Bishnupriya Manipuri Online

DILS Lakshmindra Sinha being felicitated by Rastriya Kavi Sangam We the people of the Indian subcontinent share a common civilization framework, and DILS Lakshmindra Sinha’s Hindi poetry book ‘Mitti ki Chaaya’ is one such attempt deepening and widening the cultural unity of all the people. The collection of poems by him is an attempt to share the same oneness that sprout in this great land called Bharat. Beginning with the poem, ‘Mein Brahmaputra hoon’, ‘Is Mahan Desh ke’, ‘Atmagat ki Chitthi’, DILS Lakshmindra Sinha has penned his thought to the far and wide civil war that took place in Somalia in 1998. In the same breathe, how a serial bomb blast that rocked Guwahati years ago would go unnoticed by the poet. The poems ‘Somalia 1998’ and ‘October 30: Ek Mrit Yuvti’ find expression of the pain and anguish. DILS Lakshmindra Sinha in the introductory page ‘Mere Anubhav’ echoes with countless voice unheard in the modern democratic India that being a linguistic minority has...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha Thanks to Rajiv Malhotra’s path breaking book “ Breaking India – Western Interventions in Dravidian and Dalit Faultlines”, that shook people like me out of their comfort zone. He is the rarest breed of Indian intellectual who has disrupted the whole Indian narrative of our history, Indology, sociology, anthropology, Sanskrit, South Asian Studies and other related fields. After reading the book, I am assured that there are lot of forces working in Manipur, and Hinduism is at receiving end. The Hindu Meitei are in siege. The practitioners of the Hindu Dharma are fighting a war against a well orchestrated enemy of US and European churches, academics, think-tanks, foundations, governments and human rights groups. The script followed in Dravidian and Dalit chauvinism has been photocopied in Manipur. It is impossible to study done by Rajiv Malhotra in his fatty 626-page book ‘Breaking India’ to be narrated here. The body of work (in the form of books) d...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha Here is a hypothetical conversation between Hindu Bishnupriya Manipuri and newly converted, anti Hindu, colonised, western, Church-dictated Christian Bishnupriya Manipuri. It is a caricature to understand basically Hindu Dharma and Christianity, inspired from the Rajiv Malhotra-authored book Being Different - An Indian challenge to Western Universalism. Christian Bishnupriya Manipuri : Mine is the only one true religion and everyone should convert to it. Hindu Bishnupriya Manipuri: This attitude stems from your ‘exclusivism’ of your religion. My Hindu dharma not only allows religious pluralism but it is built on it. I don’t have to convert you. I have respect for you, but it is ‘mutual’. By the way Bishnupriya Manipuri is a Hindu jati . We have varna and jati, and there is no 'caste'. Christian Bishnupriya Manipuri : ‘Religious tolerance’ shows how good we are towards your Hindu religion. Hindu Bishnupriya Manipuri:  'Tolerance'...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha Our Sanatan Hindu Dharma has always been misunderstood with myths and misconceptions. Unfortunately, these have gone deep into the Hindu psyche through the western academia, mass media, and due to the lack of knowledge about our Dharma. Supported by western academia, these myths and wrong notions have been accepted unfortunately by westernised / colonised / christianised / liberalised Hindus of contemporary India. Their entire mission is to destroy everything that qualifies Hindu Dharma. Therefore, we Hindus are not able to define what the Hindu Dharma is. Rajiv Malhotra’s book Indra’s Net , traces back the main source that are rooted in the western academia. And gives a befitting reply to each of the myths. In doing so, the author brilliantly defines Hinduism using the ‘forest’, the ‘computer industry’ and the ‘banyan tree’ as metaphors. He analyses step by step the various aspects, facets and constituents of the Hindu Dharma and establishes its unity...

RK Rishikesh Sinha Few days ago, I read a book ‘Seducing the Rain God’ by Smriti Kumar Sinha. I read each and every word in the book. I find the book is not merely a book consisting of fourteen stories originally written in Bishnupriya Manipuri, it is more of a product that is embedded with many information of the community to the pan-Indian readers as well as to the home audience. So, the book appears as a big bridge connecting many small bridges. Ramlal Sinha, the translator of the book, has successfully done a very painstaking job translating the stories written in Bishnupriya Manipuri. He has effectively transferred the original Bishnupriya Manipuri framework to English without diluting the beauty of the stories. However, if given an opportunity I would like to read the original ‘Bishnupriya Manipuri’ story ‘Choudhury Golapchan’. Since the story touches the core of the Bishnupriya Manipuri psyche. Here are the few lines from the book:  "Monigo, your mind is...

