A decade of seasons in Bhubaneswar
Hello Readers,
We have lived through the better part of a quarter of 2025 — which seems to be running a sprint instead of a marathon. That reminds me that it marks a decade of me living in the beautiful city of Bhubaneswar or what we more fondly address as Bhonsor. I have never laid roots in any place more than I have here and for all the right reasons.
Readers, I have lived in different places at different stages of my life and they all have contributed in a way to shape me into the person I am today. However, out of all those places, Bhonsor has had the most significant influence on my personality. This is both because of the place as well as the bonds I have formed and held on to through all these years despite the distance, circumstances and difference of opinions.
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For those of you Readers who do not know, I have lived in Odisha my entire life till now. I have always had aspirations to do something impactful but never so much of an inclination to move out to achieve it. It might sound a bit odd, as though I am trying to inhibit the growth of mind or allow any exposure. On the contrary, I have always felt that one should try to make meaningful impact rather than get too stressed about leaving an albeit transient impression that might not culminate into anything significant.
The way Bhonsor is structured gives one a real chance to connect with their identity while also retaining social bonds that are not too intrusive. When I shifted to Bhonsor I had no friends living here. A decade later, the friendships I have made here are the ones that keep me going through the hard times while also being the ones I count on for mischief. That is how much of a real chance one gets in Bhonsor to make bonds that could last forever.
In the smallest of towns it is by habit that people are intruding. I have realised that it makes me uncomfortable when someone whom I do not trust or know well enough wants to know every little detail about myself. For an introvert it is both irritating and claustrophobic to be deprived of the liberty to live and breathe normally without being constantly scrutinised. Bhonsor gave me that breathing space which I earlier did not have access to. In a way Bhonsor opened up its arms to me without judgement or cynicism while also providing me the space to form social bonds that are both respectful of me and mindful of their own business.
Readers, only recently I was reminded that the human mind tends to find reasons to justify the existence of circumstances. While it holds true and I reserve my biases, I cannot ignore the coincidence of finding my true self in an unknown city and calling it my home, my bhonsor.
Until next time, Readers❤
