Bishnupriya Manipuri Online

By Rishi Prakash, New Delhi He maintains the blog: technobirdlive.com The 2008-year is remarkably an unforgettable year for Google – the most widely used search engine across the world. After the recent release of the web browser Google Chrome, it has again astounded everyone with the release of Google phone. No one had ever thought that Google would bring such fabulous gifts for techno savvy users worldwide. As far as phone features are concerned, G1 phone is equipped with all advanced features that consumers want. The T mobile G1 truly offers excellent multitasking and browsing experience. The main focus has been given to the Open Source. Third party applications are the main focal point and purely the future of the platform. However, the phones will be available in T mobile stores in the USA only. Initially, the phone will be available in 21 cities, which also include New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston among others. The Google phone (G1) will be available for $179 with a two...

Do you extend your helping hand to a person who seeks your assistance? Do you take part in an initiative of common cause? Do you support your classmates in leveling their incompetence in a subject? Are you a knowledge-miser, who kept information/ knowledge close to his heart? Have you ever helped a friend of yours in examination? Well, these questions are not meant to trouble you. If you fall into ‘no’ side, don’t worry. After all, we are all poor human soul, we are fallible. It doesn’t matter whether you have extended your hand or not, and hadn’t taken part in a common cause, didn’t help your friend, and have kept universal knowledge in your palm. It is not your fault. Actually, we are clowns of our past generation, of our education system which teaches you to come ‘first’ in school examination by not sharing your competency. Forget about the ability to work in a team. Why should I? Why should I become the second person? Task of common cause – I don’t have time. Such negative feelings...

By Ranita Sinha, Kolkata Today is Mahalaya , the day when Goddess Durga is invited to destroy evil and restore peace on earth. But, for the Bishnupriya Manipuri people this day has its own significance. On this day, the Bishnupriya Manipuri people offer Tarpan and Sikda . But since this year Amavasya continues over both Sunday and Monday, people will definitely choose a day as per their convenience for the offering. The custom is not much known to me but as far as I remember, on this day, early morning my father, empty stomach, used to go to the river bank near Sree Sree Radha Madhav Sevashram, Maligaon, Guwahati for Tarpan . He used to carry a big brass dish ( sengshengor kupang ), Til (sesame seeds), Tulsi Patta (basil leaves), milk, flower and banana, a list of all the names of the deceased in our family and also a khuttei with him. When once asked what Tarpan means, he replied that it means offering water to one's deceased parents and forefathers. That, on this day it is cu...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi It is official now: Google has launched its browser called 'Chrome'. With this, the browser war between Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Google's Chrome has turned from the proxy war tactic led by Google on behalf of Firefox Mozilla to a full scale war. Google and Microsft are now face to face. Browser, which is the gateway for anyone to go online, is big, lucrative business. Here, stakes are high, neither Microsoft nor online marketing giant Google would love to leave this space. Losing and winning, for both of them carry extreme repercussions. However, here in this article we will not be delving on the browser war, its business impact. But on the newly launch Chrome, its usability from the perspective of an online user. Google's product and not being tested by millions of Google worshippers! It can't be possible. So, like a devoted Google worshipper I also downloaded the browser and started experimenting with it. Those, who ar...

Someone had correctly said: Pay a visit to a railway station; you come to know what the real India is. Tridiv Sinha , in his one visit to the Old Delhi Railway Station to receive his cousin was embattled with the books written by IITians, policeman and the law. Read… By Tridiv Sinha, New Delhi The last time I checked, people took platform tickets from the counters and went in to receive their guests in a Railway Station. A few days back I went to New Delhi Railway Station to greet my cousin who was coming from Tripura. Being a responsible citizen, or may be because of the fear of the fine which will be imposed if caught without a platform ticket, I went to the counter to get one. The most irritating part is to stand in the huge queue just to get a ticket, but the counter was closed to my relief. An important noticeable incident was that I went to Old Delhi Railway Station few days before this incident and we went inside without any tickets and got out too. So, I thought Railway Dept. h...

