Opening Ceremony : Asian Athletics Championship 2017 at Bhubaneswar

Indispire Edition 176

Do you like attending events in your city? What kind of events do you look forward to? Bloggers Meet/Lit Meet/Music or Art or Cultural Shows/Quiz/Social Causes...or any other? Share about any event that you recently attended or an upcoming one. #CityEvent

 

I was fortunate to attend the grand Opening Ceremony of Asian Athletics Championship 2017 (#AAC2017) yesterday. For the first time, top smart city and my home - Temple City of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India - is hosting this prestigious meet from July 6 to 9, 2017 at our world class Kalinga Stadium. Over 800 athletes from 45 Asian countries are participating in the glorious event.

 

I went as part of Team Yes We Can, a group of energetic people who are on a mission to help develop Odisha completely by 2036. This event was so much fun and meaningful due to this team, for me!

 

Team Yes We Can: Watch out!! Awesome work being done by this team!

Amidst tight security (who did not even let us take in 200 ml bottles of water!), we entered the stadium by 3 pm shouting cries of "Bharat Mata ki Jai"! Our Utkalamrita specially designed #Olly (mascot of #AAC2017) dried palm leaf hand-painted toys were in each of the team members' hands! These generated a lot of interest among onlookers and stadium people!

Want a centuries old toy of Odisha? A handmade palm-leaf flip-toy!
Guess what?
We've designed it as #Olly 🐢 #AAC2017 mascot#RasagolaDibasa🎊 pic.twitter.com/4WBj4246Qn

— sabatexports (@sabatexports) July 6, 2017

 

The seats started filling soon after and we were happy to see huge #Olly balloons put up in the gallery corners. Big "Welcome to Odisha" banner-size printouts were distributed in the stadium for the spectators to hold up. The stage was set up with huge sleeping LED screens on four sides of it, plus huge standing LED screens around the stadium.

 

Source: Amrita Sabat's own mobile phone

The hosts for the evening started the cultural show at 5 pm. Ollywood (Odia movie industry) stars, famous anchor Kuna Tripathy of News Fuse fame, Odisha's own Lady Gaga Naziya all charmed the audience by their performances. Then the Chief Minister along with other VIPs arrived by 6 pm and were felicitated. The Athletics Federation Heads spoke of how they felt disappointed when Jharkhand withdrew from hosting #AAC2017 and were amazed how #Odisha successfully stood up to the challenge. The CM spoke about how Odisha is emerging as a top sporting, education, investment and manufacturing hub. Videos of building infrastructure and getting fully prepared to host this event of mega scale within 90 days, along with superb videos portraying rich Odisha Tourism, were shown, which drew great applause from one and all.

 

The Navy Band and the release of balloons made for spectacular music and sights! It was magic! 

 

Source: Amrita Sabat's own mobile phone

The marching contingents followed, led by the ever smiling #Olly and then each country's contingent was led by a lady wearing beautiful Odisha sarees. A special ovation was given by the spectators when Pakistani contingent came out marching- such is our brotherhood from the Land of Peace and from where Buddhism spread- Odisha! It was a moment of great pride when our National Anthem was played, followed by our Odisha's very own top athlete Shrabani Nanda taking oath on behalf of all athletes to participate in the games in the right sporting spirit! 

 

This was followed by excellent cultural evening first with a performance by the famous Prince Dance Group showing the very evolution of Solar System with the Sun; next dance showed the abundance of water and rain in Odisha and how our Kalinga traders went out in much difficulty centuries ago to do trade in South East Asia crossing the Mahanadi river waters out into the sea- our Bali Jatra; 

 

Source: Amrita Sabat's own mobile phone

next was series of breathtaking Odissi Dance and Acts choreographed by PadmaShri Aruna Mohanty depicting Kalinga War and transformation of Chandashok to Dharmashok - the story of Ashoka the Great; another dance portraying the life of Kalinga's Great King Kharavela, who it is said, when he raised his flag here in Utkala, then even Delhi till present Afghanistan used to tremble out of fear and respect; then came the out-of-the-world hot air balloon show which had talented foreign dancers wearing electrified LED suits...they did stunts in mid-air while hung from the balloons- a first in my lifetime experience for me and I am sure for all who witnessed it at the stadium! 

 

Source: Amrita Sabat's own mobile phone

 

Yes they are flying!

