UMA Annual Brochure 2021

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2 UMA – BAMNE Newsletter 2021 Puja Programme Date Sasthi Durga Puja Activity 11 October 2021 Saptami Time Kolparambha/ Bodhan/ (Monday) 6pm – 7.30pm Amantran/ Adhibas/ Arati 12 October 2021 NABAPOTRIKASNAN/ (Tuesday) 11am – 2.00pm Mohasnan/ Puja /Arati/ Puspanjali/ Bhog Nibedan 13 October 2021 Maha Ashtami 6.30 pm – 7.30pm Evening Puja - Only Arati/ (Wednesday) 11.00am – 2.00pm Puspanjali/ Bhog Nibedan Mohasnan/ Main puja/ 14 October 2021 Maha Navami 6.55pm – 7:43pm Nabapotrika Puja/ Arati/ (Thursday) Puspanjali/ Bhog Nibedan No other evening 15 October 2021 Puja Sandhi Puja (Friday) 11.00am – 2.00pm Bolidan/ ARATI (with 108 tea lights ), Puspanjali/ Bhog 19 October 2021 Bijoya Dashami 3.00pm Nibedan (Tuesday) 6.30pm – 7.30pm 11.00am – 12.30pm Mohasnan/ Nabapotrika puja/ 4 November 2021 Main puja/ Arati/ Puspanjali/ (Thursday) Other Puja Bhog Nibedan 5 February 2022 Kojagori Lakshmi Puja 6.00pm – 7.30pm HOM/HAVAN (Saturday) Kali Puja 4.00pm – 7.30pm Arati/ Puspanjali/ Bhog Nibedan Saraswati Puja 11.00am – 1.00pm PUJA / Ghot Bisorjan/ Arati/ Dodhikorma Protima Baron/ Virtual Sindoor khela Puja/ Brotokotha/ Arati/ Puspanjali/Bhog Nibedan Shyama Sangeet/ Chandipath/ Puja/ Bolidan/ Havan/ Arati/ Puspanjali/Bhog Nibedan Puja/Arati/Puspanjali/ Bhog Nibedan Sasthi Saptami Ashtami Navami Dashami 7.30pm onwards 7.30pm onwards 7.30pm onwards 7.30pm onwards 7.30pm onwards Durga Puja message Durga Puja message Ashtami message Durga Puja message from our priest Bijoya Sammelani Dance Recital Abritti Dance Recital message Group dance recital Devotional songs Children’s Dance Recital Medley of songs Solo dance Abritti programme Musical performance performance Shruti Natok/Abritti Medley of songs Abrtti Musical performance Musical extravaganza Please Note: The Cultural Programme timings may vary slightly.

UMA – BAMNE Newsletter 2021 3 Virtual Knowhow by Rana Das The puja events are going to be streamed approximately during the advertised times, on Facebook and YouTube. The relevant URLs (or web addresses) are given below: Our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5feq4cJS2z8VY0eBJfdA Our FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolPujaLive At the advertised time, please visit the above pages and you should see a live video being streamed. Other easy ways to get there: (A) When using Browser (Computer, mobile or tablet) Open YouTube. Search for ‘Liverpool Puja’. Subscribe to the channel and you should get notified by Google whenever we go live. Open FaceBook page. Search for ‘Liverpool Puja Live’. Like the page to get notified by FaceBook in future. (B) By using QR Code (Mobile phone/ipad/tablets) To use this method your smart phone is required to have a QR Code Scanner installed in it. There are many available free on Play Store or App Store. Choose one with a good rating, and install. (Apple’s iphones, ipads and some newer phones have inbuilt code scanning capabilities in their cameras.) YouTube (Mobile) 1. Open the camera app of your phone or open the QR Code Scanner app. 2. Hover over the image making sure you only have the image displayed within your camera/scanner app and please keep your hands still. 3. In a few seconds the URL will be displayed on your phone. 4. Simply tap on the URL to open the link. Or else there should be a button at the bottom of the screen, to open the link. 5. This should open your YouTube app, and take you to our channel, where you should be able to see the live video. Clicking on the video will enlarge the screen for easy viewing. FaceBook (Mobile) 1. Open the camera app of your phone or open the QR Code Scanner app. 2. Hover over the image making sure you only have the image displayed within your camera/scanner app and please keep your hands still. 3. In a few seconds the URL will be displayed on your phone. 4. Simply tap on the URL to open the link. Or else there should be a button at the bottom of the screen, to open the link. 5. This should open your YouTube app, and take you to our channel, where you should be able to see the live video. Clicking on the video will enlarge the screen for easy viewing.

