Chennai and Bengaluru declared the day the film was to be released as a holiday for their employees. It created a social media joke: Other heroes look for a holiday to release their films. Rajnikath releases a film and it becomes a holiday. A passenger plane and a double decker bus have been painted specifically for the release of the film. Mile long queue could be seen before cinema halls showing Kabali in several countries, including some Muslim countries. I am told some movie halls have introduced 4 am shows- yes 4 in the morning, and people are thronging to get tickets.

That’s the power of one man: Rajnikath. Mind it.

Tailpiece: Kabali Effect!

Me: Dad, I am going to Delhi tonight.
Dad: (Surprised) why?
Me: I have to go watch Kabali.
Dad: No need to go, nonsense :P
Me: Please, please, please. Pala, It is Rajinikanth.
Dad: Naan oru thadava sonna, nooru thadava sonna maadiri (If I say something even once, it's as though I've said it a hundred times).

(Courtesy: Social Media forward)

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Mrinal Chatterjee, a journalist turned media academician lives on the valley of Paniohala Hills at Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also writes fiction. His latest book ‘Point by Point’, a collection of his columns published in Odia daily Khabar and Sambad Kalika is being released on August 2016.

He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Posted on www.orissadiary.com on 22 July 2016