This was followed by superb performances by Mumbai group dancers. The stadium erupted in joy when famous singer Shankar Mahadevan started crooning his most popular numbers- Breathless and Koi kahe from Dil Chahta Hai. But first, he won the hearts of one and all when he sang our most poplar Odia song- "Rangabati" after having profusely praised and having taken blessings from the original singers and composer of this timeless classic song! Truly the audience went into a frenzy!

 

Finally the fireworks went off gloriously after this extravaganza. The only drawback was that all fireworks were concentrated only in the area above the roof of our public viewing galleries. Due to this, we (the public who had paid for their seats!) could witness almost nothing while the VIP stand bang opposite ours got the whole view, which defeated the very purpose of the fireworks. These should have been evenly placed around the stadium, which would also have given it a stupendous view from the sky above and a drone catching that spectacular fireworks display would have been the best video ever!! The hosts meanwhile thanked one and all for having made the Opening Ceremony a grand success. 

 

Source: Amrita Sabat's own Asus Mobile Phone

We then dispersed, saying thanks to each of our team mates but not before going around the splendid stadium which was decked up like a bride in lights and Pipli lampshades! 

 

Source: Amrita Sabat's own mobile phone

The special Konark Sand Art by our very own Padmashri Sudarsan Pattnaik has become the cynosure of all eyes (and selfies!) and we were not to be left behind! :)

What masterpieces of #sand #art!! @nilamadhabpanda @sudarsansand @Bhubaneswar2017 #Odisha #ttot #travel #aac2017 #asiainodisha #konark #olly pic.twitter.com/tPpuo1XIAX

— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) July 6, 2017

 

This was just the beginning...Day 1 of the actual games is over today and India has greatest support! All eyes are also on our Odisha's four participating athletes - Shrabani Nanda, Dutee Chand, Jauna Murmu and Amiya Mallick! May the best athletes win! Jai Hind! Bande Utkala Janani!

Utkalamrita : #OneThingForLove

If you could do one thing for someone or something that you love, what would it be and why? #OneThingForLove

 

I love Odisha. This state has the best of everything- beaches, waterfalls, wildlife, minerals, heritage, history, art, architecture, music, dance, food, clothes- yet remains a backward, poverty-stricken state. History records how Odias have been the most enterprising traders and sailors, going as far as Bali and Sri Lanka to trade before Ashoka's time (3rd Century BC). That's why 'Bali Jatra' is celebrated to this day during Karthik Purnima in November. Yet after Ashoka's war and subsequently over centuries, Odisha then known as 'Kalinga' or 'Utkala' (Land of Utkarsha Kala or Exquisite Arts) started declining. Subservience took over, leaving enterprise behind. 

 

Courtesy

The Lap of Buddhism - Ratnagiri - Traveller's Paradise!

I am hereby redeeming a promise I had made to all my readers in one of my previous posts,i.e. to write in detail about each of the Buddhist places in the 'Diamond Triangle' of Odisha. So here goes the first exclusive write-up on the exquisitely beautiful Ratnagiri!

Being an esteemed part of 3rd International Buddhist Conference at Bhubaneswar has been a life-changing experience for me. The second day of Conference was a site-visit to the 'Diamond Triangle' of Odisha. Ratnagiri was the second destination in our Buddhist trail, after Lalitgiri.

Location: Ratnagiri is in Jajpur District, only about 100 km from Odisha's capital- the splendid Temple City of Bhubaneswar. You can reach at Biju Pattnaik International Airport or Bhubaneswar Railway Station, and head to Ratnagiri by extremely well-connected roads- can reach within 2 hours easily!

2nd Bus carrying Delegates of Buddhist Conference to Ratnagiri. Buses were parked about 1.5 km away from main site, as road is narrow for big buses. Later mini bus of OTDC took us to the exact site of Ratnagiri!

Literally meaning, 'Hill of Jewels' this site is lined with breathtakingly beautiful votive stupas and monasteries dating between 5th Century AD to 13th Century AD.

5 Ways to Manao* your Special Someone!

Sometimes a "sorry" is not enough... Then what is? #sorry

 

Right. "Sorry" is an ubiquitous and taken-for-granted word. Unless you back it up with some heartfelt action, you have no chance to win the other's heart.

