Wednesday, 29 March 2023

BAHI KATHA | Fornightly Column on Books |

Next in my fortnightly column on books BAHIKATHA read about the Odia translation of 'Mon Chalo Nija NIketane' by Swami Suddhananda Swami, originally written in Bengali.
It'll be published on 5 April 2023


 

Saturday, 25 March 2023

Window Seat | Weekly column in English | 26.3.23

 

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 26.3. 23

Why?

Often the journalists are asked “Why are you writing about issues which are often not taken up by the administrators and politicians. Why ..when there is nobody to listen?

I have been a journalist of one and half decade and been teaching journalism for over two decades now. I need to answer.

And the answer is, if there is a spot light on issues like say increasing crime, like say providing more space to women in festivals like Holi or even issues like poor public transport or air pollution, concerned administrators and politicians feel impelled to do something about it. Because the administrators believe it might adversely impact their career, if they do not do anything about it. And the politicians believe it might influence votes. But if the issue is never been acknowledged it never gets better. That is why we need to continue to write on issues which need attention, even if apparently nobody notices it.

150 years of trams in India

February 2023 marked 150 years of trams on the streets of Kolkata, the first Indian city to have trams. The first trams, drawn by horses, took to Calcutta streets on February 24, 1873.

150 years later, Kolkata remains the only city in India where trams are still plying. The system is operated by the Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), which was established in 1880. The CTC is also one of the few tram operators in the world that still uses manually operated trams.



However, once upon a time, in the heyday of trams, they were a popular mode of urban transport that could be found across India, in big metropolises such as Delhi, Mumbai (then Bombay), and Chennai (then Madras), as well as smaller towns such as Nashik (it was the third city in India after Kolkata and Mumbai to get trams in 1889), Patna, Kanpur and Bhavnagar.

The Mumbai tram system, which was started in 1907, operated for nearly 40 years before it was closed down in 1947. The Chennai tram system, which began operations in 1895, was closed in 1953. The Kanpur tram system, which was started in 1907, operated for over 40 years before it was closed in 1958.

This is unfortunate, as the tram is an eco-friendly and economic mode of urban transport. It is still being used in many developed countries. In German trams are still a common mode of transportation in many German cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich. The tramway system in France is one of the largest in the world, with trams operating in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Nice. Trams are still a popular form of transportation in many Russian cities, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kazan. Belgium presently has five tram systems in operation.  Trams are in use in several cities of UK, USA, Australia, Turkey and several other countries as well.

Water

India has 18 percent of the world's population, but only 4 percent of its water resources, making it among the most water-stressed countries in the world. Pundits predict that we may face high to extreme water stress in near future. As summer approaches, water scarcity is looming large at many cities and towns in India.

In the 75 years since Independence, annual per capita availability of water has declined by 75% – from 6,042 cubic meters in 1947 to 1,486 cubic meters in 2021.

In this situation it seems almost suicidal the way we waste our water and pollute our water bodies. Hundreds of rivulets and nalas have just disappeared or have been turned into narrow drains.



We drain our industrial effluents and sewage into rivers. This, when water holds great significance in Indian culture and is considered sacred and pure. It is believed to be a source of life and a symbol of purity and cleansing. Here are some examples of how water is valued in Indian culture. Rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati are considered holy, and millions of people take part in religious rituals and bathe in their waters to cleanse themselves of sins and attain spiritual purification. Water is used as an offering to the gods during prayer and worship.

At times I strongly feel we surely do not deserve the natural resources that we have been bestowed with.

Tailpiece: Perfect timing

It was autumn, and the Red Indians asked their New Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. 

 

Since he was a Red Indian chief in a modern society, he couldn't tell what the weather was going to be. 

 

Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his Tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared. 

 

But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked 'Is the coming winter going to be cold?' 

 

'It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed,' the weather man responded. 

 

So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood. A week later, he called the National Weather Service again. 'Is it going to be a very cold winter?' 

 

'Yes,' the man at National Weather Service again replied, 'It's definitely going to be a very cold winter.' 

 

The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find. 

 

Two weeks later, he called the National Weather Service again. 

 

'Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?' 'Absolutely,' The man replied. 'It's going to be one of the coldest winters ever.' 

 

'How can you be so sure?' the Chief asked. 

The weatherman replied, 'The Red Indians are collecting wood like crazy.' 

