Visual mismatchThe BMC’s latest attempt to highlight “green waste collection” accidentally created a visual mismatch, with photographs showing small piles of branches overshadowed by large excavators. The photographs appeared to show the machinery positioned prominently, while the leaves and garden waste were barely visible. Without captions, viewers could assume a building was being demolished rather than garden waste being cleared.The rope showDuring a protest over the alleged NEET paper leak, BJD functionary Chinmaya Sahu brought along a rope, which generated almost as much discussion as the protest itself.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
The protest took place as onlookers gathered and questioned the purpose of the rope, wondering whether it was a prop, a symbol or the beginning of a street-theatre performance. Sahu said the rope symbolised the plight of aspirants and the need to prevent student suicides. A police officer, though, was less impressed, urging protesters to stop brandishing the rope repeatedly.Quiz timeHandlooms secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar recently turned X into an unlikely quiz platform. Posting a photograph of herself holding a long plant, the IAS officer asked, “Is it grass, a broom or a rope? Also, what is its use? Clue: Jajpur.” Followers promptly switched into exam mode. Answers ranged from sugarcane to broom material and rope-in-waiting. Then came the right answer. One follower identified it as Kaincha, or Golden Grass, found in Jajpur and Kendrapada. The user, however, went a step further — pointing out that the GI tag for Golden Grass handicrafts has been pending approval and deserves a push. Just like that, a casual “guess the grass” challenge ended with a policy recommendation.Open kitchenIn most cities, festivalgoers look for restaurants. During Rath Yatra in Puri, visitors faced a different dilemma — whose invitation to accept to ‘come and have food’. From the day the chariots rolled out until Bahuda, the pilgrim town turned into one giant community kitchen. Roadsides, school grounds, market corners and narrow lanes buzzed with volunteers serving rice, dalma, khichdi, puri, sweets, water and ORS. Hundreds of organisations shared a simple mission — no devotee should go hungry. There were no guest lists or invitations. Pilgrims, police personnel, sanitation workers and strangers sat side by side, sharing the same meal. For a few days, Puri offered a quiet lesson in generosity.