The 9th Annual General Body meeting of the Bhishnupriya Manipuri Kalyan Sangathan Mumbai branch held on Sunday, the 21.09.2008 at 2.30 pm at Sri Bipul Sarma’s official resident, New Airport Colony, Santacruz. Agenda of the meeting: 1. To observe one minute silence for the departed soul of late Guru Devendra Sinha, the president of the Sangathan. 2. To elect a president of the Sangathan. 3. To read out the minutes of last General Body meeting held at Andheri. 4. To receive from the Managing Committee, the report on preceding year’s working; together with the statements of accounts showing the income and expenditure for the period from 1st April to 31st march 2008 and balance sheet there upon. 5. To consider the audit memorandum, along with audit rectification report of the committee there on. 6. To appoint a member auditor. 7. To inform matters specifically requiring decision, concurrence or sanction of the General Body and pass appropriate resolution required, 8. To celebrate of Sri Sr...

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai Since my hometown being Silchar, the recent flood situation is creating restlessness in me. It makes me to do phone calls almost every day to know about any development in the situation. I have been reported quite a number of times by Dr. Debendra Kumar Sinha from Green View Nursing Home, Silchar, about the flood situation around Silchar town. According to him the mostly affected Bishnupriya Manipuri villages are Bhagatpur, Singari, Chincoorie, Dudpatil, Masughat and many more. We had discussed about the relief work to be undertaken by Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha. Here, I would like to mention that the relief measures, taken up either by state/central Govt or NGOs is at the moment the focal point of debate, but not a permanent solution (relief). How long a person could survive on relief every year? Some of you may agree with me that about decades ago the floods were very much under control, than, why is the recurrence now? Here, I would say not o...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi You come online, and you don’t use the Google search browser. It is not digestible! One can’t bypass the intelligent browser. It is the gateway to the pilgrimage of online journey. One has to start their online journey through this browser. So, it is necessary to know the pilgrimage – the Google browser. More you understand about the Google browser, more enriching will be your online experience. We all know the Google browser is used to search our intelligent and, of course unintelligent queries. Let’s not begin with our unintelligent search query; how Google interpret our enquiry, it will be dealt later exclusively. However, let’s begin this time with the Calculator property in the Google browser. Yes, the Google browser functions as a scientific calculator. Those accustomed of using the browser will conclude – it is better than a calculator. Imagine, you are working in a Microsoft word file, and you have to do simple arithmetic (addition and subtract...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi You type in the Google browser – Silchar flood – you will find nothing substantial information. You can say there is nothing, absolutely nothing where you can fix your eyeballs. Now the question is, why Google’s best search engine in the world, is failing to bring relevant links on the keyword ‘silchar flood’? The answer is: Because nobody has felt it to write. The loss of property worth of crores and suffering of localites (Bishnupriya Manipuri, Bengalis, Assamese, Meitai Manipuri etc.) means nothing. It is as simple as it is seen on the search page. A Google Earth view of the Silchar town reveals about its topography. It is surrounded by the Barak River criss-crossing the town. Angriness of the Rain God for few days brings the town not only cut-off from the rest of the country but mayhem on the neighboring villages. Villages go down the water; people are shifted to schools and makeshift camps, army is given order to carry out relief measures and blah-...

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai Sreehatta Sammilani came into being on 14th July 2002. Within six years of it`s existence, the Sammilani has become well known, not only to Bengalees and Bishnupriya Manipuris living in Mumbai, but also Kolkata and Delhi, because they are also having Sammilani by same name. Our`s is the youngest among all. We are not blood related but cousins only. Here, I would like to bring to the notice of every one, whoever visits this blog as to how this Sammilani was formed. It was way back in the year 1998, when my daughter was working in Tata Memorial(Cancer) Hospital, where the patients or the relatives of the patients from North East, even from Bangladesh were sent to her for having a brief on prescriptions given, followed by obtaining of medicines from certain reliable medical stores etc, as they could not understand the language what the doctors and nurses would speak. It became a routine affair for my daughter to listen to them not only about medicines but als...

