2025: Year of Great Possibilities

Mrinal Chatterjee

Window Seat

Journalists are trained to be sceptics. I have been one for over one and a half decades before joining media academics. With that background too, I find 2025 a beacon of hope and progress, embodying the potential for transformative advancements across multiple spheres of human endeavor. As technology continues to evolve at a staggering pace, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology are poised to redefine the way we live, work, and interact with the world. From self-sustaining smart cities to medical innovations that promise longer, healthier lives, 2025 is a year rich with opportunities to address some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

On the global stage, 2025 brings a renewed focus on sustainability and climate action. Nations and corporations alike are committing to ambitious carbon-neutral goals, fostering collaboration and innovation to mitigate climate change. Advances in green technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells and carbon capture, are becoming scalable and accessible, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Socially, 2025 is a year of inclusivity and empowerment. With greater connectivity, education, and digital access, communities worldwide are finding new ways to amplify voices and drive change.

In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, 2025 invites us to embrace the unknown as a wellspring of possibilities. It challenges us to envision a future where bold ideas and collective action shape a better world for all.

December

December 2024 has been the cruellest month for our country in my living memory. Five stalwarts in economics, film, literature, music and media education left us.

Manmohan Singh, former prime minister, one of India's tallest leaders and architect of economic reforms, breathed his last on December 26.

Shyam Benegal, the harbinger of parallel cinema in Hindi breathed his last on December 23 just nine days after his 90th birthday was celebrated.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussein succumbed to his pulmonary diseases on December 15.

Dr. Kiran Thakur, former Head of the Department of Journalism at Pune University, passed away on 28 December. Journalist turned media academician Dr. Thakur did some innovative research and documentation. He was founder trustee Pune Patrakar Pratishthan.

Ghost Stories of Shimla

Every city, especially old and historical cities has its share of ghost stories. Shimla, it seems, has an overdose.

Every nook and corner of Shimla has a ghost story including the hotel I stayed in, close to Mass Road. This area used to be called ‘Chudeil ki Kuan’ for there used to be a deep well here, in which people have drowned.

I was tempted to write ghost stories of Shimla. But one other writer - Minakshi Choudhry has already done it. She has already published two books of ghost stories of Shimla.

Tara Devi Temple

About 15 km from Shimla towards Chandigarh take a left turn and go about 7 km, on top of a hill there is Tara Devi Temple. It was very cold and a strong breeze made things worse. The sky was overcast. A person there said, Jai Mata Di, ab barf girega.

As I was coming out and getting into the car a few tiny flakes of snow almost hesitatingly danced their way down. I had never seen a real snow fall. I prayed for more. But none followed. I came down and the car moved towards Chandigarh. En route the driver called his home close to Shimla and told me Saab, Shimla me barf Gir raha hai. Aaah, how I missed!

Khaja

Odisha's iconic sweet, Khaja, has been ranked among the top 10 best sweet pastries globally by Taste Atlas this year. This recognition highlights its unique cultural and spiritual significance, as it is a key offering at the Jagannath Temple in Puri and an integral part of the temple's Mahaprasad.

Made from layered dough of refined wheat flour, sugar, and sometimes dry fruits, Khaja is deep-fried and coated in sugar syrup, creating a flaky, sweet treat.

While Khaja has historical roots in regions like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, it has been perfected in Odisha.

It is believed that Khaja or Kaja originated in 1891 in the Andhra Pradesh city of Kakinada. It has the shape of a closed tube. The tube is known as “Gotam” in Telugu. It was Chittipeddi Kotaiah, who established a sweet shop in Kakinada specializing in this dessert. The shop, now operating as Kotaiah Sweets, has expanded its presence with branches in Kakinada and Rajahmundry.

Khaja sweet is also popular in Bihar. It is a part of Chhath Puja. Khaja is also given as a gift at the daughter's wedding in Bihar.