In
Bangladesh a River of Humanity Celebrated a Centenary
of Hindu Pranab Ashram and the First Student Dorm, January 2016
By
Dr. Shefali S. Dastidar
Founder,
Probini Foundation, USA
February
2016
Crowd
at the Entrance
In the 1990s when the
Madaripur Ashram was in serious hardship they approached Probini via
Probini-supported Mahilara Ashram where Probini had just established a school
and a building named Nihar Kana Bhaktabash and Bidyaloy (residence for devotees
and school). The Madaripur Ashram was headed by then Brahmachari
(monk-in-training) Jiban Maharaj. Maharaj received his monkshood thereafter becoming
a swami or ordained monk from the Bharat Sevasram Sangha monastic order founded
by Swami Pranavananda – also a freedom fighter of Indian independence – in nearby
Bajitpur village in early 1910s. Afterwards Dr. Sachi G. Dastidar of Probini visited
the place to ascertain the need while staying at the Legal Aid Society’s guest
house. Condition of the ashram then was truly wretched as the ashram, Hindu temple,
boys’ dorm, devotee residences were destroyed in 1971 by the Army of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan and its Bengali Islamist allies. A Muslim family had
built an illegal two story building on the property. With much efforts from the
swami and Sachi the ashram was liberated, illegal occupier removed by the local
administration and Probini rebuilding the boys’ dorm starting a revival of
teaching, learning and prayer at the ashram. (The expanded boys’ dorm now has
52 residents living on campus. For additional information please see http://empireslastcasualty.blogspot.com/2008/12/educating-poor-and-orphaned-in.html.)
A
Section of the Crowd in the Pandal (marquee) Area
Probini Foundation
received an invitation from Rev. Jibon Maharaj – Swami Satyapriyananda – of Madaripur
Seva Asram, Pathak-Kandi, Bangladesh to attend a Centenary Celebration of the
Ashram and the boys’ dorm, and 121 years Birthday Celebration of Swami
Prnavananda. This writer arrived there before January 22nd,
the day of celebration, when the Pathak-Kandi area of Madaripur City was
in the mood of celebration. The boys of the Probini-built dorm started
decorating the pandal (marquee), and prepare for music the night before the
event. The invited guests stayed in guest rooms named Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati,
the holy rivers. The celebration started with a puja-prayer. Rev. Swami
Prottananda and Rev. Swapan Maharaj from nearby Bajitpur Ashram, and
headquarter of Swami Pranab Order, did the puja and coordinated cultural
events. All the local politicians, Members of Parliament, administrators – all
Muslim – prominent engineers, architects, teachers, doctors and other
professionals – Muslim and Hindu – attended the event, along with tens of
thousands of poor, oppressed-caste Hindus – peasants, petty traders, sweepers,
laborers, office workers – joined in the prayer service. It was a mind boggling
experience for me. Hindus, especially women and children from nearby areas and Pathak-Kandi
started gathering there since early morning. It was like a massive human joyful
population, more like a river of flowing Hindus in the Muslim-majority nation
following their indigenous tradition. There were many Muslims who came to
celebrate the event as well. On one side of the ashram compound a dais and a
pandal was built for puja by Rev. Swami Prottanandaji. The cultural program was
moderated by Swapan Maharaj. All the artists were from Madaripur District. Several
thousand people from the neighborhood patiently attended the entire event. Several
politicians and dignitaries gave their speech, including this writer. Bhog Prasad
(blessed food) was served to all devotees after the service. What was truly
inspiring is that so many of the oppressed individuals told me that “now that
you are with us we will serve our homeland, fight to make it better and
tolerant, yet not leave the land of our ancestors to flee to India. Om Shanti.
Om Peace.” It was wonderful to hear
those words.
Dignitaries
at the Dias with Hindu Monks
Seeing a place come alive
from total destruction was really a miracle and uplifting event for me.
A
Section of Devotees at Sri Sri Durga Mandir Temple
At
Bhog Prasad (Blessed Food)
Music
Program of Rev. Swapan Maharaj, a Hindu Monk of Bajitpur, Bangladesh
Comments:
March 24, 2016
Tks! Very uplifting. I will share with Linda.
Mrs. Laura Healey
April 8, 2016
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March 24, 2016
Tks! Very uplifting. I will share with Linda.
Mrs. Laura Healey
April 8, 2016
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awesome!
Thanks
Professor Dr. Naresh Gupta
May 7, 2016
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Dr. Dastidar:
Happy Shiv Ratri!
A very encouraging and refreshing news from Bangladesh on auspicious day of Maha Shiv Ratri.
Hindus of Bangladesh are not oppressed castes, as mentioned in your article, but Kshatriyas.
They are the protectors of Hindu religion, thus Kshatriyas by Karma (Lord Krishna in Bhagawad Gita,)
Maharishi
Valmiki, author of Sanskrit Ramayana, is known as a Maharishi, a Brahmin
of highest order. Maharishi Vyas Dev is known as author of 18 Puranas
and Mahabharat. Chandra Gupta Mauria was greatest Hindu king. Nobody
cares for their caste.
Suggestion:
Please advise the Bangladeshi Hindu teachers and professors to use
"Acharyas, Guru," priests to use "Purohits, Panda," doctors to use
"Vaidyas or Doctors," and attorneys to use "Vakils or Judge" soldiers
and policemen to use "Singhs," technical professional as "Engineers," businessmen as "Baniks or Sahas" etc. (as most of the Indian Hindus do.) Please, help them rise in caste hierarchy thru education and
diversifying their professions. Eventually oppressed castes will
disappear in a decade or two. Good luck!
Bal Krishan Gupta, U.S.A.
2 comments:
This was a great experience for me. Thanks to Jiban Maharaj, Madaripur for inviting us three months ahead of time.
Great job done, Sachi! Convey my congratulations to Shefali also.
Tatha
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