Harbinger Newsletter
Dharmadeva
Subject: Harbinger Newsletter
The Harbinger
Successful DMS at Jamalpur
The two-day Ananda Marga Dharma Maha Sammelan was held at the polo grounds,
Monghyr amidst great spiritual flow and vibration. A large gathering of
more than four thousand Ananda Margiis from all over the country and other
countries attended the congregation and thoroughly enjoyed the spiritual
bliss and blessing of the grace of the Marga Guru Shri Shri Ananda Murtiji.
The assembled Margiis visited the Tiger's grave, the Death Valley, the Kali
Pahar and other historic sites where the Marga Guru has created the Marga in
the 50's. During the DMS, Ac. Shraddhananda Avadhuta, the respected Purodha
Pramudha of the Marga gave discourses on different topics on both the days.
The topics of his Pravachan was Taraka Brahma Ka Avirbhava, Bhakti and
Asakti, Bhakta Aur Bhagvan and lastly what a Sadhaka has to do in his life.
All the Margiis and the whole timer workers thoroughly enjoyed
the DMS.
Research on Prabhat Samgiita
Ms. Alakananda Parida has become the first scholar to get her M. Phil degree
for her thesis on Prabhat Samgiita for the theme "Mysticism in Prabhat
Samgiita - a philosophical reconstruction". Ms. Parida has done her research
in the postgraduate deprtment of philosophy of the Utka University,
Bhuvaneshwar, India under the guidance of Prof. Aditya Kumar Mohanty. The
Guwahati University where it was sent for evaluation has adjudged her thesis
as the best. She procured 72% marks, a record number for Arts subject.
A good amount of research is going on the writings of eminent
seer-philosopher Shri P.R. Sarkar. Earlier a scholar, Ms. Rita Kumar, got
her doctorate degree from Ranchi University for her research on Ananda Marga
system of Marriage. Another scholar, Shri Jay Shankar Atreya, got his
doctorate from Meerut University for his research on the Neo-Humanistic
education of Ananda Marga.
Mozambique floods
Four dadas and six AMURT volunteers are working in Mozambique to alleviate
the suffering of the victims of the massive flood that inundated large parts
of the country recently. AMURT units of Norway, Switzerland and Britain are
extending their co-operation in this efort. The Marga units in South Africa
are collecting food materials, clothes, tents and medicines. 16 tons of
materials were already distributed in the affected areas of Xai Xai region.
AM delegation meets Union Railway Minister
A delegation of Ananda Marga met Miss Mamata Banerjee, Union minister of
Railways at her office in Rail Bhawan for a detailed discussion about the
need of providing some basic facilities at Pundag station, the railroad head
of Ananda Nagar. The delegation has presented a memorandum to her with a set
of demands, which include change of name of the station to Ananda Nagar
Road, stoppage of all trains at Pundag, elevating the railway platform and
construction of a passenger-waiting hall at Pundag. The minister has
promised the delegation to do the needful at the earliest on all these
demands.
New Master Unit in Mongolia
A new Master Unit was procured in Mongolia. The M.U. is of 6 acres in area
and located near the city of Ulan Bataar. The Childrens Home in Mongolia run
by Didis is very popular.
Port Blair School gets a huge donation for construction
Ananda Marga School, Port Blair was allotted an amount of Rs. 10 lakhs from
the local M.P.'s fund by the M.P. of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for the
school construction. The Member of Parliament, Shri Vishnu Pada Roy is a
great well-wisher of Ananda Marga since long. Ananda Marga is running 17
schools and a creche in these Islands and its schools are quite popular. In
Port Blair, Ananda Marga School is one of the top three schools. The Public
Works Department of the Administration will construct the building and hand
it over to the Marga.
Hong Kong's leading newspaper, The South China Post has published the
following story, written by Jon Stock, of the Daily Telegraph, London, after
the judgement given by the Calcutta court.
The decision by a Calcutta judge to clear a religious organization, the
Ananda Marga, of all involvement in the Purulia arms-drop case has come as a
huge relief to its monks in India and at its centres around the world,
including Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Ever since the cache of arms was airdropped in December 1995 over Purulia, a
remote district of West Bengal, the Ananda marga (Path of Bliss) has been
accused by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of ordering the
weapons. Its international headquarters, a sprawling 12-square-km site, is
close to where the arms were found, and the man who allegedly masterminded
the operation, a Danish national called Niels Christian Nielson (alias Kim
Davy), was said to be a Margi.
