(PNA, Siliguri, Nov. 25, 2004) - A powerfully diverse socio-cultural fair and conference, Barendra Sammelan, marched more than 10,000 people and threw light on the glorious past and pathetic present of the people of much neglected Siliguri and greater North-Bengal.
The Barendra Sammelan highlighted the potential of people of Siliguri and North Bengal for re-connecting to its roots in order to emerge as a self-reliant socio-economic unit, strong in its culture, and with a bright future.
On Nov. 20th, an impressive theme rally took downtown Siliguri by surprise. Locals expressed their amazement to see such varied efforts from corner to corner. More than 10.000 persons, including members of the organizer Renaissance Universal (RU), its mother organisation Ananda Marga, as well as participants from all sections of society, made the rally a grand show of human potential.
The Barendra Sammelan rally was made lively by different hoardings, cut outs (of intellectuals and other prominent personalities of the area), tableaus depicting the cultural specialities of this land, banners, mime, and action groups. The rally went through main thoroughfares of Siliguri, creating a very real impression about the rich cultural heritage of Barendra Bhumi and its bright future. The rally was heavily covered by the media.
A unique cultural programme followed including folk songs and dances such as Bhavaiya, Gambhira, Khangan, Bairati Nrtya, Mecheni Nrtya, Mahisal bandhur gan, and Kusan Yatra. The subtle poetry, melody and dance of Prabhat Samgiit was definitely dominating. The drama Svapner Barendra (Barendra, a dreamland) attracted large crowds. Directed by Shri Shankar Duttagupta and staged by local artists, the newly written drama envisioned the renaissance of Barendra Bhumi where people may grow physically, mentally and spiritually in harmony with the greater environment.
On 21st there was a conference of intellectuals in which P.R. Sarkar's book Banglar Manipradiip, Barendra Bhumi was released. Two renowned dignitaries were honoured by RU in this program, Shri Dhaneshvar Rai who is a famous Bahaiya Singer, and Shri Mohit Ghosh, a national award winner for child literature. Amongst the main speakers were the well known anthropologist Shri Pashupati Mahato, educationist Shri Ramaranjan Chatopadhyaya, and Shri Girija Shankar Rai, Principal of Women’s College of Siliguri.
The RU conference has created a new confidence, hope, aspiration and dynamism in the area.
