Column | Window Seat 29.3.20

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 29.3.20

Superstitions at the time of Corona

Superstition by definition is a widely held but irrational belief in supernatural influences, or a practice based on such a belief. Period of crisis increases superstitions or even create new ones as people turn to magic remedies to the crisis.

Covid 19 pandemic has created panic across the world. It has also created superstitions. It has prompted people to indulge in practices that have no scientific basis or logic.

Consider this: the PM called for daylong Janata Curfew and urged the people to clap or blow conch or beat metallic thali (plate) to show our appreciation towards the doctors and medical workers. In Odisha and Bengal hordes of people came out of their homes, hit the street and went round singing bhajans accompanied by dhol and ghanta (metallic gong). This defeated the very purpose of ‘Janata Curfew’.

In Odisha and Bengal elaborate puja and even jagyna have been organized to ward off the evil called corona and purge the earth from its bad influence.

In Arunachal Pradesh some people have started believing that a hair found in Bible and soaked in water is the new vaccine for COVID-19. At Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh a message has gone viral among the Buddhists which effectively says: Dig the land near the house door and you will get coal. Then mix the coal with water and sprinkle in the house and corona is gone.

Superstitions are not limited to India only.

In Jerusalem, as a way to exorcise the crisis, someone has suggested drinking Corona Beer whilst praying to God since “drinking a nice glass of alcohol during prayers gives them extra power.”

For ultra-orthodox Rabbi coronavirus is a clear sign of the "coming of the Messiah". Almost in the same strain, in Odisha some people are looking at Corona as Kalki avatar out to purge the world.

Although the government is trying its best to keep people indoors and enforcing social distancing- even by shutting religious institutions, some superstitious practices are creating problems.

In this time of crisis, there are sane voices also to which people must listen to. The highest Muslim authority in Jerusalem, Grand Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, said on the radio that health is “more important than religious practice,” and that “protecting oneself is one of the foundations of Islam.” In Aizwal, Mizoram Church authorities have suo motto shut down mass. Several Hindu temple and Sikh gurudwara authorities have also taken similar decisions.

In the time of a crisis like this- scientific temper helps. Superstitious practices do not.

Guidelines for Media Persons

Media persons who are going out for coverage, especially in vulnerable areas at the time of threat of spread of Corona virus are at a great risk. They need to take care of themselves while performing their duties.
Here are some guidelines by my friend Snehasis Sur,  veteran television journalist and President, Kolkata Press Club.

1. Wear a mask and change it as soon as it gets damp. Remove it from the elastic bands and do not touch the mask itself. Put the new one on touching only the elastic bands. Your employer should provide you with a supply of N95 masks.

2. Carry a hand sanitiser with you at all times. Wash your hands as often as you can with soap and then use the sanitiser. If there is no water, carry wet wipes and then use the sanitiser. Wash your hands afterwards as soon as you can. And don’t forget to sanitise your mobile phones.

3. If a politician is giving a statement, agree amongst yourselves to record him from at least six feet away. Try to stand without huddling. Better still, convince dignitaries to conduct digital press conferences, with questions from journalists taken up live. There’s plenty of technology available today to make this happen.

4. Do not touch the mics at all. If possible, wash the mics and disinfect them on your return. After which hands have to be washed and sanitised. All equipment, especially tripods, should also be washed and disinfected.

5. Avoid clip-on mics. Use directional mics as much as you can.

6. If you are in a contaminated facility, do not place your equipment on the floor. Do a hand-held shoot.

7. After an assignment, remove your clothes immediately and take bath. Wash your clothes in hot water and soak in disinfectant. Keep one pair of outdoor shoes that you remove at your door when you get home. Wash them whenever you can. Keep a separate pair of indoor shoes.

8. If you are using public transportation, use sanitiser on your hands as soon as you get off. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE.

9. Try and stick to locally-sourced cooked food while on assignment.

10. Wear a mask in your office. You have no idea who has been exposed or where they’ve been.

11. At a press conference, try to get everyone to sit leaving two seats vacant between two people. If that’s not possible, stand maintaining a distance.

