Money may not be everything

Few decades back...

In a village...

A boy was born in a middle class family. Parents gave him the name, Krutibasa. After few years, he started going to the village school. But his parents were unhappy that he was not doing well in his studies. Parents sent him to a private tutor but there was no improvement. Somehow he just passed the 10th board exam.
But from childhood, he was very much interested to learn Odissi dance. Sometimes he used to go to the nearby village where a dance teachers used to teach Odissi dance. He used to watch and learn from there. But he could not get professional training as there was no support from family.
After the school studies were over, one day he went to the dance teacher and requested to teach him Odissi dance. The dance teacher was old and stopped dance classes few years back due to health issues. 

Initially he denied but looking at the interest of the boy, he agreed.

But the boy did not have money to give to the teacher. So he used to help the teacher in his household work and sometimes bring cooked food for him. And the teacher took the boy as his student. 

After few years, the boy Krutibasa became a well known Odissi dancer in the locality. He used to perform in the dance shows in the villages and sometimes in the city as well. 

Time passed... But the earnings did not increase to have a better life...

After few years...

A foreigner came to Odisha for a tour. He saw the dance program where the boy performed. He was impressed. He called Krutibasa and talked to him for sometime.

After returning back to America, the tourist contacted an organization who organize cultural events. Through that organization, Krutibasa got the ticket to America. Though the dance programs, he started earning good for a better life.

The house Krutibasa was residing, had a restaurant run by the houseowner's daughter, Michelle. Krutibasa and Michelle fell in love and got married.

Few years passed like that.

Now was the time for Krutibasa to return back to Odisha as he had the aim of starting a dance school in his village. Michelle was also interested to come with him. Both came to Odisha.

But they did not receive warm welcome from Krutibasa's parents as the marriage was between two persons with way diverse culture... Same reaction from villagers too.

Then starts the phase of criticism... about the daughter-in-law... About being from a diverse culture... "Dekhe lo... maa"... 

As Michelle had prior experience of running a restaurant, she planned to a open shop in Odisha too. She thought for sometime and asked Krutibasa about the handicraft items available in Odisha. Krutibasa told her about Pipili Chandua/Applique, Sambalpuri Saree etc...

Within short span of time, Michelle started a shop for handicraft items.
This was also not digested by the society. Girl is running a shop?!!! Driving scooter?!!!

As usual, the people who never come for help in bad times, have enough time to criticize or taunt.

One day, Michelle got a message that her father is admitted to hospital. He rush to her native place in America.

Her father got cured and she stayed there for few months to take care of her father.

But times were not good! Michelle got a message that Krutibasa is suffering from a terminal illness. She came back to Odisha. But within few months Krutibasa passed away.

And then? Shattered... 

Sadists made it more worst. All the criticism was on Michelle that this bad luck was due to her! And you know the situation of widows that time how they were made to remain away from the society!

Michelle did not have any choice left. She returned back to her native nation.

Time passed...

One day, Krutibasa's family received some amount of money. And it was sent by Michelle.

What next? Just think...

The villagers started praising Michelle as a good daughter-in-law!!!

"Money may not be everything but it means a lot."

***Story of Fiction***

Cheers,

Ashish

Shefali and Chagala - Chagala Part5

Hi Friends,

In the series of fictional short stories related to the main character "Chagala", here is the 5th one "Shefali and Chagala". It is a separate blog and not a sequel to the previous one...

Chagala and Shefali were childhood friends. Chagala was actually Chagala (naughty boy) from childhood and was not interested in studies at all. Somehow he completed the degree and started doing job in a small firm. But Shefali was a meritorious student and became a scientist. 

Chagala used to look the sky and think something. Shefali asked "What are you thinking?".
Chagala: Is there some other world like this earth somewhere in the universe?
Shefali: May be. No idea
Chagala: Can we go to the past or future if any time machine is there, like in movies?
Shefali: Hmmm... Not sure
Chagala: Shefali, What you working on in your organization?
Shefali: I can't tell right now but I will tell you one day for sure.

Shefali and the senior scientist in her organization were working on a project for a long time. And it was on a Time Machine and which can take someone back to the past. One day, they became successful in their work. 

After few days, Shefali visited Chagala's place. She narrated about the invention to Chagala.
Chagala immediately told that he was very much interested to go to the past in the time machine and requested to give him a chance. Shefali denied because Chagala did not have the knowledge about the technical aspects of the machine.

Shefali came to her lab and told about Chagala to her senior. Her senior 1st denied but later agreed. Chagala got few months of training in their lab. One day, he started his journey in the Time Machine and landed in the past. To his surprise, he saw only cattle roaming here and there and there was no human. Chagala tried to call Shefali using the wireless device of the Time Machine but it did not work. Few weeks passed like that. Chagala became frustrated. He thought of returning back to the present. He tried to start the Time Machine but it did not work. Chagala started praying God because no one was there to help. Chagala could not sleep that night with the fear.

Next morning, Chagala opened his mobile and tried to call Shefali just to give a try but he knew that it would not work. He was surprised that someone received his phone. But what the person on the other side was speaking was not understandable. Then the phone was disconnected. Chagala was a bit that at least human were there in that place. 

