Ananda
Mandir
Ananda Sangbad
A Quarterly Publication of Ananda Mandir, New Jersey July 2025
COMMUNITY MOURNS PASSING OF TWO DISTINGUISHED LEADERS
Ananda Mandir community lost two of its most prominent and admired members during the month of March—Amitabha Bagchi (on March 23) and Purna Bhattacharya (on March 12). Both were Founding Members of Ananda Mandir and both contributed in numerous ways to the growth and success of our organization. As we mourn their untimely passing, we celebrate their active and fulfilling life and numerous accomplishments.
Amitabha Bagchi, a cherished husband, loving father and grandfather, distinguished physicist, avid writer, and spirited community member, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025, in Torrance, California. He was 79 years old.
Born on June 9, 1945, in Kolkata, India, to Haridas and Kamala Bagchi (née Bhattacharya), Amitabha – or Chandan to friends and family – was known for his brilliance and curiosity from a young age. After graduating from Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School and Presidency College (University of Calcutta), he moved to the United States in 1965 at age 20, having secured a prestigious scholarship. He earned a Ph.D. in surface physics at the University of California, San Diego, under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Walter Kohn.
Amitabha’s postdoctoral journey took him to the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he cultivated lifelong friendships. His career continued at the Battelle Memorial Institute and the University of Maryland, and later in the private sector at Xerox and AT&T Bell Laboratories, where he contributed to groundbreaking research in physics and technology.
Amitabha passionately dedicated his time to writing, spiritual service, and community engagement. He was a prolific contributor to Bengali literary newsletters and forums, often editing and writing, driven by his love for the Bengali language and culture. He was a founding leader of Ananda Mandir – a Hindu Temple and Community Center for the Bengali community in New Jersey, supported his wife Dhriti’s cultural initiatives through Mrittika – a South Asian Center for Language and Heritage, and served as President of Kallol of New Jersey – a local Bengali community association.
Over the years, Amitabha lived in various cities, including Columbus, OH; Hyattsville and Greenbelt, MD; Webster, NY; Matawan, Manalapan, and Hamilton, NJ; and Torrance, CA. He brought joy, insight, and a zest for life wherever he resided. Passionate about sports, music, cinema, art, history, wine, travel, and lively discussions, he engaged deeply in cultural associations and temples, making everyone feel welcomed and valued.
He is survived by his wife, Dhriti; children, Toopan and Pamina; daughter-in-law, Jeris; son-in-law, Anirban; and four beloved grandchildren, Vashti, Rithik, Hari, and Avinash. His extended family includes numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends, all of whom he cherished deeply.
Let’s remember Amitabha Bagchi not only for his scientific contributions but also for the joy he brought, the stories he shared, and the love he gave so freely, by enjoying life to its fullest.
(From the Obituary posted by the Bagchi Family members)
Purna passed away on the morning of Wednesday, March 12 in his residence in Kolkata. He and his wife, Krishna, were In Kolkata for their annual winter vacation. So, the news about his death stunned his numerous friends and admirers in the NJ Bengali community.
Purna was a true organizational leader. He was one of the most prominent members and leaders of Kallol of New Jersey, He led the organization as president from 2004 to 2006. The obituary issued by Kallol noted that Purna “joined Kallol right after its formation in 1975 and was an invaluable asset to Kallol from its early days.” The announcement went on to say that “During the early decades of Kallol’s journey, Purna made himself available in managing Kallol’s accounts. This was instrumental in making Kallol a stable and financially viable organization.”.
Purna was also a core member of the Cultural Association of Bengal (CAB) management team for many years. He served as its president and as the chairman of its Board of Trustees. Additionally, Purna was one of three co-chairmen for the NABC 2016, held at the Madison Square Garden, New York.
Purna and Krishna were also heavily involved in the activities of NJPA (New Jersey Puja Association) for many years, Another organization that benefited from Purna;sknowledge and guidance is SATF (South Asian Theater Festival), especially in its formative days.
Purna made friends easily and was always willing to offer a helping hand to individuals and organizations. Always a cheerful person, he knew how to organize, lead and deliver. We miss him dearly.
(From the Obituary announced by Ananda Mandir Trustees)
Ananda Mandir
Calendar of Events (Dates are subject to Change) Please check our website frequently www.anandamandir.org Tel: 732-873-9821
NOTE: For Puja time please contact temple or visit our website: anandamandir.org
PUJA CALENDAR
JULY 2025
Bipad Tarini Puja
Tuesday, July 1
Ratha Jatra Saturday, July 5
Satyanarayan Puja
Saturday, August 9
Shyama Puja Thursday, July 24
AUGUST 2025
Rakhi Purnima
Saturday, August 9
Satyanarayan Puja
Saturday, August 9
Janmasthami
Saturday, August 16
Kaushiki Amabasya
Friday, August 22
Ganesh Chaturthi
Wednesday, August 27
SEPTEMBER 2025
Satyanarayan Puja
Sunday, September 7
Mahishasura Mardini
Sunday, September 14
Biswakarma Puja,
Wednesday, September 17
Mahalaya – Til Tarpan
Sunday, September 21
Shyama Puja
Sunday, September 21
Sharadiya Durga Puja –(Debir Goje Agomon O Dolai Gomon)
Debir Bodhon
Saturday, September 27
Debir Amontron O Adhibas
Sunday, September 28
Durga Saptomi
Monday, September 29
Maha Ashthami
Tuesday, September 30
Sondhi Puja
Tuesday, September 30
OCTOBER 2025
Maha Nabomi
Wednesday, October 1
Bijoya Dashomi
Thursday, October 2
Kojagori Lakshmi Puja
Monday, October 6
Satyanarayna Puja
Monday, October 6
Mahakali Puja
Tuesday, October 20
Jagaddhatri Puja
Thursday, October 30
(*) See www.anandamandir.org or Call Mandir for details
Special Religious Services: Upon request, the priest of Ananda Mandir offers services such as in-house Shraddhas, Rituals associated with Cremations (Antyesti Kriya), Shraddha Anniversaries, Pre-wedding rituals (Naandimukh, Ashirwad, etc.), Upanayan (Paitey), Annaprasan, Wedding Ceremonies & Wedding Anniversaries, Griha Prabesh (Bhumi Puja), Consecrations of new cars (New Car Pujas) and others. If you have needs for any of the above or more, please feel free to contact Biswabhai @ 732-873-9821
Amitabha Bagchi
Purna Bhattacharya
Ananda Sangbad
Dear Editor,
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The April 2025 issue of Ananda Sangbad was a wonderful issue, filled with lovely contributions by thoughtful authors who took care to present facts with careful research and diligence.
MANDIR
A Periodical Newsletter Published By ANANDA
(A Tax-Exempt, Non-Profit Organization) 269 Cedar Grove Lane Somerset, NJ 08873 Phone: 732-873-9821 Website: www.anandamandir.0rg ***
Debajyoti Chatterji Executive Editor (Acting)
All queries, articles, news reports and letters should be directed to debsmees572@gmail.com Phone: 908-507-9640 ***
For general information, please contact the following executives of Ananda Mandir: Anjan Lahiri President
Jai Prakash Biswas Vice President
Debajyoti Chatterji Vice President
Ashok Rakhit Vice President
Arun Bhowmik General Secretary
Sanchoy Das Treasurer
Pradip Majumdar Assistant Treasurer BECOME A MEMBER OF ANANDA MANDIR AND PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO ENRICH YOUR FAMILY
• “Boi Mela” piece by Shamita Das Dasgupta provided information on the history of the Kolkata Book Fair including references to the Hungry Generation of Poets in the 1960s and meeting at Coffee House to start the Book Fair. It brought back fond memories of attending Boi Mela till the early 1980s after which we moved to the US.
• The piece on Radhabinod Pal by Asok Baral was exemplary and provided a mini-biography of the man and his amazing feats. My wife also found this to be specially interesting as Radhabinod and his family used to live across the street from her parental home in Kolkata.
• In a similar vein, Amitabha Bagchi did a stellar piece on Ritwik Ghatak. He provided a concise bio-sketch including his important works. He also left room to discuss Ritwik’s many legacies. As a fan from that era, it was nice for me to read this piece.
• “Beware of TV Commercials” – by Debajyoti Chatterji (our beloved Debajyoti da) stood out for beneficial content and the digging he did to uncover the hidden truth behind these offers! It provided exceptionally valuable information for community members. I confess I have on occasion considered looking into Car Shield, but no longer after the expose done by Debajyoti da. Perhaps a follow up piece on telephone scams is in the works?
• Rahul Roy’s “Falling in Love with Trams,” was accurate and heart-warming as it brought back memories as I had been on the same route described by Rahul many times! Kudos for an enchanting piece and making many memories and emotions come flooding back!
• Ranjana Sanyal’s thriller, “The Phone Thief”, succeeded in restoring our faith in humanity. The writing style was that of a mystery with tension and anticipation building up to the climactic end. Nice depiction of a harrowing experience followed by intrigue and a happy ending.
I may have missed mentioning others but wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the April 2025 issue. Thank you and look forward to future issues.
Manash Ray, Lehigh Valley, PA
Dear Editor,
I really enjoyed the April edition of Ananda Sangbad I particularly liked the article about the Boi Mela by Shamita Das Dasgupta, I also attended the book fair this time in Kolkata.
Ranajit Mitra, Moorestown, NJ
Dear Editor,
After reading your article,titled “Beware of TV Commercials “, theonly conclusion I can draw is that “Nothing is free in this world “. India is also importing this practice (false or misleading advertisement)the from US.The Modi Govt should impose deep “tariff” on this false concept!
Dwipen Ghosh, Washington, DC
TRIBUTES TO AMITABHA BAGCHI FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS
“I knew about Amitabhada since our high school days because he was a few years senior to us and stood first in West Bengal Higher Secondary Examination. Many of my high school classmates studied physics in Presidency College, junior to him, and I heard about him from them. I got to know him personally here in New Jersey in Ananda Mandir and through Writers Club. I was always amazed by the depth of his knowledge, quite demeanor and also benefited from his encouragement in writing. I, along with others, will sorely miss him. May his soul Rest in Peace.”
—Asok Baral (NJ)
“I do not have any brothers. Amitabha-da was the closest to a true elder brother. He was three years senior to me in Presidency College Physics. Like an elder brother, he loved me, complimented me, criticized me, supported me (I was his research associate at the Univ. of Maryland for two summers), inspired me (especially in my literary activities), listened to my comments on everything, and was always there for me. I will miss his keen sense of humor and thorough knowledge about everything, including sports and music. He was fair, patient and humble. He never badmouthed me even though we disagreed on political views.
Once a line of a Bengali song was playing in my head for weeks: “... Golpo shonarpalaekhon...”. No one could tell me which film it was from. Amitabha-da finally informed me that it was from “Mayar Sansar”.
Now he has left this mayar sansar. RIP.”
—Basab Dasgupta (CA)
“Tell Dilip that I’ll try to visit him tomorrow,” Amitabha da said as I was leaving Ananda Mandir. I was there because Dhriti and Amitabha da were visiting New Jersey for a few days. When I told Dilip, he replied, “We shouldn’t make him do this. He is extremely busy. He knows so many people here.” So, I called Amitabha da.
I first heard of Amitabha da when I was a schoolgirl in Bombay. My sister, who was at Presidency College, Calcutta, studying Physics, told us that one of her classmates, Amitabha Bagchi, “… loves reading all kinds of books.” Because of this association, when I got to know him years later in New Jersey, I looked upon him as an elder brother. He gave me sound advice on certain matters.
And now I regret telling him not to visit us that day.
We miss you, Amitabha da.
But you have found peace.”
—Jayashree Chatterjee
(NJ)
“Amitabha had deep knowledge and keen interest in many fields outside
science, including literature, music, dance, theater, cinema, philosophy, religion and politics. Ever a humble, gentle and kind man, Amitabha always had a welcoming smile on his face and a happy twinkle in his eyes. Never a show off, he was always ready to lend a hand and guide or collaborate with a friend. I was fortunate to have him as a friend, advisor, cheer-leader, critic, mentor and collaborator. He was one of my closest and most admired friends. I miss him dearly.”
—Debajyoti Chatterji (NJ)
“If a Bengali doesn’t look after another Bengali, who will?”
