Summer
Gradually summer is stepping in Odisha. Lighter sheets have replaced heavy quilt at night. Heavy woolen clothes are waiting to be sent to the dry cleaners. Half sleeve shirts and cotton banyans are waiting to be brought out from the almirah. The wind has gained speed in the evenings, making playing badminton outdoors almost impossible.
In the recent years, summer is setting in little early. Earlier holi (the festival of colur) used to mark the end of cool nights and mornings. These days it is Sivaratri.
Book Fair in Odisha
Book Fairsin Odisha these days resemble more like fairs of any other articles than books. There are umpteen number of food stalls, stationary shops, stalls selling magic items, beauty products, feng sui articles, framed photos of Babas and Swamis, agrbattis and such knick knacks. In one Book Fair there was this stall selling Electric Cloth Driers. There are umpteen number of stalls promoting private schools, coaching classes and English Speaking courses. In the crowd of such stalls, the books are gradually disappearing. And among the books too, there are more number of books either for Children or religious books. A quick survey will tell you that these two category form over 70 per cent of all books displayed and probably sold in any fair in Odisha.
As a writer, I felt concerned. Real concerned.
Book Fair Jottings1
A meek voice called out to me from a corner of a book stall. I looked around. There was no body. The voice was heard again. And this time I could locate. It was a book calling out to me. I went there. The book said, take me out of here. Take me with you. I feel suffocated here crammed in the packets, which these days are hardly opened. I looked on. The voice said, look without a reader for company I feel lonely and miserable.
The voice sounded like an old father begging for some time from his well off children, who do not want to see him anymore.
Book Fair Jottings-2
I go and buy books for Rs 2000/-. Somebody snidely remarks: teachers are getting fat salary these days. Go splurge man! Show off to the world.
I go and buy a mobile for Rs 2000/-. The same person remarks: how miserly is the man. Instead of buying a smart phone, buys a cheap one. Chepo!
Bechara!
ICC Cricket World Cup has begun, and how! And it will be on till 29 March. Just think about the poor Matric Examinees of Odisha and their parents. The examination, by the way, begins from 23 Feb. Bechara!,nachainse pad paenge, na match dekhpayenge.
Tailpiece
Dear Girls,
If a guy replies to your text during India Pakistan cricket match… marry him. He is the one….
***
17.2.2014
Mrinal Chatterjee is a journalist turned media academician. Besides teaching he also writes fiction and plays. He lives at Dhenkanal in Central Odisha with his family and can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com
Good initiative. Thanks.
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