After sometime, few people reached there and Chagala was really happy. But they had to talk in sign language as their language was different. The talented among those people saw the Time Machine and understood what it was. Chagala told his name to him and asked about his name. He came to know that the talented person was Mr Laau. Mr Laau wanted to switch on the Time Machine but could not do it in the 1st try. Few months passed. Chagala and Mr Laau became friends and Chagala came to know about many things from him.

One day, Mr Laau told a word "SEFELI" to Chagala and then showed a sign of "danger" by crossing his hands below his head. Chagala was confused thinking "Is he telling about my friend Shefali?" and he was afraid as well because Mr Laau showed a danger-sign. Chagala asked the meaning. Laau told the same thing again. Neither Laau could explain nor Chagala could understand.

Finally, Mr Laau was successful in switching on the Time Machine. Chagala thanked Mr Laau and started his journey back to the present. After returning to the present, Chagala explained everything to Shefali. Chagala was happy that Shefali was safe. The word "SEFELI" as told by Mr Laau was still there in Chagala's mind.

One day, Chagala went to meet Shefali. Chagala knocked the door. After opening the door, Shefali showed her mobile phone towards Chagala and told "Heyyyyy, Meet my Friend Chagala. he went to the past and returned back". Then Shefali went on to show her parents who were sitting in the garden. 
Chagala asked, "Are you talking to someone on video chat?".
Shefali: No. This is a Live Broadcasting mobile app. I am broadcasting.
Chagala: But why are you broadcasting and why did you show your home, me and you parents also? There is something call privacy, isn't it?
Shefali somewhat did not like this and replied in a sarcastic manner "You went to the past and so you are replying like yesteryear fellows. Just chill. It is a modern world".
Chagala didn't say anything and returned back to his home.

Chagala was going to sleep but opened his mobile phone and then clicked the Khela-app which is used for downloading all mobile apps. He searched for different Live Broadcasting apps. He logged into one app and what he saw, was beyond his imagination. Shocked! Chagala thought, "Adults are their own boss but is there any validation for age restriction in these mobile apps?"! While he was thinking all these things and scrolling the Khela-app, his eyes went on to a app with the name "SEFELI" having a tagline "Drive Safely"!!!
At that moment, the mobile vibrated and Chagala threw that phone in fear. The he had some water. But the mobile was still vibrating and Chagala saw a name "Mr Laau". Chagala received the call.
Mr Laau: Hey Chagala, I told you about "SEFELI - Danger", right?
Chagala: Yes, Yeaaahhhh Yes Mr Laau. But where are you?
Mr Laau: I am always with you. I am your past and you are my present. 
And the call got disconected.

Chagala immediately switched on the light. Then checked the recent call history and there was no such calls from Mr Laau. :)

***Story of fiction***

Cheers,
Ashish Kumar Nayak 

Yes - Chagala Part4

Hi Friends,

In the series of short stories related to the main character "Chagala", the last one was "Chetana, Chagala and Sanjana https://ashishkumarnayakodisha.blogspot.com/2020/01/chetana-chagala-and-sanjana-chagala.html".

Here is the 4th one "Yes". It is a separate blog and not a sequel to the previous one...

Few years back, Chagala joined a private organization.
9 hours of working hours and 3 hours of commuting to and from office, total 12 hours outside home.
Sometimes 10 to 12 hours in office only.
On weekends, he used to sleep in such a way as if he has sold the horses. :)
But he enjoyed his job and office life. 
He made some friends in office.
Chagala likes cooking. During some unofficial meet at a colleague's home, he likes to cook one dish for all.

One day, Chagala called me to have a tea party near his office.
I went to meet him.
His colleagues were also there near the shop. He introduced me with them.
We had a superb malei-marka tea and discussed so many topics.

After office, I came back to my home. But I was thinking about one thing all the way.
There is a new colleague in Chagala's office. 
He asked Chagala, "Are you married?".
Chagala replied, "*****Yes*****".
Colleague: Have you taken flat on rent? What is the monthly rent?
Chagala: No. I am staying in a PG/hostel.
Colleague: Is your family not staying here?
Chagala: No
Colleague: Why man? 
Chagala: Actually, my grandfather's health was not good. So I brought him here. Then suddenly, my wife's uncle and aunty also fell ill. As they dont have anyone to take care, they had to come here. All of them stayed here for around two years. 
It was very difficult to stay in a small 2BHK house. I thought of taking 3BHK house but it was too costly. And the medical expenses also rose. So, I thought of shifting them to native place where all can stay in a better house and I can stay in a hostel so that some money can be saved and the medical expenses can be managed. My wife will be there to take care of them and I can go home once in 4 months.

I was not able to understand why Chagala told like that. I thought of asking him later but forgot it for quite sometime.

After few months, I met Chagala. I asked him about that.
And he told: I have faced so many questions about personal life with a sacrcastic tone. 
             Some asked "Did you have any love failure and so you are not married?" 
             Some went a little above that and asked "Enjoying aa? Maje le rahe ho?".
             Then I had to tell them about me. They listen, forget and ask the same question or comment like that again after few months.
             Some went a little above that and asked "You are not married but you didnt sleep with anyone?".
             Some went a littel above that and asked "Do you have any physical problem that you are not married. Ha Ha Ha Just joking".
             So, This small lie helped me to avoid the hell. 
             When we are born in this society, we have to face the heaven and hell here only and I just tried to avoid the hell by a small story/lie.

