By BN Sinha, New Delhi
Almost half a decade back in my early work life. I used to admire a lot to one of my reporting boss who was an affluent Punjabi of Delhi who was having uncountable properties in posh Delhi colonies like Vasant Vihar and NFC etc. He was a BITS Pillanian, wife a Vice President in a Citibank.
He had a love marriage that took place in UK. Their love story bloomed when he used to visit his brother’s place, who happened to be a renowned doctor in UK. His father was then the director of Defence Research and Development Organisation [DRDO]. He had his kids studying in Modern School and G D Goenka, both the most expensive educational institute in India. In a word he was a complete successful person in life in every aspect.
All these information about my ex boss are just to portray how established he was in his life. Despite all he was very down to earth and didn’t have any snobbishness, ostentations or arrogance nature like a typical Delhite has.
The most interesting part is that instead of all this he never threw any tantrum rather he has the culture in his house like a typical Punjabi family of Ludhiana. The love and respect and care for each other in the family was exemplary. He used to visit UK every now and then and every time he returns from UK, the only complaint he used to make is that the British Punjabis more correctly speak the Punjabi language and also follow the traditional and religious customs as compared to the Punjabis of India.
I could not really able to digest his allegations until I personally experienced the same with my own community. Yes my own Bishnupriya Manipuri community. The Bishnupriya Manipuri Diaspora is much concerned and sincere about the traditional customs of the community as compared to the BM brothers of traditional BM territories like Barak Valley and Tripura.
Until Bishnupriya Manipuri language was allowed in 8th schedule for primary education, it seemed some traditional customary activities used to take place like gathering into community temples ( Maltheps) for Khechuri paali, kapak paali, apakpar divas, baronor dou, purijeleir bandara etc. But off late all these activities have been plummeted all of a sudden as if it is the adverse effect of the booming Indian economy.
If a person who is out of the core Bishnupriya Manipuri society for years and make a visit to those places with the same perception, he would definitely feel a clout. All have changed as the suburban villagers hardly speak Bishnupriya Manipuri language and for youngsters to go to community gathering like in kechuri paali in maltheps is a big NO NO.( as I have already written in one of my earlier post. Read Urban BM village
On the other hand the BM diaspora who are out of the core society are much concerned about all the related issues of the community and also the customs. Rathyatra/ paali etc are regularly observed in places like Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore , Guwahati etc. Many other community get together also takes place time to time so also some brave initiative like establishment of Sadhuthakur Ashram in Delhi?????
Yes !! we are celebrating Sri Sri Bhubaneswar Sadhu Thakur abhirbhab tithi on 11th Nov in Delhi…. And…..
Almost half a decade back in my early work life. I used to admire a lot to one of my reporting boss who was an affluent Punjabi of Delhi who was having uncountable properties in posh Delhi colonies like Vasant Vihar and NFC etc. He was a BITS Pillanian, wife a Vice President in a Citibank.
He had a love marriage that took place in UK. Their love story bloomed when he used to visit his brother’s place, who happened to be a renowned doctor in UK. His father was then the director of Defence Research and Development Organisation [DRDO]. He had his kids studying in Modern School and G D Goenka, both the most expensive educational institute in India. In a word he was a complete successful person in life in every aspect.
All these information about my ex boss are just to portray how established he was in his life. Despite all he was very down to earth and didn’t have any snobbishness, ostentations or arrogance nature like a typical Delhite has.
The most interesting part is that instead of all this he never threw any tantrum rather he has the culture in his house like a typical Punjabi family of Ludhiana. The love and respect and care for each other in the family was exemplary. He used to visit UK every now and then and every time he returns from UK, the only complaint he used to make is that the British Punjabis more correctly speak the Punjabi language and also follow the traditional and religious customs as compared to the Punjabis of India.
I could not really able to digest his allegations until I personally experienced the same with my own community. Yes my own Bishnupriya Manipuri community. The Bishnupriya Manipuri Diaspora is much concerned and sincere about the traditional customs of the community as compared to the BM brothers of traditional BM territories like Barak Valley and Tripura.
Until Bishnupriya Manipuri language was allowed in 8th schedule for primary education, it seemed some traditional customary activities used to take place like gathering into community temples ( Maltheps) for Khechuri paali, kapak paali, apakpar divas, baronor dou, purijeleir bandara etc. But off late all these activities have been plummeted all of a sudden as if it is the adverse effect of the booming Indian economy.
If a person who is out of the core Bishnupriya Manipuri society for years and make a visit to those places with the same perception, he would definitely feel a clout. All have changed as the suburban villagers hardly speak Bishnupriya Manipuri language and for youngsters to go to community gathering like in kechuri paali in maltheps is a big NO NO.( as I have already written in one of my earlier post. Read Urban BM village
On the other hand the BM diaspora who are out of the core society are much concerned about all the related issues of the community and also the customs. Rathyatra/ paali etc are regularly observed in places like Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore , Guwahati etc. Many other community get together also takes place time to time so also some brave initiative like establishment of Sadhuthakur Ashram in Delhi?????
Yes !! we are celebrating Sri Sri Bhubaneswar Sadhu Thakur abhirbhab tithi on 11th Nov in Delhi…. And…..
Hi Mr BN
ReplyDeleteOnce again a real phenomenon nicely depicted..It is the real scenario of todays village life..and is of real concern..mainly the village Malthep culture is decreasing day by day and in urban areas its increasing..for ur kind information i would also like to mention that the Bishnupriya Manipuri Society , Kolkata is also celebrating Sri Sri Sadhu Baba's abhirbhab tithi on 11th of Nov..and on the same day BM s of Maharastra are inaugurating Sri Sri sadhu Thakur's Ashram in Pune.
it is true those away from villages religiously maintain the core values of being BM. they are much concerned about their culture and tradition.
ReplyDeletebut again it is not always true.
i was thinking to write related to this topic, MR BN Sinha wrote first.
very well written, i request Mr BN to write on politics, geography of BM community. if he can. since political changes does affect a community as a whole.
again thanks BN for the nice article.
It was decided in a meeting yesterday that due to some unavoidable circumstances, Sadhu Baba's Utsab in Kolkata will take place on 10th instead of 11th....
ReplyDelete