Showcase Odisha | Hall Of Fame

Spinner batsmen like Yuvi, Virat, Raina are key players for sure

Spinner batsmen like Yuvi, Virat, Raina are key players for sure. But there will always be a position for a specialist spinner in the team. And to be there as a specialist spinner in Team India, my only strategy is hardwork...

Hall Of Fame

Shri Pragyan Ojha an interview with showcaseodisha.com

prgyan ojha

1. What is Odisha to you?
a. Odisha is very special to me. It´s my birth place and I have got fond memories. I have always been received with warmth and affection by my fellow Oriya people both in and outside Orissa. Wherever, I travel, all over the world, when I meet another Oriya person, the common feeling always emerges and makes me happy.
2. What is your dream?
a. My dream is to play for India at the highest level and contribute to our success to the best of my ability. In terms of specific targets, I would like to take heaps of wickets and play 100 test matches for India.
3. What is Pragyan Ojha?
a. Smiles and says, Pragyan Ojha is a hardworking and a determined person. He believes in giving respect. Pragyan Ojha is a simple straightforward person, what you see is what you get!
4. Which was your happiest moment?
a. Ahh... obviously when I got picked for the Indian cricket team. The happiness was overwhelming. My parents were extremely happy which was very fulfilling. And then, when I got married to Karabi... these are definitely the two happiest moments of my life so far.
5. Were you broken at any stage of your life?
a. Not really, I´m very close to my Mother. She is an inspiration to me. She has always motivated me to be hardworking and focused, no matter what. Hardwork always pays back. One needs to keep trying with a positive mindset always. I keep following her mantra and it has clicked.
6. What do you do to explore yourself?
a. Listening to good music is an ultimate passion to me. And I only listen to inspiring songs... I get a lot of comfort and positive energy.
7. What is your style mantra?
a. Stuff that looks good on me...:) I like to keep it simple and natural. There´s no point of trying to be fashionable if you can´t be comfortable in your own skin. Style is all about confidence and being natural. In fact style is a state of mind.
8. What is your fitness mantra?
a. I have gym at home. Me and my wife are fitness freaks and we make it a point to spend atleast an hour at the gym everyday. Apart from that, the regular cricket season, whether with the Ranji Team, IPL squad of the India side, is very rigorous and fitness oriented. The boys work with each other and we train hard and learn to enjoy our fitness workouts. As a competitive sportsman at the international level, fitness is the key to success, so it is something I work very hard towards.
9. Which is your favorite travel destination at Odisha?
a. Puri and Cuttack… I love the place and the food out there. Especially the street food. There is nothing in the world like a good street-side Dahi Vada Aloo Dum and Gupchup!
10. What are the two things that you can´t stay without?
a. I’m not really attached to things or objects, but I suppose more emotionally attached to people. So it has to be my Mom and Karabi, my wife...
11. Other than cricket, what is Pragyan Ojha passionate about?
a. Good Music is eternal healing for me. I am a very family centric person. I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy travelling and exploring new destinations and cultures. I enjoy discovering new gadgets and technology too. And of course a good book is always a good friend.
12. Who are your on-field inspirations?
a. Bhajji and VVS Laxman are my on-field inspirations. I get to learn a lot from these legends.
13. Who are your off-field inspirations?
a. Mike horn, a man I can never forget. I was lucky to interact with him. He is a traveler and an explorer. He has accomplished a unique feat: a solo journey around the world along the equator, using only his own resources. Truly unbelievable!!
14. Your tips for the budding spinners?
a. Hardwork is the key to success. Be hardworking. Nothing happens overnight. So build a lot of patience too. They may say cricket is a batsman´s game, but you never see a team sheet with 11 batsmen, do you?
15. Your words about OPL?
a. Cricket is a passion to millions. And Odisha has got brilliant talent. OPL provides them a platform where they can get recognized and noticed and who knows; one day someone may get selected represent India. The tournament is a great boost for our Oriya cricketers and I hope that soon more Oriya stars will feature in the IPL and the India colours!
16. Test - oneday or 20-20 : which is your fav?
a. Playing good cricket for India matters to me. And I love all the forms of cricket.
17. With Yuvi / Virat / Raina bowling well in one day matches, do you have some strategies to ensure place in the one day squad?
a. Spinner batsmen are key players for sure. But there will always be a position for a specialist spinner in the team. For that position, my only strategy is hardwork.
18. Odisha is your first home. Do you really carry Odisha with you when you move outside?
a. I am a proud Odia. I was born in Odisha. And I love to carry my culture wherever I travel.
19. Can you share with us some of your childhood memories?
a. I have golden memories to cherish lifelong. We used to play a lot of tennis ball matches. Bunking class for Cricket has surely paid off. :)
20. Which is your favourite song?
a. "Nothing else matters" by Metallica and my favorite odia song "nijhum ratira sahara re".
21. Do you have a nick name in the Indian cricket team?
a. Yes... most of the players do... and my team mates call me "Ozzy"...:)
22. Your wishes about www.showcaseodisha.com...
a. It’s different. Your endeavour to showcase the positive about Odisha to the world is truly unique and I wish you good luck.

Anu Choudhury gets candid with showcaseodisha.com

anu choudhury

1. What is Odisha to you?
a. Odisha is a state of culture and natural beauty.
2. If given a chance, how can you get glory for Odisha?
a. As an actor, I want to get International fame to my Ollywood industry.
3. What is your dream?
a. To make people believe that we have a potential film industry too...
4. What is Anu Choudhury?
a. Smiles and says, I am still looking for the answer (Determined, focus and simple)
5. Which was your happiest moment?
a. I try to make every moment a happy and a memorable one. Every moment is yours…. Live it to the fullest.
6. Were you broken at any stage of your life?
a. Yes..... But it has made me stronger.
7. People say you are strong willed….. !! What would you like to say about it?
a. Thanks… I am happy, and you have given me a happy moment. I just want to say that I respect their feelings and promise I always try to reach the expectation of my fans.
8. Your wishes about showcaseodisha.com
a. It is an amazing initiative and the web portal looks lovely and very different from other portals of Odisha. Please log on now….. You will love it… I am sure team showcaseodisha.com will have a successful journey. Good luck!! All the very best!!!
9. Do you have Bollywood plans?
a. Smiles and says….Every Baby is born with a dream. I have it too…
10. What do you do to explore yourself?
a. Before going to bed I always plan for the next day.
11. What is your style mantra?
a. Be simple. Live Simple.
12. What keeps you going?
a. Honesty, simplicity and my dedication.
13. Which is your favorite travel destination at Odisha?
a. The Beaches…. They are lovely.
14. What inspires you in life?
a. Passion towards my work.
15. What are the two things that you can’t stay without?
a. Work and family.