After listening to this, I did not have anything to talk to Chagala. 
Then suddenly someone came and told "Read this book and you will get the path to heaven".
I and Chagala laughed like anything. :)


Cheers,
Ashish Kumar Nayak

Chetana, Chagala and Sanjana - Chagala Part3

Hi Friends,

In the series of short stories related to the main character "Chagala", the last one was "Chhaya and Chagala https://ashishkumarnayakodisha.blogspot.com/2018/01/chhaya-and-chagala.html".
Here is the 3rd one "Chetana, Chagala and Sanjana"...

Chagala's childhood days was almost spent in his village.
Chetana was his childhood friend.

After few years, Chagala came to the city and Chetana also came with her parents to the same city for studies.
The place where Chagala was staying with his parents, there was very big building nearby. It was the house of a local landlord/jamidar. Chagala used watch so many people working under the landlord. If someone among the workers used to make any mistake, the landlord used to beat/torture them like anything. But the workers could never say anything or protest because they had a place to stay there and food to eat!
Chetana came near Chagala and asked "Hey Chagala, What are you thinking?".
Chagala: Just watching what is happening in the landlord's house!
Chetana: So, What did you learn from this?
Chagala: What I will learn from this?
Chetana: See! This is not an isolated incident that the landlord is torturing the workers. You will find many such people like him. Ok, They may not be landlord, they will be in a different position but the mindset or the attitude will be the same.

One day Chagala was returning from school. The local boys/school kids were walking behind him. They were throwing a plastic ball on Chagala's back vey hard, taking that plastic ball and again hitting...! They did like this multiple times. It was very very painful for Chagala but he could not say anything because he was new to the city!
Chetana came near Chagala and said "Hey Chagala, Why are looking upset?".
Chagala described the incident.
Chetana: You are new to the city and so could not say anything but one day you need to open you mouth, otherwise survival is very difficult.

Time passed like anything...

School was over. Chagala got admission in an engineering college. He came to know about something called "ragging" for the 1st time. The seniors used to rag the juniors. Chagala was also ragged by seniors.
One day, Chetana went to meet Chagala.
Chetana: Do you remember what I told you?
Chagala: About what?
Chetana: About the landlord.
Chagala: Oh Yes, I remember. The person may not be the same landlord but the attitude towards worker or juniors remain the same.

Chagala passed out from the college and started working in a Call Center in his native city Bhubaneswar. That Call Center had multiple branches, one in Bhubaneswar, one in Bengaluru, one in Ahmedabad etc.
In the Ahmedabad branch, a new girl joined named Sanjana. For official work, Chagala used to have some chat with Sanjana. Slowly, Chagala developed some feelings towards Sanjana. He thought of getting a transfer to Ahmedabad branch. He applied to his manager and started the journey one day.
In the trains, the co-passengers were there. Chagala had some chit-chat with them. After sometime, everyone took rest. Chagala opened his mobile phone and logged into Facebook...
In Facebook, Sanjana had a post and the post was about her engagement. Chagala was shocked!!!
Chagala could not decide what to do! Whether to get down from the train and return back to Bhubaneswar!
Chagala suddenly heard some sound as if someone was knocking on the wall of the train bogie like "tak tak... tak tak...".
It was actually Chetana who knocked the door of the house where Chagala was staying. :)
Chetana told, "Chagala, Get up. Otherwise we will be late to office as there is huge traffic jam near Marina beach".
Then Chagala realised that it was a dream. That Facebook post happened around 3 to 4 years back. After that, Chagala wanted to stay back in Bhubaneswar and did not like to go to Ahmedabad. He manager got irritated for that but finally agreed.
In the mean time, there was a requirement in Chennai and Chagala got transferred but the memories were there in his minds which took the shape of a dreams after these many years.

Then, Chagala and Chetana started to office in a auto-rickshaw.
The driver was driving like anything, too fast!
Chagala told the driver to drive a bit slow.
Chetana told, "Hey Chagala, What happened? You don't like this much speed?".
Chagala: You know about the accident, right? I was travelling in a bus. Another bus collided with our bus. One of my friend passed away! And after that, I have somewhat fear for high speed.
Chetana: See! Those incidents happen in life. You should not have those memories in you mind for long. Those who passed away, would never come back.
Chagala: Hey, You are talking like Buddha.
Chetana: Don't make fun of me.
Then both Chetana and Chagala laughed. :)

After sometime, the auto-driver asked Chagala, "Sir, Are you Buddhist?".
Chagala replied, "No. I am Hindu. Why?".
Driver: Nothing Sir. As you told Buddha, so I thought.

After sometime, the driver suddenly told, "Sir, College Katte...".
Chagala was surpised and asked, "What does it mean? College Katte?"
Driver explained, "College Cut. Means, the college students are bunking the classes and roaming near Marina beach".
Then the driver and Chagala had a laugh. :)

After sometime, the driver asked, "Sir, In the Auto, only me and you. With whom you were talking?".
Chagala could not reply anything because Chetana was not a girl. She was Chagala's Atma-Chetana or Self-Consciousness.

***Story of fiction***
***You may listen to the audio in my Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX3oGCC87JY***

Cheers,
Ashish

RaaRaa-32 – Kukurmari

[Before reading this part in RaaRaa series, please have a look at the previous one 
https://ashishkumarnayakodisha.blogspot.com/2019/10/raaraa-31-astra.html]

Some thousands of years back...

