Column | Window Seat 3.5.2020

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee

Hawkers

It was probably for the first time that press was officially included in the list of essential services. As Corona virus spread and the entire country was locked down- it was important to keep people informed. Credible information was (and still is) the need of the hour as rumour and fake news floated abundantly (as it does during any crisis). With growing number of smart phone users and cheap data tarriff- the spread of fake news has become faster and wider. Newspapers with their established system of verification and check and balance by and large serve credible information.  But for newspapers the major problem was distribution.

Photo: HImanshu Vyas at Jaipur, Rajasthan. 30.3.2020

Though a large section of people have grown accustomed to read the newspaper online- through their computer or mobile phone, printed newspaper still is preferred in many homes.

Hawkers (like the person in the photograph taken in Jaipur, Rajasthan by National award winning photojournalist Himanshu Vyas) were (and still are) at the front-line doing a laborious as well as considerably risky job of handing over newspapers to vast population locked in homes.

SOP for Online Teaching

Because of the long lock down and strict restriction on movements class room teaching and office work have been severely impacted. Online teaching, online meeting and conference could help in this situation. (See the ever topical Amul advt.)

However, there are some technical, logistical and psycho-social challenges. Recently Guwahati based KrishnaKanta Handique Open University (KKHOU) organised an online international conference on 'online education'. My colleague Sambit Pal and myself presented a paper highlighting the challenges that we faced. As many of us are new to online communication- often we are at a sea in using the gadgets and technology. There are some basic protocols and etiquette, which many of us do not know.

My Delhi based journalist friend Kumar Kaustubha (who has recently published a book on Mobile Journalism in Hindi) attempted to develop a basic 'do and don't' of online teaching-learning. This is a necessity now. We at Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal are trying to develop it into a kind of standard operatin procedure (SOP) or guideline on this.

Requesting the readers for inputs to develop this. May send it to my mail.

Rishi Kapur and Irfan Khan

Forty six and a half years ago a boisterous teenager hinted what would happen during Corona. Remember the song bahar se koi andar na aa sake, andar se koi bahar na ja sake.. socho kabhi aisa ho to kya ho in the film Bobby. He passed away as the country was locked down to contain the spread of Corona.

A day before Rishi Kapur passed away, Irfan Khan, one of the finest actors of contemporary Indian cinema lost his long battle with cancer. I remember his dialogue in Life of Pi (2012), “I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go.”

On 26 April, Sunday the doyen of Odia modern plays and an acclaimed screen play writer Bijay Mishra passed away. A Kendra Sahitya and Kendra Sangeet Natak academy winner Bijay Mishra will be remembered for his path breaking plays like Tata Niranjana.

Rest in peace Rishi Kapur, Irfan Khan and Bijay Mishra

Tailpiece: China

I was asked to wear a mask to avoid the virus from China.

I ended up wearing one made in China.

***

A journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Column | Window Seat | 26.4.2020

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 26.4.2020

Be like a Sunflower

Nature has so much to teach us, if we just care to pay attention and learn.

Do you know that the sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun? They move in the sun's direction over the course of a day, tracking it across the sky. In other words, they “chase the light.” 

This ‘facing the sun’ phenomenon is called HELIOTROPISM. We can trace the word heliotropism back to the Greek roots helios, "sun," and tropos, "a turn or change."

You might already know this, but there is another fact that you probably do not know!

Have you ever wondered what happens on cloudy and rainy days when the sun is completely covered by clouds? Perhaps you think the sunflower withers or turns its head towards the ground. Is this what crossed your mind?

Well, that’s incorrect! They turn towards each other to share their energy.

Now let’s apply this reflection to our lives. Many people may become low-spirited, and the most vulnerable ones, sometimes, become depressed, especially at time like this- when the entire country is locked down and the entire world is fighting Corona virus. How about following the example of the beautiful sunflowers: supporting and empowering each other.

Wishing everyone a "Sunflower" trait of turning towards each other on their cloudy and gloomy days.

Spread goodness. It will come back to you. Start now.

(Got the idea from a social media forward)

God is happy

God is happy. He has cleared all the backlog of prayers of his devotee's and fulfilled everyone's long awaited desires. 

1. Kids: I wish we had no school and play all day. Done.

2. Women: I want the undivided attention of my husband. Done.

3. Husbands: I'm sick of this traffic, I wish I could work from home. Done.

4. Working Moms: I wish I could spend some quality time with my kids and read. Done.

5. Students: I wish I had no exams. . Done.

6. Old Parents: I wish our kids could spend more time with us rather than being busy everyday. . Done.

7. Employee: I'm slogging too much, I need a break. . Done.

8. Employers:  I have no life of my own, I wish could relax. . Done.

9. Earth: I can’t breathe. I wish I could get a break from all this pollution and chaos... . Done.

So....what's your next wish? It’s the right time to ask.. you will get it!

Change is the Essence of Life.

From   "Standing near the bar with Scotch in hand"   to   "Standing near Vim bar with a Scotch Brite in hand" ... men have come a long way! 

(Courtesy: Social Media)

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He may be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

This column in published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.com

Article | Facts and Myths around Forty

Facts and myths around Forty

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee

Is there anything magical or significant about the number forty? This is the question many people asked as the Union Govt. extended the lock down period to 3 May- making it 40 days. As it usually happens- there have several posts on social media about the magical quality of ’40 days’. Most of them are plain bull-shit- figment of imagination and hearsay.

