Back With Interest

Her home was going to be auctioned.

It was snowing heavily.

She recollected a similar severe winter night some years ago.

A young soldier had sought refuge.

He had been badly wounded.

She had nursed him with care, using up the duct tape.

PHOTO PROMPT Dale Rogerson

Pipli Applique Work

I love colourful wall-hangings and lampshades. 

Whenever there are events in Odisha, we get to spot such bright decorations that enhance the beauty.

These are Pipli Applique Work.

SHARE- My Word Of 2019 #WOTY

If I have to pick a 'word of the year' #WOTY for me,
The word SHARE as my #WOTY2019 it'll rightly be.
"Sharing is caring" and sharing is great.
Sharing adds more to everyone's plate and fate.

The sun shares its light without discrimination.
Nature shares much to our gratification.
Sharing by learning lessons from teachers big and small.
Sharing means bliss and blessings for one and all.

Another Try

“Will you marry me?” he asked her for the second time.

“I have equal number of chits stating ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ in this jar consisting of 100 chits. You pick out 50 chits and we will count the number. My decision Yes/No will be based on the majority chits you pick…”

PHOTO PROMPT - Priya Bajpal

The last time he had asked the same question, she had set a different challenge.

I C U

In this smart technology age, who does not want a Smart Home? 

Can we have a home where we know what exactly is going on inside or outside or else what had happened a couple of hours or days earlier?

Smart Camera can help in this regard. 
With smart camera, one can say "I C U" i.e. "I See You" and one may avoid getting admitted in the ICU i.e. Intensive Care Unit.

Let me illustrate with the examples of the following three real cases:

Case-1- The Case of the Missing Gas-Cylinder
We had an extra gas-cylinder that was kept in the ground-floor of our home.
One fine day, we realized that it had disappeared.
This was a clear case of theft.
Who had stolen it? 
There was not even one eye-witness who could share any whodunit detail...

Case-2- The Case of the Missing Mobile Phone
An employee of the office next door arrived about half an hour before the office reopened.
He kept his brand new mobile phone on his desk and went to wash his face.
When he returned, his mobile was no longer there.
This was a clear case of theft.
Who had stolen it? 
There was not even one eye-witness who could share any whodunit detail...

Case-3- The Case of the Gold Chain Snatching
I was watering the plants on the patch I have adopted outside our home.
I felt a hand near my neck.
I turned back to find a stranger already had my gold chain in his hand.
He had a sharp weapon with which he attacked me and slashed my arm.
The cut was from top till my wrist. (The marks still remain).

He then ran to a bike nearby, in which his accomplice was waiting, and they sped off.
This was a clear case of theft.
Who had stolen it? 
Except me, there was not even one eye-witness who could share any whodunit detail...

Zapped

She was in love with him.

He was fair, tall and handsome.

Perhaps he loved her too.

He gazed at her and guarded her.

He was her zenith.

Pic Prompt: Russel Gayer

I Am Happy

I am happy to welcome a fresh new day.
I am happy when things go my way.
I am happy when I get to have a say.
I am happy when I drive negativity away!

I smile when life proves me right.
I smile when there's a funny sight-
Even when things don't appear bright!
I reach success, climbing its height.

When Fear Made Me Cheer

I was wondering if my life is out of gear.
I heard a knock that was loud and clear.
"Who is at the door? Who is here?"
I heard a rough voice, "I AM FEAR!"

The answer's gravity made me feel giddy.
My eyes opened WIDE, but I wasn't READY.
I couldn't believe my ears; it was heady.
When fear visits, how can one feel steady?

Orissa Ikat #OdishaGIs

Ikat is a process of tie-and-dye weaving. Orissa Ikat is locally called “Bandha”. 

Orissa Ikat fabrics on Cotton, Silk, Tussar and their combinations are handlooms made through a special tie and dye yarn technique - either in warp or in weft or in both warp and weft threads, so called Warp Ikat, Weft Ikat or Double Ikat. 

Kotpad Handloom Fabric

Kotpad refers to the vegetable-dyed handloom fabrics of Odisha, India. Kotpad is named after the village where such weaving is being done from centuries. 

These natural handloom fabrics are handwoven by the tribal weavers (Mirgana caste) of Kotpad cluster of Koraput district in Southern Odisha.

Kotpad was the first product from Odisha that received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.  

The bark of ‘Aul’ tree is used to prepare the natural dyes. The bark is collected seasonally and stored for the year. It is dried and powdered. The powder is mixed with other oils and natural items for the dye. Many looms in the Kotpad cluster are engaged in the production of “Vegetable dyed Kotpad Handloom Fabrics”.

The motifs are universal (crab, fish, conch etc.) & regional (boat, axes, fan, temple, bow etc.) which reflects cross-cultural-linkages of the area. The motifs are manually developed by extra wefts.

Kotpad has been mostly used a bridal fabric and the tribal communities have been weaving this for centuries. Usually, the yarn is Cotton and Tussar. The products are sarees, shawls, dupattas, stoles, dress-materials, cushion-covers etc. Maroon and black colors are mostly used. It takes 3 weeks for the dyeing process and 3-4 weeks for the weaving. 

Kotpad products are suitable for all seasons.

I love the natural smell and colours of the Kotpad handloom fabric.

Kotpad is a GI of Odisha, India.

Type: Handicraft

GI Application# 10

Certificate Date: 2/6/2005

Ministry of Commerce & Industry organized an Exhibition of Geographical Indications (GI) at the GI Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) at New Delhi in Nov 2018. I represented Odisha GIs at the GI Pavilion at IITF. You can read more about the #OdishaGIs here. 
Let us all use GI products - the "invaluable treasures of incredible India", and encourage our artisans, weavers, and farmers.