ANJALI BAISHAKI 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS – ANJALI BAISHAKI 2015 EDITORIAL 1. FLORIDA TRIP 2015................................................. SHAYAK CHAUDHURI 2. ISIS – AN IMPENDING APOCALYPSE ……............................... SOHAM KAR 3. IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S ANIKA ……………………………… ANIKA PATEL 4. THE BEAUTIFUL MOON ……………….. ................................................. DIYA 5. SOLITUDE …………….. ..................................................... SRIJA SENGUPTA 6. THE FESTIVAL HOLI …………… ............................... ANIKA BHATTACHARYA 7. A POEM FROM A NATIVE AMERICAN S PERSPECTIVE ……….ANIKA PATEL 8. JUTHIKA ROY – AN EMBODIMENT OF MEERA ………………. MANJU GHOSH 9. BARSHER CONCERT ……………………………………………….. SUBHASREE NANDI 10. BISHWA CUP ……………………………………………SOUMYA BHATTACHARYYA 11. BARI JABAR POTHE ……………………………………………….. JABA CHAUDHURI
Editorial The onset of the Bengali New year marks new beginnings, new ventures and new opportunities. Bengali New Year 1422 for Pujari ushers the first publication of Anjali for the year. This edition of Anjali is short but interesting. I am proud to say that most of the articles are a mixed bag of ideas thoughts and creativity of the Pujari kids and youth. We do have some articles from our honored regular writers too. The article on Juthika Roy is a great read for bhajan lovers. The World cup frenzy is also well captured. Wishing you all ‘Shubho Naboborsho’ and hope you all enjoy this edition.
Smita Kar Baisakhi Mukherjee
Florida Trip 2015 By: Shayak Chaudhuri
Throughout my life, I visited Florida three times: twice in Orlando, and once in Destin. But this trip was a lot more… wild than the last three. This time I visited our newest spot, Cocoa Beach, Florida!!! I will show how the plans worked out there and how much fun we spent in such an unspoiled city. Before we departed for our hotel, I first had to be picked up directly from my school and go 104 miles with my mom to Macon to pick up my sister and dad. At first, I wanted to straight fall asleep, but I couldn’t even sleep a wink during that 420 mile drive, because I was watching a few movies that Dad brought with us. Plus, we had to stop a few times along the road, so that Dad could buy us some snacks and drinks at some gas stations in case we either get hungry or thirsty. And finally, after a few hours of driving, we finally arrived at our hotel, Ocean Villas. But before we could settle down and plan out our schedule, we had to unload our bags and have a nice dinner. I couldn’t wait to see where we are going for tomorrow! In the morning of March 8, we decided to visit a wetland refuge located a few miles from our hotel, but however, we had to have breakfast first. And so we ate at McDonalds and soon we came across the wildlife refuge. While Dad and I decided to walk around the park, my sister and mom decided to go by car. Along the paths, Dad and I took some awesome photos of abundant fauna in the marshes (mine were even better): herons, cranes, storks, vultures, bald eagles, ospreys, etc. I even attempted to take snapshots of a flying caracara and 7 sub-adult alligators along with a bald eagle devouring a coot and even an armadillo! It was a very fascinating moment to step outside and experience nature in action. During nighttime, we strolled through the beach first at dusk and then we explored around the hotel area and came across a swimming pool. Boy, was that water so warm! It was perfect for a wind chill in the night. I decided to swim there tomorrow night. After having a nice dinner back at our room, it was time for a good night sleep. While Mom and Dad slept on a bed, my sister and I slept on a bed on top of a couch. March 9th has been a very jubilant time at Cocoa Beach. Early in the morning, I decided to use my camera to take some sunrise pictures as the sun rose. Plus I also snapped some photos of a few sandpipers (types of bird)and seagulls. Later, after another breakfast at McDonald’s, we drove to a seaport where we booked a 4-hour boat trip around the Banana River. For much of the time, we spent time cruising over the crystal clear waters, until suddenly our driver spotted
some dolphins near our boat. And we even saw catch a pelican joining in a small feeding frenzy. Shortly after that, we spotted a spoonbill flying above us, and that’s what started the search for the spoonbills. We came to a tiny island near the shore which had a few birds nesting, but as soon as Dad set foot on the sand, many had flown off. I giggled and thought to myself as a Steward: ‘Steward, where are all the birds?!’ I would reply, ‘Most of them have been frightened off. They are either wading in the water or settling in other trees on other islands until the interlopers [Us] evacuate.’ After a few shots, we started to take a route to “Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge” and on the way, we found manatees floating in the crystal-clear water. But we stopped at another island, but this time we went to find some nice seashells to take as souvenirs. What’s even more exciting is that I actually got to touch a moon jellyfish OUT OF WATER!!!! Ooh, it was very weird! Afterwards, we ventured through a canal and there, we found mostly turkey vultures, ospreys, and even an alligator and some raccoons. Even a few manatees we did also spot on the water surface. Finally, when we arrived, we couldn’t believe what we saw. The island had a huge abundance of birds: cormorants, pelicans, ibises, and spoonbills! After that happy moment, we returned to the port and then drove to a nearby coffee restaurant for snacks. Then I found four dead bodies of pufferfish out of water near some palm trees and a picnic table. Then for the rest of the afternoon and evening, we spent time at our hotel. During nightfall, I took some dives and strokes in the warm water of the swimming pool and felt quite relieved to be out of the cold wind’s way. Tomorrow is going to be a lamentable, yet fascinating moment. March 10th was our last day in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Today my parents surprised me by telling me that we would visit Brevard Zoo in the morning. I was very delighted to hear that because I wanted to try and visit that place. As soon as we entered the plaza, we decided to take a few routes on the different exhibits in the zoo. First we visited the La Selva Rainforest. There, we found lively colorful macaws and parrots (one of them we actually heard it talking!) and even some Coscoroba Swans, tapirs, jaguars, black spider monkeys, and even large rodents called capybaras. Then, at the flamingo plaza, we saw some American and Chilean flamingos along with some scarlet ibises and white ibises. Later we visited the Wild Florida exhibit and found on our left side four alligators, and on our right side two large crocodiles. We also found two deer, some foxes, bald eagles, a caracara, a hawk, and a huge flock of American black vultures. I even got to experience how it feels like to be in a deadly hurricane inside a hurricane simulator! Our third exhibit was the Asia/Australia exhibit. At the bridge we found two black swans swimming in the pond and then we continued to walk to a kangaroo and emu exhibit. We soon came across a bird exhibit with hundreds of colorful cockatoos, hornbills, and even lorikeets. Dad was able to stroke a rosy-breasted cockatoo on the head! Plus we even fed the lorikeets nectar, which I had not
