When was the last time you walked down a beach, or a street, or even your neighborhood park without coming across plastic wrappers and bags strewn around carelessly? And, what are the chances that you don’t remember? As we observe Earth Day on April 22, our Cover Story takes a deep dive into the seemingly disparate but inexorably intertwined aspects around the theme for this year, ‘Plastic vs Planet’. We also bring you the silver lining - while the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever, there are many whose passion is driving them to make a difference. As electioneering picks up for the Lok Sabha and Odisha Vidhan Sabha elections, there is one person whose presence will be deeply missed. 2024 will be the first time in many decades that veteran politician Dr Damodar Rout’s personality will not loom large on the state’s political scene. In CityZen, we explore the life and times of the veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader who passed away recently. We also bring you the inspirational journey of Amiyabala Parida and her transformation from a professor to a social activist. In a candid conversation, she opens up about how losing two of the closest members of her family to road accidents changed her outlook towards life in general and society in particular. Mention Teletubbies to anyone who grew up in the 90s and, more often than not, it will bring a smile to their face as fond memories come alive. No reference to the iconic British TV show can be complete without a mention of the Sun Baby whose character looms large over the Teletubbies universe. In a Q&A session, we catch up with Jessica Smith, who played the baby-faced sun, as she talks about how the show happened, her own baby, and the legacy of Teletubbies. In Screen Shots, we zoom in on two Odias who are aspiring to make a mark in Tollywood. Having been cast in a Telugu film boasting of some big names from the industry, Dr Devika Priyadarshini and Abhi Nag talk about how it feels to land a film starring superstar Anushka Shetty. The section also features emerging Odia actor Prasanjeet Mahapatra who has left a mark in the handful of films he has been a part of so far. The 30-year-old talks to us about the success of his latest film and the projects lined up in future.

June 4, 2024 brought about what can safely be described as a tectonic shift of sorts in Odisha politics. Naveen Patnaik, who governed the state as Chief Minister since 2000, saw his party – the Biju Janata Dal – lose its grip on power after 24 long years. His legacy, however, is set to endure, much like that of his father, the late Biju Patnaik. Our Cover Story tries to summarize the phenomenon that is Naveen Babu, as he is fondly addressed by many. Music is the universal language of mankind, famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote way back in 1835. This holds true even today, decades of evolution and experimentation notwithstanding. June 21 will be observed as World Music Day. In City Lights, we bring you a special feature on the music of Odisha, tracing its journey over the last few decades and how it is changing, thanks to the transformative effect of technology as well as social media. With the summer sun blazing down, it is extremely important to take steps to keep your skin safe. From cleansers to moisturizers, there are solutions galore these days, but it is a good idea to figure out what works best for you. Head to the City Fashion section to find out more. With climate change and environmental sustainability becoming the buzzword, there is a need to take a closer look at some concerns which generally tend to go unnoticed. Among these are diapers and sanitary pads – they take several years to decompose once they end up in landfills. Encouraging the use of eco-friendly material may be a way out to deal with this challenge. Read all about it in City Green. While on the subject of a greener tomorrow, we also look at how cycling promotes the well-being not just of an individual but also the planet as a whole. City Health brings you some interesting insights on this. The CBSE Class 10 and 12 results were announced recently. In Campus Buzz, we catch up with some of the toppers from the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack; they share their secret recipe for success.

