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| Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi releases book on the Brahmo Samaj. |
 His Excellency, the Governor of West Bengal - Gopal Krishna Gandhi formally released the book Brahmo Samaj - from Fountain Head to Confluence at the Brahmo Sammilan Sanaj on 28th August 2006.
This 600 plus page book is an anthology edited by Dr. Amitava Khastagir and has amongst it many notable contributions from authors, professors most of whom are an authority of the Brahmo movement. Some of the contributors include Dr. R K Dasgupta, Dr. Goutam Neogi, Dr. Narsingh P Sil, Dr. Barid Baran Ghosh, Dr. Nikhilesh Guha, Dr. Kanailal Chattopadhyay etc.
Inaugurating the book the Governor remarked that we who are so steeped in history are so neglectful of our heritage. The footprints of our sages dissolve like those in sand. We are quick to renovate slow to restore, quick to celebrate slow to conserve, we revel in festivity but stay away from the challenges which are actually required. He drew attention to the fact that most of the relics of Rammohun hitherto preserved in the Rammohun library are in urgent need of restoration.
 The Governor remarked on the wonderful architecture of the Samaj hall comparing it to the mandir in Shantiniketan. He mentioned that walking into this hall had a spirit of uplifting and there was something like inner cleansing of the soul. Mr. Gandhi mentioned about the zeal and fervour of Rammohun in taking care for the upliftment of the position of the women in our society and it is a shame that this country is still under the dark clouds of domestic violence primarily against women. He urged the Brahmo Samaj to mobilise the NGOs and Governmental organisations that this menace can be eradicated once for all. He also mentioned about the legislation that has been brought in the Lok Sabha and is yet to be notified. Mr. Gandhi also stressed the importance of studying the scriptures in its original form and language like Rammohun.
Earlier the editor and part author of the book Dr. Amitava Khastagir mentioned that this book includes works from authors, critics who are always not sympathetic to Brahmo religion. The focus has not been in the theological aspect of Brahmoism but on the socio - religious aspect of Brahmoism. Brahmoism has certain fundamental tenets and principles does not believe in any rigid dogma by an infallible prophet - it has taken shape by the spiritual realisation and on the convictions attained therefrom by the individual.
Brahmoism has sometimes been called Christianity without a Christ or a booby religion. An ambitious project has been taken at the end of this book which juxtaposes and counterpoints the spiritual geniuses - Rammohun, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Rabindranath within a broad frame of reference. A special interest should be a survey of the Brahmo reformist movement vis-a-vis the Hindu revivalist movenment which confronts, clash and intermingle with each other. Also of special interest will be two letters of Rabindranth on Ramakrishna - hitherto unpublished. There are also letters of Roman Rolland and a brief note by Max Mueller written just before his death. He concluded remarking that this book should become the standard reference book on Brahmoism for many years to come.
Mr. Prabir Ranjan Dasgupta, secretary of the Samaj, thanked the Governor for taking time off his busy schedule to come and inaugurate the book. Earlier a divine service was conducted by Mr. Sanjib Mookerjee - permanent minister of the Samaj and the President Dr Arun Kr. Das gave the welcoming address. The songs were sung by Pramita Mallick. |
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