FROM OUR Correspondent  Silchar, Nov 30: Members of the central committee of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union (NBMSU) and Bishnupriya Manipuri Ganasangram Parishad (BMGSP)’s decision to confer a number of prestigious awards on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State Education minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, deserves special mention. This decision was taken at a meeting held in memory of Dr Kaliprasad Smriti Dibyashram Sanskriti Kendra, at West Kachudaram, Chencoorie here. The occasion was special as they were observing the 123rd birth anniversary of Bishnupriya Manipuri Society’s first political stalwart, leader, poet, writer and social activist Gokalanandagiti Swami. Gokalanandagiti Swami Award for political works 2016 and Gokalanandagiti Swami Award for social works 2016 were also announced at the programme. Nanda Kishore Singha, former MP and a frontline leader of Bishnupriya Manipuri Society has been also awarded for...

RK Rishikesh Sinha Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a cashless economy is achievable. It is absolutely possible. Technology is available with us, the greatest challenge, however, is to change people’s mind. We have to educate people about the whole financial infrastructural touch points through which money gets transacted. It seems simple. The fact is: it is not. Since 2009 I have been closely following the development taking place in the finance-related digital space. India is so big and diverse; there are people who simply don’t know about NEFT? Forget about IMPS and (Pre-paid/ Closed System/ Semi-Closed System/ Open System) Payment Instruments. And there are people who don’t believe on banks even! They have love-hate relationship with banks. The state of affair is that if I tell a person to deposit to my account Rs 100 without physically going to a bank. He or she will not be able to do it. They don’t know the options available with them. However, the same pers...

RK Rishikesh Sinha The USA-based Joshua Project has targeted us to convert 100 per cent Hindu Bishnupriya Manipuris in India and Bangladesh to Christianity. The You Tube video given below is one such effort to bring Christ among Bishnupriya Manipuris. It is related to the Joshua Project. It is to be understand that the translated Bishnupriya Manipuri of the Christian story consist of core Dharmic words like Bhagwan/ Ishwar, Sansar, Paap, Narak, Uddhar. These Hindu terminology words doesn't apply to Christianity.. Our Hindu/ Vedic concept on Bhagwan/ Ishwar is different than the Christian God. Christian Story Hindu Story Let us understand better the Christian story according to our dharmic perspective. Explained by Rajiv Malhotra in the below given video. Next article will be on the difference between Hindu Bishnupriya Manipuri and the Christian one.

RK Rishikesh Sinha We as a Bishnupriya Manipuris feel proud keeping our social, cultural and religious pillars strong and intact. In the 21st century globalization period, it is surprising to find that there is continuity of our ethos since centuries despite being in the epicenter of many socio-political changes. The formation of India, East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) - on religion is one such. More than that we withstood religious conversion to Islam and Christianity in comparison to our neighbouring communities; we are Hindus. It is surprising that religious conversion is not highlighted and discussed. Take this: this is the first article in this blog raising the issue. However, in the present time, we are not safe. The Bishnupriya Manipuri society has been intruded and it is being compromised. To my knowledge and information, 40-45 Bishnupriya Manipuri individuals have converted to Christianity in India. To make the matter worse, unknowingly BMDC-Pau website  carries t...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council (BMDC) is dead and is a part of history now. We are fortunate that we have seen the complete life cycle – its birth and its sudden death. However, the short tenure of the body has highlighted how we as a community respond to such development.  Today, when we go back and read some of the writings on BMDC , we find serious questions were asked about the inception of the body. Here is an article, where Ramlal Sinha had doubts about the body’s financial viability and its objective. And at the same time, the role of NBMM against BMDC was questioned. In parallel to Ramlal Sinha’s views, Rebati Mohan Sinha who was elated with the formation of the body, he too asked many questions to the very existence of the body. Reading his series of articles on BMDC , today, I believe, many of his questions have gone unanswered! Out of many things that we have seen, it is suffice to say that we can be played upon by anybo...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha With the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I observed there is chaos all around us. Though many people like me are enjoying the chaotic environment that got fall out with the decision. I observed since the day of announcement, the daily bazaar near to us went absolutely vacant with no buyers; and even some of the shops got closed. Still co-passengers in buses and in e-rickshaws are in conversation on the very topic. I saw people are concerned but there is absolute peace in this cacophonic environment. What is so particular about the inner calmness presided by our people at this juncture when there is no cash in their hands? The inner attributed to the dharmic cultures which tend to be more accepting of difference, unpredictability and uncertainty. My opinion is shaped by Rajiv Malhotra’s book “ Being Different ” which I am currently reading. This voluminous book of 474 pages says that the traditional Dharmic per...

Special Correspondent Silchar, Nov 19: Bishnupriya Manipuri organizations at a joint meeting held under the presidentship of Subal Sinha, former chairman of Bishnupriya Manipuri Ganasangram Parishad on Thursday took serious exception to the allegations of Amar Sinha against Gopidas Sinha, former executive member of Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council, accusing the latter of fraud and cheating some members of the community in the name of giving appointment for the post of Bishnupriya Manipuri language teachers. A complaint in this regard was submitted to the Inspector General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Ulubari, Guwahati, which was sent back to the DSP, headquarters here for further inquiry and punitive measures, if called for. The matter was published in The Sentinel issue of November 12 on the basis of the written submission of Amar Sinha supported by relevant documents. The meeting of the Bishnupriya Manipuri organizations taking serious exceptio...

