TERROR FACTORY BENGAL: Nabi Diwas vs Saraswati Puja: Fault lines in a Bengal school

AT AROUND 10 am on Tuesday, about 100 students of the Tehatta High School marched to National Highway-6 and blocked the road. Carrying a three-foot-tall idol of Goddess Saraswati, they protested against an order which has the school under lockdown for the last two months, preventing them from celebrating Saraswati Puja tomorrow.

The students, all from Classes VII-XII, were accompanied by residents of the area. The protesters threw stones, and the police retaliated with teargas and lathicharge. Two policemen sustained minor injuries.

“We have a right to celebrate Saraswati Puja in our own school. You assure us that we can perform the puja tomorrow. Only then will we leave,” Srinath Santra, 18, told a police official.

For months now, there has been unease in Tehatta and its surrounding villages in Kalishani gram panchayat, in Uluberia sub-division of Howrah district.

“The problem began in November last year. A group of Muslim students wanted to be allowed to celebrate Nabi Diwas, Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary, within the school campus. They wanted to set up a stage and hold a grand celebration. They were denied permission, but they kept causing trouble,” said Shantilata Bhuniya, a Sanskrit teacher at the school. Some students reportedly roughed up the headmaster, Utpal Mallik, who has since resigned.
According to residents, there is communal tension during Saraswati Puja every year in schools that are located in Muslim-dominated areas like Tehatta. This year, the tension spilled over.

“When I joined the school in 2002, the police camped here on Saraswati Puja to ensure that there was no trouble. But there hasn’t been that much trouble since then,’’ said Bhuniya. Of the 22 teachers at the school, three are Muslims.

“A students’ delegation approached us seeking permission to celebrate Nabi Diwas, but we said no. There is no provision to celebrate the occasion on the school grounds. We told them that if they got permission from the state administration, we would let them hold the event,’’ said Mohanlal Bhuniya, a member of the school’s governing board.

“But these boys entered the school and constructed a stage for Nabi Diwas. The police have been stationed here since November,’’ he said. He added that Saraswati Puja has been celebrated in all schools in the state for decades and does not require special permission.

Sensing trouble, the local administration shut down the school on November 29. It opened briefly for a week earlier this month, to deliver the results of an exam held earlier, but closed again.
“Due to ongoing administrative problem, all classes at Tehatta High School are hereby suspended until further orders,” says a notice on the gate, dated November 29.

“There have been a number of scuffles between us and some Muslim boys over the past few months… We have always celebrated Saraswati Puja because Saraswati is the Goddess of learning… They told us if you don’t let us celebrate Nabi Diwas, we won’t let you celebrate Saraswati Puja,’’ said Prakash Mali, 16.
He and his two sisters are all students of the Tehatta High School. All three of them participated in the protest today.

“My Class X board exams are coming up and I haven’t been able to get my admit card. Our classes are suspended. What are we going to do? Some of us have tried to get admission in other schools, but they won’t take us because they have heard about the trouble here,’’ said his sister, Moushumi Mali, 17.

But Moidun Koel, 24, an alumnus of the Tehatta High School who is now a volunteer with the civil police, said the students were not always so divided. “We used to participate in the Saraswati Puja as well. All the students would come with their friends and relatives, and there would be a grand feast. The idol was brought with much fanfare, and Muslim boys would help as well… I remember when I was in Class X, I helped to organise the food,’’ he said.

In fact, residents belonging to both the communities take part in the annual rath yatra — the “rath ghar” lies just in front of the school.
Koel claimed that the trouble began after Muslim students sought permission to put up a “Nabi Diwas flag’’. “They had asked the headmaster, who gave his nod. However, after they put up the flag, it was taken off and thrown aside. So they got angry. They said if the headmaster had denied permission, they would not have done it. They just wanted to celebrate for one hour on November 28. For the past 15 years, we have been asking them to let us celebrate Nabi Diwas in school,’’ he said.

“I believe that outsiders are trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of our village. One house in the area put up Bajrang Dal flags,’’ claimed Koel.

Meanwhile, the police said 14 protesters were detained today. “There were more adults in the protest than students… There were 50-100 students, but as many as 300 adults,’’ said SP Howrah (Rural) Sumit Kumar.

By afternoon, all the shutters in Tehatta and Kalishani were down. The police are anticipating trouble tomorrow as well. “We will keep a watch,” said Kumar. And that was the message that went out on the public address system mounted on an autorickshaw — “the administration requests you not to pay any heed to rumours, we will be watching.’’

Via: The Indian Express

NATIONAL TOURISM DAY – How Government of India Can Promote Destination #Darjeeling and #Sikkim

Writes: Upendra

Not many are aware that today - Jan 25th - is Celebrated as the National Tourism Day in our country, and this very fact that people are unaware of it being National Tourism Day today perhaps shows why we still have a long way to go, in terms of making India the most desired tourist destinations in the world.

On April 10, 2014 when the then BJP prime ministerial candidate Shri. Narendra Modi addressed one of the largest crowds the Darjeeling region had ever seen, during an election rally at Sukna, there was exuberance and excitement in the air. There was hope and a sense of destiny that Mr. Modi would go on to change our nation for the better. People held a strong belief that Mr. Modi would help transform India and along with it the much neglected Sikkim and Darjeeling region.

His speech did not disappoint as had spoken about the need to develop the Sikkim and Darjeeling region through the promotion of tourism and tea industry.

Over two and a half years later it is perhaps time to remind the Prime Minister of the promises he made, which are yet to be kept, and also highlight the potential that Darjeeling and Sikkim hold.

