alata master 2008l - orissa culture center

@f[Ð, @½c jÕ²eZ, LÊcÐe `ËÀàÞcÐ, @Ò•Ðae 18, 2008, kÔÊ½_ç

1

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jÐ]LÑ¯...Í[ÑlÐ hÊÒbtÊ LÊcÐe J[Ð 6

aó\Ð j«Ð` _ÞeÊ cÐ Ò]aÞ 7

HLÐ« bÐa _ÞeÊ cÐ Ò]aÞ 7

cÐ cc[Ð jÊ ÍbÐ e\ 9

hË_Ô ctÞe jÊe\ e\ 10

Motorcycle Mallesh Maharana 11

My Papa Gourav Behura 12

Pinic Garima Behura 12

My Poem Romil Routray 13

Chairs Shilpita Mitra-Behura 14

I Am Anish Nayak 14

Mom Anish Nayak 15

Anish: the Number Anish Nayak 15

Simba Dhara Chopra Mohapatra 16

Dream Dhara Chopra Mohapatra 16

Olympics Dhara Chopra Mohapatra 16

IKE Dhara Chopra Mohapatra 16

What I Believe In Saswat Pati 18

My Feelings Saswat Pati 18

Non-violence is a weapon of the strong Saswat Pati 19

Teachers Saswat Pati 19

Tooth Saswat Pati 19

A Hand is a Tool Saswat Pati 20

The Huns That I Meet Saswat Pati 20

Flowers Ishita Patra 21

Trucking Along ! Dev Dass 22

My Little Sister Ashutosh Tripathy 23

Race Car Arnav Mohanty 24

Hurricane IKE Treeank Patnaik 25

Battle of the Candidates Treeank Patnaik 25

Simba Meha Chopra Mohapatra 26

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Stars Meha Chopra Mohapatra 26

How hard it is to be a fourth grader Meha Chopra Mohapatra 26

When you tell a Lie Ishani Sahu 28

Babe Didrikson Zaharias Ishani Sahu 28

Lost near Lake Tahoe Ishani Sahu 29

The Dream Natasha Sahu 31

Jessie’s Realm Natasha Sahu 31

IKE Arun Dasmohapatra 33

My Rutho Jatra Experience Asha Dash 34

My trip to the Air and Space Museum Rijul Routray 36

Fantastic me Soma Mitra-Behura 37

Mirror Soma Mitra-Behura 37

True Music Malina Maharana 38

Super Spies Malina Maharana 39

Chowing Candy Swati Mahapatra 42

Where I’m From Swati Mahapatra 42

Sunset Swati Mahapatra 43

What will I wear Swati Mahapatra 43

Trees Swati Mahapatra 43

Apples Swati Mahapatra 43

Which Festival? Swati Mahapatra 44

Jasmine In My Memories Smruti Rath 45

Year Old Shoes Smruti Rath 46

Brainwashed Smruti Rath 46

The Lone Flame Subrat Mahapatra 48

The Stand of a Leader Subrat Mahapatra 49

Poem for Soccer Subrat Mahapatra 50

This I Believe Rohini Rege 51

Padmini, the Chess Princess! Chetana Samal 52

Near Seashore Sasmita Das 54

Houston Ratha Jatra, 2008 … Raghu Dass 55

Lord GANESHA-My Most Favorite God Gopal Mohapatra 59

The Unforgettable Summer of 2008 Simba Behura 62

Glorious Aloo Motor Curry Swati Mahapatra 65

The Stolen Yellow Dress Swati Mahapatra 66

Directory 68


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`Ío] `p: ""QLÐÒXÐfÐ [Êc @_« aÐ_Ð""hÞÁÑ: ¯ÊÒ_Ô_ç HaÕ @hÞé_Ñ e\

AlataAn Annual Magazine of the Oriya Community of the

Greater Houston Area

EditorArati Nanda Pati

Cover page: Yunuen and Aswinee Rath


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@½c jÕ²eZ, LÊcÐe `ËÀàÞcÐ, @Ò•Ðae 18, 2008, kÔÊ½_ç

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5

jÐcÐSÞL SÑa_Òe ÒdDÜWÞ cZÞi _ÞS èÞQ¯LÊ @lËÀà eMÞaÐLÊ d_úhÑf \ÐB ÒLßÐZjÞ ]Ð¯Ñ[éak_ LeÞ\ÐH jc¯ sÐ_ ÒjBWÞ @[Ô« SeÊeÑ ÒkÐB`ÒX Ð jc¯e _ÞºÐ ÒdDÜ aÔ¦Þ `ÐÒM\ÐH Òj jaà]Ð QÞ«ÐLÒe "ÒcÐÒ[ jcÒª @Ò`lÐ LeÞÒa ÒcÐe D`yÞ[Þ _Þ[Ð« SeÊeÑ' Ð@è`Òl _ÞºÐ _\ÞaÐ aÔ¦Þe dÊ¦Þ eÒk "cÊÜ _NÒm ajç L'Z ÒcÐÒ[ RÐXÞ QÐmÞdÞa ?"jc¯Ð_ÊarÞà[Ð ÒkaÐ aÐ _ÒkaÐ ]ÊB aÔ¦Þ aÞÒhi* ÒcßÐfÞL QÞ«Ð^ÐeÐe aÔ[ÞLÍc cÐ[Í ÐÒaÒfÒaÒf @]ó½`Ëaà OVZÐcÐ_* jÕOV_ D`Òe cZÞie _Þ §Z _\ÐH Ð èÞyÞ[Þ @\aÐALjêÞL OVZÐLÍÒc @_Ê`yÞ[Þ aÐ aÞfcé[Ð ÒkÒm lcÐhÐfÑ S_[Ð jaÊÒaÒf AÒaNbeÐ@_ÊLÕ`ÐÒe beÞDÒW Ð @\Q aÔ¦ÞN[ mÐbl[Þe @* LiÊ\ÞaÐ ]Ð¯Ñ[ékÑ_ aÔ¦Þ* QÞe aÔÐ^ÞNÍyaÞfcé[Ð @Ò`lÐe[ jcª `ÍÐZÑ*Ê kBSÐ èÞ jÕLÍcZ LeÞ `=Ê LeÞ]ÞH Ð jÐcÐSÞL _Þ §ZeelÐ `ÐBÜ AÒc d]Þ jcÒª jc¯e `ÐkÐQÒe `Ð]]Þ@Ò«, jc¯LÊ bm`ÐB [Ðjk QÐmÞaÐLÊÒQ½Ð LeÒ« Ò[Òa D`m•Ñ LeÒ«-jc¯Ð_ÊarÞà ÒkaÐÒe LÞ A^ÔÐcúÞL `ÍhÐ«Þ @RÞ ! Ò[ÒaAj ASÞWÊÜ AÒc jcÒª jc¯Ð_ÊarÞà ÒkÐB _ÞSe [\Ð jcÐSe c=f LÐc_Ð LeÞaÐ Ð

@Ò_L TXT&Ð Ò]B H aiàe ""@f[Ð"" `ÍLÐhÞ[ ÒkÐBRÞ Ð LÊ_ÞLÊ_Þ RÊA cÐÒ_ ]ÞÒ_ e=Ò`_çjÞmçÒe NÐe VÐZÊ\ÞÒm Ð ÒjkÞ NÐeLÊ AÒc jÐB[Þ eMÞ\ÞmÊ Ð aràcÐ_ ÒjkÞ NÐe ÒcßÐfÞLQÞ«Ð^ÐeÐÒe `ËÀà ÒkÐB ÒNÐm ÒNÐm cÊeËS jÐSÞ [ÊfjÑ @NZÐÒe QÞ[Ð ÒkÐB `XÞRÞ Ð ÒmMÐeÒcßÐfÞL[ÐLÊ AMÞ ANÒe eMÞ AÒc [kÞÜÒe èÞarà_ AZÞ_ÐkÊÜ Ð AhÐ, Aj«Ð ]h-`te aiàÒafLÊ ""@f[Ð"" @Ò_L `ÍhÕj_Ñ¯ LaÞ, ÒmML J ÒmMÞLÐ* cÐ' ÒkÐBdÞa !


cÊMÔ jÐ]ÞLÐLÊcÐe `ËÀàÞcÐ (@Ò•Ðae 18, 2008)

Note: In order to maintain the originality of our young writers, we have not edited theirarticles.

ArpanSon of Sangita and Satya Dutta

Nikhil SagarSon of Vani and Bidya Sagar Madi

Born: 12/05/2007

New Arrivals

1st day of the Sunday Oriya School in HoustonOctober 4, 2008

Anjaneya Kar Nishita Kar

Sumedha Mohanty

Sumedha Mohanty

Roshni Nayak

Ishita Patra

Rishav Mohanty Nilesh Sagar Madi

6

SuPuHeSin


`Í[ÑlÐhÊÒbtÊ LÊcÐe J[Ð,

Òameç LÒmSç @$ç ÒcXÞjÞ_ç,kÊ½_ç

$NÊZLÊ QÐkÜÞ ]Þ_ NmÐ aÞ[Þ, $NÊZ AjÞmÐ _ÐkÞÜ,L\Ð Ò]B\ÞmÐ AjÞa ÒaÐmÞÒj, $NÊZ ekÞmÐ LÐkÞÜ,hÍÐaZe ^ÐeÐ HÒaaÞ TeÊQÞ, LÐÕ]ÊRÞ Òj [ÐkÐ `ÐBÜ,

$NÊZLÊ QÐkÞÜ............

bm `ÐBaÐ VÐ @aÐ @`eÐ^, ÒLÒa cÊÜ _\ÞmÞ SÐZÞ,QÐ[Le `eÞ ajÞ\ÞmÞ [Êc Ò$e«Ð `\LÊ QÐkÞÜ,

cÊ LÞ SÐZÞ\ÞmÞ ÒjVÐ ceÞQÞLÐ, [ÊÒc HL ceÊbËBÜ,$NÊZLÊ QÐkÞÜ..............

jÐ[ jD^ [ j`Ò_ NYÞmÞ, [ÊcLÊ eMÞaÐ `ÐBÜ,BtÍ^_Êe eÕN Ò[ÐfÞmÞ, [ÊceÞ kjÞaÐ `ÐBÜ,

bÐÕNÞNmÐ jé`ð, mÞbÞNmÐ eÕN, [ÊÒc Nm ]ÊÒe ekÞ,$NÊZLÊ QÐkÞÜ............

ÒdÒ[ QÐkÞÜÒm aÞ kó]¯ `VeÊ, [Êc RaÞ mÞÒb _ÐkÞÜ,kó]¯ a]m `ÞmÐ ÒMm _ÊÜÒk, `ÐeÞaLÞ [ÊÒc aÊTÞ,SÑa_ jÊeÊS XÊaÞ NÒm dÐD, [ÊcLÊ bÊmÞaÞ _ÐkÞÜ,

$NÊZLÊ QÐkÞÜ.........

............................................................................................

bhendu Kumar Otta (Son of Shri Harihar Otta and Mrs. Sebati Otta). Native place: Shasanrusottam Pur (Barchana post) - a place in between Chatia and Chandikhole of Jajpur district.has 5 elder brothers and 2 younger sisters (a small family!!!). He came to USA in April 2003.ce then he has been working in Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.


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`ÍbÊ jbÞHÜ [ÊcLÊ ]ÊÓM SZÐBÒmjÊM jÐ\Þ [ÊÒc _ÊkÜLÞ?

jÊMe `heÐ ÒMfÐB XÐLÞÒmA_Òt D[ç$Êmâ kÊ@VÞ?

SN[Òe ÒLÒ[ jÊM aÐÃÞ @RbÞ_ð bÞ_ð eÒ= e=Ñ_ç LeÞR

Òj jÊM ÒaÐfÞZ Ò]kÒe c_Òe]ÊÓM bÊmÞkÊH _ÐkÞÜLÞ?

