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Articles by J P Jagdev
The Weight Of Silence: Why Sonam Wangchuk’s Protest Kept Me Awake At Night
The last few nights, I could barely sleep. A deep sense of fear and anxiety was sitting on my chest. My breaths were shallow, and I was feeling suffocated. As a claustrophobe, the last time I had similar bouts of anxiety attacks was when Prince was found deep inside the borewell, and a football team of young boys got trapped inside a flooded cave in Thailand, and rescue attempts were being made from outside. Every minute was like an hour.
Odisha Textbook Fiasco: How Middle Class Quietly Buying Its Way Out Of State Failure
In line with the much-publicised NEP 2020, Odisha’s schoolchildren are getting a world-class education in one subject the syllabus forgot to list: Creative Fact-Checking. With thousands of mistakes across textbooks, we’ve accidentally launched India’s largest critical thinking experiment. Who needs Olympiads when every math sum is a puzzle and every history date is a plot twist? Students get a shot of ‘Nimbooda Nimbooda’ when the numbers get boring, just to keep the experiment joyous.
Odisha Textbook Fiasco: How Middle Class Quietly Buying Its Way Out Of State Failure
In line with the much-publicised NEP 2020, Odisha's schoolchildren are getting a world-class education in one subject the syllabus forgot
Dated Rituals & Our Unquestioning Acceptance
The past few weeks have been unbearably hectic—marked by shock, grief, and strain. A string of medical emergencies involving a young relative and the death of an elderly family member have left deep emotional, physical, and financial wounds. As if that were not enough, the relentless pressure to observe age-old rituals became the final straw. I write this in a daze, overwhelmed by the hundred instructions handed down by a dozen self-appointed experts.
Opinion Deluge And How It's Shaping Us
Many of us remember the national English dailies of the past decades and their celebrated editors. Our fathers insisted that we read them daily, seeing it as a prescription for both knowledge of current affairs and intellectual development. These editors wrote opinion pieces that shaped national discourse on issues of great importance. They were highly educated, groomed by the experts of their time, and had extensive real-world experience.
Couch Patriots, Are We A Victim Of The Framing Effect?
In 1972, my father brought home gifts for my sister and me from his trip. Two books, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, were written by Chakravarti Rajgopalchari. We were disappointed. At the age of 6/7, our expectations were a box of sweets or some fancy dress, not books on mythology. By then, we were somewhat exposed to the Ram Laxman Sita Hanuman stories of the Ramayana from various children’s magazines and were naturally attracted to it.
Ranveer Allahabadia To Udit Narayan: Are We Making Non-Issues An Issue?
A New Year party, an hour past midnight, euphoria dying down, a couple mildly drunk were seen dancing alone to the slowing tempo of the music. The music stopped, everyone clapped, and they hugged each other, ending with the girl planting a kiss on the lips of the man—her cousin brother. She breezed back to her waiting friends with an air of nonchalance, and when confronted by her friends sitting closely, her repartee was as candid….
Why Likes Of Odisha BJP MLA Prakash Sethi Are Here To Stay
Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Sethi’s English speech at Bali Jatra inauguration has gone Viral……the caption shrieked from the rooftop. Bali Yatra has been happening for decades, and the one of 2024 got the biggest eyeball for an interesting incident. Prakash Sethi, Cuttack Sadar MLA from the ruling party, gave a speech in English on the inauguration day. This year, ambassadors, high commissioners, and diplomats from 14 ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and Pacific countries attended the fair for the first time.
Where Curiosity Ends
The morning of May 20, as I was sharing my morning cup of tea with my mother, she started chatting with me mostly to brief me about the things that had happened in the family and in our neighbourhood. She broached the topic concerning a recently married relative of ours not going right. After seeing my non-interest to participate in the discussion, she changed the topic to the latest and most happening thing which has captivated the whole nation – the 2024 Election.
How Are You, Really?
Today is the 3rd day since Mohanty Babu passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest. A midlevel executive in a government department, he was to retire in May. These days when we see young people in their thirties, fit and fine with no medical history to worry about dropping dead without notice; the death of an almost senior citizen should not raise any eyebrow. It was just one of those events which happened every day.
What Do You Do? The Risk-Benefit Model For Striking A Conversation
It was still fifteen minutes to daybreak. Usually, in the winter season, you don’t expect many people in this part of the park unless they are serious morning walkers. And I was preparing myself for a solitary walk in the misty dark morning. But I was not alone; there was another walker ahead of me – I had company. I, with my longer strides, chose to overtake the person who had made it to the park ahead of me. I came close and realised that though his strides are small, he is equally fast.