DEVELOPING TOURISM CIRCUIT
In his speech on April 10, 2014 PM Modi had stated that he wanted to focus on two T’s – TEA and TOURISM in order to develop and promote our region [Details: bit.ly/207ncKG].

In terms of tourism, Darjeeling and Sikkim stand today out as two of the most popular tourism destinations in India. Not only our scenic beauty, but also our culture and food, and the safety and security of the tourists, including the safety and security of single female tourists for which we have been rated amongst the top 5 most secure destinations in the world [Details: on.fb.me/1UYiono] makes ours the most exciting tourist destination in all of South Asia.

Gorgeous scenic vistas which offer the views of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest and India’s highest Mr. Kanchendzonga, coupled with indigenous cultural experiences and food and people different than rest of India, makes Darjeeling and Sikkim along with Dooars region one of the most enchanting tourism destinations in the world. Here are some of the ways through which tourism can be promoted.

BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE CIRCUIT
Darjeeling and Sikkim region have been the heart of Buddhism in India. Since the time of Guru Rimpoche who visited this region in the 9th century, Buddhism is intertwined with the socio-cultural fabric of the region. Today people across the world are interested in learning more about Buddhism. Sikkim is home to the head of the Karma Kagyu ‘Black hat’ sect – the Karmapa lineage of Buddhism, which is one of the most important seats of Buddhist learning in the world. Darjeeling is home to some of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage in India – for instance the Dali Monastery in Darjeeling is home to the rare Drukpa Kagyu Lineage of Buddhism in India. Yet, nothing has been done by the government to promote the region in terms of Buddhist education and tourism circuit.

If Delhi-Agra-Jaipur can be developed and promoted as the golden triangle of tourism in India, then Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bodh Gaya can be clubbed together to form the Buddhism Dharma Tirtha tourism initiative in India.

Moreover, the proposed India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh road and rail link will pass through the Darjeeling region, because of which it is important for the tourism department and the Incredible India initiative to promote “Buddhist Education and Tourism” in Darjeeling and Sikkim. This can be clubbed together with Darjeeling , Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and Bodhgaya to attract more tourists and pilgrims from across the world.

This will be particularly more important once the proposed road link from India to Thailand becomes operational, as the large Buddhist population from South-East Asia can be attracted to visit Darjeeling and Sikkim, which will not only be an important revenue source for the government, but can also promote this region as one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

HERITAGE AND RURAL TOURISM
Himachal Pradesh is today one of the leading states in India in terms of promoting heritage and rural tourism. Sikkim is gradually starting to promote their heritage and rural tourism destinations, while Bengal severely lacks any such initiatives. But despite the constraints posed due to the utter neglect, apathy and indifference by the Bengal government in developing Heritage and Rural tourism sector in Darjeeling – the local people themselves have embarked on this initiative.

Thanks to the efforts of Sikkim government and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) – today Sikkim and Darjeeling region has opened itself up to the world, and is welcoming tourists from all over the world to experience its unique culture, traditions, food, customs, heritage and way of life.

From promoting the culture and traditions of the Lepcha people who are often referred to as the “vanishing tribes,” to the unique Gorkha villages of Todey-Tangta. From the hospitality of the Limbu villages Lingia in Darjeeling and Darap, in West Sikkim to the cultural hub that is Mangarzung. From the unique heritage of Rajbonshi culture in Terai to the distinctly Adivasi culture in Dooars, from the Dhol of Durga Puja to the Ram Nawami celebrations of Sinchel Devi Sthan, from Eid celebrations in Darjeeling town to the Christmas carols of Kalimpong and Gangtok, from the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations of Siliguri to the Mahavira Jayanti celebrations in Kurseong . From Loosung celebrations in North Sikkim to Cham dances of Rumtek – Darjeeling and Sikkim are land of immense culture and heritage, and finally the world is getting to see its versatility.

What people here need is proper training, and marketing channels to promote this region as a unique hub of heritage and rural tourism. This can be done by helping the locals by initiating various capacity building and training programs and promoting the Darjeeling and Sikkim region extensively under the Incredible India campaign.

ADVENTURE AND RECREATIONAL TOURISM
Not many people know this, but Darjeeling is the birth place of hiking and trekking as a tourism activity. It is from Darjeeling that the expeditions to the various mountains in the Himalaya were launched, including the 1st successful Everest summit in 1953. Darjeeling resident Tenzing Norgay Sherpa along with Edumand Hillay of New Zealand were the 1st two human beings on the top of Mt. Everest, which had turned Darjeeling into the Mecca of adventure tourism. Sikkim on the other hand is home to the highest mountain in India, Mt. Kanchendzonga which naturally inspires adventure in the spirits of its people.

Sikkim has made steady strides in the field of adventure and recreational tourism; much still needs to be accomplished. Sadly for Darjeeling and Dooars, due to the utter neglect, apathy and indifference on the part of the Bengal government, this region has today been relegated to being just another hill station.

Re-Branding Darjeeling and Sikkim as the birthplace of adventure tourism – which today provides the best views of Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchendzonga, and provides opportunities for some of the most breath-taking landscapes, including adventure tourisms in the form of paragliding, white-water rafting, mountain biking, trekking, hiking, wildlife and bird watching, will help bring back tourists and tourism enthusiasm to not only Darjeeling and Sikkim, but also the other north-Eastern parts of India.

Given the fact that Darjeeling is also the home to India’s only Mountain Bike Park, adventure tourism can really thrive in our region, all it needs is a little impetus from the Central government.