 

Incidentally this is how Stock markets sometimes work.

(Courtesy: Social Media)

++

Sikkim Express, 26.3.23


This column is published every Sunday in Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.com

 

Pathe Prantare | Weekly column in Odia | 26.3.23

Samay, 26.3.23

 

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

BAHI KATHA | Fortnightly column on books | 22.3.23

 

ଏକ ଉପଭୋଗ୍ୟ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବିତା ସଙ୍କଳନ



ବହି: ବାଜିଗଲେ ଦୋଷ ନାହିଁ (ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବିତା ସଂକଳନ)

କବି: ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ସତ୍ୟାନାଶ
ପ୍ରକାଶକ: ଦକ୍ଷ ବୁକସ୍‍, ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର । ମୂଲ୍ୟ: ୧୨୦ ଟଙ୍କା

ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗକାର ଭାବରେ ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ସତ୍ୟାନାଶ ସାରା ଓଡିଶାରେ ବେଶ୍‍ ପରିଚିତ ଓ ଜନପ୍ରିୟ । ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପ୍ରତ୍ରପତ୍ରିକାରେ ସେ ଲେଖନ୍ତି । ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ ପତ୍ର ପତ୍ରିକା ସଂପାଦନା କରନ୍ତି । ତା ସହିତ ଟେଲିଭିଜନ ପରଦାରେ ଏବଂ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ମଞ୍ଚରେ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବିତା ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବାରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ବେଶ୍‍ ଦକ୍ଷ । ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବିତା ସମ୍ମିଳନୀ ଆୟୋଜନରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ବେଶ୍‍ ସକ୍ରିୟ ଅଛନ୍ତି ।

ସାମ୍ପ୍ରତିକ ଘଟଣା ଓ ଚରିତ୍ରମାନଙ୍କୁ ନେଇ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ ଅଧିକ ସୃଷ୍ଟି ହୁଏ । ତାର ସରଳ କାରଣଟି ହେଲା- ଘଟଣାର ପ୍ରେକ୍ଷାପଟଟି ପାଠକ/ଦର୍ଶକ ଜାଣିଥାନ୍ତି । ତେଣୁ ରସ ଉପଭୋଗ କରିବାରେ ସୁବିଧା ହୁଏ ।

‘ବାଜିଗଲେ ଦୋଷ ନାହିଁ’ ଗଣମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ଖବରକୁ ଆଧାର କରି ରଚିତ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବିତାର ସଙ୍କଳନ । ବିଭିନ୍ନ ସମୟରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚିତ ଖବରକୁ ନେଇ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବିତା ରଚନା କରାଯାଇଛି । ଏ କବିତା ଗୁଡିକରୁ ଅଧିକାଂଶ ସେ ଟେଲିଭିଜନ ପରଦାରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିଛନ୍ତି ।

ବସ୍ତୁତଃ ସଙ୍କଳନର ଶୀର୍ଷକ ‘ବାଜିଗଲେ ଦୋଷ ନାହିଁ’ ଥିଲା କନକ ଟିଭିରେ ପ୍ରସାରିତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମର ଶୀର୍ଷକ । ବହିର ମୁଖବନ୍ଧରେ କବି ଏ ବିଷୟରେ ଲେଖିଛନ୍ତି । ବନ୍ଧୁ ଶିଶିରଭଟ୍ଟ ମିଶ୍ର ସେ ସମୟରେ କନକ ଟିଭିରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମର ପ୍ରଯୋଜକ ଥିଲେ । ୨୦୧୪ ନିର୍ବାଚନର କିଛି ଦିନ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେ ଏ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମର ଯୋଜନା କରିଥିଲେ । ପରବର୍ତ୍ତି ସମୟରେ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗକାର ଡ଼. କୁଳାଙ୍ଗାରଙ୍କର ସଂଯୋଜନାରେ ନକ୍ଷତ୍ର ନ୍ୟୁଜର ‘ହାସ୍ୟବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କବି ସମ୍ମିଳନୀ’ରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏଥିରେ ସଂକଳିତ କବିତାରୁ ଅନେକ ଗୁଡିଏ ପରିବେଷିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା ।