In the Kingdom of Masaka...

King Bijaa was the ruler...

As mentioned in the last blog, King Bijaa had war with enemy King Kutrak two times and Kutrak was defeated in the 2nd war.

There was a rule: If there were any soldier from the rival side was dead on the other side of the war zone then  both the opponents should return back the bodies of the dead soldiers with proper respect to the respective Kings.

After the 1st war, King Bijaa was disheartened to see that King Kutrak sent his army to the civilian area and massacred the locals. But sill, he followed the rules. He ordered the chief of army to load the dead bodies of the enemy soldiers in ten chariots. The chief followed the order and arranged ten chariots. The bodies were loaded, ten charioteers ran the chariots and ten soldiers went with them to unload the bodies at the enemy side.

But King Kutrak was not like King Bijaa. After Bijaa's soldiers unloaded the dead bodies, Kutrak immediately arrested the ten charioteers and ten soldiers. He ordered his soldiers to kill all the twenty men. All were killed, their bodies and the bodies of the soldiers killed in the war, were made into small small pieces and sent back to Bijaa on the same chariots!

When Bijaa saw the chariots, he and his soldiers were very upset and angry as well.
Bijaa's son Bihaa was also watching all these happenings. 

As mentioned in the last part of RaaRaa series that some soldiers started giving training to the civilians on war skills, son Bihaa was one among the soldiers to impart the training.

In the 2nd war, Kutrak was defeated by King Bijaa. As per the rules, Bijaa had to return the bodies of the enemy soldiers to Kutrak who died on his side. Again the same process. Bijaa ordered the chief of the army to load the dead bodies of the enemy soldiers in ten chariots. The chief followed the order and arranged ten chariots. The bodies were loaded. 
But his son Bihaa interfered there. Bihaa suggested that the ten charioteers and the ten soldiers should not be going like the last time. Instead, the chariots should be unmanned and run by the trained horses and ten trained dogs would go to unload the dead bodies. Bijaa agreed to Bihaa.
Wthen the chariots reached Kutrak's side, Kutrak thought "Oh! Bijaa is too smart and did not send the charioteers and soldiers this time. But, I will teach him a lesson this time too"! He acted the same way as he did last time. He ordered his soldiers to kill the dogs and make them into small small pieces and to do the same with the dead soldiers of Bijaa and then pack/send them back in the same chariots!

When the chariots reached Bijaa's side, he and his army were surprised to see the dogs along with the soldiers were mutilated! There was something else as well. On each chariot, there was a poster mentioning as "Kill you all like dogs".

Bijaa never saw such cruel enemy in his life. 
Son Bihaa came to his father Bijaa and told "Father, Please dont lose your heart. I will lead the fight next time and I will completely change the climax".

[Flashback: King Kutrak was a ruler of a far away land. He invaded the neighboring Kingdom and ruled there.
Masaka had two sects of people. Due to some conflicts, they were not in good terms. Bihaa's 1st job was to make them united. He explained the people about the enemy and succeeded in making a bond among the two groups. People of one sect of Masaka also resided in the neighboring Kingdom.  In the meantime, Bihaa persuaded that group of Masaka to talk to their counterparts in the neighboring Kingdom and get them ready to fight for him in the war against Kutrak.]

Six months passed. Masaka Kingdom was under the leadership of King Bihaa this time. As planned, everything looked peaceful until the day Bihaa suddenly raised a war against King Kutrak and his army. Bihaa led his army to the neighboring Kingdom and fought furiously against King Kutrak. The people of the neighboring Kingdom also joined the war with Bihaa against Kutrak. Kutrak was miserably defeated and most of his soldiers were killed. Kutrak immediately declared surrender and prayed to Bihaa to leave him and the other soldiers.
Bihaa told "Do you remember what you wrote on the chariots? *Kill you all like dogs* Isn't it?!!!". 
Kutrak told that they would never repeat that mistake and prayed for life.
Bihaa told "Yes, You will never do that mistake only if you are not alive".

King Bihaa followed the rules of King Kutrak this time, i.e. He broke the protocols/rules of war and ordered to kill Kutrak and all the surrendered soldiers. Bihaa's army chief came to him and suggested not to do like that. But Bihaa was firm on his decision and told "If you love our nation Masaka, then follow my order". Then as per the order, surrendered King Kutrak and his soldiers faced the same fate as they did with the dead bodies of Masakan army men and also with the dogs!!! No enemy left to fight back!

Before returning back to Masaka, King Bihaa declared the name of the place in neighboring Kingdom to be renamed as "Kukurmari" and it happened so.
On the way back home, the chief of army asked King Bihaa "Maharaja, Was the name Kukurmari in the memory of the dogs killed by the enemy? Should not the name be "Kutrakmari" as Kutrak was killed there?".
King Bihaa did not reply anything and just gave a smile.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thousands of years passed now. People still get confused with such name as Kukurmari because the blades of cyclone have shredded the leaves of history into pieces.

***This is a fictional story.***

Cheers
Ashish Kumar Nayak
Ashish Sarangi

RaaRaa-31 – Astra

Some thousands of years back...

In the Kingdom of Masaka...

King Bijaa was the ruler...

The time of festivities... People were happy enjoying the annual festival.

