From Dangriguda to Detroit

Preface:

"As I was sitting in my cubicle, I was thinking how I can make use of this notice period which I am going through. Because technically I am having no work these days. So I thought why not pen down something for we kalahandias.

The below story is a pure imagination and does not resemble anybody's real life story. It is not even my story. It is a pure fiction. None of the facts and figures are correct. But as you will read through, I swear each one of us will fit into the character somewhere or the other. As you will go deep you will find that each one of us have been through this phase of life. May be some of us have come half the way, few the complete journey and for few yet to come. This is just an attempt to bring back our old memories and recall how we have come all this way long. I know it is a bit lengthy but somewhere you will be able to relate yourself to it.

Hope this keeps you stuck."

-- Chandan Panda.

"May I have your kind attention please? Flight number AI3207 from Bangalore to Detroit is ready for takeoff. All the passengers are requested to fasten their seat belts”. I became more cautious and checked my seat belt as I heard this from a beautiful lady dressed in red and white saree. I was traveling to Detroit, a beautiful city located in the eastern part of US of A for the so called "Requirement Gathering" for a US based software firm called "FCG services". Oops! I forgot to tell you that I have been working for FCG Services for the last 14 months as a Tech Lead.

I had managed to get a window seat and as I looked at the Bangalore airport, the flight took off with a boisterous noise. I was much more nervous than anybody else in the flight because this was my first trip outside India and believe me it was my first ever air travel. Apart from all these I was quite excited and also had a proud feeling that finally I did make it.

Then as I was looking at the clouds (we were miles above see level now), something struck my mind. All of a sudden I started thinking why am I going to Detroit? Why am I working for FCG? Why do I write java codes? What have I done in life that I have achieved this dream moment? What is that I have done that has brought me so far? So far away from my family? So far away from my home? So far away from Dangriguda? Yes, Dangriguda is my native place. I was born there. All of a sudden I started thinking about my childhood days. It was a complete flashback for me.

I was going 23 years down the lane. Every thing was very clear in my mind as if it happened to me just before I got into the Bangalore airport.

Well! Well! Let me take you through what all was going in my mind as I looked off the window from my seat numbered A-23. Let me take you through my journey from Dangriguda to Detroit.

I was born in Dangriguda, a village in Koksara block in Kalahandi district. “Kalahandi”, Well! We get very nostalgic when we hear of this name. My father was a farmer. A typical kalahandia farmer which people there are very proud of. I have two elder sisters and was the only son. Was brought up in a pretty middle class way. Did study till class 4 in Kusumkhunti School.

Wow! Those were the days which can be cherished for ever. Our "halia" (servant) used to take me and my sister to the school with me sitting in the front seat of the bicycle. I can still remember those days when I along with my friends used to play "chu chuani","bis amruth","nadi ki pahad" etc. All the dust, sand and mud, everything used be so much pure for us. Even more purified than todays Air Condition and mineral water. After playing for hours in the sun and taking a bath in the "chuan" (Well) used be like heaven. It can never match up with todays "showers" and "Steam bath". And after that my "Aai" (Grandmother) used to shout aloud "kahi ana re, kete khara ne khelibulsu ta". And my! my! Those Pakhal with "ambul" and "lia badi".

As I was thinking of Pakhal and lia badi, there was this beautifull princess serving my meals with a smile. As I opened the packed food, I found a burger with cheese, there was bread stuffed with Chicken (Hope so it was chicken) and few potato fries. I had no choice than to eat it but with the flavor of lia badi in my mind. I some how managed to finish it, though i had to take the cheese out of the burger. After that I thought of taking a nap and so I put on my iPod to the beats of Bryan Adams. Remember I was traveling to United States.

But how could I sleep with such good memories streaming through my mind. I put off Bryan Adams and started to murmur "Ekda Ekda". I again went back to my school days. After completing my 4th class in kusumkhunti my father decided to send me to Bhawanipatna. I was admitted to Vimala Convent School and was staying in Hostel. Those were my most notorious and memorable days.