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE TOURISM CIRCUITS
Sikkim is one of the most exciting tourism destinations for nature loves, with Kanchendzonga National park and Fambong Lho, Singba Rhododendron, Kyongnosla Alpine, and Maenam Wildlife Sanctuaries and India’s Only Rhododendron Sanctuary at Varsey, provide some of the most diverse ecological biodiversity rich sites for the tourists to visit.

Darjeeling and Dooars region are home to four National Parks - Singalila NP, Neora Valley NP, Gorumara NP, Buxa NP; six Wild Life Sanctuaries - Senchal WLS, Mahananda WLS, Jorepokhri Salamander WLS, Jaldapara WLS, Chapramari WLS, Buxa WLS and a Tiger Reserve – Buxa Tiger Reserve yet in terms of footfalls Sikkim, Darjeeling and Dooars see much less tourists than other parts of India such as Ranthambore, or Gir National Park.

This lack of tourists interested in ecotourism and nature-based tourism in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Dooars region can be attributed to two important things i) lack of proper tourism infrastructure ii) lack of marketing initiatives to promote these places.

Thus we urge the Ministry of Tourism the Government of India to kindly interfere and promote these unique places through the Incredible India initiative.

WORLD HERITAGE AND TEA TOURISM
Darjeeling is home to the oldest mountain rail initiatives in the world – the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which was accorded the UNESCO World Heritage Status in the year 1999. Similarly ‘Darjeeling Tea’ one of the finest teas in the world was the first Indian agricultural product to be accorded the Geographical Indicator (GI) status by the World Trade Organization in 2003-04.

Both the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Darjeeling Tea evoke considerable interest and enthusiasm across the world, yet the Bengal government has not done anything to promote the “Darjeeling” brand in terms of Tourism revenue. This has caused the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to not run the full course since the landslide which closed NH-55 since 2010. The tea garden workers are starving to death on a paltry Rs 112 per day wages.

While Darjeeling may have the “Champagne Amongst the Tea,” Sikkim is equally represented through the organic tea farms of Temi. Thus, the Government of India, through the Tourism Ministry and the Incredible India project can assist by extensively promoting the DHR as the 1st mountain railway in the world, and also the 1st to be granted the UNESCO World Heritage Status, and promote Darjeeling Tea and Sikkim Tea gardens based tourism to attract new buyers and tea enthusiasts from across the world.

Our region is indeed blessed with infinite natural beauty, and if we all join hands there is no reason why we cannot become the most desired tourism destination in the world

[Pic: Surendra Pradhan originally posted in DarjYester Years]

-TheDC

नेपाली नाटकमा प्रयोग खोई?

Writes : बी. पी. बजगाईं 

नाट्यकर्मी विष्णुभक्त फुँयाल ३ जनवरी २०१७ का दिन काठमाडौँको राष्ट्रिय नाचघरले आयोजना गरेको नाटक ‘याज्ञवल्क्य’ मा अभिनय गर्दागर्दै एक्कासी मञ्चमा ढले र केहीबेरमै मृत्यु भयो। उनको मृत्युले नाट्य अभिनेत्री एडिथ वेब्स्टरको सम्झना गराउँछ। बाल्टिमोरमा द ड्रङकार्ड नाटकमा उनको मृत्युको दृश्य, उनको अन्तिम संवाद 'जब म जान्छु, मेरा बारेमा चर्चा नगर्नुहोला' भनेर उनी मन्चमा लड्छिन्। त्यो नै उनको साँचो मृत्यु थियो। नाट्यकर्मीको रंगमंचमा मृत्युले उनका कलापक्षलाई सजीव तुल्याएको हुन्छ। 

 

कलाकार फुयाँलको मृत्युको खबरपछि नेपाली नाटकबारे लेख्न झकझक्यायो।

...

भनिन्छ, नाटक दृश्य काव्य हो। उहिले राजा महाराजालाई सुनाइने व्यक्तिपरक वर्णन भएका काव्य आज साङ्लो चुँडालेर सार्वभौम काव्य बनेको छ। नाटकमा साधारणतया श्रवणसँगै अभिनय पनि हुने भएकाले काव्यको यो रूप सार्वभौमिकताका दिशामा अझ सशक्त छ, प्रभावशाली छ। नेपालको सामाजिक(राजनीतिकै सन्दर्भमा हेर्नु पर्दा मह जोडीले नाटकका माध्यमले चेतनाको बिगुल फुकेको कुरा एउटा भिन्नै कथा बन्न सक्छ। आजको सन्दर्भमा नाटकको सम्बन्ध लोकचेतनासँग टाँसिएर रहेको छ। यो नै नाट्यलेखनको प्रस्थापना विन्दु पनि हो। नाटकका चारवटा प्रमुख तत्वहरू कथावस्तु, पात्र, अभिनय अनि रस सिद्धान्तमध्ये आजका सन्दर्भमा रस भनेको सामाजिक अनि राजनैतिक सरोकारका विषय धेर हुन्। 

 

नेपालको स्वतन्त्रतापछि नाट्यक्षेत्र केही उत्साहजनक रूपमा अघि बढेको जस्तो देखिए पनि समयचेत परिपूरित नाटकहरूको अभाव देखा परिरहेकै छ। 

 

रंगमंचमा काम गर्नु भनेको केवल मनोरञ्जन तथा जीविकोपार्जनको विषय मात्र नभएर देशलाई समयअनुरूप सम्बोधन गर्न सक्नु पनि हो। यसको अभाव नेपालका सन्दर्भमा हेर्ने हो भने यथावत नै छ। बरू नेपालमा राजतन्त्र हुँदा खेलिएका केही नाटकहरूले समयचेत बोकेका थिए, यस सन्दर्भमा मैले मह जोडीको उल्लेख गरिसकेको छु। 

 

