The momentous day

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 only mailing, chatting and orkuting, to me. But taking initiative in the blog gave me an opportunity to utilize my energy and knowledge in a positive and productive way. It introduced me to my inner self. Never ever in my wild dreams I dreamt that I will be able to write whatever little I try to jot down which again gained acclamation (both good and bad) from many.

The Blog is like a baby to me, whose growth I have witnessed right from day one till date. Its growth provides me immense pleasure and simultaneously anybody's accusation creates restlessness within me. In short a sense of possessiveness has developed, which I am sure is same with many who are involved with the blog. Its growth has been steady in this one year and gained popularity at a very short span. It started with a very few number of viewers and contributors but within one year both the numbers have grown extensively.

When I look back it reminds me of many good and bad experiences of mine. It reminds me of the fear that was within me when my first post 'Sri Sri Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur' was published, the positive response gained by the articles 'khuttei' and the Rag Picker, the controversy I got involved with the article of Amar Sinha, my endless efforts to try to write on 'Khuttei' and 'Chakam' and many more.

On this special day it will be unfair on my part if I do not thank Rini, BN, RK Harilal Sinha, Suroshree and Rebati kaku who have contributed so many valuable writings in the initial days and are still contributing. Than our family started extending with the works of Tridiv, Sonika, Jyotirmoy, Surajit, Henry, Sanju, Rajesh and the final appreciation goes to the head of this family, Rishi.

Behind the success story of the Blog lies, ample hard work and positive strategy of the owner of this blog, Rishikesh, who has provided us an opportunity to share our bit with our community people. He is always very focused and never confused with what he is going to do with the blog. Whatever little I get to know from him, I learnt that it requires a lot of effort and patience and it is his selfless dedication that amidst his busy schedule he never neglected the blog, which he says is not his property but his community's. According to him if the blog gets neglected he will be accountable for it to all the viewers and contributors.

Once again on this memorable day I wish that the blog grows more and more in the days to come. There is much more to achieve and a long, long way to go. May this day come year after year and wish that more and more people come and contribute and help to make it BIG.

RK Rishikesh Sinha: Sorry, I can’t say ‘Thanks’ to her. It is a mutual decision between us not to say this word to each other. Very early morning getting this write-up from her made my heart swelled with emotions. When this blog went live late night on this day, she is the first person whom I shared it first. Since then she has been associated with it.

Deep inside I feel happy that she has progressed, she is looking the world, our Bishnupriya Manipuri community, in a different perspective. Managing the two world one that of her family along with the blog, is tough and demanding. I am very much demanding from her. But she has been managing it wonderfully.

I am waiting for the day when her daughter Nanaai will grow up and have the privilege to read all her article and say “That’s my mom”. I will very happy for that day to come.

Interestingly, we have not met with each other minus one glimpse of her when I went to her home in Guwahati to meet her younger sister Namita on the very day when the Assam Tribune carried a write-up on me.

At last, I am grateful to non-Bishnupriya Manipuri readers who drop at this blog and take something from it. They have read, commented and even subscribed to it. The coming days will see lot of people dropping at this blog, I hope they learn from it.