দেশাত্ম বলিদান!

দেশাত্ম বলিদান:

প্রনব খাবার টেবিলে বসে আছে। তার সামনে টেবিলে রাখা চা ঠান্ডা হচ্ছে সেদিকে সে না তাকিয়ে, তাকিয়ে আছে মিতুর দিকে।

মাস দুইয়েক হয় মিতু আর তার বিয়ের। মিতুর বাবা আর ভাইকে ষোলোই আগস্ট উনিশ'শ ছেচল্লিশ,  দাঙ্গাকারীরা ধরে নিয়ে যায়।

প্রাক স্বাধীনতার সেই আমলে ১৬ থেকে ১৮ই আগস্টের রাতগুলো ছিল বিভীষিকাময়! ইংরেজ আর সোহরাওয়ার্দী মিলিটারিদের চালানো ডাইরেক্ট একশানের তাণ্ডবে কোনো ভাবে প্রনব রক্ষা পায়। এরপর পরেই মিতুর খোঁজে বের হলে জানতে পারে মিতুর বাবা আর ভাইকে ধরে নিয়ে যাওয়া হয় ১৬র রাতেই। তারপরেই বহুদিনের প্রেমিকা মিতুকে বিয়ে করে নিজের কাছে নিয়ে আসে প্রনব।

মিতু স্থির দৃষ্টিতে প্রনবের দিকে তাকিয়ে আছে।

প্রনব মিতুকে গত কয়েকদিন ধরেই বোঝাচ্ছে সে স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধে যোগ দেবে। মিতুর ভয় সে মাকে হারিয়েছে ছোটবেলাতেই। বাবা ও ভাইকেও হারিয়েছে এই ক' দিন আগে! সে জানেও না তারা বেঁচে আছে না মারা গেছে। তার শেষ অবলম্বন প্রনবকে সে হারাতে চায় না কোনো ভাবেই আর যুদ্ধেতো মেয়েরাও যাচ্ছে, সেই কোন আমল থেকে! তাহলে প্রনব আর সে দুজন মিলেই যুদ্ধে অংশ নিক। কিন্তু সেখানে প্রনবের বাধা।

কারণ সপ্তাহ খানেক আগে সে জেনেছে মিতু মা হবে। আশেপাশে তার বন্ধু বান্ধব, আত্মীয়স্বজন মারা গেছে ইংরেজ মিলিটারিদের হাতে, দেশে দাঙ্গাও চলছে। প্রবল বিশৃঙ্খলা সৃষ্টি হয়েছে, আবার অনেকে যুদ্ধেও যোগ দিচ্ছে, ইংরেজ সরকার এদেশ থেকে যাবে, এটা খালি সময়ের অপেক্ষা। আর এই সময়ে প্রনব চুপ চাপ লুকিয়ে লুকিয়ে, ভয়ে ভয়ে পালিয়ে বেঁচে থাকবে? প্রনব তার সন্তানের জন্যে একটা স্বাধীন দেশ আনবে। স্বাধীন দেশের পতাকা হাতে তার সন্তান আর সে স্বাধীন দেশের রাস্তায় রাস্তায় ঘুরবে।

প্রনব যেন ঠিক যুদ্ধ শেষে ফিরে আসে এই প্রতিজ্ঞায় মিতু প্রনবকে বিদায় জানায়।

একদিন সাতচল্লিশের পনেরোই আগস্ট আসে। যুদ্ধ শেষ হয়। কত শত বিজয় মিছিল হয় শহরের রাস্তায় অলি গলিতে পতাকা হাতে হাতে। কত মানুষ স্বাধীনতার যুদ্ধ জয় করে ঘরে ফেরে, শুধু প্রনবের আর ফেরা হয় না।

মিতুর অপেক্ষাও শেষ হয় না! প্রনবের যুদ্ধে যাওয়ার মূল্য ইংরেজ পুলিশ আর দাঙ্গাবাজেরা খুব ভালো করেই আদায় করে নিয়েছে মিতুর থেকে! তাদের বুটের চাপে মিতুর গর্ভের সন্তানটা মরলেও মিতু সাহস করে এখনো বেঁচে আছে প্রনবের হাতদুটো ধরে নালিশ করার জন্যে, বলার জন্যে যে, 'জানো ওরা আমার কোনো আকুতি মিনতি শুনলো না! আমার সন্তানকে আমার গর্ভেই মেরে ফেললো!?'