ଟେଲିଭିଜନରେ ବା ମଞ୍ଚରେ ଯେଉଁ କବିତା ପରିବେଷିତ ହୁଏ ତାର ରସାସ୍ୱଦାନରେ କବିତାର ସାହିତ୍ୟିକ ମାନ ସହିତ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କଳାର ମଧ୍ୟ ଏକ ବଡ ଭୂମିକା ଥାଏ । ତେଣୁ ନିରୁତା ସାହିତ୍ୟିକ ମୂଲ୍ୟ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରୁ କବିତାକୁ ଉପଭୋଗ କରିବାର ଉପାୟ ହେଉଛି କବିତାଟିକୁ ମୁଦ୍ରିତ ଆକାରରେ ପଢ଼ିବା । ସେ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରୁ ଏ ସଙ୍କଳନର ଏକ ଭିନ୍ନ ମାନ୍ୟତା ରହିଛି ।

ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗରେ ହାସ୍ୟ ସହିତ ଥଟ୍ଟାର ଗୋଟେ ବଡ ଭୂମିକା ଥାଏ । ଥଟ୍ଟା ନଥିଲେ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ ହେବ ନାହିଁ । ଥଟ୍ଟା ପୁଣି ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଧରଣର ହୋଇପାରେ । କାହାର ଚାରିତ୍ରିକ ତୃଟିକୁ ନେଇ ହେଇପାରେ, ସମାଜର ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାର ତୃଟିକୁ ନେଇ ହେଇପାରେ, ମାନବିକ ଦୋଷତୃଟିକୁ ନେଇ ହେଇପାରେ, ଘଟଣାକୁ ନେଇ ହେଇପାରେ । ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଭାବରେ ଏ ଥଟ୍ଟାକୁ କବିତା ଆକାରରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଇପାରେ ।

ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ସତ୍ୟାନାଶଙ୍କର ଗୋଟେ ବଡ ଗୁଣ ହେଉଛି ସେ ପଦ ପକେଇକି କବିତା ଲେଖିବାରେ ଯେତେ ଧୂରନ୍ଧର, ଓଡିଆ ଛାନ୍ଦ ଓ ଗୀତି କବିତାରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେତିକି ପ୍ରବୀଣ । ଚମତ୍‍କାର ଲାଳିକା (ପ୍ୟାରୋଡି) ଲେଖନ୍ତି ସେ ।

ଏ ସଂକଳନରେ ୪୬ଟି କବିତା ରହିଛି । ସେଥିରେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଧରଣର ଏବଂ ଶୈଳୀର କବିତା ଅଛି । କେତେଗୁଡିଏ ଉଦାହରଣ ଦେବା ଉଚିତ୍‍ ହେବ । ପ୍ରଥମ କବିତାଟିର ଶୀର୍ଷକ ହେଉଛି ‘ବ୍ରହ୍ମ’ । ୨୦୧୫ରେ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କର ନବକଳେବର ହୋଇଥିଲା । ସେତେବେଳେ ଦିନବେଳେ ବିଗ୍ରହଙ୍କର ଘଟ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଏବଂ ସମସ୍ତ ଦଇତାପତିଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ବ୍ରହ୍ମ ଦର୍ଶନ ବିଭ୍ରାଟ ସଂପର୍କରେ ଖବର ବଡ ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚାରେ ଆସିଥିଲା । ସେ ଖବରକୁ ଆଧାରକରି କବିତାଟି ଲେଖା ଯାଇଛି ।

ପ୍ରଥମ କେତୋଟି ଧାଡି ହେଲା:
ଅଣସର ଘରେ ଥାଇ ବଳଭଦ୍ର ପଚାରିଲେ ଆରେ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ,
କହିଲୁ କହିଲୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମମାନେ କେମନ୍ତ ପଦାର୍ଥ?
କିପରି ଦିଶନ୍ତି?
କଠିନ, ତରଳ ଅବା ଗ୍ୟାସୀୟ ଅଟନ୍ତି?
ଜାଣିଥିଲେ କହ ବେଗେ, ମନରୁ ମୋ ଦୂର ହେଉ ଭ୍ରାନ୍ତି ।

ଏହାପରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମକୁ ନେଇ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଏବଂ ବଳଭଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ନାନା ପ୍ରକାର କଥୋପକଥନ ରହିଛି । ଶେଷ ଧାଡି କେତୋଟି ହେଉଛି –
ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ କହିଲେ ହେ ଭାଇ, ବିଲକୁଲ ଚିନ୍ତା କରନାହିଁ
ଲୋକେ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ବ୍ରହ୍ମ ଏବେ ଫଟୋ ହୋଇ ବୁଲୁଛନ୍ତି
ଫେସବୁକ୍‍ ହ୍ୱାଟସ ଆପରେ
ବ୍ରହ୍ମ ଖୋଜିବା ପାଇଁକି ଭିଜିଲାନସ ଇନକ୍ୱାରୀ କରୁଛନ୍ତି
ପ୍ରଶାସକ ମହାପାତ୍ର ସାରେ ।

ସେମିତି ବ୍ୟାଘ୍ର ଗଣନାକୁ ନେଇ ଗୋଟେ କବିତା ଅଛି । ଓଡିଶାରେ ବାଘ ସଂଖ୍ୟା କମିଥିବାରୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାବରଣ ବିଭାଗ ଉଦ୍‍ବେଗ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିଥିଲେ । ସେ ଖବରକୁ ଆଧାରକରି ଲେଖା ହୋଇଛି ଏହି କବିତାଟି । ପ୍ରଥମ କେତୋଟି ଧାଡିି ହେଲା:
ସକାଳୁ ସକାଳୁ ଫରେଷ୍ଟର ପାଖେ ପହଞ୍ôଚ ଫରେଷ୍ଟ ଗାର୍ଡ
କହିଲା ସାରେ ପେପରରେ କ’ଣ ବାହାରିଛି ଆଜି ପଢ଼
ଖବର ଯାଇଛି ଜମି
ଭାରତରେ ବାଘ ବଢ଼ିଛନ୍ତି ସିନା, ଓଡିଶାରେ ଗଲେ କମି ।

ତା’ପରେ ବାଘ ଗଣନାରେ କ’ଣ କ’ଣ ହେଇଛି ସେ ବିଷୟରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା ରହିଛି କବିତାଟିରେ । ସେ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାକୁ ବଡ କଠୋର ଭାବରେ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରିଛନ୍ତି ।

ସେମିତି ଗୋଟେ କବିତା ‘ବେଟି ବଚାଓ ବନାମ ସ୍ୱଛ ଭାରତ’ । ଏ କବିିତାରେ କନ୍ୟା ଭୃଣ ହତ୍ୟା ଉପରେ ବଡ କଠୋର ଭାବରେ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରାଯାଇଛି । ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ ସହିତ ଏଥିରେ ଟିକିଏ ବେଦନା ମଧ୍ୟ ରହିଛି । ଶେଷ କେତୋଟି ଧାଡି ଶୁଣନ୍ତୁ କବିତାର ।
ଗୁଣ୍ଡୁଚି ସ୍ୱାଇଁକୁ କହିଲେ ବାବୁ ପେଟକୁ ଦେଖିଲେ ହେଉଛି ଜାଣି
ତମ ୱାଇଫର ଗର୍ଭରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି ପୁତ୍ର ମଣି ।
ନାହିଁତ ଝିଅ ।
କେଉଁ ବେଟିକୁ ବଞ୍ଚେଇବ ଆଉ ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଅ ।
ତେଣୁ ପତ୍ନୀଙ୍କ ଗର୍ଭକୁ ସଫାକରିଦେଇ
ସ୍ୱଛ ଭାରତ ଅଭିଯାନରେ ସାମିଲ୍‍ ହୁଅ ।

ଏମିତି ଅନେକ କବିତା ଅଛି ଯେଉଁଥିରେ ସମସାମୟିକ ରାଜନୈତିକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ୱଙ୍କୁ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରାଯାଇଛି ।