Suddenly the minister came and informed the King that there is an unprecedented by a King Kutrak of the Kingdom Kutraka.
King thought that it would not be wise to inform the people about this as they were enjoying the festival.
So, the King marched with his troops fought against the enemy, but the citizens did not have any idea about this.

But the King Kutrak was very cunning. He sent some of his soldiers to the civilian area through a different route.

Bijaa fought with Kutrak and defeated him and rushed to the people.
When he reached the villages, many people were killed. The situation was very worst. The King immediately arranged for the medical treatment and rehabilitation of the people.

After one week, when the situation became normal, King Bijaa visited the places where the civilians were killed.

He asked the people among the pujari/priest class, "What happened?". They told that there were hundreds of soldiers with weapons and we were not able to fight with them with mere sticks.

He then asked the people who belonged to arts/accountancy/business class. They also had the same answers like the pujari families.

He then asked asked the people who belonged to the farmer class. They told that they took up the farming instruments and fought against the enemy soldiers and killed many of them.

IT WAS A LEARNING POINT for the King Bijaa...

He called for his advisers and discussed with them about the instruments used by different class of people.

The warriors families have the war weapons.

The farmers have the farming instruments which can be used as weapons if required. He sent some soldiers to train the farmers to fight more effectively when required.

But... What does the pujaris and the arts/business class people have to use as weapons???

Someone told that the pujaris use a metallic pot to store water for puja and the lamp/deepa is also made of metal.
After a lot of discussion, they found a way.

A long pipe was attached to the pot with a sharp end. On the opposite side, a handle was attached. At the bottom, it some spikes were attached.

Next was the metallic deepa/lamp.

The front was made pointed like an arrow. Some spikes were attached to the base. A handle was attached.

The pot and lamp were designed in such a way that it could be used as weapon.
It was given to the pujaris and some soldiers stayed with them and trained them how to use it as a weapon in case of sudden attack by enemy.

Next discussion was about the people who belonged to arts/business class. They used lekhani or the pen made of metal.

The backside of the pen was made like a cup. In the middle of the cup, there was a small piece of iron with the screw-like design. In the middle of the cup-like structure, there was a small hole.
Another big rod was taken with a hole inside it and screw-like design so that the pen can be fixed with it easily. After the it was fixed, a small piece of iron was inserted in the small hole which would make the instrument more stronger.

It was given to the arts/business calls people and some soldiers stayed with them and trained them how to use it as a weapon in case of sudden attack by enemy.

After few years...
Enemy King Kutrak again attacked Masaka Kingdom again. He followed his old process of sending soldiers to civilian area by engaging the King Bijaa in fight.
King Bijaa was smiling...

That was the time when different groups of people used the instruments for making a livelihood as the ASTRA to fight a war.

King Bijaa, his soldiers and his citizens fought bravely and defeated Kutrak and his army and Masaka Kingdom was safe.

Cheers
Ashish Kumar Nayak
Ashish Sarangi

Ichhasakti - Then and Now

Some thousands of years back...

In the Kingdom of "Sakti", there was a king named "Icchasakti"...

He was pro-people. He did a lot of work for the betterment of citizens.

The main problem in his Kingdom was heavy rains and flooding and sometimes there was no rain causing the drought. So he thought about seriously and came up with a plan. He called his ministers and explained them. Then the ministers started working on it.

The geography of the Kingdom consisted of hilly areas and coastal plains.

Miles long water reservoirs were made in multiple places in the Kingdom. Two reservoirs of the hilly areas were connected with each other through pipelines. As you can see in the below drawing, the pipelines were connected by two pipelines in such a way that the extra water in one reservoir will be discharged to the other reservoir.
The reservoirs of the coastal plains were also connected with each other in the similar fashion.

But the main/central reservoir of the hilly area was connected with the central reservoir of coastal plains with only one pipeline because water would flow from hilly to plain land.

And this solved the water problem when there was huge rains in the hilly areas and no rains in the coastal plains.

Then, stone pillars were erected and slabs were placed on it. As in the below drawing, the whole construction was in the form of a slope connecting the central reservoir of the coastal plains and the central reservoir of the hilly area. The necessary structure was made over the central reservoir of coastal plains to lift the water and pour on the slope. A conveyor belt was attached. There were multiple buckets attached to the conveyor belt. A shaft and two handles were made on two sides of it to rotate the conveyor belt. When the handles were rotated, the buckets attached to the belt used to lift water from the reservoir and pour on the slabs and the water would flow to the central reservoir in the hilly area.

And this solved the water problem when there was huge rains in the coastal plains and no rains in the hilly areas.

But, when there was huge rains throughout the Kingdom, the above solution was of no use. Still, people were happy that at least there was a solution when there was no rains.
.
.
.
Thousands of years passed. There Kingdom is not there. Some of the family members of the King Icchasakti became the landlords. A girl named "Sakti" was the successor of the King. She had the similar qualities like the King Ichhasakti.
Due to sea water, there was massive coastal erosion and people used to vacate their villages and move to a new place.
Sakti saw from her childhood that there were three types trees which could control the erosion of the coast.
When she became the head of the landlords, she called for a meeting of all landlords and explained them what to do for solving the issue.
Then the plantation drive started near the coast.
As in the drawing below, Mangrove trees were planted near the place where the sea water touched the coast. The mangrove trees would hold the soil tightly and reduce the force of the sea waves.
Next to it towards the mainland, casuarina trees were planted, which would hold the soil tightly.
Next to it towards the mainland, cashew trees were planted, which would hold the soil tightly and also increase the production of cashew by giving a livelihood to the people.

