Arise, Awake, and Stop not till the Goal is Reached #HOKKOLOROB

source- Swami Vivekananda FB page

It has been a really long time I posted anything here on the blog, something that I was extremely passionate about. I've been extremely busy working day in and out for my Bachelors in Education course, so didn't get the time to blog. But, recently a great number of shocking events happened in my city (or for that matter the entire nation) which made me pull my socks and I decided I just had to write something abut it. I don't know what difference it makes but I needed the few readers I have to know what is happening and come out and join us in the protest if they believe in the cause. 

 Here is what happened -

A bunch of hostel students from the prestigious Jadavpur University in Kolkata dragged a girl to the hostel premises and assaulted and molested her on the grounds of indulging in indecent behavior. Her male friend was not spared either and was beaten up too. This happened somewhere around the end of August.

No action was taken when the girl reported the matter to the Vice Chancellor of the university or for that matter when she could identify one of the criminals and registered an FIR at a nearby Police station.

The students of the university decided that they had to do something to make the authorities recognize the wrong done and bring justice to the girl. The students had 'gherao-ed' (surrounded) the faculty building and were sitting outside with slogans and peacefully protesting. The VC, instead of doing what is right, was supposedly so scared for his life that he decided to call the police in the middle of the night, who blindly brutally lathi (batons) charged the innocent and unarmed students and molested, groped and assaulted the female protestors. 

Result - Some 40 students were put into jail, some 25 are admitted in the hospitals (with one of them in coma) and innumerable others suffered grave injuries with broken ribs and bones. (The numbers vary from source to source)

 Here is picture from TOI which gives the timeline of what happened on 16-17th of September 2014-

Source- www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

This picture from NDTV clearly depicts the truth-

Source- www.ndtv.com

 In protest to this heinous act, more than 1,00,000 people came out into the streets in Kolkata, braving the torrential rain, leaving behind every other important work to voice their concern and disgust in the form of a peaceful rally and to meet the Governor.

 

Source- www.youthkiawaaz.com

The entire incident got National and International coverage. See it here, here and here . Our protest demands justice for the girl and for those innocent students who were beaten into pulp.

Source - Hokkolorob FB page

It is disgusting how irresponsible, monstrous and inhuman our so-called teachers have become. As a would-be teacher I'm ashamed and disgusted. It is appalling how educational institutions which are supposed to provide quality education to the young generation and provide a peaceful and safe haven to them for the same have turned itno battle fields where students are assaulted, molested and cruelly beaten up by those who hold power. Here are a few reactions from people I know which will give you two different perspectives of the issue.

" I have been a student of Jadavpur University for the last five years, and to me it has always been a home away from home. My safety and my dignity having always been assured in this campus, I realized on 28^th August,2014 and 19^th September, 2014 that there are times when one’s home can also be intruded into. Standing beside my classmates, my friends, my juniors and my college mates who got beaten up by the same organizations that have promised us respect and safety for civilians, women and students, I understand that in Bengal and in India, all these promises are always smothered by these same people. A girl has been molested, in her own university, and yet the first questions raised are against her dignity, her integrity. Some even come to think of the entire situation being something she deserved. In such a land, there can never be any form of justice. We, as the students of Jadavpur University have always come across people, who being insecure of themselves, will always speak rot about the students. But when my friends were beaten up, my juniors were groped, and my classmates were physically thrown off, I sincerely doubt these people who call themselves ‘People’.

It is not a call to arms, neither is it a signal for chaos, all this movement is about is that one girl who deserves justice be allowed that space wherein she can claim her demand. I, as a student had kept faith in our Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Abhijeet Chakraborthy regarding the situation, and I along with all of my fellow students have been brutally let down. All this movement is about is to remove that person who had promised us our safety, because we have realized that unless there is no assurance of protection in our very own university, we cannot trust our ‘elders’ with ourselves. We have always sung our songs in the face of blows, and we continue to do that. "

~ Riti from Jadavpur University

"Welcome to the Fascist West Bengal where the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression is curbed. So you are EDUCATED? a FREE-THINKER? an INTELLECTUAL? Can express an UNDAUNTED FRAME OF MIND SANS any BIAS? Don't worry, you'll be labelled either a MAOIST or a NAXALITE. Or how about being rendered the exclusive treatment of brutalization, molestation and then imprisonment?

The students of Jadavpur University protested against the molestation of a girl at the institution. The output? They get brutalized mercilessly and are dragged behind the bars. AN ISSUE AS SIMPLE and NOBLE as this. Where on earth are the topics of alcohol consumption and weed emerging on the scenario? And the procession of the COUNTER "protest" today led by the ruling power... What was it for? MORALITY is DEAD for THESE PEOPLE and so are their humanitarian attributes.

Thanks goodness, T.S. Eliot that you're dead...because after witnessing this even you would have fallen short of words!

WE ARE STUDENTS.
WE ARE THE COMMONERS.
WE CAN'T BE FOOLED."

~Shreya from Calcutta University

It is Mohaloya today, Maa Durga has left her heavenly abode and come over to visit us earthlings. The ten days following are a celebration of the struggle and the victory of the good, the righteous and the brave over what is wrong, corrupt and evil. There is no better time to stand up and raise your voice against the wrong you see around you. No voice is small. Shout out loud and make it heard.