ଛାନ୍ଦ ପୁରୁଣା ଶୈଳୀର ଓଡିଶୀ ଗୀତର ଅନୁକରଣରେ ବେଶ୍‍ କିଛି କବିତା ଅଛି । ସେମିତି ଗୋଟେ କବିତା ହେଉଛି – ମୋଦୀ ପ୍ରେମ ବଡ ଥଣ୍ଡା । ଏ କବିତାଟି ଶ୍ୟାମ ପ୍ରେମ ବଡ ଥଣ୍ଡାରେ ମନ, ଏଇ ବୃତ୍ତରେ । ଏ କବିତାର ପ୍ରେକ୍ଷାପଟଟି ହେଲା ଯେ ସବୁଥର ବହୁ ସଂଖ୍ୟକ ବିଜେଡି ଏମ.ପି. ଜିତିଲା ପରେ ବି ସେମାନେ ନା ୟୁପିଏ ସରକାରରେ ନା ଏନଡିଏ ସରକାରରେ ସାମିଲ୍‍ ହେଇଥିଲେ । ବିଜେଡି ଏମ.ପି. ବୈଜୟନ୍ତ ପଣ୍ଡା ଏନଡିଏର ନିକଟବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ହେବା ମିଡିଆରେ ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚା ହେବାପରେ ସେହି ଖବର ଆଧାରରେ ଏହି କବିତାଟି ଲେଖା ହୋଇଥିଲା । ପ୍ରଥମ କେତୋଟି ଧାଡି ହେଲା –

ମୋଦୀ ପ୍ରେମ ବଡ ଥଣ୍ଡା ହେ ନବୀନ
ମୋଦୀ ପ୍ରେମ ବଡ ଥଣ୍ଡା
ଚାଟିବାକୁ ଭାରି ଇଛା ଡାକିଲାଣି
କହେ ଢ଼ୋ ଟିଭି ପଣ୍ଡା ହେ ନବୀନ,
ମୋଦୀପ୍ରେମ ବଡ ଥଣ୍ଡା ।

ଏମିତି ଅନେକ ଗୁଡିଏ କବିତା ତତ୍କାଳୀନ ରାଜନୈତିକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ନେଇ ଲେଖା ଯାଇଛି । ସାଂପ୍ରତିକ ସାମାଜିକ ବିଷୟକୁ ନେଇ ମଧ୍ୟ ବେଶ୍‍ କିଛି କବିତା ଲେଖା ଯାଇଛି । ସେମିତି ଗୋଟେ କବିତା ହେଉଛି ଚେନ୍‍ ଲୁଟେରା । ପ୍ରେକ୍ଷାପଟ ହେଲା: ସେ ସମୟରେ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରର ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରୁ ସୁନାଚେନ୍‍ ଲୁଟ୍‍ ଖବର ଗଣମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ପ୍ରସାରିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା ।

ପୁଅ କହିଲା ଜାଣିଛ ଡାଡି ହମାରା ବାଜାଜ ହମାରା ଗୌରବ
ପଲସର ହେଇଛି ଗାଡି
ସୁନ୍ଦର କଳାରଙ୍ଗ ବୋଳି ବଜାରେ ଦେଇଛି ଛାଡି
୨୦୦ ସିସି ଗାଡି
ଷ୍ଟାର୍ଟ ମାରୁ ମାରୁ ଶହେ ସ୍ପିଡ୍‍ରେ ଆଗକୁ ଯାଉଛି ମାଡି
ମୁଁ କହିଲି ହଁରେ ପୁଅ ସେହି ବାଇକ୍‍ରେ ଚଢ଼ି
ଆମରି ବେକରୁ ଆମ ଚୋରପିଲା ଚେନ୍‍ ନିଅନ୍ତି ଭିଡି ।
ଶେଷ କେତୋଟି ଧାଡି
କହିଲ କହିଲ ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜ କଣ ଷଣ୍ଢ ଉପରେ ଚଢ଼ିକି
ମହିଳା ଭକ୍ତଙ୍କ ସୁନା ଚେନକୁ ନେଇ ଯାଉଛନ୍ତି ଭିଡିକି ।

ଏମିତି ବେଶ୍‍ କିଛି କବିତା ଉପଭୋଗ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଏ ସଙ୍କଳନଟିକୁ ପଢ଼ିପାରନ୍ତି ।

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Saturday, 18 March 2023

Window Seat. Weekly column in English. 19.3.23

 

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 19. 3. 23

Resolving Man-Elephant Conflict

In recent years man-elephant conflict has become a major issue in India, where human populations and elephant habitats often overlap- like In Dhenkanal, Odisha where I live. As many as 784 elephants have died in the State of Odisha in the last ten years- many of them due to accidents, poisoning by the poachers and electrocution.



Under this backdrop- ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, documentary film directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga- which won the Oscar this year for the best documentary  came as a soothing balm. 

The film tells the story of a community who work as elephant trainers and caretakers, known as mahouts. The women are part of a tradition that dates back centuries, and they share a deep bond with their elephants.

