ABN SEAL COLLEGE

No. 1 college in Bengal

-- Debashis Bhaumik
The University Grants Commission has ranked Acharya Brojendra Nath Seal College (previously Victoria College) as the No.1 college in West Bengal. From now on, it will be marked as a "centre of excellence". Under the five-year plan of the UGC, it has judged "colleges with potential for excellence" and seven colleges of West Bengal have been selected after examining different aspects. The 121-year-old ABN Seal College is the lone institution of North Bengal and the lone one under North Bengal University that has been selected as a "centre of excellence". The officer-in-charge of ABN Seal College, Dr Nilay Roy, expressed his joy after learning of the UGC's decision and hoped the college would go ahead to further excel in the education sector.
The seven colleges that secured "centre of excellence" tags are: ABN Seal College (188 marks of a total of 300), Bijay Krishna Girls' College (181), Ramkrishna Mission Vidyamandir, Belur (180), BB College, Asansol, (178), Bethune College (177), Lady Brabourne College (174) and Moulana Azad College (172). The UGC reportedly selected 20 colleges from across the country, and seven of these are in West Bengal. Among the seven, one is under Bardhaman University, one is under North Bengal University and the rest are under Calcutta University.
It was learnt that after declaration of the ranks, the autonomous colleges will get Rs 1.5 crore as an annual grant and non-autonomous colleges will get Rs 1 crore. Earlier, four colleges in West Bengal – Presidency College, St Xavier's College, Scottish Church College and Loreto College received a similar honour from the UGC.
Dr Nilay Roy said that at ABN Seal College they offer postgraduate courses in Bengali, Sanskrit and Zoology. There are 13 honours courses – Bengali, English, Sanskrit, History, Economics, Philosophy, Geography, Political Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany and Zoology.
It has been an excellent college in North Bengal since its foundation in 1888 by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. After receiving "centre of excellence" recognition from the UGC it should be judged as the best college of the state, said a cheerful Dr Ray.
It may be recalled that the founder principal of the college was Professor JD Godley who served the institution from 1888-89. After a short stint of two other principals from abroad — Professor Wood and Professor Delafosse — Acharya Brojendra Nath Seal was the first Indian to grace the chair. He was at the helm of affairs for 18 years (1896-1913). After Independence, the princely state of Cooch Behar came under the Bengal Presidency in 1948. It was finally merged with West Bengal on 1 January 1950. Victoria College was also taken over by the government of West Bengal.

NEW WORLD ORDER

New World Order

Rajinder Puri

South Asia's regional three-day meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament has started in Delhi. On September 29, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy had said that global non-proliferation should be universal and non-discriminatory and linked to the goal of complete nuclear disarmament. He iterated India's commitment to total nuclear disarmament. Fine sentiments! Brave words! 
But how to ensure that these words move towards achieving their purpose instead of dissolving as hot air? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Mohammed ElBaradei, who also addressed the conference described India as the world's leading advocate for nuclear disarmament. Very flattering! But how might that praise be justified? 
Asian deterrence
TO genuinely move towards total nuclear disarmament bold and unconventional thinking is required. Presented below is a concrete five-point plan to achieve total nuclear disarmament that prevails over a feet-dragging world. 
1) The first need is to draw a roadmap for making Asia a nuclear free zone which then might pressure Europe and USA to accept total nuclear disarmament. That plan would require joint nuclear deterrence for all Asian nations till the West is compelled to accept total nuclear disarmament. Joint nuclear deterrence implies not only a unified nuclear command under the nations that accept the plan; it would also require a plan for phased world nuclear disarmament. That in turn would require the IAEA under the aegis of the UN to create a routine mechanism for periodically inspecting nuclear facilities worldwide. Until the plan is accepted worldwide the nations that embark on the road to achieving it must consent to this provisional arrangement with the IAEA.  
2) India must initiate quiet diplomatic persuasion with its immediate nuclear-seeking neighbours, Pakistan and Iran, to join in this venture. This would be the hardest part. If it does not succeed nothing is lost. There does remain a chance, however, that Iran might come on board to share nuclear defence under this plan. If that happens Pakistan too would be tempted. If even one nation is willing to come aboard India can move to the third step. 
3) India should then formally move ahead with the goal of making Asia a provisional nuclear free zone as the first step towards total nuclear disarmament. It should announce an Asian conference to formalize this plan and invite China, North Korea, Japan and Israel in addition to Pakistan and Iran to attend its deliberations. Even a two-nation or three-nation attendance would indicate the start of the movement. Those invitees that decline to attend the conference or to accept the plan after attending it would be the ultimate losers. Global public opinion would overwhelmingly support concrete measures to achieve total nuclear disarmament. 
Pressure the West
4) Once a core Asian group has been formed to further total nuclear disarmament there will be created leverage to pressure the West and also those Asian nuclear or potential nuclear nations that do not associate with the plan. This leverage will be created by the core group propagating the plan among all the non-nuclear nations of the world and exerting pressure in the UN. 
5) Even before all the nuclear powers accept total disarmament the core group should finalize the draft plan for the transfer of authority to monitor nuclear inspection and disarmament to the UN which could oversee the IAEA working directly under its supervision. There would be serious technical problems arising from the need for safe destruction of existing nuclear weapons, the transfer of all the residual nuclear weapons worldwide to the control of the UN, and the UN authority sanctioned by all its members to exercise such control. Clearly, such arrangements imply revamping and reforming the UN itself to bring it closer to the concept of a world federal government. Total nuclear disarmament, therefore, would be a catalyst for taking a giant step towards shaping the New World Order. But that need not concern the founding nations of the movement at the primary stage. The movement would have to take one step at a time. 
This five-point plan may appear wildly impractical and filled with reckless ideas to critics. The critics could be right. But for six decades the world has tried to move forward sensibly and safely towards avoiding nuclear disaster. It has failed miserably. Nuclear proliferation has increased, global terrorism has spread, and nuclear aspirations among nations have mounted. 
To obtain successful results, therefore, why not try some unconventional ideas for a change? (THE STATESMAN)

