Bengali Association of Greater Rochester (BAGR) Presents Its Annual Bijoya Celebrations Which Comprise of Equally Enthralling Programs

Bengali Association of Greater Rochester September 30th2016 2015 Bengali association of greater Rochester www.bagrusa.org ♦ [email protected]

On sixth day of Navratri, we get new touch, on seventh filled with mist in air, on

Executive Committee eighth we offer flowers, on ninth day we have fun, and on tenth day, we enjoy sweets. 2016-2017 Hope Durga Puja is fun-filled for all.

Anindita Biswas President Elo Sharad, Somoy Sharodotsab Er Email: [email protected] Over the last year, there has been a lot going on in our personal lives, our Krishna Chakraborty communities and throughout the world. Whether it is the economic crisis, Secretary Email: [email protected] political issues or natural calamities all over the world, we all have a lot of

Shusanta Choudhury worries occupying our minds and hearts. But with the advent of autumn or fall Treasurer all those thoughts, worries are pushed to the back of our mind and a strange Email: [email protected] nostalgic feeling grips our hearts. It takes us back to the bylanes of our Anusri Sarkar hometowns back in India and brings up memories of crowded bazaar with Member people frantically finishing last minute Puja shopping. At the same time Uttara Bhattacharya neighborhood clubs collecting chanda (donation) for Puja and folks setting up Member bamboo scaffoldings desperately trying to finish pandal set up which

Nandita Maity ultimately will resemble the White House or Victoria Memorial. Member Durga Puja, the most widely celebrated festival of the Bengalis can be enjoyed Padmini Das by its spurt of fanfare on all the four days of the Durga Puja festival visible Member throughout India, and particularly in Bengal. This autumnal festival popularly Soumyaroop Bhattacharya known as Sharodotsab, epitomizes the power of Nari Shakti (female power) President-Elect 2017-18 symbolized by the Goddess Durga who slays Mahishasura (Demon) to establish peace and sanctity on planet earth. Bengalis all over the world during these days of Durga Puja rejoice to their heart's content reconnecting with friends and relatives. Durga Puja is an occasion when the familiar sound of Dhak, Dhunuchi Naach,the mild fragrance of Shiuli, gives a familiar tug to every Bengali heart. Like the past six years, this year again we will be celebrating Durga Puja on October 15 and 16, 2016 at India Community Center (ICC) 2171 Monroe-Wayne County Line Rd, Rochester NY 14502. This will probably not be as elaborate or spectacular as our para pandals and club pujo. But, in our hearts, with sounds of Shankha (Conch shell) or Dhak and the hymns of Pushpanjali or the fragrance of Bhog prasad, we hope to be immersed in the spirit of Durga Puja and the feeling of happiness and joy that fills our heart when we offer our prayers to Maa Durga. On Saturday October 17, we start our festivities in the morning with prayer offerings to Maa Durga, and follow it up with Pushpanjali (floral offerings) and Bhog Prasad. Durga Puja at home is not only about Puja, but has associated cultural events as Jatra (Play), Nritya- Natya (Dance Drama). Keeping in mind the spirit of celebrations, we will have cultural functions celebrating the occasion as well as the culture of Bengal and India. Our cultural presentations for

We are a registered Non-Profit Organization. All donations to BAGR are Tax Exempt.

Saturday October 15 will begin with Sandhya Arati (Evening Prayers) and Agomoni (or welcome) songs. The highlight of the evening will be a semi-classical dance program DEVI: Devine Devine Energy Vibrant Inspiration, set of performances by the students of Mayooram School of Dance of Rochester, NY. The performances will be choreographed and directed by the lead instructor of the school, Ms. Rini Raj. The highlight of our cultural evening will be a foot-tapping musical performance of Bengali and Bollywood hits by Parnava Banerjee, the winner of ZEE BANGLA Golden Voice of the Year in 2006. Parnava has lent his voice to multiple Bengali movie songs and is a regular performer on Tara Muzic, ETV Bangla, STAR Jalsha, etc. Parnava started his musical training from a very early age under doyens like Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty. He already has three Bengali albums to his credit. Parnava had performed at NABC 2015 and composed the title track as well. On Sunday October 16 will begin early and will culminate with Visarjan (symbolic immersion) of Maa Durga. That will be followed by Sindoor Khela, where married women apply vermillion to each other as the symbol of blessings from Godess Durga herself and bidding her goodbye and simultaneously inviting her back for the coming year.

Now Mother Durga, it is time to say good bye, till next year when we meet again. Mother please bless everyone and we celebrate Bijoya with sweets.

Shubho Bijoya On the evening of Sunday October 18, Bengali Association of Greater Rochester (BAGR) presents its annual Bijoya celebrations which comprise of equally enthralling programs. Sunday evening we will celebrate Lakshmi Puja, which will be followed by another night of cultural programs. Cultural evening starts with Thakumal Jhuli Theke – A Fairytale from Grandma’s Sac, a dance performance by budding artists from Rochester (directed by Padmini Das), and Jugantor - A Journey from the Past to Present, a musical drama by performers from Rochester (directed by Joyoti Choudhury). The evening will culminate with a musical performance by the band Hazaaron Khwaishen. We hope you enjoy the functions. Planning for these celebrations has been going on for quite some time. A dedicated group of individuals have voluntarily devoted countless hours towards the fruition of these efforts. We thank them from the bottom of our heart. We would also like to thank Sri Dharma A. Das from Gaudiya Mission USA for all his help in the kitchen. Of course, all this would not be possible without the patronage and presence of our community members. We would like to thank all of you who have supported in this effort and hope you will continue to do so in the coming days. Please join us in these celebrations. We would also request your generous contributions to help us continue hosting this event in its grandeur, this year, as well as coming years. Sharodiya Shubhechha and Shubho Bijoya (Season’s Greetings and Happy Bijoya).

Soumyaroop Bhattacharya

Editor, Sharadanjali

Disclaimer: Bengali Association of Greater Rochester (BAGR) accepts no liability for the contents of articles and advertisements in this magazine. Any views or opinions presented in the articles and advertisements are solely those of the authors and businesses respectively, and do not necessarily represent those of the BAGR.

राष्ट्रपति भवन

नई ति쥍ली - १ RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

NEW DELHI -1

October 9, 2016

MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF DURGA PUJA

On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow countrymen, in India and abroad.

Durga Puja marks the victory of righteousness over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Goddess Durga is the mother of the Universe and personification of all virtues. May this festival be an occasion for revival and rejuvenation. May it inspire us to tread the path of moral rectitude and build a society in which woman are respected as equal partners in the building of our nation.

Let us pray to Goddess Durga that she guide us on the path of right conduct and service to our nation

PRANAB MUKHERJEE Sharadanjali 2016 Magazine of Bengali Association of Greater Rochester

Contents Foreword 1 পিট্টসফ োরড এর িফে িফে ১১ What is Durgotsab 8 এহসান হক Soumyaroop Bhattacharya Durga Puja: Ghorey Bairey 10 অপি巍যতো ১৪ Mantra Roy-Asthana সুজিত 嗁মার ভট্টাচার্‍ য্য Westernization of Indian Culture 30 রঙ-বেরঙ ২২ Krishna Chakraborty গ ৌতম সরকার Journey Down Memory Lane 20 বেহলতো ৩৩ Photo Feature ইন্দ্রাণী জমত্র Best INDIAN Restaurant in BEST RESTAURANTS Town IN NEW YORK 2013 - 2015 2010 - 2015 2014, 2015

Catering Available at Reasonable Prices We now cook on-site North-Indian, South Indian, Gujarati and Indo-Chinese 3259 SOUTH WINTON RD. ROCHESTER, NY 14623 (WINTON –JEFFERSON. PLAZA NEXT TO THE US ARMY RECRUITMENT CENTER) TEL: (585) 427 8030 FAX: (585) 427 8761 Open 7 days a week 11.30 AM to 3 PM for lunch and 5 PM to 10 PM for dinner. Dinner buffet on Monday 5 to 9:30 PM. We close on Sunday and Monday at 9:30 PM www.ThaliofIndia.com Search for ‘THALI OF INDIA’ of Facebook and LIKE Us to Get Updates Bengali Association of Greater Rochester (BAGR) Executive Committee 2016-17 President: Anindita Sen Secretary: Krishna Chakraborty Treasurer: Shusanta Choudhury Members: Anusri Sarkar, Uttara Bhattacharya, Padmini Das-Paine, Nandita Maity President-Elect 2017-18: Soumyaroop Bhattacharya