done for years and was a lot wild as many were fighting over the nectar. But we also fed some small cockatiels and even spotted some bats nesting in the shade. After a little walk, my sister and I came across a wandering cassowary near the fence and later we found some hogs in the final exhibit for Asia/Australia. Our last stop was the Africa exhibit. By the gate, we saw two pythons sleeping in the rock den and also saw a colony of meerkats that jumped into a feeding frenzy as a zookeeper fed them leaves. And after climbing a few flights up the stairs and bridges, I noticed a Marabou stork hiding behind a tree and to my right, a leopard tortoise munching on the salad given to it. I never got to see these cats before, but I actually got to see a cheetah lying in the grass! In a nearby exhibit, Mom, my sister, and I found two zebras, two crowned cranes, and a few rhinos resting underneath the cool shades of the trees. Along with it, a herd of impala were grazing on the grass while one blue crane stood in the shadow. Then suddenly, in front of me there were two giraffes feeding off the hay and straw in a nearby container. It was the first time I got to see a giraffe feed up close. We decided to end the tour by looking at two scarlet macaws roosting together on a branch. To finish this off, this zoo was even better than the other two zoos I used to go to: Birmingham and Atlanta. It was more “natural.” After that wondrous exploration at the zoo, we started our trip back home. For much of the time, I slept in the car so that I could get enough “energy” to get ready for school the next day. But amidst our route, we had to stop at Macon so that Dad could pick up his car from at the hospital. Once that was done, we continued northward for home and after an hour of driving, we finally arrived tired from our trip, yet we still had some joy left from Florida. I can’t wait to visit Cocoa Beach once more! (And as for the photos, I took those in Florida!)
ISIS: An Impending Apocalypse Soham Kar, Grade 8 The acts of terrorism that are carried out by extremist groups are a major issue in today’s world. The terrorist group, the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has posed impending problems for not only the United States, but for nations around the world due to its extremist ideas of proving its religious supremacy. Compulsion of their religion, Islam, is the foundation of ISIS, believing they have the duty to carry out their God’s wishes to improve mankind. Such groups feel convinced to punish those who fail to comply with their God’s orders. Some countries, however, have hesitated to take action against this terrorist group, as it has recently been shown as more active. America and its allies should combat ISIS due to the terrorist group’s rapid growth, influence, and the threat it can pose to the free world in the future. To begin, ISIS has only recently been noticed by the world population and is already growing to be more powerful than other immense terrorist organizations. “’The organization itself was also carrying out an explicitly clear step-by-step strategy...that would feed its accelerated rise”’ (Baker & Schmitt). This is mainly because ISIS has a large amount of resources ready for use. It is one of the most funded terrorist groups in the Middle East, being largely funded by wealthy Saudi Arabian businessmen. The majority of its wealth comes from activities such as smuggling oil and weapons, taxing local business within their regime, and crimes such as robberies and organized heists. The terrorist group also has many members, with more joining every day. ISIS can use more men in its attacks and hatch larger terror plots using these men. “...the strength of ISIS relative to the Iraqi army may be such that he would recommend abandoning Obama’s oft-repeated pledge against returning US ground troops to combat in Iraq” (Ackerman & Jalabi). ISIS is indeed one of the most powerful terrorist groups heading its operations from the Middle East today. Furthermore, The Islamic State has one of the strongest influences of all the terrorist groups stationed in the Middle East today. The terrorist group uses various forms of propaganda including videos, pictures, posters, and the social media to influence and radicalize both adults and youth to believe in their ideology. One particular example of ISIS propaganda is a video in which a child executes two grown men on camera. These forms of propaganda display the Islamic State as a mighty and dominant organization, capable of changing the world. This leads to more radicals being recruited by ISIS and youth being brainwashed by this ideology. Young people are more easily influenced by these forms of propaganda as they are naïve and do not understand what is justified and what is evil. Although some may say that only people from the Islamic world are joining ISIS, this is proven to be false as people from Europe and even America are joining the Islamic State every day, and people originating from different races are
joining from these countries. ISIS has a major influence over the world and is gradually becoming more and more diverse in terms of nationality. Finally, In the future, ISIS has the potential to pose a greater threat to all nations if allowed to develop over time. As the Islamic State recruits more terrorists and obtains more resources, it is slowly acquiring the potential to invade and conquer other nations located near their regime. ISIS might especially target corrupt and economically unstable countries as these nations are easier to take control of. “’ISIL probably will attempt to take territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014...”’ (Baker & Schmitt). The Islamic State also has the ability to produce more complex and strategized terror plots as its member count rises. Some believe that if his nation does not pay heed to the ISIS terror group, it will not attack his country. However, this is not true as the Islamic State threatens to conquer every nation in its quest to prove the supremacy of its ideology and will attack any country if needed. “’ISIL is a direct threat to the safety and security of the United States and our allies”’ (Taintor). In retrospect, no nation is safe from the ISIS regime until the terror group is forcefully disbanded or defeated. Overall, the United States and its close allies should take the necessary steps to combat the ISIS terror group because of its steady growth, large influence, and the impending danger the terrorist organization poses in the near future. Although the idea of freedom of religion is widely accepted by the modern world, many countries occupied by ISIS do not accept the idea of human rights and restrict basic human rights to their citizens. In reality, this is not one country’s fight; it will take a coalition to successfully combat the Islamic State. Contact your nearby governmental officials and present the idea of taking actions against ISIS to him or her. We cannot allow the Islamic State take control of our free world.
