Book Description

The simple wedding ceremonies of yore have given way to ‘events’ that are as mind-boggling in their choice of themes as they are extravagant when it comes to the costs involved. And this begs the question… is it really necessary to go so over the top, often at the expense of traditions and at the risk of incurring wastage? Our Cover Story for this edition takes a long, hard look at this trend and tries to come up with some answers. For long decades, football struggled to find a place in the minds of India’s sports lovers, overshadowed as it was by the more glamorous and mass-appeal-generating game of cricket. This has changed, albeit slowly, in recent years with a new breed of footballers led by the iconic Sunil Chhetri trying to power Indian football to new heights. In City Sports, we take a look at some key factors responsible for this transformation, including the institutional support that is being provided by the government of Odisha. Winters in Odisha may not be as extreme as in some of India’s northern states but the season still brings with it its share of skin problems. In a special feature in City Health, we talk to experts to bring you some practical skincare tips to deal with this weather. Amid a long list of negatives and controversies, it is refreshing to see winds of positive change weep through the Odia entertainment industry, guided by some immensely talented artists from different disciplines. One such individual is Lipika Singh Darai, who was among the 10 chosen for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Breakthrough India. Read more about Lipika and the BAFTA initiative in Screen Shots. A recent musical collaboration between Odia and Assamese artists not only set foottapping but also turned the spotlight firmly on singer Achurjya Borpatra. In Screen Shots, he tells us how the project took shape; he also shares his joy at how the song has touched so many hearts in both states. The section also features the latest series of Savdhaan India, a TV show based on real-life crime stories, which is being shot in Odisha with cast and crew from the state. Arjya Patnaik, who is spearheading this initiative, talks to us about what inspired her to bring the shoot to Odisha.