Brief report on Chakma Bizu 2017 celebration with Gandhian institute in Delhi

For the first time the Chakma Buddhist Society (CBS) has organised Bizu Miloni programme in partnership with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The programme was held on 13th April 2017 on the auspicious occasion of Phul Bizu at Satya Graha Mandap in the premises of Gandhi Darshan at Rajghat, New Delhi.

The Bizu is the most important festival of our Chakma Tribal community. Over 350 members of the Chakma Tribal community residing in Delhi and NCR attended the programme.

The programme was graced by eminent social worker Shri Basawaraj Patil, Honb’le Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, as the Chief Guest and Smt Simmi Jain, Councillor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi, as the Guest of Honour. Special Guests of the programme were Dr Gautam Talukdar, Chief Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, Shri SA Jamal, Administrative Office, GSDS, Shri Ramesh Shiledar, Former Northeast Incharge (RSS), Shri Pramod Petkar, Pramukh, Vanavashi Kalyan Ashram, Delhi and Shri Suhas Chakma, Director, Asian Centre for Human Rights. The Convenor of the Programme was Shri Lal Mohan Chakma, General Secretary, Chakma Buddhist Society and Shri Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Officer, GSDS was the Mentor of the Programme.

The programme started with the lighting of lamps by the Chief Guest, dignitaries and special guests and followed by prayers of Buddhist principles of Panchasheela for peace and harmony by Buddhist Monks. Then, the dignitaries were honoured with Chakma “haadi” and the GSDS also presented miniature “Gandhian Charka” to the chief guest and other special guests.

Shri Paritosh Chakma, Co-Convenor of Bizu Organising Committee welcomed all the dignitaries, guests and members of the Chakma community and shared warm greetings on the occasion of Phul Bizu and best wishes for the new year. He also briefly explained what is Bizu.

Shri SA Jamal, Administrative Officer, GSDS also welcomed all the guests on behalf of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on the occasion of the Chakma Bizu Festival and presented with the audience a short presentation on Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samity the message of peace and harmony.

This was followed by a refreshing and colourful traditional dance by representatives of Chakma residents from NOIDA which set the festive mood of the audience.

Chief Guest, Shri Basawaraj Patil enlightened the audience with his speech and shared the message of unity and harmony among the communities across the country. He appealed to the audience that the spirit of peace, togetherness and harmony during the Bizu Festival should not be limited just during the festival time but the same spirit of joy and harmony should be celebrated and extended throughout the rest of the year.

Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Mr Baswaraj Patil ji speaking at the progrmame 

School children of Class V from Sewa Bharati Sewa Dham from Mandoli performed a beautiful dance displaying the spirit of happiness and joy and dancing to the music of Bizu.

Guest of Honour Smt Simmi Jain in her speech shared her pleasant experience of working with the Chakma community in Delhi. She emphatically observed that Chakma’s festivals are getting better and better each year.

This was followed by a lively Bizu dance was performed by Miss Genia Chakma from Gurgaon to cheer the audience.

Shri Suhas Chakma in his speech highlighted the connection of Chakmas with Gandhian philosophy of non violence in their struggle for fundamental rights including citizenship. He said Chakmas are among the few community in the North East which have practiced the Gandhian method of struggle for rights.

In the end, a colourful traditional fashion show led by Miss Rabina Chakma showcased the beautiful traditional attires of the Chakma community which blended at ease with modernity.

The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Shri Suhas Chakma on behalf of the Chakma community and Shri Rajdeep Pathak on behalf of the GSDS.