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Aouda
Aouda
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Aouda
Jules Verne character
Aouda by Alphonse de Neuville & Léon Benett (1873)
First appearanceAround the World in Eighty Days (1872)
Created byJules Verne
In-universe information
GenderFemale
TitlePrincess
SpouseOld Rajah of Bundelkhand (deceased)
Phileas Fogg
NationalityIndian; British

Aouda (औद / Auda), a character in Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, is an Indian princess accompanied by Phileas Fogg and Passepartout. The daughter of a Bombay Parsi merchant, she was married against her will to the old raja of Bundelkhand. At the death of her husband, she is about to be sacrificed by her husband's relatives and other people of their society as a sati on her husband's funeral pyre.[1] Upon learning the circumstances of the sati and how this is all against Aouda's will, Fogg and company intervene and rescue her.

At first, Fogg attempts simply to deliver her to relatives along the way on his trip. However, when that proves impossible, she is their permanent companion who becomes more and more attracted to the intriguing and noble Fogg as she shares in the adventures. When they finally reach Britain and appear to have arrived too late to meet the deadline, Aouda fears that she ruined Fogg by causing him delays in his journey, although he firmly denies she was a problem. Now in love with the gentleman and also wishing to help him in his impoverishment, Aouda proposes to Fogg, and he joyously accepts.

As it turns out, this gesture by Aouda saves the day for them all for it prompts Passepartout to discover that by traveling east, they inadvertently arrived in London a day early and now have just enough time to sprint to the Reform Club to win the wager. The company set off for the club and arrive just in time.

Afterward, Aouda offers to end the engagement since the original motivation has been removed. However, Fogg, deeply in love and grateful for all Aouda is and has done for him, will not hear of it and they are happily married with Passepartout having the honor of giving her away at the wedding.

Adaptations

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In the novel, Aouda changes out of her traditional sari for a typical European dress provided by Fogg. However, to emphasise the concept of the character as an Indian princess, most adaptations have her keeping her sari at least until the company completes the challenge.[2] In addition, modern adaptations establish that she accompanies Fogg and Passepartout in the final sprint to the Reform Club when it is discovered there is still time to win the wager.

The popular Spanish-Japanese animated adaptation, Around the World with Willy Fog, compromises on this detail by having Fog invite Aouda, here named "Romy", to change out of the dark-coloured funeral sari she was forced to wear for her sati and into a lighter-coloured one which she wears for remainder of the voyage. In the sequel series, Willy Fog 2, Romy eventually dons a European dress that mirrors her old dress' color-scheme although she keeps her Tilaka mark.

Casting

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Aouda was played by:

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Aouda is a fictional character in Jules Verne's 1873 adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days, portrayed as a young Parsee widow rescued from the Hindu rite of sati in by the protagonist , his valet , and British Francis . Orphaned after her merchant father's death in Bombay, she had been married against her will to an aged rajah and, following his demise, faced immolation as a widow, a fate averted through the intervention of Fogg's party during their overland journey. Her education in a British in Bombay renders her refined and anglicized in manner, facilitating her integration into Fogg's improbable global circumnavigation undertaken to win a wager at the . Accompanying Fogg and Passepartout for the remainder of their voyage, Aouda provides emotional depth to the narrative, developing affection for the stoic Englishman whose rescue of her prompts her loyalty and eventual marriage to him upon their return to , where Fogg claims his £20,000 prize just in time. As the novel's sole significant female figure and non-European character, she embodies Verne's blend of exoticism and under British influence, highlighting themes of imperial benevolence and personal agency amid the era's colonial expansion. Her presence underscores the story's romantic subplot, contrasting Fogg's mechanical precision with human connection, though critics note her role reinforces 19th-century European toward colonized peoples.

