The Chakma News Prospector

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Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.

Newspaper
The Bizu is a historical New Year for the Chakma Nation that they ob-
English : Periodical
Established: January 8, 2010 serve proudly this event every year Chakma Bizu around the Globe.
The most Chakma populated countries are India, Jummaland (Chittagong Hill Tracts,
Bangladesh), Myanmar, France, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom & United States of
America. The Chakmas also found with thinly population in Thailand, Singapore, Malay-
sia, Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Pakistan, Sweden & Germany. The Chakmas are belong
Inside
1 from Sakya clan (Lord Buddha clan, who founded the Buddhism) and their first King “Raja
● Chakma Bizu Sudanya” was appeared in the Chakma History, who ruled the Magadha Kingdom (now
Bihar State in India) in around 600 B.C and the name of the capital city was “Champaknagar”. Accord-
● Bodhgaya ing to chronological history of the Chakmas, the present King “Raja Devasish Roy” who received the
Temple 57th Chakma Raja Title on 25th December 1977 in Jummaland.
● Raja new 3
Asia Expert
● Monk Presi- ptxturU-turU Ckxm biJU
dential Poll
● Enlightened
Forest Monk
Happy Chakma New Year
4 With boundless Love from the bottom of our hearts.
● Rega
● Buddhist The word “Bi” means open, open heart, free, freedom, etc. and “Zu or Zu Zu” means salutation, pray,
Temple in to respect, to welcome, to honor, etc. So, Bizu means to welcome the New Year with open heart and
France farewell the old year with bidding. This Bizu festival also observe as New Year by the Burmese
(Myanmar) called “Thingyan”; Thais (Thailand) called “Songkran”; Bengalis (Bangladesh & India)
● Raja in Den- 5 called “Boisak”; and Assamese (India) called “Bihu”. This festival observe mostly three days by the
mark Chakmas. The first day is called “Phul Bizu” which means worship with flowers. Its significance – to
● Buddhist take bath early morning is called Bizu Gulo and decorate their houses with banana leaves, flowers,
Trains candles and then visit Monasteries, Shrines, Pagodas and Rivers to worship with flowers, candles, in-
sane and fruits. The youth bathe village elders, religious and school teachers and pay respect by
● Australian 6 touching their feet and asked blessing from them. They also cleans the Buddha images and temple
Buddhists premises. The second day is called “Mul Bizu” which means main festival. The people visit every
● Bana Bhante houses, pay respect to their elders and asked blessing and forgiveness by touching their feet. Wine,
Sweet Wine and Pajhanton (mixed curry), varieties of local made biscuits called Sanya Pidya, Bini
Contribution
Pidya, Hoga Pidya, Hola Pidya, etc. is served. On the third day is New Year, in the morning the peoples
● YCA Confer- 7 visit the Monasteries and offered foods and fruits to the Resident Buddhist Monks. They organized Bud-
ence dha Puja by observing five precept and asked blessing and forgiveness from the Buddha and religious
teachers. At evening, they also invited people each other in their houses for lunch and dinner. The eld-
● Pali College ers stay at night in the Monasteries by observing eight precepts. The religious teachers give Dhamma
● Forest Mon- discourse at the evening. They also organized religious, cultural and sports programme during the
asteries 8 three days festival.

Rangamati (UJI): The Dhaka &

Wishing Chakma New Year was cele- C hi tt ag on g :
Happy brating proudly at the capital Bizu Festival
New Year city of Jummaland by the also cele-
Chakma Nation. They organ- brated in
2010 By
ized cultural function and Dhaka and
CLPS sport with traditional dress. Chittagong by
More than 10, 000 Chakmas the Chakma
Notice gathered at the Tribal Cultural
Auditorium and Stadium. All
comm un itie s
this year. They
Buddhist Monasteries and observed at
The next issue Meditation Centre are crowed all over the Kingdom. Sakyamuni
will not be pub-
Bizu Festival

Buddhist Tem-
Khagrachari: The second biggest town of Jummaland organized Bizu festival
lish until the de- moderately due to boycotted by the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF).
ple, Mirpur,
Dhaka and
cision take by the Borgang Bud-
Bandarban: The Chakma, Tanchangya, Chak and Mro communities observed
CLPS, Australia. Bizu Festival in different part of the Bandarban District. The village Lama, Alika- dhist Temple
dam, Ramu, etc was observed with colorful gathering and cultural Programme. in Chittagong.

