Security Extra-Dimension

Most of us, have never felt this much security concerned as we feel now. Insecurity has become the song of life. Whether, one likes or not either he sings or listens to this unwanted songs everyday. This fear of insecurity invades every aspects of life. Let me narrow down this security aspect to protecting belongings from petty thieves. These thieves always look for locked houses and they are very sure of getting in festive days and marriage seasons. Obviously, for a day or two absence, house owners choose to luxury of not worrying of belongings . Let me tell the truth, I always prefer not to have this luxury even if I go for few hours to Lingampally or Chandanagar for shopping – actually accompanying while somebody else, for the most of the time, well let me not play with words 'always' with wife though I hate to drive through nasty traffics – now you must have guessed why do I accompany – just because I can't afford to appoint a driver! Anyway, let me come back to track of security .... Honestly, this trait of being vigilant on security is long cultured and acquired since my early days of traveling in India Railways when I chose wrongly or rightly to work at Hyderabad. All during the journey, even now it's there, I was extra care with long steel chain to securely tie my not so cheap plastic bag to the great Indian railway Compartment with a feeling of great security thinking pretty lifters certainly can't take the daAba (compartment) away! And more I used to sleep putting the shoes quite secured place may be very close to chest!

Looks this syndrome of insecurity follows me. The place I leave Doyens Township of-late has become very known for such house burglary of-course for locked houses. That way, these thieves are quite reasonably honest. They respect security concerned people like me. But, Doyens Housing society and like that many Housing societies in Hyderabad have become very conscious of security. Of-course, Hyderabad has always been a flash point for security. Infact Hyderabad has been always leading in all aspects – that's we see. The extra-dimension I would like you to visualise. These security guards usually old sometimes 60+ age. It will be easy to find them whistling to be noticed only. And to be in good book of society dwellers they follow the age old thumbs rule – to be concerned to only who is influential. For a silent dweller like they really don't care. Interestingly, I found when I pass through the gate on my car, I get a salute. Then, I realize how these influentials relish these self-ego boosters! But, when I walk through the gate the security there did not even bother to look up abandoning his lazy sitting posture – ofcourse sometimes a bidi (country cigarette) on leaps. Many offices, you may not find such old security guards but equally lazy guys. Young guys keep dozing sitting on a bench. Harldy, they are in alert position to respond to a sudden security violation or eruption.

Not only me you will also agree for sure of the distaste to looking at a lazy security in morning in workplace. I remember of my one visit – the first visit to University of Aizu, Japan. Every morning, when I used to pass through the main gate the University security guard at the main gate used to bow down and very politely welcoming each coming in. As a visitor, most of the time I was on foot. But, he was not having any such discrimination!

Dull Being Away

Before Durga Puja, BaAu (mother) made a call to me and asked, 'When are you coming home?' She knew what could be my answer. Hyderabad does not celebrate Durga Puja as done in Odisa. It's vacation here only on Dasara day. Every year, I can not go on leave to celebrate Durga Puja or Raja Sankranti at native place. I can not celebrate those festivals in Hyderabad with the same gaiety being away of native place. Life is dull and dry being away. And there is of-course, the change modernity has brought to life.

Agriculture had a special impact on our culture. Soon after the thunders of rainy season, autumn comes with clear blue sky adorned with white patch of floating clouds, the ripples of hopes on green paddy fields, cold wind drenched with scents of wild jasmines accompanied by laughter of Kasatandi. How beautiful is the nature! Ecstatic farmer with all hopes and benevolence prays to mAa Durga to descend!

This is the culture laid since ages, people observed with gaiety and spirituality. There have been many political and religious thoughts at different times. But, the relation between people and nature has remained intact. See, how this relation has remained intact in West Bengal and Kerala though people of these two states have been inspired by Communism. But, they celebrate Durga Puja and Onam with undiminished enthusiasm. Likewise, why should the change in our profession will change the 'Parban - the celebration of Parban - Durga Puja?' Parban is so much associated with the Nature. How can this change in profession will snap our ties with Nature! Being away of Nature, we will not get its beauty surfing on channels of that idiot box in living rooms.

