A Weekend trip to Dagara

If you are tired from the hustle and bustle of city life and desire to escape to a quite place, Dagara is the spot you need to go. A quaint fishing village, 6 hrs drive from Kolkata, situated on the coast of Orissa, this place houses a PWD Inspection bungalow which can accommodate 2 families/ 6-7 members at a time. If you are looking for comfort and luxury, this place is not for you. The accommodation is very basic and there is a caretaker to cook for you or help you out. Do remember to carry all the rations as the nearest market is 12-15 kms away. If I haven’t already scared you and put you in a re-thinking mode, let me get into the details of the place.


About 5 hours drive on the National Highway brought us to a bifurcation from the main road which meandered its way to Baliapal, a small town which hosts the BDO Office. The road was quite pathetic and it was a test of driving skill. We checked in there and made the necessary payments for our stay at the Inspection Bungalow (IB). Surprisingly, the onward journey was quite comfortable as the roads were smooth till the village. It went through paddy fields and villages. We arrived at the IB, which was a 2 room accommodation standing alone in a field with only a small temple as its company, just during lunchtime. The caretaker, who knew of our arrival, had a meal of rice and spicy chicken curry ready for us. We could hear the waves just across the casuarina plantation and we wanted to check it out at first.




So, after dumping our baggages and supply, we sprinted off to the beach. It was just us throughout the vast expanse, as long as our eyes could see. A few fishermen here and there were the only other living beings. We decided to go back, have our lunch and a short siesta and then come back in the evening for a relaxed dip in the sea.



At around 4.00 p.m., we went to the sea for our dip and stayed a good 2 hours enjoying the sand and the water well after the sunset as there was no one else to bother us apart from red crabs, which were quite a shy species.



The rest of the evening was spent gossiping with drinks and snacks that the caretaker dished out from the supplies we gave him. The caretaker told us that we can buy fresh fishes from the fisherman when they are back from their catch in the sea. So we decided that we will do so first thing in the next morning.

Next morning, after tea and breakfast we set off for the beach. We walked for about 5 -6 kms until we came to the place where the fishermen were hauling the net out of the sea. It was a tedious and time taking task and we sat there watching them.



After about 2 hours what came out was really rewarding. Never in my life had I seen so many fishes together. The fishermen became busy sorting out their catch as the buyers waited and so did we. After that we bought prawns and pomphrets (about 4 kgs in all) from them at a meager amount of Rs. 250/-.




We returned to the I.B and as the women got into washing and peeling the shells of the fishes, the men prepared the site for bar-b-que. We prepared the fish and set it for marination. Once the fire was ready and crackling, a wire mesh was set on it, and the marinated fishes were set. We all sat around the fire, plates in our hand, ready to pounce on the smoked fishes. Potatoes, wrapped in foil went directly into the fire and it was then peeled and served with butter along with the bar-b-qued prawns and pomphrets. It was a true gastroenteromic experience. We sat there late into the night, fire crackling, listening to the night calls, chatting amongst ourselves in a full moon night, which is a rarity in citylife.






Next morning it was time to wrap up to be back to the city grind and continue with our daily chores with a refreshed mind.

Free or Still Captive????

In today’s world when everybody talks of Women Liberation, I am forced to think ….. are the modern women liberated in the true sense? Well, they have achieved a lot in terms of career ……… be it going to the space or holding prestigious positions in MNCs or better still becoming the President of a country. But have they achieved in breaking down the social demarcation which still holds them back??

Being an Indian, let me bring out facts from my own country where mythologies depict Indian women as educated and liberated but even there we get to see an instance where Sita had to prove her purity after being brought out from Ravana’s den. This holds true even now ….. be it the conservative society or the so- called modern one. Nobody questions a guy who stays away from home overnight but a girl is expected to justify about her whereabouts.

There are numerous cases of brides being tortured for dowry, girls being sold for prostitution, new borns being killed if it’s a female, families mourning and torturing a woman if she is unable to produce a boy and instead gives birth to a girl. There are still people who believe that education is a prerogative for the boys and girls need to learn household chores in order to become a good home-maker. Even in the urban section, where ladies have managed to come out of the closet and step into the men’s world, working with them on the same foothold, cases of sexual harassment is a common menace they face day in and day out.

