PEOPLE WHO HELPED MR. L.K. SARKAR

A REPORT OF VARIOUS PERSONALITIES OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OF BENGAL AND BIHAR WHO HAVE BEEN CLOSE ASSOCIATES OF L.K. SARKAR APPRECIATING AND ALSO RENDERING A HELPING HAND IN HIS FIELD OF ACTIVITIES:

1.  Annada Sankar Roy.

2.  Nightingale of Chhotanagpur, Sindhubala Devi.

3.  Renowned Santali writer, editor and activist Mahadev Hansda.

4.  Sarada Prasad Kisku.

5.  Doman Sahu Samir.

6.  Gambhir Singh Mura (International Chhou Dancer).

7.  Dr. Srabani Sarkar (Chakraborty).

8.  Mahasweta Devi.

9.  Renowned singer Amar Pal.

10.  Film actor Anil Chatterjee (Anil Chatterjee read the book “Santali Bhasa-Lipi-O-Sahitya Charchar Eatibritta”).

11.  Renowned Santali author Basta Soren.

12.  Human activists of Bankura district.

13.  Journalists of Bankura district.

14.  Lok Kabi Adyaitta Kundu.

15.  Santali writer Gomosta Prasad Soren.

16.  Mahadev Hansda.

17.  Journalist Saghan Chattopadhyay.

18.  Pinaki Ranjan guha (journalist, Bartaman Patrika).

19.  Pannalal Ghosh (Editor, Saptahik Bartaman).

20.  Swadeshi Dakat Mohan Sabar (his age was 116).  In the year 1996, 28^th December, Mohan Sabar died.  His age was 121.

21.  Surya Sabar (eldest son of Mohan Sabar, near about 90 years old, living at Borda Sabar Colony near Mukutmanipur).

L.K. SARKAR AND KACDC OBSERVED INDEPENDENCE DAY ON 15TH AUGUST, 2003 AT BARODA SABAR COLONY, MUKUTMANIPUR, BANKURA

L.K. SARKAR AND KACDC OBSERVED INDEPENDENCE DAY ON 15^TH AUGUST, 2003 AT BARODA SABAR COLONY, MUKUTMANIPUR, BANKURA AND ALSO ORGANIZED A SEMINAR ON “TRIBAL UNREST ALL OVER INDIA AND HOW TO BEING ALL OUT DEVELOPMENT.”  SABAR CHILDREN AND MEN, WOMEN, ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THIS SEMINAR AND RALLY.

Sabar children rally with this slogan that “WE ARE NOT BORN CRIMINAL” please give our rights and all facilities which was recorded in our Indian constitution.  Please do not avoid us.

Tribal unrest all over India and how to bring all out development “this seminar” held at Boroda Sabar Colony, near Mukutmanipur.  Sabar boys and girls are demanding with in front of banner.

Group formation meeting with tribal male volunteers at Mosleha Primary School Premises L.K. Sarkar talking.

At Khejuria village of Ranibandh block, L.K. Sarkar talked with villagers to know the problems there.

encouragement from mahasweta devi on Mr. Sarkar's achievement and other activities

I will be happy and interested to see many editions of the book –MAHASWETA DEVI

I am waiting for a long time to see this book of Lakshmindra Sarkar to get published.  This work has great importance.  Lakshimdra has done something that was not done before.  The belief of witch cult was not restricted to the adibasi society.  There is belief in witch cult and other superstitions in nontribal society and tantric methods are applied to ward off evil spirits.  The murders of people accusing them as witches are more in number in the Santal society and Ho society of Singhbhum.  In the last few years, the number has increased.  A vicious circle works in the murder of a witch.  Because behind the motive of every murder, there is grieve.  Along with it, the belief of witch cult is there.  The good news is that in the society of the tribals, a disbelief and the protest has started.

The noted Santal poet Saradaprasad Kisku is a brave fighter and a social worker.  For this reason, Saraprasad and his co-fighters had to pay a price and is still paying it.  Still they firmly believe in themselves.  If it happened in some other country, then Saradaprasad and his co-fighters would have been proudly recognized.  We do not know how to pay respect to the respected people.  People should be united to fight against witch cult.  On the basis of this book, ‘witch cult should be banned by law.’  This protest can also be done.    The socially conscious and scientific minded people will also take part.  I will be very happy to see many editions of the book and will be encouraged.

A DIFFERENT PROTEST

Written by Bikraman Nair

(Noted journalist-Anandabazar)

The people of West Bengal are aware of the anti-witch movement in Purulia.  The superstition of the Santals in Bengal and Bihar became significant.  The social scientists think there are two reasons behind it.  Firstly, this protest is to acquire political power.  Secondly, an aged poet is supporting the young protestors in the public protest.  Saradaprasad Kisku taught us how to go through the tough times and the Bengalis must learn a lesson from them and go back to their youth protest.

When Mr. Sarkar was young, he started the work of bridging the gulf between the tribals and the nontribals.  In spite of being their companion in good and bad times, they were still unknown to us.  The author’s book on ‘Santali Bhasha, Lipi O Sahityochorchar Eatibritto’ is an account of the language and culture of the Bengal’s biggest community.  It is an account of the history of the anti-witch movement of Purulia and a contemporary struggle in the tribal life.  Mr. Sarkar is the right person who has introduced us the ‘contemporary protest’ in the political atmosphere of West Bengal. 

In nine chapters, after the first chapter of emergence of witch, the public protest that started and the description has been given serially.  The murder of Jagaran Soren, the trial of Sudhir-Milan, through a peculiar cultural revolution, the inside story has been mentioned here.

