Hurricane Sandy in the US in October 2012

The Hurricane Sandy has so far claimed at least 40 lives in the US, while most of the casualties have occurred by falling of trees. However, an unconfirmed report suggests that the Sandy has so far killed 69 people in the Caribbean before making its way up the Eastern Seaboard.

Photo Coursey - NYDailyNews.com

IHS Global Insight, a forecasting firm has suggested that the Sandy will end up causing about $20 billion in property damage and $10 billion to $30 billion more in lost business, making it one of the costliest natural disasters on record in the U.S.

New Yorkers found themselves cut off from the modern world Tuesday. Perhaps the hurricane has caused maximum damage in New Jersey, where the storm roared ashore Monday night with hurricane-force winds of 80 mph. Several houses knocked off their foundations there. Of course Lower Manhattan, which includes Wall Street, was the hardest-hit area.

The Sandy also brought snowstorm conditions to parts of West Virginia and neighboring Appalachian states, with more than 2 feet of snow in some places.

Till yesterday, more than 8.2 million people across the East (in US) were without power. Airlines canceled more than 15,000 flights around the world.  

Photo Courtesy - abc News 

Hurricane Sandy has also affected political arena in the country. The presidential campaign has been affected. While President Barack Obama canceled a third straight day of campaigning in Ohio, Republican Mitt Romney resumed his campaign, but just to start a political rally in Ohio into a "storm relief event."

The storm has also affected the stock market. The New York Stock Exchange was closed for a second day on Tuesday, the first time that has happened because of weather since the snowstorm of 1888.

Not only wind, but fire also played havoc to destroy as many as 100 houses in a flooded beachfront neighborhood in Queens on Tuesday.

The hurricane also affected the Hospital services. New York University's Tisch Hospital evacuated 200 patients after its backup generator failed.

Joseph Lhota, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said the damage was the worst in the 108-year history of the New York subway – reported ME TV.

But thanks to smart Police and fire officials’ attempt, which used boats and trucks to reach the trapped, normal life condition is expected to return soon.

Photo Courtesy - Yahoo News

Rig Veda on origin of the Universe

Written by - Mahesh Prasad Mishra

The Nasadiya Sukta (after the ná ásat "not the non-existent") also known as the Hymn of Creation is the 129th hymn of the 10th Mandala of the Rigveda (10:129). It is concerned with cosmology and the origin of the universe. The hymn has attracted a large body of literature of commentaries both in Indian theology and in Western philology. It begins by paradoxically

stating "not the non-existent existed, nor did the existent exist then" (ná ásat āsīt ná u sát āsīt tadânīm), paralleled in verse 2 by "then not death existed, nor the immortal" (ná mṛtyúḥ āsīt amŕtam ná tárhi).

But already in verse 2 mention is made that there was "breathing without breath, of its own nature, that one" ânīt avātám svadháyā tát ékam). In verse 3, being unfolds, "from meditation (tapas) was born that one" (tápasaḥ tát mahinâ ajāyata ékam). Verse 4 mentions desire (kāma) as the primal seed, and the first poet-seers (kavayas) who "found the bond of being within non-being with their heart's thought".

Brereton (1999) argues that the reference to the sages searching for being in their spirit is central, and that the hymn's gradual procession from non-being to being in fact re-enacts creation within the listener, equating poetic utterance and creation. The hymn is undoubtedly late within the Rigveda, and expresses thought more typical of later Indian philosophy. The hymn has been interpreted as one of the earliest accounts of skeptical inquiry and agnosticism. "The One" repeatedly discussed in the Rigveda has been suggested to have originally referred to the axis mundi, and "The One who dwells beyond the seven sages" (1.164) as the polar star (at the time perhaps Thuban).