And this move reduced the coastal erosion.

When Sakti was 100 years old, her grandchildren became politicians and some of them were ministers as well.
One day, Sakti told her minister grandson to take her to sea beach as she wanted to see the plantation she initiated when she was young. Grandson took her to the beach. Sakti was disheartened to see that most of the trees were cut and the sea water started eating the landmass. She asked "Boy, What is this? Who did all this? As a minister, why are you not protecting the trees? Can you imagine how many people will have to leave their houses because of the coastal erosion?". Grandson tried to avoid the questions. But, when Sakti insisted, he replied "We are here do politics, not social service. If we will solve all the issues, then we will not have anything to promise in the next election".

Sakti remained silent.
A thought came to her mind. *There was the King Icchasakti. The name literally means "Will power". But that will-power is now completely lost among the current generation in her family.*

***This is a story of fiction.***

Cheers
Ashish Kumar Nayak

RaaRaa-30 – The Illusion – Part3 [Propagator]

Some thousand years ago….

In the state of Masaka…

Basaka, the king, was an ardent follower of Lord Raaga. Lord Raaga was the main deity of the entire state. Hundreds of temples were there but the most important and the oldest one was in Maput. Every sunday, he went to Maput, the port city where the main temple of Lord Raaga was situated, to pay the homage to Lord. He was quite happy with all the daily rituals conducted by the priests in the temple. So he never tried to interfere in the rituals. Also, every month, he conducted a mass meeting of the priests and the devotees just to check the system. All seems to be well in the temple and also in the entire state. In fact, everyday hundreds of pilgrims came to the temple to pay their homage to Lord Raaga.

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Ajaketu1 was one of the renowned philosopher who hailed from the southern part of that landmass. He was tall and applied vermillion on his forehead. That made him unique in his appearance. He came to Maput and really impressed to see the dedication of the priests who were doing rituals daily without a break. But he was surprised to see the tantric rituals. He asked some priests to stop those rituals but they refused to change the system. So Ajaketu1 went to king Basaka. He started some discussions with the king. King called the chief priest and asked him to have a meeting with Ajaketu1. Meeting was not fruitful for the chief priest, as the king approves the changes made by Ajaketu1. Chief priest returned to Maput and conveyed the decision made by the king. Ajaketu1 also came to Maput with his smiling face. The priests were full of anger but they didn’t have any choice. King ordered that during his next visit to Maput, he wanted to have the changes made by Ajaketu1.

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On the saturday, chief priest decided to have a final word with all other priests. So he told them all to have a meeting in his home after the sunset. All priests gathered in his home. They all discussed among themselves and decided to change the rituals as the king wanted to do so. The meeting lasted for 2 hours. Suddenly someone knocked the door of chief priest. He himself went to open the door. And he was surprised to see the person. He allowed him in his home. All priests stood in respect and surprised. They never expected their king, Basaka, to come as a civilian. They all sat. Basaka explained them that he was also not in the support of changing the rituals but since Ajaketu1 was a great scholar he had to agree with him at that day. So all priests asked him about the next thing as they all didn’t want to change the rituals. King gave them an idea and it was decided by all to work on that.

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Chief priest went to Ajaketu1 and offered him to have dinner in his home. Ajaketu1 nodded and came to his home. After having dinner, he went to his place again. He slept. Suddenly all priests gathered in front of his place and tied Ajaketu1 on the bed. Ajaketu1 was still sleeping as heavy dose of sleeping pills was given to him in the dinner. They all put the bed along with Ajaketu1 on the chariot and ordered charioteer to take him out of the boundary of Masaka. Two minor priests also went with charioteer. They took him to the place which was decided by chief priest. They opened all the ropes and returned back. Next day was sunday. Basaka went to temple and ordered his personals to bring Ajaketu1 in royal possession. His personals came back and told him that they were not able to find Ajaketu1 in his place. king waited for couple of hours and after that ordered chief priest to have rituals in regular manner. Meanwhile, Ajaketu1 found himself in a very strange place and after that decided not to go Maput again.

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After 15 years….

Mahapuka, a 45 year old man, arrived in the city of Maput. He was a self proclaimed intellectual and won the hearts of many persons in Maput. Basaka, who was now in his mid 60s, came to know about him. He called Mahapuka and they met. King was highly impressed with his personality. He asked Mahapuka about his purpose of visit. Mahapuka replied politely that there was no specific purpose but he wanted to establish himself in Maput and spent his rest of life in the service of Lord Raaga. Again Basaka impressed. He allotted him land in told him to stay there. Mahapuka praised Lord Raaga in each and every possible manner. He wrote several texts and hymns praising Lord Raaga.

Within two months Basaka died and his son Kusaka, the new king, continued to promote Mahapuka. Mahapuka took advantage of this situation and propagate a new theory. He introduced some new concepts in the rituals of Lord Raaga. Kusaka approved them and slowly and slowly those new rituals became more prominent as compared to their traditional tantric rituals.

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After another 15 years….