Durga Puja Volunteers*

 Pandal & Backdrop Design, Construction & Set-up: Padmini Das-Paine, Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Krishnendu Sarkar, Shusanta Choudhury, Barun Dev Paul, Tufan Maity, Ruma Bhadury, Asit De, Shrabani Bhowmick, Kunal Bhowmick, Ananta Paine, Ankani Chattoraj, Rupam Acharya, Somnath Maity  Transportation: Shusanta Choudhury, Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Aritro Sen, Somnath Maity, Biplab Biswas, Tufan Maity, Ananta Paine, Asit De  Puja Arrangement and Set-Up: Mita De, Uttara Bhattacharya, Indrani Mitra, Lilly Mitra, Binita Gupta, Ira Raychaudhuri, Lakshmi Paul, Sabita Saha, Shikha Sett, Shabnam Alam, Anusri Sarkar, Raka Ghosh, Nandita Maity, Krishna Chakraborty, Gopa Sur, Ananya Bandopadhyay, Ruma Bhadury, Mantra Roy-Asthana, Piyali Chakraborty, Padmini Das- Paine, Anindita Sen  Food: Aritro Sen, Somnath Maity, Tufan Maity, Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Anusri Sarkar, Anindita Sen, Shikha Sett, Ira Raychaudhuri, Shusanta Choudhury, Indrani Mitra, Krishnendu Sarkar, Lakshmi Paul, Padmini Das-Paine, Badal Das  Magazine: Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Krishna Chakraborty, Ananta Paine, Sudipta Choudhury,  Finance: Shusanta Choudhury, Sandeep Mitra, Barun Paul, Krishnendu Sarkar, Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Aritro Sen, Tufan Maity  Cultural Function: Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Padmini Das-Paine, Joyoti Choudhury, Aritro Sen, Uttara Bhattacharya, Krishna Chakraborty, Anindita Sen, Shusanta Choudhury, Venkat Ramana Nalli, Biplab Biswas, Simi Biswas, Progga Dasgupta, Lilly Mitra, Shabnam Alam, Shilpy Gupta, Divyasree Dilip, Lyola Moshi, Tufan Maity, Biswaroop Ghosh, Mantra Roy-Asthana, Anusri Sarkar, Archita Das, Nandita Maity, Intekhab Alam, Somnath Maity, Amlan Ganguly, Barun Paul, Ananta Paine  Audiovisual and Photography: Somnath Maity, Sajal Majumdar, Biplab Biswas, Pranab Raychaudhuri, Soumyaroop Bhattacharya  Fund-raising: Soumyaroop Bhattacharya, Krishna Chakraborty, Padmini Das-Paine, Shusanta Choudhury, Asit De, Somnath Maity * We apologize for any inadvertent omission.

শারদীয়া প্রীতি ও �ভেচ্ছা এবং �ে তবজয়া।

বৃহৎ রভেষ্টার বাঙ্গাতি সতিতি Desi Bazaar

•Fish (Rohu, Hilsa) cut as desired •Frozen Ready-to-Eat Food •A variety of fresh vegetables •Fresh Halal Chicken, Goat, Beef •All Spices •Rice •Paratha

Bamiyan Kabobs Dine-In and Takeout  Samosas (Chicken, Potato, Restaurant Vegetable)  Kabobs (Chopan, Sultani, A convenient way for Chaplee, Fish) you to enjoy Hot  Tikkas (Chicken, Beef) Afghan food  Shami (Chicken, Beef)  Chicken Biryani Hours and time  Chicken Curry Mon-Saturday : 10:00am-9:00pm  Qabuli Palau Sunday; 10:00am-7:00pm 1713 Crittenden Road Tel: 585-292-9895 Rochester NY 14623 Fax: 585-292-1189 UCB Designs What is Durgotsab? Soumyaroop Bhattacharya

If you happen to be in Kolkata in the month of September or October, or are watching on coverage TV, you may see an atmosphere matching that of the extravagant frenzy of the Carnaval in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and would definitely figure out why it is called the ‘City of Joy’. During the four days of Durga Puja, the city of Kolkata, entire state of Bengal, and Bengalis living in other states of India are gripped in Puja fever. Throughout those four days, the entire countries of India and Bangladesh welcomes Goddess Durga and her children, along with the mighty demon Mahishasura, with open arms and hearts filled with incomprehensible emotions of togetherness. For us living outside the country, the celebrations, even though are limited to weekends, but that feeling of happiness and sweet memories with loved ones is what we all looks forward to throughout year. The Puja fever grips the heart of every Bengali irrespective of age, caste, class or gender. In Kolkata, the streets witness waves of visitors on 'pandal-hopping pilgrimage' dressed in the new clothes travelling in hordes from the northern points of Tala and Bagbazar to the swanky southern pandals of Naktala and Behala,. As noted in Wikipedia (our most accessed resource of information) Durga Puja, Durgotsab or Sharadotsab is an annual Hindu festival of India and Bangladesh that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to the five days observed as Shashthi, Maha-Saptami, Maha- Ashtami, Maha-Navami, and Bijoya-Dashami. These dates fall on the sixth to tenth day of bright lunar fortnight (shukla paksha) in the Bikram Sambat Calendar month of Ashwin. This period falls in The fortnight comprising the festival days is termed Devi Paksha or "Fortnight of the Goddess". It is preceded by Mahalaya, the last day of the previous fortnight Pitri Paksha or "Fortnight of the Forefathers”, and culminates with Kojagori Lokkhi Puja ("Worship of Goddess Lakshmi“) on the Full Moon Night. Durgostab or Durga Puja is celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasur. It involves worshipping of Goddess Durga, the ten armed Goddess riding the lion. It epitomizes the victory of Good over Evil. Durga Puja is also observed to commemorate Lord's Ram's first invocation of Goddess Durga when he was preparing to wage war with the king of Lanka, Ravana. The legend has it that Lord Ram invoked Goddess Durga, also known as the slayer of the buffalo-demon, by lighting 108 lamps and offering 108 blue lotuses before going to war. Tenth day of shukla paksha is also celebrated as Dussehra symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Durgaotsab rituals includes the worship of Shiva, who is Durga's husband, in addition to Lakshmi, Saraswati with Ganesha and Kartikeya, who are considered to be Durga's children. Worship of Mother Nature is worshipped, through banana tree (called "Kala Bou"). Nowadays, in addition to the puja rituals, emphasis is on the decorated pandals and artistically depicted sculptures of Durga, exchange of Bijoya greetings and publication of Puja journals. Durga Puja is widely celebrated in the Indian states of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Odisha, Tripura, Meghalaya and West Bengal, where it is a five-day annual holiday. Apart from eastern India, Durga Puja is also celebrated in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab,

8 Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. Durga Puja is also celebrated as a major festival in Nepal, and in Bangladesh. Nowadays, many diaspora Bengali cultural organizations arrange for Durgotsab in countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Singapore, Bahrain and Kuwait, among others. In 2006, a grand Durga Puja ceremony was held in the Great Court of the British Museum. History of Durga Puja

The origin of celebrating Durga Pooja in Bengal dates back to 16th century AD. According to legends, the landlords of Malda and Dinajpur started Durga Puja for the first time in the state of Bengal. However, according to some sources it is said that Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya or Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur first initiated autumn Durga Puja or Sharadiya, as it is called in Bengali. During British occupancy of India, many British officers including British soldiers also participated in Durga Puja by saluting Durga idol and eating prasad. In 1765, the East India Company held a grandiose Durga Puja as they presented ceremonial thanksgiving to the deity. The popularity of Durga Puja increased gradually during the British Raj in Bengal. After the Hindu reformists identified Durga with India, she became an icon for the Indian independence movement. In the first quarter of the 20th century, the tradition of Baroyari or Community Puja was popularised due to this. Over the years, the celebration has taken the form of mass festivity called as Barowari Puja when twelve friends of Guptipara in Bengal came together to organize a collective Puja called as 'twelve-pal' or Barowari Puja in 1790. This collective form of celebrating Durga Puja was first initiated in Kolkata by Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar in 1832. But this kind of large scale participation from British officials did not last for long as it was banned in 1840. Gradually by 1910, this collective form of celebrating Durga Puja evolved into community celebration known as Sarbajanin Durga Puja. It was first held by Sanatan Dharmotsahini Sabha in Baghbazar in Kolkata with participation from large number of people. The tradition of observing Sarbajanin Durga Puja in the eighteenth century gave way to the growth of Bengali culture. When English East India Company changed its capital from Kolkata to Delhi, a large number of people from Bengal moved to Delhi and settled there. Hence, in 1910, Durga Puja was first celebrated in Delhi. They also conducted a ritual- mangal Kalash consecration ceremony for the deity. Since then Durga Puja has been celebrated in Delhi, with great zeal and enthusiasm. After independence, Durga Puja became one of the largest celebrated festivals in the whole world. Today, the celebration of Durga Puja has more evolved into popular culture of Bengal and special occasion for family reunion and social gatherings.

