“Manan- Chintan Souch- Vichar Jagriti Sabha” Conducted in Doom Dooma

“Manan Chintan Soch Vichar Jagriti Sabha” Conducted in Doom Dooma

In a warm and homely setting of a village, unique in every way, a 3 day long “Manan- Chintan Souch- Vichar Jagriti Sabha” was conducted, from 6-8 February at Panikhowa- Nayabalugarha Mandli under Doom Dooma Parish; an innovative idea indeed by Rev. Fr. Hilarius Ekka focusing on the life and culture of Adivasi community of the Parish. A total of 185 participants who were the office bears of their own different communites attended the Sabha hailing from 38 different Mandlis of the Parish.

With a short inaugural ceremony, taking the touch of God in the form of a short prayer service began the long awaited “Manan- Chintan Souch- Vichar Jagriti Sabha” first ever of its kind in the Parish. At the inaugural ceremony itself, Rev. Fr. Hilarius Ekka, the Parish Priest welcomed the participants and gave the orientation talk where he explained the modality of the Sabha. The Gospel passage that gave tune to the whole Sabha was that of Jn. 1:35- 42, where, one of the disciples named Andrew after staying with Jesus for the whole day becomes absolutely convinced about Jesus and he gets into action immediately by introducing his brother Simon to Jesus and becomes his permanent follower.

Immerged in a beautiful blanket of nature and homely atmosphere, owing to discipline and much enthusiasm of the participants, little difficulties from unexpected quarters could not cripple the normal life and routine of the Sabha. Food and lodging facilities were provided by Panikhowa- Nayabalugarha Mandli where the Sabha was held. Each day of the Sabha began with meditation, morning prayers and Holy Mass.  

The topics that were dealt during the Sabha were: “Responsible use of Social Communication” by Br. Blasius Tete, “ Cultural Forms – Importance of Language, Dance, Songs” by Mr. Amrit Kujur, “Savings and Importance of Saving Habits – Especially in the Life of Tea Labourers” by Fr. Hilarius Ekka, “Education and Its Importance in Today’s World” by Mr. Nazarius Kindo, “Nasa Pani and It’s Paralyzing Effects in the Life of Tea Labourers”, by Sr. Kiran Lakra msmhc, “Belief and Faith in God” by Mr. Simon Tirkey, “Importance of Land and It’s Ownership” by Mr. Amrit Kujur. There were 3 to 4 sessions per day which were regulated by the animators of the day and were efficiently handled using the Audio-visual media, lecture and group discussion methods including the report presentation of the group discussions to the whole assembly. With Zen-like focus, sharing whatever gems of knowledge and experience they had absorbed in lifetime, the animators were at their best with their sessions  which came across to the participates like a ceaseless flow of positive influence seeping through the very depth of their being.

From the convenience point of view, all the groups were divided into 5 groups. Participants were lavished with ample time and conducive atmosphere for sessions and discussions to unleash and unlock the wellspring of untapped energy and potential slumbering within for the betterment of each individual, family, society and the Parish as a whole. The sessions were jam packed with practical examples, interactions, and group discussions by the animators and the participants. 

After the supper, well selected movies were screened for the participants which were an integral part of the Sabha, particular mention may be made of the film Johny Bosco (Hindi), which was shown also to mark the Bicentenary celebrations of Don Bosco’s Birth.

Though not displayed before the world on a high colour, official, memorable, final, moving and meaning was that moment on 8^th morning when after the first session the lines of actions were drawn which were very much in line with Dibrugarh diocese plan which could be put into practice in all the Mandlis of Doom Dooma Parish. The following decisions on education of children and eradication of drinks were voted and passed by the assembly to be followed in the entire parish for the betterment and progress in the socio-economic, educational and religious life of the parish and especially among the parishioners.

1. By all means every boy and girl should be sent to school

a) In every family there should be a separate room for study and a palrlour for recreation and welcoming the guests.

b) There should be a fixed time (5 O’clock in winter season and 6 O’clock in summer season) in each family for the students to begin their study in the evening.

2. Making and selling alcohol/ rice bear is strictly prohibited. Anyone who makes and sells alcohol/rice bear, anyone who is found heavily drunk on the roadside, anyone who drinks and beats up or irritates the wife and children with his drunken behavior will be warned three times with a fine of Rs 500 each time. If he does not mend his behavior even after the three warnings with the fine, he will be ostracized from the community by way of not visiting his house; by not rendering him any help etc till he leaves that harmful behavior and bad habit.

While displaying their burning and obsessed desire to follow the lines of action, to their surprise the participants found that the above mentioned decisions were very much in line with the 1975 Dibrugarh Diocese Decision on Education and Eradication of Alcoholic Beverage in the Mandalis like: 

            1. Every boy or girl (who is between the ages of 5 to 15) should go to school.

2. Any alcoholic beverage is forbidden to make and sell. Anyone who is found drunk there      should be a meeting to consider the case.

