OLD MEMORY

Stories are basically written on sheer fabrications mingled with facts. But some stories are based on real episodes. The following story is based on a fact that was told to me by my grandfather, Late Aparti Charan Panda, Ex-Tahasildar, JTO, Puri when I was a student of Agrahat M. E. School.

During the year 1940s late Chief Ministers Sri Bijayananda Pattanaik alias Biju Pattanaik and Late Harekrishna Mahatab were planning for establishing some industries in Choudwar viz Kalinga Tubes, Orissa Textile Mills Pvt. Ltd., Titagarh Paper Mills Pvt Ltd.  When they were chalking out a plan to establish OTM they visited by riding bicycles to Agrahat, Charbatia because this area was also one of the suitable sites. They desired to hold a discussion with the local headmen regarding the pros and cons of that area. As our grandpa was the then headman of the village Agrahat, they preferred to meet him for necessary guidance in order to locate a suitable plot for the purpose. It was about 8 am when they arrived at our home. My grandpa was very happy to receive them as valued guests. So they were being seated in our drawing room amusing themselves in cordial discourse.

Then grandpa requested my granny to serve some snacks and tea. My granny was also glad and instantly she prepared a fried Chuda recipe mixed with pure cow milk, molasses, bananas, and pure ghee. She also served a chatni for taste and a silver tumbler full of water poured out of an earthen vessel wherein malli flowers were dropped to add flavour as then was the summer season. The snack was served on silver plates whereon silver spoons also were kept. Both the guests after taking snacks were served special cups of tea. Teacups were attached with plates made of china clay. After tea was over, my grandmother offered homemade sada khilpans ( betel leaf made conic shaped by hand whereof upper part is folded so as to contain areca nut, lime paste, and other fragrant spices within ). It was half-past ten. Both the guests were extremely pleased by the hospitality of my grandparents. As they were prone to preview the plot, grandpa accompanied them on bicycles. Before departure, they saluted my great grandparents who were still alive.

The trio pedaled onto the area situated nearby ARC Charbatia. At that time the surrounding areas were vast plateu lands ( Ragadi). Moreover, they moved to Mangarajpur, Shankarpur, Bajrakot, Dalijoda Bramhapur, and adjacent areas to make their choice. But alas nothing could be selected. So again the trio cycled to the proper Choudwar platue and were successful to search out a suitable site i. e. the present OTM Bazar, where the construction works of the Mill started afterward. Both the state leaders were very much delighted and they embraced my grandpa for his hospitable as well as benevolent nature. That was 4 pm. Then after taking some street snacks [ Chakuli pitha ( the flat rounded cake made of rice and black gram powder paste on tawa ) and mansa tarkari ( Mutton and potato curry ) with the finishing sips of tea. It was going to be dusk. Late Biju Sir and Mahatab Sir hugged my grandpa for the last time and proceeded towards Cuttack by riding on their bicycles.

There is a general belief that Almighty God sometimes does some miracles which are beyond the imaginations of human beings.  Furthermore, He sometimes conjoins human beings with another one unexpectedly to achieve a noble deed which is proved in this small story clicked by me. Although I am now a sexagenarian guy I am quite unable to forget the sweat nostalgia as it gives me ample pleasure and positivity as well. Spontaneously my hands stretch with folded palms intently to pay a respectful homage to the departed souls of late Pattanaik and Mahatabjee, National Leaders, owing to the benevolent humanitarian deeds so as to provide the downtrodden laymen of Tangi-Choudwar Block with pieces of bread and butter. Now there are no mills of Tangi Choudwar nevertheless the essence of those noble personalities has been dazzling yet in the minds and hearts of the innumerable local people throughout a long transitional period and generation after generation without break and also must remain intact in future. Jay Ashta Shambhu Maharaj. Hail eight folded unity of Lord Shivjee of Choudwar.

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