Lucid Pictures From Lucid Bhaiya! - Sartaz Ali Barkat

 "I took up Science in 11th Standard, just for fun. But, I soon realized that it isn’t my cup of tea. I was already going through a tough time in my life and I started photography to escape from the troubles. I used to click random pictures and upload them on my personal profile. Lot of people appreciated those pictures and asked me to open a page dedicated to my photography, which I eventually did. I named it “Sartaz Photography".

One of seniors suggested that I should use a unique name for my page. So, I came up with “Lucid Photography”. When I started to gain a little popularity through the page, everyone started approaching me as, “Lucid Bhaiya”. Then, came the username “Lucid Bhaiya”.

Before photography, I was a Jack of all trades. I tried my hands at playing tablas, basketball and cricket, but I left them as soon as I joined. But, with photography, came consistency. It’s been three years now and I am not leaving it anytime soon. 

I absolutely adore Prateek Talreja. He works at a Monginis store in Mumbai. He bought a DSLR randomly and after using it regularly, he became a pro and HOW! Even, Canon sponsored him. I also love Namrata Vedi. She once said, “A person with a camera is just a cameraman, but a person with skills is a photographer”. These guys inspire me and keep me going. I also got to learn a lot from the people who attended my workshop. 

We, a team of photographers, have started a hashtag called “chitramandali”. Once, when in BBSR, a person was standing behind me in queue. I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and he noticed it. He then asked me to use “#chitramandali” for my pictures. When I told him that I am one of the members who initiated the hashtag, he was shook and he praised me. That, literally made my day!

A lot of teenagers feel that photography means having a DSLR. But, it is simply untrue. The fact that I don’t use a DSLR bothers me in no way, because I know photography only requires skills and camera. My phone sufficiently compensates for the latter. Use your talent and whatever resource you have in hand and you are good to go!" – Sartaz Ali Barkat aka Lucid Bhaiya.

Extending Support To The Underprivileged! - Chakradhar Pradhan

 

“In the 80s, education was suppressed due to the ongoing rebellions in the State. The fight had sparked due to the murder of a student. Children belonging to rural areas were majorly affected by this. Since then, it has been my goal to provide quality education to kids who are most exploited. I built an organisation called “Sankalp”, along with a group of advocates, teachers, social workers and 113 students from 9 districts.

We usually enrol Maoists and orphans. To bring them from such challenging backgrounds and help them learn and grow, is a tiring task, which at the end, yields beautiful results. Our children secure first division and go into colleges like Ravenshaw, which is beyond their imagination. Some of them have also started working in companies. Utsa Foundation has also helped us with this. If this is the fruit of our efforts, I don’t mind persevering.

A girl named, Sita Mallick, used to sweep the school premises. While doing her job, she would stand outside the classrooms and learn along with the students. She would also ask the students for their books and read them. One day, she asked me to admit her as a student into the school. Then after, she not only swept the students’ rooms, but also started studying with them.

I feel our foundation helps in eradicating poverty by doing what it does. Seeing our once, unable to understand anything children, evolve into learned people of the society, makes me proud. In this pandemic, I miss all of them so much. From seeing them every single day to not even being able to talk to some of them (due to non-availability of phones), makes me a bit gloomy.” – Chakradhar Pradhan.

 

A Mother's Sacrifice, a widow's memories! -Debaki Mala

“I was a naughty kid- who was encouraged to go to school but I bunked classes with friends to steal mangoes and play kit-kit later. I grew up in a poor family, amid financial and emotional crisis. I was married at 17. Within 11 years, my husband passed away in a tragic accident, right when we were expecting our fourth baby. I had hit my worst.

I had no means of earning, couldn’t educate my kids and spent sleepless nights for months- how to raise 4 little kids, how to survive all on my own- there seemed no way. There were days when I had to go without a meal a day even, just so my kids could eat half a bread. (A bad habit I developed then which, in fact, saved me was having paan. I can stay without rice but not without paan for days.) The pit was so shallow- I would run to the village’s main river and often think of jumping off the barrage; the thought of my children was the only thing that prevented me from ending my life in those dark days. I’m almost 70 today and I can still say the happiest part about my life had only been the 12 years of my marriage. 

