Home Is Where The Heart Is

Siri was showing her old family album to her grandchildren.

"And this used to be my home when I was a little girl," she said.

Her youngest grandson four-year old Pilu showed extra interest.

PHOTO PROMPT - Ted Strutz

"What about the swing on the mango tree?" he asked.  

Siri was astounded.

Real Weaver of The Maths Saree

A "Maths Saree" was in the news recently. There are mathematical symbols and equations all over.

Padma Shri actress Vidya Balan had worn it for the promotion of her Hindi movie- Shakuntala Devi.

If you are a handloom lover, you would not have missed this news as it brought a smile to many faces.

#SambalpuriBandha Saree has #GITag. @vidya_balan wearing #Sambalpuri #OrissaIkat Maths Sari shares video msg for our weavers. #ShakuntalaDevi 🎥 #VocalForLocal @CimGOI @CIPAM_India @cgpdtm_india @DIPPGOI #OdishaGI #GIsofIndia #KnowYourGI #LetsTalkIPhttps://t.co/2xaDWUbzrz

— Odita Trust (@OditaTrust) July 30, 2020

The Sambalpuri Saree connection with Team Vidya Balan had been done by my sister, Amrita Sabat, through our brand Utkalamrita of our company Sabat Exports Pvt. Ltd. Information about the Saree - weaver's name from whom Saree was sourced, village name, district name, and other technical details of the Saree had been shared. Amrita had also requested their team to share a video message for our weavers, which Vidya Balan graciously heeded. 

Cupid Is Mine!

Rizy walked into the Gifts Shop.

As she started looking at the stuffed-toys, the salesman handed a sweet Cupid with bow and arrows.

Rizy loved it!

Hugging the toy, Rizy said, "Cupid Is Mine!"

Pic- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Naked Truth - Star And Sweet

naked truth

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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.

Kendrapara Rasabali

Rasabali is a traditional sweet of Odisha that is prepared using  chhena i.e. cottage-cheese and thickened sweetened milk. 

This sweet is being offered everyday for the past several centuries at the Baladevjew Temple at Kendrapara district of Odisha. 

It is also one of the bhoga of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha.

Rasabali is a very popular sweet dish and has many fans.

The Missing Diary

My diary was missing.

I had looked for it everywhere.

It had my deepest secrets.

I was not too worried that anyone could read it.

I write using 'invisible ink' and only I can read the text...

I had been documenting for long.

Had someone stolen it?

The Parcel

Leela got a call from the courier delivery.

The parcel had her name. 

She opened the box. 

It was a pink dress that was a size smaller! 

Who could have gifted her? 

Her birthday was some days away...

PHOTO PROMPT - Jean L. Hays

She did not recognize the sender's name and address.

The given phone-number wasn’t in her contact.

Dil Bechara : Missing Sushant Singh Rajput

Exactly a month ago, we lost a young and talented star, Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR).

The nation is still mourning and many are looking for justice for him.

We really do not know what happened and why we have to face such a situation.

Sushant Singh Rajput - Talented Star Shines On

We watched the movie trailer of Dil Bechara and the super song that Sushant has pulled off in one shot.

SSR has such a happy personality in the movie and in the real-life videos with his disarming smile and cool and smart style.

In Dil Bechara, these inspiring positive words sound so nice in his voice-:

"Janam kab lena hai aur marna kab hai- Hum decide nahi karsakte hain;

Par kaise jeena hai- woh Hum decide karsakte hain."

"We cannot decide when to take birth or when to die;

But, we can decide how to live life."

News Reports About Rasagola Dibasa 2020

Ratha Jatra 2020 came to a close on a sweet note with the celebration of the Niladri Bije ritual on the last day of the Ratha Jatra when Rasagolas are offered as prasad/bhoga.

It was great to see news reports about the Adhara Pana and Niladri Bije rituals in many dailies.

Ratha Jatra 2020 made history being celebrated despite the #Covid19 shutdown.

This year, Rasagola Dibasa was on 4th July, 2020. Rasagola Dibasa celebration in 2020 was unique as the event was celebrated at homes and many prepared Rasagolas for the first time to offer to the deities as per our continuing tradition.

The following news report about "Rasagola Dibasa" celebration this year was published on 5th July 2020 in the Sunday Times of India, Bhubaneswar edition.

We have been advocating the use of our terms for long. 

At least the local papers based in Odisha should report the celebration correctly. 

As we have been celebrating #RasagolaDibasa, the spelling "Rasagola Dibasa" should be used as has been done in the above report in TOI. 

But, this article is not available online.

The Eyewitness

She had a feeling something sinister was happening on the street. 

Her kitchen-window overlooked the road from where she could hear the commotion.

She went ahead and opened the window.

PHOTO PROMPT @ A. Noni Mouse

She heard loud shrieks, but couldn't see anything. 

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