Publisher: Chakma Lega Publication Society; Contact : P.O. Box. 372, Goldfields Meditation Centre. Forrest Street, Kalgoorlie, WA6433, Australia.
Visit Google Search: Voice of Jummaland; E-mail: clpublication@yahoo.com.au or alaam@writeme.com
 The Chakma News Prospector Page 2
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
Kamalanagar (UJI): The Kamalanagar is the capital city of Bizu in India Tripura (UJI): The
Chakmaland which is designated as Chakma Autonomous Chakmas of Tripura
District Council (CADC), Mizoram, are the well-
India. Late Honorable Kisto Mohan
Chakma was the founder of CADC
on 25th 1972. They observe Bizu established and organizer
festival a week with cultural and amongst the Chakma Nation in
“So, sport program like every year. Mr. the World. Every year, they
Nirupam Chakma, MLA was Chief organized State Bizu Festival in
that was
Guest and Mr. Kali Kumar Tanchan-
the first
gya, CEM was distinguish guest different part of the
“Psychi in the function. The y organized country as well as the
c sport and cultural program. This cultural team sent to
year the cultural team from
Power” CADC went to participated at participate in other state of
Inter-States Bizu Festival will be Arunachal and Mizoram. Last
shown year, Chakma Raja Devasish
by the Roy along with 17 delegate
held at Dhajda of North Tripura. participated by their invitation.
Bana The Bizu festival also celebrating This year, organized at Dhajda of North Tripura.
all over the Mizoram. The special Mizoram cultural team came to participate. Pechartal
Bhante
program was organized with sport also celebrating and organized by the Chakma em-
to the at Kamalanagar and Nunsuri. The ployee Association. REGA, a socio-cultural organization
Chakma women played Gile Hara is the main organizer and producer of Chakma docu-
public, and Char Hara at Kamalanagar and mentary films on Chakmas and on every events. ****
most
Nunsuri respectively. Kamalana-
Diyun (UJI): The Bizu festival observing by Chakmas in
probably gar and Demagiri Shopping Mall
Arunachal as usual. Diyun Shopping Centre was crowed
was crowded before the Bizu Fes-
it was with thousand of Chakmas. They organized individual
tival. Bizu festival at Silsuri Vil-
village base. But the young
happene lage of Mamit District was inter- and student groups organ-
rupted due hit by the Cyclone.
d after More than 350 houses was de- ized special cultural func-
tions and sport program at
8/9 stroyed. No one killed except one
BSF. *****
months
of his Other major cities in India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cal- Diyun and other areas of
cutta, Gauhati, Shillong, Bodhgaya, Nagpur, Pune, Mysore, Sarnath, the country. The village of
Novice- etc. also celebrating Bizu Festival by the Chakma Student groups with Bijoypur, Diyun, Miao and
a simple cultural function and gathering. They discussed on varies Namsai was celebrating
hood”. issues like Chakma Scripts, custom, history, culture, religion, educa- colorfully. Chakmas of Aruncahl still struggling for Citi-
tion, etc. Time to time, the student groups also discussing online. They zenship Right in India, who migrated in 1964 erstwhile
already made a international platform to discuss the various Chakmas East Pakistan.
“So, issue around the globe. Chakmas knew now to use modern Scientific
Technology well; like e-mail, website, mobile, face book, etc.
firmly World tallest and shortest man met
decided
Buddhists demand holy town status for Bodhgaya Istanbul, Turkey
not to (UJI): The world's
Bodhgaya (UJI): The Buddhist communities of India demanded that to de-
move clare “Bodhgaya as the Holy Town status”. The Bodhgaya is one of the tallest and shortest
most significant places out of the four for Buddhists, where Prince Siddharta man met at Istan-
anywher
attained Enlightenment. He was created a place in the World Human History bul, Turkey on
e any as the only “First Enlightened human being” in 567 BCE (Before Christian January 15, 2010.
Era). Before or after Him and till today, no any human being attained such a Mr. Sultan Kosen (8
more highest goal in the Human world. The Buddhist World is very proud to prac-
ft and 1 inch) from
until tice His teaching which is peace, calm, harmony and tranquility.
Turkey and Mr. He
and The spokesman of Mahabodhi Society of India, Ven. P. Sivali officially an- Ping Ping (2 ft and
nounced their demand on January 2010 and urged to the State as well as 5 inch) from China
unless Centre Government of India for immediate declaration. The Bodhgaya is the met for the first
Birth place of Buddhism, but it is yet to be develop with International stan-
reach dard to attract the tourist from all over the globe. If, Bodhgaya declared holy time at the home-
town of Sultan
his final status town, it will be dramatically change and overall develop, Ven. An-
anda said. Kosen. Sultan
goal.” Kosen is 27 and He
The government should declare Bodhgaya a holy town as it will help his
Ping Ping is 21 year
campaign to turn it into a vegetarian zone, Ven. Tenzin Kunga Luding said.
old.