Role in the Novel

Background and Introduction

Aouda is a principal female character in Jules Verne's adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days, published in 1872. She is portrayed as a young Parsee woman, the orphaned daughter of a wealthy from . Following her father's death, Aouda is forced into marriage with the aging rajah of , a union arranged to preserve her social status within traditional Indian customs. Upon the rajah's death, Aouda faces immolation through the ritual of suttee, a historical Hindu practice involving the of widows on their husband's funeral pyre, which had been outlawed by British colonial authorities in 1829 but persisted in fictionalized remote contexts. Verne introduces her in Chapter XII during the protagonists' train journey through , where , his valet , and British officer Sir Francis Cromarty learn of her impending sacrifice at a temple in Pillaji. Disguised and intervening boldly, they her from fanatical priests enforcing the rite, highlighting themes of imperial intervention against perceived barbarism. Educated in an English-style school in Bombay, Aouda possesses a fair complexion, graceful demeanor, and proficiency in European manners, rendering her culturally hybrid and adaptable to Western society. This background enables her subsequent companionship with Fogg's expedition, as she joins them en route to , grateful for her deliverance and devoid of familial ties in . Her introduction underscores Verne's portrayal of British India's colonial dynamics, where legal reforms clashed with entrenched traditions.

Plot Involvement


Aouda is introduced in the novel during Phileas Fogg's traversal of by railway and elephant, specifically in Chapter 12, when Fogg, his valet , and the pursuing Fix arrive near the town of Pillaji. There, they encounter preparations for a suttee ceremony, in which Aouda—a 20-year-old Parsee widow of the recently deceased Rajah Oberi—faces ritual immolation on her husband's , a practice condemned by British authorities but persisting in remote areas. Fogg, observing her distress and learning from a Parsee merchant named Fodjour that she had been raised with European influences and opposed the sacrifice, resolves to intervene despite the risk to his schedule.
The rescue unfolds in Chapter 13: with Fodjour's assistance and local fakirs drugged via smoke, disguises himself as the rajah's corpse to interrupt the procession at the of Pillaji. Fogg and companions abduct Aouda amid the confusion, fleeing on horseback before priests can pursue effectively. This daring operation delays Fogg's itinerary by several hours, necessitating the purchase and use of an for to Allahabad to rejoin the railway, underscoring the plot's emphasis on against cultural obstacles. Aouda, grateful and possessing modest from her late husband, joins the group, initially bound for to seek a relative, as returning to Bombay risks from vengeful priests. From onward, where no relative materializes, Aouda continues as a companion through the Pacific crossing on the Tankadere and Carnatic, the transcontinental rail in the United States (interrupted by attacks and sled travel), and the final Atlantic steamer to . Her role remains largely supportive, providing quiet resolve amid adversities like Passepartout's in or the group's detention by American authorities, though she voices concern for Fogg's impassive demeanor. In America, she witnesses the Mormon settlement in and the buffalo hunt, adapting without complaint to the journey's hardships. Upon reaching London on December 21, 1872—believed by Fogg to mark the expiration of his 80-day wager—Aouda's affection culminates in Chapter 35. Distraught over Fogg's apparent loss and isolation, she confides in Passepartout and proposes marriage, asking if he would accept her as his wife. Fogg consents, scheduling the ceremony for December 25. This exchange occurs amid the group's oversight of the International Date Line's effect—traveling eastward had effectively granted an extra day, rendering their arrival the 79th day. Passepartout, prompted by Fix's earlier observation, informs Fogg, enabling him to reach the by 8:45 p.m. on the true 80th day and claim the £20,000 prize. Aouda's emotional initiative thus bridges the plot's adventurous wager with its romantic resolution, leading to her marriage to Fogg and settlement in .

