Archives for August 2021

All Kaal None : Sac of Surpas – Part 1 of the trilogy: a romantic sci-fi thriller of epic proportion

August 29, 2021 by sambit Daspatnaik

Do you want to read a sci-fi book that runs through different timelines and parallel universes? A book that takes you through a journey of a romantic relationship between the purebred rep and his consort sent for a divine purpose? The main protagonist, a hybrid rep oscillates between his supreme and demonic tendencies, hybrid as he is who is tied between his promised one and his destined consort.

So, here’s a romantic sci-fi thriller ‘All Kaal None : Sac of Surpas – Part 1 of the trilogy’, written by Suman, with the pen name PB Flower, that takes you into a roller coaster ride through multiple timelines, parallel universes, time dilation and different civilizations across the space time continuum. The most beautiful part is the way the author explains and refers to the genesis, the preservation and the end of the universe in a contemporary style. The fundamentals on creation, preservation and destruction by the trinity, including several life lessons for individuals and those in relationships are beautifully explained by referring to the ancient Indian Texts such as Shrimad Bhagavatam, the Upanishads and the Puranas with some references to the ancient epics such as the Mahabharata.

The book also questions the dilution of the beings in this universe due to cross breed with reference to the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the galaxies as rendered in the Indian puranas that resulted in the perpetuity of the Devas, referred as Demi-Gods and the degradation of the asuras, also referred as the Demons.

The book covers time through eons. Right through the protagonist’s embryonic development to his utilization of the learnings that he gets in the Shala with a scientific approach in a more realistic and skewed universe, the author has dealt with each aspect in detail. Again, the impartment of learning at the Shala is explained in technical terms and could be very well related to that of the ancient Indian gurukul system.

The romantic sci-fi thriller is unique with the complexity of the relations explained not just due to human limitations, but also due to the factors involving the concept of superior beings, mercreatures, hybrids that are good and those that have demonic intentions and an interesting communication through the galaxies by these so called extra terrestrials. The book also looks at aliens with a very different perspective.

The author has dealt with these concepts in depth, in a unique way and yet kept a racy style in her writings. I could also feel a tinge of Sir Isaac Asimov’s style of writing in certain areas where the readers need to read between the lines.

The part 1 of this trilogy ends with a twist leaving the readers asking for more.

To sum it up, this is a romantic sci-fi thriller of epic proportion available for all to devour that results in a quest for more in its subsequent parts in the trilogy.

The book is available on Amazon.

The Celestine Prophesy – A Spiritual Sojourn

August 8, 2021 by sambit Daspatnaik

I read the book, The Celestine Prophesy by author James Redfield, long time back. And the impressions still remain as one that provides a profound insight into the steps that help reach the spiritual pinnacle in one’s life. The life lessons around spirituality are imbedded through a beautiful fiction. The reader adventures through the rain forests of Peru along with the protagonists to experience this unique journey. I was compelled to compare this work with that of Hermann Hesse who authored the book Siddhartha.

One unique thing about this book is, it is one of the self published books that made it to the number one American #bestseller and now famous all over the world. The author had taken immense effort to publicize and promote his book all by himself. And mind you. This was prior to the time when internet and social media caught up.

This serves as an #inspiration to all #selfpublished authors.

To sum up, it’s a beautiful read for all those seeking #adventure and #spirituality.

Chilika, a Mesmerizing Tourist Spot

August 1, 2021 by sambit Daspatnaik

Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in the world, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over a thousand square kilometer. It is also the largest coastal lagoon in India and wintering ground for migratory birds in the Indian subcontinent and is listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site.

The lagoon hosts over hundreds of species of birds in the peak migratory season from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Kazakhstan, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas. Some of the birds travel as much as nearly 12,000 km to reach Chilika Lake.

The lake has numerous islands. The larger islands, separated by shallow channels, lie between the barrier and the main body of the lake. The six major islands are Parikud, Phulbari, Berahpura, Nuapara, Nalbana, and Tampara.

Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. Nalbana means a weed-covered island In the Odia language. It is a major island in the center of the lake.

Birds’ island, located in the southern sector of the lake has huge exposed hanging rocks. These rocks are naturally painted white due to folic acid of the droppings of the birds and is known primarily for migratory birds in winter. These rocky mountains are known locally as Chadhei Haga Pahada (Mountain covered with Bird’s droppings).

Kalijai Temple located on an island is considered to be the abode of the Goddess Kalijai. This temple is located at a hill which is surrounded by blue waters. Local people of Chilika refer to the Goddess as the reigning deity of the lagoon.

Satapada village, at the new mouth of the lake, provides a splendid view of the Lake and the dolphins.

The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella Brevirostris) is the flagship species of Chilika lake. Chilika is home to the only known population of these dolphins in India and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species. You can witness the dancing and playing dolphins during the boat ride into these parts of Chilika.

Hundreds of boats here provide tours of the lake for tourists. The beautiful scenery in the midst of the lake water surrounded by mountains is just mesmerizing.

Other famous sites in Chilika are:

Parikud: A group of composite islands for nature lovers and provides an avian spectacle during winter season.

Barunkuda, a small island situated near Magarmukh, the mouth of the lake, has a temple of Lord Varuna.

Nabagraha is an ancient deity located along the outer channel.

Chourbar Shiva Temple is located near Alupatna village, along the outer channel.

Sand-Bar and Mouth of the Lake towards the sea is a striking and un-explored stretch of 30 km of empty beach across the sand bar which separates the Lake from the Sea.

Photographs by Sambit Daspatnaik