Source- Hokkolorob FB page

 Join the movement here - The Hokkolorob Facebook page

Sign here - Change.org petition

 #HOKKOLOROB

Read Aniesha's take on the issue here.

Shubho Mohaloya , everyone !!

Post Puja

 Its just 4 days past Durga Puja & my wait for the next puja begins.... Well one good part is Diwali is yet to come... :D

So as I had promised that I would come back with some puja snaps...
 The puja in Kolkata is celebrated with diffrent themes varying from real places like Kashmir and Sanchi to imaginary lands like Hogwarts oand the Garden of Eden,Unique styles of Decorating ranging from Jute,Used bottles,CDs,Bamboo,small mirrors,cane baskets etc etc. The idol of the Goddess in these pandals (tents where the idols are worshiped during the Puja) often are modeled according to their respective themes. Take a look how the Goddess looked at different pandals-

Now lets have a look how the pandals looked like from outside-

                                                A trip to the beautiful valleys of Kashmir.

                                                                    Lets go to Space :D

                                        This pandal was made and decorated with colored bamboos.

                          This was based on France's Louvre Museum,you can see the glass pyramid in front.

         The highest Durga pratima (idol) this year in Kolkata, this one measured a huge 14.5 mtrs!!

                              Pandal modeled on the Buddhist Stupa of  Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

 This pandal was modeled based on a temple in Bishnupur (a place in Bengal,the puja there is as old as  1013 yrs!!)

                                           This one was made out of flutes and hand cymbals !!

                          Used circuit items and motherboards were used to make these robots!!

 This artificial tree at a pandal was modeled out of synthetic ropes for the trunk and slightly inflated surgical gloves painted green and yellow for the leaves.

                                      This was made entirely from whiskey,wine and beer bottles.

                                                                       Entrance to Eden

                                                                 The Garden Of Eden

                                                Land of Fairies & Butterflies for the tiny tots

                                                This one was made entirely from tiny bits of mirrors.

This one was based on Kashmir(a state in India)

The puja is not just about pandal hopping,its also about new clothes,pre puja shopping and wonderful food...

That is all for now...bubbye till next ....have a great day ahead :)

& Subho Bijoya to all  :D

Le bonheur éternel

For those who don't understand French (doesn't mean am an expert at it!! But I do understand a bit :P) the title means Eternal Happiness...
After a year long wait here it comes again!! Yay!! Wondering whats the source of my joy?? Well its Durga puja (or "pujo" as in Bengali, which happens to be my mother tongue) here and its a time for religious frenzy and eternal ecstasy for Hindus!! Well,am not a religious person i.e. I am spiritual but I don't believe in idol worship or religion. Despite the fact,the joy and reverberating enthusiasm that envelops the entire Bengal during this time won't let even atheists to escape, you can't help enjoying and being a part of the entire celebration!!


A li'l intro about it all- Durga Puja or Navaratri is the biggest celebration for all Hindus around the world,the celebration of Goddess Durga's (the ten armed Supreme Hindu Deity) victory over the demons in a battle for 9 days during which she takes different "roops" or forms to destroy evil. On the final day,she kills the king of the demons Mahishasura and establishes Good's victory over evil. It is believed that Maa Durga (or Mother Durga as we call her) comes to Earth,which is her parent's house from her heavenly abode for a visit for 9 days,returning on the 10th day, with her four children Kartik,Ganesh,Saraswati and Lakshmi (who also happen to be Hindu dieties). We mortals welcome her and celebrate her visit.


Now lets begin with the Devi Sutra-

" Ya devi sarvabhuteshu, Shaktirupenasamsthita,
Namastastyai Namastastyai Namastastyai namo namaha "

I'll now detail how it is celebrated here in Bengal (the celebration is a bit different in different parts of the country). The arrival of Maa Durga is called "Mahalaya" ( the first day after the new moon) which commences the puja,but the actual or major celebrations don't begin before day 5 or day 6 in most places.  I'll start with Day 6 or Mahashashti (Shashti being number 6 in Bengali or Hindi)

Day 6 or Maha Shashti-

This is a very important day when ritual preparations are made to begin the Durga Puja proper. These preparations are mainly three:Kalparambha, Bodhan, Adhivas and Amantran.

Kalparambha : This ritual is done early in the morning.  It is mainly an act of making thesamkalpa or ''sacramental intention'', the firm determination to conduct the Puja properly during the three days.  The ritual consists of installing the ghata, water-filled copper pot, at a corner of Durga mandap and offering worship to Durga and Chandi.

Bodhan: This rite is performed at the Sandhya or dusk. The word ‘Bodhan' literally means ‘awakening'. The Hindu mythology holds that all gods and goddesses go to sleep for six months during the southward journey of the Sun.  Autumn (Sharat), during which Durga Puja is done, falls in the middle of this period.  Hence it is necessary to first of all awaken the deity Durga. The awakening of Durga was first done by Sri Ramachandra who wanted to propitiate the Goddess before fighting Ravana (as in the Hindu epic Ramayana).

