UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

CONTENTS

>Message from Director ……… 1

>Special message from Chakma > Prince Aryadev Roy Chakma ………. 2

>Message from Chief Published by: Arunachal Chakma News Adviser, APCSU ………. 4 (ACN) Write to us at: > From the editorial board ………. 5 [email protected], For Comments: >Article Section ………. 6-29 [email protected]

>Stories and Poetries ………. 30-44

> Pride of the Chakma Published in April 2015 Community ……... 45 © ACN, 2015 No part of this publication > Chakmas on musical can be reproduced without Vibes .….…. 46 the prior permission of ACN

> Chakma community in Delhi-NCR welcomes Bizu …….. 47 Cover designed by Romel Chakma (Bangalore)

UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 1

Message from Director, ACN

Dear Readers, bring about a new harmonious commu- nity that we may feel proud to be from It is with much joy and anticipa- Chakma community in others apprecia- tion that we (Arunachal Chakma News) tion. going to be publish the magazine during this year Bizu. On behalf of the ACN Finally, wish to encourage more Team, I would like to extend a very contributions from the entire community warm wishes and greetings, “A VERY and especially from the youth to show HAPPY BIZU TO ENTIRE COMMUNITY”. I their creative talent and ensure a contin- take this opportunity to say thanks to all ued success of the Arunachal Chakma of whom have volunteered to contribute News and its forthcoming publications. to the success of the magazine. I am Authors, reviewers and guest editors are also grateful and thankful to Upasak always welcome. We also welcome com- Punya and Upasak Tejang for making ments and suggestions that could im- the magazine a reality. Without their prove the quality of ACN and its other tireless efforts it would not have been publicatons. possible. Thank you. We hope you will find I would like to welcome to every the magazine informative. youngsters of our community to come BAEKKUNOREY SIZI BIZU AAH PAT forwards and contribute as they can to- TURU TURU! wards the society. As we all know very well that we the Chakmas have been Ven. Nanda Priya facing many problems in every corner of Bhante the world. There is no peace for our Director, ACN community. I am sure that we the youngsters can brings peace, smiles, changes, harmony etc in our society if we work hand in hand, and when we unite and works actively. This is high time to show the powers of youths. This magazine is an endeavour to make every member of our community know their rights and problems facing them. The magazine also attempted to bring information about our brothers and sisters living in other parts of and outside. I am very hopeful to see a vista in development of the community and 2 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Greeting from the Chakma Prince (Aryadev Roy Chakma)

Jhu Jhu Bekkunore! Bizu Bhaledi ar Hochpana janelung Changma jadbhei/jadbhon bekkunore! Arunachal Chakma News team ore Patturuturu janelung more tara Bizu Publication ot legibatte hujuli goribatte. Iandoi mor mon huzi olo ar nizor gom bhaled mone gorlung. Changma jatto ikkune no oleo 50 an dejot agee ami. 20 anor moto dejot 100+ Changma agon byline suna jai. Halik Changma unor bechbhag theide Aryadev Roy Chakma olode , India ar ot. (52nd Changma Yuvaraj) Motmaat miline 10 Lakh/1 Million obong biline dhori lowa uye (estimate). ot Changma une 1 Lakh sanyen obak biline sunilung mui o. Tridiv Roy 50th bo je mor Aju te go- Jokkene 1947 ot partition uye In- da‟gan no goribatte pressure di bure no dia ar Pakistan uyon. Te Chittagong Hill eze ar bek CHT leader une o bure no Tracts district Pakistan o moddhe diya ezon. Changma une adikke gori thaguye olo Radcliffe Commission o dara. Ama sardar ottun goribot pollong bekkun. hobal an okkore furi dilak. Buddhist one Te ikke sunonge Changma une jei Musulman o dejot gelong. bekkune ekka suk ekka dug gorine aghi Myanmar o puron amolye bekkune. Halik CHT do Bangladesh Changma, Tanchangya, Chak/Sak/Thek/ sorkajje “colonial power” sanye ama jaga Kadu, siuno bade Changma une bekkune hari loi ebo ar amare hub dugot ragelak. Changma Rejjyo bidire elong biline Bijok Halik Arunachal Pradesh ot bele ot lega aghe. Citizenship an ebo dibatte no sadon 1956-1964 jokke Kaptai ot Hy- Changma unore. Sian sunile harap lage. droelectric Power Project banana olo Ama Aju daye amolo lokkene Pakistan ar sokke 1 Lakh o Changma jaga tun sori tara somajje USA miline Kaptai Goda‟an o jeyon ar bhalukkune India jeyondoi. Te funding gojjon ar anti-USSR elak biline India jeyonde siune Arunachal Pradesh anti-India ar anti-Indian elak. Changma ar ot bech bhag agon ikkine bi- une India jebar siye biline ama ugure se line hobor pelung. Aro Assam ot o agon hena an felelak. halik hom. Jiune India porong uyon tara bout Sokke amolot Changma Raja duge hadeyon jingani an. Ar hono Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 3 rohom nuo jagat nuo manuch loi bazi Dugo sugo hoda bekkundoi hong Face- thana tigi thana sigi lolak. Bhalokkani duk book ot. Parle ekka monan padol gori hadene ikke lare gori doromoro odondi dong gom hoda barta sunene bek- bele sunilung. ACN, APCSU aro idikken kunore. Halik ikkine olode Changma bhalokkani gom ham gorton biline hobor unor ek joda obar nuo sujog olo. Durot pang ama Arunachal o Changma une. theleo ek loge haam jar. Online Internet, Facebook iani obar age 50 temmang gora jar. Gop diya jar. Media, bozor o moto okke no elo jei News, Business, Commerce, History, In- hub hom elo India Bangladesh o Changma formation, Knowledge, Language, Cul- mai. Ar Myanmar do haze okkere nei hole ture sanye hub gom hamor subject loi furai. E sitte sokke monan e togele o nijo nana dhoronor huch lowa jar. duge koshte thade ama India Changma Mottun mone oi bek Changma une bhei-bon unore hobor dhorana no oi bili juni eyan monot rage ami olonge ek mone gorong. bhachhe ek lo‟r ek erar ek bongsho‟r Uzu hoda hole bek Changma une jei manuch. Ek Rejjyo tun echhei. Ekkan sugot tun bech dugot agi. Halik amar Ajhapath loi ekkan Changma bhaj madei mada (leader) unor o duch agon. Tara ar ligi. Salen ek joda oi ham gorle bek- bhul shiddhanto dion bout somoy ar jian kune doro moro oi paribong. Jatto nuo ucit sian no goron. Ama jado maney uno gori dugot tun bech sugot ar oggyan ot- monani o bech uzu. Ekka dado. Benga tun bech gyan doi thei paribong biline tera hom buzi parapang. Ar rechho fire mone gorong. ani bech ude parapang. Nije o Changma Aza gorong ami aro nuo gori ama ar manjore o degine hongotte mor Changma jatloi mada ozol guri hoi pari- “observation” ottun. bong nijor Bijok, geed, bhaj, legha, Puron amollo do bidi gelogoi. Te ik- hoda, reedi, sudom, ar ekkan attosom- kunu lummegi Internet, Facebook – bek- man bodh loi jingani hade paribong. kuno idu no lume halik Changma uno mai Nijo jad hochpele olo gyani bud- 1-2 Lakh Facebook ar Internet use goron dhiman manjor ham. Jiune nijo jadore biline mone gorongor. Changma hoda khoti goron siune oggyan. Hitte? Nijo paronde bile 120,000 bo maney Facebook jad hono bodle no pare. Fele no pare. ot lega age. Nijo baap re hoch no pele o jei siun Dekke dekke bekkune lumibong Ma ar Bap. Siun bodledak noi. Online o tar Facebook sanye Social Media E sitte olode Changma jonmeye website ot. Ikke jian age amolot 1000- gorbo gorana atto-sroddha gorana hub 2000 Mile durot elak sian sigon gap oi gom. Ar Changma jador maney re bhei gelogoi. ar bon izebe mon ottun hochpana thana Mui Facebook or darai Changma an gyani manjor haam biline mone maney loi gop madong bek jagat tun – gorongor. India, Myanmar, aro Western dech than Aza gorong mo sanye tumi o sian siun o – France, USA, etc. Bhalokkani buzi parine nijore hoch peba nijore srod- ham soler Internet o maddhome ar bech dha goriba, gyan buddhi loi soliba, bibeg solette Facebook ot. bibechona loi soliba, andho bichech no goriba. Cntd. 4 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Hub chid dighol o hujuli gorlung toma issues into the mainstream with positive bekkunore ama jattore ozole dangor gori thoughts and approaches; some like dy- tulibatte nuo gori ek loge hamot lagi. Te namic Dangu Prahlad Chakma, Chief GS, ami puo sa loi nadin pudin une amare APCSU with go-getting attitude and nang ghinile gom nang goron para bon- Dangu Arunjit Chakma, GS, APCSU nam goribar ham toge sug no pan para. started medias like The Eastern Today in Ezo ami Changma une uzei ar ama Dibrugarh which will definitely brings the loge ama jadbhei-bon unore o uze nejei. best pictures of the North-East especially Eyan hone mo lega an thum gorlung. of the Chakma tribe in Arunachal Lamba hoda ani poribar dhojjo shojjo Pradesh; and some started using social ragebatte Patturuturu janelung! media to bring to light the issues. If this kind of trend continues, I am sure the Sroddha ar Hochpana loi toma these action will bear fruits in the coming jadbhei! days. There are also many who are doing really fantastic jobs trying to bring smiles to the deprived community thereby trying Message from Chief Advisor, AP- to give meaningful versions to this life. CSU With this, saying -tru-tru to all the Chakmas of the world and I wish a Good to see that in these days lovely fun-filled and happy Bizu to every- Chakmas all over the world are getting body. conscious of themselves and trying hard to curve out their existence not only on Jai Buddha! Jai Chakma! papers but in true/ real spirit. That's a great sign to move forward. Many have already started cam- paigning online petitions to place before the concerned authorities asking for their rights, rights which range from ba- sic to comfort level. Some busy penning down the yes- ter-years Chakma community history, re-designing its colorful traditional dresses, some especially in Tripura are pouring their hearts for getting the com- munity scripts learned (thanks to Mr. Er. Aniruddha Chakma, GS (TCSA); some like Dangu Drishya Moni Chakma, Dangu Victor Changma, Dangu Uttam Chakma, Dangu Hemant Chakma are trying their best lobbying in the capital city of New Delhi to bring the Chakma community‟s UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 5