Amitabha gave me this advice many years ago at JFK airport, while dragging two jumbo suitcases. He was not married then. He lived in the Chicago area and was heading for Kolkata via JFK airport. He was not familiar with Chicago’s O’Hare airport yet he had agreed to carry another Bengali family’s suitcase all the way to Kolkata because this unknown man had too much luggage! It was an “act of duty”, he said.
Amitabha’s nickname was Chandan. I called him by that name because he was a relative as well as a classmate. We finished high school in the same year but from two different schools. After the state-wide higher secondary exams, Chandan was nonchalant, as usual. I could not imagine even for a second that when the results would come out, he would be at the top of the whole state! My childhood friend had received record marks and secured the top position! His photo was published in all newspapers, and to give him proper recognition, my parents invited him to a sumptuous lunch on the following Sunday. We all gathered on our roof top for a group photo with Chandan in the middle.
After so many years, all those memories are flooding in. That childhood connection remained strong even after decades of time. When Chandan was back again at JFK to receive his newly wedded wife, Dhriti, I was there with him. But that’s another story.
I feel so sad today. Chandan left us on March 23. We talked for the last time when he was not well. Who knew then that we would never see each other again?
—Alolika Mukhopadhyay
(NJ)
“My first encounter with Amitabhada was as a salesperson. He was promoting Ananda Mandir (as a board member) to us, Achira and myself, to become life members.
We parked at the Starbucks nearby, and Amitabhada drove us in his Toyota to the humble ranch house which was going to be purchased by Ananda Mandir on Cedar Grove
Lane.
He was diffident and self-effacing as always, never being one who pushed hard or made exaggerated claims. The decrepit shed where the farming equipment was kept and the wild weeds around the shed did not give much scope for a vision. Amitabhada though managed to list the acreage of the property as a definite positive and suggested that that the creaky ranch house on the property would be the base from which the promise of Ananda Mandir would evolve. I am sure his humility and diffidence helped us make the decision to become life-members soon after.
I continued to engage with Amitabhada when he was the editor of Anandalipi, and he was always invested in the stories that I wrote. I felt he would be the right person to do the foreword for my book of short stories, ‘Soaring Crimson Tales’.
I always considered him a friend though he was much older and much wiser than me. Will always miss that gentle soul.”
—Tathagata Ghosh (NJ)
“It was a lazy winter afternoon. Amitabha da, Dhritidi along with a few other families had come for lunch. We were having a post lunch adda session over cups of tea. My daughter, Runi, was about 5 months old and learning to sit. I had spread out a play mat on the carpet and the older kids, who were between seven and ten at that time, were playing with her. Runi kept sitting up and then falling back down reducing Riju and the other kids into a fit of giggles. Soon the kids started placing bets on whether Runi would sit up or topple back down each time she tried. Amitabha da’s attention was on observing Runi’s antics and the reactions of her brothers every time she toppled over. After a few minutes he said, this is all because of physics and math that you all are having so much fun! He went on to talk about the gravitational theory and the probability theory.
Gravity is the constant force that bodies work against to maintain upright posture and enable movements like sitting up.
The sum of the probability of happening of an event and not happening of an event is equal to 1, he said.
“Physics and mathematics are everywhere and can explain so much”.
“I love it “, he said, his eyes shining bright.
This is one of my favorite memories of Amitabha da. A man of science who found and shared its magic everywhere!!”
—Ranjana
Sanyal (NJ)
“Loss always leads to reflection. As I process the reality of Amitabha da’s
passing, I find myself replaying snippets of our conversations and running through the reels of images of times we spent with him. The enduring memory of Amitabha da from the last time I saw him is from last year. As he was entering Anada Mandir, his eyes lit up when he saw his old friends and acquaintances walking towards him. His smile reached his eyes, his happiness at meeting them so complete and genuine.
No one who has met him can forget his infectious positivity and his equanimity. His ability to lift the mood when he walked into the room, he was so easy to be around. He was curious and amused by the world around him. He found joy in the simplest of things and was an expert raconteur- a freshly made alu paratha would bring forth stories of his travels in north India. He was always appreciative of the most mundane of things like a typed-up itinerary of his visit.His humanity and his humility were deep and wide, always at the forefront, his intellectual brilliance he kept hidden in the background, the mark of a genuinely great man. He led quietly with a passion for getting things done and committed himself to helping people achieve their goals. An incredibly special man who left each of us who knew him with endless special memories. Our deepest condolences to Dhriti di, Toopan and Pamina and their families for their loss. And our immense gratitude to them for sharing him with all of us. Amitabha da will live on in our hearts and our memories.”
—Purba Lahiri (NJ)
“Amitabha was a precious gift to our Bengali Community.
With enthusiasm, energy, and a smile, he was ready to devote his time to social causes. I got accidentally dragged into the effort to develop a Bengali Community Center where Amitabha was also involved. Weekends in, weekends out, many of us including Amitabha, a ragtag band of volunteers, worked on the cause of Ananda Mandir. Amitabha was singularly important during the days leading up to the 12/16/1997 closing. He, the General Secretary, was working with the BOT leadership in turmoil and various forces trying to disrupt the effort continuously. He got the closing done -- an enormous achievement. How can we forget the Bengali School, Mrittika, that Dhriti and Amitabha started and nurtured for many years? Let us also remember that Amitabha was an integral part of Sahitya-O-Alochana (with Subrata Bhaumik) going on for many years. May Amitabha’s memory give us joy!”
—Kamalesh Sircar (NJ)
A Reflection on Our Father, Amitabha Bagchi
By Toopan Bagchi (Minnesota) and Pamina Bagchi (California)
It’s hard to put into words what an extraordinary father Baba was. We were incredibly lucky—to grow up surrounded by his quiet strength, his unwavering support, and his deep, unconditional love. He wasn’t someone who sought the spotlight, but the light he carried in his mind— and the kindness in his heart—shone brightly in everything he did.
Baba was many things: a lifelong scholar and educator, a quiet leader, a devoted husband, and a beloved father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He was an exceptional student, though he never spoke of it. We learned from others about his first-place finish in the higher secondary exam, and only later discovered the many teaching awards he earned as a professor. But he never held us to those standards. Instead, he encouraged us to follow our passions and give our best. As children, we turned to him for help with everything—from obscure school topics to life’s biggest questions. He always had a thoughtful perspective, whether it was on Elizabethan agriculture or the complexities of world history. He was our rock, our coach, our calm in the storm. He had a deep compassion that shaped how he loved us. When we stumbled, he didn’t judge— he embraced. “Every defeat of yours is a defeat of mine,” he once said. That kind of empathy is rare. He didn’t try to fix everything. He listened—really listened—and offered quiet wisdom that helped us find our way.
Baba’s humility was profound. We didn’t fully grasp the scope of his brilliance until after he was gone. He earned a PhD in physics, worked on groundbreaking technology, and led community efforts like the founding of Ananda Mandir. Yet he never boasted. He was more interested in people than titles, more focused on meaningful work than applause. He loved the arts, sports, and culture. He dreamed of being a journalist, sang old Hindi movie tunes, and shared New York Times articles with us just to hear our thoughts. He cooked with scientific precision—Thanksgiving turkey, keema mattar, and saag gosht from a Pakistani airline cookbook. He volunteered, coached soccer, and gave us math and reading assignments during summer break—lessons we only came to appreciate later. There are moments that stay with us. A dropped ice cream cone met not with frustration, but with calm. A gentle reminder that we didn’t have to pursue science if it didn’t bring us joy. He taught us that success isn’t about prestige—it’s about authenticity, love, and purpose.
In recent years, he continued to check in, to care, to cheer us on. When one of us began teaching part-time, his pride was unmistakable. And since his passing, we’ve been overwhelmed by the love and memories shared by others. Friends and family from around the world have spoken of his mentorship, his kindness, his quiet leadership. One friend reminded us that “Amitabha” means “Infinite Light.” And that’s exactly what he was—a limitless light in our lives. He is in the way we think, the way we parent, the way we try to be kind and patient. He’s in the silence, in the stardust, in the sunlight on a page. He is everywhere—because he is part of us.
Thank you, Baba, for everything. We hope to honor your life not just in words but in how we live ours.
REVISITING MY HOMETOWN
By Gautam Bandyopadhyay (Massachusetts)
In December 2014, during one of our annual visits to India, my wife and I joined two old family friends - we called them Uncle and Aunt - for a short trip to a local resort, about a 5-hour drive from Kolkata. On our return, we decided to take a detour through my hometown, Asansol. I was born there and spent my childhood through the high school until I left for Kolkata for college in 1962. Even at this advanced age, many of my fondest childhood memories are tied to this town. The idea of driving through the old neighborhood to see how it had changed over the years was exciting to me.
My last visit to Asansol was in 1993, 23 years earlier, when I had already seen signs of urbanization creeping in, transforming the once-quiet suburban town. As we approached, I expected to see further development - but the changes that unfolded before me were so dramatic that the area was almost unrecognizable. Large scale constructions - new roads, highways and multistoried buildings - had morphed my once-quiet suburban town into a bustling Indian city.
Finding Burnpur Road, the street where I grew up in 1950s and 60s, was confusing, though not difficult - it remained the main thoroughfare connecting Asansol to Burnpur. However, as we slowly drove down the street, nothing looked familiar. Even compared to my last visit in 1993, the transformation was staggering. I was so disoriented that we had to stop and ask someone to confirm that we were indeed on Burnpur Road.
The street was much wider than before. Multistoried apartment buildings, modern shopping malls, and sleek show rooms completely replaced my old neighborhood. I was searching for the two homes of my childhood, and the neighborhood where I had grown up.
Back in 1993, I saw new constructions filling up the vacant lands and play fields that had once surrounded our homes. Even the vast picturesque paddy field across the street - an everpresent part of my childhood was disappearing, replaced by haphazardly built structures.
Our first home, where I was born and spent my early years, was a single-story brick house with an L-shaped design. Several rooms lined up along a veranda, enclosing a walled courtyard in the center. This house became the nucleus of our joint family, where my parents, three sisters, and I lived alongside one of my
uncles, his wife, and their two young sons.
The second home, which I called our “Family Home,” was built by my father and two uncles on a large parcel of land adjacent to the first.
Despite the development I had witnessed in 1993, our old neighborhood—consisting of a dozen one- or two-story residential homes, including ours - had remained relatively unchanged. While the exteriors of our two homes had evolved over time due to renovations and additions, they were still clearly recognizable. Also recognizable was a small open field that abutted both our homes. The field was still open, although overgrown with weeds. In our childhood, it was the neighborhood playground for the childrenalso the gathering spot for our parents for their chat sessions at all hours of the day and night. In a way, it was the heart of our neighborhood! But now, on this visit, everything was gone. The entire landscape had undergone a complete makeover. I could not recognize where I was.
I asked the driver to stop when I thought we had gone far enough from a connecting street that I could vaguely identify. Stepping out of the car with my video camera in hand, I tried to orient myself. I knew that our family home and its adjoining land had been sold to a local developer, who had constructed a towering mall and apartment complex in its place. I was certain I wasn’t far from the spot, yet I couldn’t tell. I was shocked that I was so lost in a place which I called home growing up.
I must have looked bewildered, frantically running from house to house. From inside the car, my wife, uncle and aunt watched my erratic behavior with curiosity. A few locals standing by the roadsides or in storefronts also took notice. After all, an elderly man - an outsider, in jeans, a polo shirt, and sneakers, darting back and forth between houses with a camera in hand, certainly didn’t look normal. It looked suspicious.
A middle-aged man stopped me and asked sternly, “What are you trying to photograph? What’s your intent?”
I didn’t appreciate his tone, but I understood his concernmy frantic behavior had drawn attention. His interruption, however, broke my frustration. I seized the moment and asked eagerly, “How long have you lived in this area?”
Still irritated, he hesitated before replying, “More than 30 years.”
That was exactly what I needed to hear - he had to know the old neighborhood I was searching for.
“Do you know where the R.N. Banerjee house was? I heard it was replaced by a big building,” I asked anxiously.
His demeanor suddenly shifted. With a curious smile, he responded, “Do you mean Buro and Jishu’s house?”, referring to my two cousins by their nicknames.
