Abhiram Nimai Das: LIFE IS TO CELEBRATE
As they stand
beneath the clouded sky,
with painted faces
and courage so high.
They pray for the rain
when the Earth is dry.
With the beats of their drums,
birds dance and fly !
Their shining tattoos
reflect no pain.
With magical archery
They bring the rain.
Ancient and loud,
Pierced and Proud.
We call them as ‘tribals’,
they are different from our crowd.
Nature they inhale
Nature they exhale
Like pure firestones,
wiseness they hail.
The world is full of mysteries,
Questions we ask.
They know all the answers,
they hide it in their mask.!
The Tribals are simple and innocent people with a rich cultural heritage and centuries of wisdom, all that they need is someone to appreciate and acknowledge their community by understanding them and we at ITCI always wish to act as their companion in every sphere of their lives.
The Tribals of India are faced with a number of problems like geographic separation, educational problems, health and sanitation problems, economic problems etc. ITCI is working to provide fresh drinking water facilities in very remote areas and also endeavoring to provide education to every young mind blooming even in the remotest villages. ITCI envision a pleasing, prosperous, healthy, educated and culturally rich life for tribal communities built on advanced spiritual foundations and appropriate technologies that can sustain and nurture future generations and prevent the destruction of tribal culture by modern materialism.
Tribals live close to the nature. Secretly in our hearts we all crave for a life closer to the nature in peace. They are beautiful and special and to make them realise this fact, The ISKCON Tribal Convention was born.
Iskcon Tribal Convention is an effort to bring together the tribal communities and celebrate with them. It is to help those who really want to live in consciousness. Our aim is to raise ourselves to the highest status of life as preachers of Krishna’s message and their way of living is most suited for Krsna consciousness.
The 4th Tribal Convention was celebrated between 9th to 11th April 2017, in Iskcon Mayapur . It made a triumphant impression in the lives of 1000’s heralding the glory of Lord Chaitanya’s all-encompassing mercy. It was so pleasing to see so many tribal men, women, students, children and babies gathered at Mayapur moving around with eagerness and enthusiasm. Coming from deep forest regions and mountain terrains, first time out of their residence and reaching at Mayapur, ISKCON World Head Quarters, it was like simple village dwellers Vrajavasis visiting Dwaraka city.
“This is a wonderful experience. We realise that living a life in connection with the supreme is the true art of living.”
– Biki riyaan deka ( Malpahari – Dhupguri)
ISKCON devotees helped all delegates by directing them to their residences at Nityanda Kutir, Chaitanya Bhavan, Gita Bhavan, and Nama Hatta Bhavan where their three days accommodation was arranged.
In the evening Inaugural function, Tribal people were amazed to see spectacular decoration of the convention ground with nice stage and lighting arrangements. All tribal people arrived there wearing their conspicuous tribal dresses. Each tribe has its own style of dresses. These dresses were very colourful and the tribals were very cheerful during the event.
The convention provided a platform for the tribals to display a rich and colorful array of their folk culture. Folk dances and Folk music glorified this beautiful and auspicious ceremony.
The Convention was tailored with the aim for the tribals to bring about a profound meeting with their consciousness and to highlight their deep inner presence and growth, guided by the mentors from Iskcon.
The Convention offered them a loving support to cherish their cultures and traditional values. ITCI also worked on their energies through yoga and spiritual lectures.
ITCI provided them Healthy food and Lodgings to make their stay pleasant in mayapur.
” I have come here with 30 other people of my tribe. We Pray, We chant, We dance.”
– Dibya Jyoti das ( Santal – Jharkhand)
More than 20 different tribes attended the convention this year.
About 1200 tribals belonging to the Ahom, Bhumij, Boro, Dimasa, Hajong, Halam, karbi, Keretta, konamon, Kurmi, Tea tribe, Malpahari, Munda, Nagesia, Oraon, Rajwar, Reang, Santal and many other tribes made it a successful event by marking their presence and contributions.
It was an atmosphere highly conducive for the growth and development of local cultures and customs. Their dance and songs lighted up their divine emotions and they realised it that, It does not matter where they are; they are in the presence of Krishna, and every small act, by this presence will become lighted up, under his presence the whole of life becomes a just a carvan of lights.
DEATH COMES AND GOES, BUT THE CARAVAN CONTINUES.
“Mayapur is the original home of Kirtan, Hari naam is the real magic. I feel lucky to be a part of this convention”
– Lomina Devi das ( Tea tribe , Tripura )
The event was blessed by the presence of H.H. Jaypataka Swami Maharaj. His charisma lighted up the ambience and created an aura of devotion for all the people present there.
The guests for the event
Mr. Rajen Gohain MOS Railways Govt. of India and Mr. James Kujur MIC Tribal Development, West Bengal, shared their strategies and plans for the further development of these tribal communities so that they can attain the highest possible level of physical, mental and social health.
Mr. Ujjal Biswas, Ex Minister WB, president TMC ,District Nadia shared his vision to enhance their socio-economic status while retaining their pride, self-respect and self-reliance and ensuring their active participation in programmes meant for their welfare.
“Such events are necessary to bring out the best in us. We want to attend it every year.”
– shayama sundar hari das ( Ahom – Assam)
“The constitution of India prescribes protection and safeguards for scheduled tribes with the object of promoting their educational and economic interests. But we try to boost their confidence by guiding them on their way to explore awareness. And when humanity will be grown up in consciousness just our laughter will be enough to prevent the war”, said Bhakti Purshottam Maharaj, with a smile on his face.!
It was indeed the most successful tribal convention initiated by ISKCON that sparkled the true meaning of celebration. Whenever you are total in something and you find your inner silence, there is celebration. It is a music of the universe in every heart. The tune of this music also revived a few questions like –
‘If you are again given a life, How are you going to live it ?’
Many times you have been given lives. You have lived many times; you are very very ancient. You are as old as existence. But repeating the same pattern again and again.
‘Do you belong to a tribe ?’’ What is the purpose of your existence ?’
We all are seeking the answers to these some very fundamental questions of life. Long ago humans lived very close to the nature and possibly they had the answers to these questions. The nature whispered its secret to them.
This secret was explored in the tribal convention 2017 Mayapur.
Life is to celebrate and to lose yourself in the Krsna Consciousness is the real joy. It makes you dance and sing to such an extent that you disappear in your dancing, in your singing, in your celebration. We may not understand it, but there is a subtle feeling that – God has no tribes. The whole existence is a celebration.
And we are the people of many seasons and many rainbows.
HARE KRISHNA.