The recent exercise of their democratic rights by the voters of Odisha brought about a sea-change in the composition of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The power equation shifted decisively – the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is out of power after 24 years and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formed its first government in the state. With Mohan Charan Majhi assuming office as Chief Minister, our Cover Story brings you snapshots of members of the Odisha Council of Ministers. In a few weeks’ time, it will be 25 years since our soldiers drove out Pakistan-backed intruders from Kargil in what would go down in history as one of the most valiant operations of the Indian Armed Forces in recent times. In City Lights, we salute the bravehearts who secured the famous victory, including eight from Odisha whose names are among those etched at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass. This year’s Rath Jatra, which will be celebrated on July 7, will be a special occasion as history repeats itself after 53 years, thanks to a rare combination of events last witnessed in 1971. As our special feature explains, this year’s celebrations will span two days, July 7 and July 8, and the authorities have made extra arrangements to deal with the large number of devotees who are expected to descend on the temple town of Puri. The summer of 2024 was one of the harshest in recent memory, but the misery has now been washed away by the rains, which have come pouring down in abundance. The cadence of the raindrops falling brings with it an outpouring of emotions, of memories of the years gone by. Read more about them in City Tales. While on the theme of rains, we thought it would be a good idea to explore some monsoon getaways across Odisha. City Travels has all the interesting details. At the same time, a special feature in City Health provides some useful tips to stay safe amidst the inevitable outbreak of diseases during the monsoons. Odisha cricket has been living on hope for many years now, with poor representation of state cricketers at the national level. In City Sports, we catch up with a former cricketer-turned-coach and a current Ranji Trophy player to get a sense of where Odisha cricket is headed. Our regulars in this edition include City Beat, City Biz, and ScreenShots.

The past few weeks have seen the political temperatures shoot up as parties launch a no-holds-barred campaign for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are campaigning vigorously; the Congress hopes it will improve on its 2019 performance. The entry of several political heavyweights into the electoral fray has only added to the sense of anticipation and excitement. In our Cover Story, we provide you a bird’s eye view of all that is happening on the political front. From high-profile battles to contrasting political ideologies and diverse electoral planks, these elections promise variety and excitement all the way. When she started off as an architect in a profession traditionally dominated by men, few around her would have thought that Neha Jain would one day bring laurels to Odisha. Selected for the prestigious ‘Golden Door Award’, Neha joins us for a Q&A session that provides an insight into her initial years and her expectations for the future now that she has made a mark for herself. As the mercury soars, there’s nothing like a tall glass of something cool to help you pull through a gruelling day! And if that something is natural, it will likely cool you down more efficiently than the soft drinks available in your neighbourhood market. So, head to our Food & Wines section for recipes of some traditional, natural coolants to beat the heat. Should you choose to explore the city properly, Cuttack has this innate ability to surprise; the city and its people can hold you in a spell through the sheer range of experiences and emotions that they embody. In City Culture, we go on a quaint journey of the senses as we get talking to Ayejaz Patel, a perfume maker whose life sounds as mystical as the fragrances he helps bring to life. Technological evolution is a continuous process, as is the pursuit of perfection in a specific field. Decades after we read about them in books and saw them in movies, the creation of the perfect personal robot is something that can best be described as ‘work in progress’. In this edition, we take a deep dive into the world of robotic technology, speaking to experts and tech enthusiasts about where the world stands when it comes to personal robots who can assist and enable human beings across a variety of functions.

Seventy-five years is a short time in the history of a city. In the case of Bhubaneswar, however, this has been enough for its evolution from a sleepy and thinly-populated but neatly laid out state capital to a modern and bustling city that is now a centre of commerce, education, and sports. In our Cover Story, we trace the early years of Bhubaneswar's existence, its anointment as state capital, and the subsequent decades that have shaped the city into what it is today. Dreams have a way of coming true if one perseveres and works hard. City Biz brings you the story of two women who came together with a shared passion to preserve and promote the dying art of Odisha's handloom through their brand, Hatbunai. City Biz also features Charkha, a homegrown fashion label that is traditional and modern at the same time. The City Lights section brings you snapshots from the global trade show, Resurgent Odisha 2024, and the launch of a coffee table book on Bhubaneswar. Trying to achieve meaning and joy in life is often an unending quest in a fast-paced world. A book on Ikigai, the Japanese expression for a passion that gives value and joy to life, tries to help readers rediscover the purpose of living. Read more about it in City Literature. With September 8 being celebrated as World Physiotherapy Day, City Health takes a closer look at this modern medical science and the remedies it can offer. Our CityZen for this edition is a person who is fondly referred to as the “Radio Man” and it is not too difficult to understand why once you visit his small shop tucked away in the bylanes of Cuttack. Afzal bhai, who has dealt with audio products for over 40 years, talks about his repair business, the challenges he faces, and what keeps him going. In ScreenShots, we catch up with three talented Odia artistes who were associated with one of the biggest box office blockbusters that Bollywood has produced - Stree 2. Associate Editor Madhubrata Mohanty, foley artist Varun Visoi, and focus puller Saroj Kumar Sahoo give a peek into what went on behind the scenes during the film's making. They also open up about their experience in the film industry. Meanwhile, movie buffs who are unsure about what to watch next on streaming platforms can turn to Cityflix.

