Tributes to ' Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha on ‘Bishnu Rabha Divash’

 Time to time across great personalities were born in undivided India also in present India who are still remembered and events are held as tribute to them. On 20 June 1969, a great human being, patriot, also an artist, actor, painter, music composer, poet and writer of Assam left for heavenly abodes, popularly known as Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Such a talented person left for heavenly abode at the age of 60 years at Tezpur, Assam. In commemoration of his death, 20 June is celebrated in Assam as 'Bishnu Rabha Divash (Bishnu Rabha day)'.  Kalaguru (meaning Master of the Arts) was born on 31 January 1909 in ST family in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh), then Bengal Presidency of British India.

Bishnu Rabha’s schooling started at Tezpur Government High School, Assam and later on he went to Calcutta now Kolkata for pursuing higher study. From a young age he proved his talent through his writings. He was in the freedom movement and was influenced by leftist ideology  and ardent supporter of the Communist Party of India. However, when Germany attacked Soviet Union during the Second World War, the leaders of Indian communists decided to support the British Government which antagonised a section of the communist leaders and subsequently they formed the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI) in 1945 where he joined.    He was a multifaceted artist and revolutionary singer of Assam. His music today is known as Bishnu Rabha Sangeet.

He was associated very closely with theatre movement in Assam and there were many live performances at the Ban theatre in Tezpur which is famously connected to Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha.

     Kalaguru was a genius in creative activities and undoubtedly his enormous contribution no Indian can forget. His work Bano Kobang portrays the life of many indigenous Assamese communities. His other publications inter alia are Missing Coneng, Sonpahi, Axomiya Kristir Hamuh Abhakh, and Atit Axom. He had given music to most of his songs. He was a visionary, and through music, dance, acting, writing, etc., he endeavoured to realize his dream of a greater, prosperous Assamese society with every ethnic group as equal partners. He acted in a mobile theatre group of that time named 'Ban Theatre'. He directed an Assamese film 'Siraj', where he also composed the music. Further, he acted in the movie 'Era Baator Xur'. It may be mentioned  that he was awarded the title 'Kalaguru' by Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan at Varanasi for his enthralling ‘dance of Lord Shiva’. Kalaguru actively worked to popularize Vaishnavism initiated by Srimanata Sankardev (Saint and scholar) in Assam in 15^th century. Kalaguru painted portraits of both Sankardev and Madhavdev with water colours. He was a great human being also and always had feelings for the underprivileged and poor echelons of the society. It is pertinent to mention here that he had given about 2500 bighas (1 bigha is approximately equal to 0.40 acre) to the peasants. He popularised a slogan “Haal Jaar Maati Taar" means "those who cultivate, should own the land".

He passed away on 20 June 1969 but he will be in the hearts of millions for his brilliant activities.

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, 20 June 2021, Hyderabad

The International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021: Few Issues

 All living beings for their survival have to eat. For human beings tt may be vegetarian or non-vegetarian foods. Although vegetarian and non -vegetarian foods depend on individual perceptions. Few examples are presented here.  Many eat eggs (duck, chicken or other birds) but not fish or meat as according to them ‘egg is vegetarian’. For Bengali widows garlic, onion and red- gram dal (pulse) are prohibited. Earlier the Bengali widows even did not touch these also.  When I was in Eritrea as an academician many Orthodox Christians told me ‘Milk is non-vegetarian as it comes out of the blood of the animal’.  But for Hindus in general milk is not non-vegetarian. Anyway irrespective of any religious beliefs all across the world eat fruits and vegetables. Based on the publication “FRUIT AND VEGETABLES –YOUR DIETARY ESSENTIALS: The International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021 Background paper” published by  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , Rome, this article has been written so that readers can get a general idea about the significance of the Year as well as importance of fruits and vegetables. The United Nations has declared 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables with the aims to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of consuming more fruits and vegetables as part of a diversified, balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle as well as to direct policy attention to reducing loss and waste of these highly perishable produce goods. The important point as found in the publication is that there is no widely accepted definition for either fruits or vegetables. The definition agreed to for the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables is as follows. The fruits and vegetables are considered edible parts of plants (e.g., seed bearing structures, flowers, buds, leaves, stems, shoots and roots), either cultivated or harvested wild, in their raw state or in a minimally processed form. The following items are excluded from the category of fruits and vegetables:

Ø   Starchy roots and tubers such as cassava, potato, sweet potato and yams (although leaves of these plants are consumed as vegetables).