Now let me come to the very mundane instances and this holds true for every woman, be it the modern city girl or a small towner. A woman, after becoming a mother is expected to dedicate her life towards the child …. And she does it on her own free will …. even if it entails giving up her flourishing career but a man’s life, who becomes a parent too, is hardly affected neither professionally nor socially. Men after coming home from office have the liberty to rest but a woman is supposed to take up household chores after returning. It’s her duty, she is born to do it but if men help with the household chore, he is being kind and helpful…… and the list goes on.

So today I want my friends/readers to take a few minutes out to give me answers to the big question I have in mind ………. Is Today’s Women really liberated? Will they ever be??

Remembering her...

She is the most valuable creation of God yet the most neglected. A figure who stays besides us during every breath we take, cares for us with all her being and loves us unconditionally ...... Yes, I am talking about our Mother ...... Today when I am a Mom myself, I feel her essence more than ever....

When my daughter rebukes me for being strict to her, i feel i am not wanted or at other times when she hugs me lovingly and says 'Mom u r the best' ..... it's like i have all the best things in life!!!

There were many a times, when i and mom didn't get along on something and i used to shout at her, never did i realise then as to how she must have felt ..... Many a times, i haughtily attributed her selfless care for me "Its your duty as a Mother, big deal....".

I remember her patiently sitting and feeding me for hours (i had this habit of sitting with my mouth full of food and not swallowing them)...... and now how disgusted and impatient i feel when my daughter does the same ...... i scold her, threaten her so that she finishes her food fast and i can go and catch on some sleep. Did i ever think that my mom too needed to rest??? During my teens, though i used to share every thing with mom, i felt somewhere she didn't understand me or didn't want to, specially when she didn't allow me to do certain things which i wanted... i rebelled, complained to Dad, hoping Dad would scold mom .... little did i realise then that they were for my own good.

As i grew, we did get very close, she was the only one with whom i could share everything under the sun .... be it being proposed by someone, a crush on some good looking guy or coaxing dad to give permission to go to discotheques with friends ..... even after marriage, there wasn't a single day when i didn't call her up to talk about the happennings of the day ..... even now, after 5 years of losing her, i still have this severe compulsion to call her up and talk to her ...... if only there was a telephone connectivity to heaven ..... i could have spoken to her... there are so many things i want to share with her....... things like what i bought for the upcoming pujas, about my husband's new job, about my daughter's achievement, about so many other things...... if only ...

I MISS YOU MAA ....... NOBODY CAN FILL THE VACCUUM YOUR ABSENCE HAS CREATED IN MY LIFE...

Homosexuality - Legalised in India

Homosexuality has been declared legal in India last week by the Court and this was celebrated throughout by the gay community. The reaction in the society was mixed. According to many, gays have the right to come out of the closet and express themselves freely whereas, according to the more conservatives, this shouldn’t have been allowed. The concept is still looked upon with hatred. The west had given recognition long time back but here in our country the fight came to an end recently…… as the saying goes “Better late than Never”.

I, personally feel it’s an individual’s choice, one shouldn’t be judgemental about it. But then, come to think of it ….. as someone in your family, it would be difficult to accept/digest the fact.

I invite all you readers to put in your suggestions, opinions, experiences on this. What is your take on this subject!!!

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated on the banks of Hirakud Hydel Power Project is Debrigarh Widlife Sanctuary. A 5 km drive off the National Highway brings you to a foothill where the road divides - one leading to the Hirakud Dam and the other to another man-made dyke encircling the Mahanadi Reservoir.

We, a group of 9 members, reached the Sanctuary at around 1.30 pm and after the formalities with the Forest Range Office, we are allowed to enter the sanctuary . We checked in into beautifully done cottages with a fine view of the lake and the forest. Hospitality was excellent and so was the food served. We freshened up after a welcome drink of fresh lime juice and lunch followed. The Manager promised us to take us for a jungle safari at 5 pm.


It was hot and sultry and was impossible to nap in the afternoon. We waited for the evening and at around 4.30 we climbed up the watch tower to get an aerial view. As we stood there with the hills on our left, thick vegetation and the largest reservoir in front of us, we could suddenly see ripples forming on the lake far away whereas the water in front of us still calm.