Relationship with Phileas Fogg

Aouda's relationship with begins as one of rescuer and rescued following her deliverance from the ritual of suttee in Pillaji, , where Fogg and his valet Passepartout intervene to prevent her immolation as a presumed widow. Grateful and without viable alternatives in British , Aouda elects to accompany Fogg on the remainder of his global wager, departing Bombay on October 20, 1872, aboard the . This companionship evolves gradually, marked by Aouda's admiration for Fogg's unflappable demeanor amid escalating perils, including the pursuit by Detective Fix and logistical setbacks. She learns English during the voyage and participates in Fogg's routine of , fostering a quiet domesticity that contrasts his initial emotional reserve. Upon their return to on December 21, 1872—initially believed to be a day late for the eighty-day wager—Aouda perceives Fogg's despondency over financial ruin and isolation. In Chapter 35 of the , she proposes , declaring her love and willingness to share his reduced circumstances, thereby prompting Fogg to confess reciprocal affection despite his . This exchange humanizes Fogg, revealing beneath his precision a capacity for emotional attachment nurtured by their shared trials. Passepartout's subsequent reminder of the international date line's time gain vindicates the wager, restoring Fogg's fortune on December 22. With the bet won, Fogg and Aouda wed the following Monday, December 23, 1872, in a that concludes the and symbolizes the transformative impact of adventure on personal bonds. The union underscores themes of mutual respect and unforeseen compatibility, as Aouda's devotion integrates her into Fogg's methodical life, yielding domestic happiness absent at the journey's outset. Their relationship, devoid of overt passion yet grounded in loyalty, exemplifies Verne's portrayal of Victorian-era cross-cultural alliances forged through circumstance rather than convention.

Character Analysis

Traits and Personality

Aouda is portrayed as possessing a gentle, refined, and composed personality, characterized by grace and a calm demeanor that allows her to adapt to the rigors of an impromptu global journey. Educated at an English school in Bombay, she demonstrates fluency in English and familiarity with European social customs, which facilitate her interactions within Phileas Fogg's group. Her voice is described as sweet and gentle, reflecting an inherent poise and modesty. Central to her character is a profound sense of gratitude toward her rescuers, evolving from sincere appreciation for her deliverance from suttee into devoted love for Fogg by the novel's conclusion. This loyalty manifests in her courageous decision to accompany the travelers despite recent trauma, showcasing resilience and bravery beyond her initial passive role as a rescued widow. Aouda's kindness emerges notably when she nurses the opium-addicted back to health in , highlighting her nurturing and compassionate traits. Though often quiet and respectful, Aouda exhibits emotional depth and agency, particularly in confessing her affections to Fogg and supporting the group's welfare during crises. Her charm and beauty are frequently noted, yet these are secondary to her inner qualities of devotion and adaptability, which enable her transformation from a victim of custom to a willing participant in adventure.

Symbolic Role

Aouda embodies the novel's exploration of cultural convergence, serving as a bridge between the "undeveloped" East and the rational, modern West. Her rescue from suttee—a ritual symbolizing archaic —highlights the triumph of Enlightenment values and British colonial reforms, which abolished the practice in 1829 under Governor-General . As a Parsi widow of mixed heritage, Aouda's fair complexion and adoption of English mannerisms reflect Verne's sympathetic depiction of imperial intervention as a civilizing force, contrasting indigenous traditions with progressive globalism. In her relationship with Phileas Fogg, Aouda symbolizes domesticity and emotional redemption, softening the protagonist's mechanical precision with loyalty and affection. Her quiet and willingness to accompany the travelers worldwide underscore themes of adaptability and compatibility, positioning her as an idealized counterpart to —charming yet subordinate, exotic yet assimilable. This dynamic humanizes Fogg's wager-driven journey, introducing romance as a to adventure and reinforcing the narrative's optimism about technological unity transcending cultural divides. Critically, Aouda's portrayal evokes orientalist tropes, where the "jewel of India" becomes a passive emblem of Western salvation, her agency limited to devotion rather than independence. Yet, within Verne's framework, she signifies the potential rewards of global interconnectedness, her eventual marriage to Fogg affirming the novel's faith in hybrid identities forged by progress. This symbolism aligns with the 1872 publication context, amid expanding railways and steamships that facilitated such imagined integrations.