Let's take care of the Nature, laugh with Kasatandi and celebrate Parban. How am I celebrating? I have written poems for Odia megazines Puja special issues. And will hop Puja pendals of Hyderabad Odia and Bengali communities. Ofcourse, Puja in Odisa will be always in my mind. You being in Odisa, are lucky to celebrate Puja with dears and nears. Enjoy Puja with a lot of gaiety. With best wishes on Durga Puja.

Note:

Kasatandi is a kind of long hairy broom like white flower with long stuck generally found grown on a kind of grass in Autumn particularly on the banks of rivers.

Certainly, the spirit of my Odia article is not in this English translation. Atleast I'm not satisfied with.

Bahare Jibanata Nukhula

Dear All

This is my interview to Surjyaprabha Odia Daily Newspaper
for its Durga Puja special 'Parvana'.

I'll put its English version soon, sure.

Sorry for now to my non-odia blog readers.

regards
Hrushikesha

Tume Phriba He Dine

Dear All

This poem is published in Surjyaprabha dated 13th September '09. The poem deals with pathos of native place that is being deserted consistently. The mother village talks of affection, she had for everybody. Wonders, what wrong she did so that kids once left don't feel for returning and remembering making different pleas (I'm too busy for a visit). But, she has not left the hope of their returns!

Hope later I can translate to English.
Here is the poem in Odia ....

Odia Essay Competition

NARENDRA PRASAD FOUNDATION

Odia Essay Competition
on

“Natural Resource and Self Employment : A Simulia Perspective”

Narendra Prasad Foundation intends to organize annual Odia essay competition for students studying in High Schools located in Simulia block. The objective of this competition is to inspire students for creative thinking and writing in mother tongue. From each school, being recommended by the corresponding Head Master, three students of Ninth/Tenth class can participate in this competition. All the essays will be judged by three experts and the First, the Second and the Third essays based on merits will be selected for award of Rs.3000/-, Rs.2000/- and Rs.1000/- respectively. The selection by the Jury is final.

Eligibility: Regular students of any recognised school located in Simulia,
Balasore, Odisha.

Manuscript: Should be hand written in on one side of A4 paper. The length of the essay should not be more than 20 pages.

Important Dates:

Last date for receiving essay : 31st December 2009.
Declaration of Award Winners: 30th April 2010
Presentation of Awards : 14th June 2010

Jury:

Sri Bankimchandra Moharana, Ex-Headmaster Bari High School, Simulia, Odisha
Professor Ramesh Chandra Pradhan, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, AndhraPradesh
Sri Navin Das, Managing Editor, Surjyaprabha, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

Please send essay in Speed post/Regd Post to:

Professor Hrushikesha Mohanty
Department of Computer & Information Sciences
University of Hyderabad
Gachhibowli
Hyderabad 500 046.
Cell: 09177849360

On This Day

This is a English Version of the poem "Ee Tithire"
published in Surjya Prabha Odia daily on 12th July '09.
-------------------

That day, while you left
Didn't tell me - not even a word!
Thought in between you and me
Nothing more left for days to come ahead!

Though you left me
Crossing boundary of day-and-night
snapping off the blood-ties
That day -
You left me being form-less
While I was gazing at
The flickering flame.

I have to live some more
"Snan Purnima"s
Through some more pull-push of
Day-and-Night and to
Preserve the unforgettable memoirs.

I'm not sure of the beliefs I have with these
Rituals and rites,
Not sure how doable in this life style
Still
My annual offerings - 'teel and tandula'
you get? - not sure of it.
Even you get , then not sure
What you can you do with those?

I don't know ,
Even don't try to know
Nor I can forget you.

Every year on This Day
I intensely remember you
And
You come, I walk with you in that lane
That we traversed long before!

Hrushikesha Mohanty
*********************************************************************
SnanPurnima - (amidst hot summer) comes 15 days before Rath Yatra - the car festival
of Lord Jagannath. On Snan Purnima the Lord with elder brother
and sister takes an elaborate bath in full view of devotees. Snan Purnima. It supposed
to be an auspicious day for Hindus.
teel and tandula: The traditional offerings made to departed soul
*************************************************************************

Ee TiThire

This Odia poem "Ee Tithire" has been published in Surjyaprabha Odia daily
Sunday Literary supplement on 12th July 2009.

regards
Hrushikesha Mohanty
12th Jyly '09