Utsav Kids Presents ……… Ramayan

The Ramayan is one of the two great epics of Ancient India, the other being the Mahabharat. It was originally written by Valmiki in Sanskrit. The Ramayan is a story that depicts four sons (Ram, Laxman, Bhorot and Shatrughno) of King Dasarath of Ayodhya face difficulties, crises but overcome them without compromising the values of brotherhood, truthfulness and dutifulness. Ram, the hero of the epic, is a symbol of patience, courage, justice and sacrifice. A relationship of Ram and his wife Sita is of respect, love and tolerance. Ram’s virtues survive all odds and adversities over the evil power of Rabon, the Demon King.

Director – Ajay Joshi Narrator - Rashmi Nandi Choreography and costume – Nupur Joshi Casts Ram- Neha Joshi Meghnad – Natasha Chanda Rabon Raja- Sayanti Ghoshal Sugrib – Sunoy Nandi Monthora- Sayanti Ghoshal Jatayu – Sayak Dutta Rishi Rabon in disguise- Rinita Mukherjee Honuman – Debanshu Das Koikeyi – Rinita Mukherjee Chhoto Honuman 1– Ronit Mukherjee Sita – Kajori Mukherjee Chhoto Honuman 2 - Archit Dash Dasarath – Ayan Choudhury Shotrughno – Ronit Mukherjee Bali – Ayan Choudhury Marich – Khounish Sharma Laxman – Adi Choudhury Dwar rokshi 1- Khounish Sharma Bhorot – Sharod Nandi Dwar rokshi 2 – Ishaan Sharma Angad – Sharod Nandi Sonar Horin – Sonia Sarkar Shurponokha – Natasha Chanda Kumbhokorno – Neel Chanda

−Q±l‰£ 2009 2 Chowrongee 2009

p§Q£fœ ContentContentssss

pÇf¡cL£u / Editorial 5 Utsav Committees 6 Message from the UTSAV Boardroom 7 Program Schedule 9 Utsav Accounts 11 Teen Kanya 12

L¢ha¡ / Poems c¤¢V L¢ha¡ afa£ −i±¢jL 15 ¢œ²−LV je£¾cÊ e¡b L¥j¡l 16 ¢ae¢V L¢ha¡ A¢i−oL e¡N 17 l¡¢œl cªnÉ −p±jÉc£f p¡q¡ 18 Monsoons Natasha Chanda 19 When and Now Farah Billah 19 She Mohana Roy 20 fËhå / Articles Bj¡l p¡e ¢X−u−N¡ ïjZ ¢p¢jL¡ hp¤¤l¡u 22 hZÑ¡YÉ, ¢ha¢LÑa, A¢hØjlZ£u h‰ p−Çjme 2009 Bng¡L üfe 23 NABC 2009 Hhw Bj¡−cl e¡VL ¢e−u ¢LR¥ Lb¡ Suc£f l¡u 27 B¢éL¡ ïjZ nË£−mM¡ i–¡Q¡kÑÉ 29 f−l¡fL¡l l¢nÈ e¾c£ 31 The Fry-of-the-Year Battle Neel Chanda 36 33G Notebook: Destination Paris Biswanath Mukherjee 37 Struck by “Lightening”: Puja Pandals in Kolkata Sajni Mukherji 42 Change Patricia Chatterjee 44 Alaska : Here Comes Utsav Gang Barin Kumar 46 An Interview with Marvel and Subhra Gima Shashwati Roy 48

Utsav Membership Roster 51 Brief History of Utsav 57

−Q±l‰£ 2009 3 Chowrongee 2009

Literary Committee

Rashmi Nandi Patricia Chatterjee Biswanath Mukherjee Rajat Saha Somen Nandi Saquib Najmus Manas Ray (Editor)

Cover design by Santana Das

Disclaimer The views and opinions of authors in this magazine do not necessarily state or reflect those of Utsav, Inc. For writings published in this magazine, Utsav does not warrant or assume any legal liability and responsibility for accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information disclosed and/or published. Information provided is accurate as of the date of going to press; Utsav or Chowrongee is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Opinions expressed are those of individual authors. Advertisers are solely responsible for the advertisements, not Chowrongee or Utsav.

Utsav Inc. 11230 Gold Express Drive, P.O. Box: 310-412, Gold River, CA 95670 www.utsavsac.org

Chowrongee is published annually for Utsav members by Utsav, Inc. Sacramento, CA, USA (www.utsavsac.org) Printed at: J. Prassa Printers, 2313 C Street, Sacramento, CA, USA (http://jpprinting.net)

Post master: if undelivered please send to Utsav Inc. 11230 Gold Express Drive, P.O. Box: 310- 412, Gold River, CA 95670.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 4 Chowrongee 2009

pÇf¡cL£u Editorial

M¤n£l D−cl −ln L¡V−a e¡ L¡V−a q¡¢Sl q−µR Welcome to the eighth edition of h¡P¡m£l BlL j−q¡vph - c¤NÑ¡f§S¡ h¡ n¡l−c¡vphz ‘Chowrongee’, the Annual Magazine of n¡l−c¡vph hm¡C E¢Qv q−h L¡lZ Evp−hl H¢f−p¾V¡l UTSAV – the Bengali Association of Greater −L¡mL¡a¡u "f§−S¡' j¡−e "¢bj' -fÉ¡−ä−ml QjL, B−m¡l Sacramento. Utsav is also celebrating its Baph¡¢S, ea¥e gÉ¡p¡e, −hs¡−a k¡Ju¡z HL¢V BQ¡l eighth anniversary and organizing the eighth öd¤ HMeJ ff¤m¡l - Aøj£−a A”¢mz community Durga puja in the valley. It’s fËh¡p£l f§S¡u Ah¢nÉ djÑ£u i¡he¡ HLV¥ −h¢n S¢s−u eight all around…… b¡−L - ü¡i¡¢hLz −g−m Bp¡ j¤ýaÑ…−m¡−L r¢Z−Ll SeÉ Eight is a good number. Lord Krishna was pS£h Ll¡l BL¡´M¡ e£l−h L¡S L−lz e¡s¥ h¡e¡−e¡, −i¡N the eighth son born to princess Devaki of l¡æ¡u e¡j ¢c−a BNËq S¡e¡e A−e−L, °ce¢¾ce L¡S Mathura and Vasudeva. The Dharmacakra, a L−jÑl T¡−jm¡ p−šÄJz Buddhist symbol, has eight spokes. In Islam, f§S¡ Hh¡l h— a¡s¡a¡¢sz ¢höÜ ¢pÜ¡¿¹ f¢”L¡ it is the number of Angels carrying The Holy Ae¤k¡u£ 8C B¢nÄe h¡ 25−n −p−ÃVðl pçj£z −M¡c Throne of Allah in heavens. l¡jQ¾cÊ kMe fË−u¡S−e hp−¿¹l f§S¡−L ÙÛ¡e¡¿¹l L−l−Re So the eighth year was good for UTSAV nl−a, aMe Evph HL pç¡q ¢f¢R−u 2l¡ A−ƒ¡hl f§S¡ too. Utsav has got new members, Utsav öl¦ Ll−m −c¡o −eCz ¢h−no L−l 2l¡ A−ƒ¡hl qm 15C members have attained new heights in their B¢nÄe - B¢nÄ−el j¡T¡j¡¢T, L¢h…l¦l j−a f§S¡l h¡Se¡ professional careers, were honored by −h−S JW¡l p¢WL pjuz renowned organizations, kids have gone to HhRl −ch£l −c¡m¡u BNje - gm jsLz −p¡u¡Ce new and prestigious schools and so on. (b¤¢s, HCQ Ju¡e He Ju¡e) gÓ¥-l i−u a¡C LÇfj¡e Like earlier years this year too the pages of p¡l¡ c¤¢eu¡z A−ƒ¡h−l −ke iÉ¡L¢pe V¡ h¡S¡−l B−p j¡z ‘Chowrongee’ reveals the various facets of a−h Aa O¡hs¡−e¡l clL¡l −eC, −ch£l N−S Nje - gm interest and qualities of Utsav members and npÉf§ZÑ¡ hp¤¤ål¡z gÓ¥-l fË−L¡f −b−L k¡l¡ hy¡Q−he a¡−cl well wishers. It has travelogues, report on the i¢hoÉa i¡mz −no hoÑ¡l h¢loZ i¡l−al Ml¡l fË−L¡f gala jamboree of the Bengalis called NABC A−eL L¢j−u−R Bl Jh¡j¡J h−m−Re ¢l−pne −l¡M¡ 2009, poems and paintings by the young ¢N−u−R HMe fËa£r¡ h¡S¡l Q¡‰¡ qJu¡lz generation. The members of literary ph¡C i¡m b¡L¥e, f§S¡ Ef−i¡N Ll¦e Hhw −Q±l‰£ fs¥ez committee took all the initiatives to motivate quite a good number of occasional writers to j¡ep l¡u spend some time on computers sharing their tales through the pages of Chowrongee. I convey my sincere thanks to all the contributors and literary committee members. Special thanks to my predecessor Rashmi Nandi for her untiring assistance to ensure publication of this issue as per schedule.

Wish you all Puja Greetings.

Manas Ray

−Q±l‰£ 2009 5 Chowrongee 2009

UTSAV Committee Members

Governing Body Members (GBM) Registration Committee: Adi Choudri (President) Prodosh Chakraborty (Chairperson) Sanjib Nayak (Vice President) Adi Choudri Arun Chowdhury (Treasurer) Anand Adoni Sharmila Mukherjee (Cultural Secretary) Subhra Gima Anand Adoni (Public Relations / Secretary) Food Committee: Community Council Members (CCM) Subir Sarkar (Chairperson) Biswanath Mukherjee (Chairperson) Sanjib Nayak Satya Chatterjee Adi Choudri Debasis Saha Fundraising Committee: Literary Committee Adi Choudri (Chairperson) Rashmi Nandi Sanjib Nayak Patricia Chattejee Deb Saha Biswanath Mukherjee Ajay Joshi Rajat Saha Udayan Chanda Somen Nandi Kingshuk Sharma Saquib Najmus Website Committee: Manas Ray (Editor) Koushik Das Cultural Committee: Santana Das Sharmila Mukherjee (Chairperson) Sudeep Sarkar Udayan Chanda Suman Sarkar Nupur Joshi Welcome Committee: Subhra Mukherjee Mitra Choudri (Chairperson) Seema Chanda Mita Chakraborty Election Committee: Pat Chatterjee Shomeek Paul Subhra Gima Somen Nandi Simi Sarkar TBD Tapati Bhaumik Puja Committee: Utsav Youth Group: Rupa Chowdhury (Chairperson) Arunav Sarkar (Chairperson) Arun Chowdhury Neha Joshi Mitra Choudri Sahana Sarkar Santana Das Natasha Chanda Anima Kumar Anindya Chowdhury Sunoy Nandi Clubhouse Committee: Biswanath Mukherjee (Chairperson) Farah Billah Somen Nandi Mitra Choudri (Coordinator) Shyamal Chowdhury Subir Sarkar Udayan Chanda Sanjib Nayak Adi Choudri

−Q±l‰£ 2009 6 Chowrongee 2009

Message from the UTSAV Boardroom

Greetings to all,

It has been a busy year for Utsav. We Natok group did a phenomenal job and was began 2009 with the celebration of well received by the audience. Their Saraswati pujo in January. This was outstanding performance led to an invitation followed by our Annual picnic and NABC to perform in Canada. Our adults and kids participation. And now the Durga Pujo is did an outstanding dance performance. here. I guess time goes fast when you are Shomeek Paul from Utsav participated in having fun. their Fashion show. Dr. Mitra Choudri and Dr. Satya Chatterjee were the primary On reflection, it has been a year of organizers of a medical forum at NABC, a stabilization and growth for Utsav. We have new event for NABC this year. seen new members joining our existing family. We sincerely believe that the Utsav So you can see we were very deeply Board members are providing value for your involved, in spite of our size and distance. hard earned dollar in these tough times. Dr. Mitra Choudri also initiated a youth Utsav clubhouse activity has been a volunteer group this year, which was tremendous success under the capable warmly received by our Utsav kids – they leadership of Somen Nandi and Biswanath have Sahana, Arunav, Anindya, Neha, Mukherjee. We have changed the focus from Natasha (Chanda), and Sunoy as present classroom Bangla teaching to indoor and members. They have organized a winter outdoor activities centered on “tero clothes drive for the Saint John’s children parbon”. This has been fun for children and shelter, and Spring cleaning at the Vedanta adults too. For example, we celebrated Society. Their next project is to donate an Rabindra Jayanti by discussing Tagore and Indian meal to the St John Shelter, and the his life. Kids learned about Tagore and sang children hope to collect donation during the songs and recited poems. We also organized Durga Pujo. Please be generous and help “Rays of Hope” (Upendra Kishore, their cause. Sukumar and Satyajit Rays) lead by Manas Ray. Subir Sarkar prepared many mouth- I want to sincerely thank all of you who watering snacks during the clubhouse lunch worked tirelessly all year long to bring all breaks. A visit to The Yolo County reserve these programs and events together for our was an outdoor activity lead by Somen membership - you know who you are! I Nandi. Kids had a chance to learn names of really feel proud that our team has birds in Bengali. We want to make your accomplished so much. It takes a special clubhouse participation fun and person to volunteer so much time away from educational. And we are not done yet for your family – Thank You. this year. Just keep an eye on our website. I am extremely grateful to Utsav’s GBM Utsav also participated in the 29 th NABC and CCM and many others who have put up in the Bay area. Prabasi was the main host – with my frequent late evening conference we joined hands with them and raised over calls throughout the year. $15 K in sponsorship for the event. Our

−Q±l‰£ 2009 7 Chowrongee 2009

So, sit back and enjoy the Durga Puja. We Shubho Sharodiya to all – may Mayer have two famous artists on Saturday, Arnab puja bring many blessings, peace and from Mumbai and Subhomita from Kolkata. happiness to you and your family.

For the first time in Utsav history, we will Warm Wishes, have a ticketed grand event in Durga Puja. The little ones are working very hard to Adi Choudri bring Ramayan to you on Friday – please give them a hearty applause to show your On behalf of Utsav GBM and CCM appreciation.

Governing Body Members (GBM): Community Council Members (CCM ):

Adi Choudri Biswanath Mukherjee Sanjib Nayak Satya Chatterjee Arun Chowdhury Debasis Saha Sharmila Mukherjee Anand Adoni

−Q±l‰£ 2009 8 Chowrongee 2009

Program ScheduleSchedule**** for Durga PujaPuja,, 2009 Event Time

Friday: October 2, 2009 Aagomoni Song 7:30 PM Odissi Dance Recital 7:45 PM Ramayan – A performance by Utsav’s kids 8:00 PM Dinner 9:15 PM Vocal performance by "Harano Sur" (group from Bay area) 10:00 PM

Saturday: October 3, 2009 Durga Puja (Saptami and Mahastami), 10:00 AM Anjali 11:30 AM Prasad 12:00 Noon Lunch and Socializing 1:00 PM Bangla Movie ( Ajab Gayer Ajab Katha ), Carrom, Card competitions, adda with snacks, etc. 3:00 PM Aroti 5:30 PM Performance (Live in Concert) by Shubhomita 6:30 PM Dinner 8:30 PM Performance by Arnab Chakraborty – a singing sensation 9:30 PM

Sunday: October 4, 2009 Durga Puja (Navami and Bijoya Dashami) 10:00 AM Anjali 11:30 AM Prasad, Sindur Khela and Bisorjon 12:00 Noon Lunch and Socializing 1:00 PM Harmonica (mouth organ) recital by Karun Chakraborty (from Bay area) 2:00 PM Group song 2:15 PM Awards Ceremony 2:20 PM Family Variety Show 2:35 PM Samson Koletkar (stand-up comedian from Bay area) 3:15 PM Cleanup 5:00 – 6:00 PM

* Subject to change

−Q±l‰£ 2009 9 Chowrongee 2009

MUDRA DANCES School Of Odissi and Indian Semi-Classical/Folk Dances Launches Odissi Classes by Guru Vishnutatva Das

Contact: Shashwati Roy (916-276-1202), [email protected] Classes held at HAWKINS SCHOOL OF PERFOMING ARTS 118 WOODMERE DRIVE, FOLSOM, CA 95630

−Q±l‰£ 2009 10 Chowrongee 2009

UTSAV ACCOUNTS * July 2008 - June 2009

Amount ($) Income Membership and Sponsorship 33,925.39 Uncategorized Income 53.32 Total Income 33,978.71 Expenses Advertising 1,180.51 Clubhouse 593.00 Dues & Subscriptions 179.55 Durga Pujo – 2009 1,950.00 Durga Pujo – 2008 20,077.02 Insurance 1,111.00 Entertainment 608.95 Office Supplies 331.63 Picnic – 2009 580.61 Poila Boishak – 2009 402.45 Rent or Lease 1,355.18 Saraswati Puja – 2009 3,093.21 Total Expenses 31,463.11 Net Operating Balance 2,515.60 Other Expenses Miscellaneous 0.00 Total Other Expenses 0.00 Net Other Balance 0.00 Net Balance 2,515.60

* To be audited

−Q±l‰£ 2009 11 Chowrongee 2009

Teen Kanya Utsav is proud of you ……

Dhiya , daughter of Rina Roy and Shantanu Basu, successfully completed a 26.2 mile marathon at Maui, Hawaii on September 20, 2009. She has also raised significant funding for AIDS during her training leading to this event. She is continuing to fundraise until November. Congratulations ……Run Dhiya run ……

Bipasha, daughter of Supriya and Biswanath Mukherjee, has joined John Hopkins School of Medicine for MD/PhD. Earlier Bipasha had graduated from UC Berkley with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and conducted research in molecular neuroscience at UCSF. Recently Bipasha had also performed ‘Bharatanatyam Arangetram’ on successful completion of rigorous training in this form of classical Indian dance. Congratulations ………You showed how to master arts and science………

Shashwati Roy, Ex-Cultural Secretary and Treasurer of Utsav, has been elected unanimously to the post of Vice President (Operations) of Project Management Institute, Sacramento Valley Chapter. She is the first woman from Indian subcontinent to hold this important position. Congratulations …… move on …….