Sources: About.com, Wikipedia.

9 Durga Puja: Ghorey Bairey By Mantra Roy-Asthana

When friends and family members from outside Kolkata visit the city during Durga Puja, they are shocked, amazed, thrilled, and elated. How does a mega city continue to function in spite of its stunning transformation? - streets clogged with people dressed in finery, cars packed to capacity, street side vendors doing brisk business, and gorgeous pandals of all sizes, shapes, and colors inviting people all day long to get a glimpse of the Goddess depicted in equally varied forms. It is indeed shocking to people not familiar with Kolkata’s spirit during the Pujas.

Why are people amazed? The enthusiasm of the people who begin each of the five days with immense hope and joy to celebrate Maa Durga’s presence among us. One of my family friends visiting from Stuttgart, Germany, was so amazed at the varieties of food available on the streets - fish fry, egg rolls, chowmein, aloor chop, macher chop, to name a few - that she said food journalists and writers will have a field day if they visited Kolkata during the Pujas. Could we agree more?

The renewed excitement with which people of all ages get ready for the afternoon bhog and then keep the best fineries for the evening, even if it’s to sit among longtime neighbors at the local pandal, speaks volumes about the festive mood. For those days and nights of the year, people willingly shed their worries and embrace the gifts of family and neighborly camaraderie, lighthearted banter and adda, and delicious food at home or restaurants. People not raised in the city are thrilled at the infectious joyful mood and feel elated by the festive mood of the city. The dhunochi naach, the dhaak, the purohit’s mantras and fragrant incense during anjali under clear blue cloudless Autumn skies - Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than just an experience.

But what does one do when a Calcuttan is thousands of miles away from the city during Durga Puja?

My first year away from home during Durga Puja was in sunny Florida. I called my parents on Ashtami morning and made them hold the cell phone on the balcony so that I could hear our locality’s dhaakis. Then I searched the web for the closest Durga Puja. My roommates were not Bengali and I was the only Indian in my department in graduate school. So, when friendly Bengalis offered to come and pick me up during Durga puja, I was more than excited. My South Indian roommate wanted to join me too. I saw the same amazement on a non-Calcuttan’s face when she saw how Durga Puja was being celebrated even outside Kolkata. The same festive mood, adda, delicious food, gorgeously dressed men and women, even dhaak and dhunochi naach. I was easily transported to the Durga Puja milieu of Kolkata over that weekend. And I have experienced the same joy in every city I have lived since.

Bengali associations around USA successfully recreate the mood and atmosphere of the biggest festival for all Bangalis and many Indian communities. The extraordinary effort that professionals take, in spite of their work schedules, to organize Durga Puja over a weekend creates a home away from home. When Sharat Kaal is in the air, or at least in India if not in different parts of the USA, when fond memories of Durga Puja flood adda sessions, Facebook, phone calls, and Skype/FaceTime chats, it is these proactive Bengali associations that keep us connected and rooted to the essence of being a Bengali and an Indian at large.

10 পিটসফ োরড এর িফে িফে এহসোন হক

প্রোয় পিন বছর আফে -- িড়োফেোনো শেষ কফর িড়োফনোর এক চোকরী পনলোম । চো嗁রীর শবিন কফব হফব এটো পনফয় ইউপনভোপসিপট এর পডফনর সোফে দোমোদোপম হফে । দোমোদোপমর শকোন এক ির্িোফয় শস বলল,

“শুধু মোত্র আমোফদর এইখোফনই িুপম শিোমোর শবিন পদফয় একদম শলফকর িোফে সুন্দর বোসোয় েোকফি িোরফব ।” আপম মুফখ হোপস এবং মফন পবরক্ত পনফয় সই কফর পদলোম । মফন মফন ভোবপছলোম, বযোটো শলফকর িোফড়র বোড়ীর কেো বফল শলোভ শদখোয়, পকন্তু একবোরও বফল নো শর্ শলকটো বছফরর ৯ মোসই বরফ জফম েোকফব ।

চো嗁রীফি জফয়ꇍট করোর ির আমোফক খুেী করোর জন্য ইউপনভোপসিপট একটো শপ্রস পরপলজ পদফলো । একটো ইফমইল আসফলো আমোফদর আমোফদর পমউপজক স্কুফলর এক পেক্ষফকর কোছ শেফক -- অফিরো পেখোন -- ৩০ বছর ধফর অনুেীলন কফর র্োফেন । সোফে সোফে িোর সোফে শদখো করলোম, আমোর ক্লোফস শলকচোর শদওয়োর জন্য আমন্ত্রণ জোনোলোম ।

চমৎকোর এক ভদ্রমপহলো-- নোম কযোেোপরন । িোর িফরর পদন -- বউ বোচ্চো পনফয় শবর হফয়পছ পরয়োল এফেট এফজꇍট এর সোফে -- বোসো শদখফবো । প্রেম বোসোফি শর্ফয় শদপখ কযোেোপরন বফস আফছ পভিফর । আমোফক শদফখ অবোক দৃপিফি বলল, “িুপম পক বোসো পকনফব ? এই বোসো পকফন নোও । আপম িোফের বোসোয় েোপক । আমোর প্রপিফবেী হফয় র্োও । আমরো পকফন শ ললোম বোসো ।

খুবই শছোট্ট একটো পন쇍িঞ্ঝোট েহর এবং শলোকোলয় । একদম পনপরপবফল । েফর জীবফনর ডোমোফডোল চোইফল ২০ পমপনট ড্রোইভ করফলই র্োওয়ো র্োয় রফচেোর েহফর – লোইট, শরস্তরো, নোইট ক্লোব, র্োদুঘর, পেফয়টোর – সব পকছু ।

নিুন বোসোয় উঠোর কফয়কপদন িফরই প্রপিফবেীর বোসোয় এলোকোর সবোর দোওয়োি । ওই দোওয়োফি শদপখ এক ভদ্রমপহলো মুখ কোচু মুচু কফর আমোফক এফস বফল, “আমরো শিোমোর বোসোর পঠক উফটো পদফক েোপক । আমোর স্বোমী সদয কোজ কফর অবসর পনফয়ফছ । ওর এখন অ ুরন্ত সময় । িোই আমোফদর লফনর ঘোস কোটোর সমফয় শিোমোফদর লফনর ঘোসও শকফট পদফয়ফছ । আেো কপর, শিোমরো পকছু মফন কফরোপন ।”

আপম পভিফর পভিফর খুবই খুেী । শুফনপছলোম সময় মি লফনর ঘোস নো কোটফল নোপক জপরমোনো গুণফি হয় । অন্য একজন ঘফরর শখফয় আমোর লফনর ঘোস শকফট পদফে-- আর শচফয় আনফন্দর আর পক হফি িোফর ? আপম িোরিফরও মুখটো েীর কফর বললোম, “হ্যো, অবসর জীবন অফনক সময় কপঠন হফি িোফর । আমোফদর লফনর ঘোস শকফট র্পদ শিোমোর স্বোমীর ভোফলো লোফে, িোহফল আমোফদর শকোন সমস্যো নোই ।”