The film explores the daily lives of these community and their elephants, highlighting the challenges they face in a changing world. It also showcases the unique relationship between the mahouts and their elephants, revealing the deep emotional connection that exists between them.

The film is a powerful tribute to the resilience and strength of the human-animal bond, and the enduring traditions that connect us to the natural world.

I guess, this emotional connection coupled with some practical steps and some policy level interventions can contain this conflict.

The tragedy of being Anna Hazare

Anna Hazare is 86 now. Born on 15 June 1937, in a family with humble means, he had a rough childhood, modest education but an indomitable spirit. He was drafted into the Army in 1960, where he initially worked as an army truck driver and was later attested as a soldier. In at least two occasions he escaped death miraculously and   then decided to “dedicate my new life to serving people”. He was discharged from the Army in 1975 after completing 12 years of service.

He returned to his village Ralegan Sidhi and started working for his village, improving the economic condition of the people, getting rid of vices like alcoholism. He started grain bank and some water shed programmes. He helped establish a school, the first one in his village. Gradually he gravitated to activism. Between 1998 and 2006  he campaigned for amending the Gram Sabha Act, so that villagers have a say in the village's development. I*n 1991 Hazare launched the Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan (BVJA, People's Movement against Corruption), a popular movement to fight against corruption in rural Mahatastra. In the early 2000s Hazare led a movement in Maharashtra state which forced the state government to enact a revised Maharashtra Right to Information Act. This Act was later considered as the base document for the RTA 2005.

In 2011, Hazare campaigned for Jan Lokpal Bill, a stronger anti-corruption measure. This campaign catapulted him into the center stage. It gradually turned into an anti-corruption movement with thousands joining him. However, as it grew in volume, there were differences of opinions among the leaders regarding the focus and objective of the movement. On June 2013 Anna publicly disassociated himself from the anti-corruption movement.

The anti-corruption movement which made Anna Hazare a household name in India has long fizzled out. His close associates have moved on and acquired better positions. Arvind Kejriwal became the CM of Delhi. Kiran Bedi became the governor of Puducherry. Ramdev Baba is presently the owner of a huge FMCG empire.

Anna Hazare is largely forgotten. He has disappeared from public mind space. Nobody now wears ‘I am Anna Hazare’ inscribed Gandhi topi. Nobody wears banyan with his smiling face printed on it.     

Anna now lives in his village, slightly bitter and skeptic as he says in a recent interview: “Common people have started looking only for their own interest. The leadership is also not coming forward.”

Climate Change and Human Mobility

Recently we had an orientation programme for young journalists on ‘climate change and human mobility’ at our Institution, organized by ‘Youth 4 Water’. Climatologists and social scientists believe that climate change will have significant impacts on human mobility, both internally within countries and internationally across borders. The effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, droughts, and floods, are likely to exacerbate existing patterns of migration and displacement, as well as create new ones in many countries including India.

India is already experiencing the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, (temperatures in India have risen by 0.7 °C (1.3 °F) between 1901 and 2018) more frequent and intense heat-waves, (In May 2022 severe heat-wave was recorded in Pakistan and India. The temperature reached 51 °C.), changes in rainfall patterns, and increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.

These changes are likely to have a significant impact on human mobility in India, as people are forced to move from their homes due to the effects of climate change. For example, farmers may have to move to different regions to find suitable land for agriculture, while people living in low-lying coastal areas may be forced to move to higher ground due to the risk of flooding.

Additionally, climate change is likely to exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities in India, making some groups more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change than others. For example, low-income communities living in informal settlements may be more vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather events, as they often lack access to adequate infrastructure and services that can help protect them from these events.

India is doing reasonably well in containing climate change. India has ranked 8th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2023. India ranked 10th in CCPI, 2022. CCPI tracks countries’ efforts to combat climate change.

But the problem with our country is that we are big, varied and vulnerable. We need to work both at the micro (at individual and community) as well macro (international cooperation and policy) levels.

Tail piece: The Chinese way

The Chinese are way ahead of us because of their flexibility... 

A Chinese friend tells me:

"Last month, market was good, my dog ate what I ate. 

Last week, market was bad, I ate what my dog ate. 

Yesterday, market crashed, I ate my dog..." 

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You may read the column here: 
https://www.prameyanews.com/post/window-seat-resolving-manelephant-conflict

This column is also published every Sunday in Sikkim Express.