The hymn that immediately follows (10.130) deals with the origin of sacrifice and refers to purus "a Man", identified with Prajāpati by Sāyana.The hymn contemplates that the first sacrifice was performed by humans who by that act were elevated to rishis, alluding to the mythical first sacrifice performed by the gods described in the Purusha Sukta (RV 10.90) verse 6:

So by this knowledge men were raised to rishis, when ancient sacrifice sprang up, our fathers. With the mind's eye I think that I behold them who first performed this sacrificial worship. The questions in verse 3, "What were the rule, the order and the model? What were the wooden fender and the butter?" refer back to the questions in 10.129 ("what was above it then, and what below it?" etc.)

( The writer is a researcher and resource person and a propagator of Hindu mythological doctrines, I have taken necessary permission to publish it here - Himanshu Guru, blogger) 

Rare Facts about Lord Jagannath

Written by -  Mahesh Prasad Mishra

Lord Jagannatha.

Five hundred years ago, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to live at Jagannatha Puri after taking sannyasa. He enjoyed many pastimes there worshipping the deities of Lord Jagannatha (Lord Krsna), Balarama and Subhadra, and dancing in ecstasy before the ratha yatra cart at the yearly festival in Puri. Five thousand years ago, Lord Krsna, with His elder brother Balarama and His younger sister Subhadra, once visited Kuruksetra in a chariot. Two thousand years later, King Indradyumna started the temple of Jagannatha in Orissa at Puri, and he wanted to establish a picture in the temple of Krishna, Subhadra, and Balarama coming to Kuruksetra in the chariot during solar eclipse.

He employed Visvakarma to carve them from wood, and made a contract with Visvakarma that the sculptor would do his work behind closed doors and the King should not disturb him. But the King, being very impatient to see, forcefully opened the door. Visvanatha stopped carving, but the king decided, "Never mind it is half finished. I shall install these deities in the temple." Since then, the three deities Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra are being worshiped in India at Jagannatha Puri.

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (118) it is said that King Indradyumna later took birth again in his own family as Maharaja Prataparudra, during the time of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Maharaja Prataparudra was as powerful as King Indra. He belonged to the dynasty of the Ganga king, his capital was in Cuttak, and he was the Emperor of Orissa and a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The drama named Caitanya-candrodaya was written under his direction.

( The writer is a researcher and resource person and a propagator of Hindu mythological doctrines, I have taken necessary permission to publish it here - Himanshu Guru, blogger) 

Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia bids adieu

Written by - Sanjeeb Panigrahi

Justice S.H.Kapadia,the Chief Justice of India on Friday bid adieu on his last working day at the Supreme Court as he is going to demit office today.

He is known to be an upright judge and have not missed office even for a day in his 20 years as a judge — not even when he fractured his leg. He had a nine-year stint in the Supreme Court, and more than two years as the CJI. 

Many things to be learnt from this great personality. We wish him good health and time .

(The writer is a friend of mine who happens to be a learned advocate practising at the Supreme Court of India - Himanshu Guru, blogger )

Nuakhai Bhetghat 2012 – Balangir – 3 Plays in 3 Languages

On the eve of ‘Nuakhai’, the most significant festival of Western Odisha, Natraj Kala Parishad of Balangir is going to organize ‘Ekta Natyotsava’, a multilingual drama exhibition show. Actually three plays in three different languages will be live performed in this event.

The three plays are – (1) ‘Garra’, a Koshali play written by Ashok Bohidar and will be performed by Dhiraj, Shree Radha, Arun, Nabghana, Prahallad, Rohita and Jyotiranjan, (2) ‘Ichhadhari Bagh’, a Hindi play written by Ashis Ku. Sonar and will be performed by Rama, Susmika, Surendra, Sushil, Swagat and Jyoti and (3) ‘Chala Ame Pahada Chadhiba’, an Odia play written by Dasharathi Mund and will be performed by Lalit, Satya, Sujit and Chaitali.

All these dramas will be performed one after one from 6 P.M. onwards on 22^nd September 2012 at Town Hall Balangir. It is a free show and all are invited.