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 The Chakma News Prospector
Page 3
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
Sydney (UJI): Mr. First Western Chakma landed on Chakmas soil Kulottam Chakma, Chawngte aka Kamalanagar:
who is a repre- sentative of BODHI, Chawngte is the capital city of the
Australia visited officially in the Chakmaland from 26th February - 2nd March 2010. He was the first Chakma
Western Chakma landed on Chakmas Soil in the Chakma Autonomous District Coun- Autono-
cil (CADC), Mizoram, India. On his 5 days historical visit, he was at Kamalanagar mous
(capital city), Borapansuri (old capital city), Udolthana and Bajeisora of CADC. Mr. District
Chakma was also the first man, who landed on the Australian Soil for higher education Council.
about 20 years ago. Though
the city is
Let’s we read his article in detail: known as
Recently I have been to Mizoram for 5 days. Mizoram is home to 100,000 Chakmas. Kamalanagar to the Chakmas, the
Bodhi, Australia has been sponsoring mobile medical state government does not recog-
clinic in cooperation with the Chakma Mohila Samiti nize the name. The Chakmas named
(CMS) for two years. I went to Mizoram on a friendly the city in respect of Indira Gandhi’s
visit as a representative of Bodhi. mother Kamala Nehru. Compared to
Mizoram is a restricted area. Indians from other states are required Indian standard, Chawngte is ex-
to have Inner Line Pass (ILP) and foreigners need Protected Area ceptionally clean. Residents regu-
Permit (PAP) to enter Mizoram. Anyone entering without a pass is considered a serious offence and larly burn garbage to keep the city
often sent to jail for not having one. clean.

