Gokulananda goes national

Topo Singha

SHILPGRAM (Guwahati), Feb 2

Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary has proved once again that a plain-spoken speech can do with precision what a highly eloquent speech, often, cannot. He could spell the right mantra for the survival of the Bishnupriya Manipuris who are characterised by their sparse distribution on the globe.

Delivering his inaugural speech at the seminar on ‘Ideology of Gitiswami Gokulananda and its Impact on Bishnupriya Manipuri Society’ at Shilpgram in Guwahati on February 2, the MP said that given the population distribution of the Bishnupriya Manipuris ‘their political future is bleak. They, however, can make their importance largely felt in this highly competitive world by developing their human resources.’ Citing the condition of the Chakmas in Arunachal Pradesh as an example, he said: “The Chakmas are even denied citizenship by most of the states in the Northeast. However, if one goes to offices in Arunachal Pradesh, he/she will get mostly Chakmas as officials at the top level. This is because they bank mainly on education so as to eke out their living since their political prospect is bleak.” 

The MP made an announcement with applause from the crowd that he would ensure the release of Rs 5 lakh to the Gitiswami Gokulananda Trust (GGT) by June/July this year from his MPLAD Fund for welfare activities.

In his speech, Prof SC Roy of the UGC invited the Bishnupriya Manipuri scholars to approach the UGC with pragmatic research proposals so as to develop their language, literature and culture. 

Dr Ramananda Sinha, principal, Kokrajhar Science College, delivered an eloquent welcome address. He is the man behind giving the GGT such an opportunity to extend its service for the development of the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, literature and culture. 

The inaugural session concluded with a very short but juicy speech by Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha president Mani Kanta Sinha. Maintaining the economy of time strictly, he could say enough on what Gokulananda was. 

The technical session of the seminar was chaired by Dr Sushil Kumar Sinha of GU. He was flanked by Dr Prabhat Sinha, Dr Smriti Kumar Sinha and TCS Brajamohan Sinha as resource persons. 

While Dr Prabhat Sinha successfully drew an analogy among Gitiswami Gokulananda, Bishnu Rabha and Mukunda Das with an analytical approach, Dr Smriti Kumar Sinha delivered a thought-provoking speech on the life and philosophy of the bard. He, however, made it a point that in the name of highlighting the life and contribution of Gokulananda, the society should see that the contributions of the likes of Mohendra Sinha, Falguni Sinha, Rajababu Sinha and others were not ignored. Top bureaucrat Brajamohan Sinha, on the other hand, had a detailed discussion on the Manipuri ragas and their inherent meaning. 

One of the success points of this session was that there were a number of women who presented their papers with much success and applause from the crowd. Good grip of the chair over the entire process during the technical session was yet another success point of the programme. Able chairmanship by Dr Sinha could make the seminar live up to the UGC standard. 

The valedictory session, ably chaired by social activist Shanti Kumar Sinha, was addressed by writer Haridas Sinha (biographer of Gokulananda), Prof. Kamini Mohan Sinha, Divas Phukan and poet Darin Hazarika. GGT chairman Col (retd) Bijay Sinha delivered the vote of thanks.