There was a sudden change in my life. After all i was shifted to a more developed place. I started learning English. This was my first step towards Detroit.

Initially it was very difficult for me to cope up with. But then i had friends. Friends who are still with me. And believe me school friends are those who are to be cherished throughout your life. Suddenly my life style changed. I started playing cricket, watched TV and went for movies. Even bunked classes and watched cricket match. But the next day, a doctor's prescription would be ready for the class teacher. Those New Year picnics, those inter school competitions etc. There's nothing that can match those days. That time i never ever thought what I would do to after 10th.I passed 10th with 1st division (luckily).

Then came the devil's period. My +2 in Government College Bhawanipatna. I took science as I had decent marks in 10th. But never knew what it was all about. That time I remember my father saying "Dekh se SBI bank ra manager ra pila science padhi thila, aru ebe engineer ache". That excited me to take science. But the word "engineer" for me gave an idea of building dams and roads.

I took science. This was my second step towards Detroit. Though i went to college but hardly attended any classes. Yes, i used to attend only Physics classes because the theory of “force” and “Buoyancy” caught my interest. I hated math. But, yes we were very regular with practicals, because there used to be few good looking girls in our group. Yes even more prettier than this air hostess. The best part would be, while bunking classes and sitting near the college main gate. Someone would suddenly shout aloud "ae ae side diya..kiye kichi nayi kaiba..morta asuche.." . Each day would pass with loads of fun.

That time i used to think "+2 gote sari gale tension jeita". Those were the days full of fun. Going to tutions were the best part. That time i never knew what a burger was, never thought one day i will fastening my seat belt and never thought one day i will be jotting down the requirements in an excel sheet.

Slowly but steadily i was stepping into this new new world. I completed my +2 with a second division. But when i went to my village, my "badma" asked me

"pass kalu kein re.." and in reply i just smiled. Then i realized that as i was moving into this new world and people back in my village are still the same, still so very unaware of all these and still so very satisfied and happy.

After preparing for 1 long year in bhubaneswar finally i did not crack engineering. Moving to Bhubaneswar was my next step to Detroit.

I then took some computer courses and managed to get into MCA.This was again suggested by my father.Not only suggestions but few

examples like..see he got this much marks,he is doing this and that.There was no other option than to listen.

Again I felt that i was moving into different world. Those were the days when we first saw girls in jeans and mini skirts apart from the bollywood movies. The Forum Mart had become a regular hangout place. I stayed in Sahid Nagar (in front of RD women's college). First few semesters were quite interesting. The ragging, then the girls, the canteen and movies during college hours. We were enjoying every bit of it. There used be serious study only 15 days prior to the exam. That time again i used to think.."MCA gote sari gale tension jeita".

But I never knew there was never an end to it. My life style was changing slowly. For the first time i brought a pair of LEE jeans. I got the so called "branded" tag. From "arsa pitha" to "egg chicken roll", everything was changing for me.

I was in my last semester,when we heard of the concept called “campus recruitment”. Companies from Bangalore came to our college campus to recruit students. Then we came to know what an MNC is. Even then i was not serious about what i would do next. We were seeing people getting thru companies and heard about the most juicy part i.e. salary package. I never thought that it would mean so much to we student who would get round 2000 to 2500 from their parents at the start of the month. Only few "good" students got into MNCs.

As I was recalling all these i was literally sweating, even in the midst of clouds. Then again comes the lady. Sorry the beautifull lady with a smile and asks "sir tea or coffe".I opted for tea. The tea reminded me of the famous tea shop in sahid nagar.Yup! not the taste though.

I went back to my post MCA days. I passed MCA but again with a 2nd division. There was tension all around. People did not know what to do and what not to do. I went to my village after that. There people were saying different things..."Padha saralu ken ga...ebe kana.."."Se tar pila ene chakri karuche ken ga..". It was real frustration. One of my father's friends suggested me to go to Bangalore and look for job there. He said "amar gaanr kete pila henke jai kina chakri pelena.."

