GONE WITH THE WINDS: A BIZARRE SPECTACLE OF NATURE Nikunja Bihari Sahu On a hot and humid summer afternoon, a sudden gust of wind often sweeps across the countryside of Odisha followed by dark, ominous clouds gathering in the sky. Soon, heavy rain pours down, accompanied by hailstones and increasingly fierce winds. Trees are uprooted and thatched roofs are blown high into the air. However, after a brief spell of nature's fury, the winds gradually subside and the rain ceases. This is Kalbaishakhi, a dramatic expression of nature’s power in our rural landscape. Equally vivid is the cherished memory of villagers, especially children, rushing to mango orchards in the aftermath of the winds to collect the mangoes brought down by the winds. These moments still remain alive in our hearts and are deeply woven into the fabric of Odia rural life. Kalbaishakhi stands as both a terrifying display of nature’s fury and...