4    UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021   Message  from  President Dear  all  Devotees  and  Members,   Hope  all  of  you  are  keeping  well.  We  have  all  gone  through  another  very   difficult  year  due  to  the  COVID  pandemic.   I  am  very  sorry  that  once  again, keeping  in  mind  the  safety  and  wellbeing   of   our   priest   and   his   family,   and   other   members   of   our   community,   BAMNE  will  not  be  celebrating  Puja  in  the usual  way.  This  year  Puja  will   be  conducted  with  protima, but  there  will  be  no  devotees  attending  other   than  the  priests  and  helpers.  We  will  be  live  streaming  the  Puja  on  YouTube   and  FaceBook,  for  you  all  to  follow  at  home  and  join  in  virtually  with  the  prayers,  rituals  and  offerings.   We  sincerely  hope  that  from  next  year onwards,  we  will  be  able  to  celebrate  our  puja  in  the  usual  grand   way  in  Liverpool.   I  must  thank  our  priest  Dr Dulal  Banerjee  and  his  wife  Dr  Sipra  Banerjee  for  their  immense  dedication   and  hard  work  in  conducting  virtual  puja  last  year  from  their  own  residence.   I  am  sending  my  sincere  condolences  to  our  priest  Dr  Hari  Panigrahi  for  the  sad  demise  of  his  wife  Mrs   Krishna  Panigrahi.  May  her  soul  rest  in  everlasting  peace.   I  extend  my  sincere  thanks  to  all  the  EC  members  for  their  hard  work  in  this  difficult  time. Let  us  pray  that  the  world  may  soon  come  out  of  this  difficult  situation.     May  Ma  Durga  bless  us  all  and  keep  us  in  good  health  and  spirit.   Stay  safe,  stay  happy.   Dr  Biplab  Das President Donation  Appeal We  would  like  to  thank  all  the  BAMNE  members  for  your  generosity.  Your  continued   support  will  help  us  to  carry  on  our  charitable  activities.  Any  donation  or  sponsorship  you   make  will  be  highly  appreciated. You  can  make  payments  by  cheque,  bank  transfer (using  your  name  as  reference),  and   online  payments  through  our  website  using  PayPal. Cheques  will  be  payable  to  BAMNE. For  Internet  bank  transfers,  the  write  payee  name  as:     Bengali  Association  of  Merseyside  and  North  of  England Account  No:  93886794                                    Sort  Code:  40-­‐37-­‐25 For  more  details,  please  contact  any  of  these  office  bearers: Kaushik  Ghosh,  General  Secretary    -­‐ Mob  07908157605 Prasenjit  Thakur,  Treasurer  –  07884023471 Swapna  Das,  Social  Secretary  –  07745871121 Or  Email:  [email protected] Registered  Charity  No:  513023 Website:  www.liverpoolpuja.co.uk

UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021    5 Message  from  General  Secretary Dear  members,  devotees  and  well-­‐wishers, I   hope   you   are   well,   both   physically   and   mentally.   We   have   all   been   affected   in   some   way   by   the   unprecedented   effect   of   the   pandemic.   Having   said   that,   I   believe,   nothing   can   dampen   the   spirit   of   our   members.   Fortunately,   the   vaccine   is   doing   a   good   job   and   slowly   turning   our   life   towards   normalcy.   We   have   deliberated   a   lot   in   our   executive   committee   meetings   regarding   the   feasibility   of   Puja   this   year.  Considering  the  continued  high  COVID  infection  and  death  rates,  we   have  finally  decided  with  a  heavy  heart  to  perform  the  Puja  virtually  again  this  year.  We  have  also  had  to   consider  the  safety  and  wish  of  our  priest,  Dulal  Banerjee  and  his  family.  I  understand  the  frustration  of   celebrating  Puja  virtually  but  we  are  hoping  to  see  everybody  face  to  face  soon.   Our  cultural  team  is  trying  to  put  together  a  cultural  programme  on  the  days  of  the  Puja  which  will  also   be  streamed  over  Facebook  live  or  YouTube  live  platforms  like  last  year.  This  should  also  help  to  enjoy   your  puja  celebrations.   I  would  like  to  take this  opportunity  to  thank  all  the  members  who  are  supporting  us  during  this  difficult   time.  I  would  request  you  to  continue  to  donate  generously  to  help  the  organisation  manage  its  annual   running   costs.   We   have   been   able   to   donate   a   substantial   amount   locally   and   internationally   last   year   only  because  of  your  help  and  we  are  hoping  to  continue  our  charitable  endeavours.     This   year   Dulal   Banerjee   will   be   training   helper   priests   so   that   they   can   assist   BAMNE   in   future   Pujas.   This  will  help  us  to  continue  the  puja  tradition  in  the  longer  term.   Finally,   I   would   like   to   thank   all   my   fellow   executive   committee   members   for   their   help   and   support   in   the  planning  and  execution  of  our  Puja  this  year.   JOY  MA  DURGA  DEVI  KI  JOY I  am  very  happy  to  help  any  member,  who  may  have  a  query  regarding  the  puja  process  this  year.   Dr Kaushik  Ghosh For  your  queries  please  email: [email protected] General  Secretary or [email protected] Our  Website:  www.liverpoolpuja.co.uk