However, there are significances of the number 40- like all other numbers have. In the context of Corona- and quarantine- the number forty assumed centre stage, because etymologically the word means forty.

Persian scholar of medicine, IbnSina (980-1037) suspected that some diseases spread by microorganisms. To prevent human to human contamination, he came up with the method of isolating people for 40 days. He called this al arba’iniya, the forty. Traders of Venice heard of his success and practiced it. Ships arriving in Venice from infected ports were required to sit at anchor for 40 days before landing.They called it ‘quarantena’, the forty in Italian. This is where the word ‘quarantine’ comes from.

‘Forty days’ has been used in astronomy for practical purpose. Early astronomers used it to measure and meter out the rate of each passing solar year. In fact it is remarkable that the time track of a cycle of 40 days can be used to very effectively (almost perfectly) measure and meter out the rate of each passing solar year. (See this to know more: https://design-of-time.com/forty.htm)

Forty days has religious significance in many religions. Christianity uses forty to designate important time periods. Jesus fasted in the desert for exactly 40 days and nights, while in the dessert he was tempted by the devil (temptations). Buddha also fasted for exactly 40 days and nights in the wilderness and is tempted by evil spirits (temptations).
Even Prophet Mohammed had fasted for 40 days in a cave and so have many Saints and Yogis. MullaHusayn (of Bahai Faith) spent 40 days fasting and praying before leaving Karbala.

Muslims fast and pray for 40 days during the Ramzan period. So do Christians during the 40-day Lent season, before Good Friday and Easter.
Devotees of Swami Ayyappa visit Sabarimala in Kerala after observing strictly 40 days fasting.

The Sindhi Hindu community commemorate a festival of thanks to God called Chaliha Sahib. It lasts for 40 days during which time devotees avoid: cutting their hair, wearing clothes washed by soap, drinking milk, eating fried food and wearing shoes.

Zoroastrians also have a 40 day formula for having prayers answered. It is known as the “Chalisa” or The 40 Day Ritual.

In Hanuman Chalisa, the word chalisa is ‘chalis’ meaning 40. It contains 40 stanzas and devotees of Lord Hanuman recites these 40 stanzas for 40 days.

However, all these do not bestow any magical power to the number 40. So don’t expect magic remedy. Believe in science, reason and logic.

***

The author is a Journalist turned media academician. Opinions expressed are his own.

Published in:

http://www.prameyanews.com/facts-and-myths-around-forty/?fbclid=IwAR3ZHILnoXLJOnrNRZWLxTJbqFdmLCsyvxN3CL2DtpMXUWt0VTC0tAbrhtw

Article on Odia on Udham Singh

Published in Odia daily Nitidina 18.4.2020

Article in English on the beginning of the first passenger train service in India 167 years ago

When the unstoppable stopped… 

for a greater cause

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee

167 years ago, on this day- 16 April, the wheels of the first passenger train in India started rolling from Mumbai to Thane- with the zeal of ‘never to stop’. It never did. Till 22 March 2020. For the first time, in its 167 years history on 22 March 2020, Indian Railways announced a nationwide shutdown of passenger rail service to combat the coronavirus pandemic in India. However, the national rail network continued to maintain its freight operations during the lockdown, to transport essential goods. On 29 March, Indian Railways announced that it would start service for special parcel trains to transport essential goods, in addition to regular freight service.

Indian Railways is the largest rail network in Asia and the world’s second largest under one management with a route length of 67,368-kilometre (41,861 mi) as of March 2017.

Going back to the history of railways in India, the first railway proposals for India were made in Madras (now Chennai) in 1832.The country’s first train, Red Hill Railway (built by Arthur Cotton to transport granite for road-building), ran from Red Hills to the Chintadripet bridge in Madras in 1837.

India’s first passenger train, operated by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and hauled by three miles) with 400 people in 14 carriages on 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge track between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane on 16 April 1853. The journey took and hour and fifteen minutes.

Postage stamp released on the occasion of 100 year of Indian Railways

The first passenger train steamed out of Howrah station destined for Hooghly, a distance of 24 miles, on 15th August, 1854. Thus the first section of the East Indian Railway was opened to public traffic, inaugurating the beginning of railway transport on the Eastern side of the subcontinent.

Postage stamp released on the occasion of 150 year of the Indian Railways

In south the first line was opened on Ist July, 1856 by the Madras Railway Company. It ran between Vyasarpadi Jeeva Nilayam (Veyasarpandy) and Walajah Road (Arcot), a distance of 63 miles. In the North a length of 119 miles of line was laid from Allahabad to Kanpur on 3rd March 1859. The first section from Hathras Road to Mathura Cantonment was opened to traffic on 19th October, 1875.

Gradually a  network of railway lines all over the country. By 1880 the Indian Railway system had a route mileage of about 9000 miles.

Indian Railways has been described not only as one of the lifelines of the country- but also one of most visible binding force. It has served the country dutifully at moments of crisis. It is doing so now- as the country is facing one of its harshest challenges- medically, socially, logistically and economically.