It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Anika! By Anika Patel Charles Schultz had once said ‘Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.’ I realized how true this statement was, only this past summer when I was going to make one of my dreams come true! On a lazy afternoon this summer, I was lying on the grass looking at the clouds float by. There were some sparrows flying in the sky, which made me wonder once again, what it would be like to fly like one, high up in the sky and free? I have been on a plane several times before but I am guessing it is not the same as flying like a bird! A plane can’t do what an eagle can! The plane is a huge machine filled with people and busy attendants and we sit in it protected. I was sure that I would never be able to become a bird but was I going to be able to fly like one, ever? Over the summer, my family and I took a vacation to Destin, Florida. We had lots of fun on the beach, played with the sugary white sands and when we got hot, we splashed into the emerald green waters of the Gulf. My little sister Dia and I were bobbing on our boogie boards and were laughing while riding the waves. We spent all our days enjoying the sun, sand and the waters. On the last day of our vacation my father announced that he had a surprise for us. We parked our car along the bay and followed the captain of a boat and his assistant to a boat. That was just the beginning of our adventure that I was always going to remember! I found myself being secured with a life vest, and some buckles and chains. I was getting really curious and was wondering what lay ahead of me! My father was already ready with his life jacket and the tethers. My mother smiled at me as though letting me know that I was going to have some fun with my Dad. My little sister looked us at quizzically. After following a few short certain instructions, I suddenly felt a tug! Lo and behold! I was lifted up in the air…I was flying as though I had grown wings! I felt I was Gulliver as I watched my Mom and sister grow tinier in the boat. That is when my Dad told me that we were parasailing 600 feet above the waters! I was high up in the sky. I was a cloud. I was a bird. I was flying! It was so windy I almost thought I was going to get blown away, and a s I looked down into the green waters I started to have butterflies in my stomach. “What if the rope snapped?” What if I fell into the water and landed in a shark’s tummy?” My Dad sensed my fear and spoke to me about how we were safe and then asked me to see the other colorful parasails around us in the sky and enjoy our ride. My father has always been a sportsman and has played competitive sport his whole life. He has often inspired me to try out new things and experience thrilling rides and games. So, with him by my side I realized I was already safe. I was enjoying my flight as a bird. I was no longer nervous. I did not know I could be so brave! I was up in the air for ten minutes when I felt that we were being lowered. Our boat, Mom and Dia seemed to get closer, they waved at us and we were landing. Behind me I saw our huge bright green and yellow colored parasail come down with us and then, Swoosh! My feet brushed against the waters and I was in them knee deep. It was a wonderful feeling, refreshing,
exhilarating and terrifying too! I let out a loud squeal! I found myself gliding gracefully through the water for a few minutes after which I was above its surface. My feet touched the hard white surface of the boat and it felt great to be walking again! My parents were so proud of me! I was happy and proud of my achievement too. My little sister was very happy to see me and she wished to go up flying in the sky like me. They would not let her, as she was too young for it. Maybe next year when we go on our vacation to the beach she will be the first one to fly. I think I had inspired her. She will live her dream, just like I had lived mine!
“The Beautiful Moon” By Diya
SOLITUDE Sweet Solitude Why must you elude Me, who seeks you, Relentlessly chasing For a dream long forgotten Of peace and music Am I bound Though others say otherwise Am I destined To live like thus described Yearning for you In between the shadows of the sun For those who are alone Are not always lonely.
Srija Sengupta Age: 14 Grade: 8th
The Festival Holi By: Anika Bhattacharya
Holi is one of the most colorful festivals of India. It is celebrated globally. It is celebrated in March. In Holi, you are supposed to throw a bunch of colors on people. Holi is just a barrel of fun. A night before Holi, a bonfire is lit. There is story to this festival. Once there was a king named Hirnyakashyap. He tried to burn his son Prahlad, who believed in Lord Vishnu. The king’s sister Holika had a boon that she would not be burned by the fire. So the king asked his sister to kill Prahlad. Prahlad’s devotion was pure hence Holika was burnt to ashes in his place. The moral of this story is that Holika is burnt a day before Holi, to symbolize the victory of truth over evil. In Holi, most people cook their favorite dishes, dress in white clothes and then they celebrate with Gulal, which is a colored powder, water guns and water balloons. When I was playing Holi in my backyard with my family, we were all pink. Everybody kept on smearing and throwing pink gulal everywhere. It was a lot of fun. Holi has taken a global dimension and is celebrated with the same fervor all around the world. I loved playing Holi this year and I am looking forward to celebrate it with all of my friends next year!