He knew exactly what I was looking for.
“Yes! That’s what I’m trying to find. But with all the changes, I can’t figure out where I am,” I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. Then, introducing myself, I said, “I’m Buro and Jishu’s cousin. I also grew up in this neighborhood.” While studying his face to gauge his age, I added with a grin, “...but probably before your time.”
The man laughed and pointed to a large, multi-storied building next to us. “That’s where your family home used to be.”
I stared in amazement. In an instant, the puzzle clicked into place; the area finally made sense. Suddenly, I realized that the storefront where he stood was part of my first home, the place where I was born. The building had changed significantly with major additions, making it unrecognizable at first glance. But as I looked closer, I could still trace the outline of the original structure, hidden beneath the layers of time.
With the confusion gone, I felt an unexpected sense of reconnection with my childhood. Though very little remained recognizable in the area, in my imagination, I could see the neighborhood as it once was. By this time, the gentleman’s demeanor had shifted dramatically - from questioning to intense curiosity. He told me he was friends with my cousins and heard stories about me from them. He even claimed to remember me from my last visit with my daughters. I was grateful to have run into him - he had helped me rediscover a part of my past.
I chatted with the gentleman for a while, answering many of his curious questions, including what I had been doing since leaving Asansol. As our conversation continued, a few more people joined in, eager to know what the area looked like 50 years ago. Suddenly I felt like an
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SPRING BREAK: A SENSELESS TRADITION
By Basab Dasgupta (California)
Writing of this essay was prompted by the devastating news of the disappearance of a 20years old female student of Indian origin from the University of Pittsburgh, Sudiksha Konanki, from a beach in Dominican Republic on March 6 during her spring break, a few months ago. A week-long extensive search by local authorities did not provide any definitive clue about her disappearance except for the unconfirmed story from one of her male friends; that she might have been swept away by strong waves in the ocean during an early morning swim. The broken-hearted parents accepted that she had died.
Although, as an Indian American, I have embraced almost all annual rituals and traditions of American society and celebrate the occasion by participating in an appropriate activity, I have not been able to accept or support the insanity of college students during “Spring Break”. Of course, I am no longer a college student but worry about my future generations, especially my grandchildren.
It is certainly logical for every school and university to observe a vacation period for students and faculty during the middle of the spring semester, typically in March or April which sometimes coincides with the Easter holidays and lasts about a week. Since spring breaks of all schools do not necessarily coincide, the festivities last two to three weeks. This is certainly a welcome period for students to catch up with studies, relax with family and perhaps even participate in some religious events. However, most students head for some vacation spot with their college friends. What really bothers me is the fact that going to the spring break has become synonymous with a free pass, for students, to do whatever they please. Favorite destinations during spring break are the southern beach towns, especially in Florida, S. Carolina, Texas and Mississippi and even beyond; in Cancun (Mexico), Caribbean islands and Hawaii. This is also appealing to the students in the north and north-east, as an escape from snow and bitter cold.
The tradition is not unique to the USA. It is also celebrated in Germany, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic, Canada, Kuwait, S. Korea and possibly a host of other countries.
Activities during spring break include drinking all varieties of alcohol, drug use, nudity, sex, gambling, all kinds of unruly behavior sometimes leading to violence and all with absolutely no supervision from any superior. Almost all students are in the 18-22 age group. Unfortunately, many outside criminal elements infiltrate the party since typically there is no protocol for checking the background of participants. For most students, it is the first opportunity to enjoy hedonistic behavior without any fear of punishment or retribution. The old video series “Girls Gone Wild” chronicled crazy scenes at these spring break gatherings, showing young girls in various stages of intoxication and
undressing. The name “spring break” almost seems like a pun which also describes a spring under tension finally snapping.
Many downsides are inevitable: drug overdose, hangover and vomiting from too much drinking, distraction from studies, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, emotional breakdown, physical altercation, robbery, arrest by police officers etc. There have also been reported cases of death during spring breaks from accidents (drowning and drug overdose, for example), fighting and even murder. Yet, spring breaks have become a cultural tradition in the same way as the fourth of July or thanksgiving celebration.
One of the main reasons is the huge amount of money the local businesses at the locations of spring breaks such as hotels, bars, restaurants, car rentals earn. They probably make the entire year of profit in those couple of weeks. I do not know how these businesses coordinate with colleges regarding schedule, number of expected students etc. I am surprised that the parents of all these students do not seem to be bothered by this out-of-control behavior for this period. It seems that they consider this almost like an initiation into adulthood.
We did not have spring breaks in India. The Holi festival was probably the event closest to spring break in terms of a combination of holiday period, religious celebration and opportunity for unruly inappropriate behavior with girls. Covering girls’ faces with colored powder was probably the only occasion when many young men could touch members of the opposite sex and this behavior was tolerated. Some men even dared to put their hands on other parts of the girls’ body. From a timing point of view, two celebrations are close to each other. This year, for example, Holi was on March 14 whereas spring breaks took place during later parts of March. However, public alcohol consumption and any hint of nudity was an absolute no-no in India.
My wife and I always allowed our daughter Leena (not her real name), who is a responsible individual, to do the right thing without controlling her activities and dictating her every move. I was anxious and apprehensive to see if Leena would want to get involved in spring break activities.
I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to learn that Stanford University, where Leena attended college, offered what is called an “alternate spring break”. The idea was for the students to do something which has social values and also learning opportunities about an unfamiliar aspect of the society instead of wasting their money, energy and possibly health in some meaningless antics.
My daughter participated in two alternate spring breaks that are worth mentioning. One year, she spent her entire break at the infamous skid row of Los Angeles in a housing complex which provides per-
Revisiting My Hometown
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important person rather than the confused old man only a little while ago.
After our chat, I strolled down the street, hoping to find something familiar from the past. The small dispensary where our neighborhood family doctor once practiced was gone, replaced by a sleek electronics store that occupied the entire front of the building. Across the street, a sign reading “Dolly Lodge” caught my eye. The three-story building stood remarkably unchanged - a rare remnant of the old days, now transformed into a fancy restaurant. I couldn’t help but wonder if any members of the Mukherjee family, who built and owned the house over 50 years ago, were still around.
Lost in thought, I wandered along the road when my wife’s voice snapped me back to the present. She reminded me that we needed to head back to Kolkata. But I wasn’t ready to leave just yet. I wanted to take a short drive through Burnpur to see our third home, about three miles away - the company flat where my parents lived until my father’s retirement, before they moved to their Kolkata apartment.
However, the quick drive through Burnpur was deeply disappointing. Unlike Asansol, which had prospered and grown over time, Burnpur had
deteriorated. The town appeared to be in a state of neglect, reflecting the financial struggles of the Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO), which was responsible for managing and maintaining the township.
Fifty years ago, Burnpur was a beautiful, well-maintained company township - home to one of the nation’s finest steel factories. But over time, changes in ownership and persistent labor troubles pushed both the company and the township into decline. With no new development, the town’s layout remained unchanged, yet it had lost its charm. Gone were the manicured lawns, well-lit streets, and neatly maintained residential bungalows and flats.
Driving down Riverside Road, where my parents once had a company flat, was particularly disheartening. This was the place I had once been proud to call home, but now it was merely a faded shadow of its former glory. As we drove back to Kolkata, I tried to process the changes I had just witnessed in my former homes in Asansol and Burnpur. My time here had been too short. Mentally, I was already planning my next visit. One question lingered in my mindwhat lay behind those towering buildings? Was the playground behind our home still there, or had it vanished like the rest of the neighborhood?
Tributes to Amitabha Bagchi
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“The news hit me like a shell. I was in Kolkata then and was following the Bagchi family’s doings on social media. Amitabha and Dhriti were in the same city as me. But even before I left, I learned Amitabha had passed on in California, his home for the past few years. Losing a dear friend is no longer strange to me – I have lost several recently. I suppose I have entered the sunset years. But this was a special guy – an intellectual giant, a gentle soul, a kind friend. His passing is still unthinkable.
I met Amitabha in Columbus, Ohio. As we came to know him, we immediately became aware of his academic accomplishments and unassuming demeanor. Rather than sticking to his subject matter, Physics, he was always ready to talk to us, laypeople, about a variety of subjects under the sky. Amitabha endeared himself to me when he declared, a newly minted feminist activist then, that he grew up in the laps of feminism in California, and is, therefore, a feminist himself. I remember our fervent discussions on various feminist issues and learning to debate his singular and brilliant arguments. We discussed (a)theism, equality, and gender socialization. What I remember most about these sessions was his wry sense of humor that permeated all conversations. Later, he proved his commitment to feminism by his unfaltering support of his wife, Dhriti’s activities.
Our friendship crystallized further during our stay in New Jersey. Along with Dhriti, Amitabha was an organizer of Mrittika, the Bangla school for children in New Jersey. He took my grandson in hand to tutor him in Bangla. What a meticulous and tender teacher he was!
Saying ‘I will miss this beautiful man’ is not adequate. Nothing is when you lose a wonderful friend. All I can say is that I am glad to have walked the earth at the same time Amitabha did.”
—Shamita Das Dasgupta (NJ)
“Subhas Chandra, I am a Bengali poet. I hail you as the Deshnayak or the leader of the nation on behalf of Bengal. Gita says that the protector of the good appears time and again. When the nation suffers from tyranny and oppression, that suffering and the consequent inner pain inspire the leader to arrive on stage”, so wrote Rabindranath in May 1939. He hailed Subhas Chandra Bose as Deshnayak, long before Subhas’s own army called him Netaji or “The Leader”. [The letter, written in Bengali, was translated by Sabitri Prasanna Chattopadhyay]
The relation between these two stalwarts was not always smooth. There were always mutual admirations, but also disagreements on several occasions. Their paths were different, but these paths met many times over a quarter century period.
From an early age when he was growing up in Cuttack (Odisha), Subhas loved Rabindranath’s poems and used to recite these at school events. At the age of fifteen, a year before Rabindranath got the Nobel Prize, Subhas wrote to his elder brother, Sarat Bose: “What a strange people we are! We have so little reverence in us. I am almost stung with self-reproach when I think how indifferent Bengal has been in showering laurels upon him.”
Subhas’s first encounter with Rabindranath was in 2014 after the poet received the Nobel Prize in 2013. Subhas and a few fellow students from Presidency College went to visit the poet in Shantiniketan expecting to hear about his grand visions of arts and culture. But Rabindranath talked about the importance of village developments in India and the transformations that India’s youth could bring about. The meeting was a disappointment for Subhas. Years later in 1938, he recalled this meeting and expressed how his views had changed: “When I met him for the first time I was dampened by his advice to us on village development, but now I realize the potency of what he was trying to tell us.”
For Subhas, a life changing event occurred in early 2016 when he was studying in Presidency College. He came to know that the history professor Edward Oaten had manhandled some students, and as the class representative, Subhas took up the matter with the college principal, but to no avail.
Rabindranath and Netaji
By Asok Baral (New Jersey)
The students called a strike, and on the second day, after another case of manhandling, Oaten was given a sound thrashing at the bottom of the college’s imposing staircase. The incidence sent shock waves throughout the city. Rabindranath took a mixed view of the situation and commented: “No crime is more heinous than assaulting one’s own Teacher! But if a teacher committed a sacrilege of insulting the student’s motherland, the student has every right to consider it a greater duty to be loyal to his motherland and take suitable action against the teacher”.
Rabindranath, a strict disciplinarian, could not morally support the incident, but did appreciate the noble spirit of patriotism in this young man. Subhas was expelled from the college, but Rabindranath pleaded forcefully for the reversal of the expulsion order. The then Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee intervened and about a year later, Subhas got admission into Scottish Church College. Subhas gratefully acknowledged what Rabindranath had done for him, but he did not budge from his belief that non-violence was not the path for India’s freedom.
Their second encounter was a chance meeting aboard a ship in 1921. Rabindranath was returning from a visit to Europe and Subhas was returning from England after completing his Indian Civil Service (ICS) program and subsequently refusing to join the Civil Service. In his letter to the U.K. Secretary of State for India on 22nd April, he wrote: “I desire to have my name removed from the list of probationers in the Indian Civil Services. I may state in this connection that I was selected as a result of an open competi-
tive examination held in August 1920. I have received an allowance of £100 (one hundred pounds only) up till now. I shall remit the amount to the Indian Office as soon as my resignation is accepted.”