At this moment the participants were also reminded that they had dealt in depth during the course of the sessions with the help of the animators on the 2014 Diocese Pastoral Council Decision on:

1.  Family Prayer

2.  Education of Children

3.  Family Bank A/c.

4.  Financial Independence before Marriage of Young People

5.  Compulsory Marriage Class for Marriage Blessing.

This is the beginning of a long travel, down a rugged pathway of ministry for the people of Doom Dooma Parish with the hope of seeing something new and positive unfolding with each passing day. Just like any other successful event that glides through to the finishing point, on 8^th February the Sabha came to an end with the Holy Eucharist celebrations presided over by Rev. Fr. Hilarius Ekka. Entrance and offertory dances, well chosen hymns accompanied by various cultural instruments gave solemnity to the entire Eucharistic celebrations. After the Mass, there was a short and sweet thanksgiving cum farewell programme. Many colourful items were put up by Panikhowa- Nayabalugarha Mandli which captivated the audience.

To everyone’s surprise, each participant found that the sessions, interactions, group discussions and other light moments shared in the Sabha made sense like never before. After having learned much, related joyfully and reflected in depth, each of the participants left “Manan- Chintan Souch- Vichar Jagriti Sabha” motivated and enthused with new and bright insights to enrich and heal Adivasi families and communities of Doom Dooma Parish. Quite a few enthused participants opined that such awareness and thought provoking seminars (Sabhas) be conducted in other parts of the parish to help more people to get in touch with the tools of change for a more dignified existence in this planet. Though the participants left the Sabha site on 8^th of February, like the ‘Solitary Reaper’ the majesty of the moment that the basket of 3 days offered will stay imprinted in the mind of every participants as they continue their life and affect their existence for the better.

Br. Blasius Tete

Sacred Heart Theological College Mawlai

euu&fpUru lksp&fcpkj tkx`rh lHkk 2015

Hkkoh Bksl dne (fu.kZ;)

Decision (fu.kZ;)

The following decisions given below on education of children and eradication of drinks were voted and passed by the assembly on 8^th February 2015. 

1-    gjsd yM+dk ;k yM+dh Ldwy Hkstk tk, dqN Bksl dne ds lkFk A

1-i<+kbZ dksBjh (study room) vyx ls izR;sd ifjokj esa cuk;k tk, vkSj ,d cSBd dksBjh (parlour) Hkh cuk;k tk, A

2-,d fu/kkZfjr le; ls Ldwy cPps ’kke esa i<+us lq# djsa A 5 cts ls B.<k ekSle ds le; vkSj 6 cts ls xjeh ekSle ds le; A

2-     yko ikuh rFkk nk# cukuk vkSj cspuk euk gS A tks yko ikuh vkSj nk# cukrs vkSj csprs gSa vkSj u’kk&iu ds nks"kh ik;s tkrs gSaa] tSls fgyrs&Mksyrs jLrs esa i;k tkuk vkSj ?kj esa L=h vkSj cPpksa dks rax djuk mu O;kfDr;ksa dks rhu ckj lq/kkjus dk ekSdk tqjekuk ds lkFk fn;k t;xk A #-500/- dk tqjekuk jgsxk A blls Hkh u’kk ckt dk lq/kkj ugha gksrk gS] rks mls lkekftd ltk fn;k tk;xkA tSls mldk ?kj ughaaa tkuk] mldks fdlh t#jh lgk;rk u nsuk bR;kfn] tc rd  ml gkfudkjd O;olk; vkSj cqjk vknr dks ugha NksM+rk gS A

Reminder (Lej.k)

The previous decisions that were taken in the diocese as well as in the parish are given below to help us recall to our mind that many efforts were made to help to better our life for a dignified life. They are as given below:

I.                   1975 Diocese Decision on Education and Eradication of Alcoholic Beverage in the Mandalis

            1. Every boy or girl (who is between the age of 5 to 15) should go to school.

2. Any alcoholic beverage is forbidden to make and sell. Anyone who is

    found drunk there should be a meeting to consider the case.

1-    gjsd yM+dk ;k yM+dh (tks ikWap vkSj iUnzg o"kZ ds chp gSa) mudks Ldwy tkuk iM+sxk A

dk;Z iz.kkyh% 1- gjsd xkWao ;k cxku ds iapksa ds chp ls ,d lsdzsVjh pquk tk,xk tks vius xkWao ;k cxku ds izpkj ds lkFk gekjs cPpksa dh f’k{kk dk tckonsgh gksxk A iqjkus fc|k;hZ rFk laxr HkkbZ bl fc"k; esa mudh lgk;rk djsaxs A 

2- tks ?kjkuk vius cPpksa dks Ldwy ughz Hkstrs ;k Hkstus dh ps"Vk ugha djrs gSa] xkWao ds yhMj yksx muds Åij tqjekuk Hkh yxk ldrs gSa A 

3- /keZ Dykl jksTk&jkst vk/kk ?UVk fl[kk;k tk,xk A 

4- tgkWa lqfc/k rFk t#jh gks mezokyksa ds fy, jkr Ldwy [kksyk tk ldrk gS A

 5- gekjs chp yM+fd;ksa dh f’k{kk ij /;ku T;knk ugha fn;k tkrk gS A vkSj os gh ?kj dk Hkj mBkusokyh gSa A ;g mfpr gS fd dqN d"V mBk dj Hkh yM+fd;ksa dks dksUHksUV dh cksfMZax Ldwy esa Hkstsa A