As the world observes International Women’s Day on March 8, we zero in on a motley group of women who have emerged as beacons of hope for thousands of others, acting as a formidable force to catalyse some much-needed change. Through their efforts, they have inspired thousands of women around them. Our Cover Story for this edition looks at the work being done by these four women to further female empowerment at the grass-roots community level. India heads to the next general elections for the Lok Sabha soon and there is an unmissable air of anticipation about what has often been described as the biggest festival of democracy in the world. A recent Supreme Court judgement striking down the electoral bonds scheme has, however, turned the spotlight firmly on the issue of funding for political parties. In City Affairs, we take a close look at the scheme and what the Supreme Court verdict means. Amidst all the talk of what it takes to be fit and healthy, we often ignore the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. One only has to look at science to understand the benefits that this brings to a person. Our City Health section brings you a sharp insight into the role sleep plays in our mental as well as physical well- being. As the state tableau rolled down the Kartavya Path during this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi, the hearts of Odias across the world swelled with pride as it depicted Odisha’s rich heritage. It went on to win the first prize among tableaus from states and union territories. In CityZen, we feature Kirti Kumar Moharana, the man whose vision shaped this year’s tableau; he talks about what went on behind the scenes and the high points of this endeavour. This Women’s Day, get ready for a film that seeks to decipher the complex expectations from life through the experiences of three individuals navigating difficult, and different, circumstances. ‘Trikanya’ seeks to delve deep into the psyche of these three as they go about realising their unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. Read all about the film in Screen Shots. We also review ‘Mast Mein Rehne Ka’, a film that is as light-hearted as it is meaningful. City Flix brings you all the high points from this offbeat take on life that encapsulates a roller coaster of emotions.

The Union Budget 2024-25 presented in Parliament on July 24, 2024 has a sharp focus on employment, skilling, and manufacturing. The comprehensive strategy outlined in the Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lays a clear emphasis on driving economic growth while ensuring social welfare and bringing about inclusive development at the same time. Our Cover Story for this edition breaks down the budget document to explain what it holds for the future of the country. When it comes to safeguarding the rich cultural heritage and legacy of western Odisha, there is one person whose efforts over the years have the potential to inspire many others. In City Lights, we turn the spotlight on Rajat Kumar Panigrahi of Nuapada district and his stellar contribution towards preservation of the region's indigenous art forms. July 14, 2024 will go down as a day of considerable significance in the contemporary history of Lord Jagannath's Sri Mandir in Puri. The temple's sacred treasury, the Ratna Bhandar, was opened after 46 years. City Lights brings you all the information about the entire process as well as the history of the Ratna Bhandar. Eco-friendly substitutes to plastic are all the buzz in an era where sustainability is becoming a dire necessity. Not surprisingly, there are several examples of individuals as well as organisations coming forward with their own contribution to a circular economy. City Biz catches up with an entrepreneur whose start-up produces a wide range of sustainable items. Attending the 26th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26) in November, 2021, India announced its target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. In line with this commitment, India set up the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023. A special feature sheds more light on this initiative and its critical role. The rainy season is a challenging phase when it comes to skincare, with humidity, wet spells, and fluctuating temperatures all acting as negative contributing factors. In Fashion & Beauty, we bring you some useful tips to keep the monsoon blues at bay. Odisha is renowned for its heritage and culture as well as its natural beauty. There is, however, another aspect about the state that is not talked about as often as it deserves to be - its cuisine. We bring you some not -to-be-missed monsoon recipes so that you can sit back and enjoy the rains with your favourite dish!