এক সময়ের টগবগে তরুণী মিতু এখন তিরানব্বই তে পা দিয়েছে, তবু এখনো বুড়ির প্রাণ আছে! এই বৃদ্ধার গল্প আশেপাশের অনেকেই জানে। তবুও যারা জানে না যখন মিতু কে স্বামী, সংসার, সন্তানের কথা জিজ্ঞেস করে তখন মিতু বলে - স্বামী স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধে গিয়ে আর ফেরে নি আর আমারতো একটাই সন্তান সবাই যাকে ডাকে "ভারতবর্ষ"!

-©উshaস চttopaধ্যায়~-----

Happy New Year 2021

 Really, what a year it has been… 🎢🦠😅 But here we all are! 

As we close off this chapter & start a new one — remember to be grateful for everything you have, all you have learned & how much you have grown as a person this year! As we wrap up 2020 & begin to set our intentions & goals for 2021, it is important to celebrate what we have accomplished over the past 12 months.⁣⁣

I have always struggled with this...⁣⁣

I typically see accomplishments as just another step in the ladder on my way to where I am going- not as something to celebrate.⁣⁣

For years, my coaches have tried to get me to celebrate wins, acknowledge the triumphs, & be more proud of myself. ⁣⁣

So- over the next few days- I am going to REFLECT on the past year & really celebrate (appreciate) all that has happened- the stuff that worked, the stuff that didn't, & everything in between.

Here are some tips to help you do even better in 2021 than you did in 2020:

➡️Step 1: Realise where you stand in the things that matter most to you —
Ikigai is a great tool to help you make some of these insights!⁣⁣

➡️Step 2: Recall and reflect on as much as you can about 2020 —
Analyse all your ups & downs in detail. This will help you with self-awareness, gratitude & critical thinking!⁣⁣

➡️Step 3: Start reflecting about 2021 —
Ask yourself “why” you are doing what you’re doing. See how you can best maximise things or make any new improvements!⁣⁣

➡️Step 4: Create a plan for 2021 —
Nothing is ever set in stone, but having a vision, a plan, & sense of direction is a crucial motivating factor in helping you take action!⁣⁣

➡️Step 5: Let go of the past & welcome change!

The question is, are you dedicated to the path of life you are currently following? It is never too late to commit to something new. Make 2021 a turning point year! Remember, when the going gets tough, don't cheat yourself out of the possibilities. Instead, commit to the action or direction you desire to go & see where it takes you.

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🥳 Wishing you guys all the love, happiness & success that you deserve! 🙏🤗🤩🍾🌈💫⁣

©Ushas~

#learningwithushas #happynewyear #newyear2021 #happynewyear2021 

#IndiaFightsCorona..

#JanataCurfew 😷
Requested for this Sunday, the 22nd March, 2020 🙋🏻‍♂✅🖖🏻
PM Modi gives 9 call of actions this Navratri in his address to the nation:

1- Every India should be vigilant. Avoid stepping out of your homes until it is absolutely essential.

2- Those over the age of 60 should remain inside their homes only.

3- Dutifully observe Janta Curfew on Sunday, 22nd March 2020 from 7 AM to 9 PM.

4- At 5 PM on 22nd March 2020, the day of the Janta Curfew, from your homes, express gratitude to those working round the clock to keep India healthy (such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, municipal staff, armed forces, airport staff)

5- Avoid going to hospitals for routine check-ups. If there are surgeries that can be postponed, kindly do so.

6- Formation of COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force under the leadership of the Finance Minister to comprehensively look at ways to boost the economy.

7- Do not cut the wages of those working in your homes, support staff and drivers, gardeners.

8- Do not indulge in panic buying. India has enough food and ration supplies.

9- Stay away from rumours.
#IndiaFightsCorona, lets do it👊🏼

#LearningWithUshas~

Christmas Traditions for English Learners…

Christmas is one of the most important holidays in the English speaking world. There are many Christmas traditions in these countries. The traditions are both religious and secular in nature. Here is a short guide to the most common Christmas traditions. What does the word 'Christmas' mean? The word Christmas is taken from 'Christ's Mass' or, in the original Latin, Cristes maesse. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day. Is Christmas only a religious holiday? Certainly, for practicing Christians around the world, Christmas is one the most important holiday of the year. However, in modern times, traditional Christmas festivities have become much less related to the Christ story. Examples of these other traditions include: Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and others. Why is Christmas so important? There are two reasons: 1. There are approximately 1.8 billion Christians in a total world population of 5.5 billion, making it the largest religion worldwide. 2. And, some think more importantly, Christmas is the most important shopping event of the year. It is claimed that up to 70 percent of many merchants' annual revenue is made during the Christmas season. It is interesting to note that this emphasis on spending is relatively modern. Christmas was a relatively quiet holiday in the USA until the 1860s.

