CENTRAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MAHASABHA

By Pratibha Sinha, Guwahati

Photos Slideshows

The Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha, the apex socio-cultural body and the oldest organisation of the Bishnupriya Manipuris, along with its allied organisation viz. Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sanskriti Parishad, Radhamadhab Sevapuja Committee hold its one-day long special Central General Assembly on 27th February 2010 at Rudra Singha Memorial Sports Complex, Dispur. Delegates and participants in large numbers participated in the assembly from various corners of the country. After about 78 years of formation of the Mahasabha, Bishnupriya Manipuris got the opportunity to witness this Central General Assembly in the heart of Dispur, the capital of Assam which marked a pride in the history of Mahasabha and for the community as a whole.

The assembly started with flag hoisting ceremony, flowering to the Shahid Vedi in memory to the freedom fighters who died for the community’s welfare and Jatiya Sangeet. Hon’ble MLA and President of the Reception Committee Kartik Sena Sinha, Working President Sushil Kr. Sinha and President of Mahasabha Dr. Debendra Kr. Sinha addressed the delegates welcoming in the Central General Assembly. The day-long Central General Assembly was conducted in two sessions- first half as Closed-Session and 2nd half as Open-Session.

Closed-Session (participated by Delegates of Mahasabha and it’s sub-bodies)

In the closed session, only the delegates of Mahasabha and its allied bodies came participated and discussed on the major burning issues. The session started with a welcome chorus songs lead by Gautam Sinha and others. The chief guests who lead the session were Patherkandi MLA Kartik Sena Sinha, President of Mahasabha Dr. Debendra Kr. Sinha, Secretary General of Mahasabha Uday Singha, Working President of Mahasabha Hemkanti Sinha, Working President of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, President of State Committee of Mahasabha Bhupendra Sinha along with other chiefs of the committees of Mahasabha viz. Dils L Sinha, General Secretary/Sahitya Parishad/Central Committee, Dr. Prabhat Sinha, Manasi Sinha, Sushila Sinha/General Secretary of Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahila Samiti Guwahati. Kartik Sena Sinha being President of the Reception committee of this Central General Assembly in his address welcomed all delegates and extended best wishes for the successful conduct of Assembly. He appealed everyone to come forward unitedly and jointly to get the demands passed from the State Government by putting every possible pressure with valid judgments and justice for welfare of the community. He stated that the different bodies of the community should continue its non-stop movement unless and until all demands get fulfilled from the Government and struggle of the community comes to an end.

President of Mahasabha Dr. Debendra Kr. Sinha stated the past activities of the Mahasabha and it’s achievements till date. He informed how the body is functioning non-stop to get its demand fulfilled from the Centre and the State Government by putting pressure through time-to-time discussion and dialogues with the State Government of Assam in this regard. He seeked everyone’s support in getting the demands passed from the government. He informed that a committee had been formed for construction of office building for Mahasabha at Silchar College Road. Thereafter, other chief guests one after another present in the session addressed the delegates and appealed everyone for a joint and united restless movement to get the demands fulfilled. In this regard, other speakers like Hemkanti Sinha/Working President of Mahasabha, Manasi Sinha, Biresh Ranjan Sinha, Asutosh Sinha, Advocate Bhimsen Sinha etc in their address justified the demands as valid and required to be passed for the welfare and development of the community.

Secretary General of Mahasabha Shri Uday Sinha in his address placed the detailed report before the session regarding the functioning of the Mahasabha during last one year. He submitted the annual financial report to the Aanchalik committee of Mahasabha and requested its allied bodies to submit the financial report soon. He also read out the date-wise events and various activities of Mahasabha during last one year ( for details of events read at the end of the news).

Dils Lakhsmindra Sinha, General Secretary of Nikhil Bishnupriya ManipuriSahitya Parishad in his address told that globalisation and advanced media technology have attacked the minority community people due to which minority languages and its cultures are in endangered position. It is the responsibility of every person and appealed every person to come forward to save it.

Interactive Session

At 13:00 hrs an interactive session took place between the delegates and the chief guests on the dias where President and Secretary General of Mahasabha answered to the questions raised by the delegates for clarification and information. Many new suggestions and resolutions were also noted by Mahasabha for taking into consideration in future after further discussions.

