Documentation of the ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan
Annals of Odisha are enriched with the fabulous ‘Paika’ stories which made Chaakhi Khuntia pass on the Paika martial art to the patriot queen of Jhansi in Chandan Hazury’s disguise. It is irony of fate to find the contemporary Odia students and youths ignorant of such a great Odia culture. Neither they themselves are interested to read the history nor they are encouraged by our state Government. General notion as to the Paika art is confined into the four walls of martial art only ! Few know the full-fledged package encompassed with art of self defece, art of hitting the enemy, cultural proficiency of dance and physical fitness etc. To bring about an awareness on the age old Paika cult among the mass, especially our students and youths, ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’ was born on 25th December 2015 as the brainchild of some social workers and thinkers under the convenership of Shri Murali Manohar Sharma. Numbers of Paika Aakhadas (martial art expositions) have been organized across our state by ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’ since its inception. Beginning from the skill of defence to the fine art of attack and special ‘Mudras’ in Paika dances are exhibited during the course of all such programmes.
Leaving aside the awakening of Paika history and the art in the minds of the present-day youths, social and generous activities have been taking important spaces in the agenda of ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’. Half hazard and wrong medical perception make a sense of fear within us to donate blood. Least that is expected from our Government or charitable organizations is to drive gigantic awareness campaign in the society with regards to the medical necessities at the end of every healthy men and women to donate blood in regular interval. We need badly to remove panic and blind-belief from the peoples’ psyche. Physicians harp on the requirement of blood donation on the part of each healthy individual in order to keep himself or herself healthy in long run. Formation of fresh red blood cells within the body following the blood donation rejuvenates our immune system. Risk factors in high blood pressure are neutralized to a great extent if a hyper-tension sufferer donates blood in every 3-4 months. Thalasemia like diseases ask for regular blood infuse for the patient. So, blood donation by a healthy human being is the only way to save the patients as well as the donors from the clutches of dreaded ailments. ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’ has been creating for awareness and organizing blood donation camps at places round the year from the day 1 of its formation.
Service to mankind is service to God. This age old adage is adhered by the ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’ in letter and spirit. On the auspicious occasions of the birth anniversaries and Punya Tithis of Great Souls, the organization goes for charitable works like dispensing the distressed with warm clothes during winter, mosquito nets and so on.Balancing of ecology and environment has become the need of the hour. With a view to sensitize the youth and students’ community for fortification and improvement of our environment, ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’ has been organizing plantation programmes in public places and educational institution premises of the state. Schools and colleges in Chilka, Khurda, Kuhudi and many places of Odisha have been witnessing these kinds of environment-friendly activities by the ‘Odisha Swaabhimaan’.