MAHAMAYA PAT IN DINHATA

119-year puja with 177-year-old handwritten Scripture in Dinhata

The community Durga puja of Mahamaya-pat in Dinhata turns into its 119th year. It is one of the oldest pujas in Cooch Behar district after the Baro Devi puja of Cooch Behar royal family.

Mr Pran Gopal Chakraborty, popularly known as Kanu Thakur, is performing the puja since 1980. He performs the puja following the diktat of a 177-year-old manuscript written on palm-leaves. A few generations back this manuscript was written by one of his forefathers.

According to sayings, the then ruler of Cooch Behar, Maharaja Nripendra Narayan took an initiative to lay rail track from Jainti in Dooars to Rangpur (now in Bangladesh) through Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Dinhata. For that work a number of labourers came from different areas. Huge quantity of stones and boulders were also carried in from distant areas. It is in 1885-86. One day the labourers engaged in the rail-laying job found a large snake that was trying to guard a round shaped luminous stone. On that day, in an oracle from the sky Devi Mahamaya asked the labourers to worship Her. The incident created a furore in those days. The labourers then started worshiping the round shaped stone as the idol of Devi Mahamaya, according to the sayings.

There is a different story too. A labourer got fainted after a lightning-like incident when he struck that stone during earthwork with a spade. Others rushed to him and nursed him to recover from the shock. After hearing the story they decided to offer puja to the luminous stone. The stone is still getting puja at the same place in the Mahamaya temple situated near Dinhata railway station. Later, locals of Dinhata town came forward for community Durga puja that started at Mahamaya-pat in 1891.

On behalf of Maa Mahamaya-pat Committee Mr Bibhu Ranjan Saha said that the puja is still going on maintaining all age-old rituals and devotion. A mela (fair) is also organised during the puja-days.

BARO DEVI OF COOCHBEHAR

 Artisans busy in making the idol of Baro Devi at Devibari temple in Cooch Behar on Tuesday.

BARO DEVI OF COOCHBEHAR

Human blood needed in Baro Devi puja

The tradition of human sacrifice (Nara-Boli) is still on at the puja of Baro Devi of Cooch Behar. Since human sacrifice is not possible these days, that tradition is maintained symbolically by sacrificing a human image made of rice-powder on the Maha-Astami night during Gupta-puja (secret worship). Human blood is needed to perform the Gupta-puja.

Like previous years Mr Shiben Roy of Kaljani village is the man to supply the blood by piercing his fingers as a hereditary act. The Cooch Behar Debottar Trust Board is to pay him Rs 500 for the act. The Board is running under the state tourism department.

It is said that human sacrifice was a reality at the regime of Maharaja Nara Narayan. Once he reportedly sacrificed 150 persons to Baro Devi and for that act he earned fame in those days. Later, the system become discontinued, but the tradition of human sacrifice is still followed by symbolic sacrifice.

Sacrifice is a major part of the Baro Devi puja. Goats, buffaloes, hogs and numerous pigeons are sacrificed here. Sacrifice of hog is a speciality of Baro Devi puja, which is done during Chaliya-Bariya puja ritual. The DTB purchased three buffaloes this year for the 'bali' performance in three temples.

Baro Devi is a special form of Goddess Durga worshiped by the Cooch Behar royal family. Maharaja Nara Narayan initiated the puja in 1533, as the saying goes. The image of Baro Devi is totally different from the familiar Durga idols. Devi Durga's four sons and daughters are absent here. Jaya and Bijaya are here to replace them. The cult-animals are jointly a tiger and a lion, instead of a single lion.