On 26 February, I flew from Kolkata to Aizawl by Kingfisher Airlines on a propeller driven aircraft. It CADC covers an area approxi-
took about 1 and 1/2 hours. Compared to Indian standard, Aizawl airport is clean and tidy. The air- mately 1,500
port is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The airstrip was built by flattening a mountain. While I square kilome-
was waiting for my luggage, the Police men were asking the Indian looking people for ILP. After ters. It’s shaped
collecting my luggage as I was heading for the exit, a Police officer stopped me at the gate and like a neck tie,
asked me if I was a foreigner. north-south it’s
100 kilometers
Aizawl: and east-west av-
The person who received me at the airport was Mr. S. Chakma. Airport to Aizawl city is about 30 erage 15 kilome-
kilometers. The road is winding but well built. After about half an ters. Only 1/3rd of
hour drive we arrived at Aizawl. The city is built on the mountains. the Mizoram’s
The roads are narrow and steep. Compared to Aizawl, Rangamati total Chakma population live in
is a flat city. Almost all the Mizos wear western dress. Mizo women CADC. CADC did not come into
are very enterprising. Most of the grocery and fashion stores were being by a systematic campaign by
run by the Mizo women. There were also many Bengali businesses. the Chakmas; it came into being
They mainly own transport, construction, and steel and furniture business. I was told the businesses almost by chance. In 1954 the cen-
were technically owned by the Mizos, but effectively run by the Bengalis. The Mizos are rent collec- tral & Assam governments granted
tors for the premises and licenses. Mizoram being a Christian majority state, Aizawl has many well regional council to the Lakhers (aka
built churches. Mizos are highly urbanized. Almost half of the state’s 800,000 people live in Aizawl. Mara) and the Pawis (aka Lai) in the
In the evening I met Mr. Nirupam Chakma, MLA from the CADC. There are two name of Pawi, Lakher Regional
Chakma MLAs in Mizoram’s Legislative Assembly. The other MLA is Mr. Nihar Kanti Council. Large number of Chakmas
Chakma from Demagiri. He is also the Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary. also fell into the PLRC’s geographic
boundary. After living together for
Road to Chawngte: more than a decade, the Lakhers
Next day on 27th February at 6 am I started my journey to Chawngte in a convoy of 2 vehicles. The again demanded a separate re-
Chief Executive Member of CADC Mr. Kalikumar Tongchongya happened to be going gional council for the Lakhers only.
to Chawngte on that day and he kindly agreed to give me a ride. The road from Aizawl The Pawis did not want to live with
to Chawngte is about 400 KM. The road is winding, narrow, and at time very dangerous. the Chakmas either. Thus in 1972,
The road was built by hewing mountains. There are deep ravines almost all along the the PLRC was divided into three
road. There are very few safety barriers. If a vehicle veers off the road and plunges into regional councils and upgraded to
the ravine, there is no hope of survival. I was told the authorities do not even try to retrieve the vehi- district councils.
cles; probably they do not have the means to do so.
Chawngte is on the bank on
At every 3 hours interval we stopped to rest and revive. The land was very scenic and sparsely Tuichong River and the city is sepa-
populated. The land being wild, it should have been teeming with wildlife. To my surprise I had rated from the LADC (Lai Autono-
seen no wildlife and very few birds. I suspect Mizos excessively hunt wildlife. mous District Council) by a bridge
Around mid day we stopped at a road side restaurant for lunch. The restaurant was owned and op- over the Tuichong. Because of its
erated by a Mizo lady. During the lunch I had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Kalikumar Ton- close proximity to LADC, many Lai
chongya. According to him CADC lacks basic facilities like health, education and jobs. By Indian people come to Chawngte bazaar
standard even electricity, telephone and water supply are un-reliable in CADC. Around 2 pm, we for shopping & selling. Chawngte
arrived at Lunglei, a city built atop a mountain. Lunglei is a big city by Mizoram standard. In fact it has a Taxi service of its own.
might be 2nd biggest after Aizawl. We did not spend much time in Lunglei. I will know more about There is a large number of Chakmas
Lunglei on my way back from Chawngte. The road from Lunglei to Chawngte was even rougher. I in LADC. They mainly live on the
had seen many repair works in the road. The repair works were mainly carried out by the Bihari eastern bank of the Tuichong. So
workers. The work is tough. I did not see any Mizo in the road works. much so they can elect one or two
Finally we arrived at Chawngte around 5:30 or 6 pm. It was already getting dark. I just stumbled Chakma MDCs (Member of District
upon a wedding party. I also met the representatives of the CMS. We agreed on a plan, on 28th Feb- Council) in LADC.
ruary we would visit Udalthana & Bajeichara villages and on 1st March Barapansuri. I & II.
Continue to page 4…
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 The Chakma News Prospector Page 4
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
Continues from page 3 First Western Chakma landed on Chakmas soil Road to Aizawl:
On 2nd March 2010, we started our jour-
Chakmas of Mizoram take tremendous pride in their identity. Most of the signs in Chawngte ney around 4:30 am from Chawngte. This
are in Chakma. Chakma women almost always wear traditional pinon khadi, which is excep- time I am traveling with an MDC. His
tional since no other tribe in Mizoram wear traditional costume as every day functional father was ill in an Aizawl hospital. He
dress. They speak the Chakma language with purity, without corrupting with Bengali was going to Aizawl to see his father.
words. CADC administration had worked very hard to introduce Chakma script to About an hour and half drive we joined
schools and among the general populace. the NH54. NH54 is the main highway that
will join Aizawl with Akyab of Burma.
28th February was Sunday. I met the president of CMS who was on a meditation retreat. Most of
NH54 runs north south right in the mid-
the shops and offices were closed except some grocery stores. I had the opportu-
dle of Mizoram. The highway bisects
nity to chat with a gro- cery store owner. According to him, though Inner Line Pass
Mizoram right in the middle. The high-
prevents the Bengalis from buying and owning business, they still dominate the
way will be the main trade route for
commerce and trade in Mizoram. Most of the processed and manufactured goods
Mizoram; she will no longer depend on
in Mizoram come from Silchar. Bengalis control both transport and wholesale busi-
Silchar for trade.
ness in Silchar. When- ever some goods are in high demand in Mizoram, they sup-
ply the goods to Bengali run shops and delay supply to Mizo or Chakma run shops. The driver was much measured and cau-
tious. I felt safer and could give attention
In the afternoon I went to Udalthana and Bajeichara, courtesy of CMS. Udalthana is hardly 3
to people and scenery on the road. After
kilometers from the perimeter of Chawngte. Yet it looks very impoverished. It seemed further
about an hour on the NH54, I saw a group
the villages are from Chawngte the more impoverished they are. Most of the houses have
of 7 Chakma farmers wearing pinon-
thatched roof. Bajeichara is better off than Udalthana. Both villages are clean and tidy like any
khadi relaxing in commuter shelter.
other Chakma village. CMS conducted mobile clinics in these 2 villages.
Probably they were looking forward to a
Before sunset, I visited the bazaar. There were some hawkers selling vegetables. Some Ben- hard day ahead. Probably there was a
galis were just lazing around. There were some construction works going on. Con- Chakma village nearby. NH54 is deep
struction work in Mizoram is monopolized by the Bengalis from Karimganj district inside the Mizo territory. I was surprised
of Assam. There were fires on some garbage dumps. That’s how the residents of to see the Chakmas so far from the CHT
Chawngte control their garbage. I crossed the bridge over Tuichong and went to border and deep inside the Mizo terri-
LADC. I met two drunken Lai boys. They insisted me to take a photograph of them, tory. The scene repeated few more
so I did. I showed their picture on the camcorder screen. They were excited. I vis- times. Few kilometers later I saw a group
ited the Buddhist temple of Chawngte. Many young men and women were lighting of 5 elderly Chakma men & women bask-
candles. ing on a fire lit near the highway. Again I
saw 2 Chakma women and a man hauling
1st March 2010 was Monday. In the morning I went to the bazaar. It was crowded with people.
firewood on their backs. I asked the
Chakma women in traditional dress were selling and buying goods. The
driver to stop and took a photograph.
bazaar had a vegetable section, dry fish section, meat section and
From a brief chat I came to know that
clothes section. I saw 2 men were selling Chinese made electronics
they live near the highway.
goods. I was told they were from Chin state of Burma.
Lunglei:
Barapansury: Around 10:30 am we arrived at Lunglei.
Courtesy of CMS I visited Barapansury. It’s located about 30 kilometers north-west of
Lunglei city is built atop a mountain. The
Chawngte and at the border with Bangladesh. The road to Barapansury is mountainous and un-
MDC, the driver and other travel com-
paved. It took more than an hour to arrive in Barapansury. Along the way I saw some Chakma
panions went to a restaurant for lunch. I
hamlets. One hamlet I came across was located in a valley. There were about 10 to 15 house-
thought it was too early for lunch. I de-
holds, all built with thatched roof. However there was a well built house with corrugated metal.
cided to wander around the city. Be-
It was a church built by the Christian missionaries.
cause of high altitude, the thin air easily
Barapansury is a big village or town, probably even bigger than Chawngte. It’s also relatively becomes polluted from the vehicle emis-
flat. Unlike Chawngte, the population is exclusively Chakma. I had the opportunity to chat with sions. As I was wandering, I met a
many residents of Barapansury. Chakma girl wearing Pinon-Khadi in her
15. She told me she lived in a suburb
I visited the border with Bangladesh. Indian government is building a
west of Lunglei. Then I went to the res-
barbed wire fence about 100 meters from the international boundary.
taurant where my companions had gone
Many Chakma houses fell between the fence and the boundary. The river
for lunch. To my surprise, the restaurant
Thega acts as a natural boundary between India & Bangladesh. I met a
owner was a Chakma lady. Lunglei is
Chakma lady who just crossed the border from Bangladesh. She told me
very alien from CHT. It looks more like a
she was originally from India. She married a man from Bangladesh. Until
city in the Andes or Tibetan plateau. Yet
now she can easily walk to and from India, but she was worried once the fence is complete her
Chakmas are living and trading here
movement would be difficult if not impossible. She invited me to have a cup of tea in her home
with a trade mark pride in their dress
across the border in Bangladesh. I politely refused.
and identity.
Then I crossed the fence and went to the bank of Thega. Members of the Indian BSF (Border
Chakma House in Aizawl:
Security Force) were nowhere to be seen. It was Holi or spring festival day. Probably they
We arrived in Aizawl before sunset. We
were busy celebrating the festival. About 100 meters from where I stood, I saw a Chakma
went to the Chakma House. Chakma
woman on the other side of the river and international border. She was in front of her thatched
House in Aizawl is funded and main-
roofed house holding a baby on her right arm observing at the Indian side. Probably she was
tained by CADC administration. It’s a
nostalgic about how at ease she could visit her neighbors on the other side of the border.
two storey building. At the time of my
Probably she was filled with trepidation she can no longer flee to the India when violence
visit construction work was going on to
erupts on her side of the border.
add 2 more stories.
Again I saw a missionary church atop of a hill in Barapansury. I was told missionaries funded by
western money were trying every trick in the book to convert the Chakmas in Mizoram. Continue to page 6