HÒ[ jÊM \ÐD ]ÊÓM LÑAÜ aX"[Ð" aX`ÒZ aÊXÞ, ÒkÐB SXjX

jÊM bÊmÞ, ]ÊÓM aX LeÞ\Ð«ÞaÔÐLÊÒf, ALÊÒf, NÊkÐeÞ Le«Þ_ÒaÐm«Þ ÒLkÞ HÒ[ jÊM Ò]m[Êc Ò]aÐ jÊM [ÊÒckÞÜ jc÷Ðf

ÒaÐkÞaÐe h¦Þ ÒmÐXÐ_ÐkÞÜ ÒcÐe[Êc "QLÐAMÞ " jÊM `ÐeÐaÐe

ÒjkÞ @_Êba j]Ð ÒkÐB\ÐD jÐkÐVÞSZÐH `ÍZ[ ([ÊÒckÞÜ ÒcÐ) QÞe jÐ\ÞÒkÐB \Ð@VÞ?

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SÐÒZ ANÊ jaÊL\Ð SÐZÞ \Ð@ [ÊÒc÷Òj `ÐBÜ _ÞaÞàLÐÒe ekÞR j]Òc÷ ?


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ÒcÐ`ÐÒM _Þ¾¯ ajÞakei A_Òt, D[ç$Êmâ ÒkÐB

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ÒaÐD e NÑ[ MÐ[Ð eÊ 2008 @f[Ð `ÐBÜNÑ[ VÞH -- jÊe\ e\


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hË_Ô ctÞe(jÊe\ e\)

bÐaÞRÞ ASÞ cÊÜ D`kÐe Ò]aÞ`ÍbÊLÕe `Ð][Òf,

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`ÍbÊ ANc_ ÒkaLÞ ?

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@«e Ë`ÐQÞ Ë SÐfÞ @RÞ,Ë` ËÜA jaÊ Ë ÞLÐ jÐSÞRÞ,

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Ae[Ñ ÒafÐ ÒcÐ NXÞdÐD@RÞAj `ÍbÊ ÒaÒN Aj,

hË_Ô ctÞe ÒcÐ Í[Þ é_Þ RÐÒXLeÞa_Þ ÒcÐÒ[ ÒLÒaaÞ _ÞeÐh ÐÐ

Surath Rath resides in Houston with his family since 1995. Besides his professional life, hehas a deep passion for Indian classical music including music and literature of Odissa. Hespends his spare time in learning Hindustani classical music under Guru Pandit Sri SumanGhosh.


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Motorcycle-Mallesh Maharana (Linu)

Lina Linu sat in a planeThe plane went to Amsterdam.

Lina Linu sat in a planeThe plane went to Delhi.

Lina Linu sat in a planeThe plane went to Bhubaneswar.

Lina Linu sat in a SumoThe sumo went to Berhampur.

Lina Linu sat in a BusThe bus went to Narla.

Sometimes Lina & Linu sat in autoSometimes they sat in taxi.

But when Lina & Linu went in motorcycleLina & Linu loved riding in the motorcycle!

Mallesh is the son of Madhab and Sasmita Maharana of Houston, Texas. He is inKindergarten, who wrote this poem for the “New Generation Poets".


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My Papa-Gourav Behura

I love my PapaPapa hugs me

Papa brushes me in the morning.

Papa plays with mePapa gives me “kancha Lau”

I do “monkey jhool” with Papa.

Papa takes us to ‘Chuck-e-cheese’Papa also takes us to Walmart, Randalls and H-E-B.

Papa shows me birds’ namePapa teaches me letters and numbers.

Papa also takes me in the train.

Papa goes to office in the morningAnd I give hug to Papa

I love my Papa very much.

Gaurav is the Son of Swati Patra and Ranjit Behura of Houston, Texas. He is inKindergarten.

Picnic-Garima Behura

In the picnic I like to jumpAnd have fun

And eat biscuitsAnd fly with balloons

I like to play and paint on picnic dayWhat I want is to have fun

In the picnic I like to run and jumpI like my picnic day very much

I like to see Sun on picnic dayI like to jump up high

And catch the Sun

I like my picnic dayI like my picnic day

And I want to have it right now.

Garima is the daughter of Swati Patra and Ranjit Behura of Houston, Texas.

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My Poem

-Romil Routray

In the car is a star.

The bar has a carThe car has a star.

The row has a bowAnd the bow has a yo-yo.

The cat has a hatAnd the hat has a rat.

The guy has a pie.The pie lied .

THE WII HASMIIS.THE MII

HAS BEES.

THE TRAIN HAS APLANE.THE PLANE

HAS A PAIN.

THE END!

Romil is 6 years old and goes to first grade in James Williams Elem, KatyISD. He loves riding bike, playing with his best friend Marco and also likes to

watch star wars. In his free time, he likes to play Wii

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ChairsShilpita Mitra-Behura

ChairsHaveAnImmenseRough feelingSomething very weird.

Silpita lovingly known as Sumi. She is the daughter of Shabanee Mitra and SomduttBehura of Houston, Texas. She is a 2nd grader in the T.H. Rogers School.


I Am

-Anish Nayak

I am angry as a wolf howling for its food.

I am rain that is falling from the clouds.

I am Thanksgiving eating turkey all day and night.

I am a piano playing a song.

I am happy as a baby jumping up and down.

I am music singing all day.

I am a car driving as fast as it can.

I am sad as a person waiting for its mother far away.


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Mom….I love you the brownestI like you when you sleep like a hibernating bearI like it when you teach me games like a soccer ballrolling on the fieldI like it when you drive me around like a windowopening and closing in the car.

Anish: the Number

One day there was a boy named Anish. When he woke up he was a number!He couldn’t do anything! He could only walk. But when he came down thestars his mother screamed, ”what happened to you?” But he said nothing. Hismom sent him to school, but there was a conflict. When it was math timeAnish was changing because people were saying numbers! They were sayingso many numbers and he was getting larger and larger that school wasbreaking! When he came home his house was breaking too. Anish was solarge and the house was so small. When he didn’t add, he minused. Hechanged back to normal. He was minus-ing by 100’s and when he changedback to 0, he changed back to normal. From that day on, he never everchanged back into a number.

Anish is the Son of Rashmi Jaitly and Atasu Nayak of Houston, Texas. He is a 2nd

grader at the River Oaks Baptist School.


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Simba-Dhara Chopra Mohapatra

Simba is cute and cuddlyI love Simba

He is not my dogSimba is Sumi and Soma’s dog

Dream

My dream is to dance,Puda Bunde, Guru Bramha,Mangalacharana and Botu.I had a nightmare,I was scared,A heart shaped devil broke into,And stole my money.And he went to JAIL!

OlympicsThey have all sports,Swimming is the best!

You should be great in swimming,USA is winning against China!!

IKE

A few weeks ago there was a hurricane. It’s name was Ike. It came from theGalveston beach – the Gulf of Mexico. It was horrifying. We decided to stayhome during the hurricane. We filled our tubs with water because we thoughtwater might not come during the hurricane. We taped the swing set, we putthe cloth-drying stand behind the bushes. We got as many candles as wecould to use in case the hurricane hits us and the electricity goes out. My dadand mom got snacks, canned food and a lot of water. My dad put the bricks ina pile behind the bushes so that they don’t fly away and hurt someone.

The hurricane came when I was sleeping. I was scared. I am glad that I didnot get to sleep on my bed. I slept on my parent’s bed. My dad was sleepingand my Mama was watching news. When I got up the next morning, I saw theclouds kind of went away but they totally didn’t. It was sprinkling. Our fencewas broken, also my neighbor’s who lived on our left and right. We walked


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after the hurricane was gone. We saw all the destruction the hurricane haddone to our neighbors.

Some good things happened too. My school was off at that time for a week.My friends from the neighborhood came to play in house for the whole day.We went walking in the park, we got some sticks, and we cleaned thesidewalks. The water fountain was off but the pond had lots of water. Part ofthe sidewalk was under the water. Neither the ducks nor the turtles poppedtheir head out to ask for food. My friend Ritika came at the end of the day totake a shower. Then she ate dinner with us.

I felt very good. It was kind of bad.

Dhara is the daughter of Reva Chopra and Gopal Mohapatra of Houston,Texas. She is in 2nd grade. She loves Odissi dance.


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What I Believe In-Saswat Pati

It's greatIt's happy

It's sadI believe in

Good work.

I believeI can flyI believe

I can run atThe speed of

Light and sound.

It's badIt's good

It's funI believe

I can touch the sky.

My Feelings

When I am sadI feel in a world of terror.

When I am scaredI feel I am in a world of darkness.

When I feel lonelyI feel I can't see anymore.

When I feel madI think I am going to blow up.

When I am happyI feel I am in the middle of rainbows.


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Non-violence is a weapon of the strong

-Saswat Pati

Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi taught the people of India to breakthe unjust laws of British. This is how he experimented on the truth of non-violence and learnt the force of truth. When he was a teenager he fell into thebad company. He was stealing money, smoking, and once ate goat meat.Then he wrote to his father about his bad deeds and told him the truth that hehad been a bad boy. His father forgave him and then he realized that tellingtruth is rewarding. Then Mahatma Gandhi learnt the way of nonviolence. Heworked super hard to get the British out of his country India without violenceby telling British the truth of right and wrong. He used nonviolence like aweapon. Then people liked him more. Once he walked to Dandi and collectedsea water with lots of people and made 5 grams of salt. People in India couldnot use Indian salt because British would only let them use salt from England,which is a wrong and unjust thing to do.

Nonviolence is an option between violence and nonviolence withpeaceful protest. Nonviolence is when you don't fight. In Mahabharat peopleused violence. The Kauravas lost every single person of their whole army.Violence is just destruction.

Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela and An Sang Su Chi have usedGandhiji’s weapons of non-violence and won over their powerful enemieswithout bloodshed. We consider them as strong and great leaders. Non-violence is now a proven weapon for peace on earth. Thanks to Gandhiji.

(Edited by my bapa)

Teachers

Teachers are greatAnd their rules are straight.

Ask them a lotThey will answer your thought.

Tooth

My tooth is looseI don't want to lose

It's very goodIf I have to choose

I just want a golden or silver tooth.


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A Hand is a Tool

A hand is a tool (4)The best tool you know in the

world.

You love it so muchYou drive with itYou write with itYou eat with it

You build stuff with itYou hold stuff with it

You carry stuff with it.

You can pluck flower with itYou can pick a book with it

which will makeyou smart

You can judge with itby making some

law and order.

A hand can help peopleto hold when they need

A hand can make a scientis or poetBy writing down what they did.

The Huns That I

Meet

When I spill ice waterit makes fun

So you know I can goout and run

I can go back in timeand meet the legendary Hun.

The Huns were great worriersWho could blow off roof tops

Coming from central Asia on horse backsThey could run very fast downs and ups.

Having lots of fun, I request:Horses hooves, Horses hooves

Lets go back to our timeAnd clean up the mess and danceAnd sing with beautiful rhyme.

Saswat is in 2nd grade at St. John’s School. He lives with his parents Arati andDebananda Pati in Houston, TX. He loves to write and play Piano, Soccer, andPokemon Games.


21

Flowers- Ishita Patra

I love flowers because flowers are beautiful and smell good.Flowers come in all different colors, shapes and sizes.Roses are red, Violets are blue, and Jasmines are white,Daffodils are yellow, and Zinnias are multi colors.

Flowers grow in different season,Some grow in fall; some are in winter, summer and spring,Even some grow in all over the year.Some are big, some are small and even some are medium sizeSome blossom in night, some are in daySome grow in water, some are on soil, and even some are on rock tooSome are wild flowers, some are tropical flowers and some are gardenflowers too.Finally I love flowers because my name came from Zinnia.

Ishita (Gini) is the daughter of Subhashree Pradhan and Dilip Patra of Houston, TX.She is a 2nd grader who loves Odissi dance. She recited this poem for the “NewGeneration Poets”.

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Trucking Along!-Dev Dass

Get trucking,And loading,Splish splash,

Dump it down!Cloud of dust,All in a row.

Logs on wheels,All chained in,

Ready for the sawmill,Grab and go! Grab and go!

Trains of the road,Beating a dusty trail!

Are they trains or trucks?

Great balls of fire…The need for speed,

Up, up and away we go!

The race is on!Watch my flags fly,

Into the future,Here we go!