So what are my five big ideas to achieve more than the effect of 'sorry' and indeed mend every crack in the relationship?! Here they go:

SURPRISES 

 

#UtkalaDibasaQuiz : Win 2N-3D Stay at Puri, Ratnagiri & lots more!

 

 

The following #UtkalaDibasa Quiz commemorates #UtkalaDibasa 2015 - Odisha's Foundation Day. 

Source

Check out the #UtkalaDibasaQuiz Rules and Terms and Conditions HERE.

A chance to WIN Travel-Stays worth Rs 11,000, Rs 8,000 and 10 other fabulous prizes!

How my New Life Starts!

Every time I attend new events and talk/interact or listen to new people, I feel I have started a new life! Each of them are bold steps to refine me and add value to my life! Especially this year, my plate has been full by God’s grace! 

In January month I attended two Literary Fests back to back in Kolkata- The #AKLF- Apeejay Kolkata Literary Fest 2015 and the Tata Steel Kalam 2015. Both these were held in the sprawling and extremely beautiful premises of the Victoria Memorial. I felt rejuvenated! 

At #AKLF!

Saahi Jaata of Puri, Odisha

Saahi means locality. Jaata means Yatra or Festival. Saahi Jaata (ସାହି ଯାତ) is believed to have begun in 12th/13th century in Puri, Odisha. 'Durga Medha' (ଦୁର୍ଗା ମେଢ) was shown in the Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav [State Level Folk Dances and Music Festival] held on 25 Feb, 2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar. During Dussehra Festival, dance on this theme is generally done in Saahi Jaata- the Raam Lila of Odisha.

Watch how Goddess Durga charms all by dominating the stage! She dances wearing heavy mask and costume of many kgs, to the tune of beating drums, local trumpet, shouts and shower of flowers on-stage!

Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav, Bhubaneswar

Rajya-Stariya Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav [State Level Folk Dances and Music Festival] was held on 25 and 26 February, 2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar. After organising the recently concluded and most wonderful events like the Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts] and the Sankirtan Mahotsav, kudos to Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy and Department of Culture, Govt. of Odisha for organising another brilliant festival showcasing Odisha's vibrant culture!

#Odisha Loka Nritya & Loka Badya Utsav will start soon @ BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar.Com & join fast! #ttot #travel pic.twitter.com/zb65TMXEur
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 25, 2015

 

About Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav:

Sankirtan Mahotsav in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Sankirtan Mahotsav was recently held in Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar from 21-22 February 2015. 30 groups had been called- one representing each district of the eastern state of Odisha in India.

At #Sankirtan #Mahotsav BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar! Frenzied atmosphere! #ClassicalOdia wow! #ttot @odisha_tourism pic.twitter.com/cRZX7OMEw3
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 21, 2015

'Sankirtan' means singing devotional songs for Lord Krishna, in the company of good people. Mainly inspired by Vaishnavite Saint Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu since 16th Century AD, in Odisha, this rich tradition continues and Bhakti songs are sung in praise of Lord Jagannath - Lord of the Universe.

Dhunkel- Rare Musical Instrument from Western Odisha, India

'Dhunkel' musical instrument is also known as 'Dhanakoila'. It makes a continuous beating sound, with accompanying vocals praising the Lord. Things used for making of Dhunkel are Dhanu (Bow) and Kula (domestic utensil to winnow grain made of bamboo), covered over an earthern pot and a Dhunkel stick is used to beat it to produce a unique beating sound. This instrument is used in eastern, western, Southern Odisha. Watch this rare musical instrument being played:

Bhalubansi- rare musical instrument from Western Odisha, India

Bhalubansi, is an ancient wind instrument (Susira Badya) from Western Odisha. It was one among many rare and dying musical instruments played at recently concluded Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts]. Not just Bhalubansi, but Brahmabeena and Dhunkel were also played as part of same performance.

2de 6:30 pm BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar 3 rare #Odisha instrumnts 2 b played: bhalubansi,dhunkel,brahmabeena! #ttot pic.twitter.com/KNu9v6On9i
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 19, 2015

About Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav:

Kendara Badya, rare musical instrument from Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha

Kendara Badya, is a rare stringed musical instrument from Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha. It was one among many rare and dying musical instruments played at recently concluded Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts].

'Music Tree': Innovative concept having 32 rare instruments on it

About the Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav:

Suta Kandhei Nacha (String Puppet Dance) of Ganjam district, Odisha

Odisha has a rich tradition of puppetry. Various forms of puppetry such as Glove (Kandhei), Rod (Kathi Kandhei) , String (Suta Kandhei) and Shadow (Ravan Chhaya) puppetry are all found in different districts of Odisha.

Source: http://ccrtindia.gov.in/puppetforms.php

Now, as promised, I'm revealing the suspense I had talked about in my previous post- that photo was of a String Puppetry Show! Here goes another click from the same:

Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival of Dying Regional Arts], Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts] was organised by Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy and Department of Culture, Govt. of Odisha from 18-19 Feb 2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar.

A one-of-its-kind, innovative 'Music Tree', conceptualised by Mr. Rabi Ratan Sahu had been set up there. It had about 32 rare musical instruments, and looked stunningly beautiful!

Rare #music tree @ BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar whr rare dances of #Odisha 2 b shown!Luptapraya Lokakala Utsav #ttot pic.twitter.com/D05ZHt43GG
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 19, 2015

Rabi Ratan Sahu is not just a talented choreographer and dancer, but an ace researcher on Odisha's folk musical instruments and dances, especially of western Odisha region.

Odia Micropoetry: Dedicated to my beautiful city of Bhubaneswar!

I

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ନାହିଁ କୌଣସି ସହର ଏହି ଜଗତରେ,

ମୋ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବରଠାରୁ ସୁନ୍ଦର!

ଏହାର କଳା, ସଂସ୍କୃତି, ସଭ୍ୟତାକୁ,

କୋଟି କୋଟି ପ୍ରଣାମ ମୋର!

II

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ମୋ ସହର ଇଶ୍ଵରଙ୍କର ବି!

ଏଠାରେ ତାଙ୍କ ବାସଘର!

ଈଶ୍ଵରଙ୍କ ସେବାରେ ମୁଁ ରହିଲି,

ହୋଇ ଝିଅ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବରର!

Mukteswar Temple of Bhubaneswar Source

ନବକଳେବରକୁ ଦର୍ଶାଇବାର ସୁଯୋଗ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ହରାଇଲା

ଗୋଟିଏ ଅନର୍ଥ ଘଟିସାରିଛି। ଏହି ବର୍ଷ ଗତ ବର୍ଷ ପରି, ଆମ ସୁନ୍ଦର, ସଂସ୍କୃତି ଓ କଳାରେ ପରିପୂର୍ଣ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଟାବ୍ଲେଉ (tableau) ସାଧାରଣତନ୍ତ୍ର ଦିବସରେ ଦେଖା ଦେଇନାହିଁ। ଏହି ନବକଳେବର ବର୍ଷରେ ଏପରି ହେବାରୁ, ଆହୁରି ଲଜ୍ଜ୍ୟାକର ଘଟଣାକୁ ପାଲଟିଛି । ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ଏହି ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ, ଅନନ୍ୟ, ଅଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ପର୍ବକୁ ସମସ୍ତ ପୃଥିବୀବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ଦର୍ଶାଇବାପାଇଁ ଏକ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସୁଯୋଗ ଆମ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନେ ହରାଇଛନ୍ତି। ତଥାପି ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ଓ ପ୍ରଶାସନ ଏହି ଘଟଣାକୁ ଗମ୍ଭୀର ଭାବରେ ନେଉନାହାନ୍ତି- ଏହା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପାଇଁ ପରମ ଦୁର୍ଭାଗ୍ୟର କଥା। 

ଏଥର ଖୋଦ ବାରାକ ଓବାମା ଯଥା ଆମେରିକାର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରପତି ଏବଂ ସମଗ୍ର ପୃଥିବୀର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଲୋକ, ତାଙ୍କ ପତ୍ନୀ ମିଶେଲଙ୍କ ସହ ଆମ ସାଧାରଣତନ୍ତ୍ର ଦିବସର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଅତିଥି ଥିଲେ। ଇଚ୍ଛାଶକ୍ତି ଓ ଦୁରଦୃଷ୍ଟି ଅଭାବ ଏବଂ ତ୍ୱରାନ୍ୱିତ ଭାବରେ ଠିକ ସମୟରେ ଠିକ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନ ନେବାରୁ, ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଅଭୂତପୂର୍ବ କ୍ଷତି ହୋଇଛି।