Literary discussion Session

At 15:00 hrs, there was a session on literary discussion on different ways to develop Bishnupriya Manipuri literature conducted by Dils Lakhsmindra Sinha. In the discussions, it was insisted to encourage new writers & poets to come out with new writings in Bishnupriya Manipuri and translation of Bishnupriya Manipuri literatures in other major languages and vice-versa. In the Kavi Sammelan, many poets viz. Dils L. Sinha, Debasish Sinha, Samarendra Sinha, Shibendra Sinha, Sashi Kr. Sinha, Manasi Sinha, Hareswar Sinha, Mrinal Kanti Sinha, Namita Sinha, Sanjib Sinha etc. recited poems on the occasion. Educationist and litterateur Sukhojyoti Sinha released one of her self-written book in Bishnupriya Manipuri – “Americar Bhraman” in this session.

Movie Released

At the end of this session, PR production released HOJAK OIK – a Bishnupriya Movie produced by Porimal Sinha. The movie was released by Hemkanti Sinha, Working President of Mahasabha, Central Committee along with Chandrakanti Sinha, Chandrakanta Sinha (from Silchar) & Dils Lakhsmindra Sinha. (see details about the movie in the published news)

Open Session

At 17:00 hrs open session of the Assembly started with the reception of Chief Guests in the traditional style with leichandan and welcome drum-beat by group of dakulas. Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam who was supposed to be the chief guest of the occasion could not arrive in the assembly due his other busy schedule. But Gautam Roy, Hon'ble Excise and Border Development Minister of Assam, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora, Chairman of Linguistic Minority Development Board Bijoy Krishna Nath were the Guests of Honour of the Assembly. President of Mahasabha Dr.Debendra Kr. Sinha addressed the assembly stating the present condition of Bishnupriya Manipuri community in the state and its long run movements since last many decades to get their demands passed from the Centre and State Government. He expressed regrets to the state government for making so much delay in passing decisions and approving the demands submitted by Mahasabha. In the assembly he submitted the unanimous resolutions adopted in the Central General Assembly of the Mahasabha to the Chief Minister of Assam through Gautam Roy Hon'ble Excise and Border Development Minister of Assam.

The demands submitted were -

1. Immediate establishment of Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council for all round development,

2. Immediate notification including the Bishnupriya Manipuri in the List of Other Backward Classes of the state of Assam and the Central list of OBC in view of the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court judgement in CR No.3176 of 1999 as confirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India vide its judgement dated 08.03.2006,

3. Immediate introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri language from Class V onwards,

4. Immediate appointment of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language teachers and also appointment of Bishnupriya Manipuri Sub-Inspectors of Schools for effective supervision of the teaching. In this respect it may be stated that the Govt. has published a Newspaper Advertisement on 03rd October, 2005 and 2nd December 2005 respectively but after that no step has been taken by the Govt. till date to proceed in the matter,

5. Immediate clearance by the State Government to the Ministry of Information Broadcasting Govt. Of India, New Delhi for the introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri programme in Doordarshan and A.I.R Kendra's of Guwahati and Silchar in the state of Assam,

6. Inclusion of Bishnupriya Manipuri representatives in the proposed Assam legislative council,

7. Grant in Aid for construction of the Auditorium cum office & Guest House at Silchar and Guwahati.

8. Grant in Aid to Nikhil Bishnupriya ManipuriSahitya Parishad and Sanskriti Parishad for the development of Art, Culture and Literature of Bishnupriya Manipuri Community.

Submitting the demands, President of Mahasabha expressed and hoped that the Govt. will take immediate action for the fulfillment of aforesaid demands keeping in view the interests, welfare and overall development of Bishnupriya Manipuri people.

Gautam Roy expressed his happiness to watch and addressing the huge gathering of Bishnupriya Manipuri people at one place at Dispur. He gave his assurance to discuss with the Chief Minister of Assam and other related Ministers on the demands submitted by Mahasabha and get the demands passed soon. He advised Mahasabha to construct an office building with infrastructure soon and in this respect he announced to sanction Rs.10 lakhs- Rs 5 lakhs each for one office building at Silchar and one at Guwahati. Akon Bora said that every individual in the society have equal rights to enjoy the facilities and rights in their individual development that leads to the progress and development of society in whole. He too assured to give his support and initiative to get the demands passed in the centre and extends necessary assistance in future. Kartik Sena Sinha also assured that he will keep on his constant dialogue continued with the Ministry in this regard. Chairman of Linguistic Minority Development Board Bijoy Krishna Nath also spoke on the occasion and assured to extend necessary support for development and welfare of the community. He told the gathering that the demands raised by the Mahasabha were genuine and said that the State Government should meet the demands of the community without further delay.