The Columbian Exchange or Grand Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of animals, plants, culture, human populations, communicable diseases, technology and ideas between the American and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres in the 15th and 16th centuries, related to European colonization and trade (including African/American slave trade) after Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage. For Native people, the discovery of Europe (through colonization) was a discovery of death on an unimaginable scale and of a struggle for cultural survival that continues to this day
A poem from a Native American’s perspective By Anika Patil I am kind and traditional I wonder why guns were ever invented I hear the screams of my dying relatives I see world peace I want a peaceful traditional life I am kind and traditional. I pretend to ride a horse like a Spaniard I touch the heart of my family I worry about becoming a slave I cry over my mother’s deathbed I am kind and traditional I understand the world is not perfect I say kindness is always returned I try to survive and be grateful I hope to live a satisfied life I am kind and traditional ************************************************************************
Juthika Roy – An Embodiment of Meera Written by: Manju Ghosh When we think of 15th century saint-poetess Meera bai and her couplets and bhajans (devotional songs) in the praise and worship of Lord Krishna, the first person that comes to mind is Juthika Roy who is called “Adunik Meera” by many Meerabai was a princess and devotee of Lord Krishna from Rajasthan. Her poems are popular throughout India and have been published in several translations worldwide. In the bhakti tradition, they are in passionate praise of Lord Krishna. In most of her poems she has described her unconditional love for her Lord. Just like Meerabai who at the age of seven became deeply enamored by a statue of Lord Krishna and kept it all her life, Juthika Roy too was deeply interested in singing bhajans from age six. She followed Meerabai’s message that Krishna bhakti is the best way to live life as it helps us forget our desires and this in turn helps us attain moksha (liberation). Meera's songs are in a simple form composed in simple rhythms with a repeating refrain, collected in her Padavali. The extant versions are in a Rajasthani and Braj, a dialect of Hindi spoken in and around Vrindavan in her times. Since radio was the only media in 1920s to express one’s musical talent, Juthika’s father used to take young Juthika to Calcutta Radio many a time for auditions and was repeatedly told that she was too young and was not ready for prime time. Without getting discouraged Juthika continued practicing singing. Finally, at age 12 she gave one more audition that won hearts of people in charge and agreed to let her sing on radio. Her first record was released and Juthika was on her way to become a great singer. She was groomed by Kazi Nazrul as well as Kamal Das Gupta, who was very famous music director/composer. Juthika Roy is perhaps the only singer who dominated airwaves for over 25 years not by singing Filmy songs, but by singing bhajans and geets in Hindi and Bengali. In her lifetime, Juthika may have sung no more than 200 songs/bhajans, but almost all of them had become popular and are still popular even after so many years. It has been said that Juthika Roy inspired Lata Mangeshkar, Anup Jalota, Anuradha Paudwal and others to sing Meerabai’s bhajans and release their own albums. Their singing style is often compared with Juthika Roy’s. There are two secrets of popularity of Juthika Roy’s bhajans. The first secret is Juthika’s soft, melodious and silken voice that stir up one’s emotions and spiritual side. The second secret is that almost all of her bhajans are composed by great composer Kamal Das Gupta using very simple classical instruments. Along with Meera bai’s bhajans, Juthika has also sung bhajans by Kabir and Surdas.
Juthika Roy had honor of singing bhajans on the 15th August 1947 at the request of late Jawaharlal Nehru on the Red Fort. Later on that day she attended a function at the prime minister’s residence and entertained the guests. Juthika Roy had also met Gandhiji when he had visited Calcutta in 1946 and sang a couple of bhajans at his request during her private audience with him. Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was also very fond of Juthika’s bhajans and befittingly awarded her Padma Shree title in 1972. Even after she retired, she was facilitated for her contribution throughout India. I can vouch for the divinity of Juthika Roy’s bhajans. My father was very fond of her singing. We had a gramophone in our house and my father used play Juthika Roy’s bhajans every morning that would wake us up slowly and gently. Since childhood bhajans like ghoonghat ka pat khol, nainan mere tumhri aur, ora chahite jaane na, prodip jagiya raho, bonar kusum bale are ingrained in my mind for ever. Not a single day has passed, when I have not listened to Juthika Roy’s bhajan or two.