However, I am so proud of myself that I’m alive today, my children are settled somehow and I would just say this to every reader- ‘Whenever you think your circumstances are impossible, they're not. Take my word- YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS ONLY WHEN YOU’RE WILLING TO STAY TOUGH. Do not believe otherwise.’ “- Debaki Mala

Watercolor Master! - Raghunath Sahoo

"Today, I am called “Watercolor Master” by the public. After completing my school, I joined Art and Craft College, BBSR and thus, began the journey of the artist within me. Art has been my passion since the very beginning. My interest kept growing as I indulged myself in it more and more. My Maa played a major role in making me an artist. She always encouraged me, even when I knew only little about art. 

In college, I got a fair idea of what art truly is. Then after, I started freelancing. I didn’t take up a job because I knew that doing so would ruin my career as an artist. Even now, just to hold on to art, I work as a freelancer in BBSR. 

I, indeed, have a put a lot of efforts in achieving perfection in my art by using water colors. The biggest challenge in using this medium is that you cannot rectify anything, even when your painting goes wrong. You have to work with what you have. 

I only work on subjects which make me happy. I also have received many awards, but it doesn’t hold much importance in my life. My audience likes what I do and that’s enough for me. Now, if I ask you who won the Nobel Prize last year, you may not know this, though it is the most prestigious award in the world. Thus, awards may give you temporary happiness, but when people uphold you in their hearts, that’s going to keep you smiling lifelong. 

I used to run an art institute, but I eventually stopped because, when the child goes to 9th or 10th standard, parents give greater importance to the school education and stop the child from continuing art. All the years of efforts put by the child and I ultimately goes in vain. Even if the child is eager, parents decide for him and put an end to his art learning. 

To my young artists, I would like to say that keep working hard. Choose a medium for your art and work on it with resilience. For me, it was water colors and now, I am called “Watercolor Master”. Everything will fall into place, just keep pursuing!" – Raghunath Sahoo.

Superdadi at 96! -Parbati Pattnaik

 

“My family did not have a girl child for 3 generations, until they were blessed with me. Now it seems like those 3 generations’ lifetime has been bestowed upon me- of which I don’t know what to do anymore. My superpower at 96 today is, I can still read the Bhagavad Gita naked eyed and walk without a stick. I’m the oldest in this village and have already witnessed generations! 

As a child, my father never let me ‘sit without the feathers’. I was his favourite child among all my 5 siblings. I went to school when I was ten for 4 years of education, in those days. Bapa used to wait outside my school so he could carry me home on his firm shoulders.

I was married off at 19 and have had a happy life with my beloved. He’s gone what seems like a long time, and I cannot wait to meet him on the other side of this world.” -Parbati Pattnaik

Feeding cattle to Football! -Tanuja Bage

 “I studied till matric in Jharsuguda and had always been a sports enthusiast during school, always the first at participating in Running and other events. Soon, I developed a keen interest in Football, started working on my skills and made it to the district level. I met the football team, loved the aura and kept persistent with my practices. I gradually made it to National level in Football and Rugby, with my hard work. I have also been on Trekking in my younger years. 

Sporting and athletics had become so important for me that I never backed out from any opportunity that knocked on my doors, no matter what. I’ve played national level football in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Manipur and other states; Rugby in Agra and Trekked from Konark to Gopalpur. I’ve been to many places outside my state and it’s been a pleasurable experience.

When I first got posted as a Home Guard, I used to sneak out many times, since I wasn’t permitted to continue sports. I soon lost my job as well as my training team then- the way I had my feet in 2 boats. I came back to my village and accepted this life. 

I had no hopes to any scope left for my sport career now that it had been years since I’m in my village, with my family of three, earning out of cattle and livestock, labor and wage work. This opportunity of Sir and his team (Prasant Ku Pradhan, Biswajit Pradhan, Pratyush Panda, Narendra Mohapatra, Ajit Panigrahi) tracking me down and offering me to be a trainer to coach future enthusiasts in my field feels like a Godsent divulging boon. Now I can better drill myself as well as ten other dreamers. 