From the editorial board

Change is in the air. Spring arrives It's the time for Refresh your resolutions in. And with it comes the beauty of life and be filled with grace, joy and especially for the Chakma tribe as their warmth. BIZU is also a time to renew greatest festival BIZU is just standing at our connections - with family and friends our doors to welcome it with full of happi- we care about. ness and joy. Wish, this BIZU will brings We color and decorate our home more radiant shades of substantial life which is the symbol of potential, beauti- than ever. ful life. It brings forth the air of fresh- Festival is a true asset of the soci- ness, new dreams, starting a good har- ety. It reflects the true essence of a par- vest. ticular ethnicity of a particular tribe. Just And it's the time, "When we take BIZU/BIJU for instance. It's the soul should let bygones be bygones and and the heart of the Chakma Community move ahead with joy and good-will." and wherever the Chakmas are living Wishing you all happy and prosperous throughout the world, they celebrate it Siji Bizu! Dol Bizu! with much fun and gaiety. Everyone gets excited when the concerned or respective Good lucks! festivity approaches the concerned or re- lated masses. So, the all over the world are now in festive mood loaded with big smiles, merry-go feelings, as their greatest Festival BIZU/BIJU is just a few days from now and bringing with it the sweetest sounds of the “Biju Pekko‟s woowoo! Woowoo! coupled with the beautiful weather, beautiful full blooming flowers of the king of the sea- sons the Springs ...... and the watery, fla- voring delicious Chakma traditional mixed curry called "Pajonn-ton". BIZU, the greatest, biggest festival of the CHAKMA tribe comes every year in the month of April and this year .i.e. in 2015; it will be celebrated in April 13-15. The countdown begum already. BIZU is the time of celebration for fun and joys; peace and happiness, games and sports; keeping the good old things going and giving wings to future. 6 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Fading culture and identity Article Section By Romel Chakma It is around break time after need and habit of the people .That‟s what lunch ,my mind was wondering for a re- we have been doing since human evolu- fined and solid strategy towards an tion right. We comment on people's atti- eventful moments during BIZU tude or an action or say any deed and we 2015.Suddenly a Facebook message endorse it, which means we appreciate it popped out on my mobile screen which and it is nothing but a super like. This guy reads :”Hello Romel bhai, please send has just changed the medium of express- me some writings, articles, poems or ing or interacting in a new platform - anything creative for our ACN mag at ONLINE. [email protected]” But that‟s not the end of the story, Having read that, for a moment I sustaining is also unavoidable. You create went into deep thought which helped me it and you sustain it ..People's mind to conclude, its not only a message, in- changes every second and every minute. fact it conveys the hope, an inspiration How you keep them engaged that‟s the and social duty that every individual real challenge. should shoulder it. Lets give a walk to our Honestly, I won‟t talk about any “BIJOK".”Bijok” means history in Chakma design or anything creative but I would language. Today none of us bother to give definitely not let go the truth and the a re-look to our history that‟s truly alarm- practicality. ing. We had many kings who have fought ferociously and gallantly to secure our In today‟s scenario we, all have identity and culture. In real sense, where fallen like a prey to the modern digital do we stand today?? Before answering communication. Perhaps it won‟t be that: lets understand the kings whom we wrong to quote “the first thing a kid lost in our minds, heart and souls. learns to communicate is the -SELFIE to put up in Facebook or instagram “.Social Raja samargiri(6th century) media has become a necessity and a Raja udaigiri (651 AD-745AD) habit of the mass. I won‟t exclude my- Raja Bijoygiri (605-698 AD) from 7-10th self from this category, often I find my- centuries - no kings appeared for nearly self expecting a comment or like. 300 years. It is believed that ,it was un- Oh!!! Did I say COMMENT OR der the controlled of Roang‟s Raja and LIKE ???? Tripura Raja. Yes. That‟s the thing that I wish to Raja Kamal Chega (1095-1179 AD)-The share to my people. These two words king who reunited and brought independ- have change the way we used to com- ence for the rulers. municate. Did Mark Zuckerberg invent Raja MarekRaja (14th centaury) something new? Raja Julab khan (1639-1681 AD) No, never. He understood the Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 7

Raja sulab khan (1651-1686 AD) Kingdom to the King and they Raja kalu khan (1661-1700AD) ruled until 1666 AD. These regions were disputed for long time and the rulers Raja Fateh Khan (1671-1725 AD) changed frequently. Based on the writ- Raja Julal Khan (1707-1737 AD) ings of many scholars, it is highlighted, Raja Sher musta Khan(1712-1773 AD) during this time when Arakan Kings ruled the Chakmas for some time. The Raja sher Daulat Khan (1750-1780 AD) Chakmas fled to Muslim‟s nearby place, Raja Jan Box Khan (1757-1787 AD) sought their help and they recapture the Raja Tabur khan (1765-1798 AD) lost territories. It was the time when Raja Julab Khan appeared as a King and Raja Jabbar khan(1767 -1815) fought years and years to bring glories Raja Dharam Bux Khan(1794- 1831 AD) after glories. The Khan dynasty was Raja sukh Dev roy (1810-1873 AD) seen until 1831 AD than the Roy came as Kings. Queen Kalindi Rani (1830-1873 AD) So what does it say? We have al- Raja Pagla mama Daroga (1834-1874 AD) ways borrowed the identities from oth- - became king for a year ers perceiving as a symbol of status. I Raja Harish chandra roy Bahadur (1853- believe those time power was a symbol 1876 AD) of status. Communication was not ad- Raja Bhuvan Mohan Roy (1856-1934AD) vanced then, people did not have the knowledge about the happenings of the Raja Nalininako Roy (1902-1952 AD) other parts of the world. Khan and Roy Raja Tridiv Roy (1933-2014)-In 1947, he were the probably was perceived as fled to Pakistan for some political reasons. symbol of superiority and elite. Raja Devasis Roy (1959-present)-after his Again, if we try to understand how father fled to Pakistan, he took the re- we got our title “CHAKMA” though we sponsibility in the kingdom. His wife died pronounce “Changma". We have always in 1998. His son, Prince Tribhuwan Ary- accepted what others have said-It was adev Roy was born in 1990. the British who could not under- Now, if you look at the kings who stood our title fluently, thus branded us have protected and served us for such a as CHAKMA and we still followed the long time, it can be concluded by their same. Many of you might have ques- names, they must have been through a tioned “Why your name and language is huge influence from the other communi- the same?” I guess, you were perplexed ties. There has been a constant identity to answer that because we never have shift right from Giri to Khan and from thought about it. We are followers. Peo- Khan to Roy. “ Khan” it is very obvious ple gave, we took and marched forward. and understood that it doesn‟t belong to Whenever people come across our culture or identity, similarly Roy takes “John”,"Peter“-they presume an English the same stance. Let me throw more light person. We should tell those stereotyped during the era of Khan Dynasty. During people that we have countless such peo- 14th century Marek Raja lost the Roang ple in the name of John or Peter. Cntd. 8 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Apology for this joke part. I have our culture -say “We are Buddhists and came across many people with funny are the decedents of Sakya‟s clan “We names, funny because they will be a have a rich culture and history.” butt of joke when they will be intro- How many of us have tried to sus- duced to the English people. OK. How tain our culture. We take shelter in mon- about mango Chakma, decent Chakma, astery when we have no other options to angry Chakma, attention Chakma, disci- lead our lives. We have adopted other pline Chakma ,talking Chakma ……...We cultures and identities to an extent, even have truly forgot the difference between blood also failed to unite us. the adjectives and nouns. Before I dig at people‟s name, take my name Romel For us, the region comes first than Chakma, it is English right: Thank god it the true identity. We fight only for the re- doesn‟t sound adjective. gion we belong to and not for our race or community. People in metro cities will Did you come across -BOR Bije, sing their own state but in true sense no- BOR PEDA, SIGON CHAN. They are body has a region. We just fake it. We all funny in real sense, but the truth is ac- know we have problems everywhere still tually they have carried our culture and we choose to ignore each other problems, identity. Their names reflect much more rather we will try to give a fake smile than an identity. claiming the self prosperity in their state Now lets try to understand people or the region. psychology while naming through WHY- World Chakma Conference was WHY concept. Why a father or anyone held, more than 2 decades back in 1993 suggested a name called APPLE or in Calcutta and still it is in sleep mode. BEAUTIFUL. The person might have Somebody needs to wake up to sing for been through some sort of experience. the community. We have created our own Perhaps he read an English book, the problems and it will expand to an extent, word has stole away his heart or it could the numbers of the Chakma population be the reason being an English word, it will fall contrary to the number of differ- is perceived something abode. ent identities will be born from CHAKMA. Take a look at the people‟s name Where are those days when “EKKO in Facebook. I ignored many friend re- peeringo Boda atto (8) beye bakh guri quests in Facebook of my best schools haan.” friends when I saw their names, assum- ing some Korean or Chinese. Going back to where I started - comments and likes: We have to under- Why am I talking and unearthing stand the true platform that would treat about some particular names. I don‟t us with productive result(s). Like com- have a problem with their names but I ments and likes in Facebook are not new, would complain about their thought similarly change in identities and adopting process. We follow things but we are not cultures is not alien to us. We have to the perfect followers. We don‟t do de- identify the right words that would con- sign thinking or critical thinking. nect us to build a United Chakma World. We take pride of certain things in Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 9

We have to embrace design think- selves with knowledge, innovation, great ing to control our actions, need to re-look thinking and professionalism. You will our path frequently and build a system build your own eco-system, need not that act as fuel to drive our society to- have to beg to others. For every need, wards a better future. you will have the solution at your palm. We have to question every change I see ISRAEL as an example, the world and dig out the solution to move forth has abandoned them, they were state- and pro. Remember when we say, we are less for many centuries today they are developing, consider the other parts of one of the most powerful and innovative the world. It could be true also, if you communities in the world. Don‟t go mad have moved X probably the world has al- at me – Yes, citizenship is a necessity ready moved 3X. Believe it or not that‟s but don‟t cry assuming you are buried, what happening. We might be having life is not end there …Instead march good time in the form of small tweak in with double force and win it. Today look the system but it has to be looked at the at the people who are on the front, look broader perspective. We have the habit of at their style of working and look how looking and thinking of our boundary they are making use of their intelligence only. We have to be open minded to un- and knowledge. derstand the world too and comparison I take the pride of the people who should be done at broader level. writes artistically to communicate the This is the smart era where innova- need of the society. Understand!!! The tions are taking place at higher rate. We force is forming, with due time the force must have to walk along the change pre- will be much stronger to conquer every- vailing in the world. World is looking at thing. top level of marslaw of hierarchy of pyra- To conclude, my words might be mid, where as we are looking at the bot- debatable. The essence of Facebook tom of the pyramid- Basic necessity. meant critical and innovative thinking, What if, we look at the smart edu- the kings names is a metaphor to our cation and innovation as prime need, may adoption to different cultures and identi- be after a decade we will have our own ties. The rest meant to re-look and ask intelligence and smart environment. question (why? Why?) in pursuit of proper solution. We will be self dependent and need not have to rely on others. Lastly, A very happy and prosper- ous BIZU and Lets wake up!!! Why Arunachal people are fighting for citizenship though legally they are al- ready granted. Citizenship means having The wirter, based at rights and access to jobs plus better facili- Bangalore, loves to ties …Now what are those facilities -good write about things house, electricity, water supply, food, that really exist. In transportation, good earning, no threats, short, he writes crea- independent life, pride and what not? tivity based on prac- Look at this way: First equip your- tical happenings. 10 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

