বাংলা 
English 
The Lalon Akhra Bari in Cheuria resounded with the message of humanity, equality and non-communalism. In the presence of thousands of Baul-sadhus, Lalon devotees and visitors, the three-day event ended last Monday (19 October) in the evening. The akhra bari grounds overflowed with crowds, songs and sadhana, discussions and emotional reminiscences around Lalon.
At 4 pm on Monday the closing discussion meeting was held on the Lalon Mazar stage. Its chief guest was State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Member of Parliament Anindya Islam Amit. In his speech he said - Fakir Lalon Sai's humanist philosophy and ideals are extremely important for society. Lalon's songs, teachings and theoretical thought can play a role in the welfare of people, the development of society and the expansion of spiritual knowledge. He laid stress on moving society forward embracing Lalon's philosophy and humanist consciousness.
Chief guest Anindya Islam Amit also highlighted the pride and labour the people of Kushtia invest in Lalon. His speech brought out the importance of serving and doing good to people through literature, humanity, culture and spirituality. Alongside Lalon's philosophy, drawing on the literature and culture of Rabindranath Tagore, he stressed the importance of humanist values. The main discussant at the event was essayist Professor Dr Ahmed Shafik Hasami. The special guests were reserved-seat Member of Parliament Mosa. Farida Yasmin, Kushtia's Police Super Md. Aminul Islam, former MP for Kushtia-4 and Bir Muktijoddha Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi, member of the BNP's national executive committee Barrister Raghib Rauf Chowdhury, and district BNP member-secretary Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar. Taking part in the discussion was Netrakona University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md. Khaled Uzzaman. The welcome address was given by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Mizanur Rahman. In the chair was Deputy Commissioner and president of the Lalon Academy Md. Tauhid Bin-Hasan.
The stage of the closing discussion meeting of the 136th Tirodhan Dibas.
Around the three-day festival, the Lalon Akhra Bari at Cheuria turned into a meeting-place of Baul-sadhus and Lalon devotees. The footsteps of devotees arriving from different parts of the country made the akhra bari grounds resound. Some came in memory of their beloved sage, some to hear Lalon's songs, and still others drawn by his humanist philosophy. Lalon's songs in the Bauls' voices and the ambience of sadhu-sangha in the akhra's atmosphere created a feeling of another kind. For the devotees Lalon is not merely a sage; he is a philosophy of finding the man within man. Rising above caste and creed, religious divisions and social identities, the teaching he left of seeing man as man - that very message draws them to Cheuria. Year after year many return to this akhra bari. For some it is a place to look for peace of the soul, for some the pull of roots, and for still others the occasion of renewing the bond with the memory of a beloved guru. During the festival days the mazar courtyard and the surrounding areas wore illuminations. Around the Lalon Mela, festive cheer could also be seen on different roads and important areas of Kushtia town. With visitors arriving from far and wide, people's presence grew in different parts of the town. Around the mela shops were set up, food was arranged, and all manner of goods were put on display. Around the festival the local people too grew busier than usual.
In the final phase of the festival the question of security came into the discussion. Near the main gate of the akhra bari, an object resembling a bomb caught the sharp eyes of Lalon devotees, and the security forces were informed at once. A bomb-disposal team came urgently from Dhaka and defused the object. In the meantime, however, some rumour-mongers spread false information online day and night to sully the event, which was deeply shameful. Thanks to everyone's awareness and the swift action of the security forces, no untoward incident was ultimately allowed to happen.
Kushtia's Deputy Commissioner and president of the Lalon Academy Md. Tauhid Bin-Hasan thanked all concerned, as the festival was completed successfully. He said that an effort was made to accomplish this large event within a limited scope; with everyone's cooperation it was possible to bring it to a successful end. He also expressed the hope of making the Lalon Smaran Utsab and mela more dynamic, beautiful and orderly in future. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the combined efforts of the various quarters associated with the event - the Baul-sadhu society, the law-enforcement agencies, volunteers, journalists and officers and staff of the administration. Managing the gathering of an enormous crowd, ensuring visitors' safety and conducting the event were great undertakings in which everyone's cooperation was important, he said.
In his speech as special guest at the closing event, Kushtia's Police Super Md. Aminul Islam said that Lalon, setting aside caste and divisions, spoke of the welfare of all people. He spoke of the happiness, peace and well-being of all created beings, and taught people to walk the good and honest path. Yet those who push people along the path of condemnation and division are, in the true sense, the unfortunate. Greeting the thousands of Lalon devotees and visitors who came from home and abroad on behalf of the