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 The Chakma News Prospector Page 5
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
Genocide in Jummaland Worldwide protested by the Jumma Indigenous communities

Australia: On 26/03/2010, the Indigenous

Jummas including some top level politicians America: On 6th & 10th/03/2010, the Indige-
Rangamati (UJI): On 19th & 20th Feb- protested against the Bangladesh Govern- nous Jummas under the banner of Jumma peo-
ruary 2010, the Bangla- ment (BG) in front of the Opera House, Syd- ple’s Network protested against the BG in New
desh Army personnel ney. York and Los Angeles respectively.
and the illegal Muslim
Bengali settlers under
the overall commanded
by Lt Col. Wasim, Com-
mander of the Baghaihat zone Army
Camp, launched Major
Genocide against the
innocent Indigenous France: On 06/03/2010, hundreds of Indige-
Switzerland: The Jumma community organized
Jumma peoples in 14 nous Jummas protested against the BG in
demonstration successfully in Geneva.
villages of Baghaihat Paris.
area under the Sajek
Union of Rangamati District of Jumma-
land-Chhittagong Hill
Tracts (CHTs) of Bangla-
desh. As a result, 6 In-
digenous Jummas killed,
more than 50 injured and England: On 24 & 28/03/2010, the Indigenous
Jummas and Hindu communities protested Japan: On 25/02/2010, the Jumma Indigenous
many other missing when
against the BG in front of the Bangladesh Em- under the banner of Jumma People’s Network
Army personnel open fired. More
bassy and Altap Ali Park, London. protested against the BG in Tokyo.
than 350 houses burnt
down including one Vil-
lage Community Centre
sponsored by United
Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), one Christian
Church and one Forest Buddhist tem-
ple. ******

India: On 26/03/2010, the Indigenous Jum- Thailand: On 5th & 24th March 2010, the
Protested in Jummaland mas under the banner of Peace Campaign Jumma Indigenous Buddhist Monks protested
Group protested against the BG in New in front of the Bangladesh Embassy and UN
Delhi. Office respectively against the BG in Bangkok.

