I was born in Saranakula area of Nayagarh district in 1944. I passed my matriculation in the year 1961 from Sarankula Highschool. My fathers’name is Kasinath Baral and my father is having a younger brother and three sisters. I have one daughter and two sons. My daughter is working in SoA university and elder son is working in TCS company. The youngest son is working in Infosys. He is now residing in IRC village in his home and with his two sons and grand sons. He has a large family of 8 people. He gets good pension which supports him during this old age.
I arrived to Bhubaneswar after I passed my matriculation and started staying with a relative in Unit-9. He daily walked from Unit-9 to Vanivihar and later got admitted to BJB Evening College. During that period he was staying in the campus of Utkal University. He passed his graduation from there and later he cleared his PSC and joined in Community Development Dept in secretariat in 1969 and he got retired in 2003.
The road that lies between Cuttack to Bhubaneswar was one way only. The road near present day Rasulgarh was occupied by snatchers. Hence people used to avoid that road after evening only. The road from Vanivihar to present Day Bermunda Bus Stand was also not motorable it was still a road on which only pedestrians can walk. The only good road that existed at time was from Vanivihar to Master canteen. It was a black top single road too. While he was staying in Vanivihar, Vanivhar as two hostels. The ladies hostel was created in 1969.
The major squares of Bhubaneswar included Raj Mahal, Master Canteen , AG Square, Ram mandira Chhaka was also there which was then known as Convent Chhaka. There was one lady used to serve tea to people at Sahidnagar. She was known as Rupa. Hence, the square was later named as Rupali Square.
My first salary was Rs 112 per month. However, it was enough given the fact that within 3 to 5 rupees they used to get bagful of vegetables.He has brought a land by paying Rs 4000/- The cement bag sold Rs 4 to 5 rupees.
Govt Job was only available to people. The private sector has not opened up. Few people worked in different canteens, food shops and private shops. As far as I remember, Capital Hospital is one of the biggest hospital at that time. At uni-9 there was one Hossein Babu who was also a Govt employee used to give Homeopathy medicines. He was very popular. People did not fall ill often. They used to trust various home remedies if small ailments were there but fall before goddess whenever they find any such large disease appear.
The best part of old Bhubaneswar at that part was People were largely peace loving. But occasionally fights erupt over land and boundary dispute. People from Badagada and Brit colony fight against each other because of village boundary. The left side of the road that connects from Rasulgarh to Kalpana square was known as Capital and right side of the road was known as New Capital. The people of capital considered themselves inferior to new capital people as they donot have a stable job. Hence , occasionally fights and economic tension erupts over little issues. Bhubaneswar has also seen a student’s agitation at that time.
Capital Police Station was the only Station at that time. However, the situation changes rapidly. Now landscape is fast changing.Its difficult to identify Bhubaneswar if you go there within an interval of 3 to 4 months.
I also remember that, Film halls existed in Bhubaneswar. Rupa Mandira existed in Old town. First class ticket cost 25 paisa. It was covered with tin roof and covered by tin plates. He has watched Amada Bata Movie in that hall. People used to go to Koraput, Tara Tarini, Kali jai etc for picnic. Nearby Bhubaneswar, people used to go to Khandagiri and Dhauligiri for picnic and amusement purpose.