Today, the 16th of September 2008 is a very special day for all those who are involved with the Bishnupriya Manipuri Blog, because, on this very day, exactly one year back it came into its existence with the sole vision of making a mark of the Bishnupriya Manipuri brand in the oceanic world of internet and also endowing a platform to the community people all over the world to participate and express themselves. By Ranita Sinha, Kolkata Being associated with this blog from the day of its emergence, it holds a special place in my life. The initial involvement later transformed into an emotional attachment and now it has become a necessary part of my life. Like earlier to start the day without a glimpse of the newspaper created a vacuum in the whole day's activity, now the blog has taken its place. To start the day with a quick peep into the blog gives a refreshing feeling for the whole day and to find a new post or a comment is an additional bonus. Earlier internet meant onl...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi There is nothing new to add in the arena of internet the importance that the electronic mail plays in our day to day life. It is the first step to get introduced into the fragmented, faceless world of internet.  Unfortunately, the electronic mail is less understood, it is being used lesser to its highest potential. Well, I am talking about Google Mail i.e., Gmail - the ubiquitous mail that has taken into its fold more million people than any other email providers put together.  People are shedding off their first email identity - created in other providers like Yahoo!, MSN, rediffmail, and like many - to Gmail. And, I am one among million people to do so.  The bonhomie that I have built up with Gmail is special and mutual. And after you read this article, you will come to know - why it is so.  Going straight, when my friends catch me red-handed in Gmail early hours and trigger a chat, saying - what's up? Those known to me, they know I have a ready-m...

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai The Silchar town is still synonymous to our native places because whenever some one ask me, where am I from? I say, form Silchar. Here in Mumbai, we are the people of erstwhile Cachar district (Hailakandi &Karimganj included), running an NGO, named “Sreehatta Sammilani”. I would come up later, with a write up on this Sanstha. We, most of us are from Silchar and when ever there is a great Bengali function in the city, we are always remembered and even Assamese never forget to call us in Assam Bhavan. The name Silchar is quite famous among the Bengalees living in Mumbai, immaterial whether they are from east or west Bengal. I was born and brought up in Baromuni; but my paternal village is Bhubaneshwar Nagar, located east of village Mohanpur. My present village, South Bekirpar (Panibhora) in Baromuni is east of Mr.Rajkumar Rishi`s maternal village, Katakhal. During my boyhood, I never went to Silchar, because there was no motorable road up to Kabuganj fro...

By Tridiv Sinha, New Delhi The following words are related to a sport which is followed by very few Indians, with only one participant in its 50 years of history, without any winners. In case you haven’t figured which sport I’m talking about, the intro would come as follows: The premier ‘Open Wheel Racing’ sport involving the most advanced technology and which tests both the player and his ride, The Formula1 [Or F-1 for short]. No need to sing the glory of F-1 when we have something more to discuss on. But to make my points clear, some points should not be left unattended without which the idea would be missing. To start with, the championship consists of 17 or 18 races around the globe per year [March to November]. Ten teams with two regular drivers each along with some test drivers for each team compete for the Constructors Championship. Points scored by drivers add to the Team Total, test drivers acting as reserves. Twenty drivers compete for the Driver’s title. This sport is the te...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi Getting a job in Central and State Government – comes as a chimera for the Bishnupirya Manipuri masses. Why not? Because of red-tape, corruption and irregularity in the employment generation routine – majority of the educated youngsters don’t even look at it. To be precise, it is not true in the case of UPSC conducted exam. It is based on merit, and only on merit. Here again we face the same question – we don’t have enough educated, confident mass to compete in this exams. So, one option is left for class 10 and Class 12 passed youngsters to try hand in to become a fauzi . I won’t say anything about them who try hard to get in the military jobs. After all who am I to dictate what they should do and what they shouldn’t. They have a responsibility on their broad shoulder of their parents, brothers and sisters. They know much better than me. But in my occasional visits to villages when I see aspirants preparing themselves for this job, I feel good that the...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi For many days I have been thinking, well to the better direction - that the blog must diversify the scope of the articles. I have uploaded many articles, written by many Bishnupriya Manipuri writers (take my articles as well), that were of no relation and relavance to the purpose of this blog for which it was created - becoming the window of our rich customs and culture to the whole world, and bringing all Bishnupriya Manipuri people in one platform so that exchange of ideas and thoughts could take place in an independent manner. I feel - change is what precursor of growth. On September 15, the baby would be one - year old. In this one-year journey I would personally say, it was an enriching journey. I learnt many things about our culture, people and what not. Something that was vague about our people, culture and customs has become crystal clear to me. I suppose, to many as well. More than that, I have come to know the strength of our people. What do t...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi Can someone heal Silchar, Assam? Indeed, a tortuous question? Anytime the name of Silchar pops up in my mind, my whole body starts aching with pain. It is not the distance that causes it. It is something in the air that I can't breathe. I find my village - Dad's village Mohanpur and Mama's village Baromoni- much better than the Silchar town. I get peace there. You can say I am bit prejudice about the town. May be I can't converse in Slyheti Bengali. This may be the one reason. I introspect why I am allergic to the town. As soon as I get there my whole body swings in lightning speed to get in as soon as possible to my village. I don't want, mere the urge, to amble around the town. It doesn’t arise in my conscious. I am always in the escapist mood. I have asked many - how do they find living in Silchar, Assam. I haven't found to my memory, someone nodding in the favour of it. I analysed what would be the reasons that had made me No...