A peeks into APCSU’s tour to Arunachal last year - By CHAKMA Punya Tannya After a hectic, strenuous but a life in saying ACN is the first published news- -time to cherish, APCSU's tour (April) to paper by the Chakmas and for the Chak- Arunachal last year, I am back to Delhi mas. It‟s main aim to bring the plight of and now trying out to pen down the the deprived Chakmas and Hajongs in the things my crazy mind takes me down State of Arunachal Pradesh to the main- the memory lane. stream of India and thereby creating a substantial breakthorough in helping the Friends, it has been really fantas- poor cornered people to know their poten- tic times as I've hoped. The food, the tial, their rights, and subsequently a way spirit of the team, the places, the jour- to move forward for better tomorrow. On ney, the occasions, the people out there. the other hand, 7Sisters Project which is The tour was lined with the historical Mobile-based Radio has been a remark- Arunachal Bizu Mela (13-15 April, 2014) able symbolically in helping out the de- taking the call of more than 40K people prived people to place their grievances/ from all parts of Chakma inhabited voices into the dynamic system and from States (Tripura, , Meghalaya, their transporting the same into regional Assam, Arunachal and others) followed Medias. However, as of now, these two by breaking-up of the dead-lock be- ACN and the Radio have been working on tween the villages' monks and Bana Vi- their own only. har monks on the on the august occa- sion of Chakma New Year Day (15th This was my first public-facing stage April @Avoidpur at the Bizu Mela ground and I give this credibility to the present itself; the APCSU‟s National Conference APCSU‟s Administration. Many might be on 16th April, 2014 and the immediate inspired by great men, sun, stars, moon, APCSU's General Public Meeting at beautiful things and so on, but I have Avoipur on 18th April, 2014 saw a taken the inspiration to work for my com- greater interest among the people for munity from my friends like Ranjan working towards the development of the (APCSU‟s President) who carries fairly society at large. There itself at the well-up public face; dynamic Prahlad, meeting, we have got/heard the public Chief GS, APCSU who has put into me the dissatisfaction with the delay in realising energy to let out my to be heard by our rights. In this regard, a public meet- self and to others too; young and vibrant ing was convened where various issues Arunjit also times and again ticked my in- were discussed including some issues ner feeling questioning “Why, if this with CCRCHAP. A number of resolutions young man, who can leave his luxurious were taken. lifestyle in Delhi and get himself at the grass-root level working generously for On my part, I was tasked to carry the development of the society, can‟t I do out the workshops of our Arunachal something?” The answer came very eas- Chakma News and the 7Sisters Project ily. Yeah! Obviously I can and my inner Mobile-based Radio. Both of them have mind says “I should do”. Also, I given my partnered in news-sharing. I take pride Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 11 credit to Binoy Shanti, Natunnye, Gyano- birth certificate is the first document moni, Chiranjeet, Sunil and many more to that certifies that you are born in this add. With this, now, I do believe, I have world and you know refusing this paper the beautiful reason to live this life to the to you means is the greatest insult kicks fullest. at your being existence. Wake up man! Anyway, back to APCSU‟s tour. In Wake up! or you will be swept away be- between of the General Public Meetings, fore your eyes see this world). There- executive meetings, we used to have fore, the decision to form a new organi- brain storming sessions looking for the zation was taken to find to supplement best answers. Kudos!!! to dynamic Prah- the previous good work done with the lad for bringing this beautiful, most im- ultimate aim of realizing our rights. The portant session of any aspiring/developed new organization seeks to take on board organizations! Chakma intellectuals in the decision box backed by greater public consensus, I APCSU had a meeting with do 100% believe that for sure it would CCRCHAP on the 22nd April, 2014 to dis- have been altogether good days, good cuss various issues. Unfortunately, we times, we would be with by this times could not be reach a consensus on the is- now. sues. And ultimately as it should hap- pened to any person(s)/organization(s) Dear friends, referring to my last aiming for social upliftment, APCSU giving tour to Arunachal, I have seen lot of upmost regards and respect upon the things have changed in the last few public frustration due to the delay in years. For instance, there are many reasling our rights led to the formation of young men riding on bikes; some have a new committee to works for citizenship, cars; some have built good homes and human rights and development of the so on. Here, how these developments Chakmas. are cropping up need a must think? Friends, I do remember, CCRCHAP These so called the developments has done excellent jobs for the commu- are coming up at the risk of keeping our nity including the judgment of the Su- children away from the current educa- preme Court of India in 1996, which was tion scenario. These are cropping up due both a historical and landmark judgement to the hard-toiled handy works of our given in favour of the Chakmas and - folks day and night. These results when jongs of Arunachal Pradesh; the 105th many of our people having their stom- Rajya Sabha Petition on the Chakmas in ach half-filled. These are arriving at the 1997 and others. However, the public are cost of our children‟ dreams (when they frustrated due to the delay in finding a are meant for playing games and sports, solution even after the court judgment attending schools and so on they are put and the dismal life loaded with all denial up to earn a living). We are seeing these modes: be it the voter cards, be it the - developments at the cost of our youth‟s tion cards, be it the trade licenses, be it gala times in colleges, travelling the the school education, be it the birth cer- country length and breadth; pursuing tificates (I hope you know all what is a their dreams to become established birth certificate. In a very simple terms, Cntd. 12 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie citizens economically, socially, politically If not, then who is to be blamed for our and culturally. So, in other words, we pathetic life? Is it CCRCHAP who is to be can sum up that these so called devel- blamed as it is the lone committee fight- opments are coming up at the cost of ing for citizenship of the Chakmas and having a dynamic future. Hajongs of Arunachal or do we need to Besides these, I have seen: there blame ourselves. Friends, believe it or are people who are dealing in drugs and not, I am finding quite difficult to have a this need an immediate attention; there sound sleep. There are many things at are people who have lost complete hope home needed to be addressed at the ear- in CCRCHAP; there are people who be- liest possible time. Should we sticked to lieve in CCRCHAP; there are people who be away from home and forget our home? have hope in APCSU and who believe Is n't it, it is our duty, our responsibility APCSU can give them the dignified life to make our life beautiful, to make our they have been deprived of till late; and folks realize better lives? Friends, all of us there are people who are in no side; know that we have to do something but there are people who does not care when that knowing, community feeling about what is CCRCHAP, what is APCSU. will come inside us and subsequently There are people who want peace and push us to do that something that leads who want CCRCHAP and APCSU should to our better lives? come together on a same table. Friends, Friends while saying this, I am feel- we need to think wisely and get done ing assured and at ease that though for a the necessary things at home as early bit but at least we must acknowledge that as possible because you know, the more good days are not far behind. Baah! What the case of ours in Arunachal gets de- are you talkin about? You are silent. AP- layed, the more complexity it will be and CSU is silent. And CCRCHAP also seems to believe me it will be really a tough job to be silent. So, how can you say good days come out of it. are ahead and not far behind? In fine, I Friends, just close your eyes and am Okay. Okay I have no idea what think wisely. Why we the Chakmas of CCRCHAP is doing these days and Yes, I Arunachal, though arrived in Arunachal agree APCSU has been quite since some- (then NEFA) in 1964 and still we have times, but I am confident that APCSU will not able to register ourselves as the true bounce back sooner or later powered with citizens of the land? Why? . Many of you solid working force. Some of you can‟t might be familiar with the Supreme deny that your grievances are not heard Court's verdict in 1996 given in favour or looked into. You must have to acknowl- of the Chakmas of Arunachal (SC given edge that nowadays there is no commu- the directive to State Govt. to process nity harassment being reported from our the citizenship works in respect of the neighbours which is a good sign of mutual Chakmas) but yet why none of the understanding and mutual good-will be- Chakmas has been recognized as the havior. Or in other words, you are now citizen of the land? Friends, is it okay for access to voice your voice (s)/grievances us to blame the State Govt for it tactics on a right platform like The Eastern Today against us. If yes, then to what extend? Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 13

or other online social media pages. While Chakma Punya Tannya loves to write saying this, I also feel sorry that APCSU is songs, poems especially for creating in „pause pace‟ for the time being and so awareness, build up inspiration among is finding its difficulty getting your griev- the students of Arunachal Pradesh. ances addressed on an upward scale trending. We must sigh a relief if not fully but a bit. Why? Since Chakmas moved or have been brought to Arunachal (erstwhile NEFA) in 1964-69, they had been under the administration of Singpho leaders or other neighbor and honestly, we have not seen a good but a dismal picture of ours till date. But now as times pass, many things changed. First and foremost, now the administration (Bordumsa- Constituency) is under a gentle and kind hearted personality Nikh Kamin, Hon‟ble MLA, who is from the Western part of the state. There is plain hope that Chakmas are going to prosper under his able and visionary leadership. Here, I am talking no nonsense. You can check it out for yourself. Last but not the least, during my last tour to Arunachal, lots of things were brought before my eyes. I felt amazingly cool seeing the talk of the land was of- course about the BIZU Mela, It was awe- some! 40000 plus Chakma people under an unified platform. It was a handsome achievement!!! And that shows the people willingness to live in harmonious culture. I have also witnessed there are many good hearted people who are yearning for changes for better lives and who have complete faith on APCSU in bringing good times sooner or later. Wish you good times, and happy BIZU. May Buddha bless us all.

14 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

A Way to Gain Fundamental Right - By Bishwa Jit Paksha There is a old saying in Chakma " bones. Without bone or spine, body is Ni-toa happe Ghasso poare" , (Keep on useless. So, thus without citizenship, we cutting a tree, it will fell down eventu- are hopeless. My take is that, We all are ally) which means to keep trying your India-born; our great-great grand parents work(s) with strenuous efforts, zeal, en- too born in united India. So, why we are ergy and with firm determination, cate- living the life of stateless? Why we are liv- gorically success is there. So, I urge all ing scatter, the life of destitute and des- dear brothers and sisters who have good perate? Why we are splited and why we feeling for your community, should keep are engaged in scattering our energy and working on the field (social cause) strength in different directions and why through which we all are earnestly long- our energy is not being utilized in unison ing for beautiful lives since the last fifty for greater purpose of community devel- years. opment? The work should be systematic Although we have many educated, and in order to tackle the problem(s), graduates but useless. Hardly few using first we have to find out the cause and his/her knowledge for rescuing the com- effect of our failure (s) in which we have munity from the dark chapter that envel- the deficiencies and thus looking for ra- ops it since long time. We get acquire tional, logical way out for development knowledge through education. Once we picture. It is not to blame others or to have the knowledge and become edu- any groups. Because, that won‟t do well cated, we should use that knowledge to for us. We must be thankful to those help ourselves as well as to extend help who had worked: big or small. Be grate- to our peoples. What is the use of knowl- ful to them. Here, I place my heartful edge if we can‟t use for good causes. Just gratitude to you all. look at the great peoples like the Lord We all have to understand our Buddha, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Nelson problem of being stateless-ness in Arun- Mendala, etc who sacrificed their lives for achal even after living there more than the well-being of the general masses. 5 decades and going on. What is state- But we are not using our brain less-ness? In simple terms, stateless- power on right expectations. Remember, ness means lack of any nationality. No by birth no one is refuge but the system nationality means you are helpless, hav- and politics keep labeling us as refugees. ing no citizenship and in return you are We are not refugees but we are just vic- out of the rights/development box/ tims of partition of the undivided Bharat, processes of the state‟s plans and pro- which is affecting (harming) us tremen- grammes. And this is the position we dously in many ways: psychological, po- are in. litically, economically, etc. Due to this, we No citizenship means is like a body are constantly under suppression and without spine or a body having no Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 15 oppression from dominance groups. All Pradesh state government had stop all these are happening due to lack of good beneficiaries from Chakmas. In late leadership, lack of awareness and various 1990 even right of education and basic other causes and factors that lead us suf- health care were snatched. My ques- fering continuously for many decades. tion, is Arunachal Pradesh not under In- I urge all good minded people to dia judicial law, not under India Consti- come forward, work together to gain our tution? right to live with dignity, for well-being of According of Citizenship Act 1995, the our future, for well-being of our future Chakmas are indigenous peoples of In- generation. dia and entitled to Indian citizenship We all are born in India, its our (see ...economic citizenship in India by right to live our lives with dignity and re- Binda Sahini.page 4) spect. To get our universal right, we have When we see the Citizenship Act to be vigilant, heedful and keep on work- 1995, we Chakmas are grossly ne- ing with good intention and honest heart. glected by India government and its Here nobody will come to help us; but we law. Under the section 7B (1) and 5 (1) have to help ourselves to gain our right. (g) of citizenship Act 1995,the person We have to create our own destiny OCI (oversea citizenship of India) are through our good efforts, through good eligible to apply Indian citizenship and communication, through sharing our no- given all extended benefits. If so why ble ideas. We have to work ourselves to the Chakmas of Arunachal Pradesh are achieve the earnest desires, which we are ignored and forgotten? Why they are not looking forward since long. entitled of articles 7 B (1) and 5 (1) One is own refuge and its master, ( g) ? Is it India law is only for rich? Is whether it is good or bad, one is solely re- the Indian law not entitled to poor peo- sponsible of it. So let hold some responsi- ples? bility and work for betterment According of Citizenship Act 1995, of tomorrow. if a person parents and grandparents 95% of Chakmas in Arunachal born in United India shall be a citizen of Pradesh is Indian born. Even their father, India by descent. If so all our par- grandparents, foreparents all were born in ents, grandparents till 1000 years back undivided India. Unfortunately the Chak- all were born in India. So why we are mas are branded as refugees. kept in dark and grossly discriminated? Under the section 6 A (1)(c) of If the Chakmas of Arunachal Citizenship Amendment Act 1985 of As- Pradesh are refugees, then they are enti- sam Accord, the territories included in tled of beneficiaries of Article 19 (1) (d) of state of Assam , which included Bangla- the India constitution. But no facilities are desh. given to Chakmas, even birth certificate is Under the section 6 A (1)(d) of the denied, why? Citizenship Act 1995, a person shall be On contradict of Article 19 (1) (d) of deemed to be of Indian origin, the India Constitution, the Arunachal Cntd. 16 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie if he or either of his parents, grandpar- and bonus to achieve our ambition. Let all ents any of his parents born in undi- of us work together and make a historic vided India. It is clearly indicate the achievement. Chakmas are Indian citizen by birth but The writer is from Arunachal the system and politic keep us in dark, Pradesh: [B.A Hons, M.A (Philosophy) no justice to innocent peoples. Kelaniya University, Sri Lanka], M.Sc (Medical Health Counseling) Sydney Uni- Why the article under section 6 A versity, Australia) (1)(d) of the Citizenship Act 1995 is not applicable to Chakmas ? Under the arti- cle of section 6 A (2) of citizenship Act 1995, all persons of Indian origin who came before the 1st day of January 1966 to Assam from specific territory (Bangladesh) and who have been ordi- nary residents in Assam shall be deemed to be citizen of India. Point to be noted here that all the above articles and points are shown that we have many positive points to fight our case. What we need, a good lawyer to fight. Not the lawyer who is shifting the case date by date. We need to ac- commodate a good lawyer and some good intellectual peoples to work with lawyer keeping an eye on him con- stantly. Can we do it? If we are ready, we can get our right soon. It is the only right way to gain our right. Our work and effort are like a Kamma. The kamma theory is one of the fundamental and core teachings of the Buddha, which make realize to un- derstand the good and bad, its conse- quences and results. It teaches to un- derstand one action, and it‟s significant. So every individual is responsible for his/her action. Whether it is good or bad, individual is responsible of own ac- tion. So here our action is to gain our rights. To achieve our right, we all should work together united, every per- sonal contribution will proves to be boon UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 17