Not So Jawan Anymore
She refused to buy tickets for the movie ‘Jawan’ for the 7th time today. ‘Jawan’ was released on the 7th of this month and by Sunday, the global collection is set to cross Rs 750 crore. Each time its collection crossed 100-crore mark, I would get curious to see what was attracting people in hordes and would goad her to buy tickets. “My friends in Hyderabad have seen the movie and I know you and your taste… you will fret and fume, and leave the hall halfway dragging all of us out with you.
Let's Not 'Weed Out' The Weed From Our Lives: Unlike Us, It's Not Transient
Hold your horses. I am not going to discuss the kind of plant whose parts make some people get high and happy. The title is a bit misleading. This piece is about any plant growing where it is not wanted and our losing fight with it. The story of our fight with weeds is just not limited to the state excise department burning them deep inside some forest or apprehending the contraband in baleful during transit. It is as old as humanity’s fight with hunger.
Ode To Monsoon: When Humanity Erupts In Joy
By the beginning of June after enduring the harshness of the hot and humid Indian summer season from March, the nation starts looking skyward for the rain clouds to appear. The parched earth and roasted humans in utter despair go their Gods, weathermen, and astrologers to hear the good news of the arrival of monsoon. Their huge errors in predictions in the past don’t stop the hapless populace from dabbling with the discussion over rains even if it’s just in the discussion.
To My Kids On Father’s Day
If I was instrumental in bringing you into the world, certain things came along the deal which I’m responsible for; you better know about the roles I’m going to play in your life. As The Protector My primary role as a father is to give you physical, emotional, social, and financial protection to the best of my ability till you become an adult.
Odisha's Disaster Management Skills & Spirit Of Humanity Prevailed During Triple Train Tragedy
In another few hours, the deadliest train accident of our living memories will be more than 50 hours old. Hours will be days, days will become weeks, and weeks will become months. Life will go on but those gory images of dismembered bodies, strewn body parts, and the sound in our minds of a huge mass of metal hitting another at great speed, wailing of people crushed under the metal carriages crying for help will keep playing in a loop and haunt us a lifetime.
A Father's Letter To His Daughter
Today is your first day at your office and your first step into the world as a professional. I as a father feel I must tell you certain home truths and things which will help you take on the uncertain water and navigate in the new world filled with unknown people and their unknown interests. Leap not with romantic hopes but with practical understanding. A job is an opportunity It’s not a job, it’s also not a trophy you have bagged. It’s a responsibility that you have agreed to take.
Sunday Blues And Our Perpetual Fight With Procrastination
It’s a Sunday afternoon and after the post-lunch siesta, I wake up to a mixed feeling of having lost out, being left behind, guilty, and filled with self-doubt — a sense of dejà vu. Too familiar with it. Deep down I know that this will continue till I reach office and start taking up things. I have lived through this feeling since my adolescence and only recently realised that many adults like me do undergo this feeling routinely and it has a name. It is called ‘Sunday Blues’.
Why Did Mr 'Kutta' Sorry, 'Dutta' Bark To Get His Name Changed On Ration Card?
Shri Kutta! Does it sound weird? Yes, that’s how he would have been officially addressed because the spelling of his surname in the official record tells just that – had Shri Srikanti Kutta (Dutta) of Bankura not protested. Dutta was determined and was made of sterner stuff. After repeatedly failing to move the authorities to make a valid change of the name on his ration card, he chose to stage a protest in the most non-violent and creative way.
The Silence Of The Sounds
Some days back in Bengaluru, around midnight I was shaken off my sleep by an ear-piercing unfamiliar sound. It was the typical sound of a piece of a heavy metal hammer hitting another large metal body at rhythmic regularity. Why would someone in a residential colony hit a metal body with another hammer continuously for hours so late at night. I started analysing what could the situation be and drew a big blank.
Respect – What It Means And What We Have Made Of It - odishabytes
A cousin of mine who works in a school for children with special needs was recounting an experience of hers. A senior retiree, who stayed alone in their community with time to spare, occasionally came to that school to help people with their chores. He didn’t mind doing any task – big or small — whoever asked for help. He wanted to contribute to the community. He was always punctual, came much before school time and would invariably park his car at the farthest end of the parking lot.
