Browsing Category
ELECTION TREASURE TROVE
Grandfather of matinee idol was Law Minister of Odisha
By Swaraj Mishra*
Popular film stars entering politics has started in Odisha for quite sometime now. But it is curious to know that the paternal grandfather of Aparajita Mohanty, one of the most popular matinee idols of the state, was…
The Minister who cycled his way to office
By Swaraj Mishra*
Kantakabi Laxmikant Mohapatra, the famous poet who penned 'Bande Utkal Janani' is revered all over Odisha not only for his literary works, but also for the stellar roles his family members have played in the state…
Cakewalk for Mahatab in Angul
By Swaraj Mishra*
The 1962 Lok Sabha elections from Odisha saw two extremes. The closest ever Lok Sabha contest in Kendrapara and a no contest in Angul. While all other Lok Sabha constituencies in the State were witnessing very close…
Student-teacher fight
By Swaraj Mishra*
We all know Dr. Bansidhar Panda, the famous industrialist from Odisha, who founded Indian Metal and Ferro Alloys (IMFA), which is a major player in the Ferro Alloys sector in India. Though Dr. Panda had never entered…
Sadashibaya Namah! The revenue minister who lost 100 acres of his own land for implementing land…
By Swaraj Mishra
If you talk about politicians who have influenced the course of Odisha politics from 1937 till date, you would be inadvertently taking several names of 'Lord Shiva', " Biswanath', 'Sadashiv', 'Nilakantha','Lingaraja',…
Clash of titans in epic electoral battle of Ekamra: Mahatab vs Biju
By Swaraj Mishra*
Bhubaneswar, popularly known as Ekamra Kshetra, is the abode of Lord Shiva. Puranas tell us how Shiva and Parvati had descended on this place to rest under the shade of a lone mango tree (Eka Amra) and made it their…
Ayurvedic doctor and film producer storms into Odisha Assembly
By Swaraj Mishra*
Career in medicine, entertainment industry or politics have one thing in common. Once you succeed, public support comes to you in extraordinary measure. In fact, these are fields connected with some basic needs of the…
Fight between two generations of women leaders: Malati vs Nandini
By Swaraj Mishra*
They represented two different generations. Almost like mother and daughter. One was a staunch Gandhian and a relentless fighter for the rights of the oppressed, respected as a Mother figure all over Odisha, Malati Devi…
Gajapati Maharaja of Puri in Khurda electoral battle
By Swaraj Mishra*
"Tawp tawp, tawp tawp, Ghoda Chale, Ghoda Chale,
Bhara Di'pahara khara bele..."
These lines from Akshaya Mohanty's popular number immediately conjures up the images of the Kanchi expedition of the Gajapati Maharaja of…
He caught the fish for others to eat, but …
By Swaraj Mishra*
There is a popular saying in Odia referring to the 'Fishing Net'. It catches all the fish, but can't eat any itself. Something like that happened in case of the renowned academician and freedom fighter Pandit Nilakantha…