12. Take time out to snack on fruit, maintain a healthy diet and do not skip meals no matter how pressing the assignment may be.

13. Try and get as much legwork done on the Internet and phone. For the next few weeks, at least, we must avoid as much exposure as possible.

14. Your newsroom should maintain hygiene. Sanitising surfaces twice a day with disinfectants is a must. All laptops, desktops, machines, and surfaces should be disinfected.

15. If you experience onset of coronavirus symptoms, report to your office and immediately self-isolate yourself.

Time Time ki Baat Hai!

See how things change with time. Earlier, if you remained at home- you were called lazy. Now for the same act you are called sensible.

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Central Odisha on the valley of Paniohala Hill. mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Column | Window Seat

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 22.3.20

Karuna Avatar

In quick succession I chanced upon two messages in two different whatsapp group with uncanny similarity in content; both attempting to see the spread of Corona pandemic in a positive light.

The first message which I received in a Bramhakumari group even termed it Karuna Avatar (Karuna means compassion). It tries to reason that the spread of Corona virus is actually doing the human society a world of  good. It is purging us from several bad habits and dissuading us from following a self-destructive lifestyle. It is trying us to dissuade us from eating non-vegetarian food (though the WHO says there is no connection). It is forcing us to stay indoors and spend time with our family.

The second message, ostensibly written by a Chinese Pastor to his brother in the outside world says: The hustle and bustle of China finally quieted down, the restless society finally calmed down, and the restless Chinese people gradually calmed down. The Wild Animals that were once held by humans in cages finally managed to Keep Humans in "Cages". Humans finally lowered their proud head and begun to think quietly: Are we still the king of the earth? Mankind finally felt the power of Nature once again. In the face of the threat of death, human beings have only begun to reflect seriously, only to realize that a lack of awe-inspiring social atmosphere will lead to more harm and more risks.

There are fewer and fewer people on the street, few cars on the road, 

The air is getting fresher, the haze is gone, the sky is getting bluer, the sun is getting brighter, family lives are getting warmer.          

People who haven’t read for years have picked up books at home. Parents and children who had no communication with their children, couples who couldn’t speak few words a year have opened up the conversation.

The virus reminded us that there is an almighty and we are just humans.

We can argue, but this is also a point of view and very logical one.

The Silent Selfless Workers

As the world is reeling under the onslaught of COVID19, there are people who are fighting back to keep us alive and safe. There are doctors and medical personnel, who are risking their lives to keep us fit. There are people supplying us essential items for living. There are people but for whom the normal life would have stopped functioning.

We are grateful to them.

Here is one commendable work of a team of teachers. The teachers of Department of Chemistry, B. Borooah College, Ulubari, Guwahati have come up with indigenous bottles of hand-sanitizers, informs Priyanka Rajkhoah who teaches mass communication in Cotton University.

Annada Shankar Ray

Many of you, who know Bengali may remember a poem titled Teler Sisi (Bottle of Oil), the first line of which goes like: Teler sisi bhanglo bole Khukur pare raag karo, tomra je saab budo khoka bharat bhenge bhag karo. (The girl breaks a bottle of oil and you get angry. But you old people, you break the country and divide it.) This poem is a sharp critique on partition.

The poet was Annada Shankar Ray. He was born in Dhenkanal, Odisha on 15 March 1904. He wrote his first poem in Odia. In fact as he grew up he became one of the finest poets in Odia and along with his poet friends created a distinctive phase in Odia literature.

Annada Shankar Ray (15 March 1904-28 Oct. 2002)

Ray graduated in English from Ravenshaw College in Cuttack. He topped the list of Indian Civil Service examinees in 1927.  He was the first ICS officer from the territory later forming the state of Orissa- now spelt Odisha. After serving in various administrative posts, he sought voluntary retirement in 1951 to devote himself to literary pursuits.