−Q±l‰£ 2009 12 Chowrongee 2009

L¢ha¡

Poems

−Q±l‰£ 2009 13 Chowrongee 2009

www.utsavsac.org .

−Q±l‰£ 2009 14 Chowrongee 2009

c¤¢V L¢ha¡ afa£ −i±¢jL f§¢ZÑj¡l ØfnÑ p§kÑÉ¡−Ù¹l −no −lnV¥L¥

BS f§¢ZÑj¡l l¡a ¢cN−¿¹l m¡m V¥L V¥−L BL¡−nl N¡−u −p¡e¡Tl¡ Qy¡c Q−œ²l ja p§kÑÉ −j−O−cl p¡−b ¢jm−e BaÈq¡l¡z qW¡v ph¤S f¡q¡−sl N¡−u Y−m fs−me e¡e¡ R−¾cl eªaÉ-i¢‰j¡uz H B−m¡l −en¡ m¡Nm h¡a¡−pl N¡−u h¡a¡p qm Eam¡ BL¨m j¡−e qm jq¡−c−hl eª−aÉl R−¾c N¡−R N¡−R S¡−N HL Be¾c ¢q−õ¡mz fª¢bh£l ¢Ql¿¹e eª−aÉl HL¢V ¢ce T−l fsm p¤¤¾cl HL¢V påÉ¡ −e−j B−p e¤ae Bn¡u il¡ ¢ce−L ü¡Na S¡e¡−az fª¢bh£l h¤L i−l J−W ma¡u g¥−ml¡ e¡e¡ R−¾c e¡−Q Be−¾cz BL¡−nl N¡−u l−Pl hZÑj¡m¡ Ljm¡ m¡m J qm¤−cl Bi¡ E−à¢ma −fË¢j−Ll q©cu S−ml N¡−u Hy−L ¢cm HL −fËup£l Ni£l L¡−m¡ −Q¡−Ml A¢hØjle£u −lM¡ e£lh i¡o¡ −h¡Th¡l −Qø¡ L−lz Bj¡l je qW¡v −i−p −Nm i¡mh¡p¡l Øf¾c−e HL ea¥e ¢nqlZ HC e¡ hm¡ −p±¾c−kÑÉl Bfe q©c−ul h¡pe¡u lq−pÉl på¡−e ¢fËu¡−L h¡ý hå−e S¢s−u d−lz −L¡b¡u q¡¢l−u −Nm Bj¡l ¢ce¢V?

¢pÀ‡ Qy¡−cl je j¡a¡e −S¡u¡−l l¡−al L¡−m¡ fcÑ¡ ¢e−S−L ES¡s L−l −cu d£−l d£−l f¡Ce N¡−Rl HL ¢eÇjÑm Q¥ð−ez j¡b¡l Efl ¢c−u fª¢bh£l h¤−L −e−j Hm B¢j ¢e:n−ë h−p lCm¡jz

afa£ −i±¢jL−i±¢jL: LjÑ S£he L¡¢V−u−Re fcÑ¡b ¢hcÉ¡ J Lj¢fEV¡l pwœ²¡¿¹ ¢ho−uz Ahpl S£h−e ¢mM−Re L¢ha¡ (h¡wm¡u J Cwl¡S£−a), ByL−Re R¢hz ¢ae hRl B−N gmpj-H B−pez gmp−jl fË¡L«¢aL −p±¾ckÑÉ a¡l ¢nÒfp¡de¡l −fËlZ¡z

−Q±l‰£ 2009 15 Chowrongee 2009

¢œ²−LV je£¾cÊe¡b L¥j¡l

mr mr cnÑL−nË¡a¡l q©c¢f−äl pnë JW¡e¡j¡z l¦ÜnÄ¡p E−šSe¡ O¤j f¡s¡m A−eL c¤hÑm q©c¢fä−Lz j¡−Wl h¡C−l h¤L£−cl −j¡h¡Cm-C¾V¡l−eV-J−uhp¡CV AfË¢a−l¡dÉ q¡aR¡¢ez mr mr f¡Eä-Xm¡l-V¡L¡l −me−ce ¢L−e ¢em A−eL ph¤S a¡l¦ZÉ−Lz −h¢Vw jÉ¡Q ¢gL¢pw Hl S¡−m Ss¡m A−eL lb£ jq¡lb£l hÉ¡ˆ mL¡l−Lz A¢hnÄ¡p, OªZ¡ J ¢jbÉ¡i¡o−Zl fcÑ¡ Y¡Lm ph¤S O¡−pl BÙ¹lZ−Lz CwmÉ¡−äl −L¡e AS¡e¡ NË¡−j HL −jO−jc¤l c¤f¤−l ¢œ²−LV, −a¡j¡l ¢L AL¡m jªa¥É Bpæ? L−uLV¡ h¡mÉ¢M−mÉl q¡−a HL V¥L−l¡ QJs¡ L¡W J B−fm - HC ¢e−u −a¡j¡l e¡¢L SeÈ q−u¢Rm? L¥u¡n¡−Ol¡ n£−al pL¡−m O¤−jl ¢e:¢µRâ −Ol A−eL cnL d−l EC−LV-hÉ¡V-hm-fÉ¡X J ¢Q−l A−eL…¢m ¢L−n¡−ll e¡e¡ BCeL¡e¤e l¡P¡m °L−n¡−ll ¢ce…¢m−Lz −YE BR−s fsm "LÉ¡Q CV' q¡Ep cÉ¡V ph¤S −k±h−el cªç X¢mj¡u Hm p¡c¡ gÓ¡−em qoÑdÆ¢e, q¡aa¡¢m J Bg−n¡−ol j¡−T −Mm¡ −no V¡ES¡pÑ, p¡VÑ, −hÔS¡lz jMjm£ ph¤S O¡−pl B−m¡Qe¡, ¢eMy¥a HL¢c−el ØVÉ¡¢VpÚ¢VLpz L−uL¢V h¤L ¢Q−l m¡m V¥LV¥−L h−ml pnë Q¥ðez ¢L−n¡−ll Nm¡ Ss¡S¢s L−l O−l −gl¡l j¡W n£−al c¤f¤−l j¡−W A¢iS¡a e£m l−š²l h¡CnV¡ jeV¡ ph¤S f¡æ¡l c¤É¢a−a −j−a E−Wz phm f¤l¦−ol c¡f¡c¡¢fz p§kÑÉ ph¤S j¡WV¡ Tmjm Ll−Rz fy¡Q ¢ce d−l ¢hu¡l jN q¡−a cnÑL NÉ¡m¡l£l Eõ¡p, ¢œ²−LV, a¥¢j HMeJ Aj¢me J Af¡f¢hÜz q¡aa¡¢m, Bg−n¡o J ¢d‚¡−ll në al−‰l j¡−T −Mm¡l −Rcz p£j¡e¡l h¡C−l q¡−a q¡−a ¢hu¡l ýCú£l p−ge EµRÅ¡pz ¢œ²−LV, HC i¡−hC e¡Q¢Rm −a¡j¡l S£h−el j¿Ûl R¾cz

¢àa£u jq¡k¤−Ül L¡j¡e- VÉ¡wL-p¡h−j¢le-V−eÑ−X¡l −N¡m¡…¢ml Nå ¢j¢m−u−R h¡a¡−pz

−V−øl j¿Ûl LµR−fl N¢a−a O¤jf¡a¡−e¡ l¡−el −Mm¡V¡ q¡¢l−u −Nm p£¢ja Ji¡−ll k¤−Üz l¡−al N¡t a¢jpË¡−L ¢Ræ ¢iæ L−l Q¡ld¡−ll B−m¡l p¤¤EµQ V¡Ju¡l, L¡−m¡ û£e, p¡c¡ hm J hZÑ¡m£l l−P l¡P¡−e¡ p¡VÑ, VÊ¡ES¡pÑz h¡sm

je£¾cÊe¡b L¥j¡l: −fn¡u i¨a¡¢aÆL (AhplfË¡ç)z Ahpl S£h−e h¡wm¡ p¡¢qaÉ QQÑ¡u ¢ek¤š² J h‰£u p¡¢qaÉ f¢lo−cl p¢œ²u pcpÉz f¡¢lh¡¢lL p§−œ pÉ¡œ²¡−j−¾V¡−a H−p Evp−hl p¡−b f¢l¢Qa qez

−Q±l‰£ 2009 16 Chowrongee 2009

¢ae¢V L¢ha¡ A¢i−oL e¡N

−g−m Bp¡ ¢ce…¢m AeeÉ¡

−L¡−e¡ HL N¡Ram¡u f¡Ju¡ HLV¥ R¡u¡, AeeÉ¡ −a¡j¡l SeÉ, −S−N¢Rm¡j l¡az −L¡−e¡ HL −es¡ j¡−Wl üÒf ph¤S¡a j¡u¡, AeeÉ¡ −a¡j¡l SeÉ, O¤j¡C¢e ¢ce p¡az hå¥-h¡åh, ¢V¢ge −hËL ...... AeeÉ¡ a¥¢jC Bj¡u, L−l¢R−m H−m¡−j−m¡z AeeÉ¡ B¢j −a¡j¡−LC, −h−p¢Rm¡j i¡−m¡z ph −i−p k¡−µR ...... −L¡−e¡ HL c¤lhaÑ£ üfÀ −ke, je ¢e−u e¡s¡Qs¡ −a¡j¡l ¢Rm −fn¡, k¡ ¢Rm e¡ Bj¡l −L¡−e¡¢c−e¡z n§ZÉ Bj¡l j−e a¥¢j i−l¢R−m −en¡z −pCph B—¡…−m¡ −i−p k¡u NcÉju H S£h−e S¡¢N−u¢R−m R¾c, HL jªc¤ q¡Ju¡l eÉ¡u ... La L¢ha¡C ¢m−M¢Rm¡j - i¡m Hhw j¾cz nQ£e, n¡ql¦M, −jS-hE¢c, fl£r¡u −V¡L¡, ¢LR¥ ¢p¢lu¡p Bm¡f, ¢LR¥ ApwmNÀ i¡V hL¡z A−eL ¢LR¥ hm¡l ¢Rm, Lb¡ ¢Rm h¡¢L, qW¡v a¥¢j q¡¢l−u −N−m ¢c−u Bj¡u gy¡¢Lz j−e f−s BSJ −pC N¡e −a¡j¡−L B¢j f¡C¢e h−m i¡¢he¡ ¢e−S−L hÉbÑ, p−‰ ¢NV¡l Hl Be¡¢s a¡ez Q−m −N−mJ ¢c−u −N−R¡ −j¡l L¢ha¡−L eh AbÑz Lb¡ q−u¢Rm HLh¡l i¢hoÉa ¢e−u, ¢h−µRc ¢e−uJ ..... ¢L¿¹¥ ¢hnÄ¡p ¢Rm −cM¡ q−h Bh¡lz

phC BS k¡u p−l, A−eL c§−lz −pC c§lhaÑ£ −h¡L¡ üfÀ…−m¡ −i−p J−W j−el −L¡−Z Bl B¢j −q−p E¢W Bej−ez Efm¢ì qua −p…−m¡C N−s a¥−m−R Bj¡l B¢j −Lz ¢e−Sl hÉ¡bÑa¡l L¡¢qe£ e¡C h¡ Ll−m fËL¡n

a¡l −Q−u hlw L¢ha¡ −mM, −gme¡ c£OÑnÄ¡pz S£h−e ¢LR¥C f¡l¢e Ll−a - HM−e¡ pju B−R, −am ¢c−u¡ e¡ −Ny¡−g−a Bl, Ly¡W¡m d−l¢e N¡−Rz

a¡l −Q−u hlw L¢ha¡ −mM, q¡¢l−u −gme¡ Bn¡z L¢ha¡ ¢m−MC qua −f−m q¡l¡−e¡ i¡−m¡h¡p¡z HL¡¿¹C k¢c e¡ f¡l S¥s−a në Hhw i¡o¡, q¡uâ¡h¡c£ ¢h¢lu¡e£ M¡J, p−‰ j¡Ve Lo¡z

A¢i−oL e¡N, N−hoL, C−mLVÊ¢eLp ¢hi¡N, LÉ¡¢m−g¡¢eÑu¡ ¢hnÄ¢hcÉ¡mu, −X¢ipz

−Q±l‰£ 2009 17 Chowrongee 2009

l¡¢œl cªnÉ −p±jÉc£f p¡q¡

HL l¡−a Bj¡l Bl La ¢LR¥ −Q¡−M e¡C O¤j, −c¢M fË¡Zi−l Ll¡l ¢LR¥ −eC qW¡v Hje m¡−N hå Bj¡l l¦jz −L −ke Bj¡l −Q¡−M S¡c¤ L−l!

i¡hm¡j S¡me¡l Ha ¢LR¥ −c−M p¡j−e B¢j k¡C, −fm¡j ¢L n¡¢¿¹! h¡C−ll cªnÉ −c−M a¡lfl m¡−N Bj¡l k¢c ¢LR¥ Be¾c f¡C? nl£−l LÓ¡¢¿¹z

B¢j S¡e¡m¡l h¡C−l −c¢M −Q¡−M Hm O¤j A−eL a¡l¡ e¡C −L¡−e¡ Ef¡u, Hhw pLm O−l O¤¢j−u B−R LÓ¡¢¿¹−a B¢j −m¡LSe p¡l¡z f−s −Nm¡j ¢hR¡e¡u!

a¡lfl B¢j −c¢M HL h¡c¤l, E−s −Nm! E−s −Nm! ¢L S¡¢e La c§l?

−p±jÉc£f p¡q¡, 14 hRl, …u¡q¡¢V p¡Eb f−u¾V ú¥−ml ehj −nËZ£l R¡œz

−Q±l‰£ 2009 18 Chowrongee 2009

Monsoons Natasha Chanda

Monsoons.... Wet, yet delightful Scary lightning and thunder striking!!! Raindrops falling upon my skin How refreshing!!! Frogs croaking, birds singing, When and Now Children stomping in puddles. Farah Billah How joyful!!! Life was given to us As I scurry along those muddy and wet roads, to be fullfilled, holding my umbrella tight to be thrown across the skies I wonder, into the gentle hands of others “Why don't I get a little wet?” and brought back to us with smiles. It wouldn't hurt that much, right? Life was meant to be shared As I move the umbrella from above my head, to be exerted onto the world, And feel that first little raindrop, to land on other worlds. I jump with happiness and joy, Life was about giving life to others Breathing the scent of new rain. to let spirit and creativity rise, to give every new generation of youngsters Natasha Chanda , 10 years old and 5 th Grader at something new and wonderful to hope for. Excelsior Elementary School, Roseville. Her interests Life was not meant to be destroyed, lie in Dancing and playing piano. She can be reached not meant to be locked up or closed off, at [email protected] or (916) 797 6789. not meant to be hurt or abandoned. Life did not mean greed of other lives and what they can produce. It did not mean selfishness and barriers. Life was not meant to be ended by the hand of another life. Apparently it is now.

Farah Akter Billah is 15 years old and a 10 th grader at Mira Loma High School, Sacramento. Her passions are Art and Dance. She can be reached at [email protected].

−Q±l‰£ 2009 19 Chowrongee 2009

She Mohana Roy

The empty room She closes her eyes, she lays there Breathing softly With dirty windows Unable to move Peering sun She lies for hours, perhaps days Blurred in the dust. Years drift by, without her trace. She looks outside She looks around Opening her eyes, she sees a wonder Her desolate existence, A ray of light has made it through, Stenches the ground. It hits the window sharp and clear, It permeates the empty room. No one here, no one outside The clouds darken and rumble now The room is large, with space to breathe, They speak a strange language Space to run, and space to dance. Shouting in the sky She rips her dirty dress, But no one is there And cleans the window, To hear the sound. Mopping away her lonesome past.

The empty room More rays enter the space, Small and tight They hit her eyes, an emerald green. Exhausting her every breath, The dust now glows all around, Claustrophobic, uncomfortable She laughs and starts spinning again. She paces around, step by step. She takes the key Darkness, it is black. It had always been there, Devoid of color, devoid of life. Lying in the corner of that vast room. Her mind wrenches, spinning around, She turns the lock, She holds on tight and collapses below. The door squeaks to an open, She steps out and strides along.

Mohana Roy is a senior undergraduate student at University of California, Davis, with Neurobiology major. Mohana can be reached at [email protected].

