First-time MLA Akash Das Nayak arrives at the Assembly on Thurday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, June 12: Curious, eager and intent to learn, they were all ears as governor S.C. Jamir read out his address to mark the beginning of the inaugural session of the newly-constituted state Assembly. As they latched on to his words, their fingers gingerly turned the pages of the written text of the speech of which each of them had copies.

From their expressions, it was clear they felt privileged to be there. A few appeared relaxed, the stiffness of manners induced not only by the apparent solemnity of the occasion but also the fact that they had entered the hallowed precincts of the legislature for the first time.

Today was a big day for the fresher MLAs most of whom came dressed for the occasion. If women MLAs Rajashree Mallick and Radhrani Panda, who have won from Tirtol and Brajraj Nagar respectively, looked resplendent in their saris, men sported either kurtas or formal shirts such as the one donned by Akash Das Nayak, the movie star who has made it to the Assembly on a BJD ticket from Korei.

Former Rajya Sabha member Shahsi Bhushan Behera’s light purple kurta attracted a lot of attention. Though being seen in the House after a long gap, Behera appeared neither rusty nor diffident. The Rajya Sabha stint having added to his confidence, he appeared relaxed, occasionally exchanging a word or two with former minister and Moroda MLA Praveen Chandra Bhanj Deo, who sat next to him.

Sighting a dhoti-clad member in the House today was a struggle. Once the favourite wear of the Indian politician, it seems to have vanished from their wardrobes. The only one holding aloft the banner of the dhoti generation in the House was excise and cooperation minister Damodar Rout.

Among the newcomers, of whom there are 55 in this House, Raseswari Panigrahi, the giant-killer from Sambalpur, who sat on the back benches along with Rajashree Mallick and Seema Rani Nayak, appeared to be more at ease than her neighbours with whom she hardly had any conversation. Likewise, Akash Das Nayak and Pranab Kumar Balabantray, the MLA from Dharmshala who is carrying the mantle of his father Kalpataru Das, sat next to each other without exchanging a word.

The House sat in almost complete silence throughout the governor’s address and the obituary references with freshers watching and trying their best to learn the finer points of legislative business. But the formal atmosphere dissolved the moment the speaker adjourned the proceedings for the day with members cutting across party lines rushing into the well to greet each other.

While senior minister Usha Devi was seen exchanging pleasantries with BJP’s Dilip Ray, who looked dapper in a designer kurta, Brajraj Nagar legislator Radha Rani Panda took the opportunity to renew old ties with friends in the BJD. For a brief moment, political differences melted and they all appeared to be part of one large family.

Outside the Assembly, the freshers looked relaxed with some of them speaking candidly about their feelings on a day that would remain permanently etched in their memory. “Taking my seat in the House gave me a sense of achievement. In the morning I had offered prayers to my deity because I want my next five years here to be a smooth affair,” said Rajashree.

Debesh Acharya, the MLA from Bargarh who will be carrying on the legacy of his father Anand Acharya and uncle Prasanna Acharya, both former ministers, admitted to being a little tense.

“I know it is the burden of expectations but I am not going to run away from my responsibilities,” said the young leader.