***

Published in www.prameyanews.com

16.4.2020

http://www.prameyanews.com/when-the-unstoppable-stopped-for-a-greater-cause/?fbclid=IwAR2z72Ra2U4_lR240h_WM3_zROphJjgiMaJMFZFzQ7QgDaIM8n84VyZvWAg

Superstitions at the time of Corona | Article in Odia

କରୋନା ସମୟରେ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସ

ଡକ୍ଟର ମୃଣାଳ ଚାଟାର୍ଜୀ

ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସର ସଂଜ୍ଞା ବେଶ୍ ବ୍ୟାପକ। ଏହାକୁ କୌଣସି ଅଲୌକିକ ଶକ୍ତିର ଗୋଟେ ଅଚେତନ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କିମ୍ୱା ଏହି ବିଶ୍ଵାସ ଆଧାରରେ କିଛି ଅଭ୍ୟାସ କରିବା ବୋଲି କହି ହେବ। ତେବେ ସଙ୍କଟ ସମୟ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସକୁ ବଢ଼ାଇଥାଏ ଏବଂ ନୂଆ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସୀଙ୍କୁ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିଥାଏ। କାରଣ ସଙ୍କଟକୁ ଟାଳିବା ପାଇଁ ଲୋକେ କିଛି ଗୋଟେ ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ଶକ୍ତି କି ଯାଦୁକୁ ଅଧିକ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରନ୍ତି।

ଏବେ କୋଭିଡ-୧୯ ମହାମାରୀ ସାରା ବିଶ୍ଵକୁ ଆତଙ୍କିତ କରିଛି। ଏହା ଅନେକ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେଇଛି। ଏହା ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ଏମିତି କିଛି ପ୍ରଥା ପାଳନ କରିବାକୁ ପ୍ରେରିତ କରୁଛି ଯାହାର କୌଣସି ବୈଜ୍ଞାନିକ ଆଧାର ନାହିଁ କି ଯାହା ତର୍କସଙ୍ଗତ ନୁହେଁ।

ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସର ସଂଜ୍ଞା ବେଶ୍ ବ୍ୟାପକ। ଏହାକୁ କୌଣସି ଅଲୌକିକ ଶକ୍ତିର ଗୋଟେ ଅଚେତନ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କିମ୍ୱା ଏହି ବିଶ୍ଵାସ ଆଧାରରେ କିଛି ଅଭ୍ୟାସ କରିବା ବୋଲି କହି ହେବ। ତେବେ ସଙ୍କଟ ସମୟ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସକୁ ବଢ଼ାଇଥାଏ ଏବଂ ନୂଆ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସୀଙ୍କୁ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିଥାଏ। କାରଣ ସଙ୍କଟକୁ ଟାଳିବା ପାଇଁ ଲୋକେ କିଛି ଗୋଟେ ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ଶକ୍ତି କି ଯାଦୁକୁ ଅଧିକ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରନ୍ତି।

ଏବେ କୋଭିଡ-୧୯ ମହାମାରୀ ସାରା ବିଶ୍ଵକୁ ଆତଙ୍କିତ କରିଛି। ଏହା ଅନେକ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେଇଛି। ଏହା ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ଏମିତି କିଛି ପ୍ରଥା ପାଳନ କରିବାକୁ ପ୍ରେରିତ କରୁଛି ଯାହାର କୌଣସି ବୈଜ୍ଞାନିକ ଆଧାର ନାହିଁ କି ଯାହା ତର୍କସଙ୍ଗତ ନୁହେଁ।

ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶର କିଛି ଲୋକ ବାଇବେଲରୁ ମିଳୁଥିବା ଚୂଳକୁ ପାଣିରେ ଭିଜେଇ ସେବନ କରିବାକୁ କରୋନାର ପ୍ରତିଷେଧକ ଭାବେ ମନେ କଲେ। ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶର ନାମସାଇରେ ବୌଦ୍ଧ ଧର୍ମାବଲମ୍ବୀ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଏମିତି ଗୋଟେ ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ପ୍ରସାର ହେବାରେ ଲାଗିଲା। ଏ ବାର୍ତ୍ତାଟି ହେଉଛି- ନିଜ ଘର ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଗାତ ଖୋଳନ୍ତୁ, ଆପଣ ଯେଉଁ କୋଇଲା ପାଇବେ ତାକୁ ପାଣିରେ ମିଶେଇ ଘରେ ଛିଞ୍ଚନ୍ତୁ, ଏହା ଦ୍ଵାରା କରୋନା ପଳେଇଯିବ।

ଆସାମର କିଛି ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ କରୋନାର କୁନଜରରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିବା ଲାଗି ଲୋକେ ନିଜ ଘର ଦୁଆର ବାହାରେ ତିନୋଟି ଲ୍ୟାମ୍ପ ଜାଳିଲେ।

ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସ କେବଳ ଭାରତରେ ସୀମିତ ନୁହେଁ। ଜେରୁଜେଲମରେ ସଙ୍କଟ ଦୂର କରିବାକୁ କରୋନା ବ୍ରାଣ୍ଡର ବିଅର ପିଇବାକୁ କେହି ଜଣେ କହିଲେ। କୁହାଗଲା ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବାବେଳେ ଗୋଟେ ଗ୍ଲାସ ଭଲ ବିଅର ପିଇଲେ ଅତିରିକ୍ତ ଶକ୍ତି ମିଳିବ ଆଉ ଏହା କରୋନା ସଂକ୍ରମଣରୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବ।