−Q±l‰£ 2009 20 Chowrongee 2009

fËhåfËhåfËhå

ArticleArticlessss

−Q±l‰£ 2009 21 Chowrongee 2009

¢p¢jL¡ hp¤¤hp¤¤l¡u,l¡u, 9 hRl, eÉ¡Vj¡ H¢m−j¾V¡¢l ú¥−ml Qa¥bÑ −nËZ£l R¡œ£z

−Q±l‰£ 2009 22 Chowrongee 2009

hZÑ¡YÉ, ¢ha¢LÑa, A¢hØjlZ£u h‰ p−Çjme 2009 Bng¡L üfe

(−mM−Ll ¢e−hce - f¡WL k¢c Ae¤ù¡−el Ae¤f¤wM ¢hhlZ Bn¡ L−le a¡q−m qa¡n q−hez h‰ p−Çjme L−mh−l HjeC ¢hn¡m, −k HL¡ HLS−el f−r HC ¢hn¡m p¡wú«¢aL k−‘l hZÑe¡ ¢c−a −N−m Ha hs hs ¢nÒf£−cl A−e−Ll Jfl p¤¤¢hQ¡l Ll¡ pñh q−h e¡, Bh¡l ph¡l Jfl p¤¤¢hQ¡l Ll−a −N−m −mM¡ HaC hs q−u k¡−h −k a¡q−m qua f¡W−Ll °d−kÑÉl Jfl AaÉ¢dL AaÉ¡Q¡l q−u k¡−hz a¡l Q¡C−a Cw−lS£−a k¡−L h−m impressionistic lQe¡, AbÑ¡v L−uL¢V V¥L−l¡ V¥L−l¡ ¢ho−ul Jfl B−m¡Lf¡a L−l p¡j¢NËL Ae¤ù¡−el HLV¡ B¾c¡S −ch¡l −Qø¡ Ll¡ q−u−Rz)

paÉ¢Sa l¡−ul Q¡l¦ma¡ R¢h¢V k¡l¡ −c−M−Re a¡−cl ¢jm−h ¢L? −p Bjl¡ S¡¢e e¡, a−h HMeJ −k ¢jm−a −no cª−nÉl Lb¡ j−e B−R ¢eÕQuCz Q¡l¦ Bl a¡l ü¡j£ ¢N−uJ ¢WL −j−m¢e, −pV¡C −hce¡c¡uL p¢aÉ Lb¡z i¨f¢al j¡−T A¢hnÄ¡p Bl −hce¡l c¤mÑwOÉ hÉhd¡e, −pC 29 aj Ešl B−j¢lL¡ h‰ p−Çjm−el B−u¡SLl¡ hÉhd¡e −O¡Q¡h¡l E−Ÿ−nÉ Q¡l¦ q¡a h¡¢s−u ¢c−µRz −r¡i j−e¡r¥ZÀ q−a f¡−le, ¢L¿¹¥ h‰ p−Çjm−e c¤C h¡wm¡l p−šÄJ i¨f¢al jeV¡ M¡¢eLV¡ elj q−u H−p−R, −pJ q¡a ¢jm−el −kC öi fË−Qø¡ q−u¢Rm, a¡J HLV¡ fkÑ¡−u H−p h¡¢s−u ¢c−µRz Hi¡−hC bj−L ¢N−u−R h−mC j−e q−µR - A¿¹a r¥ì ¢L¿¹¥z h¡wm¡−cn£−cl Øg¨V J AØg¨V EµQ¡lZ −b−L −plLjC j¡m¤j ¢WL ¢jm qm ¢L e¡ −h¡T¡ −Nm e¡ ¢L¿¹¥ −no fkÑ¿¹z quz ¢jm−a ¢N−u j¡T f−bC q¡a c¤¢V flØf−ll −Ry¡Ju¡ f¡h¡l a−h a¡l B−N hm¡ fË−u¡Se −k Bua−e-B−u¡S−e- B−NC ¢Qœ¢V ¢éSn−V Ù¹ì q−u −Nmz c¤−V¡ q¡a LM−e¡ Bsð−l Hdl−el h¡P¡m£l Ae¤ù¡e üQ−r −cM¡l A¢i‘a¡ −L¡e ¢ce −i¡m¡l eu, Øj«¢a−a Aru q−u b¡L¡l ja −pC

−Q±l‰£ 2009 23 Chowrongee 2009

A¢i‘a¡z −c¡o-œ¥¢V k¡C b¡L-Hhw i¥m ï¡¢¿¹ −k ¢Rm −p R¡s¡ Bl ¢LR¥C j−e fs−R e¡z −pM¡−e −My¡S ¢e−u −cM¤e- Lb¡ Lj −hn£ pL−m ü£L¡l Ll−he-öd¤ HC B−u¡Se¢V mr mr V¡L¡ MlQ L−l −fn¡c¡l Ae¤ù¡e B−u¡SL−cl Ll¡l SeÉ Ešl B−j¢lL¡l h¡P¡m£−cl ¢QlGZ£ L−l i¡s¡ Ll¡ qu, a¡l flJ −pM¡−e e¡VL, N¡e, j−’l l¡M−me −h-H¢lu¡ fËh¡p£z T¡−jm¡ −eCz Ha ¢hn¡m B−u¡Se, Ha ph üe¡jdeÉ ¢nÒf£ öd¤ pÇf¨ZÑ −üµR¡−ph£ ¢c−u Ha hs Ae¤ù¡e Ll¡ qu, −pLb¡ j¡¢LÑe j¤m¤L −Le, ¢h−nÄl Bl −L¡b¡J Hje B−u¡Se qu öe−m H−c−n −k −L¡e −m¡−Ll −Q¡M R¡e¡hs¡ q−u k¡−hz h−m Bj¡−cl S¡e¡ −eCz Bl öd¤ −a¡ ¢nÒf£ eu, Ha …¢V L−uL −m¡−Ll HL¢V cm ¢L fË¡Z¡¿¹ f¢lnËj L−lC e¡ h¡P¡m£C h¡ h¡wm¡l h¡C−l fª¢bh£l Bl −L¡b¡J HLœ qe! Ha hs k−‘l B−u¡Se L−lez −c¡o …Z k¡C b¡L, öd¤ B−u¡SL−cl ¢q−p−h j−a 7,000-Hl Jfl −m¡L q−u−R HC B−u¡S−el SeÉ B−u¡SL−cl HLV¡ ¢h−no h¡qh¡ h−m öem¡jz i¡h¡ k¡u! f¡Je¡z H−c−n H dl−el B−u¡Se pQl¡Ql −fn¡c¡l pwÙÛ¡ L−l HC −a¡ −Nm i¡m ¢cLz ¢L¿¹¥ −üµR¡nË−jl HLV¡ j¾c b¡−L, ¢L¿¹¥ a¡l Ml−Ql d¡‚¡ p¡j¡m ¢c−u fË−hn j§mÉ ¢cLJ l−u−Rz −fn¡c¡l£−aÆl Ai¡h, nªwMm¡l ¢n¢bma¡ −a¡ ¢LR¥−aC e¡N¡−ml j−dÉ l¡M¡ −ka e¡z B−RC, a¡l Jfl Ha hs Ae¤ù¡−e −kM¡−e l£¢aja ¢Qœ¢V LÒfe¡ Ll¦ez Ae¤ù¡−e N¡e N¡C−Re nË£L¡¿¹ ¢j¢mV¡¢l R−L hy¡d¡ f¢lQ¡me¡ fË−u¡Se, −pV¡ A−eL pjuC BQ¡kÑÉ, heÉ¡, l¡Oh, l¦e¡ m¡um¡, ¢L n¡¢Lm, eªaÉ f¢l−hne q−u J−W e¡z B−lLV¡ hÉ¡f¡l −kV¡ q−µR h−m Bj¡l j−e Ll−Re qu a¡−L gl¡p£l¡ h−m deja vu , AbÑ¡v HLC ¢S¢ep h¡l ae¤nË£ nˆ−ll cm ¢L h¡wm¡−c−nl eªaÉ¡’m, H¢c−L h¡l OV−R h−m j−e quz h¡l¡¾c¡u Y¥y¥ −j−l −cM−Re p¤¤e£m N−‰¡f¡dÉ¡u, pj−ln A−eLV¡ −ke B−NL¡l ¢c−el ¢h−uh¡¢sl ja - hlk¡œ£l jS¥jc¡l Bl ýj¡u¤e Bq−jc h−p Q¥¢V−u B—¡ j¡l−Rez p¡−b L−e f−rl HL −Q¡V TNs¡ e¡ q−m −kje −o¡mLm¡ J¢c−L R¢h ¢e−u H−p−Re −N±aj −O¡o, A”e cš, −L¡b¡J f§ZÑ que¡, −aj¢e fË¡u fË¢a h‰ p−Çjm−e HLC dl−el h¡ −L¡e L−r q−µR i¨-Eo·¡ue, h¡ N¡qÑÙÛÉ ¢qwp¡ h¡ A¢i−k¡N −n¡e¡ k¡uz ¢nÒf£−cl ¢WL ja −cM¡ −n¡e¡ qm e¡, pjL¡j£−cl A¢dL¡l ¢e−u −p¢je¡lz −l¢S−ØVÊn−e T¡−jm¡, L¡l L¡S, L¡l c¡¢uaÆ −pV¡ phpju ¢ae fËL¡l j’ - ph Q¡C−a −R¡V¢VlC Bpe pwMÉ¡ f¢lú¡l eu, k¡l c¡¢uaÆ a¡l −My¡S −eC, AeÉ B−lL pqpË¡¢dL - a¡R¡s¡ R¢h −cM¡h¡l, B−m¡Qe¡l Bm¡c¡ Lr −üµR¡−ph£ ¢ae ¢cL p¡j¡m ¢c−a ¢N−u ¢qj¢nj M¡−µRe - −a¡ l−u−RCz j¡TM¡−e, −kM¡−e ApwMÉ −m¡L k¡a¡u¡a Hje¢V h¡l h¡l −cM¡ −N−Rz Hh¡l AhnÉ −l¢S−ØVÊne ¢e−u Ll−Re - −j−ul¡ SjL¡m n¡¢s f−l−Re, Bl −R−ml¡ a¡l −N¡mj¡m −aje qu¢e, a−h AeÉ¡eÉ e¡e¡e pjpÉ¡ −cM¡ −N−R p¡−b f¡õ¡ ¢c−u h¡q¡l£ f¡”¡h£ J f¡uS¡j¡ h¡ L¥¢Q −cJu¡ - a¡l A−eL…−m¡ −N±e, a−h ph…−m¡ euz d¤¢a, f¡−n p¡¢l p¡¢l ApwMÉ −c¡L¡−e e¡e¡e ¢S¢e−pl fpl¡ B−lLV¡ hÉ¡f¡−l h¡P¡¢m Q¢l−œl HL¢V AfË£¢aLl ¢cL - −L¡b¡J h¡ h¡wm¡ hC, −L¡b¡J h¡ ¢p¢X, −L¡b¡J h¡ n¡¢s- −ke fË¢a h‰ p−Çjm−eC fËLV q−u J−W - a¡ qm j−’ Nue¡, HR¡s¡ l−u−R LmL¡a¡ −b−L BNa ¢l−um H−ØVV, JW¡l fË¢a−k¡¢Na¡ ¢e−u öd¤ j−e¡j¡¢meÉ eu, a¡ fË¡u h¡ Ù»£ ¢nr¡u BNËq£ ¢hcÉ¡p¡Nl g¡E−äne - j¡¢LÑe j¤m¤−L Q¥−m¡Q¥¢ml fkÑ¡−u k¡h¡l −k¡N¡s quz Hh¡lJ a¡l hÉ¢aœ²j H cªnÉ −cM−m h¡wm¡i¡o£ ¢q−p−h BfÔ¥a e¡ q−u f¡l¡ k¡u? O−V ¢ez ¢h−no L−l Ae¤ù¡−el −no ¢ce −L j−’ EW−h Ha hs B−u¡SeV¡ pÇf¨ZÑ −üµR¡−ph£−cl E−cÉ¡−N −pV¡ ¢e−u a¥j¤m TNs¡ q−u −Nm −ef−bÉ - i¡NÉ i¡m a¡ B−u¡¢Sa q−u−R - −pV¡ −kje h‰ p−Çjm−el ph −Q−u AiÉ¡Na A¢a¢bl¡ −c−M¢ez hs −N±lh, Bh¡l −pV¡ p−Çjm−el ph−Q−u hs Ty¥¢LJ h−V- −pV¡ Hh¡l Bh¡−l¡ fËj¡Z q−u −Nmz c¤C h¡wm¡l −jmhåe? Ae¤ù¡e −no qh¡l B−NC j−’l −ef−bÉ a¥j¤m ¢haä¡, HL hR−llJ B−N −b−L h¡wm¡−cn£ pj¡Sl p¡−b e¡e¡ ¢c−Ll AhÉhÙÛ¡l hÉ¡f¡−l −r¡i −kje fËL¡n f¡¢µRm, E−cÉ¡š²¡ pwÙÛ¡ fËh¡p£l f¢ÕQjh‰£u B−u¡SLl¡ −k¡N¡−k¡N −aj¢e e¡e¡ ¢cL −b−L …”e L¡−e Bp¢Rm - BNa Ll−mJ Ae¤ù¡−el −n−o h¡wm¡−cn£ B−u¡S−Ll Be−¾cl ¢nÒf£l¡ A−e−LC r¥ì, p¢WLi¡−h kaÀ B¢š c§−l b¡L, Q¡C−a −r¡iC −h¢n ¢Rm h−m j−e q−µRz AbQ Lah¡l kb¡kb k¿»£ J Be¤o¢‰L pq¡ua¡J ¢WLja f¡Ju¡ k¡u ¢e, HL−œ pi¡ qm, ¢nÒf£−cl Be¡-−eJu¡ ¢e−u SÒfe¡ LÒfe¡ Hje A¢i−k¡NJ Oe Oe E−W−Rz qm, ¢L¿¹¥ pÇf−LÑl Ec¡l Ai¥Écu qm e¡z j−e¡j¡¢meÉ, i¥m e¡e¡e ¢ho−u p£j¡hÜa¡ J ï¡¢¿¹ p−šÄJ Bh¡l HC −h¡T¡h¤¢Tl −ln l−uC −Nmz −üµR¡nË−jlC HLV¡ Bm¡c¡ jkÑ¡c¡ ¢Rmz HhÉ¡f¡−l B¢j −k ja l¡Mh, a¡ qua −L¡e −L¡e −cM¤e, Ha hs B−u¡Se-−kM¡−e Ha ¢nÒf£ B−pe, h¡wm¡−cn£l jexf¤a q−h e¡z Bj¡l j−e qu c¤C f−rC 7,000 -Hl ja −m¡L qu, ¢ae ¢ce d−l e¡e¡ dl−el Ha −c¡o l−u−Rz h¡wm¡−cn£−cl −r¡−il −kV¡ ph Q¡C−a p‰a lL−jl Ae¤ù¡e qu, Hje¢V Bl −L¡b¡u −cM−a f¡Ju¡ L¡lZ l−u−R −pV¡ qm A‰£L¡l p−šÄJ h¡h¡ J fsn£−L k¡u? QV L−l Bjl¡ H−c−n j¡¢LÑe −fn¡c¡l£ p−Çjme ü£L«¢a ¢c−a cª¢øLV¥ lL−jl Ae£q¡z −no fkÑ¿¹ ü£L«¢a