Trucking along!!!

Dev Arun Dass is a second grader in Owens elementary in Houston. Heplays piano and soccer. He loves biking and singing prayers in temples. Heis gregarious and hilarious. He likes friends and sleepovers.

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Ashu


MY Little Sister-Ashutosh Tripathy

I like my sisterwho plays with me,

I like how she smilesher cute little smile at me!

I like her eyes so pretty and neat,I love my sister so little and cute.

Now I have someone to play with at home.Now I have someone to tease.

At times she plays tag with me,1-2-3 go! is her favorite game.

She’s already a great free-style dancer.No one could ask for a better sister !!!

tosh is a 4th grader who lives with his parents Binita and Naba Tripathy inHouston, TX. He wrote this poem for the “New Generations Poets”.

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AH

Race Car


rnav is the eldest son of Sasmita and Debasis Mohanty of Katy, TX. He is in 3rd grade.e loves dancing and playing scoccer.

-Arnav mohanty

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Hurricane IKE-Treeank Patnaik

Hurricane IKEI did not likeThe way you hit,With all your might

Houses were boardedThe roads were floodedRoofs blown, Trees downIn some of the Texas Towns

Most people had no powerSome people could not showerThere was no fan or lightIt was hot even in the night

After your strikeGas prices spikePeople queue up for milesTo get basic supplies

This hurricane’s furyWill be a household storyFor years to come, it will remind ofbadWith not happy memories, but sad

Battle of theCandidatesHolding a walking caneComes John McCainAt 70+ ageHe gives a speech on the stage.

John McCain went to warWas captured & put behind barHe ate bread that was staleThroughout his stay in jail.

The other candidate is BarrackFirst nominee to be BlackWill he make History?It is still a mystery!

Barrack Obama will raise taxRich will loose their money fastPoor will gain the maxPoverty will be a thing of the past.

Democrats know how to actSneaky like the catBold and old are RepublicansJust like the balding falcons.

I am so glad I am littleI do not have to vote in this battleI am not 18 or olderNow this story is over!

Treeank is 8 years old now and studying in 4th grade. He loves to play Basket ball and Soccer. Heenjoys reading books. In his leisure time, he likes to play video games and watch Star Wars.Treeank is the son of Manas Pattanaik and Sarita Das of Houston, TX.


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Simba-Meha Chopra Mohapatra

Simba’s in the pool,He looks very cool,And also talks like a fool.

Simba’s in the pool,He likes to knit wool,And sometimes also uses tool.

Simba’s cute,Simba’s territorial,Simba likes kidsAnd the kids like him too.

Stars

Red star,Orange star,Where is the yellow star?

Green star,Blue star,Where is the violet star?

Pink star,Purple star,Where is the rainbow star?

How hard it is to be a fourth grader?

On the first day of school, I thought that fourth grade would be very easy. Butafter second day of the school, we started getting so much home work, I couldnot keep track of it. One thing is that we were supposed to get lockers, insteadwe got cubbies, which were very small. And now nobody can fit theirbackpacks in them. After a couple of days, we started getting less recessbecause of P.E. We have lots of fun assignments but now they take up a lot ofour play time when we come home. Now I am here stuck in homeworktraffic. I think that the rest of the season will be very much the same. Onething I am sure of is that we are going to have a Science fair which I aminterested in participating. Of course one thing I don’t like about Science iswe are reading too much about plants and animals. When I was in third grade,I thought in the fourth grade you get to go the lab for the whole period and doreally cool experiments. But, no, now I am stuck in Science traffic.


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In Math, we have easy homework, one-side worksheets usually. I like Mathbecause we do lots of fractions and we earn pat time. Pat time is when you getto play a lot of Math games. My Math teacher is very fun and creative. Oncewe got to make up our own test. First, we had partners; mine was Arushi. Theteacher assigned us into a group of three. I was with Amanda and David. Wewent outside and had a race with other groups. The rule was that we had toget everything right before going to the next problem. We were the only oneswho got everything right. The hardest was mine. We had a mystery numberproblem, but I guessed the four numbers right. We won and got one candyeach.

English, which is not that fun, is a little tricky, a little hard and a little easy.What I like about English is the vocabulary, spelling and reading. I don’t likemaking sentences and studying grammar. One fun thing we did in Englishwas to make a poster for voting and idioms. The whole class calls idioms asidiots for fun.

I am having a lot of fun in Social Studies. My teacher is one of the best I haveever had. She makes it a lot of fun. We don’t play games, but we have openbook and open notes test and sometimes she gives us surprise tests. Our mainsubject is about Texas history and the Native Americans who used to live inTexas.

In Art, we are learning about gestures and types of lines. Gestures are reallyfun in art. We usually have to make little gesture books. Sometimes we studyabout types of views. My pictures are usually leaves.

We are learning how to play the recorder in Music class. I am also learningPiano. It helps me very much in playing recorder. A recorder is almost like aflute but different. We will be learning about the differences between a fluteand a recorder. The recorder will be fun, I bet.

Meha is the daughter of Reva Chopra and Gopal Mohapatra of Houston,Texas. She is in 4th grade. She loves Odissi dance.


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When you tell a Lie-Ishani Sahu

When you tell a lie, you’ll expect for it to pass, to go away, forever.And at first you’ll say, “It’s only a lie so WHATEVER!”

And then you realize what a mess you’ve madeSo you really want to go back and fix your mistake.

But then something in youTells you not to tell the truth.

And for days you sit, drenched in guilt and miseryThe days dragging on so slowly

And then you realize why you lied-Because your tongue was quicker than your mind.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Yeah! I just set a world record for throwing a javelin past the German flag,and I won a gold medal in the Olympics! Well, okay by the end of myinterview, you’ll know me as well as your best friend.

I, Mildred Ella Didrikson was born on June 26th, 1911 in Port Arthur,Texas. When I was in second grade, I won the marble contest and evencompeted with 6th and 7th graders. I was known as “Babe” after Babe Ruthbecause I hit so many homeruns as a kid. I was great at crossword puzzles, Iwin a contest for typing 86 words in a minute, and I won a ribbon for sowinga blue silk dress. I had wonderful aim as a pre-teen and little did I know thatwas on a road trip headed right towards victory.

At the basketball game verses the Houston Heights High School, Iscored a total of 26 points. After the game, some guy named ColonelMcCombs came up to me and asked me if I want to play for his girlsbasketball team. I was delighted, of course but Poppa and Mama had todecide, and finally, they agreed. After the basketball season was over, Idecided to train for jumping, hurdling, and many other events so practicedevery day. Finally, I was on my way to the 1932 Olympics!!


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I set three record in the Olympics for the javelin throw the 80 metershurdles, and the high jump. I got 2 gold medals in the javelin throw, the 80meter hurdles and a sliver medals in the high jump because the officials saidthat my feet didn’t go over the bar first.

In 1935, I started to work on golf. I kept practicing golf, and put tapeand bandages around my cuts and bruises. In my favorite golf tournament, the1938 Los Angles Open, I met my future husband, George Zaharias, a prowrestler. After we married, I changed. I grew my hair longer, put on jewelry,and wore high heels. In 1953, I was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery,but that didn’t stop me from playing golf. I won the U.S open golf tournamentin 1954. In 1956, I died of relapse of breast cancer at the age of forty five. Mystyle of play changed women’s golf- the powerful swings, the low scores, andmy showman ship. I opened the doors for women and girls and gave peoplewith cancer hope and spirit to play sports. Right now today, I am still declaredas the best woman athlete in history.

Lost near Lake Tahoe“Click!” My cousin took his skis off. He couldn’t take it anymore. His

legs were collapsing. For a moment I thought, “Maybe I'll stay here too.” Butthen I decided to go with my brother Rook up the Tamarack Express chairlift.My mom took a picture of me right before our chairlift disappeared behindthe Evergreen trees. The sun was beating on us like paparazzi does on afamous movie star. As I looked straight ahead, I saw the ice sparkling andglittering. I saw skiers go down the mountain, slipping and sliding because itwas so icy. Right then I knew that the terrain was going to be tough.

I jumped off the lift and stopped to put my pole straps on. I was right,as soon as we hit the blue, I wiped out twice. Both times it was because I skidon the ice, went out of control, and I crashed into someone. The snow waspacked down tight and was slick and solid. The easier blue slopes seemed likedifficult double blacks. The wind raged and snow scattered everywhere. Theslopes slanted downwards steeply. Then we went up the “Sky Express”chairlift. When we got on the lift, a strong violent gust of wind blew my hatand goggles away. “Now look what you did!” I said it to myself as I turnedred with embarrassment. Tears rolled down my cheeks. “We’ll go back andget them,” Rook whispered. My teeth chattered and I felt frightened. Snowblew from the tree tops into my face; it felt razor sharp. “Rook?” I said softly.“I’m scared.” He smiled and hugged me close. “Then tough it out,” he said.


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When we got off the chairlift, my brother lent me his goggles. I was sothankful for them, because seconds later I fell face down on the jumps. Afterthat, I completely avoided the jumps because if I fell on my bruised face itwould ache a great deal. Finally, finally, finally, we got down to the “SkyExpress” lift. I glanced around and found the booth, and I asked the man if hehad picked up a dark yellow hat and blue goggles. He rummaged through thedrawers and pulled them out. Boy was I relieved! Then we started up the “SkyExpress” again ( this time I clutched my hat and goggles the whole time, justto make sure nothing happened).

Then we skied a little bit down and caught the “Big Dipper” chairliftup. I tried calling my mom and dad from my brother’s phone, but neither ofthem picked up. Tears started rolling down my cheeks and then I saw Rooksitting there, grinning like a dodo-head. “What is wrong with him?” I thoughtas I scooted off the seat. As soon as I landed on the snow, I recognized theslope and I realized why my brother had been grinning like a dodo-head. Ilooked back at my brother. His eyes sparkled and shined, they seemed to say,“Well, lead the rest of the way down!” I grinned back at him and then tookoff. I leaned forward accelerating down the mountains as I pushed with allmight, digging my poles into the crusty snows. As soon as I saw my parents, Iwaved to them and tears started forming in my eyes. It seemed too good to betrue.

As soon as Rook zipped around, we headed down the gondola. I leanedagainst the window and took of my gloves so blood could flow back to intomy pale, half frostbitten fingers. I looked up. There stood Lake Tahoesparkling and glittering in the midst of the brilliant crimson sunset. And I sawsomeone whom I admire very much, in the reflection of the lake. My bigbrother Rook.

Ishani is the daughter of Upendra and Rita Sahu of Sugar Land, Texas. She is a 5th

grader who loves to play soccer.


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THE DREAM- Natasha Sahu

I had a dream late one night,It took me above a gigantic flight.

It took me up, higher than the cloud,A girl came up to me, and she bowed!

I came up in to a beautiful crystal castle,Oh, it was such a dazzle!

I woke up in such a blur,That I could still feel castle’s carpeted fur.

Jessie’s Realm

“Whoosh whoosh,” went the wind in Jessie’s grandma’s garden which shecalls the secret garden. What Jessie didn’t know was that her grandma wasmagical. That night, Jessie heard someone calling her name, “Jessica,Jessica!” the voice cried. These people were really calling her Grandmother’sname which was also Jessica. Jessie went outside to the secret garden. WhenJessie went out, she some how went threw the hedge, though she wasn’t onthe other side. There she saw a plump little lady with an apron on, a miniaturehorse. And an elf! “Where am I?” Jessie wondered out loud. “You,” scoffedthe miniature horse, “what are you doing here?” “Didn’t you call me?” Jessieasked. Now she was getting confused. “Now you’re not the queen Jessica, areyou?” questioned the lady. “Nope,” was Jessie’s reply. Jessie was gettingcold, so she put on the cloak she brought. “EeeeeK!!!” screamed the elf.“Y,y,y, you’re invisible!” said the horse. Jessie looked down at her self. Shehad to admit it was pretty cool!!! In the distance Jessie could see a beautifulgolden castle. It must be awesome to live in there! Reading her expressions,the lady said “come in for some cocoa and biscuits,” the lady said. “Youmean in the castle?” Jessie asked. She was very surprised. Jessie had alwayswanted to go in a castle. “Kind of,” the lady said. They all went toward the


32

castle. When they were by the main entrance, the lady made a turn to theirleft.

