== DMS NEWS #2: JAN 2010 ==
Namaskar,
Here is an eyewitness report of the scene at the New Year's DMS at
Ananda Nagar. Actually as you are surely aware there are two DMS's: Dec
30, 31, and Jan 1 held by Ranchi group, and then Jan 2 - 4 held by
Kolkata team.
The following is an initial report about events during the Ranchi DMS.
Please watch for follow-up reports.
As noted in the first DMS report on 29 Dec 2009, all the various groups
arrived and stayed in various spots around:
MARGIIS SUFFERED AT DMS
During the Ranchi DMS, there was much angst amongst margiis for various
reasons: WT division, costly food, no books, AN falling apart, and so
many problems caused by the ongoing groupism etc. Margiis mostly go to
see their friends and relatives - not because any group is able to
conduct a proper DMS etc.
RANCHI USED HINDI AND EXCLUDED OTHER LANGUAGES
One central problem was that Ranchi conducted the DMS in almost
exclusively Hindi. No English was used period during the talks at the
Pandal. That made it impossible for South Indian margiis to understand.
So when Senior Purodha Dada - Ac Vishvadevananda Avt delivered his
addresses, he spoke exclusively in Hindi. And if he spoke for 1/2 hr,
then when the Bengali translation was done, that was only for 5 minutes.
And there was no English translation. So not only did South Indian
margiis have a problem, but the many Bengali speaking margiis in
attendance also were at a disadvantage - they only heard a short summary
so it was not interesting for those margiis. That was one main issue.
Note: The Senior Purodha Dada Ac Vishvadevananda Avt presided over the
Ranchi DMS and he was announced as such, i.e. "Senior Purodha Acarya"
etc, because due to the pending court case, he cannot officially be
called Purodha Pramukha. But he carried out marriage blessings and made
the DMS address. So he is getting prestige of being PP Dada but cannot
be called Purodha Pramukha.
ATTENDANCE: WHO WAS THERE
The Kolkata administration has suffered very low attendance recently for
their later DMS (Jan 2 - 4), so to overcome this problem they gave
permission for their followers to attend both the Ranchi DMS and the B
group program. Kolkata officials hope that will boost their numbers for
their own DMS. That means that margiis from Assam, West Bengal and other
Bengali speaking areas were in attendance from Dec 30 - Jan 1.
But many margiis were upset to see that still all the wholetimers are
split up rigidly in groups. They do not show face during each other's
DMS, rather they hang around the periphery.
Hardly a single overseas margii was there - they were very few in number
and mostly stayed with the EC / Third Front camp away from the main
Pandal. Because of the severe groupism, overseas margiis are not
inclined to make the trip.
STILL DIVISION DURING RANCHI DMS
The mass of margiis are much more interested in seeing unity and one
Ananda Marga. That seemed to be one of the greatest concerns, along with
the extremely high price for food at the DMS event, and the overall poor
upkeep of Ananda Nagar. It was painful for margiis to see the lowly
condition of our main global MU.
So the distinct divisions within the WT cadre was a big issue with margiis.
Margiis were thinking that when our own sannyasis cannot establish
cosmic brotherhood then how can our Marga preach this to the rest of the
globe. That was the main cause for margiis disappointment and disgust.
During the Ranchi DMS, Ranchi controlled the main buildings like: The
Pandal, The DMS gate, the Baba Quarter, the Kiirtan Pandal, the
bookstore area, Prout Bhavan, PP Quarter, Gurukul etc. Even though B
group wanted a presence in those places they were not allowed.
The Kolkata Dadas instead stayed in the periphery to try and meet
margiis such as around Baba Memorial, AMIT, but not nearby the main DMS
pandal.
The third front /EC Dada also were not allowed by the DMS gate / entrance.
Then at 12 o'clock on 1 Jan 2010, there was a severe switchover from one
DMS to the next. In the past all had to vacate the Pandal etc, but this
year people were not forced to vacate. But Ranchi wanted nobody to stay
- they want Kolkata DMS to be a flop. Plus this way Ranchi will clearly
identify / mark / blackball those who attend Kolkata DMS. These types of
shenanigans are still going on.
Margiis were not at all happy about all these divisive strategies and
powerplays being made by the various groups.
POLICE PRESENCE DESPITE "TRUCE"
The Ranchi and Kolkata teams had made a truce in order to not spend huge
money on court cases and police protection. This has been going on for
some time. Their truce is like a truce between mafia families:
But during the DMS, Ranchi again insisted that there be a police
presence. So although there was a truce, still the groups had to pay for
police protection. The police were not patrolling with guns as in the
past, but they were paid to be there to keep an eye on things.
MARGIIS SUFFERED FOR PRICE OF FOOD
The cost of the food at the DMS was extraordinarily high at the Gurukul
area. Svarupananda is now in charge and the management has changed. The
cost was too much for margiis. There were quite a few complaints about
this. Plus in the past refills were given on curry items, but this time
second portions were not allowed. So food was both costly in price and
less in amount. Some margiis could not afford this and many were hungry.
So this was a big problem for margiis and more about this topic will be
reported in the next DMS update.
NO BOOKS AVAILABLE
One other problem for margiis was the lack of available books. There
were no AM books in English available for sale and in general there were
very few books available during the Ranchi DMS. More about this will
also be reported, but suffice to say here that our AM publications are
not up to par - rather very much neglected. Margiis were quite upset by
this.
MARGIIS CONCERNED: ANANDA NAGAR IS FALLING APART
Ananda Nagar has become quite dilapidated. It is not being
well-maintained by any of the groups. The roads are terrible and so many
of the buildings are in very poor condition. Many margiis were talking
that it will not be long before the entire glory of Ananda Nagar just
becomes one ghost town. It looks that bad.
Considering the huge effort Baba made to make Ananda Nagar a shining
jewel, it was practically and sentimentally difficult for margiis to see
our Ananda Nagar crumbling away.
THREE FAKE ANANDA VANIIS ON JAN 1
During January 1 itself, each of the groups issued their own fake Ananda
Vaniis.
The Ranchi camp was in the main DMS Pandal where Ac Vishvadevananda
presided over the reading of their Fake Ananda Vanii.
Then the B group had their own reading of their fabricated Fake Ananda
Vanii. Ac Sarveshvarananda presided over that gathering as he will over
the Jan 2 - 4 B group DMS.
Finally, the third front / EC group read their own Fake Ananda Vanii at
the Children's Home. Ac Yetishvarananda presided over that and delivered
a speech.
RANCHI WIPING NAMES OFF BP ELECTION REGISTRY
There was also much talk of how during the DMS, the Ranchi heads had
gathered and begun plotting for manipulating the upcoming Bhukti Pradhan
elections (Feb - Mar - Apr). All those not supporting Ranchi outrightly
have been scratched from the voter list. Many margiis were discussing
this severe problem. In that sense it is no different from when B group
ruled the scene and ruined the BP system. During the DMS itself, Ranchi
was plotting in this manner.
MORE NEWS COMING
The above is an initial report. As more and more margiis return back
from the DMS, then certainly others will add onto this report.
Please also write in with your news.
BABA'S BLESSING
Even though times are tough now in our Marga, and the scene at DMS is
less than favorable, margiis are inspired to rebuild our Marga society
and by Baba's grace we will get success.
Namaskar,
Manomohan
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