6 UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021       Messages from  our  Priests  and  Religious  Advisors Dear  devotees,   The   Durga   Puja   festive   season   is   fast   approaching   and   we   are   getting   ready  to  offer  our  prayer  and  pushpanjali to  our  Divine  Mother.  However,   like  last  year  we  are  still  in  the  grasp  of  the  pandemic. Thousands  of  new   COVID   cases,   hundreds   of   hospital   admissions,   and   more   than   a   100   COVID  deaths  per  day,  are  being  reported  daily. So,  it  is  not  surprising  that  this  year  also  we  are  preparing  for  virtual  puja   like   last   year.   This   does   not   mean   that   our   devotion   or   love   towards   Mother   Durga   will   be   any   less.   Like   last   year,   we   will   make   preparations   for  prayers  at  home,  with  offerings  of  fruits,  sweets  and  cooked  Bhog for   Dr  Dulal  Kumar  Banerjee Divine   Mother   and   her   family,   in   the   presence   of   our   own   family   and   as   Priest priests  we  will  help  and  guide  you  in  this.   Over  the  last  few  months  many  of  us  have  lost  our  near  and  dear  family  members  and  friends.  This  year   our  prayers  will  be  specially  dedicated  for  them,  to  console  those  devastated  and  distressed  hearts,  and   to  pray  for  the  departed  souls. So,  on  the  eve  of  our  Puja  festival,  we  wish  you  all  good  health  and  safe  life.    We  hope  you  will  all  join  in   wholeheartedly  with  the  virtual  puja  every  day. Oh  mother,  you  are  in  everything  in  this  Universe, Dr  Hari  Panigrahi living  or  dead,  real  or  abstract. Priest You  are  the  ‘Shakti’,  Shanti,  Vidya  and  Buddhi. You  are  the  Hunger  and  the  Thirst. You  are  the  all  powerful,  all  conquering  Vishnu. Again,  you  are  Narayani  and  Lakshmi. You  are  the  Light  as  well  as  the  Darkness. You  are  the  Consciousness  that  we  all  share. You  are  the  essence  of  all  Mantras  -­‐ such  as  Swaha,  Swadha,  Bashat  and  Sabitri. Oh  Mother,  you  have  created,  borne,  nourished and  protected  this  Universe.  You  are  the  Universe. This  is  the  essence  of  Hindu  philosophy,  that  we  are  all  connected  to  everything  in  this Universe  and  to   each  other.   We  are  part  of  this  all-­‐encompassing  force,  that  you  may  call  Consciousness,  Brahman  or  Paramatma.   We  are  part  of  this  divine,  omnipresent,  omniscient Energy  that  is  beyond  sense,  perception,  description   or  virtue. We  are  Atmaan  to  the  Paramatman.  Therefore,  the  Atman  or  soul  is  indestructible,  immutable and   eternal. When  we  greet  one  another  we  say  ‘namaste’  or  ‘namaskar’  which  simply  mean.  “I  bow  to  the  divinity   within  you.” Oh  Mother,  we,  your  children  -­‐ Amritasya  Putra  -­‐ bow  our  heads  to  you.  Bless  us.

UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021    7 Message  from  Brochure  Team Dear  Readers, Soma  Goswami Another  year  has  gone  by,  and  we  are  again  in  the  festive  season.  And   once  again  due  to  the  ongoing  pandemic  situation,  in  the  best  interest   of   all,   we   are   having   to   miss   the   usual   festivities   and   resort   to   virtual   Puja.   Hopefully   by   next   year   things   will   straighten   out   a   lot   more   and   we  can  safely  celebrate  Durga  Puja  again, in  all  its  glory,  with  pomp  and   grandeur.     Are  we  getting  used  to  this  virtual  mode  of  living?     Is  this  going  to  be  the  new  norm?     Although   it   has   not   been   the   same   experience   for   everyone,   many   people  working  from  home  feel  they  are  happier  -­‐  to  be  able  to  avoid   the   commute,   the   traffic   jam,   the   packing   of   lunches,   the   hectic   schedules  and  the often  unnecessary  official  socializing.  It  is  amazing   to   think   that   so   much   of   corporate   and   work   related   jet-­‐setting   Urmi  Chatterjee around  the  world  was  actually  avoidable!  The  air  is  fresher,  pollution   levels   have   dropped,   and   the   ‘other’   creatures   are   happier.   People have   had   more   time   to   devote   to   their   families   and   do   many   of   the   little   things  that  usually  get  swept  away  by  our  busy  lifestyle.               One   of   the   things   we   often   put   off   is   pursuing   our   literary   and   artistic   creativity.   How   often   have   you   thought  that  there  is  a  book  in  you,  or  a  poem,  or  a  story,  and  that  maybe  one  day,  you  will  begin  to   pen   it   down?   How   often   do   we   think   that   when   I   get   some   time   totally   to   myself,   I   will   bring   out   the   box  of  colours  and  make  a  little  painting.   Well,   now   that   many   of   us   have   a   little   more   time   in   hand,   why   not   put   your   thoughts   down,   get   writing,   just   about   anything   that   interests   you,   be   it   travel,   cooking,   story   writing,   poetry,   or   even   jokes.  If  artwork  is  what  interests  you,  why  not  create  something  for  UMA  next  year?   All  entries  can  be  emailed  to:    [email protected]   We  look  forward  to  your  entries  for  our  brochure  UMA,  2022.       A  big  thank  you  to  all  the  contributors  of  2021.       We  also  extend  our  gratitude  towards  all  the  members  who  have  donated  towards  brochure  adverts  or   have  sponsored  other  Puja  expenses.         We  are  grateful  for  and  look  forward  to  your  continued  support.   We  wish  you  a  very  happy  Puja  season. Soma  Goswami,  Brochure  Secretary Urmi  Chatterjee,  Assistant  Brochure  Secretary

8    UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021                                                            Message  from  the  Cultural  Secretary Dear  BAMNE  members, Writing  to  you  on  the  occasion  of  Durga  Puja  is  a  great  privilege.  Over   the  past  year,  as  your  Cultural  Secretary,  I  have  strived  to  bring  you  a   variety  of  cultural  performances.  We  had  a  virtual  Durga  Puja  in  2020   with   a   Cultural   programme   every   evening.   This   was   followed   by   a   Cultural   evening on   Saraswati   Puja.   Along   with   a   few   other   organisations,   we   worked   to   bring   you   the   versatile   Bengali   singer,   Rupankar  Bagchi.  This  was  enjoyed  by  many  of  you  from  the  comfort   of  your  home  screens.   This   year   again,   we   propose   to   bring   you   a   range   of   engaging   performances   from   professional   and   semi-­‐   professional   artists.   As   always,   it   has   been   our   endeavour   to   encourage   children   and   our   next   generation  to  play  an  active  part  in  our  celebrations.  As  such  we  welcome  a  number  of  child  artistes  in   our  showcase  events.     As   an   organisation   actively   seeking   member   contributions   we   cannot   do   without   your   support,   encouragement   and   participation.   I   seek   your   feedback   and   encouragement   to   help   us   come   up   with   novel  ideas  to  keep  our  audiences  enthralled.     We  wish  you  all  a  very  happy  Durga  Puja,  2021.  I  hope  that  you  will  enjoy  and  celebrate  Durga  Puja   from  home.  I  look  forward  to  seeing  you  all  in  person,  soon.     Thank  you   Dr  Malabika  Ghosh   Cultural  Secretary We  have  excellent  programmes lined  up  for  you  for  the  Puja  evenings.   Please  refer  to  Page  2  for  the  details. We  hope  you  enjoy  Durga  Puja  2021.

UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021    9 Executive  Members  BAMNE  2020 Dr  Biplab  Das  –  President I  am  a  GP  with  the  NHS  and  have  received  the  Lifetime  Achievement  Award  from   Royal  College  of  General  Practitioners.  I  am  an  academic  advisor  for  the  School  of   Medicine,   Liverpool,   as   well   a   member   and   past   chairman   of   the   Liverpool   local   committee.  I  have graduated  from  Calcutta  Medical  College.  I  reside  in  Liverpool.   I  have  been  part  of  our  Puja  association  for  the  last  34  years  in  various  roles.     Mr  Sandip  Chatterjee  –  Vice  President   I   am   a   Business   Leader   &   Management   Consultant   with   Engineering   and   MBA   qualifications.   I  have  served  as  a  Board  Director  and  Project  Leader  with  many  of   the  blue-­‐chip  food  brands  in  UK,  Europe,  Scandinavia,  and  Middle  East.   I  have  been  part  of  BAMNE  for  more  than  15  years  in  various  capacities.  I  reside   in  Liverpool.  “Stay  safe  Stay  Healthy  and  enjoy  the  festive  season  Best  Wishes  “ Mr  Somnath  Saha  –  Vice  President A  simple  Aam  Bangali from  Kolkata,  I  studied  in  India  and  moved  to  England  20   years  back.  I  have  been  part  of  BAMNE  for  last  12  years  and  have  tried  to  give  my   best   whenever   needed.   I   really   appreciate   the   way   in   which   all   my   friends   and   seniors,   Dada,   Didi,   Mesho,   Mashi,   have   loved,   guided,   and   welcomed   us   as   a   family.  I  support  various  local  and  international  charities  helping  people  in  times   of  need.  Most  importantly,  I  support  Liverpool  FC,  You’ll  never  walk  alone.  Please   stay   safe,   stay   alert   and   follow   government   instructions.   If   you   need   any   help   please  contact  us  at  any  time.  We  will  overcome  this  together  and  meet  again.   Dr  Kaushik  Ghosh  –  General  Secretary   I  work  as  a  Consultant  Neurosurgeon  in  Lancashire  Teaching  Hospitals  NHS  Trust   and  I  am  the  spinal  lead  for  the  department.  I  am  associated  with  Liverpool  Puja   for  the  last  15  years  and  in  the  executive  committee  for  the  last  10  years  in   various  roles  including  treasurer  for  three  years  and  general  secretary  for  the  last   two  years.   Mr  Shounak  Das,  (Rana)  -­‐  Assistant  General  Secretary I  am  an  IT  professional.  I  work  and  reside  in  North  Wales.  I  have  been  associated   with  this  Puja  for  over  15  years  and  during  this  tenure  I  have  been  helping  out  in   the  kitchen  (when  we  had  the  kitchen  facility),  doing  brochures,  decorations,   website  maintenance,  communication,  and  what's  needed  of  me  to  make   Liverpool  Puja  thrive  to  its  best.   Mr  Prasenjit  Thakur  –  Treasurer       I  am  Senior  Project  Manager  (Infrastructure), educated  in  India  and  UK,  with  a   Masters  Degree  from  Lancaster  University.  I  have  been  part  of  EC  since  2012.  I   would   like   to   thank   all   BAMNE   members,   for   their   generous   donations   and   continued  support  to  our  organization.  As  EC  members we  are  striving  to  reach   out   to   our   members   this   year,   to   bring   to   your   homes   'Durga   Puja'   and   other   festivals,  online  (either  by  Live  telecast  or  Recording).  We  hope to  see  you  soon   in  2021.  I  wish  you  all,  the  best  of  health  and  prosperity  in  your  lives.  