There was a small apartment. They all were lead to a small room on the topfloor. Jessie looked around. “This is my apartment,” the lady said, “I am ahousekeeper for the queen since they were babies. And here some cocoa foryou three.” The lady said in one breath. At last she asked Jessie her name.“My name is Jessica, but I like being called Jessie,” she said. “My name isMaybelle,” said the horse. “My name is Giff,” said the elf. “And my name isPat,” said the lady, “I see you’re part of the royal family.” Huh? Jessiethought. Maybelle must have read her mind, because

She said “every royal family has an invisible cloak,” she said. “The queenhere must be a fraud because she’s sending more people to the dungeon for noreason,” said Giff, “but I think we found the real queen!” he cried. “Nowdeary I mean Jessie do you know any other Jessicas in your family besidesyou?” asked Pat. Jessie thought, “Hmmm… Oh yes! My grandmother!” sheexclaimed. “Does she have a charm bracelet with ten charms?” Giff asked. Hewas getting really excited. “Of course,” she said. “Then finish your cocoaquickly, go home, and get your grandmother!” cried Maybelle, nearlyscreaming! “Calm down, deary,” said Pat, “she just came, let her relax alittle.” In about an hour, Jessie was ready to go back to get her grandmother.Jessie went through the hedge, By then, a few rays of sunshine had come out.Jessie went into her grandmother’s room. She was awake. Jessie went in andtold her grandmother where she had went that night, and then she told herabout the fraud queen and how she needed to come right away to prove thatshe is the real queen and renew the magic! Jessica (the older one) quickly puton queen – like clothes, and her charm bracelet, and went out with Jessie.

They went through the hedge but this time, they were in the castle! “Thatwomen’s wearing the magical charm bracelet!” some people whispered.Others gasped. “You’re not the real queen!” the fraud queen raged.

“Yes I am, and here’s proof!” Jessie’s grandmother yelled, holding up hercharm bracelet so every one can see. There was more gasping, then a momentof silence when she whispered something in the orb next to her, which wasthe magic renewal orb. A minute later, there was lots of gold magic everywhere. “The magic has now been renewed!” she cried. Everyone cheered!The fraud queen ran toward the back entrance, but the guards caught her.“Guards send her to the dungeon!” Jessica (the grandmother) cried. Whenevery one had gone, Jessica gave twin sister a charm bracelet, “you are now


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the queen of this realm until I take over again, got it Helena?” she asked “Gotit!” Helena replied. Then Jessica turned to Jessie. “And this is for you,Jessie,” she said. Jessie also had a charm bracelet with one charm danglingfrom it ~ a heart. “The more you help this realm, the more charms you get,”she explained, “OK everyone, Jessie and I have to go now.” When they werein their secret garden, they sat down hugging and smiling on the warm, soft,comfortable grass. Out of all the wonderful times Jessie had in her life, thiswas the most wonderful time ever!

More Jessie adventures in next few Kumar Purnimas!

Natasha is 10 year old, daughter of Nirad & Sangeeta Sahu. She is in 5th

grade and going to Sienna Crossing Elementary in FBISD. Her hobbiesare reading books, bike riding. She is also learning Odissi dance.

IKE

-Arun Dasmohapatra

Sep/11/08

Today I had to evacuate my house because of the hurricane IKE. It said in theTV that 77059 zipcode [where I live] must go to another place, so we packedup and went to Katy where my friend lives. It took an hour or two to go toKaty Cinco Ranch. I finally got to their house. I helped filling the water up.We filled a tub with water we could take a bath in it. All of us colleted flashlights and we slept in the hall ways near the master bed room . My friend’sparents and mine stayed up to watch the storm IKE . And saw in the TVabout the storm. I think the light went off and the tree swinged around andaround in circles. Later the back yard was messed up with leafs every wherein the grass. I thought that was the biggest storm ever I had in my life .

Arun is a 5th grader who goes to North Pointe elementary in Clear Lake.His hobbies include playing with lego, star wars, and scouting. He also

enjoys playing basketball and spending time with friends.


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My Rutho Jatra Experience-Asha Dash

I had been lookingforward to this for daysand it finally came. Wewalked all the way toSri Mandira, PuriJagannath Temple toget our seats to watchRutho Jatra. Boy was itcrowded! I was pushedand pulled in alldifferent directions. Ifelt like socking thecrowd in the stomach!Finally we got there.To get to the balconywhere we sat, we hadto go through a smallslot door. When we gotthere it was blazinghot. So we just sat

down and tried to cool off. The Ruthos (floats) were humungous with different designs and colors. Icould not believe it was all made out of wood! So I sat there waiting for them to go. Then I figured outthat we were going to have to sit there for 14 hours!!!! I know telling you about all of the 14 hours willbe boring. So I’ll just tell the really cool parts. I added some pictures for you so you can understandwhat I am talking about. Well first you should have seen the crowd. It was like a black and browncarpet. It was so crowded that 6 people got killed in Rutho Jatra and 15 were injured.


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Secondly there wasa Hanuman (themonkey god)strolling around theRuthos (floats).

Third I saw thepeople put the flagson the tippy top ofthe ruthos. Those

things were about 100 feet high!

Fourth the king ofPuri, Orissa wasthere and he swepton three Ruthos.His carriage wasmade out of silverand velvet and hisbroom’s handlewas solid gold!

Fifth, now I’ll tell you what Rutho Jatra is all about. There are two gods and one goddess,Balabhadra, Jagannath, and Subhadra. They were very sick. Once they got little better, they need

to go to their aunt’s house 1 mile away. So they getgiant wooden cars pulled to their aunt’s house byhumans! The Ruthos are about as big as those big redbrick houses. The gods and goddess are made ofwood. They were so heavy that they were dragged byaround 20 people to get to their Ruthos.Then the brahmins (the hermits) do a pooja (a prayer)to get the Ruthos ready for pulling. After all theceremonies are over, finally the Ruthos are going tobe pulled, first Balabhadra, then Subhadra, and thenJagannath. My dad tried to pull Subhadra’s Rutho andhe came back with his toes bloody. It was a great

experience and Indians did not copy off of Mardi Gras because Rutho Jatra was invented in the12th century.

Asha is a 5th grader. She lives with her parents Soudamini and Srikanta Dash in NewOrleans.

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My trip to the Air and SpaceMuseum

-Rijul Routray

On 8/18/08, me and my family went to the Air and Space museum inWashington D.C. right when you step into the museum you’ll probably see 2of the Apollo capsules the astronauts returned to earth in (although I sawconveyer belts and metal detectors).

If you look up at a 45 degree angle, you can see a banner that reads: 50YEARS OF SPACE! On each of the sides of that, you can see the 1stAmerican and Russian satellites sent to space! The American one was calledthe Explorer. Both of them were so small that you could fit them on yourdesk at school!

In that room you can also see the British Breitling (made by thebritish), the first balloon to carry people around the world! I also went on themotion simulators, but I rolled over and had to restart again.

All the way on the other side of the museum you can see the moonlander that carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin onto the moon! Then Iwent upstairs and saw the living quarters of the Skylab, the space stationbefore the ISS. Everything was so different!

After that, I entered in a paper airplane contest and came in 2nd!Upstairs we saw missiles, rockets, and really fast jet/rocket planes. We alsosaw planes that can break the speed of sound, supersonic, and hypersonicplanes. Well, I guess that wraps it up!

Rijul is a 6th grader who goes to Rodger and Ellen Beck Jr. High in Katy, TX. Hishobbies include related to Star Wars, chess, and soccer. In his free time, he likes to playwith Lego. His favorite books are the Calvin and Hobbes series and he enjoys doingrobotics.


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Fantastic me-Soma Mitra-Behura

I celebrate myself and sing myselfFor I am happy with me.I am growing with many talents,And am hopeful to be like mothersBefore me.

For it’s me who is fantastic,And brimful with happiness.I can bounce like a cloud,And stay still like a desk.But my imagination’s nowhere near here.It’s off on a ride.

I have no particular worries,And I only feel joyful.The only thing that can destroy meIs the repulsive concept of hate.

Indigo is the only color that suits me.It’s beautiful and sweetAnd quite individualJust like me.

I wish I were a dolphin,They swim so free.

These carefree animals,Are just what I want to be.

As a paper floats down,

I sprint through good momentsAnd walk through sad memoriesTo my wondrous universe,Where everything is magnificent,Just like me.(With acknowledgemnts to WaltWhitman)

Mirror

I am no color and prove useful.In me are many different faces,Some with perfect features, and otherswithMany imperfections.I am perfect for looking a yourimperfections.I am nice to some people, but rude toothers.I cannot lie, for I just can't comprehendthat.Some people get pleasure by looking atme,But some are disgusted.I am never worried or happy, forI don't feel anything at all.Most of the time I stare into the hallway,And I've memorized every mistake in thewall.I've gotten quite bored of this life, forI see only one room in this place.I wish those faces that stare at me,Would move me around.But of course who would think,Of such a rude thing as me

Simantini is a 6th grader at TH Rogers Middle School. Along with her parents,Shrabanee Mitra and Somdutt Behura, she completed her 2nd MS150 bike ride from

Houston to Austin to raise awareness on Multiple Sclerosis in April, 2008.


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True Music-Malina Maharana

From parts of this world we come,with different traditions and culture

All different, with just one in commonMusic.

Music also has different waysExpressing

Do re mi fa so la ti dosa re ga ma pa dha ni sa

NoOne that comes from all

Is music that comes from your heartyour soul

Touching your heart like waterIt forms ripples, stretching your voice

waves, from higher pitchesThink of the soft breeze

Softening your voiceThink of the strong windMaking your voice firmer

What about our colorful moods?Expressing heartfelt music as turquoise

orange as feistyThink about day and night

Think about blackso still and quiet as ever

blue, so peaceful and terrificThis is the magic of music.

Music, ever so quietinstruments, insisting to play their tunes

Harp, violin, piano, fluteInstruments so wonderous

But, when played altogethersomething new

something beautiful and melodious is createdThis is true music…


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Super Spies“Are you there? I repeat, are you there?” (voices on walkie-talkie) “Yes, I am right here.What happened?” “Enemy #3 is behind you. Quick! Get him with an electric ball!” “Wait aminute Agent Jackie. I think I hear something!” “What is it now co-Agent?” said athoroughly impatient agent. “Well,” said the co-agent,”it sounds just like…”

“Annie! Jackie! Come downstairs for dinner!” “Awww!” the sisters exclaimed.“Can’t we just play for another 5 minutes? We were on the best part!” “No!” exclaimedtheir mom. “Come downstairs now! And no dillydallying!” she added after them.

“Oh man!” Jackie groaned. “I hate it when Mom interrupts us on the best part.” “Iknow!” Annie agreed. They both hurried downstairs to find a delicious aroma wafting intotheir noses. “Mmmm! Agent Jackie,” said Annie, “do you smell what I smell?” “Yes!”exclaimed Jackie. “Chicken pot pie!”

After all the family members stomachs were full with warm happiness and afterthey all went to bed, something strange happened. Two kids filed in through the front doorand the first one said, “This is it!” His name was Jake. Jake and the other girl were wearingan odd assortment of clothes. Jake wore a shirt and a pant that was made from some kindof different cloth and the girl (whose name was Alicia) wore a pretty dress of royal bluewith a pointy hat on top. But there was something strange in the hands of Jake. He washolding a type of silver disk that somewhat resembled a small plate. Jack called it theSonic Disc 3000. It had a number of dials and buttons and levers on it with a big screen inthe middle. On the screen it said “Find Annie and Jackie then report to headquartersimmediately! Annie and Jackie were half-asleep when the door slowly creaked open. Theyboth sat up in bed looking horrified. Suddenly Jake and Alicia jumped onto the bed andstarted talking rapidly. Now, I don’t know about you, but if a complete stranger jumpedonto my bed and started talking in the middle of the night, I would scream my lungs out,which reminds me, is exactly what they did. Annie and Jackie screamed (there’s your keyword) and clutched at each other. “Whoa, whoa! We come in peace!” said Jake.

