A clever solution - by Madhusudan Das!!

 Tomorrow is Madhusudan Das 's death anniversary which happens to be my father's birth anniversary. So, narrating an incident that shows how he used his inherent qualities in favour of people of Odisha. 

A destitute old woman once sought justice from Madhusudan Das. Her plight was dire: a village landlord had seized her only possession, a small plot of land bordering the village road. Madhu Babu, known for his compassion, reassured her, promising to visit her village soon.

The following day, Madhusudan Das arrived in his horse-drawn cart. Near the old woman's disputed land, he instructed his driver to dig a pit. As his cart approached the pit, the wheel became deliberately ensnared. Madhu Babu then summoned the villagers. Feigning distress, he inquired whose land had caused him this trouble.

To everyone's astonishment, the landlord, eager to distance himself from any accusation, pointed at the old woman and declared, "It's hers!" Seizing this moment of unwitting admission, Madhusudan Das promptly drew up legal documents transferring ownership of the land to the old woman. He then presented the papers to her, securing her rightful claim.

This incident exemplifies Madhusudan Das's cleverness and wit, qualities he employed to uplift the marginalized and ensure justice prevailed, even against powerful adversaries.

My favourite poem from Madhusudan Das is as below with its english translation,

Tu para bolau

Utkal Santan ?

Tebe kimpa tuhi bhiru !

Tohar Janani

Rodan karile

Kahibaku kimpa daru ?

To' purbapurushe

Bira paniare

Labhithile kete khyati

Hakima nikate

Dukha kahibaku

Kimpa thare tora chhati ?

To purbapurushe

Jaya karithile

Ganga tharu Godavari,

Tankari aurase

Janma hoi tuhi

Keun gune tanku sari ?

Tu mane bhabuchhu

toshamada kari

Badhaibu Jatiman

Toshamadiara

Kukura prakruti

Aintha patare dhyan.

Jatira unnati

hebakire bhai

Swarthaku Jagat mani ?

Godar godare

maunsa lagile

Deharaki subha gani ?

Jatira unnati

se kahin kariba

Swarthe jar byasta mana

Shaguna bilua

Chikitschak hele

Saba ki paiba prana!!

It's English translation 

This is a poem by the Odia poet Madhusudan Das. It is a patriotic poem that calls on the people of Odisha to be proud of their heritage and to work for the betterment of their state.

Here is a translation of the poem into English:

"You call yourself a son of Utkal?

Why are you so afraid?

When your mother weeps,

Why are you afraid to speak?

Your ancestors

In the midst of war

Achieved great fame,

Why does your chest tremble

To speak of your sorrows

To the rulers?

Your ancestors

Conquered lands

From the Ganga to the Godavari,

Having been born of their lineage,

What qualities do you possess

That make you forget them?

You think

That by flattery

You will increase your status,

But the nature of a flatterer

Is like that of a dog

Whose attention is fixed on stale food.

How will the nation progress, my brother,

If you consider only your own interests?

If you apply ointment to a wound

But do not care for the root cause,

Will the body be truly healed?

How can one

Who is preoccupied with his own selfish interests

Work for the progress of the nation?

Even if a jackal or a cat

Pretends to be a physician,

Will it be able to save anyone's life?"

The poem is a powerful call to action. It urges the people of Odisha to be proud of their heritage and to work for the betterment of their state. It also warns against the dangers of selfishness and flattery.

The poem is still relevant today. It reminds us that we should be proud of our heritage and that we should work for the betterment of our community. It also warns us against the dangers of selfishness and flattery.

Why worry??

 I was talking to a friend today, and it struck me how much things have changed. I remembered a time when I was anxious about the future, and this same friend had simply told me, "Why worry?" Now, they're saying it will be hard to say goodbye if we meet again because of all the memories we share. It's true – I haven't forgotten those memories over the years; they've become a part of me, almost a lesson in detachment, like a higher education in life itself. I couldn't say anything but agree.

It's a strange blessing, this lingering care that I can't quite feel yet. I'm grateful for it, though. I wanted to express my thanks, but I didn't want to make things awkward, so I kept quiet.

I also learned to perform a personal SWOT analysis. Using a spreadsheet, I would document my capabilities and limitations. Looking back, I smile at my own methods for navigating life's challenges.

A token of gratitude!!

 So much of what we receive in life comes from others. We can't possibly repay it all: a smile from a stranger, a kind compliment, a listening ear from a friend, support when we're down, the unconditional love of our parents, the care of a partner, a child's loving hug. These gifts are freely given. Gratitude isn't hard, but we all have days when we forget to appreciate them.