−Q±l‰£ 2009 24 Chowrongee 2009

kMe −cJu¡ qm, aMe A−eL l¡a q−u −N−R, aMe h¡l −k HL¢ce M¤h hs q−h a¡−a −L¡e p−¾cq −eC, Bl h‰ h¡l ü£L«¢a ¢c−mJ ¢L m¡i, −pV¡ ¢e−u fËnÀ Ll¡ −k−aC p−Çjm−el B−u¡SL−cl ¢h−no A¢ie¾ce cnÑL−cl Hl f¡−l - HC ü£L«¢al hql −c−M Bj¡l R¡œS£h−el l¢pL N¡e −n¡e¡l p¤¤−k¡N L−l −cJu¡l SeÉz h−u¡−SÉù i¡C−ul j¿¹hÉ j−e f−s −Nm - ""H −ke fËp¤¤¢al E−à¡de£ Ae¤ù¡e −hn SjL¡m B−u¡Se q−mJ f−l −fV −Q−f ¢hLm¡‰ ¢nö −hl Ll¡z'' ae¤nË£ nˆ−ll c−ml eªaÉ Bj¡l −h¢n i¡m −m−N−Rz BQl−Z HLdl−el A¢ij¡e j§m B−u¡SL−cl öih¤¢Ü l¡O−hl EµQ¡‰ p‰£a J Bd¤¢eL p‰£−al fusion i¡m pð−å fËnÀ −a¡−m ¢L e¡, −pV¡ −j−e ¢e−u HLb¡J hm−a −m−N−R, Bl nË£L¡¿¹ Bl −m¡f¡j¤â¡l −k±b p‰£a i¡m qu −k h¡wm¡−cn£−cl Bn¡J HLV¥ −h¢n ¢Rmz Bj¡−cl −m−N−Rz ¢e−S−cl AbÑhm Bl ¢h−no L−l ¢e−Sl p¡wú«¢al fË¢a j’ p‹¡u ph −Q−u hs j−’ Bsðl ¢Rm ph −Q−u Be¤NaÉ e¡ h¡s−m Bj¡−cl h¡l h¡l Bn¡i‰ q−hz HLV¡ −h¢n, B−m¡l L¡SJ ¢Rm −Q¡M dy¡d¡ez a−h Bj¡l A−eL −R¡– Ec¡qlZ ¢cC - h‰ p−Çjm−e −L¡e −L¡e h¡wm¡−cn£ −h¢n i¡m −m−N−R ¢àa£u j−’l p¡S p‹¡, ¢h−no L−l ¢nÒf£−L Be¡ q−h, HC hÉ¡f¡−l fl¡jnÑ −Q−u −h H¢lu¡ fV B¢‰−Ll AmˆlZ i¡¢l cª¢øe¾ce ¢Rmz h¡wm¡−cn H−p¡¢p−un−el fr −b−L pLm pcpÉ−cl L¡−R C−j−m ja¡ja −Q−u f¡W¡e q−u¢Rmz p¡L¥−mÉ Ešl H−p¢Rm k¡ i¡m m¡−N¢e Ru ¢L p¡a¢Vz HC kMe Bj¡−cl pwú«¢a −fË−jl ej¤e¡, E−à¡de£ Ae¤ù¡e HLV¥ c£OÑ q−mJ ph ¢j¢m−u i¡mC aMe Bj¡−cl Bl hs hs Lb¡ hm¡ p¡−S e¡z −m−N−R, a−h a¡l B−N Ha …−µRl hš²«a¡ −ch¡l h¤¢ÜV¡ lh£¾cÊe¡−bl −pC N¡eV¡ j−e B−R - ""¢L f¡C¢e, a¡l L¡l EhÑl j¢Ù¹×LfËp§a, S¡e−a C−µR quz H−Ll fl HL ¢qp¡h −jm¡−a je −j¡l e−q l¡S£z'' q¡u, Bjl¡−a¡ Bl f¡¢a l¡Se£¢aLl¡ h¡−S h−L −N−me, Hl ¢L −L¡e fË−u¡Se L¢h…l¦l j−a¡ jq¡j¡eh eC - Bj¡−cl ¢L¿¹¥ ¢L f¡C¢e ¢Rm? a¡l ¢qp¡h −jm¡−aC −h¢n Be¾cz a−h B¢j −pC L¡SV¡ Bl pj¡fe£ Ae¤ù¡−e crowd control Hl hÉ¡f¡−l −b−L Bf¡aa R¥¢V ¢e−u Hh¡−ll h‰ p−Çjm−e ¢L ¢L i¡m B−l¡ kaÀh¡e qJu¡ h¡“e£u ¢Rmz Bl HLV¡ Lb¡ - m¡Nm a¡C ¢e−u c¤Q¡l Lb¡ hmhz fË¢ah¡l Ha Lb¡, Ha −Qø¡l flJ −Le Ae¤ù¡e ¢LR¥−aC pju Ae¤k¡u£ Ll¡ k¡u e¡? ¢LR¥ i¡m m¡N¡ ph Ae¤ù¡e −Le, A¢dL¡wn Ae¤ù¡e −cM¡ pñh qu¢e, Efpwq¡l a¡ pñhJ euz ¢e−S k¡ V¤L V¡L −c−M¢R a¡l −b−L ¢LR¥ Bj¡l j−e qu h‰ p−Çjm−el E−ŸnÉ J mrÉ pð−å i¡m m¡N¡l Lb¡ ¢mM¢Rz ea¥e ¢Q¿¹¡ i¡he¡ Ll¡l pju H−p−Rz j¡e¢R L−uL q¡S¡l B−u¡SL−cl Jfl h¡wm¡−cn£ pq−k¡N£l¡ kaC −N¡yp¡ −m¡L B−p Ae¤ù¡−e, ¢L¿¹¥ Ha Ae¤ù¡e Ll¡ ¢L kb¡bÑ? Ll¦e, Hh¡−l h¡wm¡−c−nl Ef¢ÙÛ¢a - j−’ Hhw Cw−l¢S−a H−L h−m overkill z H−a pL−ml ph ¢LR¥ −cM¡ cnÑLp¡¢l−a - M¤h E‹Æm ¢Rmz l¦e¡ m¡um¡ L−uL q¡S¡l h¡ −n¡e¡ pñh qu e¡, −pV¡ e¡ qu j¡e¡ −Nm, ¢L¿¹¥ LM−e¡ cnÑL−cl −ki¡−h j¡a¡−me −pV¡ −kje mrZ£u, Bh¡l LM−e¡ ¢nÒf£−clJ −a¡ ApÇj¡e quz h¡wm¡ N¡−el ¢ae¢V j§m n¡M¡u - lh£¾cÊp‰£a, eSl¦m N£¢a a¡l j−dÉ B—¡ p¡j¡¢SLa¡ −a¡ B−RC, a¡−a ¢nÒf Bl −m¡Lp‰£¢a−a - ¢L c¡f−Vl p¡−bC e¡ heÉ¡, n¡¢Lm pwú«¢a QQÑ¡l fË¢a f§ZÑ j−e¡−k¡N −cJu¡ ph pju pñh qu Bl lb£¾cÊe¡b l¡u N¡e −N−u −N−mez −no c¤S−el pju e¡z Bp−m Ha hs Bua−e h‰ p−Çjme B−u¡Se ¢L cnÑL pj¡Nj B−l¡ −h¢n qJu¡ h¡“e£u ¢Rm - −L¡b¡u kb¡bÑ pwú«¢a −fË−jl f¢lQu hqe L−l, e¡¢L HV¡ Bp−m ¢R−me h¡wm¡−cn£l¡? H−L Afl−L −V‚¡ −ch¡l −Qø¡, −pC pwnu ¢L¿¹¥ M¡¢eLV¡ B¢j ¢e−S EµQ¡‰ p‰£−al pjT¡c¡l eC, ¢L¿¹¥ n¡¢Lm −b−LC k¡uz f¤−l¡ hÉ¡f¡lV¡l j−dÉ HLV¥M¡¢e −cM¡−efe¡ Bj¡−L hmm n¢qc f¡l−iS My¡l −pa¡l h¡ce J−L j¤‡ B−R ¢L e¡ −pV¡ B−u¡SLl¡ HLV¥ −i−h −cM−a f¡−lez L−l−Rz Jl j−a n¢qc â¥a ¢hm¡u¡a My¡l ja hs j¡−fl a−h p£j¡hÜa¡ k¡C b¡L, HC ¢hn¡m B−u¡S−el SeÉ ¢nÒf£ q−u EW−Rz B−u¡SL−cl fË¡ZY¡m¡ A¢ie¾ce ¢c−a ¢h¾c¥j¡œ L¡fÑZÉ Bj Sea¡−L AhnÉ Ù¹ì L−l ¢c−u−R A−ðo¡z HLl¢š Ll−m −pV¡ M¤hC AeÉ¡u q−hz −j−u, ¢L c¡f−Vl p¡−bC e¡ ma¡ j−‰nL−ll N¡e N¡Cmz öd¤ N¡Cm e¡, j−’ Af§hÑ üµR¾c a¡l Ef¢ÙÛ¢az HC ¢nÒf£ fsn£ f¢œL¡l nË¡hZ, 1416, pwMÉ¡ −b−L f¤ZÑj§¢âaz

−Q±l‰£ 2009 25 Chowrongee 2009

h‰ pwú«¢a p−Çjme 2009 --- pÇf¡c−Ll pw−k¡Se

NABC Ešl B−j¢lL¡l i¡la£u h¡‰¡m£−cl h¡vp¢lL E−cÉ¡š²¡−cl i¡h−a q−h a¡l¡ ¢L LmL¡a¡ - Y¡L¡l fËL¡nL −jm¡z HhRl −hn ¢LR¥ h¡wm¡−cn£J −jm¡u H−p¢R−mez / ¢h−œ²a¡−cl L¡R −b−L hC H−e ØVm ¢c−a f¡−le ¢Le¡z −jm¡u −m¡−L g¥l¢a Ll−a B−pz HM¡−eJ a¡Cz n¡s£ a¡q−m fËL¡nL ¢h−œ²a¡−cl k¡a¡u¡a b¡L¡M¡Ju¡l MlQ¡ Nue¡l −c¡L¡−e k−bø i£s q−u−Rz N¡−el J R¢hl ¢p¢X hy¡Q−hz a¡l¡ LmL¡a¡ Y¡L¡u h−pC ¢hœ²£l fup¡V¡ f¡−hez ¢hœ²£ j¾c qu ¢ez h‰ pwú«¢al H…−m¡J A‰z h¡‰¡m£ −no Lb¡z HV¡ g¥l¢al p−Çjmez −hn£ ¢p¢lu¡p e¡ ¢q−p−h −hy−Q b¡L¡l SeÉ H…−m¡lJ clL¡lz clL¡l l¦e¡ qJu¡C h¡“e£uz a¡C Ha hs h¡‰¡m£l pj¡−hn c¤C h¡wm¡ m¡um¡l N¡−e e¡Q¡, nË£L¡¿¹l N¡−e i¡h¤L qJu¡ (A¿¹a: i¡e −b−L Cpm¡j£ −j±mh¡c£−cl à¡l¡ ¢ha¡¢sa L¢h−L ¢ej¿»Z Ll¡) Hhw AhnÉC h¡‰¡m£ −p¢m¢hË¢V ¢nÒf£ n¡e-Hl N¡−e Ll¡l pvp¡qp −cM¡ −Nm e¡z k¢cJ L¢h h−p B−Re ØVÉ¡Q¥ (−pC N¡e −k i¡o¡−aC −q¡L e¡ −Le) j¡a¡m qJu¡z Ag ¢mh¡l¢Vl nql ¢eECul−Lz LmL¡a¡ e¡jL L¡f¤l¦o ¢LR¥ j¡e¤−ol A¢i−k¡N hC Hhw p¡¢qaÉ ¢e−uz "Be¾c' nq−ll L¢hl¡ Hhw a¡−cl −nË¡a¡l¡ a¡C L¢h p−Çjm−e Hh¡l ØVm −cu¢e, öd¤ "j¤š²d¡l¡' ¢LR¥ hC H−e¢Rmz hC J ap¢mj¡l R¢h pq fË¢ah¡c£ −f¡ØV¡l¢V e¡ −cM¡l i¡e L−l p¡¢q−aÉl j¡e¤o ¢QlL¡mC Lj (p¤¤e£mJ −p¢je¡−l a¡C L¢ha¡ f−s −N−mez j−e iu, k¢c ¢LR¥ −hgy¡p h−m −g−m hm−me), ah¤ p¡¢qaÉ B−m¡Qe¡l pi¡−a −Qu¡l M¡¢m ¢Rm LmL¡a¡u ¢g−l Cj¡−jl L¡−R e¡LMa ¢c−a quz e¡z A−e−L cy¡¢s−u ö−e−Rez qu−a¡ A−e−LC p¤¤e£m - ph−n−o NABC −L deÉh¡c HC −jm¡l B−u¡Se Ll¡l pj−ln−L −cM−a H−p¢R−me Hhw h¡wm¡−cn£l¡ ýj¡u¤e SeÉz BS¡c−L (i¡la£u h¡‰¡m£l ¢pwqi¡N a¡−L −Q−ee e¡)z ah¤ H−p¢R−me −a¡z hC ¢hœ²£l c¤:MV¡ p¢aÉ, a−h ¢h−œ²a¡l Lb¡J i¡h−a q−h, p¡ap¡Nl −f¢l−u ØVm ¢c−u q¡−a k¢c öd¤ −f¢¾pm ¢e−u h¡s£ −k−a qu a¡q−m Lh¡l −hmam¡u Bp¡ k¡uz p¤¤al¡w

−Q±l‰£ 2009 26 Chowrongee 2009

NABC 2009 Hhw Bj¡−cl e¡VL ¢e−u ¢LR¥ Lb¡ Suc£f l¡u

A¢i−ea¡−cl −jLÚ-Bf Hhw LpÚ¢VEj ¢e−uJ Bjl¡ ¢Q¿¹¡-i¡he¡ öl¦ Llm¡jz e¡VL¢Vl ¢ae A¢i−ea¡ - …l¦−ch Q¾cÊ¢h¾c¥l ¢ae ¢noÉ - "v', "x' Hhw "w' - fË−aÉ−L A−eL…¢m L−l Q¢lœ A¢ieu L−l−Rz −kje dl¦e, "v' HL cª−nÉ A¢ieu Llm mÇfV jcÉ−fl Q¢lœ −a¡ f−ll cª−nÉ qm MÉ¡¢a−m¡i£ z plüa£ f§−S¡−a kMe e¡VL¢V L−l¢Rm¡j, aMe ¢h¢iæ Q¢l−œl −f¡o¡L p¡j¡eÉ i¨¢jL¡ f¢lhaÑe L−l Q¢lœ…¢m −g¡V¡−e¡l −Qø¡ L−l¢Rm¡jz −kje "qC−a p¡hd¡e'e¡VL¢V pÉ¡œ²¡−j−¾V¡−a fËbj L−l¢Rm¡j "v' kMe hM¡−V R¡œ aMe ay¡l Nm¡u Ss¡−e¡ ¢p−ól 2009 plüa£ f§−S¡−az nVÑ −e¡¢V−p, p£¢ja fËÙ¹¥¢a−a, l¦j¡m, Bh¡l kMe ¢gmÈ ¢e−cÑnL aMe ay¡l N¡−u jäf p‹¡, B−m¡Lp‹¡, Hhw LpÚ¢VEj −hn£ S¢Vm e¡ L¡nÈ£l£ n¡mz j§m −f¡o¡L Hhw −jLÚ-Bf HLC b¡L−m¡z L−l Bjl¡ e¡VL¢V L−l¢Rm¡j - Cw−lS£−a k¡−L h−m, ¢L¿¹¥ Hh¡l Bjl¡ BlJ p¡qp£ qm¡jz ¢WL qm, 'Quick & Dirty' HÉ¡−fË¡Qz cnÑL−cl −b−L k−bø fË−aÉL¢V Q¢l−œl S−eÉ Bm¡c¡ Bm¡c¡ −jL-Bf Hhw fËnwp¡ −f−u Evp¡q£ Bjl¡ kMe "Hlfl ¢L-Ll¡-k¡u' LpÚ¢VEj hÉhq¡l Ll¡ q−hz ¢L¿¹¥ pjpÉ¡ qm −k −N¡−Rl i¡he¡ ¢Q¿¹¡ Ll¢R, aMe B¢cc¡ (B¢c −Q±d¤l£) e¡VL¢V−a HLC A¢i−ea¡l A¢ie£a c¤C Q¢l−œl j¡−T HL¢ce Lb¡V¡ f¡s−me - "" NABC -−a Hh¡l e¡VL pÇf¨ZÑ −f¡o¡L f¢lhaÑ−el SeÉ phpju k−bø pju hl¡Ÿ fË¢a−k¡¢Na¡ q−µR, −a¡jl¡ −a¡ e¡VL¢V −pM¡−e Ll−a Ll¡ qu¢e - −pS−eÉ −hn ¢LR¥ −r−œ Q¢lœ…¢ml f¡lz'' NABC AbÑ¡v Ešl B−j¢lL¡ h‰ p−Çjme pwm¡−fl °cOÑÉ f¢lhaÑe Ll¡ qmz HR¡s¡ Bj¡−cl Q¡l HjeC HL¢V j’ −kM¡−e c¤C h¡wm¡l ¢nÒf SN−al −nËù pc−pÉl −jLÚ-Bf cm jqs¡ ¢c−me ¢Li¡−h A¢a â¥a er−œl BNje O−V, −pM¡−e Bj¡−cl fË¢ai¡ fËcnÑ−el cªnÉ…¢ml j¡−T A¢i−ea¡l −jLÚ-Bf f¢lhaÑe Ll¡ k¡uz p¤¤−k¡N ¢e:p−¾c−q −m¡ie£u fËÙ¹¡hz a¡R¡s¡ kMe HJ S¡e¡ hm¡C h¡ýmÉ, e¡V−Ll −jLÚ-Bf ¢e−u Ha L¢We pjpÉ¡l −Nm −k e¡VL fË¢a−k¡¢Na¡l ¢hQ¡lL q−he V¡¢mN” ab¡ pÇj¥M£e B¢j B−N LM−e¡ qC¢ez f¤−l¡ hÉ¡f¡lV¡ œ¥¢Vq£e h¡wm¡l e¡j£-c¡j£ −mML Hhw A¢i−ea¡l¡ - aMe Bl i¡−h L¡kÑLl Ll¡l SeÉ L«¢a«aÆ fË¡fÉ −p¡−je-c¡l Hhw Bj¡−cl −l¡−M −L! Bj¡−cl −jLÚ-Bf ¢nÒf£−clz fËÙ¹¥¢a h¡Se¡ Hhw LpÚ¢VEj R¡s¡J Bjl¡ ¢h−no eSl ¢cm¡j j’ kMe NABC , aMe fËaÉ¡n¡J A−eLz Bjl¡J e¡V−Ll B−m¡LpÇf¡−al Jflz H hÉ¡f¡−l c¡¢uaÆ ¢e−me Bc¡-Sm −M−u −e−j fsm¡jz fËbj L¡S qm e¡VL¢V−L nj£L (f¡m) Hhw j¡epc¡ (j¡ep l¡u)z pÉ¡e −q¡−p HL¢V Bd¤¢eLa¡l −Ry¡u¡ −cJu¡z fË¡u ¢œn hRl B−N LeÚ−i¾pe −p¾V¡−ll AaÉ¡d¤§¢eL B−m¡Lk¿»…¢m k−bø −mM¡ e¡VL¢V, k¡l j§m hš²hÉ BS−Ll ¢c−e fË−k¡SÉ f¡lcnÑ£a¡l p−‰ hÉhq¡l L−l ay¡l¡ e¡VL¢V−a HL¢V q−mJ, ¢LR¥ ¢LR¥ Aw−nl B−hce h¡ HÉ¡¢fm L−j −N−R AeÉ j¡œ¡ −k¡N L−l¢R−mez - ¢h−noa al¦Z cnÑL−cl L¡−Rz j§m e¡VL¢V−a −hn f¢lZ¢a ¢LR¥ f¢lhaÑe Llm¡j - HL¢V e¡VÉL¡−ll Awn ¢Rm, ph−n−o c£OÑ Q¡l j¡−pl fËÙ¹¥¢al fl Bjl¡ e¡VL¢V ¢e−u −p¢V−L Bjl¡ L−l ¢cm¡j V¡¢mN−”l BVÑ ¢g−mÈl −f±Rm¡j pÉ¡e −q¡−p−a - EZ¢œnaj NABC -l e¡VÉ ¢e−cÑnLz −hn ¢LR¥ Aw−n p¡ÇfË¢aL OVe¡l E−õM fË¢a−k¡¢Na¡u AwnNËqZ Ll−az JM¡−e k¡¢¿»L −Y¡L¡−e¡ qm - −kje AbÑ°e¢aL j¾c¡, ¢p‰¥−l S¢jcMm −N¡m−k¡−Nl L¡l−Z −hn ¢LR¥ pjpÉ¡l pÇj¥M£e q−u¢Rm¡j, CaÉ¡¢cz H−a pwm¡f…¢m B−l¡ jS¡c¡l Hhw AbÑf§ZÑ k¡l S−eÉ fË¡u −no j§ý−aÑ Bj¡−cl A¢ie−u f¢lhaÑe q−u EWmz Ll−a q−u¢Rmz −pph h¡d¡-¢hf¢š H¢s−u ¢Li¡−h −p¢ce flhaÑ£ L¡S qm e¡VL¢Vl Background Score e¡VL¢V j’ÙÛ L−l¢Rm¡j −p NÒf f−l B−lL¢c−el S−eÉ B−l¡ Eæa Ll¡z ¢WL qm, Pre-recorded VÊÉ¡L −hn£ −a¡m¡ b¡Lz ü£L¡l Ll−a L¥ã¡ Llh e¡ −k Ae¢i‘a¡- hÉhq¡l e¡ L−l, A−eLV¡ VLÚ-−n¡l dy¡−Q m¡Ci h¡Se¡ hnax j−’ Bjl¡ ¢LR¥ i¨m-œ¥¢V L−l¢Rm¡jz a−h −p¢ce −cJu¡ q−hz °al£ qm Bj¡−cl 'Music Team' - ¢hQ¡lL−cl q©cu ¢Sa−a e¡ f¡l−mJ, cnÑL−cl q©c−u −k p”£hc¡l (p”£h plL¡l) −ea«−aÆz H hÉ¡f¡−l −p¡−je-c¡l S¡uN¡ L−l ¢e−u¢Rm¡j HV¥L¥ c¡h£ B¢j Ll−a f¡¢lz (−p¡−je e¾c£) Ahc¡eJ E−õM−k¡NÉz

