I am Gitanjali Patnaik, who belongs to Bhubaneswar. The name of my father was late Gurucharan Patnaik. My grand father used to stay in Janla of Bhubaneswar and he was a farmer. Thus Janla was our ancestral village. I came to Bhubaneswar when I was reading in class six. My father was having two brothers and one sister. My father was serving in CBI as a police officer. I have two bothers and six sisters. We are settled in Bhubaneswar and all of us have retired from different jobs and living happily in Bhubaneswar.
I have one daughter and son. While my daughter is working as legal head of OTV, my son is working as a computer engineer in a computer farm in Bhubaneswar. I am staying with them in my house together at Sahid Nagar. I also run a small play school for kids in Sahidnagar out of my campus. This gives me immense joy and I pass my time without worries and stress.
My date with Bhubaneswar dates back to more than 50 years. I have studied here, settled for some time, left the city with my husband and moved to different locations ( as he was a Civil Servant) during his service. Later when my husband died of cardiac arrest I came back to Bhubaneswar to settle here permanently. I was born in Kalahandi in the year 1953.
As my father was in a job which was having all India transferability, I changed schools too often. I started my schooling in Puri and then I shifted to Janla school soon after one year. When I was sure that my father is getting transferred I moved on to join DM school in Bhubaneswar. I completed 11th class in 1967.
I joined SB womens’s college for one year and then joined SCS college. I completed my graduation in 1972. I got married. I used to move with him to different cities. When my husband was a collector in Cuttack, I went to a college as guest and later found that college was offering master’s degree in Home science. I was tempted to continue my studies and my husband always supported my education. Hence I joined the college and completed my masters.
I was always into some kind of profession. As I used to move with my husband, I made it a point to do jobs with various organizations, whenever I got a chance. When I was in Delhi I worked as a teacher in Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan.
I started my career with Rs 300/ per month and was getting Rs Rs 50,000/- per month at the time of my retirement. This incremental growth could have been more had I continue to work without taking a break in my career.
I completely shifted to Bhubaneswar in 1990, after death of my husband. Prior to that I was also a part and parcel of this city, as I frequented this city very often. During 1962, the road was not very developed. City bus was playing from unit-1 to DM school. Raj Mahal was still a very small square. Khanduali temple existed at that time.
The current house was constructed in the year 1984 and Sahid nagar wore a deserted look. But water connection was installed. By 1990, the city was completely developed.
The city wear a deserted look. The cost of many articles were cheap but they were still unaffordable to many, as circulation of money was short in supply. Bus regularly ply between Cuttack to Bhubaneswar. The cost of ticket was around 2 to 3 rupees. A Saree cost Rs 300 to 400 rupees. A second hand car cost Rs 30,000 and 10gm gold cost 900 rupees.
I used to go to Keshari Talkies and cost of ticket was around 10 to 15 rupees. There was one hall in old town which was known as Rupa mandira. I have also gone there to watch movies. In our times Debananda was very popular as a Hero.
The land cost was rs 10,000 in Sahid nagar. But the cost has gone up to not less than 10.00 cr. At that point of time people were still linked and sharing responsibility in neighbourhood. But it has now died down. No one is interested to spend time with neighbor. Even if you go there, you won’t get any response as every one is busy in their own world. No one is having time to spare with others.
Old Bhubaneswar was having beautiful wind. The breeze was cool and enjoyable. People wanted to enjoy the wind on rooftop. But around 1990, the breeze completely disappeared. There was no burglary. Even girls used to roam freely on streets and come home late. There was one police station in Sahid Nagar. The no.of police station was very limited. Open places were all around.
Capital hospital was very big and was catering to the needs of the whole Bhubaneswar. We don’t go to private practitioners, as we have no. of doctors in our home. Self study was very much in focus. Girls and boys used to study in groups and prepare for competitive exams. People wanted to be doctors or engineers. My children used to bank on self studies. I am not sure about coaching facilities, if those existed at that time.
The Govt education was cheap. Within Rs 5000 we could able to provide education to two children. Bhubaneswar has given me lot of scope and all my wishes were fulfilled. I got all opportunities in life and I prospered.
I have been to Nandankananan, Dhauligiri, Khandagiri etc and with Rs100 per contribution we could have great grand feasts. Hotel Raj Mahal was there to provide food to people but we as a family did not want to go outside for food. Bhubaneswar does not have park. IG park first developed after so many years. There was no crowd congestion. I used to love to walk on the roads of Bhubaneswar during evening. It was a very pleasant experience for me.
Bhubaneswar was largely affected by cyclone. Trees were destroyed. Roads were closed. Gush of water entered room. There was no light or water but people used to move in search of rescue and support.But it did not materialize. I gave shelter to people in my ground floor.
The cost of construction was very less. Ground floor was construction at an investment of Rs 4.00 Lakh, the first floor was constructed in 8.00 lakhs and the top floor was constructed with an investment of Rs 50.00 lakhs. The cost of construction shoot up later.
My post retirement life is focused with school. I have more than 8 staff to look after the schools and more than 60 students are currently studying in the school. I love children and that’s why I am so happy to spend my time along with the children.
