BHUBANESWAR: ‘Man Beyond Earth’, the English translation of Odia science fiction ‘Prithvi Bahare Manisha’ was released here on Sunday by Sahadev Sahu, former chief secretary. The book authored by eminent writer Gokulananda Mahapatra in 1952, has been translated into English by his daughter Jyotshna Mahapatra, Associate Professor in Chemistry in the Regional Institute of Education. On the occasion, Jyotshna said the 214-page science fiction ‘Prithvi Bahare Manisha’ is the story of a scientist couple moving to Mars where they find the human beings living there utilising science for development of the planet. “It is an interesting story of the couple’s journey to Mars who find similarities between the planet and the Earth. The couple witnesses various inventions and analysis of scientific thoughts by people of Mars and ways the inventions are used for progress of the planet,” she said, adding that even as the book was written more than 50 years back, it is of great significance today. “The book gives us a message of using science for welfare of humanity and not destruction as is witnessed in the modern society,” she said. Stating that although translating the book was difficult on her part, she did so to enable the younger generation to read the ‘great piece of work’. Presiding over the function, which was graced by the author Gokulananda, president of Bigyan Academy Basudev Kar said the thoughts and imagination of Gokulananda that reflect in the book are a reality today. “The writer speaks about gadgets like television, flying vehicles, escalators in the book which have become essential features of human existence now,” he said. Executive Editor of ‘The Samaj’, Pramod Kumar Mohapatra, who attended the programme, said there are not many writers today who can match the science fiction writing standard of Gokulananda Mahapatra.
Comments
0 comment