Ven. Bimal Bhikkhu’s report on the Daingnet (Chakma) people of Myanmar, 1 March 2015 Date of visit: 17-01-2015 to 04-02-2015) east, and the Bay of and the Introduction Chittagong Division of Bangladesh in the west. The area of is Daingnet (Chakma) people are in- 36,762 square kilometers (14,194 sq. digenous to the Rakhine State of Myan- miles). mar. They were the first people among Demographics: Rakhine State those who settled in northern Rakhine Rakhine state has a diverse ethnic State. They were called Sak during the population in keeping with the other erstwhile Britishrule. They belong to the parts of Myanmar. As per theofficial fig- same ethnic group as that of the Chakma ures, the population of Rakhine state of of Bangladesh stands at 3,118,963. The ethnic Rakhine and north-eastern India. They claim to be are themajority inhabitants besides sev- Changma (Chakma). eral other ethnic minorities like the Ro- The appearance of the Daingnet hingya, Chin Mro, Chakma,Khumi, people is indistinguishable from the other Dainet, Bengali Hindu and Maram- . The Daingnet (Chakma) gri. The topography of this state is people are known to be honest, hard- mainly hilly. working and reliable. According to an in- ternal census in 1995, they were num- The Rohingya population consti- bered about 60,000 and in 2011, their tutes about 41% of the total population population was estimated to have been at of Rakhine state; 96% of theRohingya 80,000. Now, they claim their estimated Muslim population inhabits the border as population to be more than 100,000 as of well as coastal areas of Bangladesh. 2014. The are one of the Settlement Areas: Daingnet People 135 ethnic groups officially recognized by The Daingnet people are found in the Government of Myanmar as being in- Moungdaw, Buthitaung, , digenous. According to Burma historian Paletwa, Mrauk- and Myaungbwe in the Gordon Luce, the Sak or the ancestors of Rakhine state. Many other Daingnets the Daingnets attained a higher cultural also live in the Arakan Yoma Mountain level than any other minority people in and . The Daingnet people are Arakan. also found in Yangon though they are few in number. An Overview: Rakhine State

Formerly Arakan of Burma is now Culture: Daingnet People the Rakhine state. Its capital is The culture of the Daingnet people Sittwe. The Rakhine state is situated on is colorful and rich, quite similar to the the west coast of Myanmar, bordered by culture of the Chakma in the Chittagong Chin state in the north, , Bago region andAyeyarwady region in the Cntd. 18 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and the north speak English too. eastern region of India. Rice is their sta- Religion: Daingnet People ple food, and vegetable, fish and meat are their preferred food. They are fond Daingnets are followers of the Bud- of dry fish, too. dha. Traditionally they have been strict followers of Buddhism. Almost The men wear lungi while the every village has a Buddhist Monastery. women wear pinon from the waist down like the thamin of the Burmese ladies; The male member of the Diangnet khadi is worn by the women from the people is obligated to become a Buddhist waist up. The pinon is very much like monk at least once in his lifetime, al- that of the Chakmas of the Chittagong though he is not required to remain a Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The pinon is Buddhist Monk for life. The Daingnet peo- especially worn by the Daingnet Chakma ple go to the Buddhist Monastery, pagoda women during special religious occa- on major Buddhist festivals which usually sions and festivals. fall on the full moon days. The Daingnet men usually engage On the occasions of wedding cere- in agriculture and horticulture while the monies, the Daingnet community invites women take care of the children and Buddhist Monks to seek their blessings. cook food for their families. Besides, The last rites of an individualare they wish to work in mom-and-pop also performed by the Buddhists Monks. shops that sell essential commodities of Economy: Daingnet People daily household life. The main occupation of the Daing- The Daingnet people normally like nets is agriculture. Paddy is their main to settle near rivers but some of them crop. Majority of the Daingnets are en- are also found to live in the mountains gaged in agriculture. A few of the Daing- whose livelihood comprise slash and nets are traders. The economy is mostly burn cultivation called Jum. dependent on agriculture and hence it is The colorful dance of the Daing- affected by changes in weather patterns. nets is a big draw for many people and There are two kinds of farmers their song is sweet to listen to. among the Daingnets: some of them work The Chakma and the Daingnet on farmlands on a permanent basis while people have the same linguistic the others do farming in the hills and . The latter have several unpub- mountains by slash and burn or shifting lished scripts as literature. The language cultivation technique. Owing to an under- of the Daingnets is characteristically a developed economy, there is widespread mix of Tibeto-Burmanand Indio-Aryan poverty among the Daingnet community languages. Majority of the Daingnets are in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. multi-lingual. They avoid the occupations of fish- Apart from their own Chakma lan- ermen and butchers due to religious con- guage, they can speak Rakhine, Bur- victions rooted in Buddhism. mese and Bengali (Chittagonian lan- guage) while the educated Daingnet can Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 19

Transport and Communication: am to go walking to school and attend Daingnet People the classes. They are faced with harsh The transport and communication problems especially during the rainy system of the region inhabited by the season. Daingnets mainly consists of water- The muddy paths are filled with ways. Communication via roads is lim- puddles, the fields flooded and the rivers ited. overflowing with water in the wake of It is only in 1996 that a highway heavy rains during the rainy ses- was constructed from Sittwe to mainland sion. There is no bridge across the Myanmar. However, there is an airport in river. Some of the ambitious children Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state. would challenge themselves and they cross the river by swimming to reach The Daingnet area is easily accessi- school. ble using the waterways from Sittwe, af- ter travelling there from Yangon by air. Only a minuscule number of the people can afford education for their Education: Daingnet People children in the town. Hence, the number Education facilities in Myanmar are of 7 graduates among them is quite extremely limited except in the main cit- small. This is the reason why the Daing- ies of Yangon and Mandalay. As the nets have continued to be backward Daingnets have been living in the north- both educationally as well as socially. western hilly region of Rakhine state, they Socio-Political Factors: Daingnet are educationally backward. There are a People few schools in the region though. These are mostly primary schools. At present, the Rakhine state is faced with political unrest. Due to ethnic The people are scattered across the clashes between the Rakhine and the region with clusters of 30 or 40 odd fami- Rohingya Muslims, fear and tension pre- lies residing at some of the locations. It is vail everywhere in the region. There is very hard to find clusters of 100 families lack of trust among the people. settled at one particular place. Social exchange between one As a result, there are no secondary community and the other is becoming schools but only one primary school per restrained day by day due to fear. This 4/5 villages. Hence, school going children prevailing situation has increased the can avail themselves of educational facili- sufferings of the Daingnet people. Their ties in those schools only up to the fifth children can neither study in the vicinity standard. of the Rohingya Muslim community nor After passing out of a primary can they afford to live in the town to school, the children have to go miles educate their children. away to a small town called Buthitaung to All this has brought upon the the continue their studies in a middle Daingnet community a crisis which is se- school. Buthitaung is situated at Rohin- riously hampering the education of their gya, a Muslim populated area. The chil- children. Some of the educated Daingnet dren start early in the morning at 06:00 Cntd. 20 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

People live in Yangon. of Rakhine state to educate the under- Their occupation mostly comprises privileged and socially uncared for chil- service inthe private sector while some dren of their community. It is the associa- are small traders. Their guide is Bud- tion‟s maiden project. dhist Monk. Normally, spiritual leaders Presently, to run this project they guide the leaders of a country. have started campaigns for fund raising The Daingnets society is no excep- at home and abroad. tion; they are also guided by the elite The Daingnet (Chakma) Welfare As- Buddhist Monk Sayadaw U. Punya Thami sociation appeals to the generous people and Sayadaw U. Sandawara. They have and philanthropic organizations to extend dedicated their lives for socio-religious their helping hands sympathetically to- causes while Mr. Aye Maung is a good wards the association for the benefit and organizer who is also dedicated to serv- welfare of the Daingnet community. ing the society and is always ready to Conclusion extend his active co-operation in social work. There is tremendous scope for welfare and development work viv-a-vis the The educated Daingnet people are Daingnet community through The Daing- becoming more and more aware of the net (Chakma) Welfare Associa- socio-economic condition of their society tion. Myanmar is a Buddhist populated in Myanmar. They have realized that country. The term Daingnet is synony- without social organization, no society mous with the term „Chakma‟. The term can thrive. So, they have attempted to „Chakma‟ has its origin in the term organize the people and have formed „Sakya‟. It is believed not only by the “The Daingnet (Chakma) Welfare Asso- Chakma and the Daingnets but also by ciation” in Yangon for the welfare and the people of Myanmar. The general no- development of the Daingnet society. It tion of the people of Myanmar is that the is a non-profit association and its aim Daingnets are the descendents of the and objective is community develop- Sakyamuni or the Buddha. ment. Owing to this perception, the Daing- The address of “The Daingnet net (Chakma) people find themselves in (Chakma) Welfare Association” is as the good books of the Government of given below. Myanmar. Myanmar is gradually estab- Sayadaw U. Punya ThamiOrU Aye lishing itself as a democracy from erst- Maung, 40, Atthawadi Road or while military rule. The country is opening (Monastery Road)Word 2, North Ok- up more and more to the world. kalapa TownshipYangon, Myanmar By Bimal Bhikkhu Mobile: 09 401 560 699 09 739 015 49 Bodhicariya Vihara, Chakma Road, New Town, Ra- jarhat, Kolkata -700 135 Email : [email protected] Email. [email protected] The Daingnet (Chakma) Welfare Source: Venerable Ajahn Visuddhananda Association has undertaken a project Thera (Free & Shareable). named “Destitute Home” at Buthitaung UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 21

