The Issue of Intolerance in India

      A strong wave of protests being raised recently against the ruling party in India for spreading hatred and intolerance among various communities in India. It is really highly deplorable in unequivocal voice. They have committed a sin against the citizen of India. Party president and Prime Minister should have immediate intervened and have taken strict actions against such members otherwise their own images are in danger. A little of its effect is visible in Bihar poll results. In nutshell such indiscipline in the party is damaging its image as well as of the whole country.

         However, we may contemplate history of India and try to find out the period of prevailing communal harmony in this country. If we leave apart the academic history books that we all studied in our schools we do not find any communal harmony in this country ever. Aryans, Dravidians, Guptas, Mauryas, Khiljis, Marathas, Mughals, British and even our own leaders divided us either communally or on linguistic basis, or even caste basis. All of them divided us in different religions for their own benefits. When regime changes the new rulers try to find out more areas for division and thus we were divided on caste basis, region basis and so on. None of the rulers have ever tried to establish any harmony among us. Hatred and intolerance was at such a measure that many rulers like Emperor Ashoka, Aurangzeb killed their own brothers to capture their throne.

         In modern history Shyama Prosad Mukherjee, Feroze Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and many more names surface as political victims of intolerance of the ruling parties. In Tamilnadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states political intolerance has risen to such levels that persons having affiliations with opposition parties feel it impossible or difficult to survive in other party's rule. We have experienced the height of intolerance and mud-slinging, character assassination at the time of election campaigns.

        The biggest example of communal intolerance is the formation of Pakistan by dividing the country on the altar of Prime Minister's post among two aristocrats who believed that only they were able to run this country. They lived a life of aristocracy at the cost of this country. Their followers kept on dividing the countrymen on the basis of communities, religions, castes, languages and tried to woo the faction that has consolidated majority of votes. Reservation Policy was earlier proposed by the constitution makers only for 10 years but rulers continue it perpetually as their voting tool. You can not speak in this regard or you will lose your life for such blasphemy.

       So, where is the solution? Will it continue for ever like this and a portion of the population will remain cheated? Will this country be run with various personal laws and various percentage of reservations in every walk of life? We need a revolution among the younger generations that could never ever took place in India. I suggest a few things to start with -

1. Drop your and your children's surname,

2. Write your religion and caste as 'Indian' only wherever 
    required,

3. Promote Inter-Caste, Inter-Community marriages, and
4. Have faith on God and not on Godmen or their Ashrams, 
    Temples etc. as God lives in humans not in temples.

         Let the new Sun arise with our new generation and let the Sun of old generation set.

Surreal Ghost Stories of My Childhood

                          Jhansi is a historic city, a very old one; having witnessed the massacre of thousands of sepoys in the famous war between Rani of Jhansi and British in 1857. I do not know whether this may be a reason but yes during our childhood we have heard a number of ghost stories of Jhansi town from our granny, uncles and aunts. Although I myself never witnessed any ghost but experienced many a times there in Jhansi. We have seen our Baba remaining absent on new moon nights, on a number of occasions to witness exorcist rituals in a neighboring village. He used to tell us in the morning about the happenings of previous night and we used to enjoy those. He used to tell us how some special souls were welcomed on some medium and how the medium used to behave like the dead persons as if he was alive.

                          Once Baba started a dairy farm under partnership near Pahuj Dam. He used to collect milk from various rural households and return back after the sun set with a wolf like pet canine to protect him from any dangers. Once he got late and the dark had spread all over when he was returning. He then took the shortcut route of railway lines to make haste. After some times the only company, that ferocious dog stopped, started groaning and after gazing here and there suddenly ran away as fast as it can. Baba was alone in that dark evening walking between the rails. But he soon realized that he was not alone and being followed by someone. On peeping to his back he saw a big wolf was following him copying his gait. When he stopped, it also stopped and when he started, it also started. After sometime it transformed into a buffalo. Baba got frightened and started his Brahmastra – Gayatri Mantra while walking in brisk speed and lastly reached his farm safely. Next day the villagers forbade him not to take that route as the demon ‘Bhainsasur’ had its abode there and they also said that he was lucky enough to survive that night. Baba never dared to disobey them for his own unknown fear.

