Orissa - a panoramic vista, through my eyes

Getting your leaves approved in IT Industry is a big achievement in itself. And for people from far-flung places like me, getting an extended leave approved is even more an anchievement. To add to it, the tickets get sold out like hot cakes. Little late in booking and you will be in waiting forever..!All these put together, I really did not know if at all I will be going home during the Durga Puja vacation or not..But somewhere deep within, inspite of all the adversity, I felt convinced that I shall be home for sure.

The day came, excitement abrew I boarded my train with some minimal struggle. But what was it why was time moving so slow..Arghhh..! As I was starting to get restless with the journey that did not seem to end, one sms popped on my screen and as I opened, it read" Welcome to Airtel, Orissa...." My heart started leaping with joy. So here I was in my own state. The feeling of home coming is always un-paralleled. I realized something then; perhaps I did earn enough to go on a vacation once each year to any exotic place of India. But would I still be feeling this joy that I was feeling at that moment? Visiting a place which was definitely not considered as any major tourist attraction due to reasons multiple, was giving me more joy than vacationing in any exotic location that my paycheck could buy. As I walked up to the open space between coaches to get a better view of the outside space, I got the first feel of the cool wind that was flowing in from the open doors. Lush green fields, pastures and, trees spread on both the side of the train line. This was not any extravagant sight; it was a common sight in Orissa. This is the earthy raw beauty of Orissa which I am so much in love with.

I still cherish my multiple trysts with nature since my very childhood. Be it the tall coconut trees in my native village, courtesy its proximity to the sea-line with Bay-of Bengal; be it the mango groves in my maternal village; be it the small ponds, the small fishes and their skirmishes visible through the pond water as they rose up, the multiple guava trees surrounding it; the winding path from the backyard of our ancestral house that traced its way down to a small pond; the various wild bushes and shrubs that lined the path. Standing near the pond, one could get a clear vision of the surrounding fields which could be found in multiple hues depending on what time of the year you visit the place. I remember sneaking into the fields which grew groundnuts and lentils. Oh! How many number of times, I might have uprooted small groundnut plants to eat the tender groundnuts that were inside the soil. And no, we did not once think that we were engaging ourselves in some in-disciplinary action. Those afternoon escapades into the mango groves during the summers cannot just be beaten by the most lavish of trips to the most visually treating places. The sheer fact that we went under the nose of a strict disciplinarian uncle, made those trips more pleasurable. Escaping in the hot summer afternoon when we were ordered to catch a nap and getting a handful of mangoes by hitting stones was the most dare-devil action in those early years of life!

I often wondered that if such is the beauty of a rather ordinary, remote and unknown village, how would be the beauty of a place which has been typecast as a tourist place if not for outsiders, then at least for the people of Orissa. Later in my life I did get a few chances to visit and explore some of the tourist attractions which Orissa has to offer.  But I must admit that I have seen absolutely nothing of what the state actually holds in its bosom. Orissa is far more than just Puri, Konark and Chadrabhaga, the later being unknown to some people also.  Starting from the ancient temples which can be found throughout Orissa, each with a story of its own; to the Buddhist stupas that are reminiscent of historical times, Orissa boasts of a rich and creamy heritage. Be it the articulate silver filigree, traditionally weaved silk and handloom saris, or the nuanced appliqué work; Orissa has some of the finest artisans that the world can see. Nature has been very generous in bestowing the state with its myriad moods. Mountain peaks, waterfalls, rivers, gorges, sulphur springs and not to mention the pristine beaches thanks to a coastline of almost 480km with the Bay of Bengal – Orissa has it all.

 I have always believed that it’s a rare and complete package but most of it remains unknown to the people at large. Many a times, I rue the fact that the tourism ministry did not do as much was required to showcase a place which was brimming with so many scenic locations & which if promoted well could well attract a steady flow of tourists round the year. It would dispel the dismal image with which people perceive Orissa, if they did at all, because many of them did not even know where it is located!! Also it would add to the cash reserves of the state thus arming it better financially. But then today suddenly I was feeling glad that we have not commercialized the tourist spots of Orissa. Else it would not still have retained its rustic and old world charm. My brief stay outside Orissa had enlightened me on one thing that commercialization could add glossy sheen and glamour but would definitely bereave the place of its natural grandeur and soul. So perhaps we should just let her be as she is and make the world aware of her, sans any cosmetics.