Audio Album released

In this session, Hon’ble Minister Gautam Roy released the BHAKTIMANJORI a VCD album of Bishnupriya Manipuri Bhajans in the voice of Sushanta Sinha, Bhajan Singer produced by CK Production and lyrics composed by Chandrakanti Sinha. (Read BHAKTIMANJORI)

At the end of the open session, Kartik Sena Sinha and President of the Reception Committee of the Assembly thanking everyone for everyone’s support and participation in successful completion of the Assembly of Mahasabha. He introduced the members of the Reception Committee calling on the stage and appreciated their efforts performing since last 15 days before the program in arranging, managing and conducting the program successfully. (Names of the Reception Committee)

The session concludes successfully with fruitful discussions and taking resolutions before the delegates and others present in the assembly followed by a fanfare cultural night. The main attractions of the cultural programmes were group dance programmes presented under the direction of Bibhul Sinha. The melodious songs were also presented by singers like Sushanta Sinha/Bhajan Singer, Gautam Sinha, Preeti Sinha, Tushar Arjun, Sandhya Sinha, Bina Sinha, Rahul Sinha etc.

Major date-wise events of Mahasabha took place as stated by Secretary General of Mahasabha Shri Uday Sinha in the Assembly during last year:-

1. 18 Feb'2009

On getting invitation from Asom Sahitya Sabha to attend in the General Assembly held at Dhemaji, Dils Lakhsmindra, General Secretary of Nikhil Bishnupriya Sahitya Parishad represented there on behalf of Mahasabha.

2. 21 Feb'2009

On getting invitation from the Commissioner of Minority Community, Govt. Of India, New Delhi to participate in the celebration of ''International Mother Tongue Day'', Chandrakanta Sinha, Working President of Mahasabha, central body participated in the celebration on behalf of Mahasabha.

On this day, in Silchar, on arrival of Yog guru Swami Ramdevji, Mahasabha felicitated and honoured him with the title ''Amrit Putra''. Remarkably, Ramdevji was very pleased to see the reception made to him by the Bishnupriya Women in thier traditional dress, 'Leichandan' & 'Shankho Dhwani' and requested Mahasabha to make such arrangement for the next early morning before start of Yog Shivir. Accordingly, next day early morning, yogshivir of Ramdevji started with the Shanka dhwani made by 11 Bishnupriya Manipuri ladies dressed in traditional dresses. Through this, Bishnupriya Manipuri Vaishnavite culture got an opportunity to publicise all throughout the world through Ashtha Channel.

3. 01 March'2009

In Silchar, Mahasabha met with Education Minister Shri Gautam Bora where they discussed on the various demands and submitted their memorandum of demands. Hon'ble Minister assured to give publicity on the recruitment of teachers through Newspapers and conversion of literatures of other different languages into Bishnupriya Manipuri Language.

4. 22 April'2009

Mahasabha met with new Director of Silchar Doordarshan Shri S.S.Dhar to discuss on the issue of broadcasting Bishnupriya Manipuri related programs and he referred the letter of Director General of Prasar Bharati, New Delhi where it was mentioned that a demand have to be submitted in this regard including the area covering Barak Valley region and Dharmanagar. Mahasabha submitted the same.

5. 29 April'2009

In Bikrampur, some satyagrahi students related to Language movement (Bhasha Andolon) were arrested by police against different charges and were harassed. On the initiative and steps of Mahasabha, these students were freed from their legal charges.

6. 24th May’2009

The 47th General Assembly was held in Silchar Sadhuthakur Sevashram by Mahasabha along with Sahitya Parishad and Sanskriti Parishad where new committee of the Central body elected and formed and future action plans of the body framed.