नाटकसँग जोडिएका एकथरीले भन्लान्, नाटक खेलेर आर्थिक रूपमा सक्षम हुने अवस्था आउनु सफलता हो। आर्थिक सन्दर्भमा हेर्दा कुरा पक्का हो, तर यस्तो सफलता भनेको केवल नाट्यकर्मीको आर्थिक उन्नतिसँग मात्र जोडिने सफलता हो। यस्ता सफलता उपभोक्तावादले पस्किएका तामझामहरूसँग जोडिएका हुन्छन्। पाश्चात्य बजारले रोपेको उपभोक्तावाद जसले हाम्रो चेतनालाई समयसँग खेल्न दिँदैन, हाम्राअघि रुपियाँ अनि डलरको रङ्गीन कागज नाच्न थालेपछि देशलाई गरिने सम्बोधनको चेत रसातलमा भासिन जान्छ। कलाकारलाई चाबी लगाएको गुडिया बनाउने औपनिवेशिक अर्थतन्त्रबाट नाटकले जबसम्म मुक्ति पाउँदैन तबसम्म नाटकले समयको चेतना बोक्न सक्दैन।

 

नाटक अनि यससँगको सम्बद्धता भनेको पेशा मात्र हुनु हुँदैन। यसलाई पेशा मात्र बनाइए पेशागत सुविधाको माग बढ्छ। सरकारद्वारा नै नाट्यकर्मीहरूलाई दिइने सुविधा अनि नाटक विधाको संरक्षणलाई पनि हेरौं। के यस्ता सरकारी संरक्षणमा समयचेत नाटकहरू बनिन्छन्रु नाम मात्रका निम्ति बनिए पनि समयलाई सम्बोधन गर्न सक्षम हुन्छन्रु यस्ता नाटकहरू रङ्गीविरङ्गी चराहरू त हुन् तर सुनका पिंजडाभित्र थुनिएका।

 

आजको खाँचो भनेको नाटकलाई सीमित मंचबाट झारेर समाजका साधारण मानिसहरूका भीडमा ल्याउनु हो। भारतमा यो प्रयोग मन्जुल भारद्वाजले गरिसकेका छन्। उनले ‘थिएटर अफ रेलेवेन्स’का माध्यमले नाटकलाई आम मान्छेका विचारलाई उद्वेलित गर्ने एउटा औजारका रूपमा प्रयोग गरे। उनका नाटकले मान्छेलाई आत्मालोचना गर्न सिकायो। उनले सिर्जना गरेको ‘थिएटर अफ रेलेवेन्स’ प्रयोगका मुख्य पाँच विन्दु थिए।

 

१) नाट्यमंचले आफ्नो उच्चतम सृजनशीलताद्वारा विश्वलाई राम्रो अनि मानवीय बनाउन प्रतिवद्धता लिनु। 

 

२) मानिसका आवश्यकतालाई बोध गरेर त्यससँग जोडिएका अभिव्यक्तिहरूका प्रस्फुटनका लागि मंच उपलब्ध गराउनु।

 

३) कला केवल कलाका निम्ति नभएर समाजका सन्दर्भमा प्रासंगिक बनाइनु, जसमा दयित्वबोध रहेको होस्।

 

४) नाट्यमंच आफैँले आफूलाई बदल्ने माध्यम बनाउनु।

 

५) मनोरन्जनका सीमित सीमाबाट बाहिर निस्किएर जीवन जिउने माध्यमका रूपमा नाट्यमंचलाई प्रस्तुत गरिनु।

 

मन्जुलको यो प्रयोगले प्रायः दुई दशकभन्दा धेर समय बिताइसक्दा पनि भारतमा यसको प्रभाव तृणमूल स्तरमा आउन अझै पर्खिनुपर्ने अवस्था छ। यस्ता कुरामा नेपालले आफूलाई कहाँ उभ्याएको छ, चर्चा कम चिन्तन धेर गरिनुपर्ने कुरा हो यो। किनभने नाटक भनेको अलिक उक्लिएर सानो पर्दामा जाने माध्यम निश्चय होइन। सिँढी होइन नाटक मास्तिर उक्लिने, यो त एउटा यस्तो औजार हो जसले भोलिका देशको भविष्य आजै स्पष्ट कोर्न सक्छ। 

 

किन राजनीति स्वार्थको घोडा चढ़ेर जनताका मष्तिष्कमा कब्जा जमाउन सफल हुन्छ, हाम्रो अवस्थाको बजारीकरण कसले गर्दैछ, साधारण मष्तिष्कमा नियन्त्रणका फ्याक्टरहरू के के हुनसक्छन्, ग्रामीणस्तरमा कस्ता सोचहरूले काम गर्दैछन् अनि सहरीया सोचलाई केले नियन्त्रण गर्दैछन् जस्ता कुराहरूको जानकारी राखेर नाटक लेखिनुपर्ने आजको माग हो। नाटक स्वार्थका माखेसाङलोबाट मुक्ति दिने औजार किन बन्न सकेको छैन? नेपालकै सन्दर्भमा भन्नुपर्दा नाटकले राजनैतिक लेण्डुप र यसका आयामहरू किन उदाङ्गो पारेर देखाउन सकेको छैन? नेपाल र नेपाली नागरिकले बोकेको आजको सर्वाधिक ठूलो आतंक हो यो। देश रहे मात्र राष्ट्रियता रहन्छ जस्ता नाराहरू नाटकले चर्को पार्न किन सकेको छैन? यो प्रश्न मैले कसैलाई गरेको होइन, सबैले आफैँले आफैँलाई सोध्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। अव्यवस्थात्मक परिप्रेक्ष्य, राजनैतिक-सामाजिक अस्तव्यस्तताहरूलाई सम्बोधन गर्न, चोटिला प्रहार गर्न त्यहीँभित्रबाट बिम्बहरू टिपन-टापन गर्न हामी आज पनि असक्षम छौं। 