As a patriot, he could never succumb to the idea of serving the British Government, however powerful the position maybe. He sat for the ICS only to keep the promise he had made to his parents. Subhas’s decision was criticized widely, some called him whimsical, but Rabindranath appreciated Subhas’s decision and congratulated him for his strong stand based on principle.
Subhas’s plan was that on his return from England, he would join the non-cooperation movement that Gandhiji had started upon his return from South Africa in 1915. Rabindranath told Subhas that he was not against Gandhiji’s movement, but he did not like some of the path that Gandhiji was following. For example, Gandhiji wanted to boycott educational institutions established by the British, but Rabindranath worried that these steps will prevent enlightenment of the young minds. But Subhas did not agree, and he took part in boycotting British institutions, even creating parallel educational system like Kolkata Vidyapith in 1921.
But Subhas was slowly becoming disillusioned with Gandhiji’s movement. He felt that Gandhiji had no clear idea about where to take the movement and without that, how India could be led towards independence. But he was very impressed with Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, and he found the leader he was looking for.
But the British Government focused on Subhas as an arch enemy of His Majesty since his resignation from the ICS. After he successfully
organized a boycott during the Prince of Wales’s visit to India; the authorities arrested him on Christmas Day in 1921, he was sentenced to six months imprisonment. This was followed by another arrest in 1924, and this time Subhas was sent to Mandalay jail in Burma (now Mynamar) so that his arrest would not create a local agitation.
Subhas’s health deteriorated quickly, his protests against humiliation and demand for the legal rights often ended in hunger strikes and these took a toll. The British released him for medical treatment under surveillance, and following the advice of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Subhas came to Shillong in June 1927. It is interesting to note that Rabindranath was also in Shillong at that time, but there is no record of the meeting of the two. Perhaps, some restrictions were imposed on Subhas, but Rabindranath constantly enquired about his health and prayed for his speedy recovery.
A year later, in 1928, the students at the City College Hostel in Calcutta wanted to celebrate Saraswati Puja. But City College was a Brahmo institution, and the idol worship was not permitted in its premises. The College
lished from London. Subhas wanted the foreword to be written either by H.G. Wells or George Bernard Shaw, and he made a request to Rabindranath if he could put some good words to them. But the letter he wrote to Rabindranath shows the struggle he was going through: “I had thought about asking Monsieur Rolland also, but he is too much of a Gandhi admirer which I am not. Hence, I am not sure whether he will be willing to write for my book. I had also thought about you, but I am not sure whether you would be willing to write on my political book. You have also turned into a blind admirer of Gandhiji recently — one gets that impression from reading your recent writings. In this situation I am not sure whether you would tolerate any criticism about Gandhiji.”
Rabindranath wrote back: “Gandhiji is a tremendous moral and ethical force which if I do not respect will make me ‘blind’.”
But years later, when the conflict between Subhas and Gandhiji came to a head in 1939, Rabindranath’s stance on what he felt was right was very forceful. Subhas was the sitting Congress Party President in 1938, and he ran again for the post against PattabhaiSitaramaya who was strongly supported by Gandhiji and the Congress Working Committee. Subhas won and Gandhiji took the loss very personally: “the defeat is more mine than his”. Gandhiji put all his machi-
authorities fined the students, and Subhas strongly sided with the students on grounds of religious rights. Rabindranath’s opposing views against the agitation was published in Modern Review, and his comments upset Subhas. He countered with some strong comments, which in turn upset Rabindranath, and in a letter to his son, he wrote that he had “lost all respect for Bose”.
A few years later, Subhas wrote an autobiographical work, The Indian Struggle, which was going to be pub-
nations to work, Nehru was ambivalent at the beginning, but, as always, yielded to Gandhiji. When Subhas was fighting this uphill battle with the party machinery, Rabindranath wrote to him: “The whole country is waiting for you – if you lose this favorable chance through hesitation, you will never get it back… I am saying this not for your own sake but for the sake of the country. Please demand firmly from Mahatmaji to let you know his final answer at an
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PUJA ACTIVITIES FOR APRIL-JUNE, 2025
Reported by Mita Sinha, Chair, Puja Committee
After the cold winter months, we were looking forward for some warm weather. Spring brought warmer temperatures and longer days, and now summer is here and people are looking forward to visiting the Mandir more often. Devotees of Ananda Mandir visit the Temple more often during summer time. However, winter or summer our puja activities at Ananda Mandir goes on throughout the year.
The first puja for the month of April was Satyanarayan Puja in the evening. The Mandir was full of devotees attending the puja. Dinner was served after the puja.
The next puja of the month was on April 15, to celebrate
PoyelaBaishakh, the new year of the Bangla Calendar. A special day for all Bengalee families. The temple stayed open the entire day. Devotees came in and out all day long to offer their puja and get blessings. We also had Satyanarayan Puja in the evening. After the puja we had Arati, Pushpanjali and all of us had special dinner. The New Year started on a good note.
On April 27, Sunday, we had our monthly Shyama Puja. Quite a few members attended this puja. At Ananda Mandir we have at least one Satyanarayan Puja and one Shyama Puja every month. Occasionally we do have more than one and our
members always attend most of these pujas.
We celebrated Akshaya Tritia on April 30. This is a significant day in Hindu and Jain traditions. This day is considered incredibly auspicious for starting new ventures. Akshaya means imperishable or eternal, signifying a day of endless prosperity and good fortune. At Ananda Mandir we did this puja in the morning.
In the evening, we celebrated Ram ThakurerSmoronstov with Kirtan and Satyanarayan Puja. This is a special day in our Puja calendar. A group of Kirtaniyas come from New York city to sing Kirtan every year. Our members loved this evening, and we all participated with them in singing. We have a number of followers of Ram Thakur in our area and they
always attend this celebration. The temple was crowded on this day and we also had our Satyanarayan Puja after the kirtan. This was a busy day. A special dinner was served to everybody after the Puja.
On May 26 we had Phaloharini Kalika Puja at the temple. This is a Hindu ritual performed on the Amavasya day in the month of Jyeshta. Phalaharini Kali is known for taking away the fruits (results) of actions and promoting spiritual liberation. The puja involved in chanting Ma Kali’s name, Yagna, Aarati and Anjali. We all had bhog after the puja.
Dashahara and Ganga Puja were our next puja of the month on June 5. River Ganga has been the lifeline of India, since ancient times providing an abundant water supply. For Hindus, she is a Devi. Her water is considered sacred and holy. On this day devotees take a dip in the holy water, it is believed to wash away sins. It is widely recognized that this day marks the sacred occasion when goddess Ganga descended on earth thus, it is celebrated as Ganga Dashahara.
On Jue 8 we had our Satyanarayana Puja. This puja was performed in the evening. We had lot of attendees in the Temple. Everybody enjoyed the puja. After the puja we had Arati and Anjali and sumptuous dinner.
Our next puja was on June 11, Jagannath Mahaprabhu SnanJatra. This is a sacred bathing ceremony of deities celebrated on the full moon
day of Hindu month of Jeyshtha.
On June 24, we had our monthly Shyama Puja in the evening. This puja was well attended. We had good dinner after the puja.
Ratha Jatra (chariot festival) was our last puja for the month of June on a Friday. This festival is celebrated in many parts of the world. The most famous and largest celebrations take place at the Jagannath Temple of Puri, India. The festival involves pulling decorated chariots carrying deities of Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram. It allows the devotees to have a darshan, a sacred view of the divine. At Ananda Mandir all of us took our turn to pull the chariot within our temple ground. After couple of trips the deities were brought inside and Biswabhai did the Puja, Arati and Anjali. The evening ended with a grand dinner.
Ananda Mandir is a Hindu Temple in New Jersey. Everyone is welcome to come and pray with us at our Mandir. This is one of the major Kali temples in New Jersey. The Mandir stays open in the morning from 9 am to 11:30 am and in the evening from 5:30 to 8:00 pm seven days a week. Anyone can sponsor online puja through our website. All of our scheduled programs can be found in our website at www.anandamandir.org Come and join us and be a member of this great organization. We provide Bengali language classes and dance lessons on the premise. Our members are always friendly and courteous.
Lakshmi Puja
Akshaya Tritia: Kirtaniya Group from New York City
Ratha Jatra
Ratha Jatra
CULTURAL PROGRAMS DURING APRIL–JUNE, 2025
Hypertexting “Purohit Darpan”: By A Woman Engineer?
By Bakul Banerjee (Illinois)
It was the late 1980s. Like my first forty years of itinerant sheltering, my professional life remained unstable. Our family, including two small children, moved wherever my husband’s next job took us. He had a difficult time finding and keeping a steady job. I hadn’t had any stellar luck either. He moved from the metropolitan city of Baltimore to a job in a remote village in southern Ohio. Eventually, we landed in a suburb of Chicago. I pounded pave-
ments literally and metaphorically, writing letters, making cold calls, and filling out application forms at reception desks to companies recommended by the kind souls at public libraries. I touted my doctoral degree in science from Johns Hopkins University but knew that my chances of landing a job were slim without any network in a new city. Once, I applied for a job with a giant retail corporation and had to sit for a battery test as a part of the
job interview. About twenty percent of the questions were related to baseball games. Although I had learned about American football, basketballand even lacrosse – the only game that Johns Hopkins students were good at -- I knew nothing about baseball during the past eight years of my stay in this country. When I was hired by the Rockwell Switching System Corporation, located at Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago, I only had a vague idea about the line of communication switches called Automatic Call Distributors
(ACDs) deployed at many Call Centers. The primary purpose of the ACDs was to manage customer help desks or make marketing calls by humans most efficiently. The company was part of a large conglomerate producing advanced electronic systems. It had a tradition of providing various technology training.
A good daycare center was nearby, making Rockwell a good place for me to work. I could visit them whenever I wanted and share their daycare Thanksgiving meals sitting on the tiny chairs.
The best part of my job
was the opportunity to learn about hardware, software, manufacturing, and management systems, particularly about the Automatic Call Distribution systems. I also mastered the regulatory compliance rules of the telecommunication industry. These expensive electronic systems, costing millions, were behind the unsolicited phone calls that disturbed ordinary citizens during dinner times. My father worked for the Indian telecommunication company owned by the government. Although it was
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Hypertexting“Purohit Darpan”: By A Woman Engineer?
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an essential service, everybody loved to complain about it. My mother instructed her children never to divulge her husband’s occupation to casual acquaintances. My father, a quiet person, didn’t have any decent strategy to distract the complainers other than keeping silent. In my case, our local immigration community never
bothered to find out about my profession – I was just a wife. Nobody complained to me.
Toward the end of the 1980s, I realized that the era of the giant Rockwell ACDs was about to expire. I was on the lookout for learning new technologies for my next job. I believe upper management at Rockwell was also thinking the same thing. Japan was becoming a formidable competitor to the US electronic industry. Toward the end of the 1980s, several electronics and computer industry corporations formed the Microelectronics and Computer Consortium (MCC) in Austin, Texas. It was the first and, at that time, one of the largest computer industry research and development consortia in the US. One of my colleagues was sent to Austin to participate in MCC’s advanced research team to bring innovative ideas to the Downers Grove headquarters. He gave talks on emerging innovations discussed at MCC. A handful of Ph.D.s from the staff and members of the upper management were invited to attend those seminars. He introduced several ground-breaking technologies explored at Austin, including innovative thoughts on hardware and software system architecture. I was fascinated with the demonstra-
tion of hypertext that could be applied to handle nonlinear sets of information. The mechanics of creating hypertext pages with squiggly parenthetical notations was still in its infancy. Around the same time in 1989, Tim Berners-Lee was putting together the World Wide Web, but it would take a few more years to smooth out the application of this technology. The idea of hypertext would become a nice compliment.
I left the conference room, thinking about my upcoming personal project. Earlier that month, one of my friends had asked if we could officiate the Vedic wedding of her daughter, who was planning to marry a white young man. I do not remember exactly why she asked me. Around that time, only a few Vedic priests were available in our immigrant Bengali community. These priests often refused to conduct any interracial marriages. Being born into the Brahmin caste responsible for conducting priestly duties, I felt that it was my obligation to help. As a teenager, I had been fascinated with the Sanskrit language and achieved some mastery of it. The Vedic hymnals are written in Sanskrit, but ritual procedures are written in Bengali. I had previously helped with minor rituals, but a wedding was a much bigger deal.