 6- ekWa&cki vius ,d&ns cPpksa dks vaxzth Ldwy esa Hkh Hkstus dh ps"Vk djsa A

2-    yko ikuh rFkk nk# bR;kfn cukuk vkSj cspuk fcydqy gh euk gS A ;fn dksb u’kk ihus rFkk erokysiu esa ik;k tk; rks ml ij fcpkj fd;k tk;xk A

dk;Z iz.kkyh% 1- tks u’kk&iu ds nks"kh ik;s tk,Waxs mUgsa izpkjd vkSj iap yksx viuh cSBdh esa cqykdj ;k muds ?kj esa tkdj fprkouh nsaxs A 

2- ;fn ls fprkouh ds ckn Hkh ugha NksMsaxs mudk uke fjiksVZ ogh esa fy[kk tk;xk rFkk Qknj dks (tc os xkWao esa tk,saxs)  fjiksVZ fn[kk;k tk,xk A

 3- vxj blds ckn Hkh ugha lq/kjsxk rks 10 #i;s tqjekuk djsaxs ftldk vk/kk Hkkx iap rFkk izpkjdksa dk gksxk] vkSj vk/kk Hkkx xkWao ds fxjtk ds fy, gksxk A 

4- ysfdu fQj Hkh u’kk ckt dk lq/kkj u gks mls lkekftd ltk nh tk;xh A tSls mldk ?kj ughaaa tkuk] mldks fdlh t#jh lgk;rk u nsuk bR;kfn] tc rd mlds ml pky dk lq/kkj u gks A

II.                2010 Parish Decision on Family Prayer, Education and Savings (Bank A/c)

1-    ifjokjhd izkFkZuk

fo’ki Lokeh ds funsZ’k vuqlkj izR;sd ifjokj es ifjokfjd izkFkZuk] jkr ds [kkuk [kkus ds igys djuk gh gksxk

2-    f’k{kk

lc yM+ds&yM+fd;ksa dks tks Ldwy tkus yk;d gks mudks Ldwy Hkstuk gh gksxk A Nk=&Nk=kvksa dh i<+kbZ ds fy, tks fo’ks"k t#jh phtsa gSa] mudks ekWa&cki ds )kjk miyC/k djuk gksxk A cPpksa dh i<+kbZ Bhd ls py jgk gS ;k ugha] mldk tkap ges’k djuk gh gksxk A

3-    cpr ;kstuk

cpr dk ;kstuk fnlEcj 2008 esa tks ’kq# fd;k x;k Fkk ml ;kstuk dks tuojh 2010 ls lc ifjokj esa tks vc rd ’kq# ugha fd;k gS] mu ifjokjksa dks djuk gh gksxk A ftl ifjokj dk ifjokfjd cpr ugha gS vkSj iYyh cpr esa (#- 20/- izfr efguk) Hkkx ugha ys jgs gSa] mu ifjokjksa ds lnL;ksa ds fy, dqN Hkh vkfFkZd lgk;rk ugha fn;k tk;sxk] tc ls iYyh ls dqN vkfFkZd lgk;rk ysus vk;saxs A

O;fDrxr cpr dke djus yM+ds&yM+fd;ksa ds fy, vfuok;Z gS A bl lky (tuojh 2010) ls opunkr dsou mu yM+ds&yM+fd;ksa dk fy;k tk;xk ftudk cpr [kkrk esa #- 5000/- gksxk A ejEer ’kknh okyksa ds fy, Hkh ;gh fu;e ykxw jgsxk A

III.             2014 Diocese Pastoral Council Decision on:

1.  Family Prayer

2.  Education of Children

3.  Family Bank A/c.

4.  Financial Independence before Marriage of Young People

5.  Compulsory Marriage Class for Marriage Blessing.

1-     izR;sd ifjokj esa izfrfnu ,d fu/kkZfjr le; ij iwjs ifjokj dh vifLFkfr esa ifjokfjd izkFkZuk fd;k tk, A

2-     ifjokj ds gj cPps dks Ldwy Hkstk tk, A

3-     izR;sd ifjokj dks viuk cSad vdkSaV (cSad ikl cqd) [kksyuk gS A

4-     izR;sd ifjokj vius cky&cPpksa dh ’kknh ds iqoZ gh muds vkfFkZd fLFkfr dks etcwr djs rkfd muds cPps ’kknh ds igys gh vkfFkZd #i ls Lok/khu gks tk,Wa A

5-     ’kknh ds igys Þ’kknh DyklÞ djuk vfuok;Z gS A

eSa iYyh iqjksfgrksa] fe’ku lsaVjksa ds iqjksfgr vf/kdkfj;kas ,oa ih- ih- lh- ds lnL;ksa ls vuqjks/k djrk gwWa fd os Åij fn;s x;s lq>koksa dks vius&vius {ks=ksa es ykxw djsa A (fc’ki tkslsQ vkbZUn)