10    UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021   Dr  Somenath  Chatterjee  –  Assistant  Treasurer   I  am  a  neuro  interventional  radiology  consultant,  working  at  Preston  hospital.   The  3  Fs  that  describe  me  the  best  are  food  (Hilsa),  Facebook  and  friends.  I  also   love  travelling  which  again  I  associate  with  Durga  Pujo,  as  in  my  childhood,  my   father  always  planned  a  long  trip  during  puja  holidays.  I  have  been  in  the  EC  since   2018.  My  regards  and  Puja  wishes  to  all  the  BAMNE  members  and  their  families.   Mrs  Swapna  Das  –  Social  Secretary I  work  for  the  local  government.  I  am  a  passionate  writer  and  author  of  two   published  books.    Philanthropic  work  keeps  me  grounded.  I  have  always  been   interested  in  politics  and  was  a  candidate  for  the  Local  Government  elections.    I   love  photography  and  listening  to  music.  I  have  participated  in  the  glorious   BAMNE  Pujas  for  30  years.  I  reside  in  North  Wales.     Mrs  Indrani  Ghoshal  –  Assistant  Social  Secretary I  am  a  Financial  Manager  at  Lloyd's  Banking  Group.  I  reside  on  the  Wirral.  BAMNE   endeavours  to  bring  to  you  Bengali  festivities  throughout  the  year.  Waking  up  to   Mahalaya  songs,  participating  in  puja,  anjali,  sidur  khela,  wearing  gorgeous  sarees   and   looking   our   ethnic   best,   eating   delicious   bhog,   kichuri   and   misti,   taking   pictures   and   selfies,   dancing   to   dhak   beats   (dhunuchi   dance)   …   all   make   Durga   Puja  so  special.  And  above  all  it  brings  our  community  together.  So,  we  welcome   you  to  join  our  BAMNE  and  be  part  of  our  wonderful  culture,  our  Bangaliyana.   Dr  Malabika  Ghosh  –  Cultural  Secretary I  work  as  the  Principal  Lead  for  Cognition  in  Neurology  at  the  Lancashire  Teaching   Hospitals  in  Preston.  I  was  educated  in  India  followed  by  further  training  and  a   PhD  in  the  UK.  I  am  trained  in  Hindustani  classical  music  from  Allahabad  Gharana.   I  have  been  with  BAMNE  for  15  years,  with  the  Brochure  team  for  6  years  and  the   last  2  years  as  Cultural  Secretary.  I  thank  you  for  the  love  and  goodwill  you  have   always  showered  upon  me.   Mrs  Soma  Goswami  –  Brochure  Secretary I   have   a   background   in   scientific   publishing. I   have   worked   for   RCGP   London   as   Assistant   Editor   of   their   journal   BJGP; and   as   editor   for   Oxford   University   Press   (India)   and   Dorling   Kindersley   (India).   I   teach   Indian   cooking   and   also   enjoy   singing   and   reading.   I   was   born   in   Nagpur,   raised   in   Kharagpur   and   Kolkata,   and   am  married  to  Assam.  I  am  immensely  fond  of  wearing  Mekhela  Chadors.  I  have   been  attending  BAMNE  pujas  for almost  14  years.  I  live  on  the  Wirral.     Mrs  Urmi  Chatterjee  -­‐  Assistant  Brochure  Secretary,  BAMNE  2020. I  am  a  teacher  by  profession.  I  am  passionate  about  cooking  and  singing.  I  have   been  holding  this  post  since  2018.  I  am  honoured  to  be  part  of  this  44  year-­‐old   association.  I  am  a  fairly  new  member  yet  I  feel  a  strong  bonding  with  this  family.   I  enjoy  connecting  with  elderly  members,  when  required,  through  phone  calls,   sharing  their  experiences  and  emotions,  and  being  showered  with  love,   inspiration  and  blessings.  My  regards  and  good  wishes  to  all  the  members  of  this   extended  family.

UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021    11 Dr  Sudip  Sikdar  –  EC  Member   I  am  a  Consultant  Old  Age  Psychiatrist,  Merseyside  Care  NHSFT,  Liverpool;   Honorary  Research  Fellow,  University  of  Liverpool;  Finance  Officer,  Faculty  of  Old   Age  Psychiatry,  Royal  College  of  Psychiatrists.    I  have  been  a  Liverpool  resident   since  1993.  This  is  my  second  term  in  BAMNE  EC.  During  Pujas,  I,  along  with  some   others,  take  care  of  the  Hall  decoration,  manage  food  coupons  and  play  the  dhak. Mrs  Jagori  Banerjee  –  EC  Member I  work  as  Faculty  Academic  Governance  and  Quality  Manager  at  Edge  Hill   University,  Ormskirk. I  have  been  part  of  the  EC  for  more  than  5  years  and  with   BAMNE  for  more  than  15  years.  I  live  in  Childwall,  Liverpool.  I  wish  everyone  the   very  best  for  the  festive  season  and  the  coming  year.  Stay  safe.   Prof  Soumyen  Bandhyopadhyay   Dr  Niladri  Ghoshal   – EC  Member – EC  Member I  am  the  Head  of  School  at   I  am  a  Consultant   Liverpool  School  Of  Architecture,   Oncologist  at  BCUHB.  I   University  of  Liverpool.  I  live  in   have  been  with   Liverpool  and  have  been  with   BAMNE  since  2007,   BAMNE  EC  for  over  5  years. and  I  live  on  the  Wirral. Dr  Arun  Shekhar  Day Patron Mr  Arijit  Dey Mrs  Sudeshna  Goyal Mr  Shakti  Sadhan   EC  Member EC  Member Chowdhury Patron Dr  Gopal  Bandhu   Dr  Dulal  Kumar  Banerjee Dr  Hari  Krishna  Panigrahi Chowdhury Priest  and  Religious   Priest  and  Religious   Observer Advisor Advisor