ଏହି ବିଷୟରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇଥିବା କିଛି links ଏବଂ ତାହା ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଜଡ଼ିତ ମୋର ମତ ମୁଁ ଏଠାରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରୁଛି:

i) Telegraph
ii) Economic Times 
iii) Odisha Suntimes

ମୁଖ୍ୟତଃ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସରକାର ଉପରେ ଏହି 'ଦୁର୍ଭାଗ୍ୟ' ପାଇଁ ଅଠା ବୋଳାଯାଉଛି ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟ ଅଣ-ବିଜେପି ଶାସିତ ରାଜ୍ୟ ମଧ୍ୟ ଠିକ ଏହି ଦୁର୍ଭାଗ୍ୟର ଶିକାର ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି, ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଉଛି। କିନ୍ତୁ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ଏହା ମିଥ୍ୟା, ନିମ୍ନ କାରଣ ଯୋଗୁଁ:

a) ଅଣ-ବିଜେପି ଶାସିତ ରାଜ୍ୟ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, କର୍ଣାଟକର ଟାବ୍ଲେଉ ଆସିଲେ । କେବଳ ଏହା ନୁହେଁ- ରାଜସ୍ଥାନ ଓ ପଞ୍ଜାବ ଭାଜପା କିମ୍ବା ତାହାର ସହଯୋଗୀ ଦଳ ଦ୍ଵାରା ଶାସିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଟାବ୍ଲେଉ ଦେଖା ଦେଲାନାହିଁ।

b) ପଶ୍ଚିମ ବଙ୍ଗ ପରି ଆମେ କୌଣସି ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ସ୍କୀମର ସଫଳତାକୁ ବି ପ୍ରଚାର କରୁନଥିଲେ! ପଥର କଳା ହେଉ କିମ୍ବା ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନବକଳେବର ଉପରେ ଆଧାରିତ ହେଉ- ଆମ ଅପୂର୍ବ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଓଡିଶାକୁ ଦର୍ଶାଇବାର ସୁଯୋଗକୁ ହରାଇଛନ୍ତି ଆମେ।

c) ଆଉ ଏମିତି ବି ନୁହେଁ କି ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ଶାସିତ ଦଳଠାରୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ରକୁ କିଛି ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ମିଳୁନି। କାରଣ ରାଜ୍ୟ ସଭାରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଏମ୍ପିମାନେ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ସହମତ ହୋଇ ହିଁ ବିଲ୍ଲ ପାସ କରନ୍ତି! ଏହି ଦିଗରେ ଆମେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଅଣ-ବିଜେପି ଶାସିତ ରାଜ୍ୟ ମାନଙ୍କ ଠାରୁ ଉଚ୍ଚ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି! ଯଦି ଠିକସେ ଲବି କରାଯାଇଥାନ୍ତା ଆମ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଗର୍ବ ପାଇଁ, ତାହେଲେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଆମେ ସୁଫଳ ଦେଖିଥାନ୍ତେ! ଉଚ୍ଚ ପଦବୀରେ ଥିବା ନେତାଙ୍କ ଅପାରକତା, ଇଚ୍ଛାଶକ୍ତିହୀନତା ଆମକୁ ସବୁବେଳେ ହରାଏ।

ଅନ୍ୟ ଉପରେ ସବୁବେଳେ ଅଠା ବୋଳିବା ପ୍ରକୃତି ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ତ୍ୟାଗ କରିବେ ଏବଂ ଦୁରଦୃଷ୍ଟି ସହ ଆମ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପାଇଁ ମନ ପ୍ରାଣ ଦେଇ କାମ କରିବେ ତେବେ ହିଁ ଆମ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମହାନ କଳା ଓ ସଂସ୍କୃତିକୁ ସାରା ବିଶ୍ଵର ଲୋକେ ଜାଣିବେ, ସମ୍ମାନ ଦେବେ ଏବଂ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟକ ଭାବରେ ବୁଲିବା ପାଇଁ ଆସିବେ ।

ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇଛି ଯେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ପରମ୍ପରା, ସଂସ୍କୃତି, କଳାସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଜଡ଼ିତ ପ୍ରମୁଖ ବୁଦ୍ଧିଜୀବିଙ୍କ ମତ ନିଆ ଗଲା ନାହିଁ। ବରଂ କେବଳ ଛୋଟ ଦଳଟି ନେଇ, କିଛି ଠିକ ଭାବରେ ଉଦ୍ୟମ କରା ଗଲା ନାହିଁ। ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଲଜ୍ଜ୍ୟାକର କଥା।

ଆଉ ତା ଛଡା ଯଦି ଏତେ ଆଇଡିୟା-ବିହୀନ କିମ୍ବା ଆଇଡିୟା-ଶୂନ୍ୟ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲେ ଆମ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି-ନେବା-ଲୋକେ, ତା ହେଲେ ଆମ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜନତାକୁ ସୋସିଆଲ ମେଡିୟା/ଖବରକାଗଜ/ରେଡିୟୋ/ଟିଭି ଦ୍ଵାରା ପଚାରିଥାନ୍ତେ! ନବକଳେବର କୁ ଦର୍ଶାଯାଉ ବୋଲି ନାନା ମତ ଆସିଥାନ୍ତା! ଏହି ସବୁ ଦୃଶ୍ୟ ଦେଖା ଯାଉ ବୋଲି ଜନତା କହିଥାନ୍ତେ- ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିର, କିଛି ଦୂରରେ ନିମଗଛ କଟାଯାଉଛି, କାରିଗର ଠାକୁରମାନଙ୍କ ମୂର୍ତି ଗଢୁଛନ୍ତି, ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ ନୃତ୍ୟ କରାଯାଉଛି, ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ ଗୀତ ଗାନ କରାଯାଉଛି ଇତ୍ୟାଦି।

ମୋ ପରି ଅନ୍ୟ ବହୁ ଜଣ ନବକଳେବର ପାଇଁ ମତାମତ ଟୁଇଟର ଦ୍ଵାରା ଦେଇ ଆସୁଛୁ ଗତ ବର୍ଷର ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭରୁ। ସେହିଯୋଗୁ ଯେମିତି ବି ହେଉ, ଆଜି ଲୋଗୋ ଓ ଟି-ଶର୍ଟ ବନାଯାଇଛି।

Source: Twitter

ମନ କହୁଛି କାଶ ଆମେ ଏମିତି ଟାବ୍ଲେଉ ପାଇଁ ବି ପଛରେ ପଡନ୍ତୁ- କିନ୍ତୁ ଜଣା ନଥିଲା ଯେ ଏହି ମୁଖ୍ୟ କାମଟିକରେ ଉଚ୍ଚ ପଦବୀର ଳୋକେ ଏତେ ଦାୟିତ୍ଵହୀନତା, ଅପରିପକ୍ଵତାର ପ୍ରକାଶ ଦେବେ।

ମନ ଆଜି କାନ୍ଦୁଛି। କେବେ କେବେ ଲାଗେ କି ଆମ ନବକଳେବରକୁ ପ୍ରଚାର ହିଁ କରିବାକୁ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଇଚ୍ଛାନାହିଁ । କାରଣ ହୋଇପାରେ ଯେ ଆମର କିଛି ଭଲ ହୋଟେଲ ନାହିଁ, ରାଜପଥ/ଡବଲ-ଲାଇନ-ରେଳ ମଧ୍ୟ ବନା ସରିନି, ଅଳ୍ପ ଦାମରେ ପୁରୀରେ ରହିବାପାଇଁ ଘର ବି ବନା ହେଲାନି (ଅନେକ ଏକର ଜାଗା ଆଗରୁ ଚିହ୍ନଟ କରିବା ବାଦେ ମଧ୍ୟ) ଇତି। କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହି ସବୁ ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆମକୁ ପ୍ରଚାର ଛାଡିବା କଥା ନାହିଁ। କାରଣ, ବିଜନେସ ନିଜେ ଉଭୁରି ଆସିବ। ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟକ ପୁରୀରେ ନ ରହିପାରିଲେ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର/କଟକରେ ଖୋଜି ରହିବେ। ଗୁଡିଏ ଭଲ ବସ ଘଣ୍ଟାକୁ ଘଣ୍ଟା ପକାଇଲେ ସବୁ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟକ ନବକଳେବର ବେଳେ ପୁରୀ ଯିବା ଆସିବା କରି ପାରିବେ! ଆମର ଯାହା ଅଛି, ତାହାକୁ ଭଲରେ ବିନିଯୋଗ କଲେ ଆମେ ବହୁ ରାଜସ୍ୱ କମାଇ ପାରିବା।

