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Celebration Of Birth Anniversary Of Geetiswami At Guwahati

By Pratibha Sinha, Guwahati

It was for the first time in Guwahati, the birth anniversary of Geetiswami Gokulananda was celebrated in a historic manner by the Bishnupriya Manipuris on 26th and 27th November, 2011 to reminisce the contributions of the revolutionary and cultural doyen. The occasion was organised at different parts of the city. On 26th November, a programme was organised at Dakhingaon(Kahilipara), Sudarshanpur(Maligaon), Chalihanagar, Saalbari and Bijulinagar(Noonmati) and on 27th November, another programme was held at Silpagram(Panjabari), Khanapara, Satgaon, Christian Basti, TV Tower and Jorabat. The Bishnupriya Manipuri people have showered their love and respect on these two days by organizing different programs at different localities with a call to build cultural bridges, break barriers of language and strengthen the humanity bond. Intellectuals from different places of Assam and Tripura arrived at Guwahati to recall the versatile genius Geetiswami Gokulananda.

Gokulananda, a philosopher, social reformer, music composer, dramatist and an artist, was very much conscious about the social upliftment and eradication of social drawbacks from the Bishnupriya Manipuri society. He was born on 26th November, 1896 in a village called Madhavpur of Bhanugachh in Bhanubil, Bangladesh. His messages on social reformation and movements reached in all those places where Bishnupriya Manipuri people were densely populated in Bangladesh, Tripura and Assam. He was conferred with the title “Geetiswami” because of his multitalented and multifaceted qualities. He died on 10 July, 1962.

It was really a marvelous opportunity for anyone to attend such a historic day of such an inspiring legend. It also becomes an obligation to attend such an occasion when anyone receives numbers of invitations to attend numbers of programs on the same day and in the same city. Same thing happened with me. I started receiving invitations one month in advance till the last one day before the celebration day from different locations. I was both excited and confused about which program to attend or not to attend. At last, commitment and priority helped me to decide and select the programs to attend. It was really a nostalgia experience for me and enriched with lots of information & knowledge about the visionary legend. I got the opportunity to be a part of the celebration at two places on the two days – one at Dakhingaon(Kahilipara) and another at Silpagram(Panjabari) and glad to share the highlights of the celebration.

At Dakhingaon(Kahilipara) on 26 November, 2011

Bishnupriya Manipuri Writers’ Forum(BMWF), a Guwahati based literary forum under the presidentship of Dils Lakhsmindra Sinha and the Bishnunagar Mandir Committee under the presidentship of Akhil Chandra Sinha celebrated the 116th birthday(janma tithi) of Gokulananda at the mandap(malthep) of Sri Sri Bishnumandir, Bishnunagar, Dakhingaon of Guwahati on 26 November, 2011. All invited guests and people present on the occasion paid tribute to the iconic figure. In his memory, recitation of poems and songs composed by Gokulananda were performed by different local litterateurs and artists. Sushil Kr. Sinha, Professor of Guwahati University, Dr. Smriti Kumar Sinha, Tezpur University, Pratap Sinha, SP/Hemren, Bimalesh Sinha, Ramlal Sinha, Bhimsen Sinha, Advocate, Smt. Sushila Sinha, BM Mahila Samit etc were present in the occasion as invited guests who addressed the people highlighting the life sketch of Gokulananda. A very common message delivered by all the speakers was to shed all socio-ill feelings and instill a positive thought process to make a better society unitedly. Gokulananda was the perfect symbol of networking amongst the BM people and a source of inspiration for the people.

Birth anniversary of Geetiswami Gokulananda, Guwahati

A special issue of Longlei on Geetiswami, a literary magazine published by BMWF was also released by Bhimsen Sinha, Advocate. Some selected senior citizens were felicitated on the occasion. Narendra Thakur, Sanjib Sinha, & other members of BMWF were also present on the occasion to make the function successful.

Kartik Sena Sinha, ex-MLA also joined the program after attending another program on Geetiswami held at Sudarshanpur(Maligaon) on the same day. The function was concluded with a musical evening.

Birth anniversary of Geetiswami Gokulananda, Guwahati

At Shilpagram(Panjabari) on 27 November, 2011

115th Janma Jayanti of Gokulananda was celebrated with full dignity and enthusiasm at Silpagram, Panjabari by the Geetiswami Jayanti Udjapan Committee, Guwahati. Broja Mohan Sinha, IAS/Tripura was the chief guest of the function and other guests - Hemkanti Sinha, educationist, Ajit Kr. Sinha/Professor of Agricultural College/Jorhat, Dr. Prabhat Kr. Sinha/ Professor of Radha Madhav College/Silchar, Uday Sinha/Secretary General of Mahasabha, Dr. Ramananda Sinha/Principal of Kokrajhar Science College, Broja Gopal Sinha,SBI/Branch Manager, Arunachal Pradesh, Rebati Mohan Sinha and others paid tribute to Geetiswami and spoke on the life sketch and contribution of Gokulananda. They raised many emerging social issues and suggestions to eradicate and improve the deplorable conditions of the BM society. They spoke on the need of awakening and creating awareness among the masses about the present need of individuals for self development and social upliftment. SMARANIKA 2011, a souvenir was also released on the occasion.

