Notwithstanding infection in her two eyes
My daughter was hell-bent on visiting Baliyatra
To enjoy and feel the past glory of the Odia
Sadhavas of yesteryears;
She was so fond of the pious Kartika Full Moon
And the auspicious ceremony of boat-floating
That her mortal body made her awake at dawn
To purge of her mortal sin by invoking
Aa Ka Bai, Pan Gua THoi …
While some of her pals might be still flashing the same
On their respective morning dreams;
That day devotees as well as their shrines everywhere
Were generous enough to serve cooked offerings
To one and all; the day was for exploration
And the budding daughter of mine
Was on the verge of exploration to explore
That her eyes could see and her mouth could take;
She didn't mind tossing and gossiping
To every near and dear one;
Rather she did take the lead in taking
Delicious Thunkapuri and Gupchup etc.
Without blush;
Then she navigated the electronic ocean
To learn and enjoy the wonders of science;
She was in full spirit and got afraid of nobody—
Why should she be scared? The whole of District
Administration and Civil Society were there;
We were there too; thus, she saw, enjoyed, felt in her
Sweet heart and shared before her well-wishers there;
Once again, she rushed to the rush to watch
Mesmerizing dances and songs at pandal;
Cultures of various hues invigorated her heart—
Thereafter, she led us towards stadium
And felt the soul of festival with little sand
But more business cacophony there;
She wondered how there was rebate/discount
Of upto fifty per cent over a thing at festival
And what percentage of profit went to the producer's kitty?
Her thinking is on and on;
For she hasn't come of age to know the honeymoon
Between the production and administration;
She is a member of public and her reminiscences
May vanish soon like flash of lightning;
But one thing remains unanswered—
The Sadhavas of yesteryears
Used to bring profit to us;
The poor we are being continually exploited
by the producers and thus worst sufferers
With impunity and without governmental fuss.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem