Bhala Nani

She is Niyati's eldest sister. Her husband late Niranjan Panda was one of the leading advocates of Balasore for more than 50 years and used to have the best of relations with Niyati and so myself. Always motherly Bhala Nani has strong bonding with her own children and her sibs.

Dr. Nishakar Hota

Nishakar Hota. I attended Nishakar's marriage at Balasore with Rashmikant, Upendra, Hemanta and in my eagerness to show-up during the marriage procession burnt my right hand while trying to light a cracker in my hand. We always maintained a very cordial relationship with Nishakar, his wife and children and continue to maintain and get the due reciprocation till date.

Mausi-Rasmi's mother

Rasmikant's mother. I met her first in 1974 when I came to Balasore while returning back from a Study Tour to Kanke, Ranchi for Psychiatry training in graduation days. We were 3 more excluding myself and Rashmi and I remember the way she treated us with the modest means her husband could afford during our stay of 2 days. Despite the fact that Nalini, Rashmi's wife has taken over the Jatania kitchen for more than a decade and is herself an accomplished cook of delicacies, I still remember the mouth-watering dishes we savoured from this soft-spoken and gorgeous lady. May God provide her a long and hassle-free life.

Dr. Rashmikant Jatania

Rasmikant Jatania. His parents came from Gujurat and setteled down in this town and Rasmikant was my classmate both in graduation and PG days.We are miles apart so far as hobbies and interests are concerned but somehow we are still the best of friends. I have never visited any other class-mates house as many times as I have Rasmi's. I've always loved his parents, particularly his mother for the unconditional love they have showered on me and till date, whenever I visit Balasore, probably I spend more time with Rashmikant and his house than with relations of my in-laws. Rashmikant is now a leading Paediatrician in Balasore and quite well off but still remains the same humble Rashmi to his friends.

Niyati Senapati- my primary connection

I also had a host of other friends and class-mates from Balasore. I got closer to them because of my close proximity to Niyati. But in times to come Rashmikant and Nishakar became almost as close as Niyati. Their photos are to follow.This photograph was taken by Dr. Ajit K Padhy(no Balasore connection) another class-mate at Puri in December 2000.

Niyati Senapati- my primary connection

We met in 1970. From being friends at the Medical College, we fell for each other and got married in 1979 much against the majority wish of her large family of 7 sisters and 2 brothers and nearly a hundred people of close relations in aand around Balasore. Niyati Senapati is the back bone of my Balasore Connection.

My Balasore

I was not born or brought up in Balasore. I never visited or had a chance to be at Balasore till 1974. I was born at Jagatsinghpur in costal Orissa in 1951. Had my basic education there and later went to Berhampur for my graduation in Medicine. Many years later I joined a job in Rourkela Steel Plant and have been staying here for more than 25 years. But when I say "My Balasore", I mean it. Its because I met some one during my graduation who was from Balasore, both decided and got married in 1979 and during 1970 to 1979 I had made as many close friends as strong foes in Balasore. I was a sort of debarred from keeping in touch with Balasore from 1979 to 1986 but from '86 onwards it has been a wonderful,worth-while and fulfilling connection. I love the town, the country-side, the temples, the dishes and the people whom I am in touch with in Balasore. A few snap shots of my Balasore connection with people and places to follow.

Milan and Niyati 12th Feb 2006

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Mother_Son on12th Feb 2006

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Bhauja with Mama on 4th FebruaRY 2006.

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