Since my husband had no formal training in the Sanskrit language, I was responsible for preparing the script for a more than two-hour-long ritual for the Vedic wedding. A few years earlier, my father-in-law had presented me with a hefty copy of Purohit Darpan, the seminal liturgical handbook for Bengali priests. First compiled by Pandit Surendra Mohan Bhattacharya, it was first published in 1901. It is a compendium of procedures and hymns of all commonly practiced rituals throughout the Bengali diaspora. The most peculiar feature of this book, which is still very much in use, is that instructional texts are written in Bengali. Complementary ancient hymns from the three principal Vedas, Rik, Sam, and Yaju, were Sanskrit transliterations written in Bengali script so that regular priests could use the text without learning the Devnagari script used in writing Sanskrit. This compendium has been revised and published continuously since its original publication. My copy was published in 1987. The latest edition, available on Amazon, USA, was published in 2019.
The book, more than 500 pages long, has five chapters. The first chapter contains basic ritual procedures that are applied depending on the sacraments or the worship of a specific god or goddess. The daily spiritual life of the Bengali diaspora revolves around the lunar calendar. There is particular worship for each day. These are described in the second chapter. Details of procedures for sacraments to be observed throughout human life are described in the third chapter. There are ten primary
ones. However, to cope with hectic urban life, only three ceremonies are practiced: the first rice-eating by an infant, the marriage, and the last rite. The third chapter is dedicated to the details of these ceremonies. The fourth one is devoted to worshipping major gods and goddesses, particularly those requiring half a day or more time.
Since the book’s author crammed all possible ancient rituals and their customization in one volume, it is the densest book I have ever encountered. It is also highly nonlinear. As I grappled with organizing the script for the wedding, my task became mired in complex cross-referencing. For example, after the step of welcoming the groom on page xxx, the author instructs the priest to go to page yy. After performing step yy, we are supposed to return to the step xxx, breaking the continuity of the ceremony. I thought it would have been much easier if the whole book had been written using hypertext.
I have heard about other brave immigrant souls, scientists, and engineers who have taken up the practice of the Hindu priesthood to fulfill this
unwritten obligation. However, they were male. As a female, I was anxious about accomplishing the task and shared my worries with a friend and an established scientist who kept up with my activities.
“Oh! Remember, you had worked on air-to-submarine communications for the United States Office of Naval Research not too long ago. Handling that kind of physics is not easy. You also had formal education in Sanskrit. Deciphering the nonlinearity of Purohit Darpan should be a cakewalk for you. Who says only men can be priests. We need women like you to take up these responsibilities,” my friend assured me.
The knowledge of hypertext coding would have been handy, but the technology was not readily available. Armed with colored sticky notes and pens, I marked the cross-references for the worship with curly brackets. Using physical cut and paste, I made the script for the wedding completely linear. During the summer of 1990, my friend’s daughter wedded. After that, I gained the confidence to per-
form almost all Vedic rituals. Sitting beside my husband, I continued as a Tantra-Dharak or a proxy priest. I consider it our privilege to provide these services as a volunteer team whenever requested by the monk at the local monastery or by individuals. I was often the primary organizer of these ancient Bengali-style rituals. I continued my work as a proxy priest for many more years until my husband became sick in 2012. I retired to take care of him. The monastery asked me to become the primary priest. I served in that capacity for long intervals of time at the temple. Regular devotees at the monastery accepted me, a female one, as their priest. Worshiping the Goddess Durga at the monastery gave me a rare out-of-the-world meditative experience.
I learned hypertext coding within three years of the presentation and was creating web pages. It was a skill that remained useful in my professional and personal activities. Often, I thought of turning Purohit Darpan into structured web pages, but that did not happen because of the challenges of work life and child-rearing.
The internet world moved forward rapidly. MCC was dissolved in 2004, but its spinoffs continued with innovation. We, regular citizens, mindlessly click on the blue underlined texts on a webpage, hardly ever thinking about the HTML hyperlink tag <ahref=”url”>link text </a>. It is a testament to human adaptability.
“Bakuldi, we love coming here. The worship feels intimate,” several women commented, making me feel incredibly humble. I am sure some Bengalis haven’t changed their mind about a woman priest, but many have adapted to the new reality.
Whenever I pick up my Purohit Darpan before performing a ritual, I think about that afternoon when my colleague introduced the squiggly markings at the 1989 hypertext demonstration.
And lastly … the giant corporation where I had to take the battery test with baseball questions had collapsed entirely within two decades. They kept out talented people from their workforce who didn’t know baseball games. I often think of the popular saying inspired by Charles Darwin: It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptive to change.
Notes:
1. Introduction and Survey (0018-9162/87/0900-0017$01.00 <01987IEEE), Jeff Conklin, Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation https://www.cognexus. org/Hypertext-_An_Introduction_ and_Survey_%281987%29.pdf
2. Purohit Darpan by Surendranath Bhattacharya, Hardcover – January 1, 2019, Latest Bengali Edition on Amazon US
Figure 1: MCC building in Austin, Texas
Figure 2: Purohit Darpan
Figure 3: Bakul ready for worship
Notable Themes in Moby Dick and Avatar II
Herman Melville’s famous novel Moby-Dick and legendary filmmaker James Cameron’s Avatar II involve whales and whaling. These two creations have a striking resonance between them. Moby-Dick tells the gripping tale of Ishmael, a sailor embarking on a whaling voyage aboard the Pequod. He encounters the obsessive Captain Ahab, who is hell-bent on hunting the massive white whale known as Moby Dick. The story dives deep into themes of obsession, fate, and humanity’s relationship with nature.
Avatar II: The Way of Water introduces of the oceans, and a new aquatic Pandoran giant whale-like creatures, called tulkuns, which function as spirit guides for an indigenous Polynesian-like people. This film also features a crazed Marine captain, Miles Quaritch, who is determined to track down Jake Sullivan regardless of the cost. He is Ahab-like in this mission, prepared to sacrifice men and boat alike if that’s what it takes to capture the fellow Marine man who went native. Tulkun whales are the most fascinating and beloved in this movie.It appears that James Cameron wants people to understand how amazing these whales are.Maybe he hopes the tulkuns will inspire people to care more deeply about the plight of whales and the ocean itself. In addition, the movie provides a somber lesson about the realities of life. We’re all part of this giant system, the circle of life. Sometimes we benefit from it, sometimes we’re the victims of it. But the system is larger than all of us, and the more we can embrace its truth, the more we can find peace and acceptance in both good and evil.
The world of whaling is full of myths relating to big fishes, deluges, and stories of miraculous rescues. Melville depicts the great whale Moby Dick as a powerful force of nature, describing the whale as a manifestation (avatar) of the Hindu deity Vishnu, the Matsya Avatara. In this way Melville deploys Hindu theological ideas to present a concept of God and the human relation to God that is at odds with the Christian perspective of his time. He recounts a recognizable version of the Matsya Avatara myth, in which the very first incarnation of Vishnu saves the Vedas from the bottom of the sea, where only the divine ocean-dweller could go. He articulates the divinity of the whale emphasizing its mysterious quality that inspires both fear and awe, terror and fascination.In addition, in MobyDick we find many references to India and Indian things. Melville refers to the distinctive smell of whale processing as that of “wild Hindoo odour of funeral pyres.” There is a mention of “the tiger of Bengal” and the whales are compared to the elephants that amazed Alxander the Great and his opponent King Porus. Melville’s mention of the Matsya Avatara can be also viewed as an act of resistance, of moving away from the conserva-
By Mandira Chattopadhyay (Massachusetts)
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Readers are probably familiar with the book, “Moby Dick”, written by Herman Melville and published in 1851. It is considered an American classic.Readers may not know of the movie, Avatar II, directed by James Cameron (of “Titanic” fame) and released in 2022. “Moby Dick” is “centered on the sailor Ishmael’s narrative of the maniacal quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for vengeance against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg on the ship’s previous voyage (Wikipedia)”. In this article, the author discusses the similarities in the storylines of these two very different creations, a book published about 175 years ago and a movie released only three years back.
tive ethos of his world as well as his beliefs in democracy, and an essential equality among all living beings. Melville, who absorbed a wide range of influences, shows us what is possible when one remains open to the world.
In the movie Avatar II: The Way of Water, after viewing halfway through, we realize the reason behind the second invasion of the Na’vi home world Pandora getting a name Amrita is the gleaming, golden oil that brings the military power of the colonizing ‘Sky People’ to the planet, substituting the unobtanium mineral of Avatar 1. In one of the most striking scenes of the movie, we get an in-depth look at how Amrita is gathered. A fleet of high-tech heavily armed boats rakes through the seas. They painstakingly hunt whales and coolly slaughter them. The extractor scientists are then brought in, and they literally drill the precious liquid from the whales’ brains. Rather than that he fictional Amrita, it is Spermaceti that is the prize - a cloudy, waxy liquid found in the heads of sperm whales that produces cleaner, longer burning candles, as well as cosmetics. Spermaceti is prized because it gives more potent light. This became part of the justification for the systematized destruction of the sperm whale, even as late as 1985, the killing of these creatures became widespread and reached prolific levels, almost to the point of their extinction. As a comparison, the value of Amrita in Avatar 2 lies in its ability to prolong longevity by halting the body’s aging process. Interestingly both the scenarios deal with the demand from a reality-altering substance that drives murderous systematic violence. It is apparent that the theme of Avatar 2 is firmly embedded in the moral dilemma of capitalism, in that the modern global system is based on relentless violence against nature. However, the film venerates tribal customs and wisdom as antidotes to the imperialist aggression it depicts.
The story of Moby Dick is contrived to explore and exemplify an idea. The journey to find Moby-Dick is an intellectual activity in quest of a truth. Although the action is primarily on the pursuit of the monstrous whale, spiritually it is the story of Captain Ahab’s developing idea of what his antagonist represents and what he plans to do as he begins to understand his antagonist. Through-
good and evil are independent principles constantly at war for control of the universe, that the universe or God is essentially evil, that the universe is chaotic, and that the universe is orderly, therefore indifferent.
out the novel Moby-Dick, Ishmael digresses often to assert that the whale is unparalleled. He posits his argument from a variety of standpoints— whether anatomical or historical— that seek to prove the superiority of the whale over all other creatures. Ishmael indicates that whaling is a royal activity when he notes the devotion of Louis XVI to the whaling industry. He considers the whale as a delicacy fit for only the most civilized. As mentioned earlier, Melville refers to the Indian legends of Vishnu, the god who incarnated as a whale to save mankind. When he discusses the whale’s anatomy, he commends its body parts for its features, devoting an entire chapter to the whiteness of the whale, and lauds the nobility of its brows, equating the whale to God. This depiction of the whale as a superior and God-like entity renders the futility of Ahab’s quest to kill it as the whale stands for fate, divinity, and something invincible that cannot be conquered by man. According to a notable critic, Charles Wolcott, Melville suggests various possibilities in his conceptions of the nature of evil and of the universe: that the universe and God are all good, that the universe is controlled by God who permits evil in man and nature, that the
The movie Avatar II: The Way of Waterexplores the struggle between the preservation of Pandora’s natural beauty and the destructive aims of human colonizers. This theme emphasizes the impact of human interference on ecosystems and the importance of safeguarding one’s homeland. It raises awareness about environmental issues and ethical responsibilities toward the planet. Family dynamics are at the core of the story, highlighting resilience and loyalty amid adversity. The film portrays the harsh realities of conflict, along with its emotional toll. It shows us that despite the ongoing high profile climate conferences and pledges, there is a lack of global political will to adopt a real alternative to our current capitalism and the damage it is doing to our world. This movie is both a cultural product of the late capitalist condition we find ourselves in, and indicative of its deadlocked position. By comparison, Ishmael, the protagonist of Moby-Dick is preoccupied with diving into the workings of the murderous industry he is associated with. He describes in graphic detail the dismembering and processing of whales that goes on. Whaling is shown both as a kind of existential horror and a noble, glorious expression of human power and perseverance. Whaling vessels have been the forerunner of global progress – entangled with colonization and globalization. They have sailed to the farthest reaches of the earth. According to Ishmael, whaling is the
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A Senseless Tradition
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manent room and board to homeless and destitute people with all kinds of problems. I went to drop her off and also to pick her up at the end of the break. It was a scary sight.