পকছুপদন িফর হঠোৎ স্ত্রীর শ োন-- “িুপম পক বোরন্স এবং শনোফবল” বই এর শদোকোফন বপক্তিো পদবো ?” আমোর স্ত্রী সচরোচর আমোর প্রফ েনোল বযোিোফর শিমন আগ্রহ শদখোয় নো ।আপম র্পদ শনোফবল িুরুস্কোর ও িোই, িখন বলফব, “ওহ, শনোফবল িোইস? ভোফলো করস -- িুরুস্কোর হোফি শ রোর িফে এক বযোেআলু আনফি ভুইফলো নো ।” আজ এই পনিোন্তই এফলফবফল একটো বযোিোফর আকপিক আগ্রফহ খুেী হফলও েলোয় একটো অপনহো এফন বললোম, “হ্যো, আমোর কপলে অফনক কফর বলল । িোই ওফক খুেী করোর জন্য করপছ আর পক । পকন্তু িুপম জোনলো শকমফন ?” বউফয়র পনপলিপ্ত উত্তর, “ওয়োলীর স্কুফলর পটচোর বলফস । ও নোপক ওই বইফয়র শদোকোফন প্রোয়ই র্োয় । শিোমোর ছপব সহ শদোকোফন বড় কফর শিোেোর লোপেফয় শরফখফছ ।“

বপক্তিোর পদন । েিি পছল – কেো বলফি হফব শকোন রকম পভসুয়োল এইড ছোড়ো – শকোন স্লোইডস ওর অন্য শকোন পকছু বযোবহোর করো র্োফব নো । একদম সরোসপর দেিফকর সোফে শর্োেোফর্োে । অফনকক্ষণ ধফর কেো বলোর ির, এক বয়স্ক শলোক কোফছ এফস বলফলন, “শিোমোর বপক্তিো আমোর খুব ভোফলো শলফেফছ । এই কোজ সম্পফকি আরও জোনোর উিোয় পক ?”

আপম উত্তর পদফি পেফয় শদখলোম, আফর এফিো আমোরই প্রপিফবেী পবল – শর্ আমোর বোড়ীর ঘোস শকফট শদয় । মুচপক শহফস বললোম, “পবল, েি দুই বছর ধফর আমোর লফনর ঘোস কোটফি ভুল হয় নো, আর আমোর শচহোরো এফিো সহফজ ভুফল শেফল ?“

আপম প্রফিযকপদন ইউপনভোপসিপটফি র্োওয়োর সময় ওফয়ে মযোন নোফমর এক শদোকোফন শেফম কপ পকফন শনই । একপদন কপ শকনোর সময় পবফেিোর উচ্চোরণ শুফন মফন হল – এই বযোটো পনঘিোি বোঙ্গোলী । শনম টযোে এ পলখো, “সফলোমযোন ‘ পজফেস করলোম, “আিনোর নোম পক সফলোমযোন নোপক শসোলোইমোন?” িোর উত্তর -- “সফলোমযোন” আপম এবোর িুফরোিুপর পনপিি শর্ শস বোঙ্গোলী । িোই এবোর বোংলোফি, “ভোই, আিপন পক বোঙ্গোলী নোপক?” সফলোমযোন আফবফে আপ্লুি হফয়, “আফর ভোই... আিপন বোঙ্গোলী? আপম শিো শভফবপছলোম এইখোফন অন্য শকোন বোঙ্গোলী নোই । শকমন আফছন ভোই? আপম শসোলোইমোন । ”

কেো প্রসফঙ্গ বু쇍লোম ভদ্রফলোক বোংলোফদেী পিেোন – িোই পনফজফক সফলোমযোন পহেোফব িপরচয় শদন । শসোলোইমোন ভোই পজফেস করফলন, “আেো, অন্য বোংলোফদেীফদর সোফে পক কফর িপরপচি হফবো ?” আমোফদর েহফরর বোংলোফদেীরো শবে ধোপমিক – জোনোফেোনো মুলি মসপজফদর মোধযফমই হয় । বযোিোরটো স্পি হফয় শেল শকন সফলোমযোন সোফহব এখনও কোউফক পচফনন নো ।

শসইপদন শেফকই সফলোমযোন এর সোফে খোপির । ওই শদোকোফন কপ পকনফি শেফল আর পকছু বলফি হয় নো – সফলোমযোন এখন জোফন আপম পক কপ িছন্দ কপর নো । মোফ쇍 মোফ쇍 নো শেফল, পচপন্তি হয় – বফল, “এহসোন সোফহব – সব পঠক েোক শিো ?”

শসই পদন বউফক পনফয় শেপছলোম শিোে অপ ফস । শিোে অপ ফসর শ োকোর সোফে সোফে, শিোেমযোন বফল উঠফলো, “পক-ফহ, পক খবর? 嗁ফব পব শকমন শখফল ।“ “একদম অসোধোরণ । িুপম শকমন আছ, টম ?” বউফিো অবোক । পক হফে এখোফন ? ওর অবোক দৃপি শদফখ খুফল বললোম । কফয়ক মোস আফে জোিোন র্োওয়োর কেো পছল । জোিোনী পভসো িোওয়োর জন্য সব কোজে িত্র এই শিোে অপ ফস শেফকই িোপঠফয়পছ জোিোনী এমবোপসফি । িোঠোফনোর সময় টম পঠকোনো শখয়োল কফর পজফেস কফরফছ – আপম সহসো জোিোন র্োপে পকনো । হো বলোয় বফলপছল – জোিোফন শর্ফয় শর্ন 嗁ফব পব খোবোরটো শর্ন শখফয় আপস । এটো নোপক একদম অমৃি । অফনকপদন িফর আমোফক শদফখ িোই পজফেস করফছ 嗁ফব পবফ র কেো । বোংলোফদফে বড় হওয়ো মোনুষ আপম – শলোকজফনর পভড় এবং সবোইফক একটো নর পহেোফব েণয করোটো অভযোফস িপরপনি হফয়পছল । সবোই ছুটফব একসোফে একটো বড় শ উ এর মি – আফস িোফে িোকোফনোর সময় শনই । পক শঠকো িফড়ফছ অফচনো কোরও সোফে এক দণ্ড কেো বলো, আন্তপরকিো প্রকোে করো ?

বোংলোফদফে েোকফি একটো পটপভ পসপরজ শদখিোম, “পলপটল হোউজ এট দো প্রোইপর ।“ খুব অদ্ভুি লোেফিো – শছোট েহফরর পনরবিোর মোফ쇍 চোপরপদফকর িপরপচি মুফখর শকোলোহফল হোপরফয় র্োওয়োর আনন্দ শকমন হফি িোফর – এটো পনফয় পচন্তো করিোম । এখন আর ওটো পনফয় পচন্তো কপর নো -- কোরণ -- ‘আই এম পলপভং রোইট ইন ইট’ ।

--এহসোন হক

13 ðĞ p¤¢Sa L¥j¡l i–¡Q¡kÑÉ plL¡l£ j−a pjuV¡ HMe B¢bÑL hR−ll −n−ol ¢c−L; CeÚL¡j Ú VÉ¡ú Sj¡ −ch¡l pjuz A−e−Ll jae A¢iehh¡hJ¤ p−Qaez ¢a¢e HMe −i¡N£z hRl −n−o ¢L h¡ LaV¡ −fm¡j, ¢L q¡l¡m¡j, −ce¡-f¡Je¡ ¢j¢V−u LaV¡ p¡nËu q'm- Hph ¢q−ph-¢e−Ln Ll¡l pju H−p −N−Rz Bpm fËnÀV¡ q'm HhRl ¢L Je¡−L Bm¡c¡ L−l B−l¡ VÉ¡„ il−a q−h? HCph Lb¡C j−e j−e i¡h¢R−me ¢a¢e, qW¡v −n¡h¡l O−ll −V¢m−g¡eV¡ −h−S Ewmz HLSe −hplL¡l£ CeÚ¢nJ−l¾p LÇf¡¢el −m¡−Ll Nm¡ −i−p Hmz −p hm−R- Bj¡−cl LÇf¡¢e−a Bfe¡l SeÉ i¡m HLV¡ ¢új H−p−R, −pC pð−åC ¢LR ¥ Lb¡ hm−a Q¡Cz hR−ll HC pjuV¡u HjeC ph −g¡e B−pz A¢iehh¡h ¤ p¢aÉ Lb¡V¡C hm−me- B−l B¢j −a¡ HMe "lAÉ¡e¤É−u−VX’, Bj¡l Bh¡l ¢L CeÚ¢nJ−l¾p? L−h −ke ö−e¢R−me h¡ Mh−ll L¡N−S f−s¢R−me TRAI e¡jL HL¢V plL¡l£ pwÙÛ¡ ¢euj S¡¢l L−l−R −V¢m−g¡−el j¡dÉ−j j¡e¤o−L Akb¡ ¢hlš² Ll¡ HLV¡ cäe£u Afl¡dz a¡ p−šJÄ HCph LÇf¡¢el −m¡−Ll¡ HlLj Q¡¢m−u k¡−µR; Incredible India h−m Lb¡!