−Q±l‰£ 2009 27 Chowrongee 2009

a¡R¡s¡ Bj¡−cl jae HL¢V al¦Z e¡VÉc−ml L¡−R HC A¢i‘a¡l j§mÉ Ap¡j¡eÉz e¡VL¢Vl j§MÉ Q¢lœ Q¾cÊ¢h¾c¥l i¡o¡u hm−a −N−m "Bjl¡ q¢mEX eC c¡c¡, Bjl¡ HÉ¡−jQ¡lz Bjl¡ B−j¢lL¡l nq−l-nq−l e¡VL L−l −hs¡Cz −LE i¡m−h−p q¡aa¡¢m −cu, −a¡ −LE OªZ¡i−l N¡m¡N¡¢m −cu ’z q¡aa¡¢m −kje Bj¡−cl Evp¡q£ Hhw BaÈ¢hnÄ¡p£ L−l −a¡−m, −aj¢e hÉbÑa¡ Bj¡−cl BlJ i¡m Ll−a −fËlZ¡ −k¡N¡uz pgm q−a −N−m HC c¤CHlC −k hs fË−u¡Sez

¢hx âx - "qC−a p¡hd¡e' e¡V−L pLm AwnNËqZL¡l£−L Bj¡l B¿¹¢lL deÉh¡cz HC −mM¡u pL−ml e¡j Bm¡c¡i¡−h E−õM e¡ Ll−a f¡l¡l SeÉ B¢j rj¡fË¡bÑ£z

−Q±l‰£ 2009 28 Chowrongee 2009

B¢éL¡ ïjZ nË£−mM¡ ii––––¡Q¡kÑÉ¡Q¡kÑÉ

h¡l¡¾c¡u E−W M¡h¡l ¢e−u q¡a h¡s¡−aC Rothschild Giraffe l¡ H−p 17 C¢’ mð¡ QVÚQ−V e£m ¢Si h¡l L−l ¢e¢ÕQ¿¹i¡−h Bj¡l q¡a −b−L −M−u −k−a m¡Nm - Bl Bj¡l AhÙÛ¡ ""−R−s −c j¡ −Ly−c h¡y¢Q''! f−ll ¢ce pL¡−m −q¡−Vm −b−L −h¢l−u j¡mfœ −a¡m¡ −q¡m c¤−V¡ ¢j¢eiÉ¡−ez HCh¡l Bj¡−cl Bpm Safari l p¤¤l¦z Hott i h−m ¢cm a¡eS¡¢eu¡−a JM¡eL¡l l¡Ù¹¡O¡V Hhw M¡e¡M−¾c e¡j−a Landrover m¡N−hz Safar i-l fËbj c¤−V¡ l¡a L¡V¡m¡j Sweetwater Private Reserve Park -H, ¢WL ¢ho¤h−lM¡l Ef−l, ¢L¿¹¥ EµQa¡l SeÉ −hn W¡ä¡z Tent -Hl −fR−e h¡l¡¾c¡u h−p ¢hn q¡a c§l−aÆl j−dÉ −cMm¡j La S¿¹¥l Be¡−N¡e¡ - 9C −p−ÃVðl 2007 p¡mz pL¡−m S¡em¡l d¡−l Tent - airport Hl N¡s£l A−fr¡u h−p B¢Rz BS Bj¡−cl ¢Sl¡g, q¢l−Zl cm, h¤−e¡ n§−u¡lz Hl p¡j−e electric fence Halari hýfËa£¢ra African Safari p¤¤l¦ q−µRz −X¢ip, Hl N¡−u −mM¡ (−p¡u¡¢q¢m i¡o¡u Marabon Stork, LÉ¡¢m−g¡¢eÑu¡ −b−L e¡C−l¡¢h, −L¢eu¡ mð¡ l¡Ù¹¡ - ¢hfc-Hl fË¢anë)z −cMm¡j pÉ¡œ²¡−j−¾V¡ −b−L ¢j¢eu¡−f¡¢mp, BÉjØV¡lX¡−j −fÔe hcm Harubill, Baboon , l¡−œ Lð−ml am¡u ö−u l¡aS¡N¡ L−l Nairobi Overseas Adventure Travel -Hl HC f¡M£l X¡L öe−a öe−a O¤¢j−u f−s¢R Bl pL¡−m O¤j Safari −a Q−m−R Bj¡−cl ¢e−u 13 Sez BÉjØV¡lX¡j −i−P−R HLV¡e¡ O¤O¤ Bl −hh¤−el X¡−L, −p HL Aá¨a Western style airport H pL−m H−p ¢j−m−Rz a¡l j−dÉ Bj¡−cl f¢l−hn! ¢L¿¹¥ a¡lC j−dÉ B−R AÉ¡¢l−S¡e¡l hå¥ p¤¤lb Bl ¢pe¢bu¡ z bathroom , Bl Nlj Sm! M¡h¡l hÉhÙÛ¡ AeÉ tent -H, f−ll ¢ce påÉ¡u e¡C−l¡¢h−a Bj¡−cl BN¡j£ 16 ¢L¿¹¥ ¢e−Sl tent −b−L −h−l¡h¡l pju i¡m L−l Q¡l¢c−L ¢c−el hå¥, A¢ii¡hL Hhw œ¡ZLšÑ¡ Hotti A−fr¡ zipper hå L−l −k−a q−h, eu−a¡ S¿¹¥-S¡−e¡u¡l Y¥−L Ll¢Rmz −p j¡mfœ ¢e−u −q¡−V−m −fy±−R ¢cmz l¡a q−u fs−hz −N−R, −p¡S¡ ¢hR¡e¡u, Hhw mð¡ O¤jz Bjl¡ −L¢eu¡ Bl a¡eS¡¢eu¡ ¢j−m fy¡QV¡ animal pL¡−m −q¡−Vm −b−L −h¢l−u, f¡−u −qy−V hs nq−ll park H ¢Rm¡j, a¡l j−dÉ Amboseli (Kenya) Bl pQl¡Ql −k ph âøhÉ b¡−L −p…−m¡ −c−M lunch Hl Serengati (Tanzania) SNv¢hMÉ¡az fË¢pÜ djÑ…l¦ SeÉ k¡Ju¡ q−m¡ Carnivore Restaurant Hz −p HL Hhw de£ hÉhp¡u£ BN¡ My¡ HC A’−m A−eL fup¡ m¢NÀ A¢ieh A¢i‘a¡z j¡e¤o Bl h¡O-¢pwq R¡s¡ ¢LR¥ h¡¢L L−l−Rez Jyl e¡ae£ Serena l e¡−j Serena Lodge −eC - L¥j£l, EVf¡M£, h¤−e¡n§−u¡l, −ShË¡ , Wildobeast, …¢m Af§hÑz fy¡Q a¡l¡ −q¡−V−ml ja hÉhÙÛ¡, ¢L¿¹¥ HLf¡ gezelle, impala CaÉ¡¢c kalLj föf¡M£ JM¡−e B−R, ph j¡wp −h−l¡−mC −hh¤−el cm, l f¡m warthog, mongoose e¡e¡lLj "pp' ¢c−u M¡Jz −p±i¡NÉhnax p¤¤f, l¦¢V, O¤−l −hs¡−µRz a¡C HL¡ −O¡l¡O¤¢l guard escort pÉ¡m¡X, BCp¢œ²j, −LLJ ¢Rmz a¡C ¢c−uC M¡Ju¡ Ll¡ h¡lZ - l¡−œ M¡h¡l qm−b−L −a¡j¡l p¡lm¡jz a−h −L¢eu¡l Q¡-L¢gl fËnwp¡ e¡ L−l Ef¡u −eCz M¡Ju¡l fËp−‰ B−l¡ h¢m, −L¢eu¡ Hhw a¡eS¡¢eu¡l −h¢nl i¡N Buffet -−aC −h…−el −T¡m, f¡mwn¡L i¡S¡, j¤lN£l −T¡m, ¢pP¡s¡, f−L±s¡, h¡pja£ Q¡−ml i¡a, X¡m, Q¡f¡¢V CaÉ¡¢c b¡Laz H A’−m i¡la£u fËi¡h A−eL¢c−elz k¡C −q¡L, lunch Hl fl k¡Ju¡ −q¡m Karen Blixen Hl h¡s£ −cM−a - C¢e Isaac Dermison tent- RcÈe¡−j ¢mM−ae, HlC S£he£ ¢e−u °al£ Qm¢µQœ "Out H −fy±−R −c−hz pL¡−m −h¢l−u −c¢M f¤l¦o Bl of Africa" z a¡lfl HL ¢Sl¡g −p¾V¡−l −c¡am¡ −j−ul¡ ph¡C L¡−S −m−N −N−R - h¡N¡−el L¡S, Ol

−Q±l‰£ 2009 29 Chowrongee 2009

f¢lú¡l, L¡fs −Q¡fl −d¡u¡ - −cM¡ q−mC Jumbo Leakey Hhw −R−m Jonathan Leakey fËbj Hano (Hello) hm¡C iâa¡z −LE p−l ¢N−u −a¡j¡l fb −R−s Habilis (earliest toolmaker) Hl på¡e f¡e, Hl ¢c−m hm−h Asante Sena (Thank you very much) z −b−LC BS−Ll j¡e¤o Homo sapiens Hl Evf¢šz −L¡e −L¡e Lodge H påÉ¡u e¡QN¡−el cm H−p HM¡eL¡l ¢jE¢Su¡−j B¢cj j¡e¤−ol fc¢Qq² pwl¢ra fkÑVL−cl Be¾c −cuz −hn£l i¡N S¡uN¡u Internet B−Rz connection B−R Hhw AÒf fup¡u h¡s£l −m¡L−cl B¢éL¡l Lb¡ i¡h−mC j−el j−dÉ −i−p J−W p−‰ −k¡N¡−k¡N l¡M−a f¡−l¡z Serengeti l a«Zi¨¢jl Jfl q¢l−Zl cm R¥−V Q−m−R, −R¡V-hs La lL−jl S¿¹¥-S¡−e¡u¡l Bl f¡M£ −k ¢pwq Bl ¢pwq£ O¤j ¢c−µRz j−e f−s Night Safari −a −c−M¢Rm¡j a¡l ¢qp¡h ¢c−a ¢aef¡a¡ i−l k¡−hz a−h −cM¡ ¢h¢iæ S¿¹¥l SÆm¿¹ −Q¡M, l¡−œ tent -Hl ¢fR−e k¡ −c−M p¢aÉC j¤‡ q−u¢Rm¡j a¡ −q¡m H−cl "family SmqÙ¹£l X¡Lz B¢éL¡ B¢cj, B¢éL¡ lqpÉju£z value" -−Lje cm −hy−d flØfl−L p¡j−m Q−m−Rz ¢h−no L−l, q¡a£−cl ¢hn¡m f¢lh¡l M¡h¡l Bl S−ml på¡−e j¡C−ml fl j¡Cm Q−m−R, ¢nö−cl ¢WL c−ml j¡TM¡−e −l−Mz HL S¡uN¡u f−bl d¡−l HL −ShË¡ cÇf¢a c¤¢V h¡µQ¡ ¢e−u Q−l M¡−µR, Hje pju HL r¥d¡aÑ ¢pwq£l B¢hiÑ¡hz mð¡ O¡−pl j−dÉ …y¢s −j−l HLf¡-c¤f¡ L−l H−N¡−µR HLV¡ h¡µQ¡−L dl¡l jam−hz qW¡v h¡h¡-j¡ Q’m q−u EW−m¡, a¡lflC h¡µQ¡−cl ¢e−u â¥a E−ÒV¡¢c−L −c±s ¢cmz Hotti hmm ""Jl¡ Nå −f−u−R''z ¢pwq£ Hh¡−ll ja ¢el¡n −q¡mz j−e −q¡m −ke National Geographic Hl HLV¡ episode −Q¡−Ml p¡j−e O−V −Nmz A−eL…¢m tribal village HJ ¢N−u¢Rm¡j, a¡−cl j−dÉ Pokot, Turkana, Samburu Bl pL−ml f¢l¢Qa Srilekha Bhattacharya is a 29 year resident of Davis j¡p¡C−cl e¡j j−e Bp−Rz Bl ¢N−u¢Rm¡j HL and a caring and beloved Grandmother of four ""j¢qm¡-NË¡−j'', HC j¢qm¡l¡ ü¡j£−cl AaÉ¡Q¡−l Ol Grandkids from Los Angeles and Connecticut. She −R−s H−p ¢e−S−cl ü¡hmð£ NË¡j N−s−Rz e¡e¡ q¡−al enjoys nature, travelling, reading, and cooking. She L¡S fkÑVL−cl L¡−R ¢hœ²£ L−l - H−cl °al£ QJs¡ can be reached at (530) 758-1480. fy¥¢bl j¡m¡, Q¥¢s, bracelet M¤h p¤¤¾clz ¢cN−¿¹ j¡E¾V −L¢eu¡, j¡E¾V ¢L¢mj¡¾S¡−l¡, HCph f¡q¡−sl ¢fR−e p§kÑ¡−Ù¹l l¢š²j¡i¡, p¡j−e ¢hÙ¹£ZÑ a«Zi¨¢j

(Savannah) Acacia, Baobab , HM¡−e-−pM¡−e HCph N¡R…−m¡ cy¡¢s−u B−R, Bl a¡lC j−dÉ heÉS¿¹¥−cl ü¡i¡¢hL, üµR¾c ¢hQlZz a¡l¡ °Sh ¢eu−j p¡b£ −My¡−S, AfaÉ−pÀ−q p¿¹¡e f¡me L−l, ¢r−d −f−m ¢nL¡l L−l, ¢L¿¹¥ j¡e¤−ol j−a¡ AL¡l−Z ¢qwp¡-q¡e¡q¡¢e L−l e¡z HM¡−e HC EŸ¡j fËL«¢al p¡j−e cy¡¢s−u, pËø¡l f¡−u j¡b¡ ea q−u B−pz HC f¢l¢ÙÛ¢al j−dÉC Bj¡−cl f§hÑf¤l¦o ""j¡e¤o'' q−u¢Rm, c¤f¡−u cy¡s¡−a ¢n−M¢Rmz Serengeti l Olduvai Gorge -H fËaÀašÄ¢hcÚ Louise

