Introduction- Kumbh generally refers to spiritual congregation where millions of devotees gather for royal bath. Successively it (Full kumbh) occurs every twelve years and half in every six years. But this time was the turn of social congregation (Samajik kumbh). Our Ink media team got opportunity to cover this huge event. Near about 2.5 million people were expected to came in the event. In the outskirts of Mandala districts Maharajpur was the actual place where in the bank of
Narmada river event was organized.
Why this Kumbh- Kumbh has had controversy in beginning of its preparartion. Sangh, BJP and several saffron favoring organizations were in favor whereas some parties and especially Christian community were against. Leaders of sangh had always denied on the issue of conversion whereas media had thrown torch as “The kumbh has been planned on the lines of the Gujrat Shabri kumbh which was held in 2006 near dang. That was oriented and organized specially for trivial (Adivasi) people focusing the issues of conversion.
Mandala is the only place in India where the rate of conversion is 400 percent according to sangh official. Therefore mandala was decided as a place where will be kumbh .
Evolution as a
Journalist- As I stated this was the colossal event to cover as a trainee journalist. There could be many facets to be report. As culture, languages, lifestyle of various states people. Culture of trivial people is on extinct. It needs to be preserved.
What people got from this- When Ratibai was asked that what is kubh she replied this is kind of event where we took devotee bath because we can’t go to long as haridwar, Nasik due to abject poverty. This is the grace of god that this time kumbh is in our city. Further local man of Mandala Aanand told us angrily 17 savage pipes are mingled in narmada only from Mandala what about others? If organizers who invested billions of buck here could have been spent only few for the sake of inhabitants of mandala and Maa
Narmada we would have been happier than but they can’t do so. This pretty much clear the image of government. Leaders with buck power can do anything.
What I Learnt- In the lap of nature and mother,I had a great experience of staying close to nature . But I want to share some of my experiences with readers. Eighty percent population of our country used to survive only on 20 percent resources and rest 20 percent population consume 80 percent resources. It was looking like mini India where millions of people consumed rice-pulse-halwa together and no disparity was there. Millions of people took bath together with the holy slogan HAR HAR
NARMADE. They had created atmosphere and environment pious people jostled in wharf but no stampede, thanks to thousand cops. While covering an exhibition, I came to know about the belt narmada is covering here. Trivial communites like bheel , gond, baiga, kole, pardhan, barela, bhilala, keer,korku used to live in majority here and they are true caretakers of resources of narmada.
Questions which are un-answered- Millions of people were together, it occurs sometimes either in political leaders rally or in religious gathering. Eminent saints of hindu community were gathered. They roared for making unity but as it was organized for Adivasi (Trivial) and most of them are illiterate and the problem of them is food, daily needs and education. It was advertised that Christian community is converting them while providing food and medical aid. But the solution was not yet been found. The budget of this event was approx.300 crore rs. But as kumbh had finished, no permanent arrangement were made to eradicate the pollution of narmada.
They are appreciable - Millions have polluted rivers, took devotee bath, and feel together path finder of salvation, is it the way? Some volunteers of some organizations proliferating awareness for the cause of River. In an exhibition “
Narmada Samagra Nyas Bhopal” displayed different facets of Narmada that how large and striking and with full of resources it is. The manager of exhibition Mr.Ashok told us about organization’s future planning regarding national treasure Narmada. They sailed coin having 96 percent and 4 percent substance of copper and silver respectively according to him it is certified by IIT Roorkee that it filters water. He further said River culture should develop in our country it is utmost requirement of ours.
Besides this, some more exhibitions were there. Researcher Dr.Ramavtar Sharma of Haryana made an exhibition of Lord Rama where Rama was visited he took photograph; at least 290 photographs were demonstrated.
Hawk eye on Kumbh- A New city came into sight for three days. 3500 acres land with six mahanagar and 51 nagar was in existence which has separate name on hindu region as mahishmati mahanagar, Chatrasal mahanagar, Maharana pratap mahanagar and also different departments on the basis of their working as Narad vibhag for enquiry and media personnel, vishwakarma vibhag for construction of helipad, resident. Six wharf as karikon, sangam, rapta, sidgh was also made.
The prominent personalities and leaders as chief minister of MP , CG, ministers, members of parliament, saints like Asharam bapu, Satymitrnand ji, Ritambhara including 60 personalities delivered lecture to the crowd.
Handcraft, crockery, chat, grossery stores, theatre, trade fair, was true magnetism of kumbh.
Submitted by- Romesh Sahu,
B.J. 6th semester.