                       Another one is still interesting. When I was in my matriculations I have taken tuitions for mathematics. There a boy used to come who most of the time remained asleep as if he remained awaken through out the night. Once the tutor called his parents and pressurized him to know the reason. What he revealed that day, remembering that causes some fluid flows through my backbone even today. They were actually outsiders and after coming to Jhansi had purchased a house near Daru Bhondela (the elders may remember) on the way to Gudri Bazar without having any knowledge that the house being a haunted one. Earlier many occupants faced ill fates. That boy in his dreams every night used to see an old man who used to tell him that he got his heir in him and asked him to dig the floor and took away his hidden fortune from there. That old man also used to take him on tours at nights to various places like Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad etc. and gave him sweets from the closed shops. Every night he used to travel a new city with that old man and used to see the sleeping city. His parents also confirmed the fact adding that at night he never awakes as his soul-less body remains on his bed. As far as I know very soon they left the house and left Jhansi too.

                          Next one is more interesting. It was the days when Sharma Bandhu started their Ram Katha in Jhansi. They used to perform in Ramleela Ground, Sadar Bazar. We used to go on foot in a large gathering to listen their luscious Bhajans. At night we again used to return together. One night Dinu Kaka (Late Dinabandhu Biswas) said that he had to go to his duty of Telephone Operator in the night shift and so he left us earlier. On our return when we reached the Chandmari place near Court in Sadar Bazar we saw Dinu Kaka stood on the road frightened holding his cycle. On enquiry he told us that one man was going in front of his cycle who suddenly fell down and his head parted from his body and started rolling down to the trench with loud laughters. From his condition we had to believe him that he might have encountered with a ‘Skandh-Kata’. We then took him with us but he was a bold man so after going a while he left for his office.

                          One more instance I want to share with my brother Habla (Sri Shibshankar Chatterjee) who had experienced when he was just out of his childhood and at the threshold of his youth. Once in a Bijoya Party at our home he was sent to Navbharat Restaurant in Sadar Bazar to bring some food stuff from there. He went on bicycle but was taking much and much time in his return. Some of the guests started even leaving. When he came back he was sweating profusely and was a little nervous. At that moment we didn’t ask him but when all the guests left he revealed a horrified incidence which he experienced that night. He went to the restaurant easily but on his return he took a little lonely route through Jhansi Club and Suraj Prasad Girls’ School. There are some ‘Mazars’ on that road. When he reached there, he experienced a rock on his pillion. It was so heavy that he was unable to paddle. He smelt the danger so he didn’t give up and carried on to paddle. The road had become lengthy and was not ending. When anyhow he reached Suraj Prasad Girls’ School he felt a relief and sped his bicycle in full speed. That’s why he was profusely sweating and horrified after reaching home.

                          Now is a story with your lovely Durga Bari Premises when I was at my early childhood. Some Kali kaka used to come from Mathura for our Pratima construction. He used to come intermittently for some days, stay in the adjoining room to the Dalan, take his food from a few neighboring houses and then return to come after again after a few days. It was the time when Latu dadu (Late Latu Lal Chatterjee) had expired. We all know that he is the man behind purchasing of land and earlier construction of the old premises of the present Durga Bari. On that evening Kali kaka returned from the burial ghat after burning of the mortal body of Latu dadu. After taking a bath and had his dinner he became busy in his job of completing the construction of idol. Suddenly he listened the voice of Latu dadu from his back asking him when his ‘domete’ will be complete. He turned to his back and replied him that it would be complete soon. Immediately he remembered that Latu jetha was dead and he himself witnessed that the burning of his body. He sprang to his feet and ran on his lungi straight to our house shouting ‘Chhokuda, Chhokuda, ….’. That night he slept in our house but from then on he never stayed in nights at Durga Bari. However, after many years in the year 1986 one decorator from Gwalior cutting the thermocol sheets at night had the same experience. He, too left Durga bari after seeing a face watching him all the time and never worked at nights.