Historical Context

Suttee and Rescue Scenario

In Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days, the suttee scenario unfolds during Phileas Fogg's journey through in October 1872. While traveling by from Bombay toward Allahabad after the incomplete railway forced a detour, Fogg, his Jean Passepartout, Colonel Sir Francis Cromarty, and their Parsee guide encounter a in the forests of the Bundelcund region, north of the Vindhya Mountains, near the Pillaji pagoda. The procession carries the corpse of an aged rajah toward a sacrificial pyre, accompanied by a young woman—Aouda—bound for immolation as his widow under the rite of suttee. Aouda, depicted as a beautiful, educated Parsee of high raised in Bombay and fluent in English, had been orphaned and forcibly married to the elderly, independent rajah of Bundelcund, who rebelled against British forces and was executed. After his death, she attempted escape but was recaptured by the rajah's relatives and , who insisted on her to prevent disputes or remarriage, intoxicating her with and to ensure compliance. Sir Francis Cromarty explains suttee as a purportedly voluntary religious in some Hindu sects, involving the widow's on her husband's as an act of devotion, though Verne portrays it as coerced and barbaric, enforced by fanatical and crowds amid invocations to the goddess . Fogg, typically impassive, halts the journey to intervene, offering substantial bribes to the priests, who refuse. The group retreats to plan a nighttime rescue: infiltrates the , creating diversions by disguising and using opium-laced smoke to subdue guards, while Fogg and rally locals and confront the ceremony. As the pyre ignites, chaos ensues; carries Aouda to safety, and the travelers flee on amid pursuit, successfully extracting her just before the ritual's completion. This episode, set post-1829 British ban, fictionalizes sporadic post-prohibition incidents for dramatic effect, highlighting European intervention against perceived indigenous cruelties. Historically, sati—often involuntary despite scriptural sanction for voluntary acts—prevailed in parts of Hindu society, with widows facing social ostracism or worse absent . , documented in ancient texts but amplified in certain royal and circles, prompted British scrutiny after encounters by officials like the . enacted the Sati Regulation on December 4, 1829, criminalizing assistance in sati and mandating intervention, upheld by the in 1832, though isolated cases persisted into the late amid resistance from conservative factions. Verne's account, while sensationalized through European colonial lens, aligns with documented coercions and the era's abolitionist narratives emphasizing empirical horrors over .

Parsi Heritage and British India

The Parsi community, adherents of , originated from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to between the 8th and 10th centuries CE to escape religious persecution after the in the 7th century. Settling initially in , they preserved their monotheistic faith, fire worship rituals, and endogamous practices while adopting elements of Indian culture, such as vegetarianism in some cases, without assimilating into . Under British colonial rule, particularly following the Company's acquisition of Bombay in , relocated en masse to the port city, capitalizing on opportunities in maritime trade and industry. By the early 1800s, though comprising fewer than 10,000 individuals in Bombay, they dominated sectors like , ginning, and the export of to , amassing significant wealth and establishing firms that outnumbered those of Europeans or other Indians. Parsis enjoyed preferential treatment from British administrators due to their , absence of a system, English education, and perceived racial affinity, fostering loyalty exemplified by their support during events like the 1857 Indian Rebellion. This era saw the rise of philanthropic institutions, including hospitals, schools, and the University of Bombay, funded by Parsi merchants, solidifying their role as intermediaries between colonial powers and Indian society. Aouda's depiction as the daughter of a prosperous Bombay Parsi merchant mirrors this mercantile elite, educated and cosmopolitan under British influence. Yet, the novel's suttee ordeal for her character—an exclusively Hindu rite, regulated and largely suppressed by British law via the 1829 Bengal Sati Regulation—diverges from Parsi Zoroastrian traditions, which mandate on dakhmas to avoid polluting earth, fire, or water with corpses, precluding widow immolation.

Adaptations

Film Versions

The principal cinematic depiction of Aouda appears in the 1956 film Around the World in 80 Days, directed by Michael Anderson and produced by Michael Todd. Shirley MacLaine portrays the character as a young Indian widow rescued by Phileas Fogg (David Niven) and Passepartout (Cantinflas) from forced suttee in India, adhering closely to the novel's sequence where local priests attempt her immolation on her husband's pyre. Aouda subsequently joins the travelers, providing companionship and subtly advancing the romantic subplot with Fogg, though her role remains secondary to the comedic and adventurous elements emphasized in the adaptation. The production, filmed across multiple international locations including India, utilized MacLaine's performance to highlight Aouda's poise and adaptability, with scenes underscoring her integration into the group's dynamics amid cultural clashes. This version garnered significant recognition, securing five , including Best Picture, for its lavish spectacle and global cameos, though Aouda's scenes drew mixed commentary on the era's casting practices, with MacLaine's Western features standing in for the Parsi princess despite her reported challenges filming in period saris and exotic settings. Later theatrical adaptations diverged notably; the 2004 film directed by , starring as Fogg and as Passepartout, eliminates Aouda, substituting a French inventor-assistant named La Roche () who fulfills a similar travel companion function but lacks the novel's ethnic and rescue backstory. Earlier silent-era efforts, such as the 1919 production starring as Fogg, include Aouda in the India rescue but feature rudimentary portrayals constrained by the medium's technical limitations and sparse surviving records of her characterization.