Why do people give gifts on Christmas day? This tradition most probably is based on the story of the three wise men (the Magi) giving gifts of gold, incense and myrrh following the birth of Jesus. However, it is important to note that gift giving has only become popular in the last 100 years as figures such as Santa Claus have come to be more important, and emphasis has been shifted to giving gifts to children.

Why is there a Christmas tree? This tradition was begun in Germany. German immigrants moving to England and the USA brought this popular tradition with them and it has since become a much loved tradition for all. It has other stories even.. Where does the Nativity Scene come from? The Nativity Scene is accredited to Saint Francis of Assissi in order to teach people about the Christmas story. Nativity Scenes are popular around the world, especially in Naples, Italy that is famous for its beautiful Nativity Scenes. Is Santa Claus really St. Nicholas? Modern day Santa Claus has very little to do with St. Nicholas, though there are certainly similarities in the style of dressing. Today, Santa Claus is all about the presents, whereas St. Nicholas was a Catholic saint. Apparently, the story 'Twas the Night before Christmas' has a lot to do with changing "St. Nick" into modern day Santa Claus.

A promise to be kept!

I was returning from work, driving. Quite late actually it is, as I’m a manager in contact center. In the watch it’s about to be 11:46 PM, means few more minutes, and a new day as usual. I was driving & in my car a soft music was playing on, & was stopped due to the signal, it was red for the time. In a second, I noticed a hoarding in the road side, in which was written, “victory of good over evil in few days, its coming.” The poster was about our famous festival ‘Durgotsav’. Quite good, the poster was. Suddenly my eyes got stuck up to the beneath of the hoarding! A few young kids were sleeping, or were trying to sleep in the bright DAYLIGHT like ambience, with just a ripped Package, which is made by jute. Beside them bundle of ‘Kash phool’,  in English which is ‘Kans grass’ or ‘Catkins’. It’s their nowadays a biggest weapon to survive on the streets, or the effort to their well-being for coming few days. In the mean time, my signal accessed me, so I drove off the car but my mind’s thinking of that particular snap of that under-privileged family’s children. Frankly speaking, looking at them, I reached to my childhood days, where no any tensions were there. I belong from a village, over there it used to appear in month of September, October, & we all used to pluck it in bundles and were decorating our house, puja pandals, etc.

 It reminded me of those days, where my dad used to work hard for us, & he used to try to make us happy with whatever he got, he could arrange for us,  but the time we used to spend together was a real family time. We may come from a middle-class family, but my parents made sure we get everything, to make me happy enough, even though they are not. But, the children of the footpath, their situation a bit different from me, over here they all, need to find a piece of bread for tomorrow again, for them & if possible for any other of the family member. And in this certain process, they are found selling these ‘kash phool’ into various points, such as, traffic signals, train stations, or near any junctions of road where bigger crowds can be attempted.   We, the so called smart people, are ready to walk to the memory lane by buying such stuffs. If we be happy to some extent, we buy or we’re even eager to bit or simply drive away, those li’l brats if they come to us that way of nagging. A few are possibly going in wrong turns, I mean, in a tempted way; the city is going to spoil them. Few deaths would be there, which news we can’t be reading in newspaper, Anyways night just started, I’m back my home thinking all this nitty-gritty & I can’t just erase off the pictures, which I just experienced. 

Post this incident, I swore to myself that come what may, I will never let my kids imbibe this kind of culture in their life and we have to teach the kids to help in small chores right from the beginning. With him only, I’ll find at least one child of those, & gift some clothes, sweets, and if possible, if he/she into study will be purchasing entire year’s book for that kid, so that my child can have this lesson to share with the bigger family. This much for sure, I’m going to do, in this puja itself, where ‘good over evil’ is making its true sense.  I still can’t find happiness as a promise to be kept.  That’s because happiness lies with people who are content in life, & looking at this view, I’m not…