A¢iehh¡h¤l j−e f−s −Nm hRl c¤−uL B−NL¡l HL¢V OVe¡z aMe ¢a¢e p−h ¢lV¡u¡l L−l−Rez −p hRl Bu Ae¤k¡u£ Jy−L B−NL¡l jaeC VÉ¡„ ¢lV¡eÑ g¡Cm Ll−a q−hz ¢a¢e AhnÉ A−eL −m¡L−LC hm−a ö−e−Re , NËÉ¡Q¥C¢V J Lj¤É−Vne −feÚn−el j−a¡, −feÚne J CeÚL¡j VÉ¡„ −b−L j¤š²z ¢a¢e i¡mL−lC S¡−ee HC d¡lZ¡V¡ i¥mz −k hR−l L¢jn−el −p±S−eÉ a¡yl j¡C−e ¢LR¥V¡ hª¢Ü −f−u¢Rm, −p −feÚneJ; aMe VÉ¡„ Hs¡h¡l SeÉ ¢LR ¥ CeÚ−iØV−j¾V Ll−aC q−u¢Rmz HLSe f¢l¢Qa CeÚL¡jÚ VÉ¡„ LeÚp¡mÚ−V−¾Vl nlZ¡fæ q−mez ¢a¢e S¡e¡−me −k HL¢V fË¡C−iV CeÚ¢nJ−l¾p LÇf¡¢el H−S¾V−L f¡W¡−he HC ¢ho−u B−m¡Qe¡l SeÉz −pC H−S¾V HLV¡ f¢m¢pl E−õM Ll−mez HCph H−S¾V−cl pð−å A¢iehh¡h¤l d¡lZ¡ M¤h HLV¡ Bn¡SeL eu, ah¤ ¢ejl¡S£ q−me L¡lZ HC H−S¾V ay¡l −Qe¡ E¢L−ml f¢l¢Qa Hhw HV¡ ay¡l p¡−dÉJ L¥−m¡−hz hR−l HLh¡l ¢fË¢ju¡j ¢c−a q−h, p−‰ Life Coverage J IT relief f¡Ju¡l p¤¢h−d b¡L−hz

−hn L'¢ce −L−V k¡h¡l fl ¢L j−e L−l A¢iehh¡h ¤ fË−f¡p¡−ml g−V¡L¢fV¡−a −Q¡M h¥−m¡−mez Ah¡L L¡ä!-h¡¢sl ¢WL¡e¡, SeÈ a¡¢lM CaÉ¡¢c p−h−aC ¢LR ¥ e¡ ¢LR ¥ Nmc l−u−Rz BlJ −cM−me g−jÑl HL S¡uN¡u R¡f¡ Ar−l −mM¡ B−R- −L¡b¡J ¢LR ¥ i¥m ¢V b¡L−m ¢l¢ineÚ gjÑ i−l 15 ¢c−el j−dÉ Sj¡ ¢c−a q−hz avrZ¡v −g¡e L−l −pC H−S¾V jq¡nu−L Lb¡…−m¡ S¡¢e−u ¢c−mez H−S¾V¢V kb¡ pj−u H−p ¢l¢ine Ú gjÑ i−l pjuja Sj¡ Ll¡l fË¢anË¦¢a ¢c−u Q−m −Nmez a¡lfl −b−L −pC H−S−¾Vl p−‰ pjÙ¹ lLj −k¡N¡−k¡−Nl −Qø¡ hÉbÑ qmz −M¡ySMhl L−l S¡e−a f¡l−me a¡yl −pC ¢l¢ine gjÑV¡ B−c± LÇf¢el A¢g−p Sj¡ f−s¢ez A¢iehh¡h¤l c¤¢ÕQ¿¹¡ BlJ −h−s −Nm, i¡h−a hp−me HMe L£ LlZ£u!

Ah−n−o HL¢ce ¢e−SC −pC LÇf¡¢el −m¡L¡m A¢g−p ¢N−u q¡¢Sl q−mez A¢g−pl −m¡LSe L¢ÇfEV¡−l ay¡l g¡Cm M¤−m −c−M S¡e¡−me −k a¡yl e¡−jl fË−f¡p¡m −a¡ B−R, j ¢fË¢ju¡jJ Sj¡ f−s−R ¢L¿ ¹¥ ¢l¢ine fË−f¡p¡−ml hÉ¡f¡−l Ê −eCz ay¡l¡C hm−me- A¢iehh¡h ¤ k¢c Q¡e a¡q−m ph¢LR ¥ ¢hnci¡−h ¢m−M HLV¡ clM¡Ù ¹ Sj¡ ¢c−m a¡yl¡ A¢iehh¡h¤−L p¡q¡kÉ Ll−hez Hph Ll−m L¡l¦l r¢a q−a f¡−l −i−h ¢a¢e aMeL¡l j−a¡ h¡¢s ¢g−l H−mez

−p¢ce −b−L Bl HLV¡ hRl −L−V −Nmz Hh¡l A¢iehh¡h ¤ ¢WL L−l −gm−me- A−eL q−u−Rz HC i¥m…−m¡l SeÉ B¢bÑL r¢a R¡s¡J ¢e−Sl A−eL r¢a q−a f¡−l, −kje- invalid policy J no risk cover। a¡C LÇf¡¢el −qX A¢g−pl E−Ÿ−nÉ HLV¡ ¢Q¢W ¢m−M −gm−mez h¤T−aC f¡l−me H−S¾V¢V ay¡l h−up L¢j−u HC f¢m¢pi¥š² L−l−R ¢e−Sl ¢hpÚ−ep −cM¡h¡l SeÉz fËh¡c B−R −es¡ −hmam¡u HLh¡lC k¡u- A¢iehh¡h ¤ BS£he j−e l¡M¡l j−a¡ −pC ¢nr¡C −f−mez "ph i¡m, k¡l −no i¡m'! ¢LR¥¢c−el j−dÉC Sh¡h Hm- ¢a¢e ph V¡L¡ −glv −f−u −N−mez p¡l¡S£he −k j¡e¤o paa¡l −nLs Ay¡L−s ¢R−me, ay¡l f−r Hje A¢i‘a¡ p¢aÉC LøLlz

A¢ieh f¤lL¡uÙÛ ¢hf¢aÀLz ¢eSü h¡¢s−a HLm¡C h¡p L−lez p¡q¡−kÉl SeÉ HL¢V huú −m¡L −l−M−Rez h¡¢sl −ia−ll Bph¡hfoe −cM−mC ay¡l S£hed¡l¡ J B¢iS¡−aÉl f¢lQu f¡Ju¡ k¡uz hwn flÇfl¡ J ¢e−Sl p¤c£OÑ hR−ll ¢nrLa¡l ¢h¢ej−u ¢a¢e Hph m¡i L−l¢Rmez ¢nrLa¡u k−bø p¤e¡jJ ASÑe L−l¢R−mez hupL¡−m −Qq¡l¡u −hn −S±m¤pJ ¢Rmz phÑc¡ ¢gVg¡V b¡L−a i¡mh¡p−ae; -R¡£l¡ ay¡−L "fË−gpl ¢fË¾p' BMÉ¡ ¢c−u¢Rmz pjhup£ hå¥−cl j−dÉ L−uLSeC B−Re HMez ay¡l¡J nq−ll f¢ÕQj ¢c−L ea¥e BÙ¹¡e¡ L−l hph¡p L−lez −k¡N¡−k¡−Nl j¡dÉj j§ma −V¢m−g¡e, a¡J Bh¡l mÉ¡ä m¡Ce! j¡−T-j−dÉ f¤l−e¡ J ea¥e -R¡£cl pj¡Nj qu h¡¢s−az Hl¡ ph¡C Jy−L M¤hC pj£q J nËÜ¡ L−lz