Annie and Jackie simply stared back. Finally, it was Annie who broke the silence.“W-who are you?” she asked, stammering a little. “We?” said Alicia. “I’m Alicia and he’sJake.” “That still doesn’t answer our question,” said Annie impatiently. “What are youdoing here in the first place?” “Hear, hear!” said Jackie. “Well,” said Alicia taking in adeep breath, “we wanted you to join our headquarters.”

“What?!” spluttered Annie, half-amused, half-exasperated. Jackie, on the otherhand simply just gazed back. Then she said, “I bet you’re trying to pull our leg.” “Am not!”Jake shot back. “Am!” “Not!” “Am!” Just as Jake was on the verge of saying ‘not’ hechanged his mind and instead pointed to the silver disk. “Do you know what this is?” heasked. “No,” said Jackie defiantly. “This is called a Sonic Disk 3000,” Jake said. “I made itmyself,” he added proudly. “But really, why do we need to go?” asked Annie. “Well,actually, it’s top secret, but I’ll tell you just in case,” said Alicia. “You see here, there is anenemy of ours which is coming toward our headquarters. When we were locating them, wefound out that they are carrying a bomb that if activated, could destroy the whole country!Actually, they’re going to be coming in about 3 weeks, so we got to get you trained!”“What?!” exclaimed Jackie sitting up in her bed. “It’s true!” said Jack. “But why us?”Annie asked confused. “Why not someone else?” “Maybe you should ask that to ourcaptain,” said Alicia impatiently. “But right now, you have work to do. Unless you want


40

the country to get blown up, you’d better come downstairs in 10 minutes.” Jackie looked atAnnie and heaved a big sigh. “I’ll go,” she said and stood up.

Careful not to wake their mom and dad up in the other room, the 2 sistersdressed up and trudged downstairs where Alicia and Jake were. Once they were outside,they were met with a bizarre sight. A door with no roomon the other side was set in themiddle of the backyard. “Er- what’s that?” asked a curious Jackie. “That,” said Alicia “is aPop-Pop-Popper!” “A what?!” Annie asked giggling. “A Pop-Pop-Popper!” said Jake. “Ittakes you somewhere else and no time changes on the other side. This, Alicia invented.”“Well, get she opened the door. Her guess was half right. There was no room, but there wasa big black circular shape that looked kind of like a whirlpool. Jackie gulped and closed hereye as she stepped in and immediately felt as if she was in a tornado. The winds blew herwild red hair as it swept at her. All the same, she felt as if she were in bed, for she felt cozyand warm. She looked back and saw Annie in the distance calling and waving back to her.All of a sudden, she fell face down in soft and mild grass.

“Where am I?” Jackie said, looking around in a dazed sort of way. The reallystrange thing was, was that it was daytime, not nighttime. No sooner had she realized this,she heard a big thud and two small ones knowing that Annie and the kids had come.Immediately, she stood up and gasped. Annie, Jackie, Alicia and Jake were looking up atwhat looked like a giant wedge of Swiss cheese. “It’s humongous!” said Jackie in astrangled whisper. “It’s delicious!” said Annie as she broke off a piece and tasted it. “Ahyes!” said Alicia. “These headquarters were made from cheese, but it never melts. It’s quitetasty, so our workers just come here straight for lunch. “Well come on in!” said Alicia asshe joined Jake, who was already halfway up to the headquarters. As Jackie walked on in,there were no words to explain the fanciness of it all. Inside, there were rows and rows ofcomputers, that is, if you could say it was computers. They looked more like spheres withlittle antennas attached to it. Basically it looked like a bug’s face. Further up, they sawsome kind of testing area, probably to locate enemies. On their right, there was a restaurantand on their left there was another room where all the dormitories were. The roof wasdome-shaped, so it gave the headquarters a modern look. “First, we’ll have to find yourdormitories. Oh, and by the ways, you’ll be assigned to…,” Jake looked at a list on theSonic Disk, “Level 3- Training of Attacking Enemies.” “B-but, I don’t, that is, we don’tknow how to fight with enemies,” stammered Annie. “Precisely,” said Alicia crisply,“which is why you will be training.”

“Agent Jake! Agent Alicia!” said a voice. Later on, they found out it was a manwho was scurrying out of the room that led to the dormitories. This squat man with anupturned nose, wore a black suit which was way too big for him. His shoes were of brownleather and his hair was stuck flat to his head like some kind of permanent hair gel wasstuck on there(in truth, there was and it was permanent). “Well,” said Jake, “What’s thenews?” “Er,”the messenger began, “Our new guest’s dormitory is Room 15.” Themessenger bowed at this and looked up expectantly. “Very well then,” said Alicia. “Annieand Jackie, come with me. I will show you the way to your dormitory.”

As Annie and Jackie got ready for bed in their dormitory, Jackie blurted out thequestion that she had been burning to ask Annie, “Do you think we’re doing the rightthing?” “Well, we’ll soon find out, won’t we?” Annie replied. Although this made Jackielaugh, she couldn’t help thinking about her own cozy bed at home which must be milesand miles away from the headquarters. Pondering this, Jackie fell into a deep, deep sleep.


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The next morning, Jackie and Annie went down to level 3 with Alicia and Jake toaccompany them. They learned the name of their teacher, Mr. Ferry. Though he was quiteold, Jackie and Annie were not to be fooled by this, for Mr. Ferry kicked very hard.Everyday, he would teach the twin sisters a new way to self defend. One day he wouldteach them how to kick and another day he would teach them karate. At first Jackie andAnnie didn’t understand anything, but bit by bit, they both improved.

Including to this, the two sisters also learned how to use the special gadgets thatthey got there. Everybody would do several tests with the gadgets. Beginners would startwith lock pickers and more advanced, portable swords. One exciting day, Jackieaccidentally hacked into the storage room only to find out the inside was quite useful,filled up with gadgets. After a while Jackie came outside blushing and by the looks of it,bulging pockets.

And now days, whenever they went to training in Mr. Ferry’s class, he would teachthem more advanced, more in-depth stuff. The twins knew that it was nearly the end of thethird week, but they didn’t dare tell him that. The same was also in gadget class. Theirteacher would tell them about more different objects including one that was as big as arhinoceros.

The next day, as Alicia was telling jokes to Annie, Jackie, and Jake in break timeafter lunch, another messenger came along to bow in front of them. “Sir! More urgentnews! Our enemy is within 3 miles to come toward us.” “What?!” exclaimed Alicia. “Ithought that the enemies wouldn’t come until tomorrow which means we only have 10minutes to prepare!”

Meanwhile, everyone in the building were screaming at the top of their lungs andscurrying about. “Hold onto your horses!” someone shouted and Annie and Jackie lookedaround. It was Mr. Ferry, their training teacher. He was fighting single-handedly with aswarm of bad guys who had just gathered in through the front door, so Annie and Jackielooking this way and that, found the front door and wrenched it open, only to be met withseveral mean looking guys. Annie gasped and nudged Jackie in the ribs pointing to the firstman in line, who was holding a tiny ball, which was beeping faintly.

“Charge!” Jackie yelled and charge indeed they did. They both punched and kickedevery bit of flesh they could reach. In one fantastic time, Annie did a double flip andkicked a bad guy so hard, he landed on the ground 10 feet away from where he had started.In another time, Jackie did 3 somersaults and found herself looking at a particularly uglylooking guy. 10 seconds later, his face was black and blue and he was whimpering in pain.“Jackie!” called out Annie. “Use your gadgets!” Jackie poured out the contents from herpockets.

Then, Jackie grabbed the bomb and saw something out of the corner of her eye.“It’s the Pop-Pop-Popper!” she shouted to Annie. It only took them a millisecond to decidewhat to do next. They ran towards the door with the bad guys at their heels and threw thebomb whose beeping was growing louder in every minute. Once they had heard theBANG!, the sisters jumped inside and immediately felt that weird sensation as if they werein a tornado yet they felt as if they were in bed. With a thud, Jackie fell onto somethingnice and soft. But right now, even she was too exhausted to care if Annie was beside her,so she fell into a dreamless nap.

“Annie, Jackie, wake up! It’s Saturday! Don’t you want to go fishing afterbreakfast?” Annie mumbled something about being very tired. Jackie on the other hand,bolted up and looked around. “WhereamIandwhatamIdoinghere? Wasthatjustadream?” she


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babbled. Spotting her mom, she said, “Didn’t you miss me? I’ve been gone over 3 weeks!”“Sorry?” her mom said looking confused. “Oh, nothing Mom!” said Jackie brightly to herpuzzled looking Mom hoping she a convincing smile on although she was thinking abouther adventure. Was it really a dream, or was it really the adventure? She leaned over toAnnie, who had a vacant expression on her face. ‘Better not ask her,’ Jackie thought.‘Annie is always sleepy.’

After breakfast the whole family trooped out into the car to go fishing. But as theybacked out into the driveway, Jackie was pretty sure that out in the backyard, was a doorthat looked extremely familiar, just like the Pop-Pop-Popper.

Malina is in 6th Grade at Cornerstone Academy. She lives with her parentsMadhab and Sasmita Maharana in Houston, Texas.

A Collection of Poems by -Swati Mahapatra

Chowing CandyTis Halloween nightAnd kids are trick or treatingKnocking on every doorAnd won’t stop eating

Won’t stop till they have candy to filltheir dandy bellyCan’t wait till they get homeDump their candy on the candy floorAnd eat more, more, and more

The sweet taste of candyFinally leaves their mouthAnd now they cryand are left to pout

The candy is goneAnd parents are gladPumpkins are outAnd kids are sad

The sugar’s worn offAnd kids have gone to bedThe Halloween’s spirits goneAnd for now, the town is dead

Where I’m FromI’m from books, pens, paper, shelves,tables and some backpacks

I’m from flowers, cars, trees, ants onthe sidewalks and kids playing in thepool

I’m from apartments, pedestrians,dogs, maintenance, and bike stands

I’m from aunts, uncles, grandfathers,grandmothers, and mostly my parents

I’m from,” Good Night, drink somewater, and time to come in.”

I’m from Chicken Beriani, Rice Khiri,Chicken Curi, and mostly Ludo

I keep my memories in photos, myhead and mostly my heart


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Sunset

I glance at the sky so red and juicySmelling it makes me think it’s atomatoIt’s a tomatoSo bright and scarletFeels like skinWhich slips of easilyWith drops of crimsonLook at that skySo red and juicyIt’ll make you thinkIt’s a tomato

Trees

Trees Trees they call to meFor me to see the wondrous seaTrees Trees they call to meWhy should IThey never follow me

What will I wear

Colors, sizesDifferent assortmentsWhere are you going?Dinner?Party?A dance?What will you wear?Different patternsCheckered or squaredIs it matching?Is it bad?What about the shoes?Are they matching too?What do you think?It matters, it doesIf it matches and if it’s goodSo good luck I wish youOn choosing what to wearAnd hope that you look fabulousFor all to admire

Apples

Apples turn rottenWith the leavesThey turn crisp with the harvestApples can turn into anything


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Which Festival?-Swati Mahapatra

A festival is coming up. Most Americans haven’t heard of this festival. In English,they translate it as The Moon Festival. This festival is celebrated by Oryians. Have youguessed the name of this festival yet? Yep it’s Kumar Poornimah!

Kumar Poornimah is a very big deal for Oryians. Oryians are people who live inOrissa. Orissa is one of the twenty-seven states in India. The moon festival is a traditionalbelief, that when we celebrate this festival, girls will have a good life. This festival takesplace on October twenty-eight once a year. When this occasion comes, a great deal pfpreparation is made towards it. Kumar Poornimah is a very special holiday. This is the truemeaning of Kumar Poornimah.` I celebrate Kumar Poornimah because it is my belief and tradition. When thisfestival comes around there is a lot of work to do. Boys and girls learn dances to performand every year there are plays that kids and adults take part in.