The ritual of Bodhan consists in installing a water-filled copper vessel at the base of the Bel (Bilva) tree and praying to the Divine Mother to awaken.

Adhivas and Amantran : These rites follow Bodhan. Adhivas means ''invocation''. Through Bodhan the Devi has awakened: now the awakened Devi has to be invoked in the Bel tree or branch of the tree.  Adhivas is also a ritual of sanctification.  The actual ritual consists of the following main steps.

1. Devi Durga and the Bel tree are first worshipped
2. Twenty-six sacramental things (mangalik dravya) are sanctified by touching Devi Durga and the Bel tree with them.
3. To ward off evil effects, a red coloured thread is tied around the altar where Puja is done.

The above ritual is followed by Amantran which literally means ''invitation''.  Through this rite the Devi is invited or entreated to accept the Puja the next day (Saptami). 

After this, Devi is worshipped with five items and Arati is done to Her.

Day 7 or Maha Saptami -

 A living medium is necessary to invoke the indwelling  of a deity.  It is through a living medium that Divinity manifests itself. On the sixth day Divinity was invoked in the Bel tree or a branch of it. On the seventh day the Deity is invoked in a group of nine plants known as Navapatrika. The nine plants, which include a branch of Bel tree also, are bundled together, given a ceremonial bath, covered with an orange coloured cloth and installed on a wooden seat on the right side of the image of Durga.  This is followed by Mahasnan (great bath) on a mirror, using various materials.  After this, consecration and divinization of the image, known as pranapratishtha, takes place.  This is followed by elaborate worship of the Devi with sixteen items (shodashopacharapuja).  The other deities, attendants and other objects associated with Devi are then worshipped.  The Seventh Day's Puja is concluded with bhog (food offering) and Arati to Devi. 

Day 8 or Maha Ashtami-

As on Saptami, on Ashtami also, Mahasnan and Shodashopacharapuja are done.  In addition, nine small pots with flags of different colours attached are installed and the Nine Shaktis are invoked in them and worshipped.  After this sixty-four yoginis are worshipped.  Then one crore yoginis are worshipped.  This is followed by worship of Nava Durga (nine aspects of Durga) and Goddesses Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalani, Durga, Shiva, Kshama, Dhatri, Svaha and Svadha.  Ashtami Puja is concluded with Bhog and Arati.

Kumari Puja :  Worship of a young girl, treating her as Devi, is also a part of Ashtami Puja.  Sri Ramakrishna has said that the Divine Mother manifests herself more in a pure-hearted girl and that is why Kumari Puja is done. He used to bow down before little girls looking upon them as manifestations of the Divine Mother. The same kinds of offerings made to the Devi are given to the Kumari also, and finally Arati is performed. Even senior monks offer flowers at her feet.

Sandhi Puja :  The last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami (a total of 48 minutes between the two lunar days) constitute the Sandhi or ''Sacred Juncture''.  It is considered to be a most auspicious time.  At this time Durga is worshipped as Chamunda (that is, Kali who killed the demon Chanda and Munda).  This Puja is considered to be the highest point in the whole Durga Puja and the most important ritual.

It is customary to perform bali or animal sacrifice at this sacred juncture. This ritual is skipped at some places (as in Belur Math,India).


The Dhunuchi Naach (a dance by the devotees with ignited copra with incense in an earthen vase) is performed during this Arati .

 





The special food for this day are Luchi and Torkari (Luchi is deep fried bread and torkari means curry or a vegetable dish) in the morning and Khichuri (a mixed dish with rice,lentils and vegetables all stewed together) and bhaja (it literally means fried,in food it refers to fried veggies).


Day 9 or Maha Navami-
As in Ashtami, during Navami also Mahasnan andShodashopacharapuja are offered to Devi.  In addition,bali and Homa are performed.  The Homa (fire sacrifice) is a combination of Vedic and Tantric traditions.
Non Veg food is eaten on this day.

Day 10 or Maha Dashami-

In the morning a brief Puja, Shital bhog (cooling food offering) and Arati are first done.  Then the Pujari and Tantradharak circumambulate the altar and perform the visarjan ritual.  In this ritual the Devi, who had been invoked in the Navapatrika and consecrated Image, is entreated to return to Her celestial abode.  The Divine Mother, however, dwells for ever in the hearts of devotees.

In the evening the Image of Durga along with Navapatrika is taken in procession to the river bank and immersed in the river.  The water taken from the spot, known as Shanti Jal is sprinkled on the devotees who embrace one another as an expression of their solidarity as children of the same Divine Mother.  And thus the holy Durga Puja comes to an end leaving joyous memories in the souls of people.

Married women bid goodbye to the mother by playing Sindoor Khela (vermillion powder,which is a sacred symbol for all married Hindu women is used to color faces of each other and the goddess).

Well,thats all for now...Am going for some pandal hopping(pandals are huge decorated tents where the Images or idols of the Goddess are kept and worshiped,people go around hopping the city & watching all the pandal decorations & the idols,its great fun roaming with friends :D) . I'll come back with my Durga Pujo pics in my next post...Happy pujo to all!! Njoy :D