 

रसियन नाट्यचिन्तक मेयरहोल्डले पनि नाटकमा दर्शकलाई विशेष महत्त्व दिएको पाउँछौं। हुन त दर्शकलाई सबै नाटकहरूले नै महत्त्व दिएका हुन्छन्। तर एक थरीका नाटकले भने दर्शकलाई रङ मात्र पस्किएर मुनाफा विनिमयलाई महत्त्व दिँन्छ। जहाँ, मुद्रा प्राथमिक अनि चिन्तन गौण रहेको हुन्छ, त्यसरी नै अर्का थरीका नाटकले भने मुद्राका विनिमयमा चेतना पस्किएको हुन्छ। नाटक बाँच्नलाई मुद्रा आवश्यक पक्ष हो तर विनिमयमा के दिन सकिन्छ भन्ने कुरा प्राथमिक हो। मेयरहोल्डले नाटक लेख्ने अनि अभिनय गराउने सन्दर्भमा सधैँ दर्शकका आँखाबाट देखिने आयाम खोज्थे। दर्शकले नाटकभित्र आफैँलाई पाउन सकेनन् भने त्यस नाटकको मंचन नै व्यर्थ हुने धारणा थियो उनको।

 

केवल निर्देशकले पस्किएका निर्देशनभित्रका अभिनयले कला बाँच्न सक्दैन। कला बाँच्नका लागि त्यो जीवन्त हुनु पर्दछ। कुनै पात्रको भार वहन गर्नुअघि हामीमा कतिजनाले त्यस पात्रताभित्र जिउने प्रयास गरेका हुन्छौं? गम्भीरतापूर्वक सोचौं। के भिखारीको अभिनय गर्नुअघि कुनै अन्जान बजारका गल्लीहरूमा हामी भीख माग्दै चार दिन हिँड्न सक्छौं? अभिनय गर्न जति सजिलो सोचिन्छ, अभिनयभित्र भाव बोक्न त्यति नै गाह्रो छ। त्यसै परिप्रेक्ष्यमा हेर्दा जबसम्म समाज अनि देशको खस्कँदो अवस्था देखेर पनि कुनै नाट्यकर्मीले त्यो अरूकै जिम्मेवारी ठानेर आफूलाई अलग राख्दछ भने उसलाई अभिनयमा देशको खस्कँदो अवस्थाको विचार सम्प्रेषण गर्न त्यति नै गाह्रो पर्दछ। 

 

मैले वि. सं. २०५७ माघ १ गतेका दिन सार्विकतावादको घोषणामा कला र सापेक्षिक स्व(अस्तित्व सन्दर्भमा भनेको छु, ‘सापेक्षिक स्व( अस्तित्व बचाइराख्न कुनै पनि वस्तुता अथवा विचारधारात्मक अवस्थाले उसका नजिकको वस्तुगत वातावरण अथवा नजिक वा टाढ़ाको विचारधारात्मक क्रियाशील शक्तिहरूका सम्पर्कबाट आफूलाई विछिन्न राख्नु हुँदैन। यसैले कला केवल कलाका निम्ति मात्र भन्ने वादले कलाकै अस्तित्वप्रति एउटा भयानक आक्रमण गरेको हुन्छ। कला बाँच्नु हो भने उसको वस्तुताले सापेक्षिक वस्तुगत वातावरणको समग्रतालाई आफूभित्र समायोजन गरेको हुनु नै पर्नेछ।’ म आज पनि यसै कुरामा अड्न चाहन्छु। नाटकले जनतासँग संवाद गरेको हुनुपर्छ। त्यसका निम्ति नाटकको ‘कन्टेन्ट’ले बोकेको वस्तुताले सापेक्षिक वस्तुगत वातावरणको समग्रतालाई हेरेको हुनुपर्छ।

 

आजका सन्दर्भमा नाट्य मंचन कहिल्यै व्यक्तिगत हुनुहुँदैन, यो सामूहिक उपभोगको माध्यम हो। यसैले यसको प्रयोग केवल एउटा सीमित वर्गका लागि मात्र नभएर विभिन्न सामाजिक पक्ष, आर्थिक पक्ष लगायत विभिन्न स्तरका मानसिकतालाई एउटै धागोमा बाँधेर राख्न सक्ने गरी गरिनु उचित हुन्छ। स्वयं व्यक्तिभित्र नै अन्तरसंघर्ष रहेको हुन्छ। वर्तमानमा विद्यमान थुप्रै ‘अकारात्मक’अवस्था तथा स्थितिहरू जस्तै(अगमता, अक्कड़ मानसिकता, अनास्था, अविश्वास, अनिर्णय, अन्तर्द्वन्द(हरूबाट आक्रान्त हाम्रो सामाजिक चेतनालाई केवल बजारू उपभोक्तावादले पस्किएका सस्ता मनोरञ्जनले निश्चय उचित लक्ष्य दिन सक्दैन। यहाँ ‘एउटै धागोमा बाँधेर राख्नु’को अर्थ नाटकमा दर्शकलाई सामान्य दर्शक, विशिष्ट दर्शक अनि अति विशिष्ट दर्शकमा छुट्याइने वर्गीकरणबाट मुक्त राख्नु हो। यहाँसम्म कि मेरो विचारमा नाटकमा प्रयोग गरिने वेशभूषा पनि असामान्य नराखिएको राम्रो हुन्छ। किनभने कला पक्षका लागि चरित्रलाई दर्शाउने अनुहारको भावसज्जा एवं रुप विन्यास लगायत आधुनिक ‘लाइट तक्निकी’ छँदैछ। सामान्य वेशभूषामा दर्शकले आफूलाई पाएका हुन्छन्। आजको बदलिँदो सामाजिक सम्बन्ध अनि मूल्यहरूसँगै नाटक हुर्किंदै गरेको हुन्छ। यस्तो अवस्थामा सचेत कदमको खाँचो हुन्छ। यहाँ सचेतताको केन्द्रमा दर्शक नै राखिएको हुनुपर्ने हुन्छ। वर्तमानबाहेक इतिहासका अन्य कालखण्डमा उभ्याइएर लेखिएका नाटकहरूमा भने उपरोक्त कुरा लागु हुँदैनन्।