This year was my first year celebrating Kumar Poornimah in Houston. The dance Iwas going to perform was a traditional folk dance called,” Rangabati Rangabati.” Thisdance took a lot off practice and coordination. My dance partners were Soma, Rhea,Subrat, and Ashu. My teacher was Opali Auntie. My dance teacher worked really hard tomake us “perfect”.

Finally, Kumar Poornimah came. I was as excited and jumpy as a twitchygrasshopper. We got their early to put makeup and our costumes on. The announcer saidour dance was eighth to be on stage. We watched all the other dances till our turn. It wastime.

Imagine this: You get on stage and are ready to dance till you see the vast amountof people out there. The spotlights on you and suddenly you have stage fright. Uh oh! Themusic is about to start and the audience is waiting for you to dance. You think to yourself,I’m doomed!” This is exactly what I was feeling when I stepped on the stage. With thecoaxing of my dance partners, I danced. Surprisingly, the dance went very well. When Istepped off the stage, people started congratulating me as soon as I stepped off the stage.Weeks of hard work were over in no time.

After the dances were over, there was an awards ceremony. I was given a trophywith my name engraved on it. This trophy is very special to me and I will treasure itforever. Because I decided to participtate in Kumar Poornimah, I” have got a trophy thatwill last forever. This is one time I did something important to me. Kumar Poornimah is avery special holiday to me and I shall always celebrate it.

Swati is the daughter of Sailendra and Jochhna Mahapatra. Her hobbies are karate, gymnastics,soccer, and dance. She is a voracious reader and has been on the radio station twice. Once tocommerates on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and second time to celebrate children's hour on TheMeena Dutt Radio shown on 1320 am. She has also been selected into her school studentcouncil. She joined violin class very late but surprisingly she won first place in the SpringBranch Independent School District Competition. Swati is a talented girl who dreams high ofbecoming a physicist.


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Jasmine In My Memories-Smruti Rath

She wakes with a jolt, Moving to the kitchen,wondering where she is. her stomach growls with hunger.

Slowly opening her eyes, Collecting loads of food,she wakes up to scratch her ears. she sneaks away,

like a thief to her room.Looking around,she is satisfied. Eating what she can,

she leaves the rest for later.Everything is in place.

Health conscious as ever,Groggy with sleep, she makes her way to the gym.fatigue slows her down,as she steps out of her room. Going on the treadmill

is her usual routine.She stops…sensing a noise in the distance. Always sporty and curious,

she loves to climb, dig, and build.Poised on her feet,her ears search for the sound. Living life to the fullest,

she always tried to have fun.Slowly, she continuesas if nothing happened. My hamster Jasmine,

was a carefree spirit,Stopping momentarily to stretch, who didn’t care for rules.her innocent eyes wonder what to do next.

Growing older,She makes her way to a corner, she became slower each day.and rubs her body clean.

One day her breath was taken away,Looking around, leaving us with tear filled eyes.all is quiet.

She was laid to rest in the womb of motherearth,She knows her day has begun. while we were only left with joyfulmemories,

of my hamster, Jasmine.All around herthere is darkness,but it doesn’t bother her.

She moves like a baby,who has just learned to walk,

on those chubby legs of hers.


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Year Old ShoesI have shoes under my bed.They’re a year old.

Worn and scuffed,brown with dirt,they’ve grown old.

Countless memories,kicking the winning goal in gym,they’ve always been there for me.

Being tripped by the mean kids,or actually tripping other kids,my shoes have done it all.

Under my bed,gathering dust,they’ve grown too small.

Going shopping for new shoes,knowing that it’ll never be thesame.Those year old shoes are the onlyones for me.

Wearing them on the first day ofschool,my mom says no.They must stay under the bed.

In no time, I forgot those shoes,in the hustle and bustle of the newschool year.My old shoes will never be wornagain.

But I still have shoes under my bed,and they’re a year old.

BrainwashedGlinting on the walls,

Shining so brightly and loud,Can this be treasure?

Silver and much gold,Very precious and costly,

Can this be vital?

Lovely ornaments,Many shiny colored jewels,

Will this be required?

Chirping of blue jays,Buzzing of bees with nectar,

Isn’t this true joy?

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Beauty of the world,Only for uncaring man,

Only for your eyes.

Ignored and defiled,Mother Nature shares her looks,

For mankind to see.

Sadly no one looks,They walk by without a care,

Brainwashed by treasure.

Smruti is daughter of Surath and Sangita Rath. She is an eighth grader atTH Rogers Middle school. She is currently learning Odishi classical danceunder her Guru Smt. Supradipta Dutta. She also enjoys playing piano. Sheis currently a member of National Junior Honor Society at TH Rogers.


New Generation Poets


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The Lone Flame-Subrat Mahapatra

Deeply emerged in an ocean of self doubt and,And submerged in a cloud of confusion,

America fights its enemies,Both inside and out,

Never forgettingThe scars of violence, painting America,

With the blood of its people,That died defending its borders.

America remembers,And will remember by the graves of the people,

Who fought for our safety,Planted in the soil of Mother Earth

But hope still remains,America still has, and will always have the chance to unite,

Because, backed up by its people,America, no matter the perils, will come through,

America is like a flameThat lights the world,Even if it is just one,

It will be unique from the darkness,As light is from the dark,

As all sources need energy to flourishThe fuel for this flame,Resides with its people,

In the deepest corner of their soul,This fuel,

Comes from the raw patriotism, that spices our lives,This fuel might be

Tough to attain,But can start with one being,


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Speaking out, and taking charge of our country,Protecting it, and leading it,

This man,This president,

Is the glass that protects the flame when it is submerged,In the sea of economic crisis,

It remains resilient, no matter how much the waves bash onto it,If the people of America choose wrong,

It’s like letting a cracked glass to protect the flame,Sooner or later,

The glass will crack,Leaving America to be overwhelmed by the forces,

Who seek to do in our country.

The Stand of a LeaderA Flame against the dark,A lonely figure, in a mass,

The one opposition, into a furtive deed,A stand for justice,

Stands a leader,

A sign, a symbol, a figureOf hope,

He is not carried by his people,But carries the people,

In his hand,Protecting from all harm,

Like a shield,Against the clashes,

And the thrashes,Of opposers,

And wrongdoers,Of the law.

He is the oneA flame in the dark,

For even a small lightShines in the dark

The Stand of a Leader.


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Poem for SoccerA shifty glanceA ready plan

A figure of ActionA flicker of Hope,

Its timeTo take a lead,

and score some goals!

The ball is passedTo begin the game,

As the crowd enjoys the same,Cheering and gulping,Shouting, and waving

A powerful kickIs all it takes

And a helping handWith a sprinkle of luck

It soars, soars up into the skypast the gazers, past the players

And soars,Past the goalie’s flailing arms,

And Lo its GOAL !!! .You hear the crowd,

A loud roar, amongst them all,A sign

That you’ve been looking for!You shoot your arms,And reach the stars,

The flame inside you,Burning FAR!

Subrat is an active member in Junior Honor Society, An Eagle Award Winner, in hiscomputer course, and plays Soccer for his school. He attended the SAT, at the DUKEUniversity, to recieve a certificate.


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This I Believe

-Rohini Rege

For being under the curse of the second born child, my life has runpretty smoothly. Upon hearing that I have an older sister, the first questionpeople ask is how often I am compared to her. This is quite a burdensometimes; because my sister happens to be practically a genius who hardlyever makes a mistake—you can see how this would be just a little hard to liveup to. The second question people have is whether we share similar interests(which people assume anyway because we look somewhat alike), or are polaropposites that hardly speak to each other besides the regular “Pass thepotatoes” or “I call the bathroom first!” However, I believe that one shouldtreasure a sibling as they would a best friend, because if one gives up theperson who has seen her at her best and at her worst, one gives up the personthat will stick with her for the rest of her life.

When my sister graduated high school and left for college, my feelingsabout her absence were rather mild since she was just going to Rice, whichwas a mere 15 minute drive from our house. For the first few nights wetalked on the phone, and for the first couple of months she came home everyweekend. However, as the days went by, our lives became busier with schooland extracurricular activities, and we would go weeks without really talking.At home, we were used to talking about a problem right when it sprang up.The advantage of having my sister sitting in the same room every night andbeing able to talk to her when nobody else would listen was gone. I hadn’tknown what she meant to me until she was gone.

I believe that having a sibling, or even a best friend that one isextremely close to is a great advantage; one has a person that they canconfide in at all times. A brother or sister, whether younger or older, willsupport you through anything; and will build up a wall of trust that will onlyend when both siblings die. Even though we bicker and have occasionalserious squabbles, my sister is the one person I feel like I can read my soulto. I think my sister is my best friend, and she will most definitely continueto be my best friend for the rest of my life.

Rohini is a junior at Bellaire High School.


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Padmini, the Chess Princess!-Chetana Samal

I came to know about Padmini, about three years back, interestingly throughan email forwarded by Gopal on orycom!I was so happy to hear that an Oriyagirl doing exceedingly well in chess! I decided that on the next visit to Orissa,I will take our kids to meet her. I wrote an email to her accordingly. Her quickand polite reply made me more eager to see this little girl. I am sorry to saythat it could never be possible yet!

The 13-year old teenager is a student of Grade 10 in the DAVChandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar. She was initiated to chess by her father at avery early age. Her father Dr Ashok Rout saw the potential in her and tried togave her all possible training available on hand. And today Padmini afterwinning innumerable awards, prizes and certificates (the list may span tenpages, believe me!), she has made her parents as well as our state so proud.She is always Globe-trotting with big tournaments bringing home laurelsevery time.

She is a WIM (Women International Master). The outstanding performances Padminihas won are given below:Out-Standing Performances ( at International & National Level)

Gold Medal Asian U-14 Girls Chess Championship held at Teheran, Iran

July 15- July 22, 2008

Champion National U-13 Girls Chess Champ., Mumbai 10-18 Jan2008Gold Medal Under 14 Girls Parsvnath Commonwealth Chess Championship2 to 10th Dec. 2007, New Delhi, India2nd Position Asian Junior Girls Chess Champ, Mumbai 13-21 December 20073rd Position Asian Chess Champ U-16 at Tashkent ,Uzbekistan 27-08 July 2007

2nd Position National Women ‘B’ Chess Champ. Hyderabad 21-28 May 2007

Gold Medal Commonwealth Chess Champ. Mumbai, India 19-29 Nov.2006.

Champion National U- 13 Girls Chess Championship Haryana, Dec. 2006

Champion Asian Youth Chess Championship at Teheran, Iran, June- 2006Champion Asian Youth Chess Championship New Delhi, India, Dec. 2005.Champion National U- 13 Girls Chess Championship West Bengal. Jan.06.Champion National U-11 Girls Chess Championship held at Nagpur, Sept.05Champion U-12 Open Chess Tournament, Sangli, Maharashtra May 2005

The prestigious awards bestowed on her over years:

http://delhichess.com/Commonwealth07.asp


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State Level Rajiv Gandhi "Prativa Puraskar" 2005 for National Level Chess Player

awarded by Hon'ble Governor of Orissa, on 21st May at Suchana Bhavan,

Bhubaneswar.

Citation awarded by Department of Sports & Youth Services, Govt. of Orissa in

recognition of her outstanding achievements in the discipline of Chess during the year

2004-2005.

Award of Appreciation awarded by D A V Public School in Dec. 2005

Certificate of Merit & Distinction by Cuttack District Chess Association on 31st

Dec.2005

Biju Patnaik Sishu Prativa Sammana awarded by Nehru Institute of Youth Affairs,

Bhubaneswar on 14th Nov. 2005

Felicitation by Paramount Sportings on 29.01.06

Recognition of Merit by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation on 31st August 2006

Certificate of Excellence by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, 2006

Felicitation by Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar on 15th Sept. 2006

Best Player of the Year 2006 given on 18.08.06 on the occasion of Sports

Journalist Ashok Patnaik Memorial ceremony

The photo shows bubbly Padmini with all smiles after winning the Gold Medal

at Teheran, Iran recently.