Source

ତେଣୁ ଟାବ୍ଲେଉରୁ ଏହି ଅଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ପର୍ବକୁ ନ ଦର୍ଶାଯାଇପାରିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ଏବେ ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ଓ ଅନ୍ତର-ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ସ୍ତରରେ ଆମ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ମାଧ୍ୟମରୁ ପ୍ରଚାର ପ୍ରସାର କରାଯାଉ। କେମିତି ପ୍ରତି ଓଡ଼ିଆ, ପ୍ରତି ଭାରତୀୟ, ବିଶ୍ଵର ପ୍ରତି ଲୋକ ଜାଣିପାରୁ ଯେ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ଏମିତି ଅପୂର୍ବ, ବିଚକ୍ଷଣ ପର୍ବ କେବଳ ଆମ ପାବନ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ମାଟିରେ ହିଁ ହୁଏ.....

Tata Bolt: #GetSetBolt!

As I neared the BMC Bhawani Mall,

With eagerness and anticipation,

A sparkling red beauty,

Jolted me to attention!

It was the brand new, beautiful Tata Bolt,

With it I was ready to Get Set Bolt!

Z: Z marks the end of the A to Z Challenge...

Letter 'Z' is not just the last letter of the English alphabet. It also marks the end of my A to Z Challenge 2014 journey.

I have a strange mixed feeling today- I feel sad...that it's gonna be over for this year..sob sob...yet I must say I've enjoyed it to the hilt overall!

I thank @ArleeBird and his entire team! And so many thanks to each of the wonderful bloggers who read my posts and encouraged me to write more! No wonder my blog views have shot up by leaps and bounds and I am so overjoyed!!

I got a unique palindrome number too in the course of my A to Z Challenge journey: 42424!! It's only Lord Jagannath's grace that this happened while I invoked the Lord's world-famous holy, colourful and unique festivals Rath Yatra and Nabakalebar in Puri, Odisha, India! :D

Screenshot of my blog!

So here is a recap of my A to Z Challenge journey 2014! Those who missed out, may please click and discover all that I had to blog about in a very productive month for blogging- April 2014!!

W: Won Sunshine Blog Award! Thanks Namrata! :)

I'm so honoured to receive my second blog award ever, the 'Sunshine Blog Award' from Namrata, my very sweet blogger friend! She has such a fabulous blog herself! :) Thanks so much Namrata for your kind consideration and showering blog love !!





I first learnt about Sunshine Award from Namrata only! So as a proud recipient of this award, I need to do the following things and so should others who receive this from me!

International Sand Art Festival, Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark, Odisha

The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is situated about 70 km away from Odisha's sprawling and beautiful capital, 'Temple City' Bhubaneswar. Every winter, around the first week of December, Odisha Tourism organises two conjoined events of great importance in Konark, namely The International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach of Konark and The Konark Dance Festival with the splendid 13th Century Konark Temple as the backdrop of divine Indian classical dance performances.

I had the great fortune of attending the 2012 edition of both these events at Konark which were held from December 1st to 5th. I went on only a single day (2nd December) yet was able to fully immerse myself in the grandeur of these events such that it has remained etched in my mind ever since. This post is dedicated to reliving my International Sand Art Festival experience, and I'll present my Konark Dance Festival experience in an exclusive post, which it rightfully deserves.

I've preserved the fab invite too!

 

An invite to mesmerise the depths of your soul!

Internationally-renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, recently awarded with Padma Shri, has been the Brand Ambassador of this major festival- a congregation of sand artists from around the world. Around 30 sand artists from Japan, France, Korea, Germany, Norway and of course India had put up their exquisite sand arts in a row that day. I was actually dumb-struck as I was seeing sand-art in front of my eyes, LIVE, for the first time in my life! A less-known fact (quoting from the invite) is that: prevalence of sand sculpture in Odisha dates back to the 14th Century. No wonder, the golden sands of Odisha's pristine 450 km coastline surely provide the perfect canvas to build the most breath-taking sand-arts in the world!