According to sayings, Mararaja Nara Narayan saw the Devi in this form in his dream when he was on fasting for days to get blessings from the Goddess. Later, he introduced the puja of Baro Devi and the clay-image was made following his description. Till now the image is identical to the previous ones to keep the tradition alive.

As a hereditary act, Mr Punyeswar Chitrakar is making the idol this year, on the age-old and permanent platform, following traditional sacred rules. He is now busy in the idol making with a few other helpers at the Baro Devi temple situated at Devibari in Cooch Behar town. The DTB is to pay him Rs 4,200. Raw materials are being supplied by the DTB.

Though Raj-days have gone, the rituals and systems of performance of the Baro Devi puja and the construction of the clay-image are almost similar to the earlier days, under the present Marxist regime too. The Debottar Trust Board, running under state government patronage, is very much cautious in maintaining all the traditional rituals.

The puja of Baro Devi ends on Maha-Navami. The large image is sliced into pieces and immersed into Jamuna (Lamba) Dighi. In those Raj-days the Maharaja sitting on the royal elephant set a Khanjan (wagtail) bird free on Bijoya Dashami during Yatra-puja ritual. According to the sayings, Cooch Behar Maharajas had to start for conquering new regions following the flight-route of the bird. It was 1969, when a Khanjan was set free for the last time.

A fair is also organised during the puja days surrounding the age-old Baro Devi temple at Debi Bari in Cooch Behar. Numerous devotees and puja viewers from distant places come to witness the puja and offer anjali to the Baro Devi on the Maha-Astami day.

COOCH BEHAR

'Greater Cooch Behar' : Merger Agreement Day observed

After splitting into two groups over method and way of movement about four years ago the proponents of the separate 'Greater Cooch Behar' state joined hands again.

On Friday, the activists of the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) and The Greater Cooch Behar Peoples' Association (GCPA) jointly observed the day of the historic agreement by which the erstwhile princely state of Cooch Behar merged with India. The agreement was inked between the then ruler of Cooch Behar, Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan and the representative of Government of India VP Menon on 28 August 1949.

The main programme was staged at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar. Not only the GCDP and the GCPA but also activists of a few other similar minded organisations like the Kamtapur Peoples' Party attended the programme. They also observed the day at different areas in the district.

President of the GCDP Mr Ashutosh Barma said according to the agreement it was expected that Cooch Behar would become a C-category state under the framework of Indian Constitution but due to some conspiracy it was transformed into a mere district of West Bengal. The loyal subjects of the Cooch Behar State never acknowledged it from their hearts.

Mr Barma said the government of India should observe the historic day of the signing of the agreement but they never take any initiative about it. "Today we are observing the day but in future the government should do it. Otherwise we will have to organise a massive movement", he said.

Today, the proponents of the 'Greater Cooch Behar' state organised a daylong programme after hoisting of the National flag and their organisational flag. During their addresses the leaders highlighted the demand for the proposed 'Greater Cooch Behar' state. They also paid homage to the recently demised princess of Cooch Behar royal family, Gayatri Devi.

KUMAR GAJENDRA NARAYAN (Sr)

Madok Birodhi Divas in Cooch Behar

The Heritage Society of Cooch Behar has called upon all to observe 24 August as Prohibition Day in Cooch Behar.

Kumar Gajendra Narayan (Senior) was the great grandson of Maharaja Harendra Narayan. He had born on 24 August at Patakura in Cooch Behar. Being a barrister he came back from England and married Savitri Devi, the second daughter of the great social reformer of Bengal and a religious leader of Brahmo sect, Brahmananda Kesav Chandra Sen. The elder sister of Savitri Devi was Maharani Sunity Devi, the wife of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan.

On behalf of the HSCB, Mr Arup Jyoti Majumder said Kumar Gajendra Narayan (Senior) had initiated a movement for prohibition to keep the youths away from intoxicants 122 years ago. He was the founder of the temple of Nava Bidhan Brahmo Samaj, Keshav Ashram, Arya Naree Samaj, Brahmo Pally, Brahmo Library and Brahmo Boarding. He also established a technical school for the women.

On 20 June 1887 he established the Surapaan Nibarani Sava to save the poor people from the addiction of toxicants. It turned into a widespread movement in Cooch Behar. As the movement for prohibition has never lost its appeal the Heritage Society of Cooch Behar called upon all to observe the birthday of Kumar Gajendra Narayan (Senior) as Madok Birodhi Divas in Cooch Behar, Mr Majumder said. 

FLOOD SITUATION

Flood : Army's rescue operation continues

The overall flood situation in Cooch Behar district has been improved a little today. The water levels of almost all the rivers have shown a downward trend. But, the water in the Teesta is still flowing over the danger mark. Yellow signal has been flashed on that river. Yesterday it was Red. The water level again started going upward from this afternoon. To add insult to injury, soil erosion began afresh.