Special Correspondent Silchar, Nov 11: In a written complaint to the Inspector General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Ulubari, Guwahati, some members of the Bishnupriya Manipuri community have brought serious allegation against Gopidas Sinha, former executive member of Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council, for fraud and cheating them in the name of giving appointment for the post of Bishnupriya Manipuri language teachers. It is also worth mentioning that he is also the present chief advisor of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Teaching Diploma Holders’ Association as well as secretary of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Teaching Training Centre. According to their submission, Gopidas Sinha taking advantage of his leadership in the community and also for being on the frontline of movement in the greater interest of the community displayed his power and authority and also his closeness with the authorities concerned in power for providing them the job of teachers. A...

Previous Gogoi government unnecessarily constituted development councils for their selfish political gains BY OUR STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI, Nov 4: In the name of welfare of different communities, the previous Congress government in Assam constituted several development councils. Although in the beginning, the government tried to keep its focus on the welfare of these communities through these councils, later the focus got shifted to appeasement of a section of political leaders by the government, thereby diluting the very objective of these councils. Thirty one development councils were formed by the previous government and many of these were constituted even without taking practical aspects into consideration. Realizing the reasons for which the previous Congress government formed so many development councils in the State, the present BJP-led State government at Dispur dissolved all the development councils, excluding two, through a notification (No. TAD/BC/402/2016/104) ...

Special Correspondent Silchar, Sept 23: The annual conference of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Teaching Training Diploma Holders Association concluded on Thursday in the District Library auditorium here. A slew of demands of the organization came in for discussions and deliberations as well as resolutions. Among the demands included creation of 300 new posts of the Bishnupriya Manipuri language teachers at the LP and upper primary levels in different schools of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. This would be a step forward to give effect to the state government notification of 1999 and facilitate the learning of the primary stage students of the community and at the same time pave the way for the appointment of Bishnupriya Manipuri teaching training diploma holders. It was also agreed upon that the state government should take steps without delay for the preparation and publication of text books in Bishnupriya Manipuri language. Samarjit Sinha, president of the Cachar unit of...

By our Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, Oct 16: In the run-up to its centenary celebrations, the Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) is going to publish the history of various ethnic groups of Assam. In a statement issued to the press today, the AXX said that an editorial board has been constituted in this connection with AXX president Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora as the chief editor, Dr. Malini Devi Rabah as the editor and Debojit Bora as the executive editor. Ethnologists of various universities have also been roped in as advisers for the mission. As many as 50 researchers and scholars have been selected, one for each ethnic group, so as to get the mission well accomplished. Some of the scholars and their respective ethnic groups are – Dr. Khemraj Nepal for Nepalese, Dr. Anit Boro for Bodos, Dimbeswar Tasha for Tea Tribes, Mileswar Pator for Tiwas, Dr. Basanta Kumar Doley for Mising, Listi Rabha Rongsha for Rabhas, Dr. VLT Bupai for Hmar, Kanuram Hasong for Hasongs, Dr. MG Singh for Manipuri,...

Diwali the most important and significant festival world-wide. In ancient times, Diwali was first observed by the citizens of Ayodhya to celebrate the joyful return of  King Rama . Diwali thus signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival also symbolizes a time for spiritual renewal by lighting a lamp within our own hearts for spiritual enlightenment and by welcoming the Lord into our lives. The festival is often celebrated with elaborate firework displays, lighting Diwali lamps and feasting.In another era, this was also the day when Lord Krishna performed His Damodara childhood pastime of breaking the pots of yogurt and letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda. Devotees remember these pastimes during this auspicious month known as Karttika. Diwali ceremony can be observed by illuminating 100's of candles, and offering special Prasad to the Deity. means the same thing—Dipa means candles, and bali means numerous. When numerous can...

When PM Modi mentioned Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan from the Red Fort of Delhi on 15 August 2016; I was amused since I knew Pakistani media and intelligentsia would go berserk. Indeed they were. A thought strike my mind to enquire about the state Manipur. Frankly speaking Manipur is not of any interest to me. Like any other Indian, Manipur reminds me for all wrong reasons! A quick cursory analysis between Pakistan and Manipur, I find that they are not only similar but exactly the same. As an Indian Bishnupriya Manipuri, the histories of both Pakistan and Manipur started rolling in front of my eyes. Like anyone, I can relate very well with both the blocks. To my understanding and knowledge I see Manipur would suffer a lot in the coming decades, and the Meitei Hindu community would be at receiving end. Let’s begin the comparison taking few of the factors. Dominant Community What Punjabis muslims are for Pakistan, Meitei community is for Manipur. Pakistan...