7. 16th July’2009

In Assam Legislative Assembly, in response to the question answer session of Hon’ble MLA Kartiksena Sinha, Hon’ble Scheduled caste development Minister Smt Promila Rani Brahma commented that “Bishnupriya Manipuri is not recognized as minority language” which hurt the sentiments of people of the community which reflected much in Silchar where people came out in procession condemning this comment of the Minister. Immediately Mahasabha came into action and with involvement of Hon’ble Minority Development Minister Dr. Nazrul Islam, the matter had been sorted out. In this matter, the representatives of Mahasabha, Sahitya Parishad, Sanskriti Parishad and Mahila Samiti of Loutak Guwahati met with Hon’ble Minister Smt Promila Rani Brahma to withdraw her comment.

8. 31st Aug’ 2009 – 4th Sept’09

Under Asom Sarba Sikhsha Abhijan in Cachar district, a 5 day Module Preparation Workshop on Education in Bishnupriya Manipuri Language was conducted in Silchar Normal School. Sarbasikhsa department through a letter requested President of Mahasabha Dr. Debendra Sinha to nominate names of some resource person for Bishnupriya Manipuri language. In this regard nominated resource persons were Manoranjan Sinha, Gopinath Sinha, Subhas Sharma, Uday Sinha, Mathura Sinha, Swapan Sinha, Manasi Sinha, Mahendra Sinha, and Badal Sinha.

9. 7th Sept’09

A joint Memorandum of demand submitted to the Chief Minister of Assam, Prime Minister of India and other departmental officials by Mahasabha, Andolan Parishad, Student’s union & Retired Defence Personnels after holding a dharna in Silchar

10. 26th Sept’09

On behalf of Mahasabha, President of Sanskriti Parishad Shri Jogendra Kr. Sinha met with Director of Doordarshan at New Delhi and got the clarification that on getting clearance from State Government, Bishnupriya Manipuri Cultural programmes will be telecasted in Doordarshan through a letter to Mahasabha.

11. 25th Oct’2009

In the complex of Rabindra Bhawan, Silchar, members of Mahasabha of Central Committee and Assam State Committee conducted a meeting where different action plans were framed. In that meeting, expressing regret for not including a member from Bishnupriya Manipuri community in the Asom Minority Development Board, Mahasabha placed a demand to the State Govt. for inclusion of a member in the Board. In this meeting, Regional committee for Andolon Parishad for Pratapgarh area formed.

12. 6th Dec’2009

A committee of Mahasabha for Jorhat unit formed in presence of Vice President (Central body) Anil Krishna Gautam and Vice President State Sahitya Parishad Shimu Sinha. In 14th Feb’2009, a committee of Mahasabha for Tinsukia unit formed.

13. 21st Dec’2009

Due to no response from the Assam State Government in fulfilling the demand of the body, Mahasabha, Andolon Parishad, Student’s union, Mahila Samiti declared to call a wide movement through a fax to Chief Minister of Assam. In this regard, Assam Govt. in reply informed that on 24th December 2009 Bishnupriya Manipuri had been included in the Development Board. On 22nd January, Assam Govt. accepted the nomination and included Dr. Debendra Kr. Sinha, President of Mahasabha in the Development Board.

14. 31st Jan’2010

Mahasabha conducted a General Assembly in Silchar where it was decided to hold Central General Assembly to place demand and pressure on the State Govt.

15. 2nd Feb’2010

In the Assembly of Asom Sahitya Sabha held at Baithalangchut of Karbi Anglong district, Dils Lakshmindra Sinha, General Secretary of NIKHIL BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI Sahitya Parishad represented on behalf Mahasabha and NIKHIL BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI Sahitya Parishad. In his presence, a committee of Mahasabha formed in Kumargaon, a small village in the border area of Karbi Anglong-Nagaon.

16. 10th Feb’2010

On invitation, President of NIKHIL BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI Sahitya Parishad Shri Gopinath Sinha and President of NIKHIL BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI Sanskriti Parishad participated in the “Bahubhasik Kavi Sammelon” organized by Guwahati Doordarshan and Asom Sahitya Sabha of Silchar. Through this programme, recitation of Bishnupriya Manipuri poems too got the opportunity for telecast in Doordarshan.

17. 12th Feb’2010

Delegates of Mahasabha discussed with Hon’ble Education Minister of Assam Shri Gautam Bora, Excise and Border Area Development Minister Shri Gautam Roy and Chairman of Minority Development Commision Shri Bijoy Krishna Nath on fulfilling the various demands of the body in favour of the community.

18. 14th Feb’2010

A committee formed at Silchar for construction of office building for Mahasabha.