                          In Durga Bari we experienced many a times, sudden switching on of lights on stage while gossiping at the gate on the way to our home after our games in the evening although we were quite sure of switching off of all those lights. Some of us were frightened having had some very bad experience there at nights. One may ask Habla (Shibshankar Chatterjee) and Bapu (Prabhat Tarafdar) about their experience of a sudden attack by some invisible spirit that was throwing them like ball in the Office room of Durga Bari at a midnight when they were sleeping there.

                          Our house, as many of you know is quite spacious and a big portion of it remains unutilized throughout the year. There we had experienced many times the existence of some spirit. My maternal uncle had himself seen such spirit who never harmed him. My grandpa was very bold and courageous. He never believed all these and used to laugh on others on this matter. But even he had to experience the wrath of them one night. When he grew very old and his mobility to distant urinal from his room became difficult in rainy nights he used to collect his urine in a pot and throw it away in our garden to wash it away in rains. One night on listening to his groans we all hustled to his room. He was sweating profusely and was a little nervous. After his ease he told us that he saw a child entered his room from the closed door. Then it became a long giant and suddenly sat on his chest threatening him not to throw his urine here and there. On our arrival it left his room laughing. My grandpa was frightened for a while but he became normal as before without any fear but he never threw his urine again. He used to laugh whenever remembered this story.

                          The incidence which I am going to write now was witnessed by me, Ma and my Masi. For the sake of saving the families from any embarrassment I will change the names of the characters. A young Bengali lady in her early thirties, Kumud used to teach my younger brothers while I was taught by a non-bengali man of approximately 40 odd years. One evening the iron door in the backside of our house sounded heavily as if closed by force. My grandpa told my mom that Kumud came but the children hadn’t come back from the playground. Ma assured him that she would wait meanwhile gossiping with her as it was twilight and they would return before it turned dark. But nobody entered our house. We all returned and after washing our hands and feet we sat to study. My tutor came from another gate and we sat on a verandah near garden. After some time we all listened a scream of Kumud aunty, “Whoever is there save me. He’ll kill me.” I sprang on my feet and turned back to the room. Afterwards came in the garden with Ma and a torch-light. We saw clear marks on the ground showing she was pulled over the earth by holding her arm. Her sandals were left near the iron-gate and her specks were broken lying on the path. That night her family was informed and after she was brought to her senses they taken her away. After a few days when she regained her health she came in the morning and narrated her story that some bad spirit was after her and used to thrash her in loneliness. She left the job and you won’t believe despite of all the exorcist exercises resorted by her family she died one day due to her falling health condition on repeated tortures from that spirit.

                          I do not want to enter into any controversial discussion relating to ghosts, spirits etc. I just shared some experiences with you. We Bengalis are very fond of ghost stories. Numerous books on Ghost Stories are available of very famous writers in the market. I don’t know how many of you have enjoyed ghost stories over a cup of tea and ‘telebhaja’ on a wintery night where added flavor is the load-shedding of electricity. We had fortunately one widow granny and one aunt (Itu Pisi) who had profound stock of such stories and very artistic way of telling such stories. I still remember those cold winter nights when we used to confine in our only cemented room with a coal oven with its fading warmth and enjoyed such ghost stories after our studies. However we had to take the help of popular songs aloud to go to our bathroom or other rooms.

                          Many argue that such stories may affect the tender juvenile minds and render them as frightful. But I think the old stories from ‘Thakumar Jhuli’, ‘Arabian Nights’ and many others which we listen from our grannies actually enhance our imagination power. One more thing, with listening of these stories children used to finish their food easily from their grannies. Had these stories not been there we would have missed the ‘Gupi Gain Bagha Bain’, ‘Khudito Pashan’, ’Harry Potter’ like stories today.

Bengalees Of Jhansi

“Bundele Harbolon ke muh hamne suni kahani thi –

Khub lari mardani woh to Jhansiwali rani thi… “

These lines from the poem ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ by Smt. Subhadra Kumari Chouhan made Jhansi and its queen Rani Laxmi Bai immortal among the Hindi speaking people throughout the world. Jhansi, the land of gallant soldiers has been an important place of Bundelkhand. It is said here that ‘Sau Lathi, ek Bundelkhandi’ meaning one Bundelkhandi is equal to a hundred bamboo sticks.

