What to read after My City Links Magazine: March 2023?

Over the past century or so, theatre has undergone a sea change, both in terms of its presentation and the manner in which it is consumed by the audience. The art form itself has evolved and transformed to be in sync with contemporary expectations. With March 27 set to be observed as World Theatre Day, our Cover Story chronicles the history and evolution of theatre in Odisha and comes up with some fascinating insights.

Eco-friendly has become quite the buzzword over the past decade or so. Odisha has been doing its bit through the Eco Retreat initiative to promote sustainable tourism while showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage and impressive natural beauty. Read all about it in City Lights.

We also feature One M Crew, an acrobatic dance group from the slums of Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar that recently won a national competition. Their rise and rise is an inspiring story of grit and determination.

Humans have evolved; so has technology, particularly when it comes to leveraging it for communication. ChatGPT is the latest example, having taken the Internet by storm. City Tech breaks down the phenomenon and explains what it is all about and what this development portends for the future.

The Padma awards are India’s highest civilian honour. The past few years have seen a conscious attempt to make it a ‘People’s Padma’, with a clear emphasis on the work done by individuals at the grass-roots level. The list of 106 Padma awardees announced for 2023 includes four from Odisha. In CityZen, we salute the spirit and the accomplishments of these Padma Shri awardees.

While Bhubaneswar has seen a lot of development in recent years, it has continued to grapple with one of urbanisation’s toughest challenges – cleanliness and waste management. Things are, however, set to change with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation deciding to take this challenge head-on. In City Beat, we take a look at how BMC is trying to make the state capital the cleanest city in India.

The law and the legal institutions not only need to keep pace with the changing world, they also have to be accessible to all. This is particularly true when it comes to women, including those who find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide in an era where information is essential for empowerment. A special feature in City Affairs digs deep into the subject of law and gender and tries to figure out the way ahead.