India: On 03/03/2010, the Indigenous Jum-
mas under the banner of Kolkata Chakma
Student Association protested against the BG
and conducted Press Conference in Cal-
cutta.
Korea: On 24/02/2010, the Jumma Indigenous
under the banner of Jumma People's Network
protested against the BG in Seoul.

Mizoram: On 04/03/2010, hundred of Chakmas

under the banner of Young Chakma Associa-
Jummaland: The PCJSS, PBS, PCP, Bangladesh: The Jumma Nation protested tion (YCA) protested against the BG in Kama-
UPDF, etc. was protested in different against the BG at Dhaka & Chadigang lanagar, the capital city of Chakma Autono-
dates and places in the Kingdom. (Chittagong). mous District Council, Mizoram, India.

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 The Chakma News Prospector Page 6
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
Silsuri (UJI): A Chakma village of Silsuri in Mamit Silsuri hit Cyclone: Dead toll One district of Mizoram hit by Cyclone on
30/03/2010. One Border Security Force (BSF) was killed and a dozen of Chakmas injured.
More than 350 houses including one Buddhist Temple, two schools destroyed. Hundreds of Young Chakma Association (YCA) members
from Nava, Marpara, Bogakuli, etc. visited at the spot for helping and rescue the victims. The YCA team collected house material from forest
to reconstruct their houses for temporary shelters. The Central YCA members also going to visit the cyclone hit areas as soon as possible.
The President of the nearest Village Council collecting some monies and food for temporary support for the victims. According to the report,
the Silsuri village was easily hit, because it was on top of the hill and other areas in plain in safe. *

New Release: Documentary DVD on Raja Tridiv Roy

Tripura (UJI): The Rega is a socio-cultural organization. It release new DVD docu-
mentary films on Chakma Raja Tridiv Roy. The film is re- Chakma Women Conference-2010
lated to his au-
gust visit to
Kamalanagar (UJI): The Mizoram Chakma
Bodhgaya, his Women Association (MCWA) Conference
interview; and was held at Kamalanager, the capital city of
along with Royal the Chakma Autonomous District Council
families Queen (CADC) on 18th, 19th & 20th January 2010.
Aroti Roy, Prince Mrs. Joystna Chakma, President of the
Ariyadev Roy, MCWA was presided the conference in the
Princes Chandra open day. They discussed varies issue to de-
Roy and others. Also took historical inter- veloped and move forward the women in
different fields at the Local, National and In-
view from Chakmas of Jummaland ternational Level. The conference also de-
(Chittagong Hill Tract), Mizoram, Arun- cided that to work together and keep contact
achal, Tripura, Assam, Calcutta and the Chakma women who are resident differ-
prominent Chakma Buddhist monks ent part of the globe. They appeal to
from Ven. Nandapal Mahathera, Ven. Chakma women for open their heart and ex-
Priyapal Thera, Ven. Ratna Bhikkhu, etc. tend golden hands especially who are edu-
Contact for order: REGA– Mobile:91-
cated and living in the western world. ***
9863058889 or E-mail:
rega_chakma@yahoo.com ******

Continues from page 4 First Western Chakma landed on Chakma’s soil

The guest house has a kitchen and dining room at the ground floor and sleeping rooms at the 1st floor. There are 5 permanent staffs. They
do all the chores of the guest house and they are all from the Lai community. I was amazed to see how well they could cook Chakma dishes.
Next day on 3rd March 2010, I flew out of Aizawl to Kolkata.
Conclusion:
The Chakma community in Mizoram suffers from multitude of problems. In CADC I had seen chronic poverty. There is no hospital for 40,000
people. The electricity, water supply and telecommunication are unreliable even by Indian standard. Nearest hospital is at Lunglei, which is
at least 5 hours drive from Chawngte. I was told, Chakmas in Lunglei
and Mamit district live even in worse condition. There is lack of health
care, lack of jobs, lack of education and lack of commerce.
The relationship between the Chakmas & Mizos had never been easy.
For historical reason, there is a deep mistrust between the Chakmas &
Mizos. It’s not surprising, since Mizos and Chakmas had very different
backgrounds. For centuries Mizos had been hunter gatherers and
Chakmas had been nomadic farmers.
According to Mr. Nirupam Chakma MLA, “Mizoram has an acute un-
employment problem”. Mizoram has the 2nd highest literacy rate after
Kerala. Government was unable to create white collar jobs that could match the high literacy rate. There is a large
number of educated Mizo youths who are unable to find jobs and unwilling to work with hands.
Combination of mistrust and lack of white collar jobs create a step motherly mentality among the Mizos. For example,
Chakmas are 10% of the state’s population. Yet there is virtually no Chakma in the
Mizoram police. There is no Chakma in Mizoram civil service. There is virtually no
Chakma in the Mizoram Uni- versity. Mizos are unwilling to share with the minorities what-
ever few jobs the govern- ment can create. Needless to say there are no health care fa-
cilities in Chakma inhabited areas.
The Chakmas in Mizoram are hard working and proud of their heritage. They live in a difficult environment.
There is a systematic discrimination against them. Chakma communities specially, those who live in remote ar-
eas are vulnerable and need help in health care and education. They need investments and loans to create jobs. Else they become prey to
hunger, disease, loan sharks and the missionaries.