Like Meera bai, Juthika Roy had given up all the luxuries of life; she remained single all her life and work only simple white saris. Juthika Roy lived a long and healthy life in seclusion in a small apartment on Shyampukur Street in Calcutta with her two sisters. Her bhajans will continue to resonate in our ears for ever and will inspire many to recite them in public and private programs. I am so fortunate to have met her once and had given me the lyrics of one of my most favorite rendition meri veena ro rahi hai written down in her own handwritings. Juthika Roy recently passed away at a ripe age of 95. In order to satisfy repeated demands by fans of Juthika Roy, the Gramophone companies have recently released following albums in CDs: Pipu Piyu Gaye Papiya, Mona Pare Aaj, Geet Manjari, Bhajans of Juthika Roy, Bhajan Alekhha and Calcutta Telephones 1 & 2. Here are links to a couple of Juthika Roy’s bhajans: (1) ghoonghat ka pat khol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVdt6Hjus3A (2) meri veena ro rahi hai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQpDEuQMNc4
বর্ষ ার কনসার্ষ শুভশ্রী নন্দী রুপপোলি লিপের পর্দোর ওপোপর ঝোপসো র্োলিপে বর্দো মু ক্ত লিেলিপে চিোপে চেন েোন্নোর জিসো আমোর বু পে শ্বোস হপে শুধু লিসলিস েপর বরর্ো জ্বিো আগুপনর বু পে হোত চরপে জীবপনর েপর চেোিসো লিপজ লিপজ লিপজ েুুঁ পজ পোই লনপজ হপে উঠি আলম শুদ্ধ িিপে ওঠো গরম েোপপর আলম চেন চসই কুেোশো চমোপমর আপিোে র্প েপর চনপি পৃ লিবীর সব লনরোশো চর্েোপির ছলব েিো বপি ওপঠ অতীত জোনোে িরসো জোনিোর েোুঁপি, হোপতর ছোপপ ওস্কোপনো স্মৃলত চধোেোশো
লিপজ লিপজ লিপজ েুুঁ পজ পোই লনপজ হপে েোই আলম স্তব্ধ ।
বিশ্বকাপ বিকককের বিির্তন স ৌম্য ভট্টাচার্যতয আেলান্টা ফুটবলের ববশ্বকাপ ১৯৩০এ শুরু হলেবিে । সেই তুেনাে এক বিলনর বিলকট েলব চবিলে পা বিে । হলব নাই বা সকন । আন্তর্জাবতক একবিলনর বিলকট শুরুই হলেবিে ১৯৭১ োলে । এই নবীন একবিলনর বিলকট ও আমালির র্ীবন প্রাে েমোমবেক । তাই প্রাে শুরুর সেলক েব বববতজ ন আমালির সিখার সেৌভাগ্য হলেলি । আলরা একটা কো - ১৯৭৫ সেলকই T.V. coverage হলে ববশ্বকাপ বিলকলটর । প্রােবমক ভালব দূরিেজলন ও এখন youtube এ আমরা এই পু রলনা ববশ্বকালপর স্বাি বনলত পাবর । ১৯৭৫ সেলক ১৯৮৩, এই বতনটি ববশ্বকাপ ইংেযালে সখো হলেবিে । োিা সপাোলক এই সখোগুলো সহাত ৬০ ওভালরর । ১৯৮৭ সতও োিা সপাোলক সখো হলেবিে । বকন্তু সখোগুবে বিে ৫০ ওভালরর । এই ফাইনােটিলত ইলেন উিযালন উপবিত োকার সেৌভাগ্য হলেবিে । সকান গ্লবষণা সনই - তলব ১৯৮৭ র T.V. েম্প্রচার খু ব েম্ভবত ভারত পাবকস্তালনর র্াতীে সকন্দ্রগুলোই কলরবিে । ফলে সচষ্টা োকলেও T.V. েম্প্রচার ববশ্বমালনর বিেনা । ১৯৯১ সেলক আবিলক ও উপিাপনাে ববশ্বকাপ আমূ ে বিলে যাে। অলেবেোলত বহুবিন সেলকই রবিন সপাোলক োিা বলে বিলকট সখো হলে । এবালর সেটা ববশ্বকালপও প্রববতজ ত হে । তার েলি পাওো সগ্ে আন্তর্জাবতক োইভ েম্প্রচার । ইমরান খালনর দুটি স্বপ্ন বিে । ইংেযালে ইংেযােলক ও ভারলতর মাটিলত ভারতলক হারান । সটস্ট বেবরলর্ ১৯৯১ এর আলগ্ই এ েবই হলে সগ্বিে । ইমরালনর িে তালির বপ্রে িেলনতালক cake এর ওপর Icing উপহার সিে ১৯৯১ এর ববশ্বকাপ বর্লত । এরপর সেলক ববশ্বকাপ পৃ বেবীর নানাপ্রালন্ত হলেলি । বফলর সগ্লি ইংেযালে । ভারলত হলেলি একাবিকবার । বিলকট হলেলি অতযািু বনক । শ্রীকান্ত, সেটবযাচ, র্েেূ যজ সয সখো সখেলতন, একটি সিে োমবেকভালব সে খাো বনলর্র কলর বনে । তারা অলেবেো । ১৯৮৭ র অলেবেো নে । মাকজ সটেলরর অলেবেো । বস্টভ ওোর অলেবেো । বরবক পবিলির অলেবেো । সর্ারালো বযাটিং, মারাত্মক সপে সবাবেং, অোিারন বফবডং এর েলি িমাগ্ত সেবর্ং বমবেলে ততরী হলো এক অপরালর্ে ফমু েজ া । ওলেস্ট ইবেলর্র বিলকট েূ যজ আর্ অস্তবমত । রলে সগ্লি রার্কীে চেন সবােন । সনই আর সেই গুণ gbesh। অলেবেো আর্ বিলকট দুবনোর র্ামজাবন । তালির সরাবটরা গ্ত কুবি বির বিলকট দুবনোে রার্ত্ব কলর যালে । বাকী র্ীবলন আলরা বকিু ববশ্বকাপ হেলতা সিখলবা । তাবকলে আবি সেই ভববষযলতর বিলক যখন একটি অর্ানা সিলের অর্ানা তারকা ববশ্বকাপ বনলে যালব । েম্পূ নজ নতুন ঘরানার বিলকট সখলে ।
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বাড়ি যাবার পথে ** জবা চ ৌধু রী ** আটলান্টা
২৩শে ডিসেম্বর l আর মাত্র দু'ডিন পর খ্রীষ্টমাে l আটলান্টার আকাসে বাতাসে খ্রীষ্টমাে এর প্রস্তুডতর তডিঘডি l োন্টার আগমসনর েু তীব্র প্রতীক্ষা েব বয়সের শলাসকসির মসযে পডরস্কার শিখা যাসে l বছসরর এই একটা েময় যা অসনসকর মসতা আমারও েবসে' ডপ্রয় l োরডিসক আসলাসকর শরােনাই, শকনা-কাটার বেস্ততা ---- একটা খু ডের শরে শছাট বি েকসলর শেহারায় l জীবসন এরকম মু হূতত গুসলার জনেই মসন হয় শবেঁ সে থাকার মূ লে অসনকটা শবসি যায় l ডবসিসে, ডবসেষত: আসমডরকার জীবন এত দ্রুত েমসয়র োসথ পাল্লা ডিসয় েসল, শয ডনসজসক স্বভাবত:ই ডবোল জীবন যসের একটা ক্ষুদ্র অংে বসল মসন হয় l তারই মাসে স্কুল, কসলজ, ডকংবা কমত জীবন শথসক োমডয়ক ছু টি বা ভোসকেন ডনসয় আসে প্রাসন পডরতৃডির রেি i আজ ডবসকসলর ফ্লাইসট আমরা শিসে রওয়ানা হসবা l শবে ক'ডিন শথসকই েলডছল আমাসির েডপং. বন্ধু-বান্ধব, আত্মীয়-েজসনর নাসম ভরা একটা ডলস্ট েু লডছল আমাসির রান্নাঘসরর শরডিজাসরটর এর গাসয় l ডবোল ডকছু নয়, তবু ও েবার জনে উপহার ডকসন ডনসয় যাবার মসযে একটা আনন্দ l গতকাল রাসত আডম আর আমার হাজবোন্ড স্বপন পোডকং এর েব কাজ শেষ করলাম l ঘসর শ াকার িরজার পাসে োর বাযা রডিন েু েটসকে গুসলা ছু টির আসমজ এসন ডিসয়সছ আমাসির শমসয় তৃষা আর শছসল তুতাই এর মসনও l এয়ারসপাটত এর উসেসেে শবডরসয় পিার জনে েলসছ কাউন্ট-িাউন! দুপু র তখন প্রায় শিিটা হসব--- দুসটা টোডি এসে হাডজর হসলা আমাসির বাডির োমসন l আডম, তৃষা, আর তুতাই উঠলাম একটা টোডিসত আর অনেটিসত েমস্ত লাসগজ ডনসয় উঠসলা স্বপন l আমার টোডি ড্রাইভার ডছসলা একজন পাডকস্তানী মডহলা --- নাম েু মীরণ. কথায় কথায় জানলাম আমাসির অনে টোডিটির ড্রাইভার ডম: জাসভি েু মীরণ এর ই হাজবোন্ড l এয়ারসপাটত এ পোসেঞ্জার আনা শনয়াই ওসির ডবজসনে. বু েলাম েু মীরণ গল্প করসত খু ব ভালবাসে l মাত্র আয-ঘন্টার ড্রাইসভ ও অসনক গল্প করসলা l পাডকস্তাসনর ফৈজাবাসি েু মীরণ আর জাসভি প্রডতসবেী ডছসলা l খু ব শছাটসবলা শথসকই ওরা দু'জন দু'জনসক খু ব ভাসলাবােসতা l ডকন্তু জাসভি ডখ্রস্টান আর েু মীরণ ডছসলা মু েলমান পডরবার শথসক l কাসজই ওসির ভালবাোর পডরনডত যখন ডবসয়সত রূপ ডনসলা--- তখন েু মীরসনর পডরবার টা ডকছু সতই শমসন ডনসলা না l তাই মসনর দুসক্ষ এখন শথসক ঊডনে বছর আসগ জাসভি তার পত্নী েু মীরনসক ডনসয় োত োগর পাডি ডিসয় েসল এসেডছল আসমডরকায় l শেই শথসক আর কখসনা