Chakmas being converted to Christianity in Mizoram - By ACN Editorial Team Traditionally, the Chakmas are 16. Samuksuri strong follower of Buddhism. However, 17. Tuikawi there has been an alarming trends in Chakmas being converting to Christianity 18. Sachan in India in particular in Mizoram in Arun- 19. Marpara achal Pradesh. 20. Mauzam Freedom of religion in India is 21. Khantlang a fundamental right guaranteed by the country's constitution. Every citizen of In- The YCA further claimed that the dia has a right to practice and promote effort to convert the Buddhist Chakmas their religion peacefully. However, there into Christianity can be traced back dur- are instances of people being converted ing the later half of the 18th century. In by force, inducement etc. Mizoram, the prosetalization campaign among the Chakmas can be traced back According to statistics compiled by Young to 1939 when the Baptist Christian Mis- Chakma Association (YCA), Kamalanagar, sion appointed two Mizos evangelist Mizoram, 4,987 Buddhist Chakmas have namely Kawha (Sapkunga) and Siama of been converted to Christianity by Chris- Sirte to work in the Chakma areas in the tian Missionaries till 2010. The YCA states then Lushai hills. The Presbyterian that the Zoram Baptist Mission has been Church also started working among the working in the following Chakma villages: Chakmas and Brus since 1948. 1. M. Kawnpui The Christian Missionaries also 2. Parva used the tactic of changing the Chakma 3. Lompuighat villages/towns with Mizo/Christian names. For example, many Chakma vil- 4. Bulongsuri lages such as Dema Giri (named after 5. Udalthanasora Devo Giri) has been changed with Tla- 6. Kamalanagar bung, Kamalanagar is referred as Chawngte in almost all official communi- 7. Hmunthar cation, the river Karna Fully was 8. Vairawkai changed with Khawtlang Tuipui, etc. The 9. Chhuahthum names are allegedly being replaced without consultation with the Chakma 10. Phairuangkai villagers. This is one way of removing 11. Rolui the identity, claimed the YCA. 12. Tuichawng Some of the Churches where the 13. Mtrisora Chakmas have been converted/affected include Chakma Baptist Church in Kama- 14. Zohmun lanagar-I village under Chakma Autono- 15. Serhuan mous District Cntd. 22 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Council (CADC) in 1983; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Mastarpara village under CADC in 2006; Immanuel Baptist Church at Montola village under CADC in 2004; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Udalthana- I under CADC; Evangelical Church of Maraland at Udalthana-II village under CADC in 2014; Chakma Baptist Church at Jamersury village under CADC in 2008; Baptist Church at Sumsilui village in Lai Autonomus District Council in 1982; Lairam Baptist Church at Sumsilui village in LADC in 2014; Chakma Baptist Church at Jagnasury village in LADC in 2010; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Se- dailui village in LADC; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Tuichawng village in 1982; Baptist Church in Mizoram at Tuichawng -II in 2010; Presbyterian Church at Tuichawng-II in 2008; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Matrisora village in 2010; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Marpara-S village in 1990; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Sugurobasora village in BCM President Rev. R . Laltawnga and 2011; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Chakma Mission Director, Rev. RC Gobosury village in 1985; Baptist Lalthanzama seen doing Baptisma to 148 Church of Mizoram at Shipirtlang village Chakmas member in Diblibagh, a chakma in 2009, Presbyterian Church at Ha- dominated village in southern Mizoram in guduor village in 2006; Baptist Church 2012. of Mizoram at Pantlang village; Baptist Church of Mizoram at Samuksury village Source: Facebook in 1991 etc. In some of the villages almost all the Chakma villagers are converted to Christianity. This report is based on the report “Prosetalization by Christian Missionaries Amongst the Minority Buddhist Chakmas in Mizoram”, compiled by Young Chakma Association, Kamalanagar, Mizoram.

UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 23

Bangladesh puts restriction Fight for introduction of on entry of foreigners in in schools continues in Tripura Chittagong Hills Tract

The campaign for Introduction of Chakma scripts in primary schools in Tri- In January 2015, the Government pura continued during 2015. of Bangladesh has restricted the access of foreign visitors and both national and On 28 January 2015, the High Court international organizations to the Chit- of Tripura in an order asked the State tagong Hill Tracts. The restrictions had Government of Tripura to take a decision made it extremely difficult to organize on imparting teaching at the primary level meetings between indigenous peoples to the children belonging to Chakma com- and, for instance, human rights organi- munity in their mother tongue. zations. The petition was filed by Sameer As per the decision, if anyone with Chakma of Pecharthal in Unakoti district a foreign passport wants to visit Ranga- (Sameer Chakma vs. State of Tripura) mati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban dis- due to failure of the State Government of tricts of the CHT, they will have to sub- Tripura to provide teachers for imparting mit an application to the home ministry education to Chakma children in their at least a month before the intended mother tongue. visit. The home ministry will give the The High Court directed the State permission based on positive reports of Government to communicate the peti- the intelligence agencies concerned. tioner about the decision made in this re- Various organizations had con- gard. The High Court also asked the peti- demned the restrictions and demanded tioner to approach the court in case of the withdrawal of the same. any grievances on the decision of the State Government. It is pertinent to mention that the State Government in its cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in 2012 made a decision to introduce in Chakma script in pri- mary schools of Tripura. It was decided to start in 58 primary schools in Chakma concentrated areas. However, the State was sluggish in implementation of its de- cision. The decision was taken following campaign by various Chakma organization in Tripura. 24 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Chakmas reduced to second class citizens in Mizoram - By ACN editorial team

On 24 March 2015, the Mizoram to the right to life and Article 29 relating to “Protection of interests of minorities”. Government in a press statement stated The amendment also violates the that the State Government has Mizoram Peace Accord, 1986 which pro- amended the Mizoram (Selection of Can- vides that “the rights and privileges of the didates for Higher & Technical courses) minorities in Mizoram as envisaged in the Rules. Constitution, shall continue to be pre- The controversial amendment to served and protected and their social and the rules included the explanation clause economic advancement shall be ensured.” on the term “Local Permanent Resi- The amendment completely ignores dents” and “indigenous”. It is believed the very cordial relations the Chakmas that the amendments made are the re- and Mizos shared from time immemorial. sults of the agreement reach between Though there have been some stray inci- the Mizo Zarlai Pawl (MZP) and the Gov- dents of violence between individuals ernment of Mizoram in September 2014 from Mizo and Chakma communities, following protest by MZP. which happen in all societies living to- The amendment of the explana- gether, historical records show that Mizos tion clause of Rule 5, with the insertion and Chakmas never had any major con- of “Zo-ethnic people who are native in- flicts, which are regularly seen even today habitants” in place of “indigenous people in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya etc among of the state of Mizoram” effectively re- different communities. In fact, though a duced the Chakmas of Mizoram to sec- number of other ethnic communities of ond class citizens in their own land. Mizoram resorted to armed rebellion With the amendments, the selec- against the State Government, the Chak- tion of candidates for Higher & Technical mas never resorted to such violence. The courses against the reserved quota of agreement signed with the MZP nullifies seat shall be made on ethnic line not on such best practices of community rela- merit. tions and instead pushes both the com- munities towards communal disharmony. The Chakmas and other minorities of Mizoram are the most backward and The amendment ignores the fact giving the official preference to the ma- that the Chakmas of Mizoram are local jority ethnic “Mizos” over the non-Mizos permanent residents of the State of is an act of discrimination. The amend- Mizoram since time immemorial The ment violates various provisions of the Chakmas were notified as a Scheduled including Article 14 Tribe under the Constitution (Scheduled relating to “equality before law”, Article Tribes) Order, 1950 in erstwhile Assam 15 relating to “prohibition of discrimina- under which current day Mizoram was a tion on grounds of religion, race, caste, district. The Chakmas enjoyed the same sex or place of birth”, Article 21 relating Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 25 when Mizoram was created as a Union population of minorities like Chakma, Territory. The same was guaranteed when Bru, Lai, etc. The largest minority group, Mizoram was created as a separate State the Chakma, lives only in these three in 1986 as provided under the 1986 districts. Considering the backwardness Mizoram Peace Accord. The Constitution of the Chakma minorities, exclusive res- of India recognizes the Chakmas of ervation for the Chakma minorities if Mizoram as local permanent residents. On made by the State Government of 29 April 1972, the Chakma Autonomous Mizoram shall be justified before the District Council (CADC) was formed under Courts as the Chakma minorities should the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of be brought to the same level as the ma- India. As a result, the Chakmas under the jority Mizos. However, the amendment CADC enjoys special safeguard granted by based on an agreement with the MZP the Article 273-G of the Constitution of regrettably excludes the Chakmas and India. other non-Mizo minorities from their ac- Therefore to say that the Chakmas cess to higher education. are not permanent residents of Mizoram Various Chakma organizations in or sons of the soil/indigenous is without Mizoram and outside have condemned basis and of no legal standing. the controversial amendments. It is pertinent to mention that when Pertinently, various organizations reservation is made for any particular including students Unions have appealed group of people under the Constitution, it the State Government of Mizoram dur- is made based on the findings on the ing the agreement reached between socio-economic conditions of the targeted MZP and State Government last year. beneficiaries. If indeed reservation is to The amendments are illegal and be made in Mizoram, it should be made the State Government must immediately for the Chakmas and other non-Mizo mi- withdraw the same and treat all its sub- norities because of their socio-economic jects with equality and non - backwardness including in education. As discrimination. per the official records, the Chakmas are the most illiterate ethnic community in Mizoram, which is counted among the States topping in literacy rate. The liter- acy rate among the Chakmas in Mizoram is only 45.3% against 95.6% literacy rate for the Mizos as per 2001 Census. The of- ficial data made public at the launching of Rapid Action Total Literacy Campaign in December 2010 in Lunglei show that there are 12,129 illiterate people in district followed by 4,200 in Lunglei district and 2,845 in Mamit dis- trict. All these three districts (Lawngtlai, Lunglei and Mamit) have substantial 26 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

reality. A Call for action The role of youth is of most impor- tance in today‟s time. It has underplayed itself in field of politics. It should become As a communication secretary of aspiring leader rather than mere workers. Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students It can play a vital role in elimination of Union (APCSU) I decided to write on terrorism. Young participation is impor- something to the youth. When selected tant because youth are the power. Youth as Communication Secretary of APCSU, recognize problems and can solve them. I know at first hand that how important Youth are strong forces in social move- this responsibility is for me and for our ments. They educate children about their community. This is a team work and I rights. They help other young people at- know success comes when common tain a higher level of Intellectual ability people like me do common work uncom- and to become qualified adults. monly well, I believe we have a great Unfortunately no one is bothered to team and we can take the students and dream any such vision. Martin Luther has youth to new heights and glory. said, "I have a Dream" and the dream In words of James” Youth is the come largely true. If he had not thought joy, the little bird that has broken out of of that dream he would have accom- the eggs and is eagerly waiting to plished nothing in his life. Another prob- spread out its wings in the open sky of lem is indifferent attitude of youth to- freedom and hope.”Youth is the spring wards things, situation and politics. The of Life. It is the age of discovery and new cool formula of the youth “sab chal- dreams. Chakmas everywhere has a tahai“ is proving fatal to our development. huge pool of talented youth and it is the Lack of unity and spirit is the major set- greatest source of energy, the energy back. It is time the youth, the students that can lead the whole community to a have to realize their power, their role, happier, safer, secure and prosperous their duties and their responsibility and living. If Chakma youth make up their stand up for their rights. Now it is time mind and work in close unity with work- that we wake up to a new dawn of Unity. ing class people, they can hold the po- Being united can only make our voice litical power in their hands. We youth heard. If you want to make your dreams has the power to make our community come true, the first thing you have to do from a developing community to a de- is to wake up and change the attitude be- veloped community. It is the dream that cause it is a little thing that makes a big is calling me and us all. difference. We have to leave this attitude The youth can make our commu- of “sab Chaltahai” and each one should nity, a community free of poverty, un- try a bit to make a difference in his or her employment, inequality and exploitation own way. Each one should act as guardi- of man by man. A community free of ans of our people. To start with, let us discrimination on the grounds of race, stop ourselves being a waste to our soci- colour, language and gender. We want ety, let‟s control on alcoholism and drug to make our community full of creative abuses. Let us stop younger brothers and challenges and opportunities to conquer sisters going in a wrong direction. them. But let us convert these hopes in UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 27