I’ve already received 10 kits to practice and train the tribal kids here and start off as what seems like approaching my one dream job. I shall be preparing for my examinations soon to become the first Woman coach of the National football team. I feel very blessed and I’ll keep delivering my skills to my future students and I envision to make them the finest players to the best of my knacks. 

Oh, and here’s my little girl who loves to play too and I’ll proudly guide her to become a second Tanuja!” -Tanuja Bage

Selfless Service, even at 80! -Bidyadhar Sahoo

 “I’m an 80-year-old retired teacher, having served for the past 33 years. In 1995, I was awarded by the Government for years of social service and education impartment, post which I embraced my retirement in 1997.

Since a 9th grader, I was religiously involved in social service from local to national levels and participated in organizing awareness seminars and discussion camps on health, education, agriculture, blood donation, etc. Through the Indian Government Labor and Welfare Ministry encampment set-ups, we have collectively imparted knowledge to wage workers and laborers, in more than 100 villages through Govt and Non-Govt professional experts. Govt officials and NGOs that came forward to relief the cause is beyond my gratefulness. 

In August ‘10, Late Kiranbala Pattnaik and her daughter Sruti Pattnaik’s inspiration, aid and support encouraged me to open our ‘Little Twinkle Academy’, an English-medium school, in Kalana village of Jajpur. It is a Government recognized school- today- accommodating 155 students, from Nursery to Standard 8th, and 16 teaching staff.

 I run the school in my own home, amidst natural environment. Sruti Pattnaik [our Trust’s President] advises, enlightens and assists us in smooth functioning of our institute, while staying abroad.

Due to ignorance of villagers, some gem students from poor parents are lost in the crowd. We, at LTA, educate and empower them free of cost. Apart from education, we lay stress on their extra curriculum including music, yoga, taekwondo, computer facilities, etc. Our children perform Street Drama on important topics of social evil. We celebrate festivals, conduct exhibitions for kids to show their talent. To inspire our little learners, we felicitate respectable identities at our annual functions. 

Education is at halt today because of the pandemic and I majorly miss my children. I believe, servants and their service is limitless; helping is a godly act. My service has been exclusively experiential and jotting it down here would be difficult. Time’s calling and impending opportunities are such a welcome.” -Bidyadhar Sahoo

Duty Comes First! - PK Pattnaik

 

“I work as the Chief Nodal Officer in the Covid hospital that KIMS has volunteered to run on the request of the Honourable CM. Physically, my team and I usually work for 12 hours, but mentally, it feels like a 24*7 job. We have to be on our toes any time an emergency arises and be alert and remain dedicated to the job all the time, as there is no alternative to this. 

The one memory that I will always cherish, even after the battle ends, would be when I gave my first motivational speech to the doctors and nurses. It felt as if I was preparing a regiment of soldiers, going into war. They were a bunch of youngsters with a long life ahead of them. They didn’t know the magnitude of risk that was going to befall them. But, they were eager and passionate to fulfil their duties. Their courage and sacrifice was also acknowledged by the IAF when they sent helicopters to shower flowers on them. 

My wife and I, we both work at KIMS. She looks after the Post-Graduation Education of the college. Though we both are elderly and hence, are exposed to the age risk attached to Covid-19, our family has never discouraged us from performing our responsibility. They rather applaud us by referring to us as their inspiration. 

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Besides all the precautions that we should take, if we are able to empathize with our fellow citizens, then that is patriotism in its purest form. We don’t have to stand on the border with a gun to be called a ‘’patriot’’. We all may make donations to the various Relief Funds, but we fail to help someone who is in need, right in front of our eyes. When we look 50 metres around ourselves, we are sure to find some underprivileged people. We can all come together to help them and when we see them smile, that would be more than enough!” –  Major General Pradeep Kumar Pattnaik.