As compared to other three districts of Bundelkhand, the population of resident bengalees in Jhansi was always higher. Having taken employments in Railways and with other Government jobs, the Bengalees started living in Jhansi from its early days. One such Bengali from Nalkura village near Barasat, Babu Brajanath Chattopadhyay was employed as an Agent / Manager (Gumashta) of Commissariat and after touring various places in India he came to Jhansi at last much before the mutiny and made it his permanent abode. Bengalees like him were very much respected by the locals because of being learned and courteous in nature. They were considered as the ideals for the locals. Their competency and verdicts on small petty conflicts of local residents was so much honored that on petty domestic litigations they used to prefer the arbitration of such famous Bengalis instead of taking the route of justice in courts. After him his successors moved back to Bengal.

Another such famous and earlier Bengalee resident was the District Engineer Babu Jodunath Choudhury. He was fond of the sons of his own land, very generous and a philomath. He built many philanthropic institutions like Morar Anglo Vernacular School of Gwalior, Gazipur Highschool, new premises of McDonald High School of Jhansi and an Orphanage. During his life he managed the orphanage with the alms from general public but after him his deeds were forgotten like the orphanage itself. His successors, too are no more in Jhansi now.

Another name needs special mention is of Babu Prosonno Chandra Chatterjee who came from Ariadaha near famous Dakshineswar temple of Calcutta. When mutiny broke out in India, Sir Hugh Rose was brought from London to took over the charge of a huge army in Indore. From there his force moved through Sihore, Bina, Sagar towards Jhansi to suppress the dreams of Rani Jhansi of freeing her land from British empire. After the fall of Jhansi, Babu Prosonno Chandra Chatterjee was working in  Jhansi Commissioner's Office. During a famine in Jhansi around 1896 he was made the Famine Commissioner. For his generous services in distributing charity to the sufferers from famine he was rewarded by the then Lt. Governor, Mr. A.P. McDonald on behalf of Queen Victoria, the Empress of India on 21st July, 1897. By then he was retired from his coveted service. He constructed a huge house here and lived permanently with his family. A few of his descendants still live in the same house while most of them have left Jhansi in search of their livelihood.

Babu Prosonno Chandra Chatterjee in consultation with other prominent Bengalees initiated with an idea of establishing an anglo-vernacular school in Jhansi. He invited Babu Bipin Behari Bandopadhyay from his native place in Bengal to took over as the Head Master of the newly build McDonald High School of Jhansi. Babu Bipin Behari Bandopadhyay was an eminent educationist and a famous scholar of his time. He was so regarded by the residents of Jhansi and any dispute or differences were brought to him instead of any court of law. Later the school was rechristened as Bipin Behari Intermediate College, Jhansi to honour its first Head Master. Then almost every Bengalee studied here. The sons of Babu Bipin Behari Bandopadhyay, Late Satish Chandra Bandopadhyay was a renowned lawyer in Jhansi Court. After them their descendents are still living in their residence.

There was another Bengalee resident, Babu Mahendranath Neogi who was the owner of 'Soor and Neogi Progressive Medical Hall' after the first owner Mr. Soor's return to Bengal. Mr. Neogi also earned a good name for his generosity. However, none of his family stayed in Jhansi after him.

In the year 1889 Dr. Roy Rajendranath Choudhury, the son of aforesaid Babu Jodunath Choudhury established a bengalee library and reading room named as 'Banga Sahitya Samaj'. It was first established inside Rani's palace but later shifted to Govt. School under the supervision of its Second Master Sri Girish Chandra Biswas. Under his able supervision and care of Sri Nagendranath Bandopadhyay, Sri Abinash Chandra Mitra and nearly 100 readers the library soon become the center of bengalee learning and discussion. But with the passage of time it was lost in the air. Another forum for discussion was also formed around 1902-03 in the name of 'Friends' Association'. Young bengalees used to visit and take part in discussions. But that also could not survive from the cruel clutches of time.

