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Showing posts from July, 2011

ON THE TERM 'BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI'

By: Dr. K. P. Sinha [This is one of the oldest articles in the Internet written by Dr. K.P. Sinha (1937-2011) for Kangla Online .] 1. Controversy between the Meiteis and the Bishnupriyas: There has been a great controversy between the Bishnupriyas and the on the use of the nomenclature 'Bishnupriya Manipuri' to identify the Bishnupriyas and their language. According to the Meiteis they are the 'real Manipuris' inhabiting the land of Manipur from centuries before Christ, while the Bishnupriyas are the descendants of some Bengalese who entered the land only a few centuries back. Accordingly, the Meiteis call the Bishnupriyas (Mayang's, i.e., 'foreigners' or 'westerners' and hold that the Bishnupriyas should not use the term 'Manipuri' either before or after the term 'Bishnupriya' to identify themselves and their language. This issue has been taken for discussion here. It should be noted that the Bishnupriyas also, quit

Mobile Phone

“Should students be allowed to carry Cell phones to school?” Ritwick Sinha Class-V Don Bosco Sr. Sec. School, Guwahati. Image:  http://www.engadget.com There are many positive and negative effects. Students can be in touch with their parents to know their whereabouts and students can easily reach their parents in case of emergency. But, in my view students should not be allowed to carry mobiles to school. Ringing tones and message alerts distracts the whole class. Even if a student sets his mobile phone in silent mode, he/she cannot pay attention to the lessons taught in the class. Students may also waste their valuable time by playing games in the mobile phones. As there is internet connection in the mobile phones nowadays, students may cheat in the exams. So, students should not be allowed to carry mobile phones to school.

Memoir of a fauji uncle

Personal Jottings By RK Rishikesh Sinha An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier Image: Jaipal Coming to our home daily and narrating interesting stories of his life experiences to us, made my memory laden with knowledge of socio-geo-political scenario of his times and I feel today, those ‘stories’ were the first lessons in the field of history, geography, political science and international relations for me. I was at the beginning of my teenage when he started visiting our home in Kashmir. Today, if someone comes daily, it might be taken as harassment and intrusion to ones daily life and wastage of time. But those days and time was different. People were more social and guests would be welcomed heartily. Treating guests with hospitality was the daily ritual that people would love to follow. He was a Bishnupriya Manipuri hailed from Rajagaon, Patharkandi (Assam, INDIA). He was a siphahi in BSF. Though he couldn’t get promotion as he told us with great amusement, “my servic

Assam Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) Pattern, Syllabus, Books—A Presentation

Here is a brief presentation on the Assam Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) 2011 . The state has recently declared that applicants who intend to be a teacher in government and private schools have to clear the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) Assam. Contents Who are eligible? TET Assam Exam Pattern Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) Assam syllabus TET Assam Exam Date TET Assam Exam Books

Bishnupriya bodies call for consensus on the formation of development council

Special Correspondent SILCHAR, July 25: The Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union (NBMSU) and Bishnupriya Manipuri Gana Sangram Parishad (BMGSP), subimitted a memorandum Monday to the Minister of Welfare of Plain-tribes and Backward Classes of Assam on Monday through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar to activate the Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council in the interest of the community. Both the organizations since have been campaigning for the introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri language and socio-economic development of this backward community. On16 March, 1966, a teenaged girl Sudeshna became martyr during 501 hour railway blockade agitation called by the organizations which led the Government of Assam to give OBC status to the community. The organizations’ continuous movement culminated in the introduction of the Bishnupriya Language in the schools on June 2, 1999. It was also their long struggle and movement which resulted in the creation of the Bishnupriya Manipuri De

Indira, India honoured

By RK Rishikesh Sinha Indira Gandhi A new chapter has been added to the Indo-Bangla relationship on July 25. Bangladesh conferred Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona on Indira Gandhi posthumously for her “outstanding contribution” to the country's independence from Pakistan. Though belatedly, the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has taken a historic step by recognizing India’s role in the formation of Bangladesh. The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi’s personal and political role to help millions of fleeing Bangladeshi people by opening Indian borders, providing economic aid and shelter, besides sending army to fight against Pakistani army, and finally giving a nation-statehood status to Bangladesh in the world map, is undeniable. However, during the period of 40-year of Independence of Bangladesh, its successive governments have done “calculative distortions …[of] India's role in the war … and [made] Indira Gandhi… the main villain. [Haroon H