Pathe Prantare. Weekly column in Odia. 19.3.23

Samay 19.3.23

 

New Sunrise in Indian Cinema | Article in Odia | 18.3.23

Nitidin, 18.3.23

 

Saturday, 11 March 2023

Window Seat | Weekly Column in English |12.3.23

 

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee |12.3.23

City of Museums

The history of Cuttack in Odisha goes back to more than 1000 years. One of the oldest city in the country, Cuttack is situated at the apex of the delta formed by the rivers Mahanadi and Kathjodi.

It was established in nine hundred eighty nine A.D. by Raja Nrupa Keshari of Keshari Dynasty. Since then it flourished as the capital city- of different rulers for more than nine century. Hindu Kings ruled it. So did the Mughals, the Marathas and the British.

After Odisha became a separate state in 1936 after a long struggle (it was the first state to be formed on linguistic basis in India), Cuttack remained as the capital of modern Odisha till 1947. Subsequently, the capital was shifted to the temple city of Bhubaneswar in 1948.

Cuttack is one among the few cities in the country which has as many public museums, besides private collections. Nine prominent public museums are: Odisha Maritime Museum, Odisha High Court Museum (recently refurbished and renamed as Justice Museum), Odisha Printing Museum, Madhusudan Museum, Netaji Birth Place Museum, Swaraj Ashram, Anand Bhawan Museum and Skill Museum. A Police Museum was also established here. Each museum is unique in its own way. Unfortunately, not many know about these museums and therefore, foot fall to these museums are low. There has not been any noticeable effort to promote these museums to gain traction. There has been official apathy in some cases. The Police Museum has almost been defunct because of this.

Recently Raja Parija, a trained historian and an administrative officer has written a book titled “Cuttack: the City of Museums”. It describes the journey of museum movement in the country since 1814 and in Odisha since 1904. Raja Parija has been writing books on Cuttack and this is his third book on Cuttack, after ‘The Silver Splendour of Millennium City’ and ‘Netaji was born here’.

Museums help to preserve and promote our cultural heritage by collecting and preserving the artefacts and other articles. It is said people without the knowledge of their past history and culture is like a tree without roots. Parents, teachers and members of civil society organisations and the government must come together to promote the museums and also the museum culture.

Walk for Blood

Soma Basu, my student and one time colleague at the Dhenkanal campus of IIMC, presently working abroad as a journalist told me about Kiran Verma who has been campaigning for blood donation across India and would be passing through Dhenkanal in a few days. 

Kiran Verma



Kiran started his 21,000 km walk to raise awareness about blood donation on 28 December 2021. He has covered (on foot) more than 11500 kms so far travelling through remote districts of Kerala, Puducherry, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha (Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput). 

He quit his corporate job to take on the mission, created an application 'Simply Blood' (which can be used to trace blood donors nearby) which was a blessing to thousands during the pandemic.

The service of Simply Blood is available through the website, a mobile app, and WhatsApp.

According to him, 15 million units of blood are required in India every year, while only 10 million units are available.

He blames the shortage on our social attitude where we failed to grow blood donation as a culture. 

Digital Payment

Recently I had been to Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, known for the 9th century Arulmighu Shri Thiyagaraja temple. Legend has it that the Thiyagaraja (Somaskanda) image here was created and worshipped by Lord Vishnu himself. At over 30 acres, the temple complex is one of largest in South India. The temple has four gogurams (gateway towers). History has it that it was built during Chola dynasty. Later expansions were made by Vijaynagar rulers of Sangama dynasty, the Salukya and Tuluva Dynasty.



I found an interesting way of offering donations here. One can pay by scanning the QR code. I guess all temples and religious institutions should adopt this method: safe, transparent and quick.

 

Tailpiece: Women’s Day

An emotional message on the occasion of Women’s Day:

Mein ek Beti hu,

Mein ek Behen hu,

Mein ek Biwi hu,

Mein ek Ma bhi hu......

Par khabardar jo kisi ne Aunty bola toh.

(I am a daughter, I am a sister, I am a wife, I am also a mother, but nobody dares  to call me an aunty.

(Courtesy: Social Media)

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May read online here: 

https://www.prameyanews.com/post/window-seat-city-of-museums

This column is also published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express.

I

 

Pathe Prantare | Weekly column in Odia | 12.3.23

Samayaq. 12.3.23