A TRIBUTE TO MANOJ DAS

A TRIBUTE TO MANOJ DAS

Learn from the heavenly flowers
How to spread the smell of virtue and nobility;
Learn from the inquisitive Manoj Das
How to overcome the ignominious ignorance poverty.

Learn from the firm, unperturbed Himalayas
How to weather with aplomb and fortitude adversity;
Learn from the  just, perseverant Manoj Das
How to maintain self -respect and dignity.

Learn from the benevolent and bounteous candle
How to burn yourself to illuminate all around;
Learn from the astute, articulate Manoj Das
How to inculcate, enlighten and astound.

Learn from the industrious, benefic honeybees
How to sacrifice yourself along with your savings;
Learn from the avid, studious Manoj Das
How to foster to flap your knowledge wings.

Learn from the lofty innocuous birds
How to soar in the high altitude;
Learn from the candid, detached Manoj Das
How to cultivate a right attitude.

Learn from the pure, life-sustaining water
How to nurture indiscrimination;
Learn from the observant, didactic Manoj Das
What to do if you seek emancipation.

Learn from the commonplace cow dung compost
How to enhance useful and harmless fertility;
Learn from the voracious, votary Manoj Das
How to develop callousness to self cheap publicity.

Learn from the desireless,devout Sudama
How to attain the beatitude and Bliss;
Learn from the determined, diligent Manoj Das
How to muster effortless mastery over English.

Learn from a sincere, devoted gardener
How to tend a sapling to grow and blossom;
Learn from the master humorist Manoj Das
How to paint with words to revamp and reform.

Learn from a chaste, bereft Indian widow
How to absorb acute pain and biter sorrow shroud;
Learn from the Utkal's booned scion, Manoj Das
How to make your Mother and Motherland proud.

Copyright: Dr. Shankar D Mishra, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

WhatsApp: 8249297412

Email: shankarmishra314@gmail.com 

N.B: This poem was published in the special Jan-June,2012 issue of "ROCK PEBBLES" which was exclusively dedicated to Manoj Das of Odisha, one of the best-known short story writers of the present times.
Thank u Majhi Sir for publishing my poem in your highly esteemed literary journal of International repute.

Manoj Das was an Indian author who wrote in Odia and English. In 2000, Manoj Das was awarded the Saraswati Samman. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2001, the fourth-highest Civilian Award in India, Padma Bhusan in 2020, the third highest Civilian Award in India for his contribution in the field of Literature & Education. Wikipedia

Born: 27 February 1934, Balasore

Died: 27 April 2021

Education: Ravenshaw College

Awards: Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri

Movies: Aranyaka

Courtesy: Wikipedia