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai It was year 1972, I and my family, wife and year-old daughter traveling from Vishakhapatnam to Silchar via Calcutta. In those days, Air line passengers were to report to city office first, then to Dum Dum Airport by airline’s own bus. On that fateful day, I reached Howrah Railway Station and took a taxi to air office at Rasbehari Avenue. As the taxi driver about to park the vehicle near the air office, a porter came running and started helping us to take out the luggage from the taxi and at the mean time I was paying the fare to the driver. And on reaching the counter, saw a black attaché was missing, I immediately turn around and saw the taxi was taking a U turn. I started running after the taxi and some how reached nearer and tapping on, to stop but it didn’t. It was dusk and streets were becoming dark and the streets light were started burning. I kept on running after it; but how long a human being ran against a machine? I had to give up and headed towa...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi New/Old Delhi Railway station - mere mentioning of the name sprouts in me all the forgotten, dormant memories, associated with this busiest railway station of India. How, as a child clutching my father's hand we used to board to another train, how as a teenager slept on its platforms, and went for Delhi Darshan on walk. These and many memories come crumbling out of my every visit to this railway station. This time for the last two days I had been visiting the railway station, and every time it reminds me all the sweet and harrowing experience that took place in the railway stations. Now when I visit the railway station, although I don't remember a figment of its past structure, how it looked at that time, one thing that assures me again and again - I have become a "man", my parents don't accompany me every time I leave home. From the basket of memories, here is the one that I would say, still if you ask my mom to narrate she would ...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi Ask anybody - why don’t you participate in the meetings of the social organisation? They come out with 1001 reasons why they are not participating in the social gatherings. It is an universal truth-few people participate in such activities, so it is not new to the Bishnupriya Manipuri community. At the outset, I bite the bullet of their ignorance - what they are missing from the perspective of their development. They are missing the opportunity that other people will happily pay for it. Anyway, going straight to the topic - what an individual could gain while participating in such activities. I would say I had the same belief couple of years back till I passed out from the Gauhati University. I was in those group who brusque aside any sort of attachment with social, cultural or political organizations or forums. The turning point came, though to my credit in my whole school life, I had only two certificates - one certifying that I have passed class 10 a...

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai Adding a pinch of salt and spice to Mrs. Ranita’s article ‘ Aarati in Emar Thar ’ to enhance the existing taste of reading. Once I read in a Bishnupriya Manipuri monthly, that a group of elderly people objected aarati performers, performing Aarati in Emar thar at Sadhu Thakur`s Ashram at Tarapur, Silchar . They even challenged their propriety by saying as to who has allowed them to perform in the malthep . There was about to be a commotion between them, and the elderly group ultimately left in a huff. But this time Ranita has found so much of changes there, which is really a positive sign. Mr. Jogendra Kumar Sinha, Retd. High School Head Master and President, Sanskriti Parishad, NBMM, has published a book (Emar tharor) of Aarati at Silchar. His work has been appreciated by all. Mrs. Sandhya Mukherjee and her party might be using the copy of the same book for their aarati. I am also having a copy of that book which, the writer himself had sent to me year...

By Ranita Sinha, Kolkata The Hindu culture is a very rich and vast culture. All the year round they have one or the other festival to celebrate. They offer Pujas to different Gods and Goddesses . It is rightly said that a Hindu celebrates thirteen festivals in twelve months. But each and every community has its own unique way to perform the festivals. The Bishnupriya Manipuri community, also being a Hindu community, performs different pujas. The rituals followed by them are very elaborate. One unique feature of the community is the chanting of Aratis while performing puja. Aratis are performed mainly in the morning, noon and afternoon. The morning aarati is called Mongolarti, noon its called Bhogarati and evening it is called Sendarati . The aartis are mainly sung in Brajabali language, similar to Bengali. During my last visit to my in-law's village, New Bhakatpur, Silchar to attend Basanti Puja , pledged by my mother-in-law, I witnessed a very unusual thing there. The Monga...