BMC And Kishore Bhaina Friction
I flew out of Bhubaneswar when the drama surrounding Kishore Bhaina’s Roadside Hotel was at its peak. For those who came late; it started with the BMC authorities sealing his eatery with the notice of non-compliance with food quality and hygiene standards. It was not an isolated incident; they had done it at more than a dozen such places as part of their routine drive.
'Jadoo Ki Jhappi' Does Not Have To Be Physical!
A few days back when Ratan Tata said, “You don’t know what it is to be lonely, until you spend time alone wishing for companionship”; to many of us that was happening to someone, somewhere else. A common description of loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met. Loneliness is a state of mind. Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted. It is marked by feelings of isolation despite wanting social connections.
Sustainable Living – We Are Facing Consequences Of Ignoring Our Traditional Values - odishabytes
A recent UNEP article stated: “To combat the climate crisis and secure a safe future below 1.5°C, the world needs to cut emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gasses by 50 per cent within the decade. Individuals and policymakers can help secure a healthier planet through their sustainable choices. Research shows that lifestyle changes could help the planet slash emissions by up to 70% by 2050. For many, ambitious targets such as this can induce a sense of dread and paralysis.
When Barber Shops Kept Our Social Fabric Intact; Being Missed In Today's World
The ubiquitous barber has been an intrinsic part of Indian lore. They were like a social platform for the exchange of gossip. Conversations and time spent here could make or break family life and friendships. Political ideologies were shaped here with the barber doubling up as an agent, while snipping away deftly. Barber shops continue to be a hub of activity, particularly in small towns and cities and time spent here makes for an interesting study of human behaviour.
World Environment Day: Are You Planning To Cycle Today Too?
4th June, early morning, after being fed an overdose of pictures of people cycling with their friends the day before, I, in my churlish best, threw this question to the air on my social media walls – many responded. Many in the picture wore that MeToo happy smile, and many wore those cycling gears making them practically unrecognizable. A friend from the Rotary fraternity who is familiar with my wicked wit, calls me.
The Sleep-Restfulness Conundrum
The thing that we secretly desire to do on a Sunday is ‘not doing anything’ which in common parlance broadly comprises a post-lunch siesta and a good night’s sleep. The symptom of need for rest usually starts showing up in our minds from Wednesday. That is why Wednesday is called the Hump Day. Because if we had started our week on a Monday, we would have reached our peak by midweek and are expected to drag ourselves till Friday and take rest on the weekends and revive.
That Missing Credible Voice
Two incidents and vitriolic exchange of words between two interest groups kept the media space filled towards the second fortnight of April. The one at the national level was the high fuel price and, closer home, it was the Puri Heritage Corridor Project. The fuel price kerfuffle was centered around whether the Centre or the states should rein it in by reducing the percentage of taxes that they are collecting per litre of fuel.
Earth Day: What You Can Do To Save Your Planet
Science is unequivocal about the impending danger the world faces and the proofs it has presented. Our own experience of the last few decades corroborates that. When the crisis is knocking on the door and the knowledge to deal with it is available, what are the factors at the level of general attitude and belief that is preventing mass climate action? It’s our life and it’s our planet. Do we have any alternative? Here’s my take on Earth Day.
Bhubaneswar Foundation Day: The Smart City Administrators & It’s Over-Smart People
Let there no mistake about the age of Bhubaneswar. It’s not 74 years young. It existed since centuries and was known by many names like Toshali, Kalinga Nagari, Ekamra Kshetra, Krutibasha Katak. The Temple City part and the new city whose establishment we are celebrating today are two different entities culturally speaking. While the former is fondly called Bhonsar, the later is known by its more formal name Bhubaneswar.
Will Smith & Swiggy Delivery Boy: Similar Slaps, Yet Different Reactions
At a time when the deafening noise of the Russian bombing of Ukrainian cities has been relegated to ambient music status, two small incidents created some noise in the media. One was a slap by a celebrity actor at the Oscars and the same act by a faceless Swiggy food delivery boy at a crowded footpath in Bhubaneswar. It’s interesting to analyse the two incidents for their similarities in the action and justifications of it and the dissimilarities at the level of echo it created.
Odia Dying A Slow Death: How Responsible Are We?
A language is lost every two weeks, according to UNESCO. Cultural and linguistic diversity is of utmost importance to build sustainable societies. Every country realises how preserving and nurturing the mother language of their people is vital to their holistic psycho-intellectual development. In fact, it’s the most important cultural asset around which the identity and salience of a community is built.
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