Mistaken Identity

I was speaking to a senior researcher some time ago, who discussed about a recent tragedy in our temple city.

The accused of the case is linked to the ruling party of another state as his father belongs to that party.

The researcher even named the persons- the son and the father.

I was not aware of the accused father's name or affiliation.

Hearing the name, I immediately searched on Google. I shared the information that I saw on screen- "MISIDENTIFIED."

The following are the first few results:

True Or Views Of a Few?

 Sunday Times edition dated June 25, 2023 had this question on the cover page-

"True or views of a few?"

Sunday Times is the Sunday edition of the Times of India- "India's largest English newspaper".

Times of India is "India's Most Trusted Newsbrand."

The question in question here made me think of all the possible answers.

Many times, views of a few have been imposed on the vast majority.

Over the years, those views and those cunning stories and concocted tales have been accepted as the reality.

Truth has gone for a toss, and people do not even know or realise or bother about their loss!

Leading media have been publishing wrong information based on the previous fake news or incorrect data.

For example, the recent Manchester Marathon- Khandua Saree worn by Marathon-runner Ms Madhusmita Jena Das. Despite corrections being made, updates have been few, wrong info exists on cyberspace and the saree is still being erroneously referred to as- "Sambalpuri Bandha".

Rasagola (Rasgulla) has been a part of the age-old cultural tradition of Shreemandira i.e. the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha.

Trust The Trustworthy and Hone The Honesty

 Trust is a very serious term. It signifies much more than love. 

It is reliance and faith and assurance for support. Trust is the foundation.

Once trust is lost, there is no support and foundation and a relationship falls flat.

Trust is linked with honesty. Honest people are trustworthy.

A Sanskrit shloka I had read in high school comes to my mind. One of the lines was-

"One who trusts the untrustworthy is the most foolish or low-grade person." 

Personally, I have been a foolish person many times as I have trusted the untrustworthy and have been taken for a ride.

Trust can only be expected from trustworthy people.

But, who are trustworthy? How do we make the right selection? 

Who are responsible and can be relied upon?

Death News Reports of Celebs- Pallabi Dey And SSR

 It is always terrible to learn about the death of celebrities. Though we have never met them, we feel a sense of loss. Sometimes, those who are too involved with the celebrities, are inconsolable. This is about the real-life. 

Even the reel-life death totally shakes people.

I remember the death of the character "Mihir" in the episode of TV-soap opera- "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi." The regular viewers were so shocked and many cried such a lot that everyone had puffy-eyes the next day. The loss was personal as though as family-member was no more. After all, the daily soap and its loved characters had become a part of every family and everyone watched daily. 

Today, it was sad to read about the death of a Bengali TV-actress- Pallabi Dey. Though I never knew of her before nor have never watched any of her shows, still I feels bad that we lost a young, beautiful, and talented actress. This is how the news has been covered by the Economic Times, Pananche-

Breaking News

The ‘Breaking News’ confirmed about alien-invasion.

Photo Prompt- David Stewart

No one could explain how so many fluorescent eggs had landed.

CCTV footage showed an UFO.

The mysterious UFO was undetected by any radar.

What would the eggs hatch into? Was this a plan to takeover our planet?

Lini was startled to see the uncanny news.

Naked Truth - Star And Sweet

naked truth

---

Plain unadorned facts, without concealment or embellishment. For example, What I've told you is the naked truth. This expression supposedly alludes to a fable in which Truth and Falsehood went bathing, Falsehood then dressed in Truth's clothes, and Truth, refusing to take another's clothes, went naked. [Late 1500s]

                                                                                                  - Definition in Dictionary.com

The reason for asking the above questions about "naked truth" is as I am totally baffled with what is going on.

Let us take a Star and a Sweet for example.

Star- Sushant Singh Rajput 

Sweet- Rasagola 

Star

It was declared that Sushant Singh Rajput, a top highly talented and promising Bollywood actor, has "committed suicide" on July 14, 2020.

We trust the police and thought that their statement is true.

I could never believe that one of my favourite stars, who has such a positive outlook and spirit could ever do so.

The same thoughts had come to my mind when I had learned of the so-called "suicide" of Sunanda Pushkar.

Instead of #SushantDeathMystery, his #depression & #suicide is reported.
Police is responsible for allowing such incorrect #Media News reporting & public perception.

This is so similar to #SunandaPushkar case.
Many similar unanswered Qshttps://t.co/rj30ZHw8tv#DilBecharaDay

— anitaexplorer (@anitaexplorer) July 24, 2020

But, now we know that both these "suicide" cases, and many other cases like this, are actually made to appear in such garb.

Within a few minutes of Sushant's mysterious death, despite the police knowing the truth and technical flaws in the suicide theory, they never gave an inkling of the reality- that SSR has actually been murdered.

The "suicide", mental health", "depression" news was made to spread like wildfire.

So many social media posts, videos etc now have the wrong news- suicide theory.

Problem is replication as whoever sees such wrong info in the future, continues the same theory...

I pray that may the killers of Sushant Singh Rajput be nabbed and punished and may our star get justice soon.

More posts about Sushant Singh Rajput 

Sweet

It is being constantly declared for many years that the king of sweets, Rasagola or Rasgulla (or spelled in any which way- Rasagulla/Rasgola/Rasogolla/Rosogolla...) is "invented" in Bengal.

Odisha has centuries-old connection with Rasagola, but many are simply unwilling to accept the reality of this continuing tradition on the last day of the Ratha Jatra at Puri, Odisha! 

Misleading info and fake news is still being spread! 

Many posts, videos, articles etc. have wrong information. 