But the organization has always protested its innocence, claiming Davy was
not a member and the arms were intended for someone else. Mr. Justice P. K.
Biswas appeared to agree with them last week when, having sentenced Briton
Peter Bleach and five Latvian air crew to life in jail, he concluded: "No
sufficient evidence could be adduced to link the Ananda marga organization
[to the arms drop]."
Not surprisingly, Ananda Marga made the most of the judgment, turning it
into a public relations opportunity to explain what it does and why it
routinely receives such bad press.
It is rarely reported in theWest without the accompanying sobriquets
"sinister" or "death cult", references to members' infamous use of human
skulls in a religious dance known as "Tandava". They also get reports
engineering civil unrest in West Bengal which the government claims a
well-documented history.
A senior sanyasi, or monk, Bhaveshananda Avadhuta, said the organization -
he objects to words such as cult or sect - was principally concerned with
spiritual and moral teaching through yoga and meditation. It runs 1,200
schools in India and renders disaster relief around the world.
Most recently, members of the Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team, a
non-governmental organization recognized by the United Nations, distributed
food to 2,000 people a day in Orissa after a cyclone devastated the eastern
Indian state last October. They also cleared and burnt more than 3,000
atrophying corpses following a personal request from the state's chief
minister, who was concerned about the spread of disease.
The food-relief operation received little coverage, but the media was
fascinated with the Margis' seeming enthusiasm for dealing with the corpses.
One magazine asked, did they dance with the dead before they cremated them?
"That particular story was fabricated and they have apologized to us," Mr.
Avadhuta said. "None of our workers in Orissa danced with the dead. The
Tandava is a cosmic dance that symbolized the human struggle between life
and death. It dates back 7,000 years and was given to us by [the Hindu god]
Lord Shiva. "Our members must perform Tandava once a day for two to three
minutes. It gives them virility and cures illnesses. The left hand depicts
death itself, the right hand fighting with death. Yes, we sometimes hold
human skulls in our left hand, but we can also hold snakes or knives." The
organization won a High Court battle in 1996 for the right to use these
items in worship. The Marxist Government of West Bengal, which challenged
the Ananda Marga over the dance, has now appealed to the Supreme Court.
"There is little love lost between the Margis and the communists. In 1982,
16 Margi monks and a nun on their way to an education conference were
lynched and set on fire - the worst mass lynching in West Bengal.No one has
been punished for the crime, which a magistrate said at the time had been
orchstrated by Marxist cadres. "Our differences are ideological," Mr.
Avadhuta said. "We are god-centred, they are matter-centred. They try to
blame us for everything, including these arms. "The CBI was under pressure
from the leftists to charge us."
Children's Home Gets Big Coverage
Didi Anadna Devamala's children's home featured in a full-length color
article in Thailand's leading English daily, The Bangkok Post, Nov. 30th
issue. Shortly thereafter Didi appeared on a nationally televised TV talk
show. The results were tremendous and many sympathizers came forward to
donate clothes, toys, food, money and their own time. Calls came from as far
away as Czechoslovakia wanting to work as volunteers. The NestlE9 workers'
union collected money to help Didi buy a 4WD vehicle. Another sympathizer
donated a truck of toys. During this period press coverage was widespread: A
TV program highlighting the Neohumanist Foundaton was aired three times in
December. A total of eight newspapers and magazines interviewed Didi A.
Devanistha in Penang as a result of which regular donations for the Sungei
Petani M.U. flowed in. Didi Ananda Madhuvidya in Kuala Lumpur obtained a
similar response with a Chinese magazine publishing a 2-page spread of Didi'
Klang Yoga Center.
Ananda Marga Publications
Subhashita Samgraha Part 25 in Hindi and Shabda Cayanika Part 12 has been
preinted and available for sale. Several books have been printed in Albanian
language. The books printed include Beyond the Superconsciuos Mind. Carya
Carya Part One has been published in Telugu language. Several books like
Neo-Humanism, Elementary Philosophy and a Cookbook have been newly published
in Protuguese and Spanish language. Two books have been published in Italian
language.