−Q±l‰£ 2009 30 Chowrongee 2009

f−l¡fL¡l l¢nÈ e¾c£

Bj¡l hå¥ −jl£l −en¡ hm−a HLV¡C - f−l¡fL¡lz −c−M −jl£ hmm −a¡j¡−cl SeÉ LM¡e¡ Indoor plants f−l¡fL¡l Ll−a Jl −L¡−e¡ S¥¢s −eCz ea¥e L¡−ll p−‰ ¢e−u Bph Bj¡l L¡−R A−eL h¡s¢a B−Rz Bl −a¡ j−e f¢lQu q−mC −jl£ a−‚ a−‚ b¡−L a¡−L −L¡−e¡ p¡q¡kÉ q−µR −a¡jl¡ ph …¢R−uC ¢e−uR - Bj¡l Bl −a¡j¡−cl M¤h Ll¡ k¡u ¢Le¡z Bjl¡ aMe fËbj H−c−n H−p¢R −jl£l p−‰ HLV¡ fË−u¡Se −eC - −Q¡−M j¤−M Jl g¥−V J−W qa¡n¡z Bm¡f Q¡Ll£p§−œ, Bj¡−cl Ae¢i‘a¡ −jl£l L¡−R HL a¡lfl HLV¡ fÉ¡−LV Bj¡l q¡−a ¢c−u h−m H−p¡ Hlj−dÉ …çde - ¢L L−l H−c−nl q¡mQ¡m −nM¡−h, ¢L L−l hå¥aÆ HLV¡ E−ml hm J Ly¡V¡ B−R - −a¡j¡u Em ¢c−u slipper h¡s¡−h a¡l SeÉ −jl£l ALÓ¡¿¹, ¢hl¡jq£e E−cÉ¡Nz −jl£ J −h¡e¡ ¢n¢M−u ¢cC −a¡j¡l j¡l SeÉ h¤e−a f¡−l¡z B¢j −a¡ Jl ü¡j£ −X¢ep c¤S−eC M¤h p‹e J jS¡c¡l j¡e¤oz p¡NË−q l¡S£ - ¢WL B−R −nM¡Jz −a¡ j¡−Tj¡−TC −jl£ a¡l c¤C R¡œR¡œ£−L ECLH−ä −VÊ¢ew h¤e−a h¤e−a qW¡v −jl£ h−m S¡−e¡ −VX J S¥¢Xl kjS ¢c−a ¢e−u −h¢l−u f−s, −L¡b¡u ¢L f¡Ju¡ k¡−µR, −L¡b¡u c¤−V¡ −j−u q−u−R - −cM−h R¢h? g¥Vg¥−V −R¡−V¡ ¢nö −ke −L¡e i¡m Museum B−R, −L¡−e¡ i¡−m¡ hC−ul −c¡L¡e, g¥−ml Ly¥¢s - M¤h ¢j¢øz j−e f−s k¡u −jl£l l¢pLa¡ - −L¡b¡u l¢hh¡l pL¡−ml Farmer's Market Bj¡−cl ph e¡ −Q−f d−l h¢m h−m¡ −a¡ Hh¡l p¢aÉ L−l −k a¥¢j −p¢ce −Qe¡−e¡ A¢ë Jl ü¢Ù¹ −eCz HL n¢eh¡l pL¡−m qW¡v −jl£l h−m¢R−m −VX −a¡j¡l fË¡š²Z ü¡j£ −pV¡ ¢L −a¡j¡l W¡–¡? −g¡e - Bj¡l HL hå¥ Q−m k¡−µR HM¡e −b−L Jl ¢LR¥ HC fËbj −jl£l j¤−M −c¢M Ll¦Z R¡u¡ - h−m −a¡j¡u B¢j ¢S¢eo ¢hœ²£ Ll−h −a¡jl¡ −cM−a k¡−h? fR¾c q−m ¢Le−h p¢aÉ Lb¡C h−m¢Rz −V−Xl p−‰ cn hRl B−N Bj¡l ¢h−u - e¡ q−m ¢L−e¡ e¡z −a¡ Bjl¡ l¡S£ qm¡j - ¢WL B−R qu ¢i−uve¡−j, −VX fs¡−n¡e¡ Ll−a B−j¢lL¡u Q−m B−p −c−M −a¡ Bp¡ k¡LÚz −fy±−R −c¢M Jl¡ ü¡j£ Ù»£l ¢qj¢pj ¢LR¥¢ce flz Bj¡l f¡p−f¡VÑ ¢ip¡ −eC i¡m L−l Cw−lS£ AhÙÛ¡ N¡c¡…−µRl ¢S¢e−ol j−dÉz −jl£ ¢LR¥ ¢LR¥ ¢S¢eo hm−a f¡¢l e¡ L¡−SC Bj¡l A−fr¡l ¢ce −N¡e¡ R¡s¡ Bl −c¢M−u Bj¡−cl hmm H…−m¡ ¢e−a f¡−l¡ jSh¤a B−R - ¢L Ll¡l ¢Rm h−m¡? a¡R¡s¡ HLSe R¡−œl B−u pwp¡l −hn ¢LR¥ ¢e−m qu−a¡ ¢LR¥ é£J f¡−hz fl¢ce H−p ¢e−u Q¡m¡−e¡J −a¡ La L¢Wez k¡h Lb¡ ¢c−u Bjl¡ ¢g−l Hm¡jz l¢hh¡l pL¡−m E−W c¤hRl fl k¡ha£u fË−u¡Se£u L¡NSfœ f¡¢W−u −VX Bjl¡ −jl£l p−‰ Jl hå¥ −VX J S¥¢Xl h¡s£ Ef¢ÙÛaz Bj¡−L H−c−n Be¡−e¡l hÉhÙÛ¡ L−lz H c¤hR−l −VX N¡s£ f¡LÑ L−l −jl£ −c¢M N¡s£l VÊ¡ˆ −b−L A−eL M¡h¡l HLh¡lJ −c−n −k−a f¡−l¢e, Bj¡−L Be¡−h h−m Jl La c¡h¡l, gift CaÉ¡¢c −hl Ll−R - S¥¢Xl SeÉ Bem¡j −fÙ¹¡, hs ü¡bÑaÉ¡Nz e¡e¡ h¡d¡ ¢hOÀ L¡¢V−u ea¥e −c−n H−p Q£S, L¥¢Lp - Jl¡ −M−a M¤h i¡mh¡−p Bl −L¡−e¡¢ce −cM¡ −fy±R¥m¡j - Hu¡l−f¡−VÑ −VX−L −c−M Bl −Q¡−Ml Sm d−l q−h ¢Le¡ S¡¢ee¡! B¢j q¡p−a q¡p−a hmm¡j −jl£ −a¡j¡l l¡M−a f¡¢l¢e Ha M¡l¡f q−u −N−R −Qq¡l¡ c¤hR−l! HLSe LÓ¡−u¾V Q−m k¡−µR - Hh¡l −a¡ Hl replacement j¡mfšl ph N¡s£−a a¥−m p−h h−p¢R - Bj¡l SeÉ −k My¥S−a q−h −a¡j¡uz j¤Q¢L −q−p −jl£ h−m H−cl p−‰ HLV¡ Hahs AfËaÉ¡¢na Mhl A−fr¡ Ll¢Rm a¡ LÒfe¡J Ll−a ¢h−no pÇfLÑ B−R Bj¡l a¡C replacement f¡Ju¡ f¡¢l¢e - −VX Bj¡l q¡−a ¢X−i¡−pÑl gjÑ d¢l−u −cu B¢j j¤¢×Lmz −VX Bj¡l fË¡š²Z ü¡j£z B¢j −q¡ −q¡ L−l −q−p hSÊ¡qa, ¢hqÄm J ¢ehÑ¡Lz Bj¡−L a¥¢j Be−m −Le a−h H E−W¢R −X¢e−pl p−‰ −b−L −b−L a¥¢jJ M¤h l¢pL q−u −c−n!! L¡lZ Bj¡l T¡−jm¡ Lj q−m¡! B¢j Ù¹ì Sh¡−h! E−W−R¡z k¡−q¡L, a¡lfl −a¡ Bjl¡ ea¥e −Le¡ ¢S¢eofœ HL iâj¢qm¡l h¡s£−a HLV¡ Ol c¤j¡−pl SeÉ ¢mS ¢e−u ¢e−u h¡s£ ¢g−l Hm¡j, L¡−Sl Q¡−f −jl£l l¢pLa¡ j¡b¡ −l−M−R Bj¡l SeÉ - c¤j¡p fl ¢e−Sl hÉhÙÛ¡ ¢e−S−L −b−L L−h −h¢l−u −N−R! j¡−Tj−dÉ J−cl p−‰ −cM¡ qu a−h Ll−a q−hz BN¡j£ pç¡−q B¢j gjÑV¡ H−p ¢e−u k¡−h¡ h−m ph¡C ¢e−Sl L¡−S hÉÙ¹ NÒf Ll¡l AhL¡n −j−m e¡z −N−m¡z Bj¡l AQm j§¢aÑ −c−M iâj¢qm¡ B¢j k¡−L HM−e¡ qW¡v −hn L'j¡p fl HL ¢h−Lm−hm¡ −jl£ Ecu - "j¡' X¡¢L H−p S¢s−u d−l BnÄ¡p −ce −jl£ a¥¢j ¢Q¿¹¡ −a¡j¡−cl Bl ¢L ¢L fË−u¡Se Mhl Ll−a Hm¡j A−eL¢ce −L¡−l¡ e¡ - BS −b−L a¥¢j Bj¡l −j−u, iNh¡−el Jfl −My¡S ¢e−a f¡¢l¢ez Bjl¡ ka h¢m ¢LµR¥ Q¡Ce¡, a¥¢j −h¡−p¡, ilp¡ l¡−M¡, f¢l¢ÙÛ¢aC HL¢ce NÒf L−l¡ - −X¢ep−L ¢e−u H−m e¡ −Le - −a¡ h−m J M¡a¡ −cM−R, grading ¢e−u hÉÙ¹z h¡s£ Ol−c¡l O¤−l O¤−l

−Q±l‰£ 2009 31 Chowrongee 2009

−a¡j¡u L¢We L−l a¥m−hz −pC j¡ e¡ b¡L−m B¢j BS cy¡s¡−a f¡la¡j e¡z H−LLV¡ ¢ce −k ¢L L−l −N−R −p −a¡j¡−L h−m −h¡T¡−a f¡lh e¡z −X¢ep H−p Bj¡l S£h−el −j¡s O¤¢l−u −cuz B¢j Ù¹ì q−u öe−a b¡¢L −jl£l S£heL¡¢qe£z −VX J S¥¢X ¢h−ul fl LÉ¡e¡X¡ −hs¡−a k¡u, −pM¡−e N¡s£ HÉ¡¢„−X−¾V −VX fË¡−Z −hy−Q −N−mJ f¡-c¤−V¡C −L−V h¡c ¢c−u ¢c−a q−u−Rz ýCm −Qu¡−ll ilp¡u a¡l HMe Qm¡−gl¡z HC c¤OÑVe¡l fl −VX H−p −jl£l L¡−R rj¡ Q¡u - −a¡j¡l fË¢a HC A¢hQ¡−ll j§mÉ Bj¡u iNh¡e ¢c−u−Rez −jl£ Bj¡u h−m ¢hnÄ¡p L−l¡ B¢j J−cl pc¡ phÑc¡l öi¡L¡´M£ - Jl¡ i¡m b¡L¥L, p¤¤−M b¡L¥L HC Bj¡l fË¡bÑZ¡z −jl£l jq−šÄl pj¤−âl L¡−R ¢e−S−L HLV¡ a¥µR −YE j−e quzz

−Q±l‰£ 2009 32 Chowrongee 2009

−Q±l‰£ 2009 33 Chowrongee 2009

Wishing Utsav A Happy And Prosperous Durga Puja 2009

−Q±l‰£ 2009 34 Chowrongee 2009

−Q±l‰£ 2009 35 Chowrongee 2009

The Fry-of-the-Year Battle (Why Burger King is better than McDonalds?) Neel Chanda

It was time for the battle of a lifetime. Team Garret summoned up all the power he had in Burger King was going against McDonalds for his crazy little head, and blasted Pickle with a the biggest honor a fry company could have, 2000 degree ray of extremely bright fry-vision. the Fry-of-the-Year Award. “Representing The blast was so bright, that even the McDonalds in the Fry-of-the-Year battle is astronauts in space saw it. The audience in the Nick “Pickle” Marakas!” exclaimed an excited star-studded stands screamed! People thought announcer. “Representing Burger King is last a volcano had erupted. year’s winner, Garret “Fry Cook” Swell!” After all the smoke cleared, all that was left These two fries were no ordinary fries. Each in the place of Pickle was a little heap of still- one of them had extreme super powers that sizzling ash. The audience that loved fries could only dream of having. Pickle had McDonalds wailed and mourned for their now telepathic powers and acid vision. Anything beaten hero. And the Burger King lovers stood that the acid touched would dissolve. Also, he up and clapped for Garret as he set his foot on could pick up anything and throw it all the way the ash and flexed his guns, “Presenting the to China! Garret had beaten the last super fry Fry-of-the-Year award is Kanye West!” Kanye last year. That was Davis. Garret used his fry- West walked up to Garret, clapping like crazy! vision to fry Davis into ash! Garret had fry- “I'm proud to present the defending champion, vision which could fry anything well overdone. Garret Suell with the Fry-of-the-Year award!” He also had something even better. He could Garret assertively thanked him and exclaimed, shoot fire balls out of his hands that would “FOR BURGER KING!” burst anything, including Pickle, into flames. And that is the story of why Burger King is “Hey, we're back with the Fry-of-the-Year much better than McDonalds, and why Battle, oh look, looks like they are starting the McDonalds is going down the drain. battle!” Garret started off by sprinting at Pickle like a madman. Pickle used his telepathic power and flung Garret right against the roof of the stadium. Unharmed, Garret swiftly landed with a bulls-eye aiming... right in Pickle's head! Responding to Garret landing on his head, Pickle sprayed a good round of sizzling hot acid on Garret’s hand. Horrified by the sight of his arm melting away, Garret used his extremely hot fry-vision to torch Pickle's feet off! “Ha-Ha, you'll never have your feet back.” Then using his flame hands, he burned Pickle's hair off. “I'm sorry Garret, I'm sorry for spraying you with acid!” cried a now hysterical Neelanjan Chanda (Neel) is 12 years old and a 7 th Pickle. “You better be!” exclaimed the angry Grader at Excelsior Elementary School, Roseville. “Fry Cook.” “Cause I'm going to roast you... Basketball is his passion. He can be reached at well... OVERDONE!!” And on that note, [email protected] or (916) 797-6789.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 36 Chowrongee 2009

33G Notebook: Destination Paris Biswanath Mukherjee

33G is my favorite seat on the Boeing 777-200 Jubilee aircraft which is typically used by Singapore Airlines on many of its flights. (Please see Chowrongee 2005 for an explanation.) 33G Notebook is a travel notebook which has evolved from the Sacramento Notebook columns which appeared in Chowrongee 2006 and Chowrongee 2007. This edition of 33G Notebook is devoted to Paris, France.

to Paris, I have spent at least one day on each visit with my French friends and colleagues conversing in English and soaking in their pleasant accent. This is enough reason for me to visit France again and again. On my business trips to Montreal, I find the English spoken by my French Canadian colleagues to be equally honey-laced! My last trip to Paris was followed by a visit to Istanbul, Turkey. These are the two most beautiful cities in the world: Istanbul with its rich history from the Byzantine, the Roman Paris is one of the most attractive travel (when it was called Constantinople), and the destinations in the world. It boasts a rich Ottoman Empires as well as with the beautiful history, extensive art collections, wonderful Bosphoros Strait dividing the City of Istanbul monuments, etc., all within easy walking across the Europe and Asia Continents and distance of one another. Combine these with a connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the diverse culture, excellent climate, wide Black Sea as a major thoroughfare for large boulevards, an efficient subway system, the ships traveling long distances. Some day, I beautiful Siene River (with its river cruises, would like to travel with my family on the river taxis, and breath-taking scenery), and the Orient Express Train, which used to provide gastronomic capital of the world, so Paris is my service between Paris and Istanbul, but these favorite city as well, especially due to the last days I hear it is only a tourist attraction (and an item. expensive one) with a once-in-six-months Beware: food in Paris is expensive. But service. On my flight from Paris to Istanbul, I bad restaurants don’t exist here because learned from my neighbors seated next to me Parisians, with their exquisite tastebuds, would (Mrs. and Mr. McCrachen from Chicago) that drive the bad restaurants out of business. they also are visiting Istanbul (for the first There are several Indian restaurants in Paris. It time) after visiting Paris (as lucky as me, I is amazing to see how wonderfully Indian food thought), so I felt honored when they asked me can be presented, e.g., a dollop of potato salad to suggest places to visit in Istanbul. Later, I on the side of your tandoorie chicken order. learned that the McCrachens are luckier than The French wouldn’t have it any other way, so me because their current trip will also take I thank them for enhancing our food decoration them to Berlin, another one of the most art. beautiful cities in the world besides Paris and When French people speak English Istanbul. willingly, there is no other speech that appears It is well known that Americans love to sweeter to my ears! On all of my business trips travel, as my neighbors who could be any

−Q±l‰£ 2009 37 Chowrongee 2009

random passenger turned out to be the (By the way, I have visited Paris with my McCrachens. On my first return flight home family as well, but not on this trip.) (from Istanbul to Frankfurt), there were many Let me (slightly) digress once more to Americans, who were engaged in conversations orient you with Paris. The Siene River flows and who did not know one another before… from east to west (and eventually to the they were returning to Colorado, Iowa, etc. English Channel), meandering with many turns Another random young man I met on the and dividing Paris in two approximately equal Paris subway (on my way to catch the flight to halves. Paris is served by two subway systems Istanbul) turned out to be American as well. It which are integrated together (so a single ticket was early Sunday morning and there were very will suffice for travel on both). The Paris few passengers. Both he and I were at the subway includes a set of five RER lines (whose Denfert subway station to catch the RER B trains are like the Kolkata local trains, which train to the Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. travel faster, and which take you out to the But on the same line, there were other RER B suburbs, perhaps 50-100 km from the City trains going to a different destination (Mitry). Centre) and ten shorter-distance trains (like the Seeing that I did not get on a Mitry train, he San Francisco BART). It will cost you 8.5 gave me a curios look and asked if I knew euros to travel from CDG airport to the City English and if I was also going to the CDG Center (on the RER B train); and any travel airport. He was very relieved when I said within the City Center will cost 1.6 euro. Taxi “Yes” to both questions, and he said “then I am fare from CDG airport to the City Center will just going to follow you”. I felt empowered be approx. 40 euros, so this may be a better bet that my limited knowledge of French and the if you are a party of four or three people with a Paris subway could help someone else. lot of luggage. Before leaving the CDG This young man was Pat Eaton from New airport, be sure to pick up a Paris map, tour York. He was visiting family from his brochures, etc. at the Airport Tourist Office mother’s side which is French. Apparently he and about 200 euros from the ATM machine visits Paris almost annually (so I was surprised next to the Tourist Office. that he had to follow me to get on the CDG A Perfect Day in Paris. train). He is in the film-production business, 7:30 am: Breakfast:: Most European hotels serving as an assistant to the Assistant will have breakfast included in the room tariff. Producers (I forget their title). After high Breakfast will usually contain juices, coffee, school, he got a job in the film industry, tea, several varieties of bread (of good quality), passing up going to college for a film-making jams, fruits, yogurts, cereals, cold cuts, degree. He spends long days (averaging 16 cheeses, and perhaps boiled eggs and fresh cut- hours), but enjoys his work. He aspires to be up veggies (such as cucumbers and tomatoes). an Assistant Producer some day, when his After breakfast, catch the subway to the Louvre workload will reduce as he will then have his station, and get there before 9 am when it own assistants to get the work done. I will be opens because it will get crowded very soon looking at the detailed credits at the end of thereafter with many many tourists. films – something I normally don’t do – to see 9:00 am: Louvre:: Louvre (suppress the “r” his name. when pronouncing this word) (admission: 9 I should get back to writing about Paris. euros) is a major museum in Paris, boasting Most visitors will come here for a week or an extensive (35,000) works of arts from all over extended vacation. But if you are in Paris for the world. Its pyramid main entrance is a business (like me) or on transit, please save at world-famous landmark. The Louvre is least a day to sample what Paris has to offer. divided into three sections, so if you are short