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 The Chakma News Prospector Page 7
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
Continues from previous issue….. Bana Bhante’s contribution toward the Buddhist World

Rangamati (UJI): Extraordi-

nary human being was born
with special characteristics to
give the light of wisdom to the
ordinary human being in the
20th centuries. He is the Most Mahathera (longodu), Ven. Brigu Mahathera (Maneksuri),
Highest Holiness Venerable Ven. Bisuddhananda Mahathera (Nainyachar), Ven. Sora-
Sadhanananda Mahathera (well jaghat Mahathera (Rangamati), Ven. Dharma Tissya Thera
-known as Bana Bhante) and (Mizoram), etc. At present, 88 branch monasteries estab-
born in Royal Chakma King- lished in Jummaland; 1 in Dhaka, Bangladesh; and 6
dom (now Jummaland or Chit- branches in India. Very recently on February
tagong Hill Tracts of Bangla- 2010, one branch monastery was established
desh) on January 8, 1920. He under his prominent disciple named Ven.
was renounced the world and Dharma Tisso Thera (well-known as Sargapuri
became a Novice Buddhist Bhante) on the top of the Nirban Mountain
Monk in 1949 at the age of 29. (Rajmandal Suk) in the Chakma Autonomous
After his ordination, he prac- District Council of Mizoram, India. Most of the
ticed meditation restlessly for branch monasteries are conduct meditation retreat regularly.
12 years in the deep forest as
an Ascetic Monk and finally
achieved highest stage of
Sainthood, which is called
“Arahant”. On 27th June, 1961,
he took Full Ordination
(Bhikkhuhood) according to
the Buddhist Monastic Order.
From 1961- till today, over 39
years preaching the Doctrine
of Lord Buddha (Dhamma-
Vinaya) in different parts of the Thousands of lay followers with him at home; and also abroad
Kingdom. As a result, Bana especially Chakma, Tanchanya, Marma and Baura communi-
Bhante established his Forest ties who are living in USA, France, Canada, England, Austra-
Traditional Sangha and lay lia, Myanmar, India, Thailand, Switzerland, Germany, Viet-
communities both at home and nam, Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.
abroad. Some of his prominent Hundreds of foreign tourists including Foreign Diplomats
disciples are Ven. Nandapal and Sangha members come to visit him every year at the
Mahathera (Bodhgaya), Ven. Royal Forest Monastery in Rangamati, Jummaland during his
Prajnananda Mahathera auspicious Birth Anniversary and Vaisak event. ****
(Khagrachri), Ven. Jogasiddhi
To be continue in the next issue…...

