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.
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