−Q±l‰£ 2009 38 Chowrongee 2009

in time, please go to the Denon section, where attention near the Louvre, (apparently) picks up you will find the main paintings (e.g., a ring from the ground in front of you, asks if it Michaelangelo’s Monalisa) and sculptures is yours, and after you ignore her, she asks if it (e.g., Venus) from Italy, Greece, Egypt, etc. is made of gold? Well, you keep walking While there are many large paintings, the away, wondering if that was a genuine Monalisa is a rather small one, but it attracts a situation. But when the same incident is large crowd; but I felt others were seeing more repeated by a man 30 minutes later further up in this painting than what I could see. One can your walk on the Champs-Elysees, you just spend several days viewing the Louvre’s run. I hurled a few choice words at the guy, collections, but for a one-day Paris visit, two but fortunately or unfortunately he did not hours are enough for the Louvre because other understand English.) attractions are waiting. On my trip, I forgot my 12:00 noon: Arc de Triomphe:: It is time to camera, so I did not have to stress over what climb the Arc which is in the middle of a very pictures to shoot. I also did not have to stress large and very busy traffic circle. There are over reading the descriptions of the various probably 8-10 roads heading out from this artifacts because the explanations were written circle, including Champs-Elysees. You have to in French. take an underpass from Champs-Elysees side to cross over to the middle of the circle and then take an elevator to climb the Arc. The Arc is a testament to the military victories of Napolean I, and the views from the roof are beautiful… especially the Eiffel tower which is not that far away. 1:00 pm: Lunch at Ratn (meaning jewelry in Hindi and most Indian languages and called Roton or Rotno in Bengali):: Ratn (9 Rue de la Tremoille) is an Indian restaurant, which is a 10-minutes walk from Arc de Triomphe. Walk down Champs-Elysees, turn right at Rue 11:00 am: Champs-Elysees Walk:: From Marbeuf, and left at Rue du Boccador. Try to Louvre, enjoy a walk through Tuileries Garden go there on a weekday for the lunch combo of heading west towards the Champs-Elysees an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. (At other (pronounced: Shom-shelly-say, with only 25% times, you will pay nearly double for the same of the m being pronounced and the nose items.) In restaurants in France, such combo coming into the equation as well). Champs- plans are common, typically consisting of three Elysees is one of the widest boulevards I have items (an entrée, a dessert, and either an seen anywhere in the world, and walking on it appetizer or a drink). Ratn’s cuisine is Moghul always gives me a nice feeling. From Louvre style, so try the kababs. (Budget option for itself, you can see the Arc de Triomphe far lunch: Get a sandwich combo (with dessert and away at the other end of Champs-Elysees, and drink) for seven euros at Pomme de Pain on that is where you are heading. On the way, you Champs-Elysees (Rue Marbeuf crossing), will pass by numerous designer shops and where sandwiches are made with tasty French boutiques as well as cafes with both inside baguette.) seating and open-air seating on the sidewalk. 2:00 pm: Eiffel Tower:: After lunch, take a Take a short break from your walk, sip a latte, short walk south to the Siene River, and then and savor the moment. (Safety tip: What do head westbound on either bank of the Siene you do when a woman tries to attract your

−Q±l‰£ 2009 39 Chowrongee 2009

until you reach Eiffel Tower. Chances are the the world, so you should try French food. My queue to climb the tower in one of its several French host on my recent trip took me to this elevators will be long. The best way to beat restaurant, so it has to be one of the best. From the crowd is to get there in the morning, but the 150-year-old restaurant’s website: “The you have only one day, and you cannot be at Paris Elite romantic such as Musset, Georges Louvre and Eiffel Tower at the same time. It is Sand, and Victor Hugo amongst others used to hard to believe that the Tower was considered gather often in this tavern. The place was so to be an eyesore when it was built for the 1889 charming that everybody took advantage of the Universal Expo and Centennial of the French great atmosphere and the exquisite food. It’s Revolution, and it was supposed to be torn still the case today!” Remember to order a down after the event. But we are glad that this “combo dinner” and they will throw in the did not happen. The panoramic views of Paris wine also. Of course, you don’t consider cost and its surroundings from the top of the tower when you are having good food. (Budget are superb. This Paris landmark is option for dinner: Try French cuisine at the magnificently illuminated in the evenings, numerous Latin Quarter restaurants.) which is another time when you can climb the tower. 4:00 pm: Batobus (River Taxi on Siene River to Notre Dame):: After sipping another latte at the top of Eiffel Tower, you head down and catch the Batobus River Taxi to travel to the Notre Dame Cathedral. On the way, you soak the beautiful scenery that is on offer. 4:30 pm: Notre Dame Cathedral:: The Notre Dame is a Gothic masterpiece where the 10:00 pm: Show (optional):: Paris is cathedral has remarkable stained-glass known for its cabaret shows, so this is an windows. It is actually located on the Île de la option if you are visiting with your spouse or Cité , which is one of two natural islands in the significant other. (Note: no children allowed.) Seine within the city of Paris. This island is I haven’t had a chance to visit Paris with only also the centre of Paris and the location where my wife, so I have no suggestion to offer. the medieval city was refounded. 6:00 pm: Discover Latin Quarters:: Walk If you have more than one day, then you around the Siene in the Notre Dame area, should visit the Versailles Palace (45 minutes crossing the various bridges, which hide the by RER A train on the west), for which you fact that the Ile de la Cite is an island. On the should budget at least half a day. Another south bank of the Siene across the Notre Dame suggestion is to take one of the open-top, hop- is the Latin Quarters, where many of the on-hop-off tour buses with running universities in Paris started (and some have commentary (e.g., L’Open Tour) to get to see now relocated) and where Latin was used as all the major sites in the City, and then the international language of learning in the determine which ones you want to spend more Middle Ages. This area has narrow roads and time at such as the following. The Bastille numerous restaurants with inexpensive food Prison was stormed in 1789 to start the French from all parts of the world. Revolution. The Opera is a great modern 8:00 pm: Dinner at Restaurant Au Moulin theater of bold design and has guided tours. Vert (www.aumoulinvert.com , 34 bis, rue des There are numerous other monuments and Plantes):: You are in the gastronomic capital of museums that you can visit, spending many more days in Paris.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 40 Chowrongee 2009

A Perfect Day in Paris is ending. I feel Aao tumko dikhlata hoon Paris ki ek very fortunate to have had another chance to rangeen saam enjoy this beautiful city, but also sad that I Dekho dekho dekho dekho daaeeekhhooo have to leave tomorrow (and I wish my family An Evening in Paris…” was also here with me for this trip). As I stand on the bridge on the Siene River near the Notre Dame Cathedral, looking west at the setting sun, I become nostalgic and get reminded by Md. Rafi’s song from way back when:

“Aji aisa mowka phir kahan milega Hamarey jaisa dil kahan milega

Biswanath Mukherjee is Professor (and Past Chairman) of Computer Science at University of California, Davis, where he has been for the past 22 years, and currently holds the Child Family Endowed Chair Professorship. Readers can visit the author at: http://networks.cs.ucdavis.edu/~mukherje/ .

−Q±l‰£ 2009 41 Chowrongee 2009

Struck by “Lightening”: Puja Pandals in Kolkata. Sajni Mukherji organizers for this encroachment on intellectual property rights. I hope that in the end they were persuaded that in fact the pandal organizers had given the novels even greater publicity than they already enjoyed. The Titanic keeling over after colliding with the glacier was also very popular. Characters from ‘Abol tabol’, the ‘Tintin’ and the Asterix Many years ago when one was still young narratives mingle seamlessly with more enough to be tremendously excited by the traditional illuminations like the dhakiwala, all onset of the Puja month, the cotton wool white actually performing in the dazzling displays. I clouds in an otherwise blue sky, and the loved the ‘tandava’ dance of Kumropotash. occasional gentle breezes, we had gone with my young daughter to visit friends in Kasba. I think it must have been 1993 or An elderly local standing outside the skeletal thereabouts: I noticed lighting that showed structure of the pandal that would stride the people writhing in agony and nearby a bunch road in a few days told my daughter: of rats falling in a veritable shower from a “Khukumoni, aajke eshechhish? Ko-din nearby wall and realized the possible outbreak baade ele partish. Aamader pandaler of bubonic plague or ‘kala azar’ which had lightening khub sundar habe!” (Little girl, made headlines in the press just a few months why have you come today? In a few days, earlier, had been ingeniously – if somewhat you would have seen the beautiful lightening gruesomely – portrayed. of our pandal.”) Since that time, we have always affectionately referred to the Another gruesome one showed Rajiv illuminations of Puja pandals as “lightening”. Gandhi walking briskly out to be met with a girl holding a garland and in the next second The master lights persons belong to the old fireworks with flying limbs in their midst. French town of Chandernagore. They get more imaginative each year, incorporating The terrorist attack on the World Trade among their themes, the events, political and Center was very popular and made for a otherwise of the year gone by, using the dramatic terrifyingly mobile display. Every themes of the Puja pandals to create a world few minutes the twin towers would be which should be described not as ‘lighting’, standing tall and then, a few minutes later, the nor ‘lightening’ nor even ‘illumination’ but by predatory plane would appear threateningly some exotic word like the appropriately and then fly straight in, leaving them in French ‘lumiere.’ smithereens. Where a Puja pandal had Harry Potter All of these demonstrate the skill of the books as its theme one year, the pandal craftsmen: there appears to be little or no committee tried to incorporate magical political content or malicious intent in them, lighting (indeed bolts of ‘lightning’) to go nor in the spectators who throng the pandals. with the pandal design of Hogwarts. I believe Nor do they take umbrage seeing a Saraswati J. K. Rowling’s lawyers tried to sue the in jeans or a Lakshmi advertising the jewellery

−Q±l‰£ 2009 42 Chowrongee 2009

of a traditional jewellery store. When we the Tata ‘Nano’ project or the inauguration of lived in the Gol Park area, there was a ‘Disco’ new trains with Mamata Banerjee in the puja with the gods and goddesses dancing to forefront of both. It makes me long for the strobe lighting and disco music within, and simple twinkling ‘tuni’ bulbs of my childhood. strobe lighting and disco music that entertained the spectators while they waited patiently in a queue. I am afraid I cannot say the same for themes which are being readied for this year’s show: the events leading up to the abandonment of

Sajni Mukherji is a retired Professor of English who taught for many years in Jadavpur University's Department of English. She has written occasionally for The Telegraph before and is now doing a regular column for senior citizens called "Autumn Flush" that appears twice a month on alternate Sundays.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 43 Chowrongee 2009

Change Patricia Chatterjee

without some glee, the absence of Lays potato chips which appeared to have been totally eclipsed by bigger packets of the home-made variety plus an assortment of other new looking local snacks all very nicely packaged and which are undoubtedly increasing the I was in India for most of January this year belly fat of many females. However, being and was unexpectedly talked into another trip partial to a good potato chip, this was a in August whilst in the U.K. visiting a nephew welcome change. If Indians can copy whose parents were going to celebrate their th expensive foreign drugs, why not improve 50 wedding anniversary. Unlike the January expensive foreign potato chips? (crisps in trip, which basically seemed to consist of the English). My hope is that before my next trip usual mundane round of visits to the relatives, an innovative business person will begin overeating, and the jostling through crowds to canning on a large scale the zillions of get a little shopping done, this visit seemed mangoes which go to waste every year and somehow a bit different. The influence of replace the tasteless Libby brand. Western materialism, for better or for worse, has become immensely transparent, One of the most significant changes which environmental issues are being seriously took place only twelve days or so before our addressed, and the city seems to be pulsating arrival concerns the environment. The West in a more constructive and jovial way. Bengal Government had ordered the removal from the roads of all vehicles over 15 years This time I made a concerted effort to visit old. While this action caused the usual South City Mall because I was beginning to demonstrations and bus burning, the protests, think I was the only person of Indian origin given the subsequent magnitude of economic who hadn’t been there – yes, I have a PIO card hardship for many, were surprising short which makes me an official Person of Indian lived. In fact, there is tremendous support for Origin. I have to admit the soaring apartment this action. The result in just a matter of days towers behind the mall were pretty impressive. was something like a 60 percent reduction in After leaving the mall, my thoughts were with polluted air which was already visibly the NRIs who can now, quite confidently, noticeable on our arrival. I also had to adjust boast of India having become a developed to not having to dust every day. Crossing the nation. Trotting over from their modern footbridge in Salt Lake one afternoon, I took a bathrooms and Italian modular kitchens to this photo of VIP Road. The clarity of the air was San Francisco Nordstrom type mall complete such it could have been taken here in Fair with a Marks and Spencers no less, (Marks Oaks. and Sparks in English) cosmetic counters galore, and Spencers in the basement complete This time I sensed rather than observed a with a Bel Air type deli and bakery, what transparent change in people’s attitudes which more could they possibly ask for? was not palpable in January. India’s huge middle class has become more relaxed; the Hustling through my favorite haunts, rather severe austerity of past generations is Hatibagan and Shyambazar, I noticed, not disappearing. A lust for life and good times

−Q±l‰£ 2009 44 Chowrongee 2009

European style is developing which is sorely It has become obvious that economic reform lacking here. The recession has not hit the has changed the landscape quite positively for middle class much although the upper echelon those in a position to take advantage of it. has been affected which is evident in places However, a few visits to a government such as South City Mall where everything is hospital were a brutal reminder of the lack of 50-60 percent off as Puja shopping season gets social development for millions. under way.

Patricia Chatterjee spent the first 5 years of her 45 years of married life in India. She visits India at least once a year. Her Masters thesis, completed in 2006, successfully defended the lack of equitable distribution in India.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 45 Chowrongee 2009

Alaska : Here Comes Utsav Gang Barin Kumar

The food on the ship was, in general, excellent in quality, enormous in variety of selections and huge in quantity encompassing everybody’s taste from omnivorous to finicky eaters. In the restaurant, they serve wine, liquor and cocktails. The last all-you-can-eat Captain’s formal lobster and tiger shrimp Sixteen of us Utsav members cruised to dinner in Capri restaurant was superb. Ketchikan, Tracy Arm/Juneau, Skagway of Another item worth mentioning is the Alaska, and Victoria of Canada from August impeccable service by the crew. We enjoyed, 9th through 16 th on Star Princess ship covering in particular, room service breakfast and room about 2,000 nautical miles at an average speed cleaning service almost to the hour. of 20 knots. We started the journey after boarding the ship in Seattle at around 4 pm. Our first port excursion was in Ketchikan, Few of us reached Seattle a day before to also known as Alaska’s ‘First City’ because explore some unique attractions such as the the first major community travelers come here unforgettable view of the city from the Space as they journey north. At Ketchikan, we Needle and the world famous flying fish separated into two groups. Five of us went for market of Pike Place to name a few. fishing to take advantage of the seasonal abundance of Salmon run, bagging 26 The next day, we sailed on the Pacific Salmons in less than 2 hours of boat-fishing. Ocean on a north-westerly course steered The rest of us took a ‘Duck’ tour in a state-of- through Puget Sound from Seattle. For all of the-art amphibian bus traveling through rustic us, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that streets and waterways of Ketchikan to witness the comfort level of the journey was pretty salmon ladder in Ketchikan Creek, Dolly’s close to that of an international flight by a House museum in the red-light district, totem jumbo jet from Boeing or Airbus. In other poles, and a bald eagle. For lunch, we words, none of us experienced any sea enjoyed the most delicious homemade clam sickness. Some of us carried preventive chowder and fresh fried halibut from a street medicine but none used on board. The 16- shop in downtown Ketchikan. deck cruise ship was huge with state rooms for boarding of passengers, swimming pools, hot We were thrilled by the splendor and scenic tubs, theaters, spa and workout facility, beauty of Tracy Arm Sanctuary with restaurants, simulated golf course, open air mountains rising straight up from the ocean, theater, casino, ping pong table, etc. There waterfalls, and glacier on board while the ship was something to do for everyone all cruised to Juneau from Ketchikan. throughout the day from a coach potato to an active outdoor person. The total population of the ship was about 4,000 people (with 2800 passengers and 1100 crew for a ratio of 1 crew per 2.5 passengers) which was much more than some of the places we visited such as Skagway with a population of around 800.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 46 Chowrongee 2009

At Juneau, we had the most wonderful The last stop of our journey was in Victoria. experience of a helicopter ride and landing on Victoria excursion was another exclusive the famous Mendenhall glacier, a part of Utsav tour. We traveled together to Juneau’s Icefield, at an elevation of 1500 feet. enchanting Butchart Gardens and charming We landed at around 7 pm and stayed there for Victoria downtown. At Butchart Gardens, we about half an hour. The temperature was moved at a brisk pace to cover Rose Garden, around 40°F. The majestic blue color of Italian Garden, cascading Sturgeon Fountain, crevasses of glacier is beyond imagination. Sunken Garden, and the magnificent Ross Before the helicopter ride, we roamed around Fountain in this so-much-to-see world- beautiful downtown Juneau, the largest city renowned horticultural attraction. and the Capital of Alaska with a population of about 30,000.

Our next field excursion was in Skagway, a gateway to the gold fields for the thousands who flocked to Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada with the hope of striking rich over 100 years ago. At Skagway, we organized an exclusive Utsav tour with a 14- passenger van and a 7-passenger van with tour guides to experience the dramatic scenic landscape with mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and lakes on about a 150-mile one-way road trip. The scenic long ride along the side of Tutshi Lake and gorgeous Emerald Lake will remain in our hard-drive memory.

Barin Kumar is a 24-year resident of Sacramento. He is an electrical and nuclear engineer, who worked for Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) at Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station and SMUD Power Distribution for many years. These days, he serves as a consultant. He can be reached at [email protected].

−Q±l‰£ 2009 47 Chowrongee 2009

Movie: The Perfect Woman

An Interview with Marvel and Subhra Gima – by Shashwati Roy

The movie – The Perfect Woman – has been conceptualized, directed, and produced by our very own Marvel Gima and Subhra Gima (affectionately known as Marvelda/Subhradi by many of us.)

- This movie has been screened at the “CCIFF” (Cinema City International Film Festival) held at Los Angeles on September 10, 11, and 12, 2009.