New Evil in our Society – Drug We should encourage youth to venture Addiction out in different stream of life, like sports, music, politics, art, entertain- - By Binoy Shanti Chakma ment, Etc. We have to encourage and empower youth to make them realize their true potential of a torch bearer of Drug means medicine, but now a the community. day it has been given a new connotation We can become a developed com- which is related to fatal narcotics which munity only if everyone contributes to includes cocaine, heroin and brown the best of his or her capacity and abil- sugar and so on. All these drugs have ity. Youth is wholly experimental and evil effects on the mind and body cells with the full utilization of the talents of of the addicts. Drug addiction leads to the Youth, we will become a complete harming oneself and also his/her family. Community. Let us hope for the same. I When drugs become an integral part of would like to appeal to our distinguished one‟s life, the victim goes with lots of leaders and youths of our community to problem which can be classified into join us in the unprecedented protest Physical, Psychological, Spiritual and against the denial of rights to the Chak- Social. There are many reasons for drug mas of Arunachal Pradesh that is being abuse by a person. Most of the time one tentatively planned to be organized in goes to drug under peer pressure. There December of 2014 in Delhi and possibly are many reasons like emotion, such as at Diyun and Guwahati. not being loved, depression, low self es- Thanks and regards, teem, feeling neglected, stress in the family, bad parenting and some time bad company or friends leads to drug The writer is the communication abuse. Secretary of APCSU The symptoms for drug addictions are as follows: Dishonesty and frequent lies, Withdraw from family and friends, mood swings, depressed, isolating one- self, sleeping disorder and stealing. Treatment of drug-addicts is done through different medical processes. The patient suffers from several physi- cal troubles, when he is made to give up his addiction. He regains his normalcy gradually by the method of detoxifica- tion, after that psychiatric treatment has to be started. And above all the pa- tient‟s family members play a vital role in his/her recovery by supporting him/her in every way. Cntd. 28 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Treatment of drug-addicts is done the state. There are many people who go through different medical processes. The to the deep forest to cultivate Ganja and patient suffers from several physical Hani (Opium), which should be stopped troubles, when he is made to give up his immediately. Those who oppose should be addiction. He regains his normalcy brought to the notice of the authority and gradually by the method of detoxifica- law will take it own course. This will be tion, after that psychiatric treatment has possible only if we all come and work to- to be started. And above all the patient‟s gether unitedly with the help of the local family members play a vital role in his/ authority. her recovery by supporting him/her in every way. The writer is This drug menace has gripped our based in Delhi society very badly and making our lives miserable day by day. Earlier this men- ace was not there in our areas (Chakma areas) but now some vested interested persons are playing with our lives. In making quick bucks they don‟t realize that for their selfish motive our society is getting ruined and getting bad names. During my childhood to adulthood days, I haven‟t heard any cases of theft in my village (Avoipur), but now after this menace I am hearing frequent cases of theft, even the cattle and betel nuts are not being spared. This is not a case of my village only, the whole Chakma ar- eas has become the same. Many lives and families are getting ruined because of the drug menace. Now, the big question is how we can prevent it from ruining our society further. According to my perception it is the duty of every individual and local authority to take part in stopping this menace. Awareness camp and program in every village regarding the bad effect of drug abuse should follow. And we should make a strong group of volun- teers in every village and identify the peddlers and give them stern warnings. If stern warning don‟t deter them, strict action should follow, within the law of UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 29

Chakma Community represented ‘Arunachal State’ for the first time in Delhi

Delhi –NCR Chakma Community at- stage with beautiful Pinon & tended the first ever very interactive ses- Haadi...WOW. Though it was performed sion with DONER (Development of North over a modern song, how does it mat- Eastern Region) Minister Dangu Dr. Jiten- ter.., for me it was coming of age and dra Singh cum Musical-Cultural Evening beginning of Soft diplomatic achieve- organised by My Home India on 26th ment on which we have been working so March, 2015 in New Delhi. hard to engage those who matter in The beauty of the programme was that the Chakmas for the first time repre- sented the state of “Arunachal Pradesh” and that too with an opening performance of the august occasion.

Delhi.

Here it is felt that it is worth men- tioning one of the attendees, Dangu He- mant Larma‟s awesome reaction (taken from Facebook) to that particular occa- sion in his very words, “ It was thrilling to listen to the opening announcement "The I opening cultural of today's prestigious event is represented by Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the spring end and beginning of new year festival for the Chakma community from Arunachal Pradesh, here comes the BIZU dance" and was doubly delighted to witness brother then with thunderous claps i could see my Dangu Uttam Chakma recieve a mo- little sisters dancing their way to the mento from Dangu Minister for his con- 30 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

The Kindred Spirits Stories and Poetry Section - By Mangal Chakma

It was winter; the air was cold. Very few backwards, as for him sitting in the same people walked along the cobbled road place had been a commonplace. He could- where some fuzzy flickering of twilights n‟t stand sitting long because at his age could be seen in the foggy morning. friends‟ kites must be souring in the blue People walked with their gentle gaits, skies. He almost felt jealous of them wrapping their arms to keep themselves thinking of it. They might be running one warm. The morning seemed to have after another, whooping in the shingle been filled with desperate silence until a beach. But suddenly he came to his flight of birds warbled on the boughs of sense, almost banging hard his fist on the the nearest trees, and the fog was table as he remembered what happened vanishing into thin airs. The fragrance yesterday with his friends. from the luscious flowers wafted all “I hate them,” he found himself around as they swung in the gentle muttering in a hush . breeze. By the time the sun loomed up After a long tedious strolling along the velvety green mountains; the woolly the lobby of the building he was looking clouds still hovered above as the birds out of a bow window at a breathtaking took their flights, flitting in the open view: far down the hills, there he could skies in full freedom. see a river ran down, licking the banks. Among those lofty mountains, And on the other shore of the river, were there was a small town in which people some lonely log cabins from where smoke from far lands took their shelters for a was belching out of the chimneys. But he couple of days when they were on their could not make out with his little eyes if pilgrimage. In the same town, in a tour- there were any people strolling around. ing building; in a dark corner, a little So, the boy stood with his elbow on the scrawny boy huddled into himself be- window sill as he plucked the flowers‟ pet- cause of cold weather, sat at the recep- als which branches came sticking out of tion in a rickety chair which was just the window bars. But he suddenly heard strong enough to bear his weight. someone‟s calling behind him, and he Sometimes he pulled out a book with turned round when he saw none. dog-eared pages from his nearest ter- By the moment he tiptoed back to mite-bitten cupboard, and absently look- his rickety chair, he looked about the ing out at the people as they passed by. lobby when there suddenly showed up a The dogs all curled up at the entrance of woman almost out of nowhere. She might the building, enjoying morning delicious be in her late sixties, with a gentle smile sun although little bit they shivered. on her face upon which dangled her wispy They looked as though they were on fringes that was going grey, she wore a their last legs, but suddenly they re- pair of half-moon glasses which she took leased a puff of breath with a slothful off as she led her legs towards the recep- whirling. tion. The boy was busy turning pages of The boy sluggishly tilted his chair Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 31 the book when he was almost jumped out and they climbed up the spiral flights of of his skin as this woman with chubby stairs to a room. But at times when they cheeks started, “Hello! Boy, do you have were at their half-way to the room, the a place for the night,” looking as though boy stopped to a halt, looking behind at she had her doubt if this boy was the re- the woman who was scrambling up. ceptionist. She looked frail when she stood be- The woman briskly looked up, fore him with a bundle of something “Er...why you stop?” she panted, fidget- loose, wrapped with a rather unkempt ing her hand on the stair case. clothe. “Oh, I forgot the key of the The boy stood up with his heart still room,” said the boy remorsefully, as he beating. ran down the stairs. “Yes, we have place for the night; “Your forgetfulness!” smiled the but not for you”, he breathed flatly, as he portly woman sitting on the step. was alive to that she would flinch back The boy snatched the key from hearing the price. the board and ran up the flights of stairs She looked around, turning her with his spindly legs. head heavenwards. She seemed to have It was in the third floor. The boy been worn out at his off-hand response, pulled the key out of his pocket as it but having no way out she asked further jangled when it hit the door. He in a tune trying to sound pretty gentle, whacked open the door with a creaking “How much for one night then, boy?” sound from it when the woman looked Although it wasn‟t the first time for full joys of spring to have seen the him when he had the difficulty to bring room. There they could see the slanting himself to tell the price, he paused for a stream of lights which were casting on moment looking nervously at her. But the the tidy floor through a window which woman seemed to be curious to hear the curtains were half-opened. The room price. had a single bed with a floral bed spread “Ok, you can stay here but provid- but it seemed to have seen better days; ing you can bear the price of the room; a table in the middle of the room with a yes, the price is 500 Rupees per night” vase of flower which withered slouching down. The woman sat on the edge of “Can it be 300 Rupees per night, bed gazing on the tapestry on the wall. because you see I am old enough to bear She looked on top form with a sense of the price?” joy, looking out of the window as though “No, there is neither a riff off nor a she was thinking that her pilgrimage to hard bargaining”, said the boy tersely. this land had been truly eventful at last. To his surprise, her facial expres- Except for everything of the room, hav- sion went normal to bits which had al- ing a panoramic view of the majestic ready conceived a curiosity to have a look temple‟s dome through this open win- at the room. She hastily waddled to keep dow was one of the best things she her stuff in a dark corner of the lobby, Cntd. 32 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

mostly appealed to. Before shutting the woman waddled to him. door behind, she told the boy that she “How did you come by that wound?” liked the whole caboodle of the room. said the woman, tapping gentle Tim‟s calf. As they made their way to the Tim grimaced painfully at the woman try- downstairs, the boy knew that there ing not to tell her how he got it. could be a hurdle for her or even for him, because the woman might not “Ok, you don‟t want me to let into meet the cost of the room. He unwill- your secret”. ingly led his legs behind her, thinking “I hate them, they shoved me to that he too wanted her to get the room. the spiky rock in the river” Tim revealed The woman stopped, looking be- angrily, “They are so cliquey”. hind at the boy who was coming down “Who are you talking about?” asked with his hand rubbing on the staircase. the woman feebly, drooping her shoul- “What‟s your name?” gently ders. asked the woman. “My friends” Said the boy There was a pause. brusquely. “Tim!” said the boy curtly through “They are your friends, and are a mouthful of something, scratching his cliquey too?” said she, giving a little hal- scruffy head. low laugh although worrying about lest Tim should get angry. “I couldn‟t get at what you said „Thin or Tim‟ ”, requested the woman After minutes of his nagging com- jokingly. plain of his friends Tim was at the recep- tion, wiping out his tears with his dishev- “Tim” eled sleeves. The woman neared him, “Oh, good name”, said the tugging her bundle of clothes. Now she woman, stroking his mousy hair with her stood at the table with her elbow poised wan fingers. on the table, looking at the boy as the When they arrived downstairs boy scribbled something on a piece of pa- there was none except for woman‟s bun- per rather absently. dle which was propping on the wall as if “So, how much?” asked the woman, an old man was putting his feet up for letting out a relaxing breath. afternoon siesta. Tim ran to bring the “Didn‟t I tell you before?” bundle when suddenly he whined, limp- ing off across the floor with his hands “So, there is no discount”, said the pressed calf. He must have bumped his woman in a hoarse voice, sounding as wound against the edge of the table though she went into a state of tense but which he got yesterday. trying hard to be gentle, knowing that he was just a little thing. The woman turned round and shrieked, “What happened?” “Ok, I have got to look for room in another place then”, she turned round Tim sat making his face on the floor still pressing his wound as the Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 33