Television and Stage Productions

In the 1989 NBC television Around the World in 80 Days, directed by and starring as , Aouda was portrayed by Julia Nickson-Soul as a resilient rescued from suttee in , who subsequently joins Fogg's journey and develops a romantic attachment to him by the finale in the United States. The production aired from April 16 to 18, 1989, and adhered closely to Verne's in depicting her integration into the traveling party after the events in Bombay and . The 2021–2022 international co-production Around the World in 80 Days, starring as Fogg and airing on in the United States starting January 2, 2022, notably omitted Aouda entirely, restructuring the narrative to eliminate her rescue subplot and marital resolution with Fogg, thereby altering the character's symbolic role in the original story. This eight-episode series, a French-German-Italian venture, prioritized modern thematic updates over fidelity to Verne's female characters. Stage adaptations of Around the World in Eighty Days have routinely included Aouda as a pivotal supporting role, often emphasizing her rescue from ritual immolation and her companionship with Fogg, though ensemble casts frequently require actors to double roles, including hers. Mark Brown's full-length comedic adaptation, published by Dramatic Publishing in 2005 for a minimal cast of five (four male, one female), integrates Aouda into the script as the sole prominent female figure, performed in numerous regional theaters such as the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 2014 production. The 1946 Broadway musical Around the World, adapted and directed by with music by among others, featured Aouda in its lavish but short-lived run of 75 performances, incorporating her as part of the global adventure spectacle before closing on July 6, 1946, due to high production costs exceeding $150,000. Subsequent non-musical stage versions, such as Laura Eason's 2010 ensemble adaptation for in , retained Aouda's arc with a cast of eight handling over 125 roles, highlighting her transition from victim to ally in high-energy, physical stagings. Local productions, including the 2017 Servant Stage rendition with Kristen Brewer as Aouda, have similarly preserved her narrative function while adapting for intimate venues.

Recent and Animated Interpretations

In the 2021 television miniseries adaptation of Around the World in Eighty Days, aired by BBC One and subsequently on PBS Masterpiece, Aouda is portrayed by actress Shivaani Ghai and appears primarily in the first episode, where she is rescued from a sacrificial rite in India. This version significantly diminishes her role compared to Verne's novel, limiting her involvement in the subsequent global journey and omitting her romantic development with Phileas Fogg, a decision critics attributed to modernizing the narrative by introducing a new female journalist character, Abigail Fix, as a more active companion. The series, which premiered on December 26, 2021, in the UK, emphasizes themes of cultural clashes and personal growth but reinterprets Aouda as a peripheral figure, reflecting contemporary sensitivities toward colonial-era tropes in 19th-century literature. A 2021 French-Belgian animated , directed by Tissé and produced by Cottonwood Media, reimagines Aouda as an anthropomorphic who aids (a ) and Passepartout (a ) with her skills, including building and piloting planes. Released on , 2021, the alters her traditional passive rescue narrative by portraying her as independent and inventive, though with an arrogant demeanor that contrasts Verne's depiction of quiet gratitude and loyalty. This , aimed at family audiences, incorporates elements and animal characters to appeal to younger viewers, diverging from the novel's human-centric cultural commentary on British India. Earlier animated interpretations, such as the 1984-1985 Spanish-Japanese series Around the World with Willy Fog, depict Aouda (as panther Romy) more faithfully as a rescued noblewoman who joins the journey and develops affection for the protagonist, but these predate recent productions and prioritize fidelity over modernization. In contrast, 21st-century animated efforts like the 2021 film prioritize visual whimsy and tropes, often at the expense of historical context, as evidenced by the substitution of mechanical ingenuity for the novel's emphasis on cross-cultural adaptation.

