Views
By RK Rishikesh Sinha, New Delhi
What is celebration? What is its importance in ones life? Ask this question to any Bishnupriya Manipuri living in Bangalore, UAE, USA, Australia and United Kingdom; they will be able to tell the true meaning of celebration. If not ask this question to a defence personnel who reminisces his past association with the celebration which used to take place in his village of Assam or Tripura. He plans his leave according to festivals.
They all have a longing to spend a few golden moments of his life with whom he could associate and dissolve in the celebration. But their wish remains a mere wish. Isolation added with meager number of his clan kill their aspiration. They spend the celebration-day like any other day.
Come to Delhi, after Assam and Tripura, this is the supposedly the only city which registers the highest concentration of Bishnupriya Manipuri people. Celebration of any puja in Delhi be it is Shree Shree Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur’s birth anniversary, has undergone many hit and trial method. And it is still in the same process. Lot of logistics and support goes into organising a celebration which is expected to draw above 450 people.
The first online article mentioning the Delhi celebration took place here in 2007. (Article: Delhi Bishupriya Manipuri celebrated Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur's Abhirbhab Tithi) The attendance was not voluminous as it was seen in the year 2008. Within one year there has been a marked involvement of Bishnupriya Manipuri people in any celebration.
First, what prompted the Delhi Bishnupriya Manipuri to celebrate the Shree Shree Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur? Second, what were the factors that went into the sudden surge in the participation?
There are many reasons that count for celebrating selective puja in Delhi. Besides the population strength of Bishnupriya Manipuri, one primary reason that goes with it - is its concerned Bishnupriya Manipuri volunteers. They have been taking up cudgel organizing such events be it is small or big in the city. They have endeavoured to celebrate any puja together with their own people.
It is their urge which initiated them to come forward. And who are they? They are the permanently-settled bujons. This is the population who has sown the seed of togetherness amongst us in this alien land. They are the people who have enlivened the culture of celebration, otherwise where is the time for today’s youngsters to give time and energy and to get involved in this lafdas (so-called problems).
Emergence of the Delhi-NCR Bishnupriya Manipuri Samiti with active Members is cited as another reason for the celebration of pujas in Delhi. To the second question – why there has been a sudden jump in the number of participating Bishnupriya Manipuris in any event. Communication and engagement – are the two reasons for it. The site works as a vehicle of communication. Messages are being transferred at lightning fast. When there is a call to celebrate – who can say “No”.
So, if Bangolore Bishnupriya Manipuris do not participate in any celebration. They are missing some points like: population strength, devoted bujons, and of course an urge to mingle for a day with your same clan people.
Bangolore being the second highest concentration of Bishnupriya Manipuri fails to celebrate any event; then there is no point of mentioning those living in Hyderabad and Chennai, UK, Australia and United Kingdom.
Today is Lamboishing (Sunday)
What next?
Comments
Post a Comment
We all love comments. It is moderated