Finally I decided to come to Bangalore. Probably this as my most important step towards Detroit. Here again I was entering a new world. I stayed at ejipura, near Kormangala. I started giving interviews and not to my surprise i was not clearing even one round. That time i used to think "chaakri gote mili gale life ra tension jeita..". There were lot of people in this field already from our place. All of them were kind enough to guide me. After giving tons of interviews, finally i cracked one. The company name was "IvySoft". It was news in our village. Few others from our village went to Bhubaneswar to study MCA.

Again I was entering a new world. It was complete transformation. From satyam cinema hall to Kesari to PVR. From “mach bhaja” to “roll” to “Mc Donalds”.

I went home after few months. I was literally into tears when handed over 2000 rupees to my mother. After coming back, i got offer from FCG Services and joined as a senior s/w engineer. It was a so called US MNC. Then i used to think "Tech Lead ki Project manager gote hi gale chinta jiba."

After 1 year i was promoted as Tech Lead .Life was changing with the speed of a rocket. Right from reading "bournaboudh" to writing java code. From "dhekisal" to "cubicles", from "kan phus phus" to "client calls" and from “nuakhai to Christmas”.

I had already entered the endangered world of "technocrats”. One fine day my manager told me that i will have to fly to Detroit for requirement gathering for a new project. I could not make out what he was telling and then I went to Google and searched for Detroit and found that it is a place in USA.

There is no description to my excitement at that time. First thing I did was call up home and tell. It was nearly a Diwali for them. Then i got a email that i have to fly in next 4 days. This was my first trip so i had to take a lot of suggestions from lot many people. Then finally i got a chance to enter the HAL Airport, which we used to see from the local buses.

Thinking of all these I went off to sleep. Then all of a sudden I heard a beautiful voice saying "May I have your kind attention please. Flight number AI3207 from Bangalore to Detroit is ready for landing. All the passengers are requested to fasten their seat belts".

Finally I stepped into the land of dreams. The United States of America. As I walked out off the airport wearing a denim jeans and white shirt along with my luggage, there was this executive from FCG waiting for me with a luxurious Toyota.

As i sat inside the car, i was again having a proud feeling. But this time not because i have stepped into my dream land but because during those 7-8 hours in the flight i had traveled a much longer journey i.e. journey from Dangriguda to Detroit. I was feeling proud because I realized that I have not forgotten my basics. I have not forgotten those days of playing "chun chuani" and "nadi ki pahad". Playing in the sun, taking bath in the "chuan", eating pakhal and badi, those high profile lectures from parents and relatives, all were afresh in my mind. I had not forgotten bunking classes and watching cricket world cup, those sitting in government college main gate. I had not forgotten sahid nagar and RD college. I was feeling proud because I had not forgotten my journey from "Dangriguda to Detroit". I was feeling proud because I had not forgotten Kalahandi.

As I enterd the FCG, Detroit office next morning, one thing that struck my mind was "jaldi e requirement gathering gote sari jeita bele tension jeita..".