Almost all residents had a physical or a mental handicap and in some cases both. They looked wretched, dysfunctional in torn clothes and not bathed for days. It was likely that many were drunk or high on drugs. The students ate with the residents, slept in the same building, observed their activities and talked to them about their problems and issues. They had to write reports about their experience. If nothing else, it made them realize how fortunate they are and the fact that there is a whole different and miserable world out there.
My daughter’s second alternate spring break took place while she was in Johns Hopkins medical school. A group of medical students went to
Sri Lanka shortly after the country was hit by a severe Tsunami. They spent nine days in a remote area of Sri Lanka without electricity and running water. They treated patients with all kinds of ailments with a very limited supply of medicines, medical equipment and nursing help.
Leena’s empathy for mankind drove her to the profession of a doctor. I can confess that she did not get this compassionate side of her personality from my DNA. I believe that the concept of an alternate spring break should be made mandatory and the insanity during conventional spring break should be strongly discouraged, if not banned outright. Young people must learn how to respect, if not help everyone and not have fun by demeaning others.
My heart cries out for Sudiksha’s parents. I hope that her episode will be an eye-opener for all parents of Indian origin.
Rabindranath and Netaji
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early date.”
In the end, Subhas had no choice but to resign from the Congress party, and form Forward Bloc. The public reception that Rabindranath had planned for Subhas was postponed. He composed the “Deshnayak” address and confessed that he had misgivings in the “uncertain dawn of Subhas Chandra’s political Sadhana (quest)”, but now he was revealed in the “pure light of midday sun”.
Subhas had planned for a House of the Great Nation, or Mahajati Sadan, which he hoped would become “the living center of all those beneficial activities for the emancipation of the individual and the nation”. He invited Rabindranath to lay the foundation stone on August 19,1939. In his speech, Rabindranath talked of a “great nation” whose strength will overcome the type of state power that installed fear and doubt in the minds of people.
Around that time, the clouds of the second World War were creeping over Europe, and Gandhiji and the Congress Party were negotiating with the British about India’s role. Subhas was put under detention. Due to his deteriorating health, he was taken to his Elgin Road home on December 5, 1940, and put under house arrest, where Subhas spent all his time alone in a closed room. Only a few members of the family were allowed to see him.
Then, on January 26, 1941, Subhas mysteriously disappeared literally under the nose of the British guards. Many theories were floated, one of which was that Subhas had left for Pondicherry for religious seclusion, a theory that Subhas’s elder brothers, Sarat and Sisir, made subtle efforts to propagate. To Gandhiji’s inquiry, they sent a short reply, “Circumstances indicate renunciation”. But to Rabindranath’s inquiry, they told the whole story with the words “May Subhas receive your blessings wherever he may be”. The poet was very concerned about Subhas’s health and wrote back: “Deeply concerned over Subhas’s disappearance. Convey mother my sympathy. Kindly keep me informed of news”.
Rabindranath’s own health was failing. Before his passing away on August 7, 1941 (BaisheShraban), he wrote a short story, probably his last, between 11th and 21st June 1941. The story called “Badnaam” or “Bad Name” was about a freedom fighter named Anil who constantly eluded a police inspector named Bijoy, often with the help of Bijoy’s patriotic wife, Sadu. Finally, they all meet in a temple, but Anil eludes again after announcing that he is on his way to Afghanistan and singing Rabindranath’s song “Amare bandhbitora, se badhan ki toderaache”. (You want to shackle me down, but do you have that kind of chain?).
In his humorous and satirical way, the poet mixed fiction with reality that only a few people knew at that time, but now we all know about Subhas’s escape through Afghanistan to Germany. The story was Rabindranath’s last tribute to the fighter he adored.
References:
The Poet and the Patriot: Sugata Bose and Krishna Bose
His Majesty’s Opponent: Sugata Bose
Rabindranath and Netaji: An Unusual Relationship: Suman Ghose and others
BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN?
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moved into Afghanistan. For the Soviets, the loss in Afghanistan was one too many loads on its back, and in 1991, the once-mighty Soviet Union or USSR collapsed. Most states under the USSR, except Belarus, became independent, and the Warsaw Pact, the military pact among several Eastern European countries and USSR as a foil against the North American
Treaty Organization or NATO among several Western European countries and the US, fell apart
However, by the interesting twist of events, Binladen, the once steadfast friend of the US, became its sworn enemy. The weight of this separation was deeply felt when, on September 11, 2001, nineteen members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group hijacked four planes from Boston. One crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, killing all 40 people aboard. The second one flew to Washington and crashed into the Pentagon, killing 187. The most devastating blow was dealt by two hijacked planes that crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing them to collapse and killing 2,753 people, including the hijackers.
Long arm of Pakistan, a traditional ally of the US, in the 9/11 incident and harboring Islamic terrorists, in general, was quickly established. Richard Armitage, the tough-talking Assistant Secretary of State, is said to have told Parvez Musharraf, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, that ‘US will bomb Pakistan to the Stone Ages, if it does not cooperate with America’s war in Afghanistan.’ Pakistan agreed to comply with the American demands. However, Osama Bin-laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, was nowhere to be found.
east Asia, particularly after the loss in Indochina. Suharto in Indonesia and Marcos in the Philippines provided some temporary relief. Until the end of the eighties, the chief US goal was to counter the expanding influence of the Soviet Union throughout Southeast Asia.
The fall of the USSR provided relief to the US military strategists, but soon the void was filled by the rise of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Even once thought-to-be moribund Russia has remained strong enough to occupy Crimea in Ukraine, and two years later, attack and occupy parts of Ukraine in an ongoing military aggression. Russia has even spread its military and economic weight around, particularly on the continent of Africa, and the Middle East.
For the part of the US, destabilizing India, a traditional ally of the USSR and now Russia in any shape or fashion, even via terrorist activities, remains a viable goal. Therefore, it is unlikely the US will stop arming Pakistan and put a check on Islamic terrorist activities. On the contrary, recently, the US instigated and fomented a student-led revolution in Bangladesh, leading to the ouster of Sheik Hasina, who was friendly to India, and installed Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and an ally of the US, as an interim head of the country. Therefore, it is not unlikely that the US will try to turn the future direction of Bangladesh towards its ally, Pakistan. But, what about China?
If we look back into history, the détente between China and India in the sixties under Jawaharlal Nehru was shattered when, in 1962, China attacked India out of the blue and, after a significant advance, went back to the point before the war started, as if to teach India a lesson. Since then, these two countries have remained bitter enemies. Even China befriended Pakistan as a foil against India, a traditional friend of Russia. Currently, China is one of the most important suppliers of arms to Pakistan.
Exactly ten years later, in 2011, Bin-laden was apprehended and killed by US Navy Seals Special Forces, hiding in a sprawling and highly fortified mansion in Abbottabad, Waziristan, Pakistan. This safehouse was nestled among homes of retired Pakistani military officials and within a very short distance from the Pakistani Military Academy. Pakistan denied any knowledge of Bin-laden’s whereabouts in Abbottabad, like its denial of any involvement in Islamic terrorist attacks inside India.
Despite all the incidents stated above and the vanished threat from the past Cold War warrior, the USSR, the US has steadfastly provided a large amount of material and logistical support to Pakistan, particularly its military. There is no doubt that part of the ‘Aid package’ to Pakistan goes to groom, house, and train Islamic terrorists to further the cause of the Islamic Brotherhood movement throughout the globe, including India. Therefore, the most assured way of stopping Islamic terrorist attacks on India would be to put safeguards that the Aid money is not funneled into the hands of terrorists. However, from one administration to another, Democrat or Republican, the US has turned a blind eye to this issue.
For the US, the simple-sounding solution stated above is far from workable from a geo-political strategic standpoint. Since 1947, Pakistan has been the only stable and reliable foothold of the US in South-
The rise of China as a global military force has remained resolute and a significant headache for India. China is influential in Nepal, neighboring India in the north, and Sri Lanka in the south. It has also built highways, bridges, and ports in Bangladesh. Terrorists, not necessarily Islamic terrorists, armed with Chinese-made weapons, have been routinely infiltrating the seven northeastern states in India, dubbed the seven sisters.
In short, India is completely encircled in the north by its hostile neighbors. In the Northwestern part, Islamic terrorists are trained and groomed by Pakistan. In the central part, the threat is coming directly from China, as evidenced by recent skirmishes and land grabs by China. In the northeastern part, the ‘Seven sisters’ states are constantly targeted for destabilization by terrorists, Islamic and otherwise, with arms from China.
India is in an uncertain and worrisome geopolitical position. It is doubtful that Islamic terrorist attacks will abate anytime soon. The only potential hope is the recent warming of relations between China and Russia, as evidenced by China’s logistical and material help in the Ukraine war. China and India are also members of the BRICS economic consortium, headed by Russia. The cooperation between Russia and China, the two former enemies, may influence their relationship with India. Russia may influence China not to get into direct conflict with India and stop arming terrorists in the northeastern states. On the other hand, China may encourage Pakistan to stop Islamic terrorist attacks inside India. However unlikely it may appear, it is a plausible solution to a lasting peace between India and Pakistan. Time will only tell.
COMMUNITY
GSCA CORNER
Reported by Pradip R. Das (New Jersey)
Annual General Meeting
On Saturday, March 15, GSCA conducted its in-person annual general meeting of members. The venue was Crown of India Restaurant at Plainsboro, NJ. The attending members were treated to a sumptuous lunch buffet of south and north Indian delicacies.
After duly meeting quorum, the meeting started off with a welcome note by the chairman of the board. This was followed by an address by the secretary and the treasurer’s report for the past year. Subsequently, the budget for the current year was also approved by the members. The coordinators of the nine GSCA committees then proceeded to report on their activities for the past year and give their thoughts and suggestions for moving forward more effectively. A lively Q & A session that ensued was constructive and provided insights into the active involvement of members in the organization. Some new ideas were floated to address the question of increasing revenues for the organization, especially during Durga Puja; cost cutting measures were also discussed. All the new members who came on board this year were introduced to the general assembly and were accorded a warm welcome to the organization.
GSCA Baisakhi
GSCA Baisakhi, held on April 26th, at St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, South Plainfield with doors open from 12-6 pm, was a resounding success, bringing together the community to celebrate Poila Baishakh with enthusiasm and cultural pride. This year’s celebration was a deviation from previous years’ format as it was set up as a “mela” where attendees could roam around to visit the various stalls, sarees, custom jewelry, books, India handicraft and wall decorations. The artwork showing the festivities of the different states of India was very informative especially to the children. Cultural performances were presented with open mic sessions. Primarily, children came forward to stage songs, instrumental performances etc. to delight the attendees. Moreover, there were no entrance fees charged to either members or non-members. More than 125 adults and children attended throughout the day.
Any Bengali event would be incomplete without the traditional “khaoadaoa”. There were food stalls serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items to be purchased by the attendees. Another food stall had homemade Bengali sweets. All the aspects of this event from conceptualization, time management, cultural program, item stalls, food stalls were implemented at a remarkable level to make GSCA’s Baishakhi 2025 very successful and thoroughly enjoyable.
GSCA Philanthropy Update
The organization continues serving its mission, with the generous help of its numerous donors and selfless work of its volunteers, in the main areas to
1. Provide support to needy and meritorious students both in India and the US for higher education.
2. Provide financial support for natural disaster relief both in the US and India.
Upcoming Event
GSCA will be hosting its Annual Picnic on July 26th. at Mercer Park, West Windsor. Details will be reported in the October issue of Ananda Sangabad.
The Garden State Cultural Association, Inc. (“GSCA”), incorporated as a non-profit organization on January 31, 1992, adopts the following as objectives of GSCA:
a) to be non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, and b) to be devoted to social, cultural, religious and philanthropic activities of the community.