We guessed it was a storm approaching and then we got to taste the strong winds, almost felling us. After experiencing a heat of 48 - 49 degrees over a week or so, it was more than welcome and was soothing to the skin. Along with it came the downpour and we soaked ourselves.

We came down from the watch tower and ran to the dining area where tea and pakoras were being served, a perfect thing to go with heavy rains in an idle evening. We watched the rains bringing a new leash of life to the parched lands and the trees . It was a refreshing experience altogether but then our jungle safari got cancelled. Nevertheless, after the downpour we took a walk to the lake side. The sun was about to set and with the wind blowing, we got to see some silhouettes of bison who had come to the other end of the lake to have a drink.


It was getting dark so we came back to our cottages and spent the evening chatting over more cups of tea whereas the men indulged themselves with drinks. It was a perfect ambience to catch up with family members, away from the madding crowd tucked away amidst natural and the various nocturnal calls. Dinner was served in the open dining area at around 9.30 and after that we all retired early with nothing to do in the dark.

Next morning, me, my hubby and niece woke up at 4.30 am and sneaked out woke up the manager and made him take us into the forest. The morning was beautiful and charismatic, very unlike the ones we city dwellers are used to see. We drove slowly through the forest and caught glimpses of peacocks, squirrels, wild boars, monkeys, a couple of foxes.

Bad luck we didn't get an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the royal cat but the manager did tell us that a couple of days prior to our visit, a group got lucky to see a tiger sitting majestically on the driveway making them come to a halt.

Sun was rising high and it was time for us to get back to our cottages and leave the wild at peace. We came back, got ready, had our breakfast and started our journey back home, promising to come back here atleast once more .

Saranda Forest (Manoharpur)

One of the best places I have visited till now. A 6 hrs journey by train, this sleepy village-town is located near the Jharkhand – Orissa border. A perfect place to spend an extended weekend.

We were a group of 14 members who put up in Santoor – a small but beautiful resort owned by Mr. Abhijit Ganguly. Hospitality was excellent and so was the food coming right out of his kitchen.

On the day of our arrival, we spent the evening exploring the sleepy village and then went atop a hillock to watch the sun go down behind another range of hills overlooking the Koel river flowing parallel to the railway line. It was a spectacular scene to watch the sky change its colours every moment and at the same time trains zooming by the river.



After watching the sun set, we climbed down the hill to dip our feet in the water of the river and then trekked back our way to the resort past the railway track. We even managed to have a close save from getting run down by a train as we sat chatting on the railway tracks oblivious of the fact that a superfast train was approaching. It would have been a mass killing or would it be a suicide???? We reached the resort at around 6.30 p.m. and spent rest of the evening sitting and chatting under the open sky, listening to the various sounds of nature.

The following day we were supposed to enter the forest. We didn’t get to see the core area as we were traveling with kids and Mr. Ganguly warned us of ferocious animals. So we had to be satisfied seeing the periphery. The next day, after an early breakfast we set off with our guides. We were told that we will be crossing 3 rivers viz. Koel, Koena and Karo. After about a 2 hrs. drive through dry vegetation (which was quite disappointing) we stopped in the midst of nowhere. The guides told us that we have to climb upstream Karo river on foot. The experience was new and exhilarating. Water was ankle deep but the river bed was full of pebbles, so a bit rough. We climbed for sometime and suddenly the river vanished. We took a right turn and in front of us was this huge, majestic waterfall surrounded by huge trees. I have never seen such a beauty in my life. The best part being the ethnicity of the place remains untouched as the place is not commercialized as yet. We stood there mesmerized, soaking in the beauty of the place in our memories.

We then walked back, this time downstream, to where our jeeps were waiting. We took another ½ hr drive to yet another waterfall. This too was beautiful and we all took a bath there. The fall was in steps as if it has been arranged by the nature for people to sit back and enjoy the scenic beauty whilst the water gushes over you.

After a good soak, we had a voracious lunch since all of us were famished by then.


Time to go to yet another spot……. The Kiriburu Sunset Point. This picturesque town overlooks the Kiriburu Mines. A small, well maintained township. We watched the sun bid us adieu and then we drove back to the resort wondering to ourselves ……..if the periphery of the jungle has such beauty hidden, what beauty awaits in the core area.