Mahapuka established the largest monastery in Maput and now had thousands of followers in the entire state. One evening, he went to meditation and after meditation had blood vomiting. He was very critical. He understood that his time now arrived. Lot of persons came to visit him and so also the king, Kusaka. Kusaka  and Mahapuka were alone in that room and then Kusaka asked him about his last wish. In front of king, Mahapuka revealed his true identity. He was the younger brother of Ajaketu1 and his real name was Ajaketu2. King was surprised and shocked. Ajaketu2 told him to pardon him as he wanted to take revenge from them and he was trained to do all kinds of things by Ajaketu1 himself. He also told Kusaka not to destroy the monastery and not to change the rituals of Lord Raaga. Kusaka was furious but as promised to fulfill his last wishes, Kusaka decided not to change anything. Ajaketu2 also wished to rename the monastery as Ajaketu1 monastery. And after that he died.

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And the rest was history….

Thanks

Ashish Sarangi

Ashish Kumar Nayak

Disclaimer: This is purely a fictional work by the authors and there is no relation with any mythological and historical work.

RaaRaa-29 - DForm

Some thousands of years back…

Somewhere in the coastal plains, in the kingdom of MASAKA…

A man named Duaraba was born with a deformation, i.e. he had one leg, and the other leg was very small. He used to walk with the help of a bamboo stick. Though born in a fisherman’s family, he chose farming as his source of livelihood. But when he had less work, he used to join his friends in deep sea fishing.

Duaraba was very much interested to join the Masakan army but he could not join due to his leg. His wish remained inside his heart…

One day he went for fishing with his friends. He saw a girl giving pots filled with water to the fishermen who were getting ready to go for fishing in the sea. He could not take his eyes off because… the girl too had a deformation. She had the two legs joined in such a manner that it looked like a fishtail.

One day, Duaraba went near the girl and asked her name. The girl replied, Deiraba. They started talking to each other when Duaraba used to come for fishing. And finally they got married and had a son who had a d… They didn’t lose hope!

The King of Masaka came to their village as part of the yearly visit of the Kingdom.

Duaraba thought that he would tell about his wish (joining army) to the King. He went to the King and told about his wish but the King denied as Duaraba had one leg which did not make him eligible to join army. Duaraba started to convince the King. So, the King told “Show me how fast you can run”. Duaraba started leaping with one leg but fell down!

Coming to Bhaaraba, son of Duaraba and Deiraba…

Bhaaraba was also born with a deformation. But his deformation was completely different from his father and mother. He two leg bones were joined but the leg-claw was bigger is size which helped him to jump like an animal called Kangaroo. Deiraba trained him to swim in the sea and Duaraba trained him to leap and run.

20 years passed. King of Masaka had a visit to Duaraba’s village. The King was surprised to see something… Bhaaraba leaping/running…with One Leg. The King immediately called him and asked who he was. Bhaaraba replied “I am Bhaaraba, the son of Duaraba and Deiraba”.

Duaraba requested the King to allow Bhaaraba to join the army. The King told that there would be annual festival and if Bhaaraba come first in the race then there would be a chance.

Time for the annual festival.

Bhaaraba on the field…

Duaraba and Deiraba were watching anxiously.

There was conch sound and it was played by the princess Masaka, Bhubadebi.

Bhaaraba started running so fast the his competitors were far behind in the race and Bhaaraba came first in the race. The King became very happy and appointed Bhaaraba in the army. And the time came when Bhaaraba became the army chief. The King then arranged the marriage of the princess Bhubadebi with Bhaaraba.

Both Bhaaraba and Bhubadebi lead from the front in the wars against rival nations and secured the Kingdom of Masaka. After their demise, the people of Masaka built a war museum where the statues of Bhaaraba and Bhubadebi were placed at the centre!

If we think about Duaraba/Deiraba/Bhaaraba, the deformation in the body was not actually a “Deform” but it was “DForm [The Form]”.

Cheers,

Ashish Kumar Nayak

Ashish Sarangi

***Fictional story***

RaaRaa-28 - Mahasangha

Some thousands of years back…

In the Kingdom of Masaka…

In the Raaga library of Masakanagari….

King Pakaburu was doing inspection of some books in the newly built public library of KalingaNagari. That library was the biggest in the state. It contains nearabout 1 million books and an equal amount of various manuscripts, related to science, maths, astronomy, archaeology, architecture, philosophy, geography and humanities. King Pakaburu called his prime minister and ordered him to write history of his state. Nambinemi, the prime minister, agreed and said that this was really a brilliant idea. King asked him about the time period and he replied that it might take 6 months. He also thought about the events and his responsibilities. His main duty was to collect all the data and then compile that in a book.  He also need a person who can write such a huge book for him.

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Village: Kupihuda

City: Komokana

Chaminka was a 25 year old daydreamer. His main work in his home is to eat and to sleep. He lost his mother when he was a kid. One day due to excessive heat and work, his father died while working in the field. He was alone now. He was practically, a very lazy person. He never tried to work in the field. Due to his negative attitude, nobody liked him in the village. One day he decided to do something new and adventurous.. But what, he did not have any clue. He sold all his farmland and also his home. All his friends and other relatives were surprised, but none of them asked him that why he did so. With all his money, he started his journey on a bullock cart. He decided to go to Masakanagari.

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After three months….