Ray was a Gandhian in politics and Rabindranath Tagore inspired his literature. His first published book was Tarunya (1928), which gave him a footing as an essayist. His first two novels were Asamapika and Agun Niye Khela. As an essayist, he was urbane and sophisticated and combined in his craft two different styles of prose, represented by Tagore and Pramatha Choudhury.

Ray is one of the few poets to have the distinction of getting high acclaim from two different language speaking states of India.

Tailpiece: Banking gyan

A drunk naked woman boards a cab in America.

Driver of the cab, a Gujju, keeps staring at her and does not start the cab.

Woman: Haven’t you ever seen a naked woman before?

Gujju: Cool down, maam. I am not staring at you. I am just wondering as to where you have kept the money to pay me?

Moral: This is what most of the Indian Banks failed to do......

Assessing the repayment capacity before enjoying the exposure

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He writes fiction. Hindi translation of his novel Shakti, originally written in Odia has just been released.

mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Article | Odia | Responsibility

Anubhav Katha. March 2020

Article | Odia | Deep Fake and Digital Literacy

Samaja 20.3.20

Information

Entrance Test Portal for admissions in 14 Central Universities (www.cucetexam.in) is live for online registration from 16^th March 2020

Central Universities Common Entrance Test  (CUCET) is scheduled on May 30th & 31st, 2020 for UI & PG Programmes (OMR based) and June 6th & 7th, 2020 for RP Programmes (CBT based) of 14 Central Universities namely CUs Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kashmir, Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, South Bihar, Tamil Nadu and 4 State Universities namely Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Bengaluru Dr B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, Khallikote University, Sardar Patel University of Police, Security & Criminal Justice.

Paper: Globalisation and Mass Media in Odisha

Communication Today, April-June 2019

Paper on Contemporary Cartooning in India

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARTOON ARTS, Fall/Winter 2019

Great Indian Newspapers | AJIT

COMMUNICATION TODAY, April-June 2019

cOLUMN | Pathe Prantare 15.3.2020

Samaya Taranga 15.3.2020

Column | Bindu Bisarga

Anubhaba. March 2020

article | On Rumour related to Covid19

Nitidina. 14.3.2020

Book Review | How to win over Stress and PTSD

Book Review: Sauradeep Chakraborty

A Groundbreaking Publication

‘How to win over Stress and PTSD’

Editors: Dr Mrinal Chatterjee and Sambit Pal

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal Monograph 21.

There is no denying that the profession of Journalism can be an immensely stressful and demanding one. Despite coming with its own rewards, the profession can be exhausting and can exert its toll on people. In this era of '24X7 Breaking News' journalists are expected to be on their toes and constantly in search of 'that one story' that could bring in stratospheric TRPs for their channels or quantum jump in circulation figure or bombardment of hits- depending on the platform he/she is working for.

This has added a huge burden to the already overburdened work-schedule of present-day journalists.  It can be argued that journalists have always indulged in stress-inducing work which is both physically and mentally exhausting. Constantly being ordered to report unpleasant incidents, constant criticism and scrutiny of their work and an erratic work schedule that leaves little time for relaxation - all of them can contribute to many mental and physical problems, most prominent of which are:  Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Unfortunately, mental health concerns among journalists are rarely discussed. It is, more often than not, treated just like an 'occupational hazard' that journalists inherently know how to deal with. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The recent suicide of Mr Aman Brar, who was a journalist with Network 18 in Chandigarh and was, incidentally, an alumnus of the IIMC, has brought some attention to the fact that journalists are not immune to these problems.

To help media professionals, budding journalists, and others, and to bring attention to this pressing issue, IIMC, Dhenkanal has brought out a monograph named 'How to win over Stress and PTSD' edited by Dr Mrinal Chatterjee and Mr Sambit Pal, both journalist-turned media academicians.

The book begins with a quote by legendary American entertainer Fred Rogers - "In times of stress, the best thing the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers".

The 80-page publication has first person accounts of journalists, articles by psychologist and psychiatrist, a compilation of research findings in this domain and tips on how to live with and win over stress. It is in a way a to-the-point guidebook that aims to help the reader recover from stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It contains nuggets of wisdom gained through years of experience. Full of practical advice, it does not mislead the reader from painting a rosy picture of the journalistic profession and doesn't shy away from making the reader know the ugly hazards of pursuing a journalistic career.

