The COVID-19 outbreak has thrust upon us an unforeseen and unprecedented situation, which has left humankind groping for survival strategies. For journalists and news organisations, it has especially been tough yet interesting times. Reporting new developments almost round-the-clock and at the same time trying to break away from the monotony and do something extra, something new, something different. We at Odisha Bytes have done our bit and come up with some special series’ like Corona Diaries, Lockdown Routines, Corona Notes, Pandemics In History & Lockdown Recipes. We have also commissioned experts in different fields to write guest columns on the pandemic and it’s possible on different sectors for the benefit of our readers. Here they go:
OB Specials
Lockdown Routines
If the third week of March saw India heightening its response to the war unleashed by COVID-19, the nationwide lockdown was something no one had ever experienced before. Life changed for the majority. Coping with the harsh reality of social distancing and compelled to remain indoors, different people came up with their own responses to kill boredom and make the most of the time at their disposal. In this series, Lockdown Routines, we peep into the lives of people who have carved a niche for themselves in their chosen professions and find out their way of beating the blues.
Lockdown Recipes
From learning to make rotis to serving homemade chicken pizza masala, from introducing thupkas to making momos a home affair, from honing dalma skills to adding the extra garlic to make badi chura tasty, people have been experimenting with their culinary skills thanks to the Lockdown. This made us come up with a first-of-its-kind cookery contest Lockdown Recipes wherein people cook, shoot videos and send it to us for showcasing it to the world. A jury comprising experts will decide the winner, who will get a diamond locket sponsored by Bhubaneswar-based Lalchnd Jewellers. Here’s take a look at the yummy gastronomical delights
Corona Diaries
What can a person forced to stay at home possibly do? With going to office suddenly turning passé and stepping out becoming hazardous to health, those trying to break the coronavirus chain through social distancing could well revive the old tradition of writing on their diaries. In our special series, Corona Diaries, New Delhi-based senior journalist Akshaya Mishra captures the subtleties of life and the times we are in.
Corona Notes
As a dreaded virus spreads its tentacles across the world, it is imperative to share experiences and learnings for benefit of different communities. In this special series titled Corona Notes, we would publish articles by people residing in different countries and continents on how they are coping with the COVID challenge.
Bye Bye 2019
It is rewind time once again. It is the occasion to look back and search for milestones and millstones in the year that is set to disappear into the archives of time. Year 2019, resorting to a cliche for want of an apt option, was a mixed bag for Odisha. It had its highs and lows, and heartwarming moments and heartbreaks. The state fought its battle with the nature and emerged scarred yet triumphant. It witnessed another pitched battle, a political one, with far- reaching consequences. Somewhere along the line sprinter Dutee Chand shook off inhibition and shocked the state by announcing that she was lesbian. In summation, it was a happening year.
It was a happening year for us too. At Odishabytes, we experimented with many interesting ideas and a new design, keeping with our persistent endeavour to offer readers quality experience. For 2020 we make no resolution. We want to take the good work of 2019 forward with greater energy.
Odisha Introspective
EDITOR’S NOTE
Have we stagnated as a society? The question does not render itself to easy answers. Any attempt at one is likely to get enmeshed in subjective assessment, personal prejudices and stubborn opinions. With thousands of voices demanding to be heard, we may get chaos in the end instead of a clear answer. But societies need to step beyond their comfort zones from time to time to introspect and put themselves under harsh scrutiny. From the chaos will emerge the path to rejuvenation.
We at www.odishabytes.com intend to kick off an immersive conversation on the state of our society with Odia asmita (pride) as the guiding theme. Our series of articles will examine Odisha from a myriad angles. Not all will be flattering to the collective ego. Some will be uncomfortably candid. We would be happy to receive equally sharp rebuttals, logically argued, devoid of personal attacks and expressed with coherence. We invite thought-provoking articles from readers too.
We promise to make it an intellectually-stimulating exercise and provide our readers a never before experience. Welcome to the chaos!
Alumni Meet To Boost Utkal University Platinum Jubilee Show
For an institution marked for eternity, 75 years is not such a long journey. By the measure of time Utkal University may still be a toddler, moving ahead in unsteady babysteps, its tiny feet trying to explore the ground beneath. Or it may be in early adolescence, a tad unsure of itself but impatient to march into the uncharted future. As milestones go, three quarters of a century may not mean much to the institution, but for thousands of those whose lives it has shaped it matters. Jubilee celebrations are their way of saying thanks. Without the university they wouldn’t be at the stations which they occupy in the universe. Without it they would be aimless flakes in the wind.