All these three plays have been directed by one director, Mr. Prashant Khamari, an acclaimed theatre director of western Odisha who has been awarded several times at different drama competitions in national and state level. Khamari is best known for his creative concepts and applications, of theatre tactics since his college days.

Khamari said to the blogger (Himanshu Guru), “ This is perhaps for the first time in the country that we are doing three plays in three languages in three hours, organized by one forum ‘Nataraj Kala Parishad’ and directed by one director i.e. me (Prashant Khamari). Earlier also we had appeared with new concepts such as ‘Koshali Apera’. Hope the audience will appreciate our effort”.

Music Director Dilip Mishra is No More

Music Director & Singer from Balangir, Odisha Late Dilip Mishra

Talented young music director from Balangir Dilip Mishra passed away on 11^th September 2012 at 4 A.M. (IST) early in the morning at his ‘Kabi Kutir’ residence in Talpali Pada of Balangir, in Odisha, India.

Profile of Mishra may not be very strong as he has not directed either a Hindi or even an Odiya film, but this is a fact that his talent was not less than any music biggie of the silver screen. Truth can be ascertained from the large number of people who were personally attached to him.

Mishra initiated his professional music career as the keyboard player of ‘Melody Makers’, the age old and elite band from Balangir, but soon promoted to the post of director thanks to his talent while age-wise he was quiet junior; in a place like Balangir age factor concerns at many a places. He then also started to sing and during his early days as a singer he had earned much popularity for his outstanding performances of the song ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ (originally sung by A.R. Rehman) and ‘Zee jee’.

Teaser Poster of a Musical Programme performed
on 2nd October 2012 in memory of late Dilip Mishra

The stunning stage performance created a market for him and he was then invited by Balangir’s Music Mentors like Shankar Pradhan and others. In every live concert Dilip was wanted and he became star. Eventually he joined the ‘Do re mi’ club of Sambalpur and performed at a huge number of concerts both inside and out of the state.

By the passage of time Mishra also tried his luck in Ollywood but could not sustain there either for some reasons unknown or due to his much affection for Balangir and his paternal family. Anyway, the hope of achieving something in Ollywood also wound up.

Stage show in memory of late Dilip Mishra at Maitri Mahal, Hatpada, Balangir, Odisha

However, he also composed music for a Hindi serial named ‘Yadon ke Fasle’, aired on National television and composed some classics for All India Radio, Balangir. All these compositions of Dilip are still broadcast from AIR and perhaps those are the golden collection at Balangir radio station. He has created many music stars that were happens to be his music students. In the last days of his life, he was composing music for Bhawanipatna Doordarshan.

Among the hits of his radio songs, one (Odia) number, ‘Aago dura pahada pachhara, asta suryara arunima, muje chala pathe thakaa batoi te, aakhire chumichhi tuma simaa’ seems to be the most popular one that was composed and arranged by Dilip Mishra, sang by Himanshu Guru (me) and lyrics was penned by Malaya Mishra.

In the first interlude of this song perhaps Dilip had revealed about his destiny which says, “Aau tike pare andhaara hele, baata ghaata kichhin dishibani, tame bi mo laagi leutibaa bata, dekhi chaahin aau rahibani” which means - within a short span, darkness will cover the earth and nothing will be visible including the path to proceed. You even will not wait for me then and I will be all alone to move in the darkness. Now I believe big people predict their future in their works.

Besides live concerts and music composition for radio and TV serial, he has also composed some sambalpuri albums including ‘Dil Dukaan’.

Many singers of Odisha including some renowned one like Ira Mohanty, Tapu Mishra and T. Shourie from Ollywood and Babloo, Himanshu Guru, Kunaa, Rajendra and a lot more from Balangir have sung compositions of Mishra.

As a singer Dilip was gifted enough to sing in high notes, which even could not be attempted by others and he was unique for thee.