 

गोविन्दबहादुर मल्ल गोठालेद्वारा लिखित  ‘भूसको आगो’ नाटकले शुरू गरेको चरित्रकेन्द्रित मनोविश्लेषणात्मक नाटकको प्रयोग अब सामाजिक मनोविश्लेषणात्मक नाटकको सिंढी उक्लिसकेको छ। यसैले अब नाटकलाई केवल रङ्गमञ्चीय दृष्टिले मात्र नहेरेर सामाजिक दायित्वबोधका कसौटीमा पनि हेरिन्छ। मल्लको भूसको आगो भित्र(भित्रै सल्किएर अब रापिलो भएको छ। त्यस रापमा राजनीतिका अवयवहरू पनि तापिँदैछन्। मैले आफैँले केही वर्षअघि एउटा प्रयोग गरेको थिएँ नाटकमा, नाटक लेखेँ ‘क्रान्ति नयाँ बिहानीको’। राजनैतिक भ्रष्टाचार नाटकको केन्द्रमा थियो। यो नाटक भारतको मेघालयको राजधानी शिलांगमा भएको एउटा प्रतियोगितामा सिक्किमका केही उत्साही भाइ(बहिनीले मंचन गरे। त्यस नाटकमा मैले नाटकको आधा अंश बितिसक्दासम्म केही पात्रहरू दर्शकसँग मिसाएर राख्न लगाएँ। जब पछि दर्शकबाट नै एक एक गर्दै पात्रहरू त्यहीँबाट संवाद बोल्दै नाटकमा पस्न थाले, दर्शकदीर्घामा उत्साहको लहर छायो। उनीहरूले आफैँले आफैँलाई नाटकभित्रका पात्र सम्झिए। त्यो नाटक विजेता बन्यो। यो केवल एउटा प्रयोग थियो नाटकलाई सामाजिक अनि राजनैतिक दबावबाट मुक्ति दिने औजारका रूपमा कसरी खेलिनु भन्ने। हामीले यस्ता प्रयोगहरू गरिरहनु पर्छ। यस्ता प्रयोगहरू हामीबाट बजारका नियन्त्रणलाई हटाउनका लागि पनि गरिनु पर्छ। हामी बजारको नियमबाट परिचालित हुने कि बजारलाई हाम्रो नियन्त्रणमा लिनेरु बजार भनेको मात्र व्यावसायिक माध्यम हो भने नाट्यमंच मानवीय चेतनामा हुर्किएको कला माध्यम हो। बजारले उपभोक्ता खोज्छ, नाट्यमंचले चेतनाको विकास खोज्छ। यस्ता स्थितिमा उपभोक्तावाद अझ आक्रामक छ। नाट्यमंचबाट साना पर्दा र ठूला पर्दामा उफ्रेको देखिन्छ तर साना पर्दा र ठूला पर्दाबाट नाट्यमंचमा आएको सुन्दैनौं। किनभने उपभोक्तावादी बजारले हाम्रो मानसिकतालाई नियन्त्रणमा लिएको छ। लु त, अब एउटा नयाँ थालनी होस्, नाट्यमंचमा उभिनु भनेको मै हुँ भन्नेहरूका लागि पनि गर्ववोधको कारण बनोस्। 

 

आजसम्म सबैले भन्दै आए, समाजको मानसिक परिवर्तनसँगै नाटकमा परिवर्तन आउनुपर्छ। अब हामी भनौं, समाजको मानसिकतालाई दिशा दिन नाटकमा परिवर्तन ल्याऔं। नाटकले मानवताको सिर्जना गरोस्, सुरक्षाको सुरक्षा गरोस्, कलाकार निर्माण गरिँदा चिन्तनको इनार खनियोस्, सापेक्षतामा उभिएर समयको पदचाप सुनोस्, सँगै हिँडोस्। नाटकले दर्शकका चेतनालाई हिर्काएर उसको बौद्धिक विकासको खुराक बन्न सकोस्। नाटकले दर्शक खोज्नु नपरोस्, टिकटको पुसिंग सेल गर्नु नपरोस्, त्यसका साटो दर्शकले नाटकको माग गरून्। त्यस दिन नाटक सक्षम बन्नेछ मानवीयताको रथ हाँक्न।

...

अन्तमा, नाट्यकर्मीको रंगमंचमा मृत्युले उनका कलापक्षलाई सजीव तुल्याएको हुन्छ। अझै जोड दिएर भन्नुपर्दा त्यो मृत्युको सजीव आम प्रदर्शन हो। नाट्यकर्मी विष्णुभक्त फुँयाल भाग्यमानी हुन् जसले आफू बाँचेको विधाभित्र त्यसैका काखमा मृत्युलाई वरण गर्ने सौभाग्य प्राप्त गरे। 

Post via : http://kala.setopati.com/blog-review/5162/

Kalimpong Driver recalls chilling tiger tale

A driver recounts his first-ever encounter with a tiger on the fringes of Neora Valley National Park while ferrying four passengers from Pedong to Mal Bazar on Thursday morning.