She is equally good in studies though chess takes away most of her time. She isleaving on Oct 17th, 2008 for Vietnam to play in World Youth Chess Championship. Wewish her best. Rijul and Romil being chess enthusiasts themselves are excited to meether on our up-coming visit and moreover for discovering that they will be cousins tothis famous chess celebrity of India!


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Near Seashore-Sasmita Das

Waves dancing up and down,Like ‘touching’ the sky as wearing crown.

Lots of crowd roaming around,Cute pebbles, shells are found.

“Sand art” allure crowds to shore,Tourists make traffic more.

Kids accrue sands to make fun,Burly winds blow up them alone.Wave sounds make one enamor,Cool breeze calls, to come more.

Mouth watering food stuff makes everyone famish,Roaming and eating is everyone’s wish.

Dancing of waves is real anodyne,Countless of heart, waves just win.Labile mount capture tranquility,

Watching waves makes one feel reality.Time and tide waits for none,

I sit and ponder alone.

Sweet past memories is still dancing in my mind, going to beach with my friends wasregular, when I was doing Masters in Puri.

Sunrise at Puri beach


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Houston Ratha Jatra 2008An Awesome and Amazing Experience

-Raghu Dass

Ratha Jatra 2008 is over. It was a memorable occasion in Greater Houston. Itinvolved most of us to some extent. It was an overpowering experience forme. But it all started in a nano-scale nucleus of a seed deep down in oursubconscious minds with a few well meaning people in our cohesivecommunity. Some of us nourished this resurgent noble thought giving theirdaily nourishment and environment with our utmost love and dedication.Soon the seed germinated to see the light of the day in early February 2008.Gopal could not wait any longer. We could not hide the luxuriant growth ofsuch an overpowering concept to invite Lord Jagannatha Paribar amidst thepeople of Greater Houston. We started looking around to make room for thedeities and the auspicious moment for celebrating their arrival here inHouston. Like any other family for their new arrival, we were worried aboutthe limited resources and the proper environment as we did not have a templeor structure of our own in our community. But we had found in PanditBibhdutta Mishra, an Odiya priest in Hindu Worship Society a hope to helpprovide offerings to our deities. It was a predisposition in a divine scheme.

Indeed, He is Lord of the Universe. Within a week, another monastery inHouston, Govindaji Gaudiya Matha expressed its interest with the coincidentvision for Lord Jagannatha. During March 2008, a few interested members ofour community discussed with the devotees of Matha to plan for thecelebration. Ratha Jatra 2008 became a reality in our constantly evolvingplans and avenues to collect resources. It was a moving experience for mewhen funds kept on coming from our community members surprising theconstantly number-crunching Somdutt to be focused on dimensioning andscheduling the construction the chariot or Ratha for our deities. Earlier wedecided to take responsibility of core necessities for Ratha Jatra; construct oneRatha, provide decorations, arrange cultural program and perform pujabdhi.Matha took the responsibility of fund raising, publication, facilities andoutreach.

Odiya community rose to the occasion with a dozen of active volunteershelping the demands of Somdutt. Madhab provided the idea for making the


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Ratha on a trailer so that we had enough time to complete construction anddecoration. With a puja performed on Akshaya Trutiya by Debananda,Somdutt and Madhab led the construction. Matha devotees started workingon their responsibilities. In due course, it was decided that the newlyconstructed India House would help us provide their facility for First RathaJatra in Houston. It was really a nice environment for our deities for such anauspicious arrival. It was a blessing in disguise or preordained by our Lords.

There were unsurmountable challenges towards the last stretch before RathaJatra schedule on 12th July due to unforeseen uncertainty in the completion ofIndia House, fund raising status and a perceptible shift in publicationmaterials. Day by day, the project kept on getting global attention frompeople of Greater Houston and other counties.

In my hearts of heart, I did not have an iota of doubt. Head and heart hadtaken somersaults. It was a noble mission. At times, I have reflected on thechallenges and dissolved them in my thought processes with prayers andrenewed confidence in the Greater Houston community. As a lead, I havebeen through the pulls and pushes necessary to accomplish the tasks. I hadspent 18 hours a day in the last two months scheming tasks and coordinatingglobally to schedule arrival of decorations and deities. When overwhelmed, alot of us came forward meeting with Matha President discussing, working,clarifying and assimilating for getting things done. A synergy was constantlyevolving in Greater Houston with the blessings of Lord Jagannatha for RathaJatra 2008.

Somdutt kept on innovating on Ratha components day in and day outmarshaling work from his band of dedicated crew such as Madhab, Dillip,Satya, Ramani, Debananda, Gyan, Gopal and Dibyajyoti to name a few.Shrabanee was there to schedule stitching decoarations with support fromUpali, Subhashree, Rashmi, Sarita and Arati. Global help arrived whenNanda Mausi took over charge in the last week to decorate and paint Ratha. Itwas indeed a great experience to see Somdutt’s home was always agog withactivities providing an outsourced environment for Lord’s work with girlsenriching their dancing skills during a summer camp on Odissi under theguidance of their distinguished international gurus.

Debasnana Purnima, a public bathing ceremony on a full moon, wascelebrated in Matha on 21st June when Dr. Kishore Mohanty and Ranu Apaled the puja with collection of holy water pots carried on their heads by Odiyaladies. The bathing ceremony provided necessary focus and fervor and


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impetus to the Ratha Jatra 2008. Debasis and Bindi brought most of thedecorations from Pipili. Dr. Rabinarayan Mohapatra brought deitiescoincidentally on 27th June when Puri Gajjapati King Dibyasingh Dev wroteto congratulate on a blessed occasion the members of Odiya Community,Matha and Greater Houston.

Debananda got busy buying puja items and ladies helped Mrs. Vinni Vermamake thousands of Puri Gaja, a favorite offering to Lord Jagannatha. Mathadevotees became busy arranging for tents, activities, security and dignitaries.A special supplement was published as 4-page centerfold of all leading Indiannewspapers. Newspapers and Radios started advertising for the occasion withrenewed frequency propagating the message of arrival of Lord JagannathaParivar in Houston. Houston Chronicle and TV channels were invited. Swatiand Subrata surprised my ear when they read their stories about LordJagannatha Ratha Yatra on Sanatan Dharma Radio.

12th July arrived in Houston. Ratha had already been transported anddecorated. India House with its occupancy obtained a day before wassanctified during a fire ceremony in the morning presided by Dabananda andArati from Odiya Community and members of India House Board. Somduttand Nanda Mausi completed all tasks by providing a beautifully decoratedand stunning Ratha, a landmark structure in Greater Houston as transportabode for Lord Jagannatha Paribar. Pandit Bibhudutta Mishra and Debanandaperformed a warming up worship for Ratha with Nrusingha homa, a ritual fireceremony.

Lord Jagannatha, elder brother Balabhadra and sister Shubhadra along withSudarshan charka (celestial disk) were worshipped with their youthful andbejeweled attire and blissful eyes (Nabajauban and Netroutsav). It was apassionate affair for Odiyas. The program until 4 PM was kept mostly privateespecially for Odiyas, Matha devotees and interested members of India HouseBoard.

I was moved to see youngsters such as Soma, Lori, Ishani, Renuka and Rohiniresplendent in their Odissi attire effusing confidence while they danced withrich artistry on center stage. I was waiting for such moments. The culturalprogram provided a sense of unity in diversity glorifying Lord Jagannatha.

The public program was attended by a rolling crowd of about 2000 people.The weather cooperated very well in hurricane-prone summer in coastalenvironment. But for some minor safety glitches and PR omissions, the


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Ratha Jatra 2008 was a resounding success. I have been getting continuousfeedbacks from the members of the Greater Houston Community. Help instoring the Ratha in a storage place for free came in August during my Indiatrip.

The Odiya community should seize the opportunity to broad base its existencein the Houston community in an effort globalize its worthy heritage and richculture as a part of Indian diaspora. It would need strong leadership,commitment, effort, support, strategic planning and above all, understandingit’s global outreach using innovative approach. A lot of effort went intofinding a path to bring Odiya community to center stage, and capitalizing onthem would require vision and out-of-the-box thinking by the vigilant andenergized team.

In a nutshell, Lord Jagannatha Paribar arrived in Houston. They reside withme now. Ratha Jatra 2008 was an awesome and amazing experience for me.It was ennobling to have your support and commitment. I may have differedon personal view points and have not yielded to some demands in view ofaccomplishing the global delivery of the program and scheduling. I appreciateyou all for your understanding.

Personally, I thank my wife Arunima, Ava, Adi and especially Dev whounderstood my time away from attending his needs in absence of his momduring the whole process.

Let all noble thoughts come to us from every side.

Jai Jagannatha

Raghu N. Dass, Ph. D., PE is a geotechnical engineering consultant. He is interested inlocal and global undertakings and strategic planning in engineering. He loves freethinking and developing global outlook on cultural issues.

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Lord GANESHA – My MostFavorite God

-Gopal Mohapatra

hen the man woke up from his dream, he felt as if he had lost twentyounds. The comforter was on the floor and the pillow was at his feet. Iteemed as if he had just come out of a struggle with somebody. In his dreame was running on the hot sands of an African desert among thousands ofungry, emaciated tribal people. A few US marine helicopters overhead wereropping food packets which were being blown away by the hot desert wind.s he ran desperately to catch a food packet, he was kicked hard on his ankley a fellow hungry man and fell on the ground. The zip lock bag hit theround a couple of feet away from his head. Pieces of mutton and potatoesith deep red colored gravy sprang out of the zip lock bag and fell on the

and. The sand soaked in the gravy. The man stretched his hands to get aiece of sandy mutton with a small bone but a big foot came from nowherend trampled his hand like an elephant. He screamed in pain and that is whene woke up from his dream.

t was not a good dream, especially for a man like him who never had a dreambout food. The dream came in early morning and he thought it was probablymessage from food god. His days of indulging in food are probably over. It

s time to tighten the belt. He stood up, looked at himself in the mirror. Head suddenly aged in the last eight hours. He did not look good, but he did notare. His grand father had said that a man is judged not by his looks orharacter but by his food. During those days when he grew up, the judgmentas based on how much rice and mutton curry one can consume at one

tretch without eating any side vegetables.

A good number of ten-years had passed since then and he had to carry theurse of thousands of goats on his shoulder – domestic and foreign. Theirurse had gradually translated into cholesterol, unsaturated fat in his body.owever, he had done a good job in hiding his extra frontal mass which

arned the envy of his friends. Some went onto rigorous exercises, some tooko medicines, and some took to crunching carrots and apples all day, but heas still unbeatable. It was his ability to hold breath for a long time by pulling

he belly in while talking to people that did the trick


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The man came out of his bed room and went to the kitchen. He helpedhimself to a cold glass of water and sat down at the breakfast table. Today itseemed that the day of judgment was finally there. In a few hours, he wouldhead over to the doctor’s office for his annual physical check up. His doctorwas originally from Egypt, a short, stocky and funny man. Whenever hevisited him for any health reason, he would first ask ‘how is your basement?’He would then go on explaining how the basement is as important to the bodyas it is to a house and if it cracked, it could damage the whole body. Thedoctor being from the land of Pyramids certainly believed in strongbasements; otherwise how his people could have built those huge pyramidssome thousands of years ago. The doctor would check the man up and saythat everything was out of range, he should watch his diet and exerciseregularly – the same advice he had been giving for more than a decade now.But this time he might be very adamant about restricted diet and cholesterollowering pills – that is what scared the man the most and made himdepressed.

Although the man did not eat much vegetable, he did not have any prejudiceagainst vegetarians. He always thought they were good people just likesmokers and drunks. He always sympathized with them and tried his best toserve them a good meal. When he invited people for dinner, his wife wouldcook vegetarian items while he would cook the real food. During his wife’sshort break from the kitchen, the man would take some mutton or chickengravy and put it in the vegetarian dish to make it tasty. When the womenwould praise his wife for a good vegetarian dish and ask for recipe, he wouldstand nearby and pray ‘Oh father, forgive these women for they not knowwhat they are eating.’