HL¢ce ay¡l h¡¢s−a -R¡£−cl pj¡−hn q−u−Rz ph¡l p−‰ Mhl Bc¡e fËc¡e Qm−Rz HLSe k¤hL qW¡v h−m EWm- pÉ¡l, Hh¡l Ae¤j¢a ¢ce, BSC ¢h−L−ml −VÊ−e Bj¡−L q¡uâ¡h¡−c −k−a q−hz A¢iehh¡h ¤ hm−me- B−l, A¢pa −k! B−l¡ ¢LR¥rZ h−p¡ e¡! Bh¡l L−h −a¡j¡l p−‰ −cM¡ q−h, S¡¢e e¡z A¢pa hmm- pÉ¡l ¢ip¡l hÉ¡f¡l B−Rz - −a¡j¡l −a¡ USA-Hl ¢ip¡, ¢cõ£ −R−s q¡uâ¡h¡c −Le? - pÉ¡l, S¡−ee −a¡, HMe HM¡−e ¢ip¡ f¡Ju¡ −hn L¢Wez q¡uâ¡h¡−c "¢ip¡ h¡h¡'l HL¢V j¢¾cl B−Rz ¢ip¡fË¡bÑ£l¡ A−e−LC −pM¡−e ¢N−u f¤−S¡ ¢c−u B−pe L¡SV¡ q−h h−mz A¢iehh¡h ¤ q¡p−he e¡ L¡yc−he, −i−h −f−me e¡z

HLh¡l h¡¢s−a ¢jV¡l ¢lX¡l H−p C−m¢ƒÊL ¢hm ¢c−u −N−Rz ¢hSm£ A¢g−p ¢N−u −pC ¢hm −f−j¾V Ll−a q−h। ¢edÑ¡¢la pj−ul j−dÉz L¡E−L e¡ −f−u A¢iehh¡h ¤ ¢e−SC −N−me −pC A¢g−pz NljL¡m, −hn Qs¡ −l¡Ÿ¥l! HM¡−e ¢a¢e f§−hÑ L−uLh¡l H−p−Rez ¢eaÉC −pM¡−e ¢ialL¡l hÉhÙÛ¡¢c hcm¡−a b¡−Lz −My¡SMhl ¢e−u ¢edÑ¡¢la L¡E¾V¡−l H−mez qW¡v L¡R¡L¡¢R L¡E−L hm−a öe−me- B−l pÉ¡l, HC −l¡Ÿ¥−l Bf¢e HM¡−e? −Q¡M¡−Q¡¢M q−a ¢a¢e hm−me- ¢e−Sl a¡¢N−cC HM¡−e Bp¡ i¡C, ¢h−ml V¡L¡ Sj¡ Ll−a H−p¢Rz −L¡b¡u −k−a q−h h−m¡z iâ−m¡−Ll jM¤V¡ −Qe¡ h−m j−e q'm A¢iehh¡h¤lz iâ−m¡L¢V HC cç−l HLSe A¢gp¡lz ¢a¢e A¢iehh¡h¤−L ¢e−Sl O−l ¢e−u ¢N−u hp¡−mez a¡lfl ¢hm J V¡L¡ ay¡l L¡R −b−L −Q−u ¢e−u HLSe LjÑQ¡l£−L ¢c−u f¡¢W−u ¢c−me −pV¡ Sj¡ L−l ¢c−az O¢sl ¢c−L a¡¢L−u −cM−me A¢iehh¡h,¤ −csV¡ h¡−S, j−e j−e i¡h−me HV¡ −a¡ m¡’-−hË−Ll pju, p¤al¡w BS Bl V¡L¡ Sj¡ q−h h−m j−e qu e¡z ¢WL a¡C qm! LjÑQ¡l£ ¢g−l H−p S¡e¡m- pÉ¡l, HMe p¡iÑ¡l X¡Ee,Ú c¤−V¡l fl Bp−a h−m−Rz A¢iehh¡h¤l j−e f−s −Nm HC Lb¡…−m¡ BlJ −L¡b¡J −ke ö−e−Re! qyÉ¡, qyÉ¡, j−e f−s−R! HC −a¡ −p¢ceC hÉ¡−ˆ −feÚn−el V¡L¡ a¥m−a ¢N−u HLC Lb¡ ö−e¢R−mez p¡iÑ¡l j¡−e −a¡ L¢ÇfEV¡l k¿»¢Vl HLV¡ Awn¢h−no! a¡q−m −a¡ BS Bl V¡L¡ Sj¡ q−h h−m j−e q−µR e¡, Bh¡l Bp−a q−h! A¢gp¡l

15 iâ−m¡L¢V −h¡dqu ay¡l j−e¡i¡hV¡ h¤−T −g−m¢R−me a¡C hm−me- pÉ¡l, ¢hm Bl V¡L¡ LV¡ B¢j ¢e−Sl L¡−RC l¡M¢Rz H…−m¡ pjuja Sj¡ L¢l−u Bfe¡l h¡¢s−a l¢pc −fy±−R −chz Bfe¡−L Bl Lø L−l Bp−a q−h e¡z A−eL…−m¡ V¡L¡l hÉ¡f¡l, L£ Bl Ll¡, k¡ qh¡l q−h! −n−o "deÉh¡c' S¡¢e−u A¢iehh¡h¤ E−W fs−mez A¢gp¡l¢VJ E−W cy¡s¡−me, hm−me- pÉ¡l, Bj¡−L ¢Qe−a f¡l−me e¡ −a¡? B¢j HLpju Bfe¡l R¡ ¢Rm¡jz A¢iehh¡h ¤ HLV ¥ AfËÙ¹¥a q−u hm−me- p¢l, j−e Ll−a e¡ f¡l¡l Se¡z a¡lfl i¡h−me R¡ R¡−cl HC A°b pj¤−â pLm−L j−e l¡M¡ M¤h L¢We L¡Sz k¡C−q¡L, BS−Ll ¢c−e L¡−l¡ L¡R −b−L Hje HLV¡ hÉhq¡l f¡Ju¡ p¢aÉC c¤mÑiz i«aÉ H−p h−m −Nm- h¡h,¤ Bfe¡l −g¡ez A¢gp¡l ¢l¢pi¡l a¥−m hm−me- qÉ¡−m¡, f¢l¢Qa Lãül! - B−l, ¢L hÉ¡f¡l? HC pju? - J ¢j¢Vw? BµR!, ¢WL B−Rz j−e L−l AÉ¡−Sä¡V¡ f¡¢W−u ¢cJz A¢iehh¡h ¤ HC nq−l HL¢V hs ú¥−m jÉ¡−e¢Sw L¢j¢Vl AdÉrz ¢pÜ¡¿¹h¡c£ J ¢euj¡e¤haÑ£a¡l fËa£L h−m ú¥−ml LaÑf«r a¡y−L −hn£ O¡yV¡−a p¡qp L−l e¡z ay¡l j−e q'm Lb¡…−m¡ ¢m−M −gm−m −Lje qu! flr−ZC i¡h−me L¡l SeÉ ¢mM−he?

16 17 Wishing you all Happy Dussehra & Diwali, and a very prosperous new year!

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18 8

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http://19 www.rajmahalrestaurant.com A Journey Down the Memory Lane… . আজও মনে পনে Durga Puja October 17 - 18, 2015

20 Durga Puja October 17 - 18, 2015

21 Pictures Courtesy: Sajal Majumdar, Biplab Biswas, Soumyaroop Bhattacharya ----

- - । - - , , , , ! , ‘ ’ - ‘ ’ , ... ...- -, -, - - -, ! ‘’ ? , ; , ( )! ! - ; , । , “, ? , “ ‘ ’? ‘-’ “ , ”। – - - - “”! - - ‘’ - ‘’ -। , - ! - - ; - , - - ; ...- - ‘’ , - ‘’ ; – !