AMURT Activities Round the World
Kosovo
AMURT and AMURTEL volunteers have since April 1999 been helping the
thousands of Kosovar refugees who came to Albania as a result of the war and
ethnic strife in Kosovo.
AMURT has completed the renovation of a primary school located near the city
of Gjakova, in Western Kosovo. This is one of the first big projects, which
has been completed by any NGO in Kosovo. Local officials and other
dignitaries, including NATO's commanding officer in Western Kosovo were on
hand for the inauguration of the school on 27 October 1999. Several hundred
school children and other guests also attended the inauguration, which
included a cultural program followed by a traditional Kosovar lunch. One
radio station and several newspapers interviewed Dada Nirainjan. The Swiss
government is financing the rehabilitation of two more schools and AMURT is
already at work on these schools, which are located in Kosovar villages,
which were badly damaged by the recent war. AMURT is currently doing the
rehabilitation of two more schools located in Reti and Reti e Ulet funded by
the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). One of AMURT's first
activities in Kosovo was the assessment of all war damaged school buildings
in the Gjakova district. In coordination with Handicap International, AMURT
also saw to the systematic de-mining of those schools.
The German Development Agency, GTZ, has awarded AMURT a contract to
construct a new school replacing the completely destroyed one in the war.
Albania
AMURT has completed its second hospital rehabilitation program in Albania.
Team members provided new furniture, office equipment and computer training
to the Pediatrics Ward of theUniversity Hospital Centre in Tirana. The
project was funded by DFID (Department for International Development) --
Great Britain's development agency. AMURT, working in cooperation with the
UNHCR (the United Nations' refugee agency) is now turning its attention to
providing winter supplies to the Kosovar refugees who still remain in
Albania.
AMURT and AMURTEL volunteers in Turkey have been working in the earthquake
stricken provinces of Turkey since hours after the quake hit its
northwestern provinces. AMURT is working in cooperation with the Turkish
Psychological Association to provide counseling to the many people who have
been affected by the quake. In addition, AMURT is providing temporary
housing to some people who were made homeless by the quake.
Venezuelan floods
The people of Venezuela are known for their joyful spirit and friendly
nature. At this time of the year people would be out in the streets doing
their last Christmas shopping, loud music would play everywhere and the
houses would be colorfully decorated. Right now the panorama looks quite
different: many shops are closed because some of the family members have
died or are sitll missing ..... A few days ago President Chavez had declared
three days of national mourning. But after the three days passed still the
people feel more like crying than celebrating.... Our last meeting which was
supposed to be our Christmas party was filled with people sobbing or just
being silent in remembrance of what has happened.
India
AMURT was amongst the first NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to arrive
at the scene of the devastation caused by the merciless cyclone that hit
Orissa in eastern India on October 29. A team of 65 members and 300
volunteers have responded to the needs of the cyclone survivors throughout
the affected areas.The day after the cyclone hit, AMURT members were already
distributing dry food (beaten rice, biscuits and milk powder) and basic
relief materials to cyclone survivors in Ganja, Gajapati and Balasore
districts. Our teams set up two feeding cnters that provided hot meals to
2,000 people every day.
Burning of Dead Bodies: Priority Number One
Many of our team members focused on the important task of cremating dead
bodies and burning animal carcasses in the worst affected areas of
Jagasingpur and Cuttack districts. Theis gruesome task was a top priority to
prevent epidemics of cholera and gastro-enteritis. Our members waded into
polluted waters, hold their breath to avoid the unbearable stench, and drag
the bodies back to dry land for burning. They have burned 1859 bodies and
disposed of 1232 carcasses.
AMURTEL, the women's branch of AMURT, ran seven feeding centers at Bra and
Kantapada in Jaipur district and at Tangi-Choudwar in Cuttack district. They
provided hot meals for 5000 cyclone survivors every day.
Leading daily of Calcutta, Statesman, has written
'Greatest Service" to the Nameless Dead
Bhuvaneshvar, Nov. 24. -- They may have died unseen, their names may not
have figured in the Government's death rolls, but the least that could be
done by way of last rites to their decomposed remains which surfaced as
recently as three days ago near Ersama and Kujang is being looked after by
dedicated volunteers.