Where the rains dance

Debasish Sinha suggests a holiday in Cherrapunjee to experience the beauty of the monsoon landscape. Meghalaya S urrounded by evergreen forests! Clouds for canopy! Clouds ro-mancing the hills! 12646.8 mm average annual rainfall! Dense fog for a few minutes! Set amidst the lush green hills and murmuring streams, Cherrapunjee or Sohra – as is locally known – is an ideal retreat for the denizens of the concrete jungle to beat the heat. Nothing can be more enjoyable than to spend a couple of days during the summer in the wettest place on Earth. Despite having lost top spot as the place experiencing the highest rainfall, it is still considered as the most preferred eco-friendly destination. Its breathtaking landscape, the mystical clouds and heavy monsoon rains over the mountains make it a truly beautiful corner in North East India to enjoy the Indian monsoons. The monsoon magic at the mesmeric Cherrapunjee is due to the moisture laden monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal, which strike

From the archive: Need To Broadcast Programmes In Bishnupriya

Lok Sabha Debate Need To Broadcast Programmes In Bishnupriya ... on 10 March, 2005 Title: Need to broadcast programmes in Bishnupriya Manipuri langauge by AIR and Doordarshan centres at Silchar in Assam. SHRI LALIT MOHAN SUKLABAIDYA (KARIMGANJ): ‘Bishnupriya Manipuri’ – a linguistic minority community – constitutes a sizeable portion of the population of Assam and Tripura. The approximate population of the community only in Barak valley districts exceed 3 lakhs besides a substantial number in other adjoining areas. ‘Bishnupriya Manipuri’ with their very rich cultural heritage specially in their classical dance and music have been further enriched by being included in the Indian mainstream in the form of dance, music and drama. They greatly contribute to the richness and variety of Indian culture. The Bishnupriya Manipuris Gurus played a significant part in propagating the Indian Manipuri Dance since long throughout the world. As an outcome of prolonged struggle by the community, th

From the archive: K. Kumardhan Singh vs Union Of India

K. Kumardhan Singh vs Union Of India (Uoi) And Ors. on 9 April, 1999 Equivalent citations: AIR 2000 Gau 50 Author: Patnaik Bench: A Patnaik, D Biswas JUDGMENT Patnaik, J. 1. This is a public interest litigation filed by the petitioner who belongs to the Manipuri community and who speaks Manipuri language. The relevant facts briefly are that by a notification dated 27-11-75, the Government of Assam published a list of Other Backward Classes in the State of Assam who would be entitled to reservation in public services. Against serial 13 of the said list published by the notification dated 27-11-75 "Manipuri including Manipuri Brahmins and Manipuri Muslims" were mentioned as an Other Backward Class. On 16-11-92, the judgment of the Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India was delivered. B.P. Jeevan Reddy, J. delivering the majority judgment held in para 117 of the judgment as reported in AIR 1993 SC 477 that there ought to be a permanent body, in the nature of a Commis

Teenaged girl killed after rape

Tension erupted over the rape and murder of a 14-year-old student of Nepaltilla HS School in North Tripura last night. Police said the culprit was identified as Sajal Sarkar(18), a construction worker, but he was yet to be arrested despite a massive search. According to report, the victims family had gone to Rath Yatra festival along with neighbours leaving her alone in the house. On the way back home, the girl's father saw Sajal nearby and found her dead inside. A medical test established that she was strangled after rape. Courtesy: webindia123.com A Minor Girl Raped, Killed Tripura Police Press Release

A Minor Girl Raped, Killed

On 08-07-2011 before 1500 hours at any time one Sajal Sarkar (18) S/O Arun Sarkar of Durbasha Khola, PS-Nepaltilla criminally entered the house of Sankar Sinha at Bhumihin Colony (about 1 ½ km North from PS) and committed rape upon her minor daughter while she was alone at home. After committing rape Sajal Sarkar killed her by strangulation with a napkin and fled away. Nepaltilla PS staff visited the PO and arranged for post mortem examination of the dead body of the victim. Efforts are on to arrest accused Sajal Sarkar.  Taken from Facebook forum: Bishnupriya Manipuri Discussion Forum (Victim's name deleted) Source: Tripura Police Press Release

IF ONLY...

By Prabal Atreya I would like to start off this column with my deepest condolences for the lost lives and injured lots in the LATEST Mumbai carnage; may Almighty provide strength during this time of crisis to the family members of the victims. Just a day after the blasts, I was having a regular conference call with my business partner sitting in US, and he started off the discussion with a condolence note and asked me about the ground situation there in Mumbai. I, in a quick response, based on what is shown by our very RESPONSIBLE media, described him a brief and ended up saying that “Mumbaikars are known for their resilient characters and they would bounce back to normalcy in a day or two” with a very casual tone. And then we continued with the regular stuff. But then, just after the call, as I replayed the discussion, something bothered me. With the casual tone and the content of what I said, saw me rating myself very low in my moral ME. It also reflected the attitude I possess for