Contact to visit: Chakma Royal Forest Monastery, Rangamati, Jummaland (CHT), Bangladesh.
E-mail: saranankar@gmail.com or tanaydewan@yahoo.co.uk or rajbanavihara@gmail.com (Tel: 880-351-62158)
“The Chakma News Prospector” Google Search: Voice of Jummaland; E-mail: clpublication@yahoo.com.au or alaam@writeme.com
 The Chakma News Prospector
Page 8
Chakma Bizu ( New Year) ; April 14, 2010; Volume 2, Issue 2.
After a day of Ashari Purnima in 589
Buddha observed the first Rain Re-
Editorial BCE (Before Christian Era), our Great Master Gautama
treat (which called “Vassa” in pali” period together with
his 60 Arahant disciples at Issipatana, Deer Park, Banaras. They were five ascetics, Yassa, and 54
Yass’s friends.
At the end of the Retreat, Buddha ad- monished and sent them: “Oh, Bhikkhus! I've already
been freed from all defilements and so you have all too. Now, go forth in all directions ex-
pounding the Dhamma-Vinaya which is excellent in the beginning, in the middle and
in the end for the welfare of men and Devas out of compassion to the whole world. But,
you must not go two together on the same journey”. Afterwards the Buddha himself went to
Uruvela Grove to teach the Dhamma- Vinaya to one thousand ascetics led by the three Kassapa
brothers, viz. Uruvela Kassapa, Nadi Kassapa and Gaya Kassapa.
In the earliest centuries, Bhikkhus (Monks) were itinerant and wandering (Thudang) for nine months in a year, i.e.
Ven. Pragya Jyoti before the Vassa. When the monsoons began, they gathered together in their particular place in order to teach each
Editor other, studies and intensive practice meditation. This kind of practice is still found in some Theravada countries.
Alaam, Chakma
News Prospector & Vassa is marked by two major religious events: one for entering and another is for exiting. During the Vassa, i.e.
Online Chakma three months (July to September approximately; but it is depending on lunar months), monks aren't allowed to stay at
Dictionary night outside their own monasteries, temples, shrines, capes, huts, hermitages, trees, etc. It is the period for monks
and novices to studies and intensive practice the Dhamma-Vinaya both Pariyatti and Patipatti. They confessed each
Free Download other and recite the whole Patimokkha in every fortnightly. They observed their respective precepts strictly accord-
Chakma Scriptures, ing to Vinaya (Disciplinary Rules). This tradition was prescribed by our Great Master.
Alaam, Chakma Lay Buddhists also reinvigorate their spiritual training and adopt more ascetic practices, such as observed Eight Pre-
News Prospector, cepts and practice meditation in every Uposatha Day, giving up meat, alcohol and smoking.
Chakma font soft-
ware. The Uposatha is Buddhist Sabbath day, in existence from the Buddha's time (500 BCE), and still being kept today in
Buddhist countries.
Google Search:
Voice of Jummaland (1) The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for “the cleansing of the defiled mind,” resulting in inner calm and joy.
(2) On this day, disciples and monks intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge and express communal com-
mitment through millennia-old acts of lay-monastic reciprocity. The uposatha days have been observed from two to
Correction No-
six days each lunar month. *****
tice
It is notify that
Ven. Bimal Bhante’s beloved mother passed away
the previous
issue (January 8, Khagrachari (UJI): The eldest citizen of Jummaland (Chittagong Hill Tracts) as well as in Bangladesh Late
2010) was unin- Puruli Chakma was passed away at the age of 105 years old on 10th February 2010. She was
tentionally mis- born in 1905 at Rangamati, the then capital city of Chakma Royal Kingdom. Late
taken the year of Chakma was honest, religious & truthfulness since her childhood. She got married
publication. It with late Batya Chakma. As a religious housewife, she guided all her children's in
was corrected in right and proper way. Amongst her children's, Most Venerable Bimal Tissyo Bhik-
the internet edi- khu is one of them. He was renounced the world and became Buddhist Monk at the
tion. Please visit young age. At present, his missionary works and activities is well-known to
the website. Chakma, Buddhist and non-Buddhist world. He was established two orphanages
Sorry for read- institute (Monoghar & Bualkali) in Jummaland; Sakyamuni Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka, Bang-
ers inconven- ladesh; and Bodhichariya Monastery cum Higher Secondary School in Calcutta, India. He was
ience. send 72 orphanage children's to France from Jummaland in 1986 after burnt down his orphan-
age institute at Bualkali by the Muslim settlers back by the Bangladesh Military. He himself compelled to
-CLPS, Australia
exile in India. ****

Ven. Pragya Jyoti’s beloved mother passed away

Nunsuri-II, Mizoram (UJI): On July 27, 2010 at 08:51 am (Indian Times) after a day of Ashari Purinima, Ven, Pragya
Jyoti’s beloved mother (Rubessuri Chakma) passed away after long suffering from Ashma in her mansion (Rub-Sriti
Tong-Ghar) at Nunsuri-II, Mizoram, India at the age of 87. She was born on December 1, 1923 at Jarolsuri near
Harina Bazar, Chakma Royal Kingdom. Her father was Magatya Karbari and mother was Kandari Chakma. She lost
her husband (Sriti Dhaj Chakma) in 1969 when Ven. Pragya Jyoti was 5 years old boy. Ven. Pragya Jyoti is the
youngest son (7 sons and 2 daughter). She was educated her two young children with special care. Her contribution
is very worth for all family members. She was honest, diligence, truthfulness and religious. She visited all Holy
places of Lord Buddha and many times to Bana Bhante’s. During her funeral ceremony 32 Sangha members and
more than 1500 peoples was attended. In the ceremony one minute silence was observed for her departed soul.
Ven. Sumanalanker Mahathera, President of Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha along with his 9 colleagues also participated
from Bangladesh. In the named of her “Rubessuri Memorial Football Trophy-2010” was opened for Primary School
students. The trophy will be conduct every year. The monthly memorial ceremony will be organised instructed by Ven. Pragya
Jyoti. ******

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