Ø   Dry grain legumes (pulses) unless harvested when immature.

Ø   Cereals including maize (corn), unless harvested when immature.

Ø  Nuts, seeds and oilseeds such as coconuts, walnuts and sunflower seeds.

Ø  Medicinal or herbal plants and spices, unless used as vegetables.

Ø   Stimulants such as tea, cacao and coffee.

Ø   Processed and ultra-processed products made from fruits and vegetables such as alcoholic beverages (e.g. wine, spirits), plant-based meat substitutes, or fruit and vegetable products with added ingredients (e.g., packed fruit juices, ketchup).

It is observed from the publication that women produce much of the world’s fresh products, and "they are often responsible for the harvesting, marketing and processing. As consumers, they often choose what items to buy and how to cook them. But women face disadvantages at all stages in the chain – as producers in their ability to access land, inputs and advice, as entrepreneurs in getting finance to develop their businesses, as workers in terms of fair payment for their work, and as consumers in terms of education about food and nutrition". The high value of fruits and vegetables and the potential for innovation open exciting opportunities for young people to become involved in production and other aspects of the value chain as observed in the publication.

Before conclusion, the FAO Director-General may be quoted from the publication, “When we think of healthy eating, the first food items that often come to mind are fruits and vegetables – colourful, vitamin-, mineral- and fibre-rich, they are vital for the proper functioning of the human body. The benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables as part of a nutritious diet are vast. Fresh produce items are not only beneficial to consumers, but they also benefit the food system. The fruit and vegetable sector contributes to increasing biodiversity, generating environmental sustainability, and improving the livelihoods of farmers and employees operating along the value chains”.

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad, 11 June 2021

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Lokenath Baba, A Great Saint: Survived up to 160 Years

 

Time to time in India many saints in different religions were born. They have enlightened human beings to survive in the best possible way with the feeling of humanity. I will present here the case of one famous saint known as Lokenath Baba who enlightened those days all human beings by saying "Whenever you are in danger, - whether in the middle of the ocean, or in the midst of the battlefield, or in the deepest jungle - think of me and I will deliver you to safety."  Still many Indians believe this saying. And in West Bengal many houses his photo may be seen as I visited the nook and corner of the State for academic works and observed the same. Even many cab drivers keep his photograph in the taxi. Loknath Baba survived 160 years as he was born in 1730 and left for heavenly abode on 3 June 1890 (aged 160). And many believe that those days even the British respected him for his spiritual activities. Baba did not marry and severely practised spiritual activities in different places including jungles so known as Lokenath Brahmachari. Lokenath Brahmachari was the fourth son of Ram Narayan Ghosal and Kamala Devi. Ram Narayan was an extremely religious person and had decided that his first son would be dedicated to the life of austerity. But Kamala Devi did not agree and she could give up neither her first born, nor the second born, not even the third born. While Lokenath Baba was born she observed his body was glowing with a divine glow so she let him follow the path of spiritualism as a saint. In the adjacent village Sri Bhagwan Ganguly, a saintly person but staying at home was living.  The father of Lokenath Baba approached him to become the Guru (Acharya) of Lokenath Baba and also requested him to perform the sacred thread ceremony. So, Ramnarayan (father of Lokenath Baba) handed over the responsibility of his son to a renowned Vedic scholar Bhagwan Ganguly, who, realizing the divine wisdom of Lokenath’s birth, initiated him and his playmate Benimadhav, who also insisted on becoming a sannyasi (Saint).  Guru ji (Bhagwan Ganguly) prepared the two boys for the hard life of austerity and renunciation and under his guidance, the disciples, in addition to practice meditation, also observed various fasting vows that lasted - from a single day - to two days, then for three, five, nine and twelve days and then a fortnight. Anyway it is believed that after enlightenment, Baba had travelled all over South Asia and Southeast Asia on foot. By leaving narrow boundaries of faith and religion, he visited many holy sites of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.  Baba travelled to Mecca, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Palestine, and other regions of western Asia and Middle East.  

