People are so unaware.. India just doesnt comprise of these metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.. diversity has made India culturally rich but it leads to no ground for Indians to debate about which region is the best in modern times.. its vastness lies in its numerous villages and also smaller cities and township not just the metros.. one such township is my hometown Rourkela, Orissa.. Orissa has been put in the map of history mainly cause of the Kalinga war during King Ashoka's reign.. the aftermath of the war simply changed Ashokas course in life.. he sacrificied his luxurious and kingly life and embraced the path of non-violence and set out in search of 'nirwana' following the footsteps of Lord Buddha..
Orissa is made famous by its 'filigri' work on silver jewellry.. applique work called 'pipli' on wall hangings.. did you know the Sun temple @ Konark rivaled the splendor of the Taj Mahal @ one time.. its largely in ruins now cause of lack of funding for its upkeeps.. but every year it is the center stage of India's largest classical dance festival - Konark Dance Festival (http://dances.iloveindia.com/dance-festivals/konark-dance-festival.html) .. its an experience in itself.. the Shiva temple -'Lingaraja' @ Bhubaneswar is yet another mark of beautiful temple architecture.. and the Jagannath Temple @ Puri and the world famous Rath yatra 'car festival' is celebrated with all pomp and show here..
Orissa's greatest contribution to Indias musical and dance scene is the graceful Odissi dance and Odissi vocal.. in the world of sarees - 'Bomkai' reigns supreme.. then theres Sambalpuri silk.. Ved Vyas was born in the confluence of 3 rivers - Sankh, Saraswati and Koel river.. it is lined by several caves where he once is said to have split the vedas in to 4 and authored Mahabharata.. (http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/orissa/rourkela/sights/vedavyas)
the 'Chillika' lake also a bird sanctuary for several migratory birds has breathtaking views.. among modern architectural structures are the Hirakud Dam which is among worlds largest Dam.. Paradip port handles tones of cargo every year - (http://www.paradipport.gov.in/)
The Rourkela Steel plant(part of Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL)and a Public sector organization) itself is an indo-German collaboration.. Rourkela is a very well planned and green town with the famous Ring road which in a way connects the whole township.. The city itself is flanked by hills on all sides.. City has its own Aerodrome :) and many beautiful parks like Indira Gandhi Park, Jubilee Park,etc and every year winter marks the time for its annual Flower and garden show.. Its the home of 'Hamuman Vatika' - (http://www.rourkela.com/hanuman.html) where the tallest Hanuman statue of 75 feets overlooks the entire vicinity.. home of one of the famous National Engineering College(National Institue of Technology(NIT) - Formerly REC Rourkela).. thats just one among several such educational institution..
Rourkela has its own local TV Channel .. my sister used to be an anchor and news reader and I have performed several times on local TV myself.. highlights of the year used to be the Sangeet Utsav when judges were invited from all across the country.. I actively participated almost every year until it was time to go off to college.. we had several picnic areas in and around Rourkela - Jhilpani, Khadahar, Blue Stone, etc
I can go on and on.. when people scorn me for my being a Rourkellite this is my answer to them.. can you match this kinda contribution of my homestate to any others.. this is just a few.. theres more to where I come from..
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Yeah, the place where one spends his/her childhood is something which one never forgets.I spend my first 16 years in rourkela..Its a great place with great people.
Rourkela has been mainly neglected coz of its far ness frm capital.Its coz of political gimmicks.it has not achived so much.i wish some more industries and college institutions to be set here.
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