12    UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021   We  fondly  remember…                                                                  by  Swapna  Das Mrs  Krishna  Panigrahi Dr  Mrs  Vinod  Tandon                          Dr  Jaikant  Yadav Rest  in  Peace Yet  again, 2021  has  been  a  difficult  year  for  all  of  us  due  to  the  ongoing  COVID  infection  that   has   besieged   the   world.     Despite   efforts   by   everyone   to   stay   safe,   most   of   us   have   had   to   grieve  the  loss  of  people  known  or  dear  to  us,  and  had  to  cope  with  pain  and  anxiety  in  an   unparalleled  way.  Most  counties  are  still  coping  with  new  variants  but  sadly  death  tolls  are   rising.     The   vaccine   programme   across   the   world   has   helped   marginally   but   COVID   is   still   very  much  a  reality.   A  few  members  of  the  BAMNE  community  have  left  for  their  heavenly  abode  in  2021  leaving   behind   grieving   friends   and   families.   The   shared   heartache   is   a   sombre   reminder   of   the   fragility   of   our   existence   and   the   importance   of   valuing   our   lives   and   and   nurturing   our   relationships.     BAMNE   as   a   close   knit   community   wishes   to   extend   heartfelt   condolences   to   all   families, friends   and   colleagues   who   have   had   to   face   the   tragedy   of   death   of   their   loved   ones,   and   pray  that  they  overcome  the sad  period  with  fortitude  and  dignity.  We  sincerely  apologise  if   we   have   failed   to   mention   here   the   names   of   any   our   friends   whom   we   have   lost   over   the   last  year.  We  pray  for  all  the  departed  souls  to  rest  in  eternal  peace  and  joy.       OM  SHANTI

UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021    13 Goddess  Durga  -­‐ Divine Author: Swapna  Das enjoys   writing.  Her  two   published  books  are A  String  of  Pearls, The  Forgotten  People Mrinmoyee to Chinmoyee Meaning and Significance of Mrinmoyee Mrinmoyee means anything that is made of mud. Goddess Durga’s idol is made with mud from the holy river Ganga. Ma Mrinmoyee Mondir – Bishnupur As per legend handed down for many centuries among the people of Bishnupur, a royal hunter was guided by the divine voice of Ma Jagadamba to build a temple in Bishnupur in West Bengal. Jagadamba is another name of Ma Durga. Therefore, the king built Ma Mrinmoyee Mondir in Bishnupur, which is probably one of the oldest temples in India. Ma Mrinmoyee idol is made of Ganga clay. Durga Puja in the Bishnupur royal family is quite different from others. Maa Mrinmoyee Devi is worshipped for about twenty days. On the auspicious day of Jitashtami, with the worship of Jimutbahana, the great festival starts. Other three goddesses named Barda Thakurani, Meja Thakurani and Choto Thakurani are also worshipped with Maa Mrinmoyee Devi. As the three Thakuranis are painted on pata (canvas), they are also called Pateswari. Meaning of Chinmoyee There are several meanings of the word Chinmoyee. These are primarily – It's a divine happiness; It’s that extreme happiness you get by praising or meditating on your God; It’s the extreme pleasure you experience due to Bhakti. Therefore, for the Durga Puja worship of ten days, the Divine Mother transforms from a clay idol to a person of immense happiness – and the bringing to life of the clay idol is known as Bodhon and is also accepted as “awakening” as this ritual is performed at the sleeping time of the Gods on Shoshti.