Recalling a traumatic memory, Dr Chatterjee, who has had an illustrious journalistic career prior to joining IIMC says, "I was newly married then and was posted in Baripada as the district correspondent of Mayurbhanj. One day, my wife got a phone call telling her that if your husband continues to write like this, you would be a widow soon. Just consider the mental trauma a newly married woman must have suffered. However strong one is, it takes a toll on his/her mental peace."

Mr Pal, recalling his days as a journalist with a reputed media group in West Bengal, says, "I remember that we had gone to cover the illegal armed camps of the then ruling party in a Maoist-hit area in West Bengal. They were trying to counter the Maoists putting up their own party cadres with arms. We were a group of journalists passing through one such area where there was an armed camp…..We were assaulted there. Someone got his arm broken; I got injuries on my fingers and chest.  Now think about my family. My parents were not aware that I was covering the armed camps. My wife was in her office. Somebody told her that some journalists have been beaten up and her husband was one of them….Our phones also were snatched. We were unreachable. So, it’s not just the journalists but most of the time the whole family suffers. But the funniest part is that every time, after such incident... there is an adrenaline rush you feel when you are out on the field. This urge to get stories makes you jump in trouble. This keeps happening!"

While the book does mention that Journalism in intensely stressful, it emphasises the need for counseling for both prospective and current journalists.  Ms Sahana Ray, Pune based consultant psychologist specialised in stress management and community psychology emphasised the need for recognising the stress points and learn how coping mechanism works.

Dr Tanmay Maiti, an experienced psychiatrist, recommends regular exercise and sleep, abstinence from addictions, spending more time with your loved ones, and a hobby as an 'outlet' to cope with the trials and tribulations of the profession. The book's ten golden concluding points that advise how to combat stress would be invaluable to any professional or student seeking a solution to the three-pronged problem of stress, depression, and anxiety.

Indeed, many journalists go through difficult situations in their careers, but with a positive mindset, and with plenty of help, they can recover and thrive. The acceptance of the fact that being a journalist is a difficult and thankless job and difficult experiences are a part of a career in Journalism can help. These invaluable experiences later become touchstones of their careers and the lessons imbibed stay throughout their lifetimes.

'How to win over stress and PTSD' is a groundbreaking publication that would surely help not only journalists but people from all walks of life to look at the brighter side of life and deal with problems effectively!

***

Sauradeep Chakraborty is a 2019-20 batch PGDJ (English) student of IIMC, Dhenkanal

13.3.20

Article on Gandhi

Chanakya. March 2020

Column | Window Seat

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 15.3.20

Ahmedabad and Sabarmati River

I had recently been to Ahmedabad. Thanks to US President Donald Trump’s much publicized visit to the city, everybody now knows that it is the commercial capital of Gujarat (though diamond and cloth merchants of Surat would beg to differ) with the largest Cricket stadium of the world. Ahmedabad is the seventh largest city in the country with a population of about 6 million people and growing at a breakneck speed. The city has expanded from an area of 90 sq km in 1971 to 464.16 sq km in 2009.

Sabarmati river, on the bank of which Gandhi had his ashram shifted in 1917, near which 100 years later Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in a sea plane - flows right in the middle of the city. In fact it divides the city into eastern and western parts. Most of the industries are located in the eastern part of the city, whereas the western part is predominantly a residential and commercial area.

The city falls in a dry and arid climatic zone. It receives an average rainfall on 782 mm, mostly in the monsoon months.

The Sabarmati river, originating in  the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan, flows for a  length of 371 km in the southwest direction, then joins the Gulf of Khambat and finally meets the Arabian Sea. It is not a perennial river. Presently, the river stretch in Ahmedabad is being fed from the Narmada river water at Chiloda, due to the development of the riverfront. As the river flows through the city, there are a few storm water inlets, which open up into the river. Downstream of the city, treated sewage and industrial effluents are discharged into the river from seven sewage treatment plants (STPs) and two pipelines carrying treated industrial effluents.