Birth anniversary of Geetiswami Gokulananda, Guwahati

Hemkanti Sinha was honoured with the “GEETISWAMI AWARD” for his life time achievement in the field of education, social service and literary work. He was born on 18 January, 1941. He was an educationist by profession and worked in many educational institutions at various places holding responsible position. His contributions in various fields are exemplary. He was honored with “Bharat Jyoti” award by the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi, “Best Citizen of India” award by International Publishing House, New Delhi, “Glory of India Gold Medal” by International Institute of Success Awareness, New Delhi etc. Due to his meritorious performance, in 2006 Jawahar Navoday Vidyalaya of Manipur started an annual award titled as “HK Sinha Meritorious(Annual) Award”. He also worked as Working President of Mahasabha. His contributions towards Bisnupriya Manipuri society and literary is highly remarkable. Detail profile of Hemkanti Sinha is appended at the end.

On the occasion, meritorious students were also awarded with a certificate of appreciation and cash prizes for their outstanding performance in the academic session of 2010-11. ‘Late Nitai Bhallav & Sumoti Sinha Smriti Puraskar’ was awarded to Ms. Anisha Sinha, Medical student of Jorhat Medical College, ‘Late Namdev Sinha Smriti Puraskhar’ was awarded to Rajat Sinha , IIT student of IIT/Guwahati and ‘Late Rupamanjuri Rajkumar Smriti Purashkar’ was awarded to Amal Sinha, computer student on 3D Edge(AD3D Edge).

Awardees of Meingal Scholarship

Three other personnels Uttam Singha, from New York, America(originally from Bangladesh), R.K Rishikesh Sinha, Delhi and Pratibha Sinha(myself) were announced on the occasion to felicitate with the “NINGOR KHUTTOL” (Gift of Honour) with a certificate and a cash award of Rs.2000/- by DILs Debojyoti Sinha on behalf of DILS Association for their exceptional contribution to the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, literature and culture in the Internet medium. Uttam Singha and RK Rishikesh Sinha could not attend the function due to their personal inconvenience. It was not only a moment of happiness for me to receive the Gift of Honour but above all it was a moment of success of achieving an aim and fulfillment of the purpose aimed for and the extant possible efforts involved in website/blog designing and uploading information on the websites with a mission to popularize the Bishnupriya Manipuri current affairs, culture, tradition, literary works etc. world wide through the web media. I too congratulate Uttam Singha and RK Rishikesh Sinha for the honour received and their remarkable achievement in the Bishnupriya Manipuri centric contributions made through the internet medium.

On the occasion, “MEINGAL”, a registered socio welfare non-government society announced the names of the scholarship awardees i.e. – Banashree Singha from Hailakandi district, Sachin Sinha from Kamrup district and Rahul Sinha from Karimganj district and for monthly educational allowance scheme – Samir Sinha of Guwahati. Bisweswar Sarma, Adviser and Mihir Sinha, Vice Chairman of the society awarded the scholarship and certificates to the students. The one-time scholarship amount is Rs.5000/- and the monthly educational allowance is @ Rs.500/- for 12 months (i.e. total Rs.6000/-). Sanjib Sinha, Secretary General announced the two new activities introduced by the NGO – one is the Essay Writing Competition and the other is Meingal Exemplary Talent Award - 2012 (Women category), details can be obtained from the website www.meingal.org or www.meingalngo.blogspot.com .

The function began with the felicitation of all the speakers and distinguished guests. Sushil Kr. Sinha, President of the Udjapan Committee in his inaugural speech gave a warm welcome to all the distinguish guests, participants and audience. He urged everyone to follow this day with high esteem in all places by the Bishnupriya Manipuris and recall the contributions of Gokulananda to create awareness among the masses about the responsibilities towards the social well being. Col.(Retd) Bijoy Sinha, Working President of the committee in his inaugural speech highlighted on the present emerging needs of the BM society related to education, eradication of socio drawbacks, preservation of culture, literature & humanity, involvement in politics, skill development etc…. He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the committee for everyone’s participation and cooperation to make the function successful.

Birth anniversary of Geetiswami Gokulananda, Guwahati

Other attractions on the occasion were cultural programme performed by different artists from the city and outside. Numbers of people from Guwahati participated in the programme to celebrate the birth anniversary of Gokulananda with full enthusiasm.

Profile of Hemkanti Sinha, honored with Geetiswami award
Profile of Hemkanti Sinha

Profile of Hemkanti Sinha



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