ସେହିପରି ରୁଢ଼ିବାଦୀ ରବିଙ୍କ ମତରେ କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ ହେଉଛି ମଣିଷ ଜାତି ମୁକ୍ତି ପାଇବାର ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ସଙ୍କେତ। ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କିଛି ଲୋକ କରୋନାକୁ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ କଳ୍କୀ ଅବତାର ଭାବେ ବିବେଚନା କରି କହିଲେ- କଳ୍‌କୀ ଆସିଲେ ଆଉ ସଂହାର କରିବେ। କିଛି ଲୋକ ଅଚ୍ୟୁତାନନ୍ଦଙ୍କ ବାଣୀକୁ ଉଦ୍ଧୃତ କରି କହିଲେ- ଗୋଟେ ଅଜଣା ରୋଗ ଆସିବ ଏବଂ ଲକ୍ଷାଧିକ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ନେଇଯିବ। ଏ ହେଉଛି ସେ ସମୟ।

ଘରେ ରହିବାକୁ ତଥା ସାମାଜିକ ଦୂରତ୍ୱ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ଉପରେ ଯଦିଓ ସରକାର ଅନେକ ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ନେଉଛନ୍ତି, ଧାର୍ମିକ ସ୍ଥଳ ଯିବା ଉପରେ ପ୍ରତିବନ୍ଧ ଲଗେଇଛନ୍ତି ହେଲେ ଏମିତି କିଛି ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସ ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ସମସ୍ୟା ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରୁଛି।

ଏହି ସଙ୍କଟ ସମୟରେ କିଛି ଉପଯୋଗୀ ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଲୋକେ ଶୁଣିବା ଦରକାର। ଜେରୁଜଲେମର ସର୍ବୋଚ୍ଚ ମୁସଲିମ କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷ ଗ୍ରାଣ୍ଡ ମୁଫତି ମହମ୍ମଦ ଅହମ୍ମଦ ହୁସେନ ରେଡ଼ିଓରେ କହିଛନ୍ତି, “ଧାର୍ମିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଅପେକ୍ଷା ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ଅଧିକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଏବଂ ନିଜକୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ଇସଲାମର ଅନ୍ୟତମ ମୂଳ ଚିନ୍ତନ।”

ଆଇଜଲରେ ମିଜୋରାମ ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚ କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷ ସ୍ଵତଃସ୍ଫୂର୍ତ୍ତ ଭାବେ ଜନସମାଗମ ଉପରେ ରୋକ ଲଗେଇଛନ୍ତି। ଅନେକ ହିନ୍ଦୁ ମନ୍ଦିର ଓ ଶିଖ ଗୁରୁଦ୍ୱାର କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷ ସମାନ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନେଇଛନ୍ତି।

ଏମିତି ସଙ୍କଟ ସମୟରେ ବିଜ୍ଞାନ ସହଯୋଗ କରେ ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସ ନୁହେଁ।

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https://odisha.live/2020/04/17/myth-regarding-coronavirus-opinion-by-iimc-regional-director-doctor-mrinal-chatterjee/?fbclid=IwAR1mEaAqH9DWDhxbLkUFRNu6KCFtNKlPwhQCJDYGD99I3ne5Ub6SVuJy0cc

17.4.2020

Window Seat | 19.4.2020

   Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee 19.4.20

Appropriation of Icons

April 14^th was Baba Saheb Ambedkar's 129^th birthday and by the afternoon I was reading rich tributes paid to him by different political parties. I was amazed at the blatant attempt by different political parties to appropriate Baba Saheb as either their own or aligned to their ideology.

Cambridge Dictionary defines the word appropriation as the act of taking something for your own use, usually without permission.
"Political icons are easily appropriated. This is more so the case for figures who have such widespread, almost universal resonance, that their mere invocation can bestow some level of acceptability", wrote Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who teaches history and political science at Ashoka University in Outlook (29 April 2016).

Why is it being done? Perhaps one of the most obvious answers lies in the fact that popular mass politics is not possible without invoking figures that have left an indelible imprint on India's socio-political landscape. As Garima Sharma writes in her article 'Indian Politics and the Appropriation of the Past', "Since culture and history are an indispensable component of nationhood and appeal to the collective consciousness of the mobilized people, their infusion to contemporary discourses and ideas in politics and policy lends acceptance, efficacy and legitimacy to current political ideas. Such interactions between contemporary politics and symbolic history-culture constitute a process through which history is not only brought to bear upon the present but is also itself re-written and appropriated for the fulfilment of current discourses. It also constitutes a process by which ‘national’ history is sought to be defined and contemporary socio-cultural identities shaped."

This tussle over the appropriation of national figures from pre-independence India is not restricted to Ambedkar. Gandhi's legacy is also laid claim to even by those who historically have been fundamentally opposed to him. Bhagat Singh is also co-opted by an entire spectrum of politicians and civil society organisations in which he is portrayed as everything from a devout Sikh, to a militant Hindu nationalist, to a socialist revolutionary.

Corona Quote

Corona has brought gloom and despair all over the world. However, a sense of humour helps to tide over testing times. Here are some Corona twists to popular sayings. Enjoy.

1) Divided we live, United we die.

2) A sneeze, in time...infects nine.