A recent study (published in EPW) has analysed the impacts of Ahmedabad on the Sabarmati river water quality. The analysis of the water quality highlights that the river undergoes complete degradation when it leaves the city, although the water quality meets the norms when the river enters the city Downstream at Miroli, after the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents, the river water quality degrades completely. The river becomes “dead,” that is, the dissolved oxygen in  water becomes zero when it leaves the city, after receiving the sewage discharge from the STPs and the industrial effluents. The impact of seasonal variations on the river quality is not significant. The river also exhibits the presence of heavy metals in concentrations more than the desired levels.

Sabarmati is dying. Instead of spending crores on doing a ‘Namaste Trump’ like mega event, the government should look after the river which has sustained the city for centuries.

Ahmedabad

The history of the city of Ahmedabad is marked by a number of high points followed by declines. The earliest history has it that King Karandev I - the Solanki ruler, once fought a war against the Bhil King Ashapall or Ashaval. After his victory, Karandev established the city of 'Karnavati'. The Hindu kingdom of Karnavati remained an important kingdom till the early 15th century when Gujarat fell under the Muslim Sultanate. Sultan Ahmed Shah founded Ahmedabad in 1411 A.D. He and subsequent rulers built the city.

Teen Darwaja. Old Ahmedabad.

In 1753, the combined forces of Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad attacked the city and captured it, resulting in the end of Mughal rule in Ahmedabad. Many historians opine that the city saw its worst phase in the 64 years during the rule of Gaekwads and Peshwas. It was later in 1818 that the British took over the administration of Ahmedabad.

In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa and established an ashram at Kochrab area of Ahmedabad. Two years later the ashram was shifted to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: Gandhi wanted to do some experiments in community living. He wanted to do farming, animal husbandry, Khadi and related constructive activities, for which he was in search of this kind of barren land. This area also had a mythological connect. It was believed to be the ashram site of Rishi Dadhichi who had donated his bones for a righteous war. It was in sync with his objective of sacrifice. The land was situated between a jail and a crematorium. That also suited him as he believed that a satyagrahi had to invariably go to either of the places.

Sabarmati Ashram

 The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of India’s  freedom struggle.  On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. Although India won her independence on 15 August 1947, Gandhi could never return to the ashram. He was assassinated in January 1948.

Tailpiece: Bank

If financial crisis continues like this and banks continue to close, only three banks will survive by next year:  1. Blood Bank 2. Eye Bank  3. Sperm Bank.

Tailpiece: A shayari on Corona

Badi tanha si beparvah gujar rahi thi jindagi, Ghalib

Ab e alam hai ki ek chink vi aa jai to dunia gour se dekhti hai

I was living without any care, unnoticed O Ghalib

The situation has so changed that if I just sneeze,

the entire world stares at me.

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal. He writes fiction. Hindi translation of his novel Shakti, originally written in Odia has recently been published.

He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Column | Jagate Thiba Jetedina

Samaja Saptahika 14-20 March

Hindi Translation of Shakti launched

Hindi translation of Shakti launched

Hindi translation of Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee's novel Shakti, originally written in Odia was released on 11 March 2020  at Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, Odisha by Sahitya Academy Award winner litterateur Prof. Jitendra Narayan Dash (Dash Benhur) and Deepsikha Bharttacharyya, Senior Journalist, Indian Express, Delhi. 
It has been published by Blue Rose Publishers, Delhi.
Hindi translation has been done by Itishree Singh Rathaur
This has already been in English. Assamese and Bengali translation of the novel will be published by early 2021.

Great Indian Editors | Ramananda Chatterjee

Vidura Jan-March 2020

Article | Mooknayaka: Still Relevant (Odia)

Samadrusti 1-15 March 2020

Column | Pathe Prantare | 8.3.20

Samaya Taranga 8.3.20

Column | Window Seat

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 8.3.20

History repeats itself…

There is saying that history often repeats itself.