Reception and Criticism

Literary Interpretations

Literary critics have interpreted Aouda primarily as a narrative device advancing themes of imperial benevolence and personal redemption in Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days. Introduced as a young Parsi widow rescued from forced suttee in , her character embodies the 19th-century European perception of colonial intervention as a civilizing force against perceived Eastern barbarism. This rescue sequence, occurring in chapters 11-12, underscores Fogg's stoic heroism, transforming a wager-driven journey into one of moral purpose, with Aouda's gratitude catalyzing Fogg's emotional growth. In traditional readings, Aouda symbolizes assimilation and loyalty, her English in Bombay facilitating her integration into Fogg's world, culminating in marriage upon return to on December 21, 1872 (the novel's timeline). She evolves from passive victim to active companion, subtly initiating romance by questioning Fogg's feelings in chapter 35, challenging views of her as merely ornamental. This arc aligns with Verne's optimism about technological enabling bonds, as Aouda adapts seamlessly to the voyage's rigors across continents. Post-colonial critiques, prevalent in academic analyses since the late , frame Aouda through , portraying her as an exotic, voiceless archetype reinforcing Western superiority and the "white savior" trope. Such interpretations highlight her initial silence—speaking little until Bombay—and physical description as "beautiful" with "ebony tresses" and "jet-black eyes," evoking stereotypical Eastern allure. However, these views often overlook : suttee, involving coerced widow immolation, was empirically documented in pre-colonial and curtailed by British bans in 1829 and 1830, saving documented cases like the 1818-1828 estimates of 8,134 prevented instances. Verne's dramatization, while fictionalizing Parsi non-participation in suttee for plot, reflects causal realities of imperial reforms addressing verifiable abuses, rather than unsubstantiated prejudice. Feminist literary perspectives critique Aouda's agency as subordinate, positioning her as a damsel whose salvation and romance serve male protagonists' arcs, with minimal independent action beyond the suttee escape. Yet, her role in averting Fogg's despair post-wager loss—urging his continued pursuit—demonstrates emotional initiative, complicating reductive passivity claims. Modern scholarship, influenced by institutional biases toward deconstructing Western narratives, frequently amplifies victimhood tropes while downplaying Aouda's adaptive resilience and the novel's basis in contemporaneous travel accounts, such as George Francis Train's 1870 inspiring Verne. Overall, interpretations balance Verne's adventure framework—prioritizing empirical progress over —with retrospective lenses that risk .

Controversies Over Portrayal

Critics have argued that Aouda's depiction as a passive, exotic victim rescued from suttee embodies Orientalist tropes, portraying Eastern women as helpless and in need of Western salvation, thereby exoticizing and othering non-European cultures. This interpretation aligns with postcolonial analyses viewing her character as a symbol of imperial benevolence, where Phileas Fogg's intervention justifies colonial narratives of civilizing missions in . The suttee scenario has drawn specific scrutiny for sensationalizing a that, while real and documented in 19th-century —leading to its prohibition by the British under Regulation XVII in —serves here as a to highlight supposed barbarism under princely rule, potentially overlooking voluntary elements or cultural contexts reported in historical accounts. Scholars note that Verne's portrayal amplifies colonial-era outrage over sati, using it to underscore European moral superiority, though empirical records indicate the practice was rare, with fewer than 600 cases annually across British by the early 1800s. Further controversy arises from historical inaccuracies in Aouda's background: described as a Parsi woman from , yet subjected to suttee, a Hindu incompatible with Parsi Zoroastrian traditions that explicitly reject widow immolation. This conflation reflects Verne's reliance on generalized European perceptions of rather than precise , contributing to stereotypes of a monolithic "Oriental" other. Aouda's fair complexion and English education, emphasized to render her "European" in appeal, further soften her for Western readers while reinforcing the notion of redeemable natives assimilated through imperial influence. Such critiques, often from academic sources influenced by postcolonial theory, contend that the character's limited agency—transitioning from sacrificial victim to devoted companion—perpetuates gendered and racial hierarchies, though contemporaneous reviews praised the as a thrilling affirmation of . These interpretations prioritize over the novel's 1873 context, where sati's abolition was celebrated as a humanitarian triumph amid documented abuses.

References

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