Late Dilip Mishra (with Keyboard) with Himanshu Guru (with Guitar)

Music world of Balangir may not be a popular and cherished industry like Bollywood or even Ollywood, but it has its originality and glory, which cannot be ignored. Soil of Balangir has produced legends like late Chittaranjan Sahani, who had also trained music to Sadhna Sargam for a short span, Sniti Mishra, who had created buzz in the Musical reality show ‘Sa re ga ma pa’ in Zee TV, late Saroj Nanda, who had directed Bollywood Singers like Anuradha Paudwal and introduced his own school/style and had given a new direction to Odia music, at a time when gradually people had started rejecting the same for the all ‘ghisa pitaa’ styles, for which artists from both western and Eastern Odisha salutes him. There are certain other big names which cannot be provided within the geography of this article.

Dilip Mishra was of course a star of Balangir Musical arena. People from every altitude of the society had great likeness for him, for his talent. Besides music, he was also a good cricket player. Dilip breathed his last in the presence of his wife, daughter and mother. He was the youngest son of late Chakradhar Mishra and younger brother of late politician Gangadhar Mishra.

Today Dilip (as he had preferred to write Dilip as his name, not Dillip, so I am writing Dilip) is not physically present with us, but his compositions and songs will keep him alive and he will be around us on lieu of his musical works for ever. 

Good Bye Dilip. May your soul rest in peace. You might have finished your worldly life, but Odisha and Balangir’s Music world will always miss you and remember that once upon a time there was a Music legend in Balangir named Dilip Mishra.

Leprosy Colony Observed Maiden Teacher’s Day with ChildSmile in Balangir

Keeping the noble thought of ‘Service to Mankind Is Service to God’, CHILD SMILE NGO from Balangir this time earned acclamation as it celebrated the teacher’s day amongst the lepers.

Extending a hand of support and to convey a message of care to the leprosy patients, CHILD SMILE celebrated the Teacher’s Day yesterday on 5^th September 2012 among the lepers at the Leprosy Colony School, Puintala in Balangir of Odisha. 

While lepers are commonly looked down upon in the society by practice, the group’s splendid attempt has been praised.

Among the distinguished guest, the Chief Guest of the function Mr.Damodar Mishra, Chairman of District C.W.C. (Child Welfare Committee) Balangir, articulated his respect to Dr. Sarveplli Radha Krishnan, the second President of India whose birthday is celebrated as the Teacher’s day in India and recounted his achievements and ideal steps.

Radhakrishnan had uplifted the nuance of education to the zenith during his government in the country, for which he is revered. Mishra lighted the candle and depicted about the value of teacher in our life.

Chief Speaker social activist Mr.Gagarba Meher ed about the value of knowledge and right to education to the lepers which can be earned by any person of the society without distinction.

Guest of Honor Mr. Rajkumar Das, coordinator of Lepra Health in Action, Balangir described children as the future citizens; for which they should be provided with proper ingredients to prosper.

Ms Dipti Mayee Nanda, chief functionary of CHILD SMILE conducted different participatory activities related to “Right to Education” among the children for their sound understanding. Around 30 students and their all family members attended the program.

CHILD SMILE also honored two volunteers of Leprosy Colony Mrs. Jayanti Sahu and Mrs. Sabya Chouhan for their perseverance   towards the development of students of Leprosy Colony School, Balangir. 

Mr.Bibhuti Bhusan Bhoi of CHILD SMILE proposed the vote of thanks to all the participants at the end.

Mr. Sanjeeb Chhatria, Mrs. Jyotirmayee Nayak, Mrs.Kalpana Nag, Mr. Naresh Pradhan, Mr. Subir Bag,Mr.D.Jhon and Mr.Rajesh Saha helped organize the program.

There is an Upper Primary School providing education in the Leprosy Colony where a single teacher is teaching as a salaried full time teacher, and two women from the colony are imparting education honorary without any remuneration.