To this end, GSCA organizes various events and programs related to its objectivesandGSCA also coordinates with and joins/supports local organizations with similar aims, if it deems necessary to have a broader effect/ appeal on/to the community.
ICC CORNER
By Chaitali Sinha (New Jersey)
Afewwords to introduce the Indian Community Center of Garden State (ICCGS) New Jersey to readers who may not know our organization well.
The ICCGS was established around 1980 by a group of Bengali immigrants living in the northern New Jersey and neighboring areas. The purpose was to nurture our Bengali heritage in a country far away from their mother land, and to carry on the legacy through our children and grandchildren. I am friends with some of those early founders, and came to know how much effort they had to put in to establish the ICCGS. I salute them, and I express my sincere gratitude for them.
The ICCGS has grown much bigger since then, and we, the present members of ICCGS, are proud to be part of this growing organization.
The present ICCGS holds a number of cultural programs.This year we have already completed two significant events: Sarawati Puja, and Baishakhi Celebration.
The present ICCGG did not forget its main focus which was to carry on our Bengali Heritage. Every event that ICCGS organizes remains focused to promote
our heritage by our present and next generation.
A good part of the ICCGS cultural programs involves our children through dance, drama, recitation, drawings, playing musical instruments and many more activities. The children are empowered to carry on our Bengali legacy.
Events organized by ICCGS are never complete without authentic Bengali food, such as Rui Mach, and Ilish Mach (Shad fish), authentic DhokarDalna, Alu postoand Misti (such as Rossogolla, Rosmalai, etc). Many thanks to our great cook, He never forgets the vegetarians, and serves poneer curry (Channar dalna), and of-course children’s favorites items. I must also thank my full team without their dedication.Without their help, we could not be such a success.
The year 2025 is still young, but ICCGS has already held Sarawariti Puja and Baishakhi with grand success. No need to boast about those events’ success, but I would request all our readers to join us in future programs, and enjoy the marvels that ICCGS has to offer.
MAA CORNER
Reported by Arundhati Sanyal (New Jersey)
Greetings from Maitree Members!
We held our Annual General Meeting on April 6 with one hundred and twenty members in attendance at King Palace restaurant, Edison. An overall review of a successful year as well as new initiatives and the newest Puja Anchor artists for Durga Puja 2025 were announced and enthusiastically endorsed by the membership.
On April 12 a team of our talented singers and dancers took Times Square by storm with their performances as part of the NY “Barsho Boron” program at this illustrious venue. We remain proud of our amazing pool of talented performing members.
Our upcoming program is our own “Barsho Boron” on June 14 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Metuchen. There will be in-house songs, dances, two plays (both comedies), and our signature Maitree Sundari, Maitree Sundar, and Maitree Jodi. This promises to be an exciting
event as well. As is customary, Maitree Women’s Forum will present a variety of delicious snacks for sale towards its fundraising for soup kitchens and local philanthropy.
The Summer picnic of Maitree is scheduled for August 2 at Nockamixon State Park, Pennsylvania. A long-distance bus has been reserved for the participants.
In July Maitree will be participating in the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kallol in a gesture of goodwill amongst community organizations. Our team of singers, narrators, and dancers will take to the stage on July 12 for this occasion.
Our Durga puja will be held this year on October 11 and 12. The iconic and leading vocalist of current times, Smt. Kaushiki Chakraborty along with band will perform on Saturday and SAREGAMA 2023 National Champion, Albert Kabo and band will perform on Sunday.
All in all, this has been a super-charged and busy season at Maitree’s.
Notable Themes in Moby Dick and Avatar II
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great engine driving a globalized humanity forward, and whale oil is both its fuel and its product, magic that makes the ritual work. Melville makes a few apologies for the inherent violence
of whaling, and humanity’s relationship with nature more broadly and does not back away from the uncomfortable truth –the truth that we are all, to varying degrees, complicit in and reliant on the ongoing destruction of nature. This, of course over
a century before climate change was a scientifically accepted idea. It is important to notice how James Cameron, the Avatar II filmmaker, keeps alive the Hollywood epic tradition by drawing heavily on one of America’s greatest epic novels, Moby-Dick
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME AND HEALTH EFFECTS
By Pradip R. Das (New Jersey)
The two major criteria for good health most often cited are “diet and exercise”. Undoubtedly, these are fundamentally essential. However, one aspect that is not mentioned as frequently as these two criteria is “sleep”. The benefits of a good night’s sleep are without question.This author, in a previous article in Ananda Sangbad (January 2025), had discussed the risks of lack of sufficient sleep or sleep deprivation. The extreme manifestation of this can be chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia can be a severe detriment to physical, mental and emotional health by negatively impacting daytime alertness, mood, memory and cognitive function. Data shows that health care costs are consistently higher in people with moderate to severe insomnia. “Far too many people accept sleep problems as a way of life,” said Dr. Badr, President of AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine). “But the truth is sleep makes you healthier, happier and smarter. Without quality sleep, your mental and physical health suffers greatly, putting you at an increased risk for chronic illness.” Insomnia also has been found to negatively affect work and school performance, impairing concentration and motivation while increasing the risk of errors and accidents. It’s estimated that insomnia is associated with losses in work performance in the U.S. equal to $63.2 billion each year.
(For more information, or to find a local AASM accredited sleep center, visit www. sleepeducation.org)
Apart from making one feel a little bit sleepy the day after switching to DST (Daylight Savings Time), most of us return to our usual daily routine. however, scientists are becoming increasingly concerned that the “loss of one hour of sleep” could be having several negative effects on our health.
“There is a small uptick in stroke, heart attacks, traffic accidents and sleep loss around the time of the clock change,” according to the Director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division Dr. Beth Mallow (Professor of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center).
The young are affected by ‘springing forward’ as well as the old, too. One study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Vol 11, Issue 8, August 2015, for example, found that teens lose an average of 2 hours and 42 minutes of sleep in the weeknights following the switch to DST.
“But more significantly,” Malow continues, “there are health effects for almost eight months related to shifting light away from the morning (due to the clock change) and into the evening.
“We need morning light to wake up, align our biological clocks, improve our mood – we use light boxes in the morning to treat seasonal affective disorder – and get a better night’s sleep. Morning light promotes sleep at night and evening light interferes with it.”
The following are simple ways to nullify the effects caused by that lost hour of sleep by springing forward.
Gradual shifting of sleeping time. Experts recommend shifting one’s bedtime earlier by 15-20 mins a day starting a week prior to the DST date. This gives the body the opportunity to ease into the new time gradually over a period of a week rather than just overnight. In addition, begin to adjust other normal daily routines that are “time cues” for the body (e.g. start eating dinner a little earlier each night before the Sunday of DST).
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, temporary insomnia symptoms occur in about 30 to 35 percent of adults and can be caused by a sudden change in sleep schedules, i.e. the switch to daylight saving.
Exposing oneself to bright light in the morning. DST is intended to give us an extra hour of daylight in the evening which is not necessarily good for our natural sleep-wake cycles, or circadian cycles. The best way to wake up in the morning is to expose oneself to bright light, natural light is best for this which becomes easier as the summer days come around and the sun rises earlier.
“Getting exposed to bright light in the morning helps with alignment of our biological clocks,” Mallow says. “When we align our clocks, we can get to sleep easier in the evening.”
Avoid long naps and caffeine late in the day. Both these two reduce our drive to sleep.
Avoid using the phone just before bedtime. Bright light helps you wake up in the morning but the same exposure at night time does not help one sleep. In this aspect, technology can be particularly bothersome since LED screens produce copious amounts of “blue light”. Blue light interferes with the natural release of melatonin in the brain, the hormone that helps one fall asleep, telling the brain to “shut off” when its level increases.
Many sleep experts are calling for scrapping the antiquated DST system altogether. Alice Gregory, a professor of psychology and director of the Goldsmiths Sleep Lab, University of London agrees: “There is wide consensus amongst experts in sleep medicine that living in permanent standard time would have advantages for our health”.
(Established in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) improves sleep health and promotes high quality patient centered care through advocacy, education, strategic research, and practice standards. With nearly 10,000 members, the AASM is the largest professional membership society for physicians, scientists and other health care providers dedicated to sleep medicine. For more information, visit www.aasm.org)
WRITERS CLUB ACTIVITIES
January – June, 2025
Reported by Debajyoti Chatterji (New Jersey)
During the first half of the year, Writers Club members met over Zoom three times. Zoom continues to be the meeting mode preferred by the majority of members for two reasons: (a) avoiding tiring and time-consuming travel to Ananda Mandir on Friday evenings, and (b) allowing members from out-of-state locations to participate.
The first meeting of the year took place on Friday, February 21. Five members took turns to read their writings and receive constructive feedback from their peers: Rahul Ray read two poems in Bengali. Vishnupriya presented one of the short stories published in her new book, “Dragonfly”. Sophia Mitra read a very moving narrative (titled “Single Motherhood and Ma Saraswati”). Anandita Chowdhury shared a short story, and Ranjana Sanyal presented a narrative involving a Haitian immigrant, titled “The Phone Thief”. The session was a huge success. The meeting on Friday, April 18 was a theme-based event. Several members of Writers Club have published one or more books. So, they were asked to share their “publication experiences” with their peers. How did they find a publisher? Did they go through a literary agent? Did they “self-publish” or did the publish bear the cost burden? How did they market their books? The following authors shared their experiences: Rahul Ray, Vishnupriya, Tathagata Ghosh, Shamita Das Dasgupta, Debajyoti Chatterji and Banani Mukherjee. Some of the authors had published their books in Kolkata whereas a few had published their works in the US. The exchange of information and experience was truly enjoyable and enriching. (I should note that this meeting started with a silent prayer for eternal peace or the soul of Amitabha Bagchi who was one of our foremost “permanent members”)
The final meeting of the reporting period is scheduled for Friday, June 20. It will follow our “open format”, so the presenters will be able to read their writings in any form, from poetry to short story to essays and narratives. We will be looking forward to another fun evening.
EVERGREEN CLUB ACTIVITIES
January – June, 2025
Reported by Prabir Biswas (New Jersey)
Evergreen Club members met four times during the first half of the year. These meetings were held over Zoom.Members are now eager to meet in person, preferably over lunch. That has not been possible so far this year for several reasons. However, a lunch meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, August 9. We can’t wait for that get-together! The meetings were held on February 2 (Sunday), March 9 (Sunday), April 24 (Thursday) and June 17 (Tuesday). Unfortunately, Evergreen Club lost two of its core members during the reporting period. On January 3, Sheuli (Shanti) Gupta passed away at the age of 91. Shanti-di was the universally loved member who always brought joy, laughter and music to Evergreen Club meetings, Our Februray 2 meetingwas mostly devoted to reminiscing about the good times we
all spent with Shanti-di. Misfortune struck Evergreen Club again on March 23 when the news about the death of Amitabha Bagchi broke. We were all stunned by his death which came unexpectedly after a short illness. Amitabha was a towering figure in the NJ Bengali community. He was a founding member and a past president of Ananda Mandir. He was an exceptionally brilliant, kind and humble man who had knowledge and interest in many areas ranging from literature to drama to music to cinema to religion and philosophy. Our April 24 meeting was devoted to paying tributes to Amitabha.
The meetings on March 9 and June 17 followed our usual format of reading poems and stories, listening to songs sung by the musically gifted members, trading jokes and describing travel experiences.
Life and Legacies of Kanak Dutta
By Kaveri Kaul & Usha Kaul (New York)
Reflections from Kaveri, the daughter
I know Shyamala Gopalan Harris. Like Kamala Harris’ mother, my mother, Kanak Dutta, was a brown-skinned woman who arrived in America in 1959. I came to this country with her. In one hand, she held the sitar she was learning to play. With the other hand, she held onto me, her young daughter. We had come to Philadelphia to join my father who had left India just before us.
My mother was her own person — open-minded, committed, genuine, and giving. She could not have been prepared for a country where she would be invisible, at
families who took flight from what was to become East Pakistan. It was one of the largest and most vicious human movements in history. But in America, no one seemed to have heard of it. The broader human experience had no place in that narrative.
Partition robbed my mother of her childhood, but it could not destroy her spirit. She held on to her Indian culture and gave me that rich heritage to draw upon. She committed herself to the America we could be. Her life had purpose. She made sure that her students learned about the world beyond the European perspective.