- Recently, this film has also received the prestigious John Muir Gold Reward which will be presented at the Yosemite Film Festival on October 24, 2009.

- One more feather in the cap… The film is selected for screening at the famous Southern Appalachian International Film Festival being held at Tennessee in October 2009. Way to go!

Here, I share with the readers of Chowrongee my interaction with Marvelda and Subhradi about their film and more!! What prompted them to embark on this venture – money? fame? intellectual hunger? What next? … Let’s listen from the duo.

Q: Marvelda/Subhradi – Question for both of filming the movie. Today, his dream has you from many of us: What prompted you to become reality. embark in Movie Production? Q: Marvelda: Did any particular incident in Marvelda - When I was a teenager, I did plays, your life be a deciding factor for the story of dramas, etc. and participated in various drama the movie? competitions. During these, when I started directing plays, I realized that I did better in No, not really. Nothing to do with personal direction than acting. In a particular instance, life. The story stands on its own. I directed a play which participated in inter- college competition involving 22 colleges. I Q: Marvelda/Subhradi: There are many facets directed this play in Marathi, which was also of “Movie Production”. How did you know converted in Gujarati. I got the first prize in what is important and what all are the direction. This motivated me. As time passed different aspects? What would be the source by, I took initiative in direction and got of all information? involved in big drama, met actors and actresses, and since that time, the seed was Marvelda - It took me one year to make the sown in my heart. When I came into USA, I movie. I read dozens of books on how to had the script in my mind. make a movie. There are many subcategories of movie production but the main components Subhradi - My husband is a very creative consist of: actors, director, story, camera- person, and he has always done creative crews, director of photography, costume, and activities such as singing and writing songs. sound. I wanted to study all the key aspects of He had the movie in his mind… so when he making a movie so that I could understand and recorded the songs in India, he thought of relate them.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 48 Chowrongee 2009

Subhradi – I read the books and discussed all Director of Photography, Justin from China, the parts; and then we decided that there etc. would be two key people: Marvel will be the director and I will be the producer. I took care Q: Subhradi: Heroine for any movie is of the payments, location crews, licenses and probably the most sought-after role and needs permits, while Marvel took care of the to form an immediate first time impression on technical aspects. I did the scheduling with the audience. What helped you identify your the assistant director. Besides reading books, heroine for the movie? Marvel took many courses. It was overall a great learning experience. We were looking for the right kind of heroine. We did a casting call in Bay Area, San Q: Subhradi – There are endless challenges Francisco, Sacramento, New York, etc., held for a movie production. Would you like to auditions… and then one day in Pasadena, we name any specific situation or incident which came across Sharleen (our heroine) and dropped out of nowhere? Ahmad (our hero). They seemed made for each other. We recollect one incident in particular… it was the firts day of shooting. The whole team Q: Marvelda/Subhradi – Any particular was very enthusiastic and motivated. Then, incident which you will cherish for the rest of when we started to shoot, in Folsom Parks and your lives? Recreation, there was a person who was assigned to monitor the shoot and then she Marvelda – I have fond memory of coming started taking pictures. The lead actor back to the scene when Sharleen started objected to her taking pictures. The shoot got crying. It was a very touchy scene. Six-seven stalled for some time… and the whole members of the technical crew also started situation was totally unexpected!! It took crying. some time to get everyone back in the mood. Subhradi – I fondly remember getting up in Q: Marvelda: How did you pick your the morning, having pots of coffee, making technical crew? How did you know that they breakfast for crew, everyday getting over, and would do a good job? looking forward to the next day. We had 21 days of continuous shooting. I miss those By talking to all of them personally. days. Getting lunch together, I was like a Sometimes, I would meet them for 2-4 days mother hen and these were young kids whom I and talk about the movie, their interests, their used to feed and pamper. It was like a big attitudes, etc., and I felt comfortable about family. their capabilities. I found them to be very passionate. We had advertised in Craigslist Q: Marvelda/Subhradi – Congratulations for and conducted casting calls. Lot of people the movie being screened at the LA Festival. applied and we went through the detailed What next? screening process. Most of the people were film-school graduates and enthusiastic. I As of now, we have been submitting the wanted to specifically assemble a team which movie to various festivals. Our hope is that would be multi-cultural with diverse there will be more screenings and it will be background such as Vlady from Russia, picked up for distribution. Film Festival has investors, buyers, etc. who will look at the

−Q±l‰£ 2009 49 Chowrongee 2009

product, and since the movie covers the topic Our SM Production’s tag line is – Films that about a woman, we particularly want it to make a difference. We want to make a reach the different parts of the world and difference and we have a message. In this make women aware of different choices and process, whatever money we make we will options. We want to share the message with accept. The movie carries messages for both the rest of the world. men and women.

Q: Marvelda – Did you have a target Q: Marvelda: Finally the regular question – audience in your mind for this production? If Will you be producing more movies? yes, why? Depends on how we do with The Perfect The only target audience is more or less an Woman. We want to see positive result for adult audience. There are some explicit the movie!!!!! scenes which are not appropriate for children under 18. Marvelda/Subhradi – Thank you so much for the interview!! Q: Marvelda/Subhradi – I have a strange question – What do you expect from this release? Is there a specific desire?

www.theperfectwomanmovie.com

−Q±l‰£ 2009 50 Chowrongee 2009

Utsav Membership Roster (2009-10)

Platinum Sponsors (2009-10) (contribution: $1200 and above) Choudri, Adi and Mitra

Gold Sponsors (2009-10) (contribution: $600 and above) Mukherjee, Biswanath and Supriya Nayak, Sanjib and Soma

Silver Sponsors (2009-10) (contribution: $300 and above) Adoni, Anand and Subhra (Chakraborty) Chatterjee, Satya and Pat Ghosh, Somnath and Sarbani Gima, Marvel and Subhra Joshi, Ajay and Nupur Kriplani, Pramila and Indru Mukherjee, Arun and Sharmila Nandi, Somen and Rashmi Roy, Manas and Shashwati Sarkar, Sanjib and Hem

General Members * Denotes membership renewed for 2009-10 at press time. Our apologies if the information has any inaccuracies; Please drop us an email at [email protected] with corrections.

*Acharya, Tapash *Adoni, Anand, Subhra (Chakraborty), Anish, and Aisha *Bagchi, Shyamal and Ossing *Bandyopadhyay, Barun, Sunanda, Sneha, and Hiya *Banerjee, Amit and Snigdha (Ghosh) Basu, Samrat and Madhurima Basu/Roy/Ghosh Family: Shantanu, Rina, Rupa, Kunal, Dhiya, Shobhik, and Rudrani *Basuroy, Nirupam, Sudeshna, Shimika, and Nirvik *Bhattacharya, Anirban and Archita *Bhattacharya, Prodyot and Srilekha *Bhaumick, Ashish and Tapati *Bhaumick, Rana Burman, Prabir Chakrabarti, Indro, Valleri, Mira, Anna, and Devin *Chakraborty, Prodosh, Mita, Joey, and Robby Chakraborty, Soumya, Priosmita Bhattacharya, Shohom, and Shohini Chakraborty, Sushanto, Sharmita, and Sambodhi Chakroborty, Shyama and Paris Powell

−Q±l‰£ 2009 51 Chowrongee 2009

*Chanda, Udayan, Seema, Neel, and Natasha *Chattaraj, Shyamal, Mousumi, Arka, and Ishan *Chatterjee, Satya, Pat, and Arun Chattopadhyay, Pranab and Jayashree *Choudri, Adi, Mitra, Neil, and Natasha Chowdhury, Arun, Rupa, Ayananta, and Aditya *Chowdhury, Pulak and Sanchita (Dey) *Chowdhury, Raj Chowdhury, Shyamal, Bipasha, Sudip, and Anindya *Das, Kaushik, Santana, and Debanshu Das, Debashish Dasgupta, Gautam, Swagata, and Shrayas Dash, Lakshmikanta, Sonali (Bandhyopadhyay), and Archit *Datta, Subrata, Alodipa, and Sayak De, Shounak and Debarupa *Dey, Saumen, Manjula, and Siddhartha *Dey, Suddha and Nandita (Roy Chowdhury) Duttagupta, Rakesh, Sudakshina, Rashi, and Neel *Ghosh, Somnath and Sarbani Ghosh, Sumanta, Paramita, Sumita, and Shayan *Ghoshal, Surajit, Tuhina, Tuli, and Tithi *Gima, Marvel and Subhra Guha, Kaushik, Anuradha, Riana, and Nyssa Gupta, Suvodeep *Joshi, Ajay, Nupur, Neha, and Veeraj Kar, Mukta Karmakar, Amit, Carol, Deven, and Asha Khan, Abdul Quyyum, Jasmin, Sami, and Nafi Khatua, Tara and Krishna *Kriplani, Pramila and Indru *Kumar, Barin and Anima *Mondol, Uttam Mohammad Billah (Rana), Baby, Farah, and Farhan *Mukherjee, Arun, Sharmila, Ballari, and Kajori *Mukherjee, Biswanath, Supriya, Bipasha, and Suchitra Mukherjee, Joy, Subhra, Rinita, and Ronit Mazumdar, Tapas, Saptarshi, and Souradeep *Nag, Avishek Nag, Sanjib and Gurmeet Najmus, Saquib, Lubna, Samhita, and Samara *Nandi, Somen, Rashmi, Sunoy, and Sharod *Nayak, Sanjib, Soma, Ena, and Ashna *Pal, Titon Chandra Paul, Debashis Paul, Raja, Satarupa, and Arshia Paul, Shomeek, Mala, and Evani

−Q±l‰£ 2009 52 Chowrongee 2009

Paul, Subrata and Soma *Paul, Sumanta and Moushumi (Dey) Poddar, Biswajit and Moumita (Das) Ray, Joydeep, Dipanjali (Banerjee), and Siddhartha Raychaudhuri, Subhadip and Somkanya (Das) *Roy, Manas, Shashwati, and Mohana *Roy, Rajesh Roy, Soumen and Debrani (Mitra) Saha, Deb, Nina (Shetty), Rohan, and Ishaan *Saha, Rajat *Saha, Subir and Seema (Chowdhury) *Sarkar, Sanjib, Hem, Arunava, and Sonia *Sarkar, Subir, Lily, Sahana, and Sharon Sarkar, Sudeep, Suman, Aditya, Sandeep, and Simmy Sengupta, Tapas and Sharmishtha Sharma, Kingshuk, Ashrukana, Khounish, and Ishaan

* Denotes membership renewed for 2009-10 at press time. Our apologies if the information has any inaccuracies; please drop us an email at [email protected] with corrections.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 53 Chowrongee 2009

With Best CompliComplimentsments From

Mindteck

Formerly Infotech Consulting

−Q±l‰£ 2009 54 Chowrongee 2009

−Q±l‰£ 2009 55 Chowrongee 2009

Utsav Members may wish to check out the activities of The Vedanta Society of Sacramento

SSSwami Prapannananda Utsav Members may wish to check out the activities of Minister and Teacher Ramakrishna Order, India

1337 Mission Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608 Phone: (916) 489-5137 E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.vedantasacto.org

The Society was started in 1949 and made a branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belurmath, India in 1952

Activities include:

• In the temple, daily worship at 8:30 am and group meditation at 6 am and 7:30 pm. • Sunday Services: Worship at 9:30 am and a lecture on religious topic at 11:00 am. Vesper (Arati) at 6:00 pm with devotional songs. • Wednesday Classes: at 7:30 pm on Vedanta scriptures. • Saturday Classes: at 7:30 pm on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. • Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda and also Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Janmastami, Shivaratri, and few other festivals. • Bookshop: Which sells religious books, children's books, religious articles, incense sticks, etc. • Santodyana (Garden of Saints): A serene 4-acre retreat with Krishna and Lotus ponds having statues of Sri Krishna, Shiva, Moses, Shankaracharya, Sri Chaitanya, St.Francis of Assisi Guru Nanak and Our Lady of Guadalupe for peace and tranquility.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 56 Chowrongee 2009

Brief History of Utsav

In July 2002, Utsav was officially formed. tsav is a nonprofit, cultural “U Adi Choudri, Deb Saha, Udayan Chanda, organization involved in promoting Bengali Arijit Chattopadhyay, and Joy Mukherjee – culture in Sacramento valley. Utsav was with smiles, happiness, and glitters in their founded in 2002, with one goal: creating a eyes – signed the official paperwork. We positive and enjoyable experience of celebrated our first Durga Puja in October friendship, happiness, and harmony via our 2002. The participation of member families Bengali heritage. Although Utsav is was outstanding and the joy was boundless. predominantly a Bengali organization so far, As days have passed, the Utsav tree has we want to reach other communities as well. expanded and the bondage among families Therefore, membership in Utsav is not limited grew deeper. to any particular race, religion or ethnic The First Six Years: Days passed. The origin”. baton of responsibility transferred to other able hands from the hands of those who The Journey started the organization. But, the founders and The Beginning: It was a fine afternoon of senior members continued to remain very Saraswasti Puja of 2002. A few new Bengali active in different roles. arrivals in Sacramento were standing in front Utsav membership includes 80-90 families, of 1317 Montridge Ct., El Dorado Hills, CA, from which eight members are elected every reminiscing over the Puja celebrations in their year to serve as officers for a year. In the first homeland in India. The participants in that seven years, many of our members have gathering - Deb Saha, Udayan Chanda (UC), served our organization with the leadership of Arun Chowdhury, Samrat Basu, Anirban our following Presidents: Bhattacharya, Suvayu Bose, and Joy • 2003: Arijit Chattopadhyay Mukherjee - all felt the need to host their own • 2004: Udayan Chanda Durga Puja in Sacramento and the idea of an • 2005: Mitra Choudri organization was thus born. In an hour, they • came up with the name, Utsav, first proposed 2006: Biswanath Mukherjee • by Suvayu Bose. Later Mala Paul designed 2007: Dipankar Chattopadhyay • the Utsav logo. 2008: Udayan Chanda/Deb Saha Few weeks after that momentous gathering • 2009: Adi Choudri of minds, several Sacramento Bengali old timers were contacted with the help of Mita Our Activities: Chakraborty. Everyone who we spoke to got We organize three major annual events: (1) excited to have our own Durga Puja and to Durga Puja; (2) Saraswati Puja; (3) have our own organization. Through this Clubhouse; and (4) Picnic + Annual General process of joyous interactions between the Meeting (AGM). All our events enjoy strong new arrivals and the old timers of Sacramento, participation from our children. Our next Utsav found few strong pillars in the names of generation – for whom the exposure to Adi and Mitra Choudri, Somen Nandi, Bengali culture is invaluable – is very active Biswanath Mukherjee, and others, who had an in our cultural programs, literary activities, immediate impact to make Utsav a grand and puja activities. It is gratifying to note that success. many of our young members, even after going

−Q±l‰£ 2009 57 Chowrongee 2009

to college, still come back for our Pujas and female cast under the direction of look forward to attending them. Sharmila Mukherjee Our other activities include the following: o Mamago (by Sukumar Roy) o Makuda Chole Gelen (by Gautam • Cultural Program productions, as parts of Roy) Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Anandamela, o Bifole Mulyo Ferot (by Samir India Day, California State Fair, etc. Dasgupta), also performed at 23 rd • Our Past Durga Puja External Artists Annual North American Bengali include the following famous Conference (NABC) (Bongo performers: Sammelan), Long Beach, CA, July o Mala Ganguly 2003 o Lopamudra Mitra o Hum Do Hamara Do (by Amol Roy) o Antara Chowdhury o Public Servant (by Gautam Roy), also o Bhoomi performed at Bay Area Natyamela, o Rezwana Chowdhury Banya May 2005 o Somdatta Basu o Jampati (Sruti Natak) (by Sanjib o Utpalendu Chowdhury Chattopadyay) o Nachiketa o Babuder Dalkukure (by Manoj o Sougata Ganguli (Sarod) Mitra), also performed at Bay Area o Jojo Natyamela, June 2006 o Anup Ghoshal o Apaharan (Sruti Natak) (by o Raghav Chatterjee Baidyanath Mukhopadhyay), o Suchismita Das performed at Bay Area Natyamela, June 2007 • Bangla School : Currently meeting on the second and fourth Sundays of • Our participation in 23 rd Annual North every month, thanks to our Past and American Bengali Conference (NABC) Present Principals: Arijit (Bongo Sammelan), Long Beach, CA, July Chattopadhyay, Arun Sen, and 2003: with a Children’s Dance Program Shyamal Chowdhury. In addition to (Production: Mala Paul) and Drama Bifole teaching Bangla to our kids and family Mulyo Ferot (please see above). members, we also teach song, dance, • Our participation in 29 rh Annual North poetry recitation, and painting. American Bengali Conference (NABC) • High-quality production of our Annual (Bongo Sammelan), San Jose, CA, July Magazine, Chowrongee (please visit 2009: Dance Program (Production: our website for archives), thanks to our Shashwati Roy and Mala Paul) and Drama Past and Present Editors: Dilip Hoitey Sabdhan directed by Joydeep Ray. Roychowdhury, Arun Das, and • Trancefusion (November 2005; Producer: Rashmi Nandi. Mala Paul; Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ernie • Drama Productions , under the Bodai): A Fundraising Event through Direction of Somen Nandi, such as: which we donated $5,000 to the Cancer o Obak Jolpan (by Sukumar Roy), also Foundation of India. performed at Durgotsav’07 by an all-

Information for this write up is gathered from the past eight years with the objective to help new and future members who are expected to take forward and improve the Utsav legacy.

−Q±l‰£ 2009 58 Chowrongee 2009

UTSAV

Thanks All Its Volunteers Who Have Tirelessly ContContributedributed To The Success Of All Its Events In 2002009999

−Q±l‰£ 2009 59 Chowrongee 2009

ph¡Cph¡C−L−L−L−L S¡e¡C öi ¢hSu¡l fË£¢a J ö−iµR¡

−Q±l‰£ 2009 60 Chowrongee 2009