Harka Bahadur Chhetri, 26, a Pedong resident, was at the wheel of his Maruti Alto 800 when the big cat appeared before him.

I had four passengers, including three ladies who were in the back seat. To my left was a senior gentleman from our village. We had left Pedong (20km from Kalimpong) around 6am and were on our way to Mal Bazar (in the Dooars) via Lava and Gorubathan.

The morning, as you would expect in the winters, was very cold, but we had no inkling that a chilling experience was awaiting us less than an hour into our drive.

When we reached a place between Algarah and Lava, a tiger suddenly appeared.

All I can remember is ... all of us spoke up together and said "tiger!"

I stopped the car and the tiger crossed over to the left side of the road. It all happened in just few seconds. I had the presence of mind to grab my phone in the hope of capturing the big cat in my camera.

I remember trying to shoot a video but somehow, I failed to tap the record button. We were scared and my hands were trembling. I somehow took a picture of the tiger in my camera as I heard it growl. Then we sped away.

The driver of the car behind me later said he could see the tiger from behind.

I have seen leopards in the hills. But I promise you, I had never dreamt that I would come face-to-face with a tiger.

On the way to Mal Bazar, I told several people, including fellow drivers, about the tiger to alert them.

Around 10am, I uploaded the only picture I had managed to click on Facebook. Soon, I started getting calls, including those from forest officers.

A fellow driver, Dinesh, had given my phone number to forest officers.

Panicked by so many calls and inquiries about the tiger, I removed the picture late last evening. Today, I uploaded the picture again after foresters told me that I had done nothing wrong (by putting it up).

As told to Rajeev Ravidas, Telegraph

Pic: Harka Bahadur Chhetri and the picture of the tiger he took

Over Two Months Since #Demonetization - Wages Woes Continue in Tea Gardens of #Darjeeling and #Dooars

Tea workers in north Bengal are continuing to face inconveniences in receiving their wages on time as most gardens are still struggling to switch over to a cashless system of transaction.

Gardens where labourers have got bank accounts are also facing trouble as most plantations have no banking infrastructure and workers have to travel several kilometres to draw their wages.

"As per the decision taken at the meeting with RBI and state government officials in Calcutta on December 16, tea estates, where bank accounts of all workers have not been opened yet, are disbursing wages in cash. This will continue till January 31. We really don't know what to do after that," S. Guha Thakurta, the secretary of the Dooars Branch of Indian Tea Association, said.

Alok Chakraborty, a senior Intuc leader in Siliguri, said banks had infrastructure in just 10-odd gardens of north Bengal. "As of now, bank accounts of workers in 50-odd estates (there are around 300 gardens in north Bengal) have been opened. For these people, things have become more inconvenient," he said.

According to trade union leaders, these workers have to travel several hours to reach the bank.

"Most of the branches where their accounts have been opened are rural branches. In most cases, due to cash crunch, these branches are not in a position to allow the entire workforce (which is at least 1,000 in a garden) to draw their wage of a fortnight (around Rs 1,400) at one go. As a result, workers have to visit the bank at least twice," a leader said.

In the Dooars, the situation is more complex. "There are a number of places where one bank is close to three-four tea estates. Now, if accounts of workers of two-three estates are opened at the branch, it becomes difficult to cater for all the labourers at one go," Mani Kumar Darnal, the joint general secretary of Intuc-backed National Union of Plantation Workers, said.

Senior officials of banks admitted there were problems.

"Opening bank accounts and transfer of wages don't mean that transition to a cashless system is complete. Due to remote location of tea estates and the absence of banking infrastructure, the workers' inconveniences have increased," an official of a nationalised bank in Jalpaiguri said.

It is unlikely that by March 31 the banks will be able to set up infrastructure in all tea estates, he said.

A senior administrative official said: "As far as we know, no comprehensive list of gardens and details of banking infrastructure plan are ready. We believe it is a tough task for the banks to meet the deadline."

[Source: Telegraph]

#GORKHA PRIDE: Sikkim: Meet Lalit Portel, a young Taekwondo player who is setting national and international championships ablaze

Writes: Yougan Tamang

Since his early age of 13, he always dreamt of making his parents proud one day in anyways. Despite, many financial difficulties and physical constraints, today he has emerged as one of the youngest sportspersons of the state of Sikkim who has made his young presence felt in the sports arena. With his blazing achievements in the national and international arena of Taekwondo, today Lalit Portel is living his dream.

Lalit Darnal (20) hails from the small hamlet of Neopany gaon, Rey Khola under Martam Rumtek constituency. Born to parents Dik Man Portel and Reeta Darnal, he happens to be their only son. He completed his secondary school from Baha’i school, Tadong, Gangtok and currently due to the hectic schedule of his intensive Taekwondo training, he is pursuing his senior level from an open school.

‘I was really interested in Taekwondo since I was studying in class 7, but had no idea how to pursue it. Fortunately, Tilak Subba, a Taekwondo trainer from Kalimpong lived in my village, to whom I approached and then he started coaching me for the same. I am really indebted to him for all the things he has done for me and for making me the one I am today’ said Lalit.

Lalit’s mother Reeta Darnal happens to be of much support to Lalit towards his passion for Taekwondo.Since the initial days despite many financial hardships, she managed in all ways to support the dream of her son. She managed to provide her good training, good diet, fulfill all essentialness and also finance the international trips for competitions somehow.