3) All that sniffles has caught a cold

4) Homestay is the best policy.

5) One man's mask is another man's poison

6) When things get cough, the smart get going.

7) An unmasked guy is the Covid's workshop.

8) As you spray, so shall they reap.

9) Snot is weaker than sanitizer

10) Better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick

11) Curiosity killed the doc.

12) Distancing is the best part of Valour.

13) Don't count your chickens before next May

14) Every crowd has a carrier lurking

15) Every cough has its spray.

16) A cough hits nine lives

17) Ignorance is a kiss

18) Necessity is the mother of infection

19) Out at night is out of mind

20) Rome wasn't infected in a day

21) The grass is cleaner on your side of the fence

22) There is no safety in numbers

23) When the cough is away, you can come out and play.

24) When in Rome. die as the Romans do

25) Cough goes around comes around.

26) When one door shuts, another door shuts

27) You can have your covid and spread it too

28) The road to hell is sprayed with good infections

Tailpiece 1: Corona Time

Jyoti Basu's soul suddenly woke up and found that all the factories in the whole world have closed down and bandh prevalent everywhere. 

So,  he called up Sitaram Yechury and asked him whether the Left has come to power all over the world.

Tailpiece 2: Corona ki Davvai

Pakistan: Bhaijaan, humare liye davaai bhejo

India: Konsi?

Pakistan: Wohi difficult spelling wali davaai...

India: Konsi?

Pakistan: Hyder ki sexy gori queen

Tailpiece 2: Corona Gyan

Extract alcohol from hand sanitizer and lemon from Vim liquid. And make ‘Quarantini’.

Cheers.

(Courtesy: Social Media)

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Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He has recently edited a monograph titled  ‘Jallianwala 101: Retrospect’. Should you want a free e-copy write to him at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

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This column is published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.com

Video Link to Lock Down Literature

Here is the link to the video. See my response to the questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_OcpOcvGF0&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR26DGcsDChf-NDdk4nk5TeW2a_FGE41X7h5YMLxIUc_3876rHiMDTcq6e4

11 mini stories on Corona

Corona: 11 Mini-stories in Odia

କରୋନା: ୧୧ ଅଣୁଗଳ୍ପ
। ମୃଣାଳ ।

୧. ମୁଖା

ମଣିଷର ମୁହଁ ତ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ଏମିତିରେଇ ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ହୋଇଯାଉଥିଲା । ତା ଜାଗାରେ ଲାଗୁଥିଲା ମୁଖା । ପରସ୍ତ ପରସ୍ତ ମୁଖା । ହେଲେ କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍ ଆସିଲା ପରେ ସେ ମୁଖାଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସବୁ ଦୃଶ୍ୟମାନ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି । ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ମୁହଁରେ ମୁଖା । ଏ ମହାମାରୀ ମଣିଷର ସଠିକ୍ ସ୍ଥିତି ଦେଖେଇ ଦେଲା ।

୨. ମୁଖା-୨

ନବଘନର ଦେଖା ହେଲା ତାର ପୂର୍ବତନ ପ୍ରେମିକା ପାର୍ବତୀ ସହିତ । ନବଘନ ଏବେ ଛକ ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଔଷଧ ଦୋକାନ କରିଛି । ପାର୍ବତୀ ଆସିଥିଲା ମାସ୍କ୍ କିଣି ।
ପାର୍ବତୀ ତାକୁ କହିଲା, ଭାଇନା, ଗୋଟେ ମାସ୍କ୍ ଦେଲ । ମୁଖା ମ! କରୋନାରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଜିକାଲି ସମସ୍ତେ ପିନ୍ଧୁନାହାନ୍ତି- ସେଇ ମୁଖା ।
ପାର୍ବତୀ ଏମିିତି ଭାବରେ କଥାଗୁଡ଼ାକ କହିଲାର,ଯେମିତି ତା ସହିତ କେବେ କିଛି ସମ୍ପର୍କ ନଥିଲା । ଛାତି ଭିତରଟା ମନ୍ଥି ହୋଇଗଲା ନବଘନର ।
କହିଲା, ଗୋଟେ ମୁଖାରେ କଣ ହେବ? ତୁମର ତ ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ଅନେକ ଚେହେରା । ଅନେକ ମୁହଁ । ବେଶି ମୁଖା ଦରକାର ପଡ଼ିବ ।