Despite government claims that disposal of bodies and carcasses is by and
large complete, the work is far from over. Four days ago, when this
correspondent visited remote areas of Ersama and Kujang, Army jawans were
ferrying a group of AMURT volunteers. The volunteers were bring taken to
dispose bodies which had surfaced at a point about 20 minutes by boat from
Ersama block headuqarters.
These Margis were working in cyclone-hit Ganjam when they heard about
warnings of a super cyclone and came rushing in. Nirmohananda and
Nityalokeshananda said even three days ago they had disposed carcasses and
corpses around Ersama and Kujang. Till now we have cremated 1895 bodies and
disposed of 1232 carasses", they said.
These monks are also running a medical camp and have been treating patients
with symptoms of cholera and other gastro-ailments.
The Sunday Pioneer (Delhi) writes:
Disposing of Dead a Big Task
THE DEAD just refuse to go away. Nearly a month has passed since the killer
cyclone of October 29-30 struck villages in coastal Orissa swiftly and
sniffed out life there completely. "Most of the credit of disposing the dead
goes to the Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT)l. Besides a couple of
the voluntary organizations, including Life Line, members of AMURT with
gloved hands and covered faces have been working tirelessly in various
blocks in Dendrapara and Jagatsingpur Districtes to cremate the dead."
RAWA programme in Mumbai
RAWA is organizing a cultural evening on Prabhat Samgiita at the prestigious
Birla Matushri Sabhagar, Marine Lines on April 21st, 2000. Many eminent
artists like Smt. Arati Anklekar, Shrii Ravindra Sathe and Dada
Tattvavedananda Avadhuta will sing Prabhat Samgiita. Dr. C.K. Bandiwadekar,
eminent writer and poet in Marathi and Hindi literature will speak on the
contribution of Shri P.R. Sarkar in the field of poetry and philology. Shri
Nana Chudasama, the Sheriff of Mumbai and the president of Gaints
International will be the guest of honour while the eminent poet and
journalist Dom Moraes will be the chief guest. Eminent Santoor Vadak Pt.
Shiv Kumar Sharma will be felicitated for his contribution to the field of
Instrumental music. A dance drama Path O Pathik based on the concept of the
struggle between Vidya and Avidya given by Shrii P.R. Sarkar will be staged
by a famous Mumbai group.
A series of 11 programmes by RAWA are going to be held in the several towns
of North-East in the month of April.
Seminar in Delhi Sector
The first phase of Seminars for this year was completed in Delhi Sector. The
Sminars were held in 52 places. More than 4200 Margiis attended with several
thousands of Non-Margiis. 1049 persons were given Ananda Marga initiation.
Araria, Bihar has the highest gathering of 344 Ananda Margiis and several
non-Margiis. Seminars in Ernakulam, Udaipur, Yeotmal (Maharasthra) and
Jamalpur were remarkably good in all aspects. Public meeting were held at 50
places. 15 symposia were conducted doing the seminar along with 8 cultural
programs. 79 Newspapers gave publicity in their columns extensively about
the Marga activities including the service done in Orissa and the judgment
in the Purulia Arms Drop Case. 8 whole timers were created in the seminars
and one land was donated to Marga in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Earth Summit in Manila
Ananda Marga has been invited to the Earth Summit to be held in Manila in
the month of April. In the Summit there will be discussion on issues that
concern the human beings and the Earth. Ananda Marga will also have several
stalls for book, asana demonstration and meditation classes. Ananda Marga
has been invited for TV interview in this connection./
__________________________________
Circulated by the Public Relations Department, Ananda Marga Pracharaka
Samgha, 527-V.I.P Nagar, Tiljala, Calcutta-39. Telephone No. 033-344-4030,
E-mail address: cp...@amps.org
--
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'The main characteristic of PROUT-based socioeconomic movements
is that they aim to guarantee the comprehensive, multifarious
liberation of humanity.' P R Sarkar
PROUT - PROgressive Utilisation Theory http://www.prout.org
http://www.globaltimes.net
New Renaissance: A Journal for Social and Spiritual Awakening:
http://www.ru.org
Nanochrist
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