22 - , ‘’ , () । “come” , “sit”। , ' ’ , , ‘’ '---’ ; - - - – “ , , , ” “ , , ”। - - - “, , -”! , ‘’ ‘-’; ‘’, ‘’ ‘’- । - , – ‘’ ? “ -, - ? ?” “” “ , ”? ; , ? , – “ ‘-’ ”? , । “, , ?” - , ; ? “, ” “ ‘’, ‘-’”! ‘ -’ , ! - “ ‘’ ” , ? , “ ” , । ‘-’ “ , ”? “, ”! “, ”? “ , ”। ‘’ ,

23 ‘’; ”। “ ‘’ ”? “”, “ , ”। “ , , ”? - , - , - ‘-’ , ‘’ - - , “ , ” - ‘-’। - ‘’ ‘ ’। - ‘’ - , ! , ; (‘’), (‘’) (‘’, ‘’) , ; ! , - , - ‘’, ‘’ ‘’ ; - - । , - ; ‘’ , ‘’ ! - – - ! , - , ‘ ’

24 ; “ ” , ; ‘’ - ; , ‘’ ‘’ - - , - - ! ; - ‘’ , ‘’ ‘ ’ ‘’-‘’ - - , - , , ‘’- । , ! , ‘’ ; , - - - ! - ‘’ ! ‘-’ ! ? - , । - । - ! , । - , - ( ‘’ ) ‘-’ ‘’ , - ‘’ , -, -, -, -, -, -; , , , , , – ; ‘ ’! -

25 , ! , - “ , ? You can just come to me, okay”? ‘’ , - , ? - -, ‘ ’ - () - ‘ ’ , ! ‘ ’ ‘’ ! - ! “ ; ‘’ ‘’ , , ”! , ‘’ ! , “, ‘’ ! ‘’ ?” – “ ”? “, ‘’ , ‘’ , , ”? “” ; ‘’ ‘’ ; ‘’ , । - , “, , just like me”! , ! ( ‘’ - - . - , ; ‘’ - ‘’ – !)

26 ‘’-‘’-‘’ , - -। ‘ ’ , - ! ‘’ , । ‘ ’ - - ‘’ - । - , ‘’ , ? - ‘ ’ , ‘ ’ , – ‘’ - , ! ( ) , - ‘ ’- (‘’ - )! - , “, ‘’ ”! - ‘’? ‘’- ( ‘’ - !)। - - , - - ‘’- । - - - “, , , ‘ ’ ”। - (- !)। - ‘-’ - () ‘-’ ‘-’ ? , ‘’ – ! - – ! ‘ ’ ‘’

27 - , ( ) - ‘’ “ ‘’ ; - – ‘’ ”! ‘’ , ! ( ) , - ‘’ । , । , - () ‘’ “-, – ‘’ , ”? , ? ! ‘ ’ , । । ( ‘’ , ‘’; ‘’ - , ‘’- । ‘’ - () (‘’) , ) । , , , , ! , – ! , , , , ‘’ ‘’ - ‘’ ‘’ ‘’-‘’ ! - ‘’ , - NMR- ! - ( ) ‘ ’ , ‘ ’ - ; – ‘-’ ‘’, । - - ‘’, - ‘’ । ( ) “have you ever considered taking art a bit more seriously”? , ‘’ ‘’ , ‘- ’ ; , ‘’ , ‘ - ’

28 ( , ‘’ !)। ‘-’ ‘’ , ‘ -’ । ‘’ – ‘’ , । ‘’, , ! ‘ ’ ‘’ – ‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘-’ - ‘’ , ‘’ ! , ‘’ ‘’ ! ‘’ , ; - । । , - ; – ‘’ - ‘’ ! ; ‘ ’ , - ; ‘’ , ‘’ ‘ ’ - - ‘’ , – , – “how did I do Baba?” - “awesome, marvelous!” ! , ; ,

29 Westernization of Indian Culture

Krishna Chakraborty

“There is no book in the world that is so thrilling, stirring and inspiring as the Upanishads.” ---- Max Muller Grass is always greener on the other side. This is what we believe and follow. Where are we heading to? We are approaching to a hole where lights of our rich culture cannot reach. Reason?! Westernization has stolen our hearts from our traditional values.

It would be rude to utter that it has ruined us. But we have destroyed ourselves. We have refrained ourselves from learning the traditional values and passing it over to the next generation. Every coin has a head and a tail. Similarly every culture or system has a good side and a not so good side, or rather at least not well with respect to someone.

How do you determine what is good and what is bad? Well that’s where human brain comes into action. We are so called social animals. We are in a society where we have to brainstorm our thought process and adopt the best of the western culture and at the same time keep our roots intact. We have to believe that Yoga is better than Aerobics. But we will not be fretted about the child in the womb is a boy or a girl.

Why should we completely transform ourselves? We are rich in every damn thing, then why should we consider ourselves poor? We have been sending engineers, researchers and doctors to work for what we consider as so called superior countries. We have Nobel laureates in literature, economics, and peace. Then why do we prefer Rock over ‘Rabindra Sangeet’? We probably feel that showing off westernization is more important than soothing ears.

On the other hand, people around the globe are reaching out to every extreme to follow ancient Indian techniques for sound health and peace. They are learning Yoga, which originated in ancient India. Its benefits are never ending. They are hiring Indian gurus to learn Indian music and Instruments. The same goes with the diet. Are Pizzas or burgers yummier than alu paratha or stuffed Indian breads? Who said that we should not eat them? As the saying goes, we should satisfy our taste buds by trying food from around the world. But at the same time, we should not forget our own healthy eating habits. Nothing in the world can beat the Indian flavors and spices. Recently I came across an article where a renowned dietician, ‘Rujuta Diwekar’, wrote the benefits of traditional Indian eating habits which have now been replaced by modern food habits. And these habits have of course been adopted from West. I also watched a documentary on American food habits and how they pose serious health concerns for children in this generation. As per 2011 data, every 1 out of 3 American children is obese and the rate of obesity has tripled from 1971 to 2011. And we want to follow their footsteps! And clothes? Yes our people are so fond of wearing pants in festive season rather than wearing a gorgeous saree or a salwar kameez. Ask any American, they would die for such gorgeous and versatile clothes if only they knew how to wear and carry

30 them. Who told not to wear shorts, but do you know when to wear it? That’s the concern. People often forget the right place to wear appropriate clothes.

It would be infelicitous to orate that western practices are always destructive. We can pick the smart ideas for our betterment and comfortable future. The good values that we should learn from them are equality and independence for women, sharing the equal balance of household workload and parenting for both men and women. Yet not forgetting our perseverance in marriage system. The respect we had for our elders is now getting vanished among the new generation. They don’t even esteem their parents or teachers. Indian is producing excellent doctors, but still people prefer a ‘Baba’ or Astrologer than going to a shrink for advice on issues. On the other hand, our ancient Ayurvedic or German homeopathy can do wonders which sometimes other systems fail to do.

India has always been known for its cultural diversity and high standard moral values throughout the universe. Culture, in a wider sense, may be referred to the way of the social life of the people or precisely it is an organized system of behavior of the human society. There lies subtle difference between the superiority and the inferiority of Indian and western cultures. It is difficult or rather idiotic to follow or believe rigidly in one in particular. But we would do miracles if we can modernize ourselves without overlooking our cultural and traditional values; when men and women are treated equally as in a modern society yet not failing the endurance for nuptial values. How blissful would be our society with such rich cultural heritage which is very rare! We should be proud of it and carry this forward and inherit the same to our new blooms who are going to be our future.