There Is Always Light At The End Of The Tunnel - Shivanee Tripathy

TRIGGER WARNING : Sexual Abuse

"After my parents' divorce, when I was less than 4, my grandparents raised me. My father was not to be blamed because he still does not know what a divorce means as he had impaired hearing since birth and couldn't complete school education after 7th Grade because education system for differently abled wasn't that advanced during his time and he had been a victim of bullying numerous times.

So, while he still continued to remain a child at heart and had to undergo divorce because my mother wanted a new life, my grandparents took charge of raising me. They nurtured me relentlessly with  love, compassion and support that I probably will never be able to repay no matter what. Mama ( my grandmother) was very fond of my voice so she put me into classical singing just after I started school . I used to ace all the music competitions and her happiness knew no bounds. 

 I was sexually abused by my music teacher for more than a year when I was 9 till I was running 11. And meanwhile, my father was also undergoing another divorce from my stepmother who never really was involved in a significant way for me to talk about things that were affecting me mentally. So till I was 11, I had been a victim of sexual abuse by multiple people including relatives and a domestic help.

I was utterly confused with what was going on. At first, I did not understand why these things were happening to me when nobody was around and next when I figured that these things were wrong, I did not know how to address and whom to address about these matters with the fear that maybe I will be held responsible. These incidents resulted in deep seated scars within me for years. I had developed difficulty speaking up about things even the kinds children around me could talk about like for instance,  I hated how our Maths teacher would just hop on to next chapters by taking feedback from people who were already good in Maths. So everytime I failed in maths, my grandparents were ashamed of me and I would just promise them to do better next time while neither them nor I could see what was demanding serious attention.

With challenges like, losing Mama at 13, being an average student and carrying a heavy bag of trauma with you around for years which made you look just stupid, I managed to pass my 10th grade with a 52 in Maths and I got a national scholarship in classical music. I burnt the scholarship renewal and that was the end of classical music for me, for good.

One day, my aunt suggested that I should opt for Humanities and take Psychology. My life took a strange turn. I was suddenly so much into it that the journey from my 11th grade till MPhil in Clinical Psychology was a result of pure interest and passion. This field made me revisit all my unresolved conflicts that I was carrying with me before and I was inclined to analyze them and give closure to them over the period of 10 years I spent with Psychology and more to come hopefully.

It's not like challenges ended when I chose this subject out of curiosity. Challenges, losses and rejections felt more natural. Spending time with myself didn't appear like loneliness that needed mending. And lastly, mindfully observing growth and being patient was a warm embrace.Because understanding a human mind introduces you to introspection and compassion for yourself and others.Which eventually let's you understand the value of a choice :) " - Shivanee Tripathy. 

From a Migrant Worker to a National Sensation - Duleshwar Tandi

 

“I belong to a small village of Kalahandi. In our village, we always had dramas and plays being performed on stage. Through all this, I developed passion for acting and singing. I refined this passion by participating in numerous competitions at school.

While pursuing Chemistry Honours, I began writing stories for magazines and eventually, tried my hand at rapping. I loved it and wanted to continue with it lifelong. But, I didn’t have enough money to continue higher education, hence, I went to Raipur in search of work. I started working at a hotel. I had to pay no rent and got free food. Rapping had become secondary amidst all the work, but it was always on my mind.

Just before the lockdown started, I returned back home and posted a rap video on my Facebook page. The next day, since the morning, I was picking up appreciation calls from people all across the country. I was overwhelmed and so was my family. Celebrities like Vishal Dadlani, Swara Bhaskar, Rekha Bharadwaj, Priyanka Chopra, Raftaar and Divine acknowledged me either via posts on social media or calls. Moreover, Rana Daggubati called up and said, “Come to Hyderabad! I am sending a car for you”. I am so thankful to these people for their kindness.

Currently, I am being offered quite a number of projects. But, I don’t want to do a rap which objectifies women in any way. In our country, such raps are viral, though undignifying. I am not going to let down my mannerisms for any amount of money. Moreover, I am denying projects from Bollywood because I want to represent the poor and underprivileged. I am just waiting for the right one to come my way! ” – Duleshwar Tandi aka Dule Rocker