The jawans of the Army are conducting rescue operation at several waterlogged villages in Mekhliganj sub-division from this morning. They are doing the job armed with three speedboats and a few country boats.

The district magistrate of Cooch Behar Ms Smaraki Mahapatra said more than 400 water-marooned persons have been rescued. They have been shifted to relief camps. Already 29 rescue shelters opened in that area and a few more would start operating soon, she said. The situation has improved and it is now under control. They requested the state government to provide more relief materials like tarpaulin sheets, rice and contingency fund to meet the situation if it turns grave in near future, Ms Mahapatra added.

Earlier, the civil administration of the district failed to rescue the people from the submerged areas because they failed to convince those people to come out from the flooded areas. At last, finding no other alternative they called the Army yesterday to help the civil administration. The rescue operation started this morning. It was learnt that still about 1,500 people are waiting to be rescued.

On the otherhand, the Block Development Officer of Mekhliganj, Mr Shuvashis Ghosh and other officials today tried to convince the marooned people to co-operate with the Army jawans to rescue them. They conveyed their appeal using loudspeakers. As there is a weather forecast about more heavy rainfall during the next 48 hours they asked the stranded people to come out from the submerged areas to take shelter in relief camps.

It was learnt that many dwellings of the lower lands especially of alluvial land of the Teesta damaged in the flood like situation and about 30 cattle floated away towards Bangladesh by the current of the river water. The most affected areas are Paniyar-char, 40-Nijtaraf, Hossener-char and Hakimer-char. 

FLOOD SITUATION

Flood situation grave in Cooch Behar, Army called

Due to incessant downpour in the catchment areas water levels of all the rivers in Cooch Behar are rising. The water levels of Teesta, Torsa and Mansai already crossed danger marks. Residents of the areas near the rivers have been alerted and advised to shift to safer places. The district administration called the Army to start rescue operation in Mekhliganj to save the stranded people.

As the water levels have crossed danger marks Red signal has been flashed on the Teesta and the Jaldhaka in Mekhliganj sub-division and on the Mansai in Mathabhanga sub-division upto the Bangladesh border. Yellow signal has been flashed on the Torsa in Cooch Behar Sadar-sub-division. Water levels of other rivers like Kaljani, Raidak-I and Raidak-II are also rising rapidly towards the danger mark.

The district magistrate of Cooch Behar Ms Smaraki Mahapatra has called the Army to rescue the marooned people of areas like 25-Teesta Payosthi, 40-Payosthi, Nijtaraf, Kuchlibari and Paniyarchar in Mekhliganj. It was learnt that the Army left to the area from Binnaguri.

When asked, the DM said as the water level of the Teesta crossed the danger mark they called the Army to help the administration to rescue the marooned people. About 1,500 people got water-marooned in an alluvial land of the river. On the otherhand, about 400 families have been rescued from different areas in Tufanganj there and shifted to higher areas, she added. The administration is ready to combat any situation. Adequate quantity of relief materials is there to help the distressed people, she claimed.

Local sources said that more than 5,000 people got marooned at Mekhliganj as the water of the inflated Teesta sneaked into the lower areas. More than 1,000 residents of villages in Tufanganj-II block got stranded in the overflowed river water. 

HEALTH

Plan to shut down 4 blood banks and launch malaria-testing labs

The state government is going to shut down four blood banks that are not attached with any government hospital. Presently, there are 107 blood banks in the state. The four that are identified for close down are suffering from different technical problems including lack of adequate equipments and accessories. Lack of necessary infrastructure is also a reason for which the government prompted to take the step.

On Tuesday, during his visit to Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Hospital Blood Bank in Cooch Behar, the joint director of state health services, Mr Amar Mukherjee told the reporters about the government's decision. The measures are to be taken following the guidelines and norms of National blood transfusion and blood bank policy, he said. He however denied naming the four blood banks.

It was learnt from health department sources that there are complaints against the tainted four blood banks. An inquiry is also going on against the blood banks. Soon after receiving of the inquiry reports the government would take steps against them. On the otherhand, the government may ask the blood banks that are not associated with hospitals to improve their infrastructures, the sources added.

Mr Mukherjee expressed his satisfaction by observing the conditions and facilities of the MJN Hospital Blood Bank. He also visited the instruments, equipments and facilities for testing of HIV/AIDS.

As Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are the most malaria prone areas of north Bengal, the joint director of health services, Mr Mukherjee said that sophisticated and ultramodern facilities to examine blood samples are to be launched in the government hospitals in this region. Presently, complicated tests of blood samples are done at outer laboratories and it takes a lot of time to get the results. After launching of the proposed ultramodern laboratories it would be easier for the doctors to diagnosis the suspected malaria patients, he believes.