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†h GK Rjcwi n‡q `uvwo‡qwQj †m eyS‡ZB cv‡i wb| A‡bK Mí KiZ w`w`gv Avi m‡½ m‡½ PjZ ivbœv| ivbœvNiUv wQj GKZjv Avi †`vZjvi g‡a¨| GKUv †QvU wmuwo w`‡q †b‡g †h‡Z nZ| evB‡i eo eo MvQ m~‡h©¨i Av‡jv‡K ivbœvN‡i XzK‡Z w`Z bv| `y‡Uv gvwUi Dby‡b, Kqjv w`‡q ivbœv nZ ZLb| ZLbI M¨vm Av‡m wb| GKUv Zv‡K †Rwji wkwk‡Z gkjv _vKZ| cv‡k GKUv wkj‡bvov Avi euwU _vKZ| ivbœv Ki‡Z Ki‡ZB w`w`gv gkjv †e‡U wbZ, ZiKvwiI †K‡U wbZ wbcyb nv‡Z, KviI mvnvh¨ wQj bv| ZLbKvi w`‡b evB‡ii †jvK‡K w`‡q ivbœv Kivevi AZ †iIqvRI wQj bv| GgbwK †mmgq ¸‡ov gkjvI wQj bv| njy` j¼v me †MvUv †MvUv _vKZ| A‡bK eQi c‡i hLb evRv‡i ¸‡ov gkjv Gj ZLb Avi w`w`gv †bB| H †QvU Av‡av AÜKvi N‡i GK gvqvi RMZ wQj| †Kvb fancy Ni bq, Granite Gi counter top with matching cabinets wQj bv| N‡i wQj ïay GKRb gvbyl hvi wb:¯^v_© fvjevmv S‡i coZ Zvi ivbœvi w`‡q| w`qv‡K †KD †kLvq wb| wKš‘ w`w`gvi me Kv‡Ri g‡a¨ GKUv wRwbmB w`qv wk‡LwQj †h mevB‡K fvj‡e‡m, hZœ K‡i LvIqv‡bvi g‡a¨ w`‡qB fvjevmvi m¤úK© M‡o I‡V| c‡i eo n‡q ivbœv I fvjevmvi m¤úK© wb‡q A‡bK covïbv Ki‡Q w`qv| ivbœv K‡i Am¤¢e Avb›` cvq †m| LvB‡q AviI Avb›`| KLbI ivbœv Ki‡Z n‡j MRMR K‡i wb| A‡bK †jv‡Ki ivbœv Abvqv‡m K‡i‡Q| hvi hLbB cÖ‡qvRb n‡q‡Q w`qv ivbœv K‡i mvnvh¨ K‡i‡Q| GK cweÎ Avb›` evi evi †m Abyfe K‡i‡Q ivbœv Kivi g‡a¨| c‡i w`qv †R‡b‡Q Feng Shui K_v| GB Chinese art G ivbœvi ¯’vb A‡bK | G‡Z e‡j †KD hLb fvj‡e‡m ivbœv K‡i †m †k‡L wisdom, honesty, conviction motivation and forgiveness। ivbœv gvbyl‡K help K‡i to express joy, grief, fear and wonder\ me‡P‡q eo K_v Feng Shui i g‡Z- Love is all you need. In today’s crazy world we have to take time to invest in our friendships, relationships and even our relationships with ourselves. Your kitchen should not be a downer. It should be where you spend your happiest moments and where you find the joy. Its good food, cooking and a warm kitchen that makes the house a home. w`qv wek¦vm K‡i GB ivbœvi g‡a¨ w`‡qB gratitude †`L‡bv hvq, fvjevmvi m¤úK© Mov hvq, cÖv‡Yi m‡½ cÖv‡Yi wgjb nq| Cassidy Stockton “e‡j‡Q †h- When I am cooking and baking for loved ones, I always feel like I am infusing that food with love. Cooking can become a spiritual experience when you instill your passion into what you are creating. Find a way to cook and bake with your heart. It does not have to be fancy. When you cook from your heart it will make you feel good and your chosen recipients will feel your love in what you have created. Let love inspire you in the kitchen. Showing love through food is important”. w`qv cÖ‡Z¨KwU K_v wek¦vm K‡i gb cÖvY w`‡q| w`w`gvi ivbœvN‡i †m AwfÁZv mÂq K‡i‡Q, cieZx©Kv‡j Zv‡KB †m cv‡_q K‡i‡Q| A‡bK¸‡jv restaurant Ly‡j‡Q America i bvbvb eo eo kn‡i| A‡b‡Ki g‡Z

34 ivbœv KivUv †ek †nq KvR, G‡Z †Kvb †MŠie †bB| †hLv‡b gwnjviv GZ DbœwZ Ki‡Q †mLv‡b ivbœvi ¯’vb †Kv_vq? mwZ¨B ivbœv Kivi g‡a¨ †h Avb›` jywK‡q Av‡Q Zvi nw`m A‡b‡KB Rv‡b bv| hLbB my‡hvM †c‡q‡Q mevB‡K Aby‡cÖiYv †RvMv‡bvi †Póv K‡i‡Q| gv‡S gv‡S g‡b nq †h fq¼i, KK©k RM‡Z †Kgb K‡i euvP‡e mevB? mevB‡K fvjevmvi, Zv‡ì K_v fvevi, Zv‡ì Avb›` †èvi cÖ‡Póv Ges Kvi । Amg‡q cv‡k ùvov‡bvi cÖqvm, GmeB †evKv‡gv|

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A‡bK¸‡jv iweev‡ii mKvj `ycyi †K‡U‡Q, Avi my›ì RMZ iPbvi †h nv‡ZLwo n‡q‡Q, Zv‡K wK AeÁv Ki‡Z n‡e? †h wk wZ‡j wZ‡j w`qvi mZ¡v‡K M‡o‡Q, A‡bï Avb‡›ì Rb¨ nvwmgy‡L AR¯ª cwikÖg K‡i‡Q, Zv‡K wK Gevi wemR©b w`‡Z n‡e? `ycy‡i Kz‡Pv Kqjv w`‡q w`w`gv AvuP a‡i ivLZ iv‡Zi Lvevi evbv‡bvi Rb¨| iv‡Z Lvevi Rb¨ , Wvj, ZiKvwi nZ| wVK QUvi mgq cv‡ki e †_‡K K‡qKRb G‡m ìRvi mvg‡b ùvovZ| w`qvi nvZ w`‡q w`w`gv Zv‡ì wU, ¸o Avi †Qvjvi Wvj w`Z| w`w`gvi Early Childhood G degree wQj bv, †Kvb eB c‡o ev”Pv‡ì wKfv‡e Rxe‡bi cÖavb wk¸‡jv ‡Ìqv hvq RvbZ bv| ïay RvbZ †QvU †QvU wb:¯^v_© Kv‡Ri g‡a¨ w`‡q PwiÎ MVb Ki‡Z| LvIqv‡bvi g‡a¨B † †mev jywK‡q Av‡Q w`qv wk‡LwQj w`w`gvi Kv‡Q, ZvB । cieZx©Kv‡j Open Door Mission, Soup Kitchen G KvR Kivi g‡a¨ GZ Avb›` প , Av‡Q Zv wkwL‡q‡Q| I †QvÆ‡ejv †_‡K c‡ii K_v fve‡Z wkwL‡q‡Q| †g‡qUvI ZvB প n‡q I‡Vwb| gvby‡li g‡bi DòZv, D`viZv, fvjevmv, meB mvgvb¨ GK Av‡av AÜKvi ivbœvN‡ii g‡a¨ cÖ‡Z¨K iweevi w`qv Dcjw KiZ| ivbœv Kivi gZ Ggb GKUv †Mu‡qv Kv‡Ri g‡a¨ w`‡q gvbyl‡K Kv‡Q Uvbvi wk GLv‡bB †m †c‡qwQj| w`qv RvbZ ivbœv Kiv GK gnvb ¸b| mevB †h w`qvi m‡½ GKgZ bq Zv †R‡bwQj eo n‡q, we‡q n‡q we‡`‡k Avmvi ci| c„w_exi me cyi‡bv aviv G‡K G‡K e`‡j hv‡”Q| †g‡qiv †Kv_vI Avi wcwQ‡q †bB| cy‡li m‡½ cv w`‡q bvixI GLb A‡bK GwM‡q †M‡Q| gwnjviv Puv‡` hv‡”Q, technology RM‡Z eo eo position wb‡q KvR Ki‡Q, eo eo company i CEO n‡”Q Ges politics Gi RMZ‡K nv‡Zi gy‡Vvq wb‡q Avm‡Q| GB modern world Gi gwnjviv wKbv Ki‡Q| GiB gv‡ w`qv wK Ki‡Q? † K‡qKUv bvgKiv । restaurant Gi gvwjK, culinary institutei G speaker, workshop benefit

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