with her bundle towards the gate again here she would have given the when she could hear behind her boy a hallow laugh, seeing his fledgling “I am sorry”. experiences of life. However, Tim was doing his best. Today, he might make She looked round at the boy and up his mind going out after finishing his beamed at him mirthlessly. work. As she waddled towards the gate No sooner did he finish his work Tim looked at her wistfully until she van- than there again he could see the portly ished behind the bushes on the road. woman walked towards him with the All the evening was quite quiet as same smile on her face as yesterday. Tim stood by the open window looking out When she approached the boy, she at the setting sun – far behind the moun- carelessly put her bundle about the tains. The waves in the river were shim- ground as Tim stood with his broom mering in the evening sun; the cold wind rather importantly. began blowing from the east; the birds “I am back again, boy”, sighed the were chirping as though they were on woman, “do you still have the room?” their family feud. But Tim was fed up with those chirpings of the birds as he called “I want to get this room, no mat- off his game with his friends, perhaps he ter whatever the price; yesterday, I was fell out with them. Now the darkness was on the lookout for a room, and finally I swarming around as he sat with his chin got one but it was far more costly than on arms, still thinking of that weighty yours. I understand you boy, you are woman. She must be sleeping feebly helpless to help me” somewhere among those mountains. By Tim said nothing until the woman the night fall Tim slipped back to his room asked him to sit on a bench beneath the which was a basement with a rectangular tree. The woman pulled some fruits out –shaped window from where he could see of her bundle and offered to Tim. the dusty sill covered with moss as it was “You haven‟t said anything yet?” always drenched by constant water fal- said the woman. ling. He sat on the bed planking the yel- lowish pillow to the spotty wall. And “Oh, yes...yes we have the room, threw himself into the bed, looking at the if you wish you can come”. Tim stam- dusty book shelf with his flapping eyes. mered, clearing his throat. And he knew nothing when he went to They leaned against the tree as sleep. they munched the fruits. Now they were Today, the weather was fine. The getting on well each other. Tim seems to sky was getting colour as the sun put into like her as he was all alone yesterday an appearance above the massive moun- evening; now at lease he had a com- tains. Tim was busy sweeping out the pany. Tim threw the peels on the ground leaves that were whipped off the ground as the woman crooned boring songs for in the morning wind. He hardly balanced the boy. the broom as it had a long handle which The woman raised her head up was double his height. If the woman were Cntd. 34 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie looking at what Tim did; looking as look- to eat which Tim put aside to tuck in ing as though she was going to ask the later. boy something. Tim, after three days of waiting for “I remember you telling something that kind woman, was growing anxious, that you hate someone, boy?” asked the thinking that she probably left the place; woman as Tim exchanged his glances but without saying him good bye. On the with her. other hand, Tim could not see his way – “Yes, my friends; I hate them, be- why she should say him good bye; she cause they hit me” Tim said. was nothing to him than a kind stranger. She asked the boy to come closer But today he was again lonely, sit- when she gently patted his back with ting with a face as long as a fiddle under wrinkled palms. They both sat looking at the gnarled bark tree which stood spread- the raising mountains which seemed ing its twisted branches. It was cold be- quite at the moment. neath the tree, but still he stood leaning with his back on the tree, absent- “You hate your friends, because mindedly throwing stones on the ground. they beat you?” said she, “why should And at last he almost took it for granted you hate them, you should love them that the woman might have gone back on instead; even if they are bad one day her words. you will cry reminiscing their naughty days with you”. After all the lonesome, listless mo- ments of the day Tim abruptly remem- “Here, all are good, if you are bered that he had some fruits in his stuffy good,” said she letting out relaxing basement which were given by the breathes. woman. He hurriedly ran towards the Tim sat looking at her eyes as if room but there suddenly wafted a nause- he doubted if she was right. ating smell that he had to run with his “You will love yourself if you love hand pressed his aquiline nose. “Yeck! your surrounding including your What – a –sickening smell!” stuttered neighbors; they all are in need of your Tim. As soon as he took the fruits in his love” She further said as though she did hands he hurried out to munch them un- not know what she had just said. der the tree. He just left the turning of the building wall; he glanced about the “So, will you go to play with your tree when there he could see what looked friends?” like a woman sitting on the bench with Tim sat dump struck with neither a nod her shoulders slouching. When Tim nor a shaking from his scruffy head, he neared the woman, he was as happy as seemed to be miles away at the mo- Punch to have recognized the woman; it ment. was she whom he might be fretfully wait- “Ok, I will come tomorrow, and ing for. But Tim sat beside her as though keep the room for me” breathed the he was blissfully unaware of her presence, woman as she got to her feet with her dangling down his legs to and fro from baggy bundle. She gave Tim more fruits Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 35 the bench. The woman stroked softly on thrilled to bits at the look of how the his back with her hand when Tim took his butterflies flew flapping their beautiful head up, looking at her smiling face. She wings. Sometimes they took rest under had some freckles on both of her cheeks the strappingly big trees with the vines with an unforgettable smile. tangled round. The woman would give “I am sorry I could not come on Tim something to eat. Sometimes the time”, Said she softly, “I was a bit sick woman gave a hearty laugh at Tim when and I have got a room”. she saw Tim washing his little hands with the dewdrops that still remained on “Don‟t worry, as we don‟t have one the soft leaves like diamonds in a string. now” Tim lied Tim walked slowly around the tree, feel- After minutes of their conversation ing the little stones under his feet as the and the munching the fruits, they came to woman sat on a big root of the tree, a conclusion to pay a visit to the hill looking at the boy‟s fidgety manners. sides. That‟s wasn‟t all why Tim seemed The boy would nag at the woman to to be over the moon but because he was continue their journey so that they could expecting to have a great time, to seeing took rest for the second time until they – the market places, the tortuous routes would arrive to a shingle beach. They through the trees, the river banks, and had yet some minutes‟ walk to arrive to waterfalls. the shingle beach. Tim was always walk- The day seemed to be improving by ing leaving the woman behind until he the time Tim was ready standing at the saw someone walking towards them. He gate, waiting for the woman with a looked behind at the woman who was satchel across his bony shoulders. The walking as slowly as she could. Tim woman neared him. Today, the bundle would make his face. Now, he turned wasn‟t with her. She might left it in her round to look at those persons who were room. Of course, she also got a satchel approaching him. He could see a woman like Tim‟s but hers was a bit different walking with a little girl who clasped a from Tim‟s. Tim‟s satchel was dirty, be- flower basket while her mother held her draggled because he would often get fingers with her right hand. They smiled stones in it whereas the satchel of the at Tim as they walked past him; Tim woman was tidy, embroidered with flow- beamed back happily. ers that seemed to have just gone with After a big turning of the road, it her. But for Tim having a neat satchel gave on to a breathtaking view of a was nothing special than to having an ex- clump of trees which were laden with citing walk along the winding roads that pinkish blue flowers. The trees of the went sometimes between mountains or flowers grew up from the bottom of the past the waterfalls which burbled in his ravine so that the boy could easily feel little ears. The boy chased the butterflies the touch of the flowers from the that fluttered around the waterfalls where wooden bridge which was covered with some jungle flowers were in full bloom. greenish moss. The air was filled with But the woman warned him to let go of rejuvenating fragrance which even more the butterflies out of his clasp. He Cntd. 36 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

heightened the boy‟s spirits. He ran there wafted something evocating smell. friskily on the bridge but he seemed to The boy turned round, gazing at the suffer from vertigo, looking down the woman, and asked her if she could make bridge he felt as though he was going out the direction of the faint clanging down. He flinched back with his flapping sound that was coming. eyes, and looked at the woman who The woman gave her head a fitful nod- stood amazed, looking the flowers with ding, trying hard to listen as if she held her hands on hips. They could also hear her breath. After a moment the boy a burbling stream down the bridge be- jumped excitingly, showing the direction fore they continued walking. in the other side of the bridge, when It was when they found them- there suddenly loomed up a temple. Of selves walking along the shingle beach; course, the boy did his best to show it to Tim could never expect himself having the woman; but every time it blurred to such a dramatic journey filled with eve- her eyes. When they got at the temple rything exciting. He looked at the trees they could see it was girdled by trees that stood on the bank of the river with laden with succulent fruits, pervading a their knotted roots spreading over the sweet smell into the air. There were huge rocks until they touched the limpid sparse people walked around the temple water pool. The water was so transpar- which was built at the foot of a lofty ent that Tim could see every rock on the mountain with a waterfall dripping down bottom of the pool, but the water was from a steep hillside. They strolled very cold that Tim had to jump from one around the temple, looking at the peer- rock to another to sidestep the touch of less beauty of the painting on the walls. the water on his feet. The woman al- Tim, the boy always seemed to be walk- ways warned him to walk carefully lest ing on air as he peered at the painting be- he should stumble on the rocks as he fore they went to another place. walked with a reed in his hand. By the The day seemed to be going with time when they came face to face with everything exciting until they arrived at an enormous mountain, they could see the picturesque narrow streets of a mar- some huts between the tall trees on the ket place. The place was crowded with other shore. All seemed quiet at the mo- people who were busy haggling things ment. from the shopkeepers who stood by an After a long walk along the river open window. The teeming streets went they arrived to a place when they could as hectic as it could be with people walk- see an old bridge over their heads; the ing up and down on the brick floors. bridge stood between the two mountains Tim barged through the crowds to and below the river ran. They scrambled the woman when she waited for him. The up the steps to the bridge – which was boy let out a breath as he stood before beautiful with flower pots on the both the woman, wiping the rivulet of sweat on sides. They could see the water from the his forehead as the weather went a bit bridge. As they walked on the bridge the sticky. They made off the place as it was boy suddenly stopped to a standstill, turning round and round as though Cntd. UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 37 rather stuffy, and went to other shops to herself until she could come to two of buy something as souvenirs. At last they her crucial decisions: whether to leave stopped to a shop where the woman the place or to find out the boy, but her stood, peering at the antiques and the money was running short. She would bric-a- brac. Tim looked at her face as not get by her money if decided to get she was turning a snow-white conch shell off the train and find out the boy. It was in her hands. It was truly beautiful with 11 O‟clock and the train was due to at flower curving on the shell. She some- 11:30. “30 minutes left” she thought, times gently tapped it with her fingers gloomily glancing at the chiming clock and looked into her satchel. But when on the wall. She could not imagine what they asked the price it was very expen- it would be after thirty minutes; she sive; the woman could not afford. Tim would be either on the train or in the was sad. streets asking for a little scrawny boy. As they walked to another shop the She pulled open the window; the air was boy was shuffling wistfully behind the cold. The sky was star –studded with the woman, and sometimes he caught her up. luminous moon, settling lights on the He wanted the woman to get the conch platform. The station was busy with the shell. When they arrived the other shop train whooshing by while some were the woman was buying herself some juddering to a halt on the platform. No clothing as Tim stood near her as though matter it was winter, it was stuffy on the she was his mother. “Now, it is Tim‟s train. She could hear hurry feet out side. turn”, said the woman under her breath, People were trudging on the aisle with looking some shirts of Tim size. “Tim, their bulky loadings. which one do you like?” said she, groping After a while the woman could see behind her a little hand. But response. an old man, with receding hair line, was “Hey, boy”, said she, tugging at an arm. waddling towards her with his two But she looked stunned; she was holding grandsons of Tim age. The old man sat an arm of a little girl smiling at her. The lugubriously by the open window, dab- woman shuddered at the thought of los- bing the window sill with his shaky fin- ing of the boy, darting a nervous glance gers. around the shops; but no trace of the Out of the window who might be boy. She was almost crying as she hur- his daughters, daughter in-laws were riedly wandered about the streets, asking crying their eyes out as someone con- for a little boy. But what others said her soled them. The old man seemed to be was “negligent!” She might ask one per- hardly holding back his tears as his son twice in the streets, but nobody spot- daughters wailed out. Soon the old man ted that lad. At last she was thirsty, hun- suddenly choked into tears with sobbing gry, and angry sat guiltily under a big when his wife came throwing her arms tree by the roadside. And tomorrow was around him. The grandsons huddled be- her departure; where will she find that side the old man, exchanging nervous boy? glances. For a moment the woman Next day, until it was late night; the woman was on the train, struggling within Cntd. 38 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie almost forgot of Tim, but suddenly her heart jumped as Tim sprang to her The writer can be mind. She darted a quick glance at the reached at: clock. It was only ten minutes left. The train squealed with a deafening noise. mangalchak- She was frantic with worry. “Heaven [email protected] knows, where that boy is” she cried restlessly, with a pasty face. Her heart seemed never to stop palpitating. She agitatedly closed her eyes with some murmurings from her lips. The train shrieked; it gave a jerk, and she uneas- ily opened eyes then there–lo! The lad was sitting on a bench with his head burying between two knees. The train slowly glided off the station when the woman got to her feet and yelled, “Tim…” Tim woke up with a start with his flapping eyes, and saw the woman. The woman did not know if she was cry- ing or laughing at the presence of the boy. Tim ran towards her with some- thing wrapped in his hand. Tim ran fast to catch up the train before it could gather speed. When he could touch the woman hand, she hit Tim lovingly. “I am sorry” Tim said innocently, as he gave her the wrapped package. “I will come again, Tim” said the woman. Tim stood at the station, waving his little hands. Tim was soon far behind the mountains. The woman opened pack- age, and saw it was the conch shell; she could not stop herself crying.