Long committed to women’s issues, way back in 1981,
best marginalized. After all, she had come to pursue further studies with a graduate degree in history and literature from Calcutta University already under her belt. She became a history teacher at a time when hardly any women taught at the high school level. But it was assumed a sari-clad woman could not be a pioneering American feminist.
It was assumed that a woman from India had no story to tell. Yet, as a student, she had led young people in the fight to end colonial British rule in India. That’s how she met my father, who would build a career as an economist. They made “good trouble” together. And he always had her back.
At Indian independence, the British divided the country, arbitrarily cutting through towns and villages. Partition left a broken Bengal, home to both my parents’
K-A-N-A-K. It’s an Indian name.” She held on to her dignity, her integrity, and her generosity of spirit.
From a college student marching and shouting ‘British, Quit India’ to being named ‘the first lady of Indian-American politics’ by former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio, my grandmother, Kanak Dutta, never stopped fighting. She stood up to Americans who sneered at her when she ran for NJ State Assembly by saying, “My color is brown. I am of Asian origin. I cannot speak English like you. I wear a sari and I am a woman. But do not judge me by all this. VOTE for me based on how I think.”
it began as a personal statement about my grandmother. Before I knew it, so many South Asians came running up through the packed crowds to stop me. They wanted to take a picture of themselves with me and my sign.
I realized then, how my grandmother stood for all of us. In my heart, I wish my ‘Dida’ had been there. That’s the picture I wanted them to have.
she advocated for a South Asian woman who had killed her husband after 16 years of an abusive marriage. She shared the woman’s relief when the jury voted to acquit her. Four years later, inspired by my mother, five of us banded together to form Manavi, the first organization to support South Asian survivors of domestic violence in the U.S.
My mother was active at the grassroots level and within the Democratic Party. She ran for the New Jersey State Assembly as a Democratic candidate. In 1981, she was the first Asian-American woman to run for office in the history of the State of New Jersey, and the first Indian woman in the history of the U.S. New Jersey voters were startled by a candidate who didn’t look like them. But my mother was at home in the world. She would repeat over and over, “Kanak.
My mother opened doors that others would have left shut. In the words of the Indian poet Tagore, she walked “where the mind is without fear”. She faced so many odds. Nevertheless, she persisted. She knew that as an Indian-American woman filmmaker, I would have to repeat over and over, “Kavery. K-A-V-E-R-Y. It’s an Indian name.” I learned from her. She told me the first Indians arrived in the U.S. long before we came here. As a teacher of history, she knew that chapter was missing in the textbooks. She wanted to visit me when I went to India, to film “The Bengali”, this untold story about the ties between South Asians and African-Americans in the U.S. But she wasn’t well. In her life, my mother led the way. She passed away just a few years ago, but she still leads my way.
Notes from Usha, the granddaughter
“I am here tonight as a testament to the dedication of generations before me.” — Kamala Harris
That’s my grandmother.
When Kamala spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention about how “we may not agree… but we are united… and we look out for one another…”, in my mind I couldn’t help but see my grandmother beaming. This is what she wanted America to hear. Her voice may have been silenced by the times she lived in, but now Kamala is using her voice to shout it from the rooftops. And my grandmother is listening to make sure we do look out for one another.
My grandmother embraced life with determination. She used every opportunity as a stepping stone for the well-being of the community — — Indian-Americans and all Americans. She often sculpted her own stone to step onto. She wanted to see America move forward.
One of the memories I will treasure forever took place on January 20, 2017, at the March on Washington. I know that my grandmother would have been the first to RSVP ‘yes!’ for that march. Knowing she would be unable to go and inspired by her example, I marched for over 10 hours with a sign that read, “Granddaughter of the first Indian Woman to run for office in NJ #That’sWhyIMarch”. For me,
But by then she had Alzheimer’s. She liked to tell me about the mango trees she grew up with in what was then East Bengal, in an undivided India. She missed those sweet, juicy mangos so much. She broke out into a big smile when she remembered how great it was to climb those trees even though girls weren’t supposed to do that.
On my last visit to her, I knew I would not be return-
ing. I just knew it. But I didn’t cry. My feet were not glued in place, because my grandmother had taught me to fly. She gave me her strength to carry forward. Over the years, I had watched her listen, learn, and speak out no matter what. She taught me to believe in people and fight for what’s right. I am so proud to be the granddaughter of the first lady of Indo-American politics. I see my grandmother as the person who planted the seeds for me. It’s my job now to continue to care for her mango tree. I cannot let the tree die.
Kavery Kaul, the daughter of Kanak Dutta, is a writer and filmmaker. Learn more at www.kaverykaul.com
Usha Kaul is Kanak’s granddaughter, a social worker and medical ethicist, and a photographer. https:// kaulphoto.wixsite.com/ kaul-photography
Exploring Iceland: A Journey Through the Land of Fire and Ice
Wehad heard a lot about the scenic beauty of Iceland, which is an isolated island in the North Atlantic Ocean, and is often referred to as the land of Ice and Fire. Iceland (or Island as it is called in the native language) is in Northern Europe, and is a part of the Scandinavian union with Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. We were planning to visit this country for a long time -- and eventually visited this land of Fire and Ice in August of 2022.
Our journey began at the bustling Philadelphia International Airport, a gateway to what would become one of the most memorable scientific explorations of our lives. We were a small team of naturalists, bird lovers, and amateur geologists, bonded by a shared passion for the wonders of nature.
After a smooth transatlantic flight, our plane descended into the other worldly landscape of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. and largest southwestern city in Iceland. Until the 18th century, there was no urban development in the city location. The city was officially founded in 1786 as a trading town and grew steadily over the following decades, as it transformed into a regional and later national center of commerce, population, and governmental activities. It is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.
The moment we stepped out of the aircraft, a crisp breeze kissed our faces, and we knew we were far from home. Reykjavik greeted us with its charming blend of modern minimalism and traditional Nordic warmth. Brightly colored houses stood in contrast to snow-capped mountains, and the scent of salty sea air mixed with the faint aroma of baked rye bread wafting from local cafes.
We spent our first day exploring the city’s museums, geothermal pools, and cozy eateries. At the National Museum of Iceland, we immersed ourselves in the rich Viking history of the land, while at the Perlan Museum we marveled at exhibits on glaciers and volcanoes. By evening, we dipped into one of the city’s many thermal pools, our bodies relaxing in the warm waters under a golden midnight sun.
The next day, we boarded a cruise ship set to circumnavigate Iceland, making stops at four well-known ports along the western and northern coasts, followed by four more in the southern and eastern regions.
As we sailed westward from Reykjavik, the sea stretched like a sheet of steel under the brooding sky. Our first port, Arnarstapi, was a quaint fishing village nestled against towering basalt cliffs. Here we marveled at the dramatic coastline sculpted by lava and waves for centuries. The chirping of Arctic
By Alok Bandopadhyay (Pennsylvania)
turns echoed above us, and the occasional glimpse of a seal’s head bobbing in the water added a touch of mystery.
We continued to Stykkishólmur, a charming municipal town known for its colorful harbor and historical lighthouse. There, we met local scholars researching coastal erosion and the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity. Their insights sparked engaging conversations onboard as we resumed our journey toward Ísafjörður, a fjord town tucked between steep, snow-capped mountains.
From Ísafjörður, we ventured to Hvammsvík for a rejuvenating dip in a remote hot spring. Steam rose from the earth, creating ghostly silhouettes in the cool morning air. The water was rich with minerals, warming our bodies and spirits alike. The surrounding landscape felt ancient and untouched, as if we were soaking in a place where time stood still.
In the early morning, we met an Egyptian man named Alexis, who had become something of a local legend. Fluent in Icelandic and well-versed in regional geography, he kindly arranged a boat for us to visit the Westfjords—home to one of the most extraordinary spectacles of the trip.
The crown jewel of our voyage was our expedition to see puffins. We had read about these beloved birds, but nothing prepared us for the reallife encounter. As our boat cut through the chilly waters of the North Atlantic, the wind whipped around us, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed. When we approached the cliffs, the air suddenly came alive.
Thousands upon thousands of puffins darted between the mountain cliffs like animated brushstrokes. Their black and white plumage contrasted with their bright orange beaks and feet. The sight was both whimsical and awe-inspiring. Each puffin clutched tiny silver fish in its beak, flying back to its burrow to feed its youth. It was nature’s choreography in action.
Our guide explained that puffins are summer visitors to Iceland. They breed and raise their chicks here, nesting in burrows along the cliffs. When the season changes, they migrate thousands of miles to follow summer elsewhere. And yet, year after year, they return to the same cliffs.
“They don’t like change,” one of our group members remarked. “Just like people from warm climates who avoid winter.”
This seasonal loyalty seemed to reflect something profoundly ancient—an echo of cycles older than civilization.
Further north, we witnessed another remarkable encounter—a lone polar bear, likely having drifted from Greenland on a sea ice floe. It ambled along a shoreline in the distance, a silent ghost of the Arc-
tic. It was both thrilling and sobering. Polar bears are indicators of a rapidly changing climate, and this sighting reminded us of the urgency of our explorations.
As the cruise turned eastward, we sailed toward Seyðisfjörður, a postcard-perfect village nestled between steep fjords. This region was famous for its geothermal activity. We visited hot springs and sulfur pools, where the smell of minerals was thick in the air. The ground hissed and gurgled, and in places, steam burst through tiny cracks like nature’s pressure valves.
A local field geologist showed us the cracked crust of an emerging volcano, its latent power rumbling beneath our feet. We touched warm rocks and collected mineral samples for analysis. Here, the Earth reminded us that it was very much alive, pulsing with tectonic energy just beneath the surface.
In the eastern part of the island, we visited the Icelandic campus of Norway’s Marine University. There, scientists shared insights into sustainable fisheries, ocean currents, and the delicate balance between traditional fishing practices and modern ecological research. We watched students monitoring fish populations and tagging seabirds. It was a place where the rhythm of the sea met the rigors of science.
The cruise then docked in Djúpivogur, a small town of quiet charm and endless horizons. During summer, it becomes a sanctuary for seabirds. We walked along the pebble beaches, scanning the sky for oystercatchers and Arctic skuas, while waves lapped at our boots.
Our final port was Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a village surrounded by mossy hills and volcanic plateaus. The name was a tongue-twister, but the scenery was pure poetry. Lava fields stretched like a black quilt under a brilliant sky, and waterfalls tumbled down from cliffs like ribbons of liquid light.
A vast region encompassing massive ice caps, thundering waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, craters and volcanoes, Vatnajökull National Park is Europe’s largest and covers 14% of Iceland. However, its distance from Reykjavík means it sees far fewer visitors than the region around the capital, making a trip here a chance to experience the Icelandic wilderness in all its glory. One can enjoy the park via backcountry hiking, 4x4 touring, glacier visits and trips to ice caves.
Glacier hiking in south Vatnajökull is possible year-round. Puffin colonies along the south coast provide entertaining wildlife watching, and the glacier lagoon at nearby Jökulsárlónis fed by theVatnajökull ice cap.
As we completed our circular route and returned to Reykjavik, we looked back at our journey with awe. Our notebooks were filled with sketches of birds, samples of igneous rock, and handwritten reflections on ecosystems, behavior, and time.
We had watched snow melt into the sea and traced the flight paths of birds that knew no borders. We stood by sulfur vents and spoke to scientists who had dedicated their lives to studying a land where every inch tells a story.
The land of fire and ice had taught us much more than we had anticipated. Beyond its geological wonders and rich wildlife, Iceland offered a lesson in resilience and rhythm. Everything in Iceland follows a cycle—whether it’s the quiet birth of a volcano or the predictable return of puffins. It reminded us that science is not only about discovery, but also about observation and patience.
For us, this journey was not merely travel. It was an embrace of nature’s raw and poetic logic, a friendly scientific exploration that left us forever changed. Iceland had shared its secrets, and we returned home not just with data, but with a deeper appreciation for the elegance of natural design.
Figure 1. Map of Iceland
Figure 2. The Seven Springs of Iceland (Photographed by A.Chanda, team member)
Figure3. Puffins and seabirds (Photographed by A.Chanda, team member).