14  UMA  –  BAMNE  Annual  Brochure  2021   Author এমন যদি হত ো Dr  Soumyen  Maitra is  a   retired  surgeon,  devoting   এভন মদি ঴ততো, কত়েক ফছয দ঩দছত়ে দগত়ে his  time  to  writing  and   জীফনটোতক নতু ন কতয ঳োদজত়ে দনতোভ painting.  He  has  published   অভোয আতে ভত novels,  short  stories  and   এভন মদি ঴ততো, ঄তনক টোকোয ভোদরক ঴তোভ poems  in  Bengali  and   গোদ়ি,ফোদ়ি খফু আ িোদভ, এটো ওটো দকনদছ ঄দফযত English,  and  read  them  at   এভন মদি ঴ততো, ঳ফোয দি়ে ঴তোভ Literary  Art  Festivals.  He   ঳ফোআ স঴োত অভোয ঄নগু োভী has  authored  Forward   ঳ফোয ভোথো থোকত ঄ফনত Book  of  Poetry  and  Dance   এভন মদি ঴ততো, অভোয কথো়ে দন়েভ ঴ততো of  the  Peacock  (India). ঄তনক দকছুআ এত঳ সমত এভন মদি ঴ততো, ঳ফ চোও়েোটোআ দভতথে ঴ততো সতোভো়ে অফোয ঩োও়েো সমত শুধু একটি ফোতযয ভততো। রোত র আঁধোতর ডোঃ সভোনোগোন এদডনফোতগে ঴ো঳঩োতোর সথতক ঄ফ঳য সনও়েোয ঩য ফোদ়িতত সচম্বোতয িোদি঳ কযততন। তোয স্ত্রী িোতফে কোতজ এফং দগজে োয জনে দনমুক্ত ঴ত়ে ভোযো মোও়েোয ঩য দতদন একোআ থোকততন। িদত ফছয িোতফে িদতষ্ঠোতনয ভোধেতভ দতদন দন়েদভত, সেেো়ে দচদকৎ঳ো দভ঱তন অদিকো ঳পয কযততন। দচদকৎ঳ো িত়েোজতন এদডনফোতগে ভোিক ও ঄েোরতকো঴র ঄঩ফেফ঴োতযয দফলত়েও মফু ঳ভোজতক ঩যোভ঱ে দিততন। দডত঳ম্বতযয এক যোতত, ডোঃ সভোনোগোন ঳োভতনয িযজো়ে ক়িো নো়িোয ঱তে, তোযঁ ঘুভ সবতে সগর। ঳োযো যোত তু লোয঩োত ঴ও়েো়ে যোস্তোগুদর গবীয তু লোতয সগো়িোদর ঩মেন্ত ডু তফ দছর। দতদন ঘদ়িতত সিখতরন; তখন সবোয িতু টো। উত্তয সিও়েো উদচত দকনো সবতফ ফঝু তত ঩োযতরন, সকউ ঳ো঴োতমেয িত়েোজতন ঴়েত এত঳তছন। দফছোনো সথতক উতে, গোউন ঩তয উদন িযজো খরু তরন। সিতখন, একটি সছোট সভত়ে, এগোতযো ফো ফোতযোয সফ঱ী ফ়ে঳ ন়ে, ভোথো-ঢোকো ফ়িতিয একটি ঩োতরো ডোতপর সকোট ঩তয, িোঁদ়িত়ে। ‘ডোঃ সভোনোগোন, অভোয ভো খফু ঄঳ুস্থ। অজ যোততআ তোতক নো সিখতর সবোতযয অতগআ স঳ ভোযো মোতফ।’ সভত়েটিতক উদিগ্ন সিখোদের এফং ঱঴তযয একটি ফদিত এরোকো সথতক এত঳তছ ফতরআ তোযঁ ভতন ঴র। দতদন ঠিক কযতত ঩োযতরন নো দকবোতফ সভত়েটি তোযঁ ফোদ়িতত এত঳তছ। ‘তু দভ দক ঄েোম্বতু রতে সপোন কতযদছতর?’ ‘঴োঁ, দকন্তু ভো সমতত চো়েনো। দচদকৎ঳ো নো ঴তর ভো ঠিক ভোযো মোতফ।’ একজন িোন঱ীর ভোনলু ঴ও়েো়ে, দতদন সভত়েটিতক ফোদ়িয সবততয ঄ত঩ক্ষো কযতত ফতর দনতজয সকোট দনতত সগতরন। ‘অদভ গোদ়ি চোরোফ; তু দভ অভোতক ফোদ়িয যোস্তোটো সিদখত়ে দিও। সতোভোয নোভ দক?’ ‘অভোয নোভ, স঱রী... সফদ঱ িতূ য ন়ে, ভোত্র িতু টো যোস্তো স঩দ়িত়ে। গোদ়িয িযকোয সনআ; অদভ অ঩নোতক দনত়ে মোফ।’ ডোঃ সভোনোগোন রক্ষে কযতরন সভত়েটি দবততয অ঳োয ঩য সথতক এক আদিও নত়িদন। ‘ঠিক অতছ; অদভ সভদডতকর ফেোগ দনত়ে অদ঳, তোয঩য অভযো মোফ।’ ডোক্তোয ফরতরন।





















WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY DURGA PUJA STAY SAFE, STAY BLESSED From

DURGA PUJA GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES

Happy Durga Puja and best wishes to all. May Maa Durga save us all in these difficult times. From Dr Asit Ghosh, Bharati, Amitava, Sridevi, Aditya, Arunava, Ronita, Advik Wigan, Lancashire,UK From SHAKTI SADHAN CHOWDHURY & PAKHI CHOWDHURY DOLLY & SUPRIYO BISWAS RABI, MISHTI, RAJAN & SHANIKA CHOWDHURY KUTTY, ANDREA & AZZAN CHOWDHURY

Painting by Gayathri (Jhilik) Mazumder SHUBHO SHARADIYAR ANTORIK ABHINANDAN From Mazumder Family- Pulak, Archana, Writtick, Rhea & Jhilik





jagat tārini trāhi Durgé Shaarod Shubhechchha From Dhrubo, Gopali, Madhura & Ishani Shubho Bijoyar Priti o Suvechchha From Drs. Dulal Banerjee, Sipra Banerjee, Nayana, Shramana, Srijit, Moumita and Shreya