The writer is from Arunachal Pradesh,District: Changlang. Presently, he is based in Buddhagaya since 2014 and working in the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Buddhagaya Centre as appren- tice office assistant and pursuing further education in the Gaya College (BA first year). UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 39

Bizu By Natunnye Chakma

Bizu aelow, Bizu aelow monor huji loi Gachchun bachchun naazi utton boijek-go boiyerloi. Phool gachchun phool pododon. Nanan-rongor potta-pottiye naaji utton.

Bizu aelow , Bizu aelow monor huji loi, Bizu aelow, Bizu aelow aagow porono eddot-loi. Sigono awktot langta-bangta hodow Bizu gulo haa jidung... Eeyaan-ye ! thanda-thanda paanit buri-eedung. Nanan rongor" phozaak (hobong, haadi-pinon) pini gabusse aar gaaburi, Phool baaji de-jaadaag aa-aoj guri. Zuroo-zuroo aabai gang-aanei hun-hunai, Aazaa gorong nanan-rongor phoolun denei gang-aanei geet gai.

Bizu aelow , bizu aelow monor huji loi. Begor awntowror biderey bizu, bizu , huji podi uuder . Ekkah-ekkah amaa ! Buroo bebero, Purono hodah eddot udi- bogoraa guri aaji uuder. juzz juzz guri gelung jekke bebe hai, Degi bebe hoi ! Daa edu aai.

Sunai bebe aagow purono bizu hodah, "Berei naach, gaan utsab gottong begei oi ekk zodaah. Hoi aarow "tulona-gorong aagow bizu , ekku bizu. Honaw gom nalager-aar ekku. Bizu aelow, Bizu aelow monor huji loi . Bizu aelow, Bizu aelow aagow porono eddot-loi.

******** 40 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Breakfree - By John Chakma

I crept into this blue, gi- Are we walking around blind-folded? Cant ant,spherical,living ball, we see restriction of our equal-halves to Cant't recall whence I lived before. four walls as an evil? 'Tis said I and you were somewhere Isn't using muscle against weak an evil? And that we could be anywhere once we I'll say no more,it's endless. Nay I am exit. not going to be one of you, My deeds they say will determine my place Dont call me in 'cause I wont come, Up they call ''Heaven'', down they say I am breaking free and 'tis best, ''Hell''. You too better come out, embrace hu- manity, Grown up amidst ''Temples'' and And together we can ''Breakfree'' around, Then explored ''The holy Churches''. Bit of an idea 'bout ''Mosques'' too. John Chakma is 1st Puzzled,cross-roaded,reason? year Student of Lit- Temples claim,''we're ideal ones'' erature in English University of Delhi Dost the Churches and the Mosques.

As I am on the verge to breakfree I 've widened my horizons, So I say They're right yet wrong. Who's been to heaven or hell? Come tell me the fairy tales about ''Up''

Come tell me the stories of red devils ''Down''. Anybody? No? True all of 'em have goods, Which we should embrace tight. But what 'bout evils? UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 41

Mirage - By John Chakma

I beheld a mirage too beautiful, Sprinted hard in pursuit, Thinking it'd lead me whence flowers bloom. Halfway down the road, A desert from nowhere grown. Under the scorching ball of fire More mirages out o' dunes shown. Mirage faded amidst mirages, She chased, was chased.

My senses've got blurry, I can't see thou clear now, 'Cause nouse in my head I put. Oh! Mirage, thee, a beauty turned dusty, I'll no more chase thee. 42 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Mui APCSU - A poem from APCSU to all the Chakma people

Ye Bizu lokke Somajor baledeer pokke Mui APCSU Guritem balet hissu noi hissu Mui APCSU Gojaang-or tomaidu Mor poranor chit-digol Ju Ju! Janaang-or tomare, begore Siji BIZU! Huzi BIZU! Aar pogodaang gorong-or bek-kunoi-du Somare mili-juli guri toolibong baledeer jaadu Je-nye ej-se aajibo, it-toon bej dol guri pareei Je-nye ejse uron-piron, it-toon bej sadok bane pareei Mon hojoli gorey baar-baar Gora puribo-de eeyan saar "Samoy ejse, nijor haam giribaar, Samoy ejse, ek loge miliney aadibaar, Samoy ejse, holom loi-nye nizor hobaal ligibaar" Mon haani-haani jaai, Sogowt pani juri-juri jaai, Jok-ke sugo jinhani edot oode Jok-ke poronor balet din monot oode Hidik-key yelong! Hidik-key guri puri aageei! Ho-daw aaji-rongye tedong! Ho-daw dugowt puri aageei! Yejona! ud-dor gureei-na jinghani Yejona! sadok baneina jinghani Gom lagibo tot-toon Gom ligibo mot-toon Gomm ligibo bek-chakma gonot-toon .....Eyen aaja rageloong tomaidu, bek-kunoi-du Ye bizu lok-ke Somazor baledeer pok-ke UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 43

Ek Somare…….Ek Somare… Together…….together - by ChAkMa PuNya

Ek Somare…….Ek Somare… Yejona…., nizor haam gureei Together…….together Come……Let’s do our work. Yejona, Bey Lok! Yejona bonn Lok! Yejona…, jador haam gureei Come, Brothers! Come Sisters! Come….Let‟s do our community‟s work. Ek somare aadeei. Borpur hoch-paana loi Together! Let’s walk. With profound love, Ek somare maadeei. Pelang pelang gom-paana loi Together! Let’s voice With plenty of affection, dedication, Dol gureei-na jinghani Ek somare……..Ek somare… Let’s make our life beautiful. Together….Together… Por gureei-na jinghani Let’s make our life sun-shine. Yejona, Bey Lok! Yejona bonn Lok! Gom lagibow tot-toon Come, Brothers! Come Sisters! You will like it. Ek somare jaageei. Gom lagibow mot-toon Together! Let‟s wake up. I will like it. Ek somare looreei Gom lagibow bek-koonowt –toon Together! Let‟s put forth our feet. Everyone will like it. Ek somare darr eerideei.

Together! Let‟s throw away our fear. Ek somare……..Ek somare… Ek somare bol sarideei Together…….together…. Tegether! Let‟s push up the energy. Yejona, Bey Lok! Yejona bonn Lok! Ek Somare…….Ek Somare… Come, Brothers! Come Sisters! Together….Together… Hodok..teybong aalsi guri Yejona, Bey Lok! Yejona bonn Lok! Till when? We will stay lazy. Come, Brothers! Come Sisters! Hodok teybong gumowt puri Ek somare naageei Till when? We will keep sleeping. Together! Let‟s dance. Ek somare aageei Hodok teybong andharot. Together! Let‟s laugh. Till when? We will be in darkness. Huji gureei-na mon Hodok teybong baai-rot Let‟s make our mind happy. Till when? We will stay outside Sadok gureei-na mon (here, outside is staying out of our Let‟s make our mind pious. community’s development). Gom lagibow tot-toon You will like it. Cntd. 44 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Gom lagibow mot-toon Chakma is my community I will like it. - By Gyan Tanya Chakma Gom lagibow bek-koonowt –toon Everyone will like it. Chakma is my community Ek somare…..Ek somare ..aamaar dol Our strength lies in its substantial naang obaw.. creativity Together…Together….We will be We have to keep protecting it From all four quarters by each giving an blessed with a good name. upward push though bit by bit.

Ek somare…..Ek somare …aamaar jeet Chakma is my community obaw And I find in it‟s the true identity Together…Together….We will win. We should work together and live in Ek somare……..Ek somare… harmony Together…Together…. And build a family based on humanity. We will help inject out the darkness

And spreads happiness Extending needy hand to each other Thereby standing firm for one another In times of sunny or dark days

Garlanding the ourselves with the

warmest rays.

Chakma is my community

We should help making rock its immunity

We have good culture and lovely

language

Where lies our pride and we gauge

Our behavior with finest touch of

generosity

Paving a way for a lovely society

Chakma is my community

And is a peaceful society

Times and again, we have been

discriminated and neglected

But we will bounce back

sooner or later and ene-

mies must be getting de-

feated.

Jai Chakma!!!

UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 45

Pride of the Chakma Community

Enjebee Chakma, d/o Alexander Chakma of Assam has been making the State and particularly the Chakma community proud again and again: She won 2 gold & 1 bronze medals in Assam Karate Championship held in Guwahati Nehru Indoor Stadium on 7-8th Feb, 2015. In Jan, 2015, she won a Bronze Medal in the 60th National School Games for Karate held in Indore (Madhya Pradesh)

Rinky Chakma of Tripura made proud President of India, Pranab Mukherjee pre- the entire Chakma community by win- senting the National Award-2011 to Mrs. ning the first runner-up of Sunsilk Promita Chakma of Tripura for crafts in Miss North-East, 2015 held in Gu- New Delhi on 1 July 2014 wahati 46 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Chakmas on Musical vibes

SOJAK , an audio-video Chakma album pro- Just Released duced by Young Chakma Association (YCA) based on its activities and the extra good news for the Delhi-NCR residents is that the very album is now available in Delhi on pay- ment of Rs. 200/-. Please contact Dangu He- mant Larma, MCDF for your copy. SOJAK means be alert, vigilant, watchful, being keeping yourself informed about what is happenings around you and the world.

Cheer up more! First Audio Album on Buddhist devotional track named “Punya Sadak” is being produced by Diyun Vana Bihar, Buddhist Temple, Arunachal Pradesh

i Jinghani by Deathaphor - Chakma Rock Album from Agartala, Tripura, India. This one is the second Chakma album by the Band. Songs available on youtube.com UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 47

Pictures says it all

48 UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie

Bodhi Educational and Research Center - Working for humanity

Ven. Jayanta Bodhi Bhante, Founder

Young Buddhist monks at Bodhi Educational & Research Centre, Pune UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie 49

Mor Thengari (My Bicycle), First Feature Film in Chakma Language in Bangladesh

Mor Thengari, the first feature film in Chakma language pre- miered at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium at the Central Public Library in Dhaka, Bangladesh in the presence of Chakma Raja Debashish Roy, who was present at the programme as the Chief Guest.

Mor Thengari (My Bicycle), written and directed by Aung Rakhaine, was screened as part of ongoing 13th International Short and Independent Film Festival. The movie was appreci- ated for the simple portrayal of Chakma life, scenic beauty of the hill tracts and of course the good acting. Photo: Daily Sun

UPRISE Deh Salei Ek Somare Aadie A Bizu publication of Arunachal Chakma News (CAN), a Fortnightly Newspaper from Diyun, striving to connect all the Chakmas in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura and elsewhere by bringing their world closer and covering all subjects that matter to them. In doing so, we inspire people to fight for their rights and justice.