As the Corona virus is wreaking havoc in many countries of the world travel restrictions are being made for people of different countries. The world economy is already in the downward spiral as China suffers the brunt of the pandemic and it spreads to rich European countries. It effectively has cut down world trade and people’s movement from one country to the other. These two have been the major constructs of globalization.

Something like this had happened 800 years ago. The Mongol tribes of Central Asia were forged into an effective union by the genius of Temujin, who was proclaimed as Genghis Khan (universal ruler) in 1206. Under his leadership until his death in 1227 – and followed by his descendants in the same tradition – the entire Eurasian landmass from China in the east to Iraq, Iran and Russian in the west, extending to Hungary and the Adriatic Sea by 1240, was conquered to establish the Pax  Mongolica. 

As Deepak Nayyar writes in his well-researched essay titled ‘The  Future of Globalisation: Learning from History’ (EPW Nov. 9, 2019), “ Globalisation has always required an  infrastructure of law, order and security, provided by political hegemony. The Mongols were the hegemons in this era who unified the Eurasian landmass under their political control and encourage trade flows between all regions across this vast geographical space. In fact, it was only the Mongol Empire that welded the segments and loops of the Silk Roads into a single route. Once established, every region- Central Asia, south Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, the Islamic world and Europe – participated in this international trade.

        The geographical unification drove economic interaction in a horizontally linked world system even if it was not hegemonic But there was a flip side. Bacteria, germs and viruses, that were local to particular regions, also moved across long distances, carried by people or animals. Plague germs were carried by Mongol troops, with their horses, from Central Asia to the Black Sea in 1347. There were transmitted by ships to ports around the Mediterranean, and then across Europe. And it caused devastation of the worst kind. It is estimated that the plague – Black Death – killed more than 25 million out of a total population of 80 million in just three years from 1348 to 1351.  Its impact on the Islamic world was perhaps worse.

The global spread of disease was a corollary of the economic integration brought about by the Mongol Empire. It led to the formation of a common market not only for goods but also for microbes and germs. Something like this is happening now as Corona virus is spreading to different countries across the world. As I write this, 31 people have been affected in India and Bhutan reports its first case.

The mid-14^th century witnessed the disintegration of Pax Mongolica, when the internal conflict among Mongol states coincided with the loss of Persia and China. In the absence of imperial rule, trade routes were no longer safe, secure and open. The Silk Route, too, was closed down by the Ottoman Empire in the early 15^th century. The diseases also was a reason for the disintegration.

As Corona virus continues to spread despite efforts of all the countries- the history seems to be repeating itself.  

Holi

Holi, the festival of colour is celebrated throughout North, West and East India on the full-moon day of Phalguna. Participants throw coloured water and powders on one another and smear colour on the face and body of the other.

Holi is particularly enjoyed by worshippers of the god Krishna. Its general frivolity is considered to be in imitation of Krishna’s play with the gopis.

Ravindranath Tagore was fascinated by the paly of colours of this festival and introduced Vasanta Utsav (Festival of Spring) in Shantiniketan. Songs dedicated to the celebration of life and dances mark this ‘utsav’. Over a period of time it has become a part of Bengali culture.

Odisha has a unique ritual during this time- called Dola Yatra or Dola Melana. Idols of Krishna from different villages congregate at one place and worshipped together. This festival signifies the journey of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna for ultimate union in the tradition of Bhakti cult.

Tableau on Dola Yatra at Republic Day Parade 2017

Over and above the religious rituals, Holi is fun. Holi is letting oneself loose. Holi is hanging around with friends.

Tailpiece: Message on Holi

Nabaghana's message on World Water Day:
Save water, drink beer.

Nabaghana's message on Holi last year:
Save environment, play holi on whatsapp.

Nabaghana's message on Holi this year:

Don’t play Holi, Save yourself from being affected by Corona virus.

Tailpiece: Made in China

Never thought that death also could be ‘Made in China’.

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal. He writes fiction. Hindi translation of his novel Shakti, originally written in Odia has recently been published.

He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com