The neglect of those living in the plains and the suspicion of the political workers – both of them ignored Sarada and his followers.  Among them Mahadeb Hansda and Rupchand Hansda are worth mentioning.  They have asked the society to wake up and they have incorporated science and logic.  We must know the story.  Other than this, more work needs to be done.  This history compels us to think in the right way.

The reports published in different newspapers, the letters of Saradaprasad Kisku, the leader of the protest and the report of PUCL  are the references of the book.

 

 

AAJKALER AYENA

Volume No. 27, Monday 6^th Baisakh, 1405.  20^th April, 1998.

AWARDED LAKSHMINDRA

Born in Kolkata.  Age 42.  He has researched on folk culture and tribes.  The two books that have created sensation among the tribes and the intellectuals are “Santali Bhasha, Lipi o Sahityacharchar Eatibritto” and “Puruliar Daini Birodhi Andolan.”  Some books related to tribal society are near to completion.  He left the fixed job of “Aajkaal” and he worked on the tribal society intensively for many years.  He had set up an organization at Khatra of Bankura district with hard work.  Khatra Adibasi Cultural and Development Center.  Along with the protection of the cultural heritage, he was actively involved in the economic development of the native people.  Mr. Sarkar who is a follower of Saradaprosad Kisku who first led the anti-witch movement, is a well known name.  Governor K.V. Raghunath Reddy had awarded him for his remarkable achievement.  Lakshindra Kumar Sarkar did not get any government help or grant.  Though he has a huge debt, he is still carrying on his work.  He trained the tribal boys and girls and published a full length newspaper.  He named it:  Adibasi Songbad.  It had to be stopped due to financial reasons.  Subsequently he published a monthly journal called “Rarh Bangla Songbad.”  Lakshimdra is engaged in developing branches of “Manimela” through that will help give moral education to the children.  He had to travel the mountains and roads of the villages in a bicycle.  For the self-employment of the old people, he has started workshops for training in handicrafts.  Lakshindra has set up the village women society.

L.K. SARKAR WITH SANTAL TRIBAL STUDENTS OF AYODHYAY HILL OF PURULIA, W.B.

L.K.  SARKAR WITH SANTAL TRIBAL STUDENTS OF AYODHYAY HILL OF PURULIA, W.B.

L.K. Sarkar with Santal tribal students of Ayodhya Hill who are staying and studying in Bagmundi Kalyan Ashram.

From left standing backside Hiralal laya, Jadunath Tudu, Haridas Roy (Charida village) Ramsing Murmu, Nagranjan Ganguli (Teacher), Arabinda Bhattacharya (Teacher),  Middle standing – Umesh Mandi (Balarampur Kalyan Ashram, L.K. Sarkar, Binod Behari Murmu, Nagen Besra.

In front, Kinkar Mandi, Na Sibankar Singh Sardar, Chakradhar Saren. 

In the year 1982, L.K. Sarkar went to see how the tribal peoples are living on Ayodha Hill forest areas.

At that time,  no conveyance available to go upstairs on Ayodha Hill L.K. Sarkar by walking went on that hill.

A residential poor tribal education center whose name is Baghmundi Kalyan Ashram situated on the road side.  On the way to go to Ayodha Hill, L.K. Sarkar and his wife Dr. Srabani Chakraborty to collect information about Kalyan Ashram, Mr. Sarkar met some tribal students.

Pictures shown, these students are now scattered in different sectors.

Hiralal Laya is now working at a Refugee Relief Camp Commission, Camac Street, Kolkata.  Umesh Mandi and Kinkar Mandi are working at Balarampur Kalyan Ashram.  Sibshankar Singh Sardar is a teacher at Murshidabad.  Binodbehari Murmu is an assistant CDPO, ICDS, Khatra, Bankura.

Binod behari Murmu is the exceptional student of them.  L.K. Sarkar recently written an article about Binod Behari Murmu.  Published this article on ‘Jangal Mahaler Khabar’ in the issue of July 1, 2003.

L.K. SARKAR WITH SABAR COMMUNITIES

We are all aware that the Sabar Tribe are rare and primitive tribe (called as Born Criminal) of our state.  They need special care from every corner of our society.

L.K. Sarkar want to change the lifestyle and do uplift their quality of life through greater awareness about health, education, value system, government schemes for development, income generation programmes etc.

L.K. Sarkar through his organization Khatra Adibasi Culture and Development Center, conducted 2 days programme under sponsorship by Central Board for Workers Education, Ministry of Labor, Government of India, at Baroda Sabar Colony Primary School on 11-11-02 to 12-11-02.

S.D.O. Satadal Dutta inaugurated the 2-day program.

REMARKABLE SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENTS

Sushil Mahali, a tribal boy, turn his life from bamboo basket maker to journalist and social worker

By  L.K. Sarkar.

If you have no idea about Mahali tribes, you could not realize that what L.K. Sarkar wants to say about Sushil Mahali? So, first you know that Mahali Samaj, then to Sushil Mahali.

Mahali, a Dravidian caste of laborer, palanquin bearers, and workers in bamboo found in Chotanagpur and West Bengal.  They are divided into 5 subcaste –

1.     Bansphor Mahali – who make baskets and do all kinds of bamboo work;

2.      Patar Mahali – Basket makers and cultivators;

3.      Sulunki Mahali – who are cultivators and labourers;

4.      Tanti Mahali – who carry palanquins;

5.      Mahali Munda – a small outlying subcaste.

 Those of the Santals seem to warranty the conjecture that the main body of the caste, that is to say the group comprising the Bansphor, Sulunki and Tanti Mahalis is merely a branch of the Santals, separated at a comparatively recent date from the parent tribe.