HIMANSHU GURU
While we are about to welcome a new year, here’s a full retrospect of the year that was:
Smrutishree Satapathy, a professional from Bhubaneswar, is yet to recover from the brutal memories of the terrorist attack on school. “The Peshawar terrorist attack was a huge shock. It is hard to believe how cruel our race has become. And most disgusting is we do not even spare children. The whole world should join hands to punish the beasts. Though Orissa seems to have stuck in the chit fund quicksand, I have immense hope from the Narendra Modi-led government. I believe the government will take strong action to curb violence against women,” she says.
Gayatri Mishra is from Nabrangpur. She is happy about the current weather. “It is too cold here. In the last few years we had not experienced such cold. We will be ringing in the New Year all bundled up. And the nippy air is such fun to play with!” she cooes. She also condemns the recent terrorist attack in Pakistan. “I am worried that even schools are not secured these days. My kids are my life. I weave dreams about their future. But this incident has given me a jolt, she laments.
Manjula Patra lives in Umerkote. She is happy with all the changes that happened in her life in 2014 and she is equally happy for those who have brought to glory to the state. “I doff up my hat to all Oriyas who have made it big. I salute the achievers. Sprinter Dutee Chand, mountaineer Yogabyash, chess player Padmini Rout and Singer Rituraj Mohanty have pulled off great shows. Kudos to them!”
Munu Mohanty, director of Bachpan play school in Baripada, shuttles between Bhubaneswar and Baripada. “It has been an eventful year with the General Elections and forming of the new government. I hope it didn’t show us the moon. I look forward to the promises being delivered. Among the many maladies, what worries me most is the increasing number of rape incidents in the national capital. The lawmakers should take a call on it,” says Mohanty.