ওরা শিসে যায়ডন l বলসত বলসত েু মীরসনর দু'শোখ শথসক েসর পিসলা দু'শৈাটা অশ্রুডবন্দু l ভাবলাম---- জীবসন েলার পসথ কত ডকছু ই না হারাসত হয়! ডকছু ক্ষসণর মসযে এয়ারসপাটত এর শিল্টা এয়ারলাইনে এর শগসটর োমসন আমাসির টোডিগুসলা থামসলা. ডজডনেপত্র নামাসনা হসয় শগসল এক আন্তডরক ডবিায় জানাসনার পবত শুরু হসলা . আবার শিখা হবার প্রডতশ্রুডতও োসথই ডছসলা, কারণ ডম: জাসভি আর েু মীরণই ছু টি শেষ আমাসিরসক আবার এয়ারসপাটত শথসক বাডি শপ েঁসছ শিসব l শপাটতার শথসক শুরু কসর শেক-ইন কাউন্টার পযতন্ত েমস্ত ৈমতাডলটি শেষ হসলা খ্রীষ্টমাে এর অডভনন্দন ডবডনমসয়র মাযেসম l শবাডিতংপাে শিবার েময় অডৈোর আমাসির একবার বসল ডিসলন শয আমাসির এয়ারক্রাৈসটর শগট হসলা ১৮।
আজ আটলান্টা এয়ারসপাসটতর পডরসবে এসকবাসরই উত্েব মু খর। োরডিসক েু েডিত আসলার শমলা আেন্ন উত্েসবর কথা জানান ডিসে। অেংখে হাডে-খু ডেসত ভরা মু খ শিখসত শিখসত হঠাত শবে দূসর শোখ পিসলা শগট নাম্বার ১৮। শবে অবাক হসয় শখয়াল করলাম যতই আমাসির ডনযতাডরত শগসটর ডিসক যাডে, ততই একটা অদ্ভূত নীরবতা ...যা নজর এিাসনা প্রায় অেম্ভব। অবসেসষ ১৮ শত শপ সেঁ ছ শিখলাম প্রায় েমস্ত শেয়ারগুসলাসত যাত্রীরা বসে আসছন, আর এর েতকরা ৯৫ ভাগ শলাক ভারতীয় বংসোদ্ভূত। বু েসত কষ্ট হসলা না হঠাত কসর এয়ারসপাসটতর একটি ডনডিত ষ্ট জায়গায় উোসের বিসল ডেডরয়ােসনে এত শবডে শকসনা! আমার ডবসিেী বন্ধুরা অসনসকই বসল থাসক আমরা নাডক েবডকছু সতই খু ব ডেডরয়াে। আজ শযসনা শে কথাটাই মসন পিসলা। দু'পা শপডরসয় একটি শেয়াসর বেসত যাসবা এমডন েমসয় তাজা কমলাসলবু র গন্ধ নাসক এসলা। শিখলাম শিয়াসলর পাে শঘসষ বসে একটি মা তার বছর দু'এসকর শছসলসক কমলাসলবু খাওয়াসনার আপ্রাণ শেষ্টা োডলসয় যাসে। শছসল বারবার মু খ ডৈডরসয় ডনসে শিসখ মা বলসছ, "খা শল শবটা.... অসরঞ্জ মোয় ডভটাডমন 'C' শহাতা হোয়" l দু'বছসরর শছসল ডভটাডমন 'C' কী কসর জানসব...টা শভসব শবে হাডে শপসলা। একিম েময়মত আমাসির শবাডিতং হসলও রানওসয়সত এত ট্র্োডৈক জোম ডছসলা শয শেই েু বাসি শেসন আমাসির বসে থাকসত হসলা প্রায় কুডি ডমডনট. েীসতর ডবসকল মাসনই এর স্থাডয়ত্ব খু ব অল্প েমসয়র. শিখসত শিখসত শরাি পসি এসলা। জানলার পাসের েীসট বসে শিখলাম প্রকৃডতর এক অডভনব রূপ। মু হুসতত মসন হসলা আকাসের ডিগন্তসরখা বরাবর শকউ লাল আবীর শ সল ডিসয়সছ আর তার ঠিক উপসরর অংেটা ডছসলা গভীর নীল রসি োজাসনা. মসন হডেল শযসনা নীলাম্বরী োডি পডরডহতা শকাসনা এক অপ্সরা শহাডলর আবীসর রাঙাসনা পসথ শেঁসট েসলসছ। মু গ্ধ হসয় শেই দৃেে শিখসত শিখসত শকাথায় শযসনা হাডরসয় শগলাম। বাস্তসব ডৈডরসয় আনসলা শটক-অৈ করার েময় শেসনর ইডঞ্জসনর গভীর েব্দ। ইডতমসযেই েূ যতসিব তার েূ যতাসস্তর পালা শেষ কসর ডবিায় ডনসয়সছন। কথা ডছসলা শিল্টার এই ফ্লাইটটি আটলান্টা শথসক েরােডর মু ম্বাই যাসব। ডকন্তু মাত্র দু'ডিন আসগ একটা ইসমল এসলা শয ওই ডনযতাডরত ফ্লাইটটি প্রথসম আমস্টািতাম যাসব এবং শেখাসন ডতন ঘন্টার ডবরডতর পর যাসব মু ম্বাই। আজকাল শকাসনা এয়ারসপাসটত থামা মাসনই একরাে েন্োট। পােসপাটত, শবাডিতংপাে শথসক শুরু কসর হাতবোগ, অলংকার, জোসকট, শবল্ট, জু সতা....