Seva @ Bangalore

A couple of months back a group of Oriyas, working in Bangalore, had been to Nandi hills for an outing. For an outsider, it may seem as just another picnic where a bunch of guys go out and have fun, but it was much more than that. It was about the belongingness that we have for our motherland; it was about the love we have for our fellow-beings. During the picnic, we had a nice discussion on the issues related to Orissa and the possible solutions. Many of us were quite excited at the prospect of being able to help Orissa in someway or the other. The picnic had a definite conclusion: we, at Bangalore, need to do something for the betterment of Orissa. In that regard, the picnic was a huge success in bringing a lot of like minded people together. On our way back, a strange feeling was doing rounds. “Was it the beginning or the end?” It happens in a lot of endeavors that after the initial success, the enthusiasm level drops and the mission dies. It was unacceptable to us. Within one week, we had a concrete plan. A lot of young Oriyas, after completing B.E./B.Tech./MCA come to Bangalore to seek for jobs. With growing number of graduates turning to Bangalore, these people are subjected to fierce competition. We thought, we could help them with the years of experience we have in IT field. The concept was to start a discussion forum, where they can discuss about the technical challenges they are facing and we can share our experience with them. The idea was to sharpen their technical abilities as well as boosting up their confidence. The support from Global Oriya community www.globaloriya.com gave enormous momentum to the movement. The response to this project was overwhelming, both from freshers as well as the would-be-mentors. We planned to meet on a weekly basis and had the inauguration ceremony on October 1, Sunday at Visweswaraiya College on the Airport road. After a couple of weeks, we moved to a nearby primary school. Since the day of the start, where we had only one forum to discuss about C/C++, we have grown to 3 forums with additions for Java and Testing. The topics for discussion are decided beforehand and the mentors come prepared with a range of tricky concepts. The sessions are so refreshing that you would definitely learn something at the end of it, no matter what you are - a fresher or a seasoned pro. The joy of being there can’t be put in words; it feels like a job accomplished, like you did something for the society. A sense of satisfaction that comes when you see them smile cannot be described, it can only be experienced. Visit the place once and you would experience the same feeling which prompted me to write this article. See you there someday.

Call from the God......

“ Uthie Beheraji, Behera Babu uthie”
That was the call from the omnipotent, omniscient and almighty God to an old man of his sixties on an early winter morning at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC), Vellor, India. After repeated calls he woke up and grace the God’s presence.

During my summer vacation this year I had gone to my native place to spend my vacations. On those days I had gone to my relatives home .

During one of my visits to my Uncles house what we call mamu ghar in our local language, I came in contact with an old man of his mid sixties. He told me a vivid story about his experience of feeling the God’s Presence. He also made me a promise to make that a story and publish for him in the local weekly “The Arjee” of kalahandi. So I gave him a word and publish that on the 1st week of last month.

As everybody knows that the Brahmins of Kalahandi are vedic scholars, traditional in nature and are the stunch follower of Hinduism. The old man which I am talking about is also that kind of person and also a Brahmin of a middle class rural family of Kalahandi. He has a deep belief of God’s presence. As per him what ever we people are now all are due to the grace to God. The name of the old man is Premananda Behera. His religious teacher is Swami Chidananta Sarawati, President The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India. He has a strong belief on his holy teacher and also a follower of his ideology and religious words.

Behera Babu has a happy family which comprises of his wife and two sons. He spent his time by reading Hindu epics, farming and attending religious conferences by eminent personalities. But when time passes he suddenly feel ill and became weaker and weaker. His body mechanism starts not responding food. So he decided to make a healt check up at CMC, Vellor.

Behera Babu fixed an appointment with the doctor and checked his health. When the report came the doctors became surprised and sorry to say that Behera babu has a tumor of about 0.3 mm size on his brain. The doctors also told that the tumor is on the verge of growing mode and should be eradicated soon otherwise will hamper his health and brain. So with out any delay he was appointed in the Hospital for the treatment of Brain Tumor. The cost of the operation was somehow around 2 lacks and will take 4-5 weeks. The tumor will be eradicated by the help of nuclear ray what we call cemo therapy treatment on the physicians languages.
The operation date was finalized and before night behera babu’s brain was scanned. The doctors predicted that there’s a tumor of 0.35 mm. On that night Behera Babu had no sense and he slept on the ICU as a 1 month baby. The night was a winter night and everywhere it’s fog. The outer world seems to be silent at that time. During early morning Behera Babu heard a voice
“ Uthie Beheraji, Behera Babu uthie”
At first he thought that as a dream. But when the voice gradually increased he woke up from his bed and sat down. He saw a divine torch focusing his face. After some instant he saw his holy Gurdev calling him with opened arms. He graced the god’s presence. The almighty Gurudev touched his head and blessed him and told
“ Sarve Vabantu Sukhino”
After some time Behera babu again lost his sense and fell sleepy as a restless person. On that morning the doctors came for the final test before the operation which was scheduled to be at that evening. They scanned his brain and when saw the report became surprised that there’s no tumor on his brain. They thought some thing might be wrong on the test. After several (2 to 3 tests) thay found the same thing and thought that as a miracle. On that day the doctors told all the people present there that “ God is the first and the best doctor of the human soul”. When I heard this I can’t believe it as the old man now a days seems to be more active whom I saw last 2 years back.

