Five decades ago, my father guided me to the whistling waves; now the role has reversed. The same sea and the same roar, but a different experience. Oh, what a difference! Now, I come here for fresh air away from the smoky city, resigning for a few minutes to the soothing, summer-repelling atmosphere. This is quite different from my childhood experience when I used to come here for the waves advancing and receding and crabs disappearing on the sand, digging holes for their refuge to escape the wrath of the truant children.
Now, I watch people swimming in the deep sea and fishermen catching fish in the country-boats; but the time has gone when I was sand-balling my friends and running away in fear of being sand-balled. Now, I only watch and visualize in a thoroughly pensive posture.
Even though present is not the repeat of the past and childhood cannot return, I shall always visit my favorite Puri beach for the solace it gives me in my days of disturbed peace and diffused tranquility.