এি-শর শমডেসন পরীক্ষা ডনরীক্ষা হসল তসবই ডনস্তার। শবিাসনার আনন্দ আসেক েসল যায় ডনয়সমর ঘূ ডণতপাসক l প্রডত বছর শিসে যাই বসল যাত্রার মযেপসথর ডবডরডতর স্থান ডহসেসব অসনকগুসলা এয়ারসপাটত আমাসির শছসল শমসয়র কাসছ অডত পডরডেত জায়গা হসয় উসঠসছ। আমস্টািতাম এমডন একটি এয়ারসপাটত। শেখাসন কী কী স্নাি পাওয়া যাসব তা ডছসলা এসির নখিপতসন। যাইসহাক, প্রায় ডতন ঘন্টা শুরু হসলা ডেডকেউডরটিসত শ াকার শঘাষনা আর োসথ োসথই মোডজসকর মত ডবোল হল বরাবর গসি উঠসলা যাত্রীসির লাইন l আমাসির শমসয় তৃষার ফযযতে ক্ষমতা খু ব শবডে, আর এর প্রমান অতীসত আমরা অসনকবার শপসয়ডছ। তসব মসন রাখার মসতা ঘটনা ঘসটডছল যখন ওর বয়ে পােঁে l Tuscaloosa র university of Alabama র িীপাবলী অনু ষ্ঠাসন নােসত ডগসয় শস্টসজ পসি থাকা কােঁসের েুডিসত ওর পা শকসট ডগসয়ডছল খু ব বাসজ ভাসব। ডকন্তু প্রায় পােঁেে িেতসকর োমসন ও তার ডনসজর অনু ষ্ঠানসক নষ্ট হসত শিয়ডন। আজ প্রথমবার শিখলাম এর ঠিক ডবপরীত দৃেে. আমস্টািতাম শথসক মু ম্বাই এর যাত্রীসির মসযে ৫/৬ টি এক শথসক দু' বছসরর বাচ্চা ডছসলা. ন'ঘন্টার জাডনতর আসেকটা েময় ওসির কান্নার শকারাে শুনলাম, আর তার োসথ েলল পাসের েীসট বো তৃষার কান্না। আর খাডনকক্ষণ এভাসব েলসল নাডক ও পাগল হসয় যাসব। অবসেসষ শবগডতক শিসখ স্বপন নসয়জ কোসেডলং ইয়ারসৈান লাডগসয় ডিসলা ওর কাসন, আর এ যাত্রায় আডম হাৈ শছসি বােঁেলাম। জীবসন েলার পসথ অগুডণত নতুন মু খ আমাসির োমসন আসে l পডরেয় পসবতই শকাসনা শকাসনা েম্পসকত র ইডত ঘসট, আবার কখসনা শেই েম্পকত অটুট বন্ধুসত্বর জায়গা কসর শনয় l আজ আমস্টািতাম শথসক মু ম্বাই যাবার পসথ শোসখ পিল এক ডবরল ঘটনা, যা বহুডিন আমার মসন
থাকসব l আমার ঠিক োমসনর েীসট আমস্টািতাম শথসক এক মডহলা যাত্রী ওসঠন। বয়ে আনু মাডনক ষাসটর ঘসর l প্রায় প্রডত আয ঘন্টা অন্তর উডন েীট শথক উসঠ হােঁটডছসলন, যা অসনক বয়স্ক শলাকসকই আমরা করসত শিডখ l একেময় শিখলাম উডন টয়সলসটর কাসছর ৈােঁকা জায়গাটাসত িাডিসয় এক আসমডরকান যাত্রীর োসথ কথা বলসছন। ওই ভদ্রসলাক আটলান্টা শথসকই আমাসির েহযাত্রী। ন'ঘন্টার পসথর শবডেরভাগ েময় ওসিরসক আডম কথা বলসতই শিখলাম দূর শথসক। মু ম্বাই শপ ছু সত আর শবডে শিরী শনই। ৈাইনাল এনাউেসমন্ট েলসছ, তখনও দু'জনসক কথা বলসত শিসখ আমার উত্োহ শঠকাসত পারলাম না। টয়সলসটর োমসন তখন যাত্রীসির ভীি। আডমও শেখাসন ডগসয় িাডিসয় পিলাম। শলাকটি তখন মডহলাটির হাত যসর কখসনা একবার উনার বাডি শবাস্টসন আোর অনুসরায করসছন। শিখলাম মডহলাটি দু'িন্ড অপলক শলাকটির ডিসক তাডকসয় যীসর যীসর ডনসজর হাতটি ছাডিসয় ডনসত ডনসত বলসলন, " I wish. But I don't have money." বসলই মাথা যু ডরসয় ডনসজর েীসট েসল শগসলন। আডমও ডনসজর েীসট ডৈসর বেসত যাসবা, শিখলাম মডহলাটি টিেু ে ডিসয় শোখ মু ছসছন l আডম কাসছ ডগসয় িািালাম l কী জাডন কী শভসব আমার ডিসক উিাে দৃডষ্টসত তাডকসয় বলসলন, " We met after fifty-five years. We spent our childhood together and we were best friends. His family moved to Europe when we just finished our elementary school. বসলই মডহলাটি আবার শোখ মু ছসত লাগসলা। শপছন ডৈসর তাডকসয় শিখলাম শলাকটি তখনও শেই একই জায়গায় িাডিসয় l আমাসির ফ্াইট তখন আমস্টািতাম এয়ারসপাটত এ নামার জনে প্রস্তুত। তারও অসনক ঘন্টা পর মু ম্বাই এ যখন আমরা শপ ছু লাম তখন রাত োসি বাসরাটা। পরডিন েকাল োতটায় আমাসির শকালকাতা যাবার ফ্লাইট l ইন্টারনোেনাল এয়ারসপাটত শথসক বাসে কসর আমরা শিাসমডস্টক এয়ারসপাটত এ এলাম l গভীর রাত। শলাকজন খু ব কম ডছসলা বসলই এয়ারসপাটত টি শক অনেরকম শিখাডেল l একটা ৈােঁকা জায়গায় আমরা োরজন এসে বেলাম l েকাল হসত তখনও অসনক বাকী l ***************