He loved all irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Although he passed away on 3 June 1890 by leaving his mortal but Baba left a message to all of us,

 “I am eternal, I am deathless. After this body falls, do not think that everything will come to an end. I will live in the hearts of all living beings in my subtle astral form. Whosoever will seek my refuge, will always receive my Grace.” I extend my respectful Pronam to this great saint, a Brahmachari.

The following websites have been consulted while writing the article

1)      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokenath_Brahmachari

2)      http://www.loknathbaba.com/english/aboutus.htm

3)      https://babalokenath.org/about-baba-lokenath/#

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

A Secular and Rebel Poet Born in India, expired in Bangladesh: Kazi Nazrul Islam

Kazi Nazrul Islam, popularly known as ‘Bidrohi Kabi’, or ‘Rebel Poet’, was one of the most important voices during freedom movement. He was born on 25 May, 1899 in Burdwan District of present West Bengal (birthday has been collected from livehistoryindia.com/story/history-daily/nazrul-bengals-beloved-rebel-poet). It is pertinent to mention here that he is the only person to appear on postage stamps in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Due to his powerful writing mainly through his poems reflecting Hindu-Muslim unity and patriot feeling British was always scared of him as sequel imprisonment him several occasions.  Nazrul's father Kazi Faqeer Ahmed was an Imam and caretaker of a local mosque and his mother Zahida Khatun, was a house maker. Kazi Nazrul Islam studied up to Class X and then joined in then British army in 1917 at the age of 18 but he left the army in 1920 when the 49^th Bengal Regiment was disbanded and joined as a staff in the Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti ("Bengali Muslim Literary Society").

 He preached ‘revolution’ through his poems "Bidrohi" (The Rebel) and "Bhangar Gaan" (The Song of Destruction), as well as through his publications in "Dhumketu" (The Comet). His continuous support in Indian freedom movement antagonized the British and many times jailed him.  On April 14, 1923 he was shifted from Alipore jail to Hooghly jail in Calcutta for which he began a 40-day fast to protest against ill-treatment by the British jailer. Nazrul broke his fast one month later and was released from prison later on. He composed a large number of poems and songs during this period of imprisonment.  

      He was secular-mined person and married Pramila Devi, (belonged to Brahmo Samaj), on April 25, 1924. His  secularism is also reflected  when he kept his sons name keeping in mind both Hindu and Muslim background-  Krishna Mohammad, Arindam Khaled(bulbul), Kazi Sabyasachi and Kazi Aniruddha. Anyway, in his ‘Kandari Husiar” poem he penned, “Hindu or Muslim should not be an issue. We should fight to save our motherland”. Nazrul wrote an editorial in Joog Bani in 1920 about religious pluralism, “Come brother Hindu! Come Musalman! Come Buddhist! Come Christian! Let us transcend all barriers, let us forsake forever all smallness, all lies, all selfishness and let us call brothers as brothers. We shall quarrel no more”. In another article entitled Hindu Mussalman, published in Ganabani on 2 September 1922, he wrote the religious quarrels were between priests and Imams and not between individual Muslims and Hindus.

     He felt for the poor echelons of the society which is reflected in his poem 'Daridro'(Poverty). Also in those days in Bengal dowry, exploitation of women etc., were also major issues and he wrote the poem Nari (Woman), where he has mentioned, “I don't see any difference between a man and woman. Whatever great or benevolent achievements that have taken place in the world half of that was by woman and the other half by man.”

    Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Narul Islam had special bonding to each other. Tagore called Nazul, "the mutinous child of the Goddess of the Universe". Nazrul was shaken by the death of Rabindranath in August 1941. He composed two poems in Tagore's memory; one, "Rabihara" (loss of Rabi) was broadcast in All India Radio during that time. After the creation of Bangladesh, the then Government of Bangladesh invited him with his family members where they moved in 1972. He left for heavenly abode on 29 August 1976. He is officially recognized as the National poet of Bangladesh and his song “Chal, Chal, Chal” (move, move, and move) is the national song of Bangladesh.

 (For the writing of the article mainly this website www.livehistoryindia.com/story/history-daily/nazrul-bengals-beloved-rebel-poet has been consulted)

 Dr. Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad , 26 May 2021

International Day for Biological Diversity/ World Biodiversity Day: Important Issues

 

International Day for Biological Diversity/ World Biodiversity Day: Important Issues

As human beings, we should observe this day of 22 May every year and generations after generations seriously otherwise one day human lives will be in danger. The United Nations proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (Biodiversity Day) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues (UNGA Resolution 1994, COP1 Decision (COP means Conference of the Parties, UNGA Resolution 2000).

The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is pertinent to mention that Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. This diversity means a wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms. Around 1.75 million species have been identified, mostly small creatures such as insects. The researchers and scientists have estimated that there are about 13 million species, though estimates range from 3 to 100 million.

  It may be mentioned here that the rich tapestry of life on this planet is the result of more than 3.5 billion years of evolutionary history. It has been shaped by forces such as changes in the planet’s crust, ice ages, fire, and interaction among species. Human beings should take interest in conserving nature and its resources and it has to be admitted  that whether land or water or animals or plants all are the creation of nature and not by human beings so it is our responsibility to save and conserve these.  Further, we are responsible for declining numbers of pandas, tigers, elephants, whales, and various species of birds, fishes etc.  And many are at the verge of extinction.  It is observed from the Report that many species have been disappearing at 50-100 times the natural rate, and this is predicted to rise dramatically (cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-sustain-en.pdf). It is also evident from the Report that, an estimated 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species – including one in eight of the world’s bird species – face extinction. A few lines from the conclusion part of the Report is presented here, “although still in its infancy, the Convention on Biological Diversity is already making itself felt. The philosophy of sustainable development, the ecosystem approach, and the emphasis on building partnerships are all helping to shape global action on biodiversity. ……..Much, much more needs to be done. The passage of the Earth’s biodiversity through the coming century will be its most severe test. With the human population expected to rise dramatically, particularly in developing countries, and the consumer revolution set for exponential expansion – not to mention the worsening stresses of climate change, ozone depletion, and hazardous chemicals – species and ecosystems will face ever more serious threats. Unless we take action now, children born today will live in an impoverished world”.

    Anyway, this year (2021) in the International Day for Biological Diversity/ World Biodiversity Day the theme is “We’re part of the solution”. The slogan was chosen to be a continuation of the momentum generated last year under the overarching theme, “Our solutions are in nature”, which served as a reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. This important slogan we must adhere.

The following Reports have been consulted for writing the article:

1)   1)   https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-sustain-en.pdf

2)     2)  https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day

3)     3)  https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

 

International Day of Families 2021: Titbit

In school days we all read the famous line ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (a Sanskrit phrase) which means "the world is one family". So, it is evident that family is sine qua non for a society, country and for the world. Although long long ago the Sanskrit phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ was used to mean the importance of family but in1985, the United Nations put importance on families in the world. The Economic and Social Council and the Commission for Social Development requested the then Secretary-General to raise more awareness about the issues and needs of families. On May 29, 1985, the General Assembly passed a resolution by including a topic, "Families in the Development Process" on the recommendation of the Council. In 1993, the General Assembly decided in a resolution (A/RES/47/237) that 15 May of every year should be observed as ‘The International Day of Families’. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. On 25 September 2015, “the 193 member states of the United Nations unanimously adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 goals aiming to eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths, address environmental destruction, and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere. Families and family-oriented policies and programmes are vital for the achievement of many of these goals” (www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families).The UN website further states, “Family policies are a mainstay of national public policies, and the most meaningful vehicle for governments to influence the living standards of upcoming generations. As part of achieving the global ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), family policies play an important part in meeting targets across many of the goals”. The theme of International Day of Families 2021 is ‘Families and New Technologies’.