୩. ଏକାଏକା

କାହାରି ସହିତ ମିଶନି । ଏକୁଟିଆ ଘରେ ବସିରୁହ । ଏମିତି ହେବ ବୋଲି ଜାଣିଥିଲେ ଜମା ପୁଅ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିନଥାନ୍ତେ ସତ୍ୟକାମବାବୁ । ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଗାଁରେ ଥାନ୍ତେ । କଣ ଟିକେ ସର୍ଦ୍ଦି କାଶ ହୋଇଛି ଯେ ପୁଅ ବୋହୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଏକା ଘରେ ବସି ରୁହ । ଜମା ବାହାରକୁ ବାହାରନି । କରୋନା ନା ମରୋନା କଣ ଭାଇରସ୍ ମାତିଛି । ଆବେ ଏମିତି ସର୍ଦ୍ଦି କାଶ ଆମର କେତେ ହୁଏ- ଆପେ ଛାଡ଼ିଯାଏ । ଏମିତି ଏକଘରିକିଆ ହୋଇ ବସେ କିଏ!
ସମସ୍ତେ ଏକା ଏକା । ପୁଅ ବସିଛି ଗୋଟେ ଘରେ । ବୋହୁ ଗୋଟେ ଘରେ । ସେ ଗୋଟେ ଘରେ । ତାଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ ଟିଭି । ପୁଅ ଧରି ବସିଛି ଲ୍ୟାପ୍ଟପ୍ । ସେ ଅଫିସ୍ ଯାଉନି । ୱାର୍କ ଆଟ୍ ହୋମ୍ କରୁଛି । ଘରେ ବସି କାମ । ଆଉ ଗୋଟେ ଘରେ ବୋହୁ ହାତରେ ମୋବାଇଲ୍ ଧରି ବସିଛି ।
ଏମିିତି ଏକା ଘରେ ବସି କେମିତି ସମୟ କଟେଇବେ ସତ୍ୟକାମ ବାବୁ! ବିରକ୍ତ ଲାଗିଲାଣି ତାଙ୍କୁ । ଏମିତି ଥୁଣ୍ଟା ଗଛ ବୋଲି ବସି ରହିବାଠୁଁ ବୋଧେ କେରୋନା ହୋଇଗଲେ ଭଲ । ଅନ୍ତତଃ ପୁଅବୋହୁ ପାଖରେ ଆସି ପଚାରିବେ: ବାପା କେମିତିି ଅଛ । ବାପା ପାଣି ପିଇବ?
ମନେ ମନେ କହିଲେ ସତ୍ୟକାମବାବୁ: ପ୍ରଭୁ କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍ରୁ କିଛି ମୋ ପାଖକୁ ପଠେଇ ଦିଅ ।

୪. ଭ୍ୟାକେସନ୍

ପ୍ରତିବର୍ଷ ଖରାଦିନେ ବୁଲି ଯାନ୍ତି ପ୍ରଶାନ୍ତ ବାବୁ । ଏବର୍ଷ ବି ଭାବୁଛନ୍ତି ଯିବେ । କେବେ କଉଠି ଖରାଦିନଟା କଟେଇବେ ତାକୁ ନେଇ ଦ୍ୱନ୍ଦରେ ପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ବେଡ୍ରୁମ୍ରେ କଟେଇବେ ନା ଡ୍ରଇଂରୁମ୍ରେ? ନା ଚାରିଦିନ ଶୋଇବା ଘରେ ଆଉ ତିନିଦିନ ଦାଣ୍ଡ ଘରେ ।

୫. କୁକୁଡ଼ା

କି କରୋନା ବ୍ୟାପିଲା ଆଉ ଲୋକେ କଣ ଯେ ବୁଝିଲେ- କୁକୁଡ଼ା ମାଂସ ଅନେକେ ଆଉ ଖାଉନାହାନ୍ତି । ଏଥିକୁ ନବଘନ ଭାରି ହରଡ଼ ଘଣାରେ ପଡ଼ିଛି । ଲାଭ ଆଶାରେ ସେ କୁକୁଡ଼ା ଚାଷ କରିଥିଲା । କୁକୁଡ଼ାତକ ବେଶ ହୃଷ୍ଟପୁଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । ଏଇ ସମୟରେ କରୋନା ଚଡ଼କ । ଏବେ ମାଲ୍ ବିକ୍ରି ହେଉନି । କଣ କରାଯାଏ ।
ଇଆଡ଼େ ନବଘନର ଫାର୍ମରେ ଥିବା କୁକୁଡ଼ାମାନେ ଭେରି ହ୍ୟାପି । ସେମାନେ ତ ଜାଣନ୍ତି- ତାଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ କେତେଦିନର । କରୋନା ଯୋଗୁଁ ତାଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ଅବଧି ଆଉ କିଛିଦିନ ବଢ଼ିଯାଇଛି । ଏଥିକୁ ସେମାନେ ଖୁସି । ତାର ଘେରା ଘର ଭିତରେ ବେଶ ଗୁଟୁରୁ ମୁଟୁରୁ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି । ଆଉ ତାଙ୍କ ଭାଷାରେ କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଜଣଉଛନ୍ତି ।