What is still surviving for the past 154 years is the glorious Durga Puja here. Started by the Bengalee Commuity in the house of Babu Prasanna Chandra Chatterjee in the year 1860 the biggest festival of Bengal, Durga Puja was performed there continuously for 96 years. The house of Babu Prasanna Chandra is still known as Kali Bari (locals knows the godess of Bengal only as Kali Mai) and the Road heading towards this house is named as Kali Bari Road. It is said the first Durga idol was constructed by local artisans 'Chitere'. and was witnessed by then Lt. Colonel. He was entertained by the 'Baiji Dance' whom he offered a Gold Coin called Asharfee. Later in the year 1936 a society in the name of Bandhav Samity was formed with the intentions to include other cultural activities like Library, Kirtan & Bhajan, propagation of Bangla language, Drama and Music etc. 

Later the need was felt to own a premises in the name of Bandhav Samity itself. Pursuing this benevolent mission Latu Lal Chatterjee gave up the prime time of his life in collecting donations and acquiring pieces of land for the Samity. He even used to convince his fellow passengers in trains and asking for their donations. On construction of the new premises first Saraswati Puja and then later Durga Puja and all other activities were shifted there. As the undaunted endeavor and labour of Latu Lal Chatterjee is unforgettable so is the large selfless financial contribution of Tulsi Charan Mukherjee for construction of this new building.Previously a lot of land had been purchased and some portions viz. Durga Dalan, Stage and a huge Gate was constructed but a large portion remained as old and in dilapidated state. Late Tulsi Charan Mukherjee once visited Jhansi and then Durga Bari in the year 1974 during a Durga Puja from UAE. He once lived his childhood in Jhansi and his memories brought him back to this place. He himself offered to construct a totally new building for Bandhav Samity. After him her widow Bani Mukherjee also continued the donations what his late husband assured of.

Among the old bengalees of Jhansi the name of Babu Hari Pada Mukherjee is also very prominent who was a renounced lawyer of that time and was one of the pillars of Bandhav Samity. Later his sons and brothers shifted to Bombay and made their presence in Bollywood as Directors, Producers and Actors. Sasadhar Mukherjee, Subodh Mukherjee, Probodh Mukherjee, Joy Mukherjee, Deb Mukherjee, Ram Mukherjee, Rani Mukherjee, Kajol Mukherjee are a few who are well known.

Some other old Bengalee families who contributed to the glorious past of the Bengalees were Sanyal brothers - N.K.Sanyal, S.K.Sanyal and M.N.Sanyal, who were famous advocates of Jhansi, Coudhurys' who were educationists, Biswas' - Indu Bhushan Biswas was a Govt. Contracter and a good painter, his younger brother Bibhuti Bhushan Biswas was the second Head Master in Mc Donald High School, Chakravertys' - Bibhuti Bhushan was an english teacher and many more.

Now, we are the flag bearers of this resident community in Jhansi striving hard to preserve and propagate this rich culture and literature. Apart from Durga Puja we celebrate Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, Rabindra Jayanti, Naba Barsha etc with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Optimism!!!!!

 The Stock Exchange being traded at its lowest - so it is investing time. I have left with adequate savings for my emergency. I have also adequately insured against all risks of my own life thus securing my family from disasters. Those who are in U.S. or Europe or marrying NRIs are also very happy because their earnings in US $ will fetch a good conversion in India. Those who are working with IT Industry are happy that there earnings in US $ giving them more Rupees.

So everywhere it is a mood of resurrection.

Let the poor and low income class go in the whirlwind of inflation and steep price rise. They do not deserve the right to live. They should only live in the ordinances and bills of Parliaments.

Pessimism?

Life becoming complex for everybody. Consumerism has touched great heights with perpetual innovations and modifications of consumer goods compelling and alluring consumers for advancement. Income graph always following the expenses graph but unable to touch it - the gap increasing day by day with burgeoning bank loans. Those who survive such state either switch to unfair means or passing the yoke to next generation with high expectations. But those who can not accept such state of affairs, are either ending their lives in a hospital leaving hefty bills for the family or by committing suicide. Governments proved to be callous over the plight of the general republic. Should we believe that this happens in development of the country. Who cares?