This despite Odisha having earned the GI Tag and having shown that the word 'Rasagola' has existed in Odia literature even before Kolkata city was established! 

Having spent more than the last five years of my life being deeply involved with the Rasagola case, I am totally at a loss for words!

Today, on 30 July, how many of us remember our maiden #RasagolaDibasa celebration on #Twitter #socialmedia?
July 30, 2015?
Past 5 yrs have been significant.
Personally, have spent a lot of time & effort.
Here's one of d posters I had made to inform all-https://t.co/ZRnSuGzVxW

— anitaexplorer (@anitaexplorer) July 30, 2020

Exactly 5 years ago, on July 30, 2015, had started #RasagolaDibasa- celebration of a Rasgulla Day on social media.

Last year, on July 29, 2019, Odisha earned the GI tag for Odisha Rasagola.

Yesterday, was the first anniversary of our Rasagola GI tag.

Being enthused, I shared the video of a newly-wedded Doctor that I received on WhatsApp. Doctor Babu's maiden visit to his in-laws place is to be seen to be believed! His loving in-laws have taken great efforts to prepare and serve 105 Odia dishes including Rasagola. I loved the thoughtful video oozing great honour, love, care, and the loooong list of dishes that I shared it on some groups in FaceBook.

Today, I saw many comments that informed me that some people still believe that Rasagola belongs to Bengal!

I instantly felt transported to back in time- perceptions haven't changed much despite doggedly trying to promote the truth on social media! 

But, the eternal optimist in me soon saw that many had provided the correct info as reply to the ignorant comments. Hard work hasn't gone waste!

I pray that may we never have to encounter any 'debate/controversy' or give explanation or defend Rasagola-origin-in-Odisha case!

More about Rasagola Here.

Conclusion

In both the above-mentioned Star & Sweet cases, the narrative has been decided and set.

All the conversations, perceptions, attitudes etc are based on this.

Further conversations are based on the first-hand information provided.

Thus, if an influential/wise/learned/authoritative/reliable person has stated or published something first, it is accepted as truth.

Blindly accepted and promoted as truth! 

No one suspects any foul play or vested interests or cultural appropriation!

No one knows the naked truth! 

Many do not care.

Lies are wearing the clothes of truth and have made their presence everywhere! 

If Y, who is not well-known (but has research/experience), says something serious, you don't believe her.

But, if X, who is a well-known trustworthy culture/media personality, either says something frivolous or copies the exact thing as Y has been saying (and worse, claims to be his own original idea), you believe him!

Star & Sweet cases thus have dark and sour dealings.

If such high-profile cases with solid evidence and backing meet with a fate, then imagine how the truth will be possible for the lesser-known reality...

Truth is whose responsibility? 

Please let us be responsible citizens and report correctly.

No, SSR did NOT commit "suicide."

No, Rasagola has NOT originated in "Bengal."

Why is it so tough to accept, support and promote the truth?

We believe- "Satyameva Jayate".

Truth always wins.

"Truth is still the truth even if no one believes it; Lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it."

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." 

There is hope that truth will be out one day.

But, how will this happen if we don't support/say?

What do you say?

Do share your comments below.

Newsmaker Geographical Indications #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

How or why or when does a product or person find a place in the news? 

Some Geographical Indications (GIs) are really famous and are newsmakers. GI products are known for their unique and superior qualities, reputation and characteristics. Many people have heard their names, though the same people may not be aware about the term - "Geographical Indications" or that the products have got GI tags.

Some Examples: 

• Darjeeling Tea - This was India's first Geographical Indication.    
• Nagpur Orange - It gives its city the pseudonym 'Orange City'.
• Kashmir Pashmina - Handcraft shawls, stole and scarves, made from the fine wool of Pashmina goat, are sought after by buyers in India as well as abroad.
• Banaras Brocades And Sarees - If there is a survey of sarees, then this famous saree should be the top-of-mind recall of a majority. It is a popular choice, especially for weddings.

Image Courtesy: Sabyasachi

Anushka Sharma chose to wear a vermillion Banarasi saree, created by several artisans from the Peeli Kothi area in Banaras, at her Delhi wedding reception.

While Virat Kohli wore a black textured silk signature bandhgala with the house buttons in 18k gold and a white silk kurta with hand-woven brocade churidaar.

"Battle" Over Rasgulla - Misleading Media Information

"Banglar Rasogolla" was "invented" in Bengal in 1868.
West Bengal had filed an application and has received a certificate for "Banglar Rasogolla" today.

Source: ipindia.nic.in

Geographical Indications (GI) Registry is a Quasi Judicial Authority. This impartial authority grants GI status on the basis of details and supporting documents.
Application Number- 533 refers to "Banglar Rasogolla".
It has been available from 14th July 2017.
Today, on 14th November 2017, West Bengal has got the GI certificate for "Banglar Rasogolla".

It may be noted that Odisha Govt. is yet to file any application for Rasagola.
There is a mind-boggling choice as many varieties of Rasagola are available in Odisha. Each region has its unique preparation and specialty e.g. Pahala, Salepur, Jatni, Kukudakhandi, Nuapatna etc.

Jim Smiley And His Jumping Frog

“When it came to a challenge, Jim Smiley just had to jump right in!"

Jim Smiley loved challenges, participated enthusiastically and won.

Yes, he won each and every challenge he took part in, that too creating new records!

Jim Smiley was all smiles as his home was full of trophies and medals.

Everyone said that the secret of his success was talent, hard-work, dedication, determination, perseverance, confidence...

They didn't know that he had a lucky charm- a magic jumping frog that gave him the power to win and create world records...

Photo-Prompt- Mondays Finish The Story