‘Lalit has always been a special child for me since his early days I have seen his dedication and commitment towards Taekwondo. My family isn’t that rich enough to think about easily letting a child opt for sports but I somehow felt that despite hardships I should support my son’s dream and help him reach heights. Today, he is doing well and making all of us proud. For now, his dream is my dream said, Reeta Darnal.

Today, Lalit Portal is affiliated with the Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association and is being trained under the professionals. He has participated in many states, national and international competitions and had brought laurels to the state and the country. He has completed his Kukkiwon’s 1st DAN Taekwondo and is Black Belt 1st, Dan. His first competition was the First Inter-Dojang Beginners Taekwondo Poomsae Championship - 2010 organized by Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association.

He has participated in various Northeast region and national competitions viz,1st East Zone Taekwondo Poomsae Championship- 2010,  5th National Taekwondo Poomsae Championship -2012; 1st North East Zone Taekwondo Championship- 2012,; 6th National Junior Poomsae Taekwondo Championship- 2013; 3rd All Bodoland Taekwondo Poomsae Championship- 2015.

Recently, he had participated in the 6th Tirak Taekwondo International Championship- 2016 held on 23rd October 2016 at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi Campus, Bangkok, Thailand and was successful in winning Silver and Bronze medal in the senior category. Earlier that year 2016, He had also won gold and silver in the 2nd International Taekwondo Championship and 1st International Taekwondo Poomsae Championship held at Taekwondo Training Centre, Thimpu, Bhutan on 20th -22nd May 2016. He has also participated in the World Taekwondo Hanmadang 2016 (Asian Continent Championship) held in Nepal.

Today, Lalit is living his dream and aspires to make bigger achievements in days to come and make the state of Sikkim and the entire country proud.

There are many sportsperson in the state and country, who are relentlessly working for their goal but somehow sometimes one may fail to achieve them on time. So, being patient is very important for a sportsperson. Along with patience, one needs dedication, commitment, hard work and consistency. So, let's strive for betterment in a better ways says, Lalit and sends an inspiring message to the young sportsperson.

The story of Lalit Portel is an inspiration to many. A story that unveils how hard work, dedication, compassion and believing in dreams brings about a transformation in life. How a support from a single person in one's life can bring a huge impact and change. Difficulties and constraints are the ones that bring about dramatic experiences that will make one's life worth living.

TheDC team, along with the Northeast Today salute the hard work and dedication of Lalit Portal and above all his mother for being so supportive of child’s dream and making it as her.

We also like to convey best wishes to Lalit Portel for all his future endeavors and we believe that he will shine more.

[By Yougan Tamang for TNT - The Northeast Today]

कालेबुङमा तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेसले जलायो प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको पुत्ला

डी.के.वाइबा, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, ११ जनवरी। नोटबन्दी अनि सांसद सुदिप्त ब्यानर्जी पक्राऊको विरोध गर्दै तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेसले आज कालेबुङमा प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको पुत्ला दहन गरेको छ। तीनदिन व्यापी तृणमूल कङ्ग़्रेसको धर्ना प्रदर्शनको आज अन्तिम दिन कालेबुङको थाना डाँडामा प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको पुत्ला दहन गरिएको हो।
उक्त धर्ना प्रदर्शनको अवधी विभिन्न स्थानबाट तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेस समर्थकहरूको उपस्थिति रहेको थियो। जीटीए मनोनिस सभासद सतिस थिङको नेतृत्वमा हिल तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेस पार्टीका कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष छेवाङ भोटिया, पूर्व विधायक गौलन लेप्चा, छिरिङ शेर्पा लगायत तृणमूल कार्यकर्ताहरूले जोडदार प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदी मूर्दावादको नाराबाजी गर्दै पुत्ला दहन गरेको थियो।
यस अवधी उनीहरूले मुख्यमन्त्री ममता ब्यानर्जी जिन्दावादको नाराबाजी समेत लगाएका थिए। भारत सरकारले नोटबन्दी गरेर ग्रामीण क्षेत्रका साधरण जनताले समस्या भोग्न परेको दाबी गर्दै सरकारले नोटबन्दीको फसेला फिर्ता गर्नुपर्ने माग गरेका थिए। यस अवधी तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेसले थाना डाँडामा पथसभा समेत आयोजना गरेका थिए भने पथसभाबाट तृणमूल नेताहरूले प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको जोड्दार आलोचना समेत गरेका थिए। यता प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको पुत्ला दहन पछि पत्रकारहरूलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै मनोनित सभासद सतिस थिङले केन्द्र सरकारको गरीबमारा नीतिको विरोध गरेको बताएका छन्।
‘प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको पुत्ला दहन गरेर आज जनताको आक्रोश व्यक्त गरेका छौँ। यो आक्रोश गरिबमारा नीतिको विरुद्धमा हो। यो औपचारिक तीनदिन व्यापी धर्ना आज समापन गरेपनि सरकारको नीति विरुद्ध जनताको आवाज उठाउँने कार्य गरिरहनेछौँ’ सतिस थिङले भने।
यसक्रममा उनले केन्द्र सरकारको नोटबन्दीको निर्णयले साधरण जनता पिढीत बन्न परेको आरोप लगाउँदै यस निर्णय फिर्ता लिनुपर्ने माग पनि गरे। तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेसले नोटबन्दीको विरोध गरेको कारण नै सांसदलाई पक्राऊ गरेको आरोप लगाउँदै सरकारको गरीबमार नीतिलाई तृणमूल कङ्ग्रेसले डटेर विरोध गरिरहने उनले थप बताएका छन्।

[स्रोत: कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ।]