He took some boiled eggs and whole milk and sat down at the breakfast table.What would he do if the doctor asked him to drink skim milk and egg whites?Was he going to sit in front of the computer all day crunching carrots,cucumbers and apples? How about some protein? Where was that going tocome from now? How about all the medicinal value of the spices which wereused to cook the mutton curry? How about sustaining the business of all thosepoor meat sellers, which, in his mind, was his non-profit contribution to thesociety? Cannot he pile of a few milligrams of cholesterol here and there inhis body so that a poor man like a meat cutter can live a decent life? Whycan’t people think about others? Why in the name of healthy diet they aretaking away jobs? How about those Sunday meals which everyone anxiously

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waited for? What about the camaraderie that grew around cooking muttoncurry in a 30 gallon pot?

There was no solution, he thought, to these problems. Otherwise someonewould have cracked the code long before. He got depressed again. He lookedup and stared at the picture of Lord Ganesha which was hanging on the frontwall. The Lord was so calm, so plenty, he thought. The Lord did not exercisein 24 hour fitness clubs. He ate fatty food like Boondis, laddoos, coconut andwhat not. He drank a lot of milk. Even his statues, one time, drank so muchmilk that it became news world over. He did not have annual physical checkups with Dhanwantari, the celestial doctors. He never bothered aboutcholesterol and triglycerides. He did not care about his waist line. The manthought that the Lord probably did not even do any stretching or Tai Chi anytime. Yet, he had a lot of wisdom, knowledge and most of all a calmness andbliss on his face that pervaded the universe and beyond. Why can’t we all belike that? Why do we impose these restrictions on our mind and body and beslaves of other people’s whim?

Life always balances out to a zero, no matter what you do or how you live.The whole thing started from nothing and has to go back to nothing; we aretiny temporary elements in the big scheme of things. Yet we attach so muchimportance to ourselves!! Why? Why not flow like a stream of water andmake your own course? The man suddenly was becoming emotional. Histhoughts were taking him nowhere. He again looked up and stared at LordGanesha. He thought he saw something different! He looked again. He couldnot believe his eyes! The whole plate of Boondi-ka-ladoos was gone. TheLord and His pet, the little mouse, had eaten it up all! He had an unbelievinglook in his eyes and kept staring at the Lord. The Lord’s face had a grin.Suddenly He gave a wink and screamed “Salaa, khaa bey, ete bhabuchukana?”

Can you guess who the “man” is? You are right, he is the talented author of thishumorous story!

@½c jÕ²eZ, LÊcÐe `ËÀàÞcÐ, @Ò•Ðae 18, 2008, kÔÊ½_ç

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The Unforgettable Summer of 2008-Simba Behura

I do not normally go on long trips or have spring break and summervacations. My situation does not allow it. This summer was surprisingly alittle different.

My sisters were busy learning dance. My mummy and Bappa were tied upwith Ratha Yatra. So, when my aunty invited me over to her house I wasmore than ready. Mummy packed my things and I was on my way. The ridewas great. I would have liked to sit in the front seat, but I have to be 12 yearsold for that.

She brought me home and took me for a walk right away. Personally, I thinkshe wanted to show me off! She did that for 30 minutes each evening. Shewould stop and talk with other parents while I smelled them and their pets. Iwas jealous when she would coo other people’s pets.

I am not a demanding guest. I just needed a tiny space on Auntie’s bed. Iconfess that I tore her bed sheet. Each night I slept next to her. I was veryconsiderate and did not wake her up early in the morning. The first fewmornings she left me outside by myself. How rude! After a few days oftraining she started standing outside to give me company while I got ready forthe day. I would let her know when I was done. Summer is not a time to beoutside. My policy is that one should go outside only when needed and onlyfor an appropriate amount of time.

One day my aunty washed the bed sheets. At night she took a spare one andlaid it on her side of the mattress and started sleeping. I was not too happysleeping on the bare mattress. I think she got the message. She put out acomforter for me. I like soft comforters as much as she does.

During the day when she would go to work I would use the couch as the daybed – even if it had laundry on it. I have a very adjusting personality.

After a week, Uncle came back from his trip. He started taking me for a walkin the mornings instead of the short trip in the backyard. My aunty continuedto walk me 30 minutes in the evenings. How much can I walk? I had to put a


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stop to this. I sat down under a tree one evening. Then aunty decided to callUncle to find out what was going on. I was being over-walked!!

The best part of the walk was, smelling all kinds of stuff, digging in the grassand eating crunchy leaves. I loved the breeze near West Road. I would lookinto the incoming traffic and gently raise my head, and my hair would beflying back, eyes closing under the winid. I am sure I was looking handsome.That is the area I chose to do my big job of the evening. I think the routine hasfinally registered with Aunty.

Aunty thought that just because I cannot say anything I will walk with her,unlike other kids who have the ability to use words to refuse. So, I had to beingenious. One day, only a few minutes in the walk, I simply tuned aroundand walked us back home where the kids were playing. She went walking byherself. Good! She needs it too.

As I said before, I am not a demanding guest. I can make do with the scraps.But my aunty kept saying “I love you, so I will not give you what I ameating”. She gave me celery once. Yuck!! And broccoli. Yuck!! What was shethinking? On the other hand my Uncle gave in easily to my beautiful beggingeyes. He gave me eggs and all kinds of things. My aunty will only talk to mesweetly and hug me. But my Uncle knows how to show it! I have to admitthough that it was Aunty who got me a new kind of Science Diet. It lookedlike Lucky Charms. I was so happy; I threw out the old food from my bowl.

One day as she was working from home I saw her on the phone, putting itdown in one cradle and running to the other. Had she told me that she washaving trouble with low batteries on the phones I would not have gottenexcited and started running behind her – tugging and playing.

One thing that auntie did was to hold me like a baby. I let her do that since itmade her feel good. I put my head on her shoulder to hear her say”Oh mybaby” and “Look, he is looking so cute!” I adjusted my hair as soon as she putme down.

Since my auntie was still under training I got a lot of carrots. Whenever shewent out she would feel bad for me and give me a few carrots. And then in afew minutes she would be back again – I think she forgets things a lot. Goodfor me. I keep getting carrots.


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One day, my confused auntie, was leaving the house with the kids. As usualshe came in again. This time she was hurriedly started collecting stuff in abag. She went to the garage to pick up shoes. Silly me went behind her. WhileI was checking out other stuff she came back inside the house shutting thegarage door. When I did not appear at the front door to say good bye sherealized what had happened. I was happily taken back in the air-conditionedhouse and needless to say, given a big hug, an apology and more carrots.

In her neighborhood all kids helped giving me a bath. It must be a rule there.Apparently the kids are supposed to play on the swings to entertain me whileI am taking the recommended 5 minutes conditioner soak. I was given a royalmaroon colored towel to dry with.

I met my neighbor Daffy. She was more excited than me to meet. She camejumping. That worried me. As long as she did not come in my way I wasokay. I think Daffy teases me on purpose. But I don’t know how to ignoreher. But I liked Daffy’s sisters. They love me too. We often went for walkstogether.

I am not sure what kind of an impression I have made on her street. I love theparents (and they love me too, needless to say) but I growl at their pets. I maybe cute but I had to show I am not a sissy.

I volunteered for the Girl Scout Troop 15092. I went with Aunty anddistributed fliers for their 4th July parade. I even dressed up in red for thatevent. I met many friends. I have a photograph to prove this!

I was the on-site project manager when my auntie’s house was tiled. I sat withthe men folk on the couch while they discussed it all. I oversaw thecontractors while I took ergo breaks in the front yard.

This article is to thank my wonderful aunty. I hope to spend more vacationswith her and contributing to Alaata…


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Glorious Aloo Motor Curry-Swati Mahapatra

A bright Sunday morning began with joyful thoughts about Aloo MotorCurry(a traditional family recipe).On October 22, 2006, a festival called,“Dewali” which means Festival of Light takes place. Every Dewali,, We haveAloo Motor Curry as a family tradition every year. This bright Sundaymorning has never been clouded by dark thoughts.

On that special day my whole family takes part in making thisWonderful and traditional dish called ,“Aloo Motor Curry”. Promptly at5:30,p.m my whole family gets in the car and heads off to Oasis(world-wideshopping store).5 minutes later we’re puling in the parking lot. The moment Iwalk in, a sharp scent of spices overcome me. As I inhale the sharp scent ofspices, my family and I gather the ingredients. While waiting in the checkoutline, I begin to daydream about the soothing taste of Aloo Motor Curry whena sudden click of the cash register jolts me back to the present. 2 minuteslater, we checked out and went home. On Dewali , my family contributes inmany ways in making this magnificent dish on this special day.

When we got back home at 6:15,the ultimate cooking process begins.My mom, my brother, and I get out the supplies and fold the shopping bags.We bake up a storm the following half an hour. As it was nearing 7:00,a burstof temptation was washing over me to eat that delicious treat. Finally theultimate cooking process ended.

Suddenly it was time to eat! Quickly I set the table for dinnerFeeling the cold touch of china. At last , the whole family sat down to dinner.As soon as I heard the clink of spoons I dug in. All at once a burst of reliefcame over me as I swallowed that warm ,creamy, superb, and soothing tasteof Aloo Motor Curry. To eat Aloo Motor Curry has always been a familytradition and always will.


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The Stolen Yellow Dress

- Swati Mahapatra

Once Upon a time, in a far far away land lived a princess named MiaSperry Winkle. She loved dressing up for anything like going to the mall, teaparties, and even for going to bed. Why, one time she had three dresses spunfrom real gold just for a camping trip! But, you must not think of her asspoiled or snooty, for she was a very kind-hearted and loving girl. One time,when she was going for a stroll, in the snow, she saw a beggar shivering. Shetook off her own coat made from the finest rabbit fur and gave it to him.Then, she continued her stroll while it was freezing cold! When Mia got backto the castle, she caught a slight cold but had decided that it was worth itconsidering the good deed done.

Anyway, soon Princess Mia had an important ball coming up. She haddecided to wear one of her special power dresses. She had a pink dress whichsmelled like raspberries and could make berries appear anywhere, a blue onewhich, if you wanted to could make you go to sleep and yellow one whichmade everyone happy. After a lot of thinking, she decided on the yellow onebecause it was so pretty. A day before the ball, Mia sent Rosalie, her maid toget her yellow dress to wash and iron it. Rosalie came back running andscreaming that the dress was gone.

On hearing the terrible news, Mia fainted. Mia woke up with the royalphysician checking her to see if she was alright. On Princess Mia’s orders, thepalace’s best guards to find her dress. The guards searched all around thekingdom. Why they even searched the woods, the houses, and the swamps,but it was not there. In despair, Princess Mia put up an ad for people whowere willing to find Princess Mia’s dress.

An hour later, seven knights lined up at her door. The first one Josephsaid that he would find the dress first and give it to Princess Mia. After that,every knight started saying they will find it first. An argument rose up. Whenthe seven knights were just about to pull out their swords, Mia yelled,”STOP!” Saying this, Mia said that whoever would get back her dress first,would get a reward. Whoever brings back the dress would get a milliondollars.

So off they went, all the brave knights, Sir Joseph, Sir Nicholas, SirPeter, Sir Brad, Sir Arthur, Sir John, and last but certainly not least, Sir Neil.First, they all went to the village, for a village is a very good place to hear

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news that has not reached the palace yet. When they arrived, they heard amilkmaid say that a young man had ran off into the woods carrying a yellowdress, not so long ago.

Off the bold knights went, charging into the forest. Just before theknights went in, they left, going in separate ways to enter the forest.They all searched very hard but Sir Neil noticed something the others had not.In a tree, there was a little wooden knob. He twisted it and a box came out. SirNeil looked inside the box and saw a shimmery sparkly golden yellow dress.Sir Neil leaped on his horse and rode the three miles back to the palace.Princess Mia was so happy when Sir Neil came back with her dress that Miajumped up and threw her arms around him! “Thank you so much!”, yelledMia.

It was then that Sir Neil and Princess Mia fell in love and shared truelove’s first kiss. The rest of the knights came back and received some moneyeven though they had not found the dress because they had worked very hardand the thief who stole Princess Mia’s dress was caught. Sir Neil andPrincess Mia got married and lived happily ever after.


Learning the mother tongue….

alata master 2008l - orissa culture center

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