In the King’s palace…

Pakaburu was not so intellectual in nature. Although he loved to read books but he was not able to understand those books. He was a music lover and a real fighter. He used to ride bull and sometimes lion. But he was far away from the wisdom and intellectuality. His forefathers were experts in administration and scriptures and they all were strong warriors but Pakaburu was not like them. One day he called Nambinemi and asked him about the historical records. Nambinemi assured him that the work is going on and within the target date, he will complete the book. Nambinemi left the palace. But he was not well.

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Masakanagari….

In the three months, Chaminka travelled across the state. He made several friends in other villages and cities, all from different tribes. He reached Masakanagari and that was also his last destination. He thought to start a business, a business of repairing of swords. With some of his contacts, he borrowed a small land and hired a blacksmith who will repair and made new swords. His main intention was to get the information about the activities that happened inside the palace. And slowly he made friends who are close associates of defense minister, internal minister and most important, the prime minister.

One day Chaminka told one of his friend that he wants to meet Nambinemi. And he met with him. Nambinemi was impressed and slowly Chaminka was made himself his loyal friend. they both used to meet everyday. One day Nambinemi looked worried and when Chaminka asked him about his tension, he told everything about historical book. Chaminka made a plan immediately and shared it with Nambinemi. Nambinemi was surprised and eventually nodded.

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After two months…..

A Mahasangha was organised in the city. Around 100 of persons of different tribes were gathered and start writing the stories. Within three days around 10000 stories were available with them. Nambinemi was thrilled. He asked Chaminka now what. Chaminka told him to wait for 21 days. After 21 days, Chaminka arrived with the book and presented that book to Nambinemi. Nambinemi took that book to King.  Pakaburu was surprised and asked him how so early. Nambinemi told him about Chaminka. Chaminka was called by the King and in a mass gathering he publicly released the book ” History of Masaka” and Chaminka was felicitated by the king. Chaminka’s name was mentioned as the author. Suddenly a person started shouting that I wrote that book. King called him also on the stage and asked him about the things. The person told that his name is Babasa and he wrote that book of history. Pakaburu looked at Chaminka. Chaminka’s face turned pale but he gathered some confidence and replied that he actually narrated all the events and Babasa wrote them. King declared that both were the actual authors and felicitated Babasa also in that event. That book were declared as the national book and slowly and slowly that book became one of the most holiest book in the entire Masaka.

After thousand of years still that book is considered as the most important and holiest book in the land of Masaka…..

Cheers,

Ashish Sarangi

Ashish Kumar Nayak

***Fictional story***

RaaRaa-27 - Musa Janta

Some thousands of years back...

In the Kingdom of Masaka...

The King Biha came to know that neighboring kingdom was invaded by some foreign power called Krujan, many people were killed and state properties were looted.

The King called the minister and ordered him to spread a rumor in the border villages that there were a lot of tiger attacks in the area. Minister was surprised and asked for the reason. King explained in detail. Minister gave a smile and left the place.

After the people came to know about the tiger attacks, the villagers were very much afraid. Ministered assured them that nothing bad would happen to them. King has created new village setup for them. They just had migrate to the new villages. Villagers were not ready to leave the native villages initially but later agreed.

The King called his Mahapujak (Pujari/Priest) and asked him to make a large scale puja/jagyan(yajna/)worship so that God Raaga would help them to solve the issue of tiger attacks. Mahapujak asked "When you can solve the issue why to arrange such large scale puja for God Raaga?" King explained in detail. Mahapujak gave a smile and left the place.

The large scale puja happened. The citizens of Masaka kingdom prayed to Lord Raaga to help them come out of the danger of tiger attacks. The Mahapujak declared that as per Lord Raaga, 16 small scale temples would be built in the border villages and Lord Raaga's idol would be installed there but face of the idol would look like a tiger so that it would control the tigers.

The King called the architects and engineers and explained them about the design of the temples.
The construction process started...

The basic design...

The temple was not built of stones. Instead, iron was used and some technology was put into place.
There were 6 iron pillars on each side of building. On the ground, the structure looked normal. But there
was a long shaft-like cylindrical structure under the ground. The base of the pillars were tied to the shaft-like structure with iron chains. There were two handles by which the shaft could be rotated.

The 16 temples were decorated with the most valuable metals, ornaments etc and were filled with a lot of valuables. After that, the King Biha and all his architects, engineers, soldiers left the villages and came back to the city. The stage was all set for the drama.

For quite some time, there were letters/orders from the invader Kingdom Krujan (who invaded the neighboring Kingdom) to surrender. King Biha sent his messenger with the note that they would surrender.

The invaders arrived the border villages. They entered the temples and started looting.

The Masakan soldiers hiding underground, started rotating the handles of the shaft-like structure. With the rotation, the irons chains started getting twisted around the shaft and the pillars of temples were pulled which resulted breaking the joints between the pillars and the roof. The roof collapsed and the invaders inside the temples and those who climbed the roof to destroy, were mostly killed.

A sound came... Jai Masaka...
It was the voice of King Biha. He was watching all these. Then the King and the Masakan soldiers finished the remaining soldiers of the invader Kingdom in few hours.

To note:
Musaa means mouse/rat -> The invader Kingdom Krujan
Jantaa means cage (here, the cage to catch rats) -> The 16 Temples
Food to attract the rats -> Valuable metals and ornaments

***Fictional Story***

Thanks
Ashish Kumar Nayak
Ashish Sarangi