From this I came to know that all greatest treasures of the Life can be achieved if we have a faith on God and have a positive attitude. The experience of the old man teaches me a lesson that
“ Every Day is a new beginning for us Every moment ”

One day trip to Nandi Hills

(Sunday, 17th Sept 2006)Nandi Hill: It is a hill situated 60 kms north of Bangalore.Also known as Nandidurga, it was one of the summer retreats of Tipu Sultan. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills, which can be visited on foot.

Since last 2 month we were planning for such an event, which can gather people of Orissa in Bangalore, where we can discuss regarding some measures that can be taken by us towards the well-being of our own mother land. It is just an initiative. We have a long way to go. On this occasion, we had two great personalities from Orissa. Sj. Mohini Mohan Mishra, (Akhil Bharatiya saha-sanjojak, Bharatiya Kisan Sangha) and Sj. Simanchal Khatua ( Prachar Pramukh, Utkal Pranta). All of us started at around 9am in a BMTC bus. The most intresting thing was the breakfast. We had it on the way in a field. Some of us had prepared it in the morning and carried it with us. In the journey, we played antakshyari with Oriya songs.

After reaching there we went for Mandir darshan and the started our program. To divide the total strength in to different group we had a unique plan. Each of us was given chit of paper where some thing was written. After reading that, we had to act like that.( I mean if 'Aeroplane' is written, then we had to behave like an aeroplane) .With out talking to any one we had to form our group. Finally those who are from same category had to form a group. Here I would like to narrate an incident during the group division. One of my friends who cannot read Oriya was thinking what to do , where to go. At that time he came to me and i told him what is written there then he could find his mates by looking at their actions. Then we played some game so that we get to know each other well. It was followed by 'Vande Utkala Janani' song, well sang by Pravas bhai and the quiz show, 'Orissa Darpana', co-hosted by Debasis bhai and Bhabani Bhai. The questions were regarding history of Orissa, science and technologies, prominent personalities of Orissa, and historical monuments. Even though we all are from Orissa, there were a lot of simple question which we could not answer. After a good lunch, we came to the main motto of the trip now. Three decided topics were declared for the discussion like - What would be the picture of Orissa after 10 yr ... What u can do for Orisssa... In different groups we discussed in different topics. After half an hour, finally it was the time for summarizing our views.

In his thought-sharing session, Mohini bhai reminded us of the historical glories of Orissa. I think almost every thing he told was unknown to us. The past glory helps us to go forward with 'josh'. Finally, the event was concluded with 'Vande Mataram'; in a way celebrated the centenary year of our National song. We sang the full song there and many of us could not sing the full song. But after finishing the program many of them asked me to give the full song so that they can learn the song. While on our way back, we had 'Anubhuti kathana' - to share our experience - with 'mudhi' and mixture. Return journey with Bhajan.

-- Atmaram Thakur (atmaram_thakur@yahoo.com)

Kalahandia Nuakhai at Bangalore

On 3rd Sept, 2006, around 90 Kalahandia assembled at the Green Wood Regency, Bangalore and celebrated Nuakhai. They had the Nua at 12:30pm. It was followed by a set of cultural activities and a sumptuous meal. The antakhari and the quiz shows were real crowd pullers with everyone glued to the event.

Please feel free to share your own experience !!!