୬. ଗାଈ

ପୋଷା ଗାଈର ନାଁ ଥାଏ । ମାଲିକ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାରେ ଦେଇଥାଏ । ପୋଷା ଗାଈକୁ ମାଲିକ ଆଦର ଯନି କରେ । ଏ ଗଳ୍ପଟି ଯେଉଁ ଗାଈକୁ ନେଇ ସେ ନା ପୋଷା ନା ବୁଲା । ମଝାମଝି ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ । ତାର ଗୋଟେ ମାଲିକ ଅଛି । ହେଲେ ତାର କିଛି ନାଁ ଦିଆଯାଇନି । ମାଲିକ ସକାଳେ ସଂଜେ ତା କ୍ଷୀର ତକ ଦୁହିଁ ନେଇ ଘରୁ ବାହାର କରିଦିଏ । ଦିନସାରା ସେ ପରିବା ବଜାର ବୁଲି ବୁଲି କେଉଁଠୁ ଚୋରେଇ, କେଉଁଠୁ ଛଡ଼େଇ କେଉଁଠି ବା ଅଳିଆଗଦାରୁ ଅଧା ପଚା ପରିବା ଖାଇ ପେଟ ପୂରାଏ । ରାତିରେ ରାସ୍ତା ମଝିରେ ଶୁଏ । ତା ମାଲିକ ତାକୁ ଘରେ ପୂରାଏନି ।
କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍ ବ୍ୟାପିବା ପରେ କିଏ ଜଣେ କହିଲା: ଗୋମୂତ୍ର ପିଇଲେ କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍ ମରିଯାଏ । ତା କଥା ମାନି ଅନେକେ ଗୋମୂତ୍ର ପିଇବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ । ଏବେ ଗାଈର ଅବସ୍ଥା ଦେଖ- ରାତିରେ ଶୋଇଥିବ ସକାଳେ ଦେଖିଲାବେଳକୁ ତିନି ଲୋକ ତା ପଛରେ ଗିନା, ବୋତଲ ଧରି ଠିଆ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ମୂତ୍ରତ୍ୟାଗ କଲେ ସେମାନେ ତାକୁ ନେଇ ପିଇବେ ।
ଏମିତି ଦିତିନ ହେବା ପରେ ମାଲିିକ ଦେଖିଲା ଗୋମୂତ୍ରର ଦାମ ଏବେ କ୍ଷୀରଠୁଁ ଅଧିକ । ତହୁଁ ସେ ଗାଈକୁ ଏବେ ରାତିରେ ଘରକୁ ଡାକି ନେଉଛି । ଭଲ ଖାଇବାକୁ ଦେଉଛି । ଆଉ ସକାଳେ ହେଲେ କହୁଛି: ମୂତି ଦେ । ଟିକେ ଅଧିକା କରି ମୂତି ଦେ ଲୋ.. ।
ନାମହୀନା ଗାଈର ମାନ୍ୟତା ଏବେ ବଢ଼ିଯାଇଛି ।

୭. ଅସ୍ତିତ୍ତ୍ୱ

ମୁଁ ଯେ ଗୋଟେ ମଣିଷ, ମୁଁ ବଞ୍ଚିଛି, ଏ ଦୁନିଆରେ ଅଛି- ସେକଥା କେହି ବୋଧେ ଖିଆଲ କରନ୍ତିନି । ବଡ଼ ସହରରେ ରମେଶ ଭଳି ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକକୁ ଅନେକ ସମୟରେ ଏମିତି ଲାଗେ । ନିଜର ଅସ୍ତିତ୍ତ୍ୱ ପ୍ରତି ବେଳେବେଳେ ସନ୍ଦେହ ହୁଏ । ମୁଁ ବଞ୍ଚିଛି ତ?
ଏବେ ଭିଡ଼ ବଜାରରେ ଥରେ ଛିଙ୍କିଦେଲେ ଲୋକେ ଯେମିତି ତଟସ୍ଥ ହୋଇ ରମେଶକୁ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି- ତାକୁ ଭାରି ଭଲ ଲାଗୁଛି । ଲାଗୁଛି ହଁ ଏ ବଡ଼ ସହରରେ ବି - ତାର ଗୋଟେ ଅସ୍ତିତ୍ୱ ଅଛି । ସାରା ସହରର ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ଡରେଇ ଦେବାର କ୍ଷମତା ଅଛି ତାର ।
କ୍ଷମତାଟା ତାର ନା କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍ର- ସେକଥା ଆମେ ସମସ୍ତେ ଜାଣୁ । କିନ୍ତୁ ଯେତେଦିନ କରୋନ ଭାଇରସ୍ର ଡର ଅଛି ତାକୁ ତା ଆନନ୍ଦ ନେଇ ବଞ୍ଚିବାକୁ ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ । କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍କୁ ଲୋକେ ଡରିବା ବନ୍ଦ କରିଦେଲେ ସେ ପୁଣି ତାର ଅସ୍ତିତ୍ୱ ହରେଇ ବସିବ ।

୮. ସଟ୍ଡାଉନ୍

ଏଥର ତା ଜନ୍ମଦିନରେ ବବ୍ଲିକୁ ଇନ୍ଭାଇଟ୍ କରିବ ବୋଲି ଭାବିିଥିଲା କାବୁଲା । ବବ୍ଲି ଯଦି ଆସେ ତାହେଲେ ସେଇଠି ତା ମନକଥା ଖୋଲି କହିଦେବ: ଆଇ ଲଭ୍ ଇଉ । ଗଲା ଛ ମାସ ଧରି କାବୁଲା ଏଇ ଶବ୍ଦ ତିନୋଟି କେମିତି ବବ୍ଲିକୁ କହିବ- ତାହା ପ୍ରାକ୍ଟିସ୍ କରୁଛି । ପ୍ରତି ରାତିରେ ବବ୍ଲି ତା ସ୍ୱପ୍ନରେ ଆସୁଛି । ସେମାନେ ହାତୋର ହାତ ଛନ୍ଦି ପପ୍କର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଖାଉ ଖାଉ ସିନେମା ଦେଖୁଛନ୍ତି, ପାର୍କରେ ବୁଲୁଛନ୍ତି ଆହୁରି କେତେ କଥା କରୁଛନ୍ତି ।
ଆଉ ମାତ୍ର ଦି ଦିନ ଥିଲା ତା ଜନ୍ମଦିନ- ବବ୍ଲିକୁ ସେ ଜନ୍ମଦିନକୁ ଆସିବା ପାଇଁ କହି ବି ସାରିଥିଲା, ବବ୍ଲି ହଁ ବି କରି ସାରିଥିଲା- ଏଇ ସମୟରେ ସହର ସଟ୍ ଡାଉନ୍ । ପ୍ରଶାସନର କଡ଼ା ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶ: କେହି ଘରୁ ବାହାରିବେନି । ବବ୍ଲି ଫୋନ୍ କରି କହିଦେଲା- ମୁଁ ଆସି ପାରିବିନି । ସରି ।
ଛାତିଟା ମନ୍ଥି ହୋଇଗଲା କାବୁଲାର । କରୋନା- ତୁମେ ଏଡ଼େ ବଡ଼ ଭିଲିଆନ୍ । ଗୋଟେ ଲଭ୍ଷ୍ଟୋରି ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେଥିରେ ଷ„ ପୂରେଇ ଦେଲ!