 Today (15 May 2021) an  inaugural Conference was held in Bangkok , under the banner of Asia Pacific Leadership Conference ‘Providing Vision and Leadership for Nation Building and Peace’ 6th  Batch under Universal Peace Federation (UPF), an international and interreligious network of individuals and organizations, including representatives from religion, government, civil society and the private sector. UPF is dedicated to achieving world peace. An NGO in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, UPF supports the work of the United Nations, particularly in the areas of interfaith peace building, peace education, and the strengthening of marriage and family. In today’s Conference I was one of the participants as it took place as a virtual conference. All gave importance today’s day as International Day of Families. Anyway by quoting from UN website I am concluding, “Family trends: Families around the world are changing, many becoming smaller, as the number of single-parent households grows. Currently, 65% of all families are made up of either couples living with children of any age, or couples living with both children and extended family members, such as grandparents. The diminishing number of extended families and the increasing number of single-parent families put into sharp focus the issue of social protection”, (www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families).

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad , 15 May 2021

Happy Easter: My Experience about Easter in a Foreign Country

 

Easter is a great and joyous festival of Christian community as they believe on this day the resurrection of Jesus Christ took place, three days after his burial. Hence this day is also referred to as Resurrection Sunday. In India on 4 April 2021 Easter will be celebrated with full gaiety but there is a country located in the North-east of Africa known as Eritrea (capital Asmara) there this year Easter will be celebrated on 2 May 2021 as most of them belong to Orthodox Christian. So there Easter is known as Orthodox Easter, also called Greek Easter, is the main festival of the Orthodox Church. And around 300 million Orthodox Christians celebrate 7 January as Christmas and based on the Julian calendar Easter date varies so this year it will be 2 May 2021. It is pertinent to mention that the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, as a modification of the Julian calendar. The Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for the calculation of Easter, whereas the Western churches use the Gregorian calendar. It is important to mention that Easter is associated with crucification of Jesus Christ and “the Last Supper was essentially a Passover feast. However, the New Testament describes it as being given new significance by Jesus: He identified the matzah (or bread) He shared with his 12 apostles as his “body” and the cup of wine they drank as his “blood” (history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter).

 I had the opportunity to enjoy Easter in Eritrea in addition to my country, India. A few lines about Eritrea I wish to men for the benefit of readers. Eritrea is spread over to an area of approximately 117,600 square kilometres including the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands. Its total population was around 61 lakh in 2020. Eritrea is a unitary one-party presidential republic elections were never held. Mr.  Isaias Afwerki has been serving as President since its independence in 1993. When I was in teaching in the years 2005 and 2006 a lot Indian persons worked in different teaching faculties. The Indian army was posted as ‘Peace keeping force’ as those days Eritrea and Ethiopia had awful relations.

  Anyway in India my Christian friends have invited me many times for Easter and I have thoroughly enjoyed cakes, biscuits, tea etc. Here, I am sharing my experience in Eritrea. I was in that country for about two years selected by them as Associate Professor to teach Economics. As mentioned already, they are Orthodox Christians so their celebration of Easter date is different from Catholic and other Christians. During 2005 and 2006 two times I was invited by two different families on Easter. They prepared varieties of foods such as cakes, popcorn, barley-grain fry, biscuits etc. But, I was amazed to observe their coffee preparation. They prepared coffee powder in their residences by grinding coffee seeds and the powder is mixed with hot water then boiled the same in a charcoal stove. Every time after serving black coffee in a small cup the pot is put on the charcoal stove. Thus, hot coffee is served 3-4 times to each person. I enjoyed the coffee preparation which I observed for the first time  in my life.

   On this auspicious occasion of Happy Easter I wish all in general and Christian brothers and sisters in particular for a blissful, healthy and prosperous life.

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

3^rd April 2020