୯. ଗୁରୁଜୀ

ସବୁ ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଇଚ୍ଛାରେ ହୁଏ ଆଉ ମୁଁ ହେଲି ଈଶ୍ୱରର ଇଚ୍ଛା ଜାଗ୍ରତ କରିବା ଲୋକ- ଏକଥା କହୁଥିବା ଗୁରୁଜୀ ହେଇ ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ମୁଖା ପିନ୍ଧି ଗମ୍ଭିରି ଘର ଭିତରେ ବସିଛନ୍ତି । କରୋନା ଡରରେ ବାହାରକୁ ବାହାରୁ ନାହାନ୍ତି ।

୧୦. ଭଗବାନ କେଉଁଠି ଅଛନ୍ତି?

ମନ୍ଦିର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ବନ୍ଦ । ମସଜିଦ ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ବନ୍ଦ । ଗୀର୍ଜାରେ ବି କେହି ଲୋକ ନାହାନ୍ତି । ହେଲେ ହାସପାତାଳର ଦୁଆର ମେଲା । ସେଠି ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ଭିଡ଼ ।
ଈଶ୍ୱର ଯଦି ସେଠି ଥାନ୍ତେ- ଆଉ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ଯଦି ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଦୃଢ଼ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ ଥାନ୍ତା- ତେବେ ସେଠି ଭିଡ଼ ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତା- ହାସପାତାଳ ଥାନ୍ତା ଖାଲି ।
ମାନେଟା ସରଳ । ଭଗବାନ ସେ ଧର୍ମାନୁଷ୍ଠାନର ସିଂହାସନରେ ନାହାନ୍ତି । ଅଛନ୍ତି ହାସପାତାଳରେ । ଯେଉଁଠି ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ଡାକ୍ତର, ନର୍ସ ଆଉ ଚିକିତ୍ସାକର୍ମୀମାନେ ଦିନରାତି ମଣିଷର ସେବା କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ବଞ୍ଚଉଛନ୍ତି ।

୧୧. ଅସ୍ତିତ୍ତ୍ୱ-୨

ଦିଲ୍ଲୀର ରାଜରାସ୍ତାରେ ପୁଅକୁ କାନ୍ଧରେ ବସେଇ ଚାଲିଛି ସଦାଶିବ, ପଛରେ ତା ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲତା ଆଉ ତା କୋଳରେ କୁନି ଝିଅ । ସଦାଶିବ ରାଜମିସ୍ତ୍ରୀ କାମ କରେ । ଲତା ଇଟା ବୁହେ, ସିମେଣ୍ଟ ବୁହେ, ପାଣି ବୁହେ - ମୁଲିଆଣୀ । ଦୁହେଁ ଦିଳ୍ଲୀର ଗୋଟେ ବିଶାଳ ବିଲïିଂ ପ୍ରୋଜେକଫରେ କାମ କରିବାକୁ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି- ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଭଳି ଆଉ ଶହେ ଜଣଙ୍କ ସହିତ ।
କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍ ବ୍ୟାପିଛି- ସମସ୍ତେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ଘରକୁ ପଳାଅ- ତୁରନ୍ତ ପଳାଅ ।
ଆଉ ଶହେ ଜଣ ଭିନ୍ନ ରାଜ୍ୟର ମୁଲିଆ ମଜଦୁର ମିସ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସଦାଶିବ ବି ବାହାରି ଆସିଛି ରାଜରାସ୍ତାକୁ । କେମିତି ଘରକୁ ଫେରିବ- ସେ ଜାଣିନି । କେମିତି ବଞ୍ଚିବ ସେ ଆଉ ତାର ପରିବାର- ଜାଣିନି । ସଦାଶିବ କେବଳ ଏତିକି ଜାଣିଛି- ତାକୁ ତା ପରିବାର ସହିତ ଘରକୁ ଫେରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ ।

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Radio Programme | Corona Bhabana

5 minute Programme on Radio Bhubaneswar. Language: Odia. Everyday at 10 am, 2 pm and 6 pm

Content mix: Facts + Information + Self help tips + humour + banter.

It should launch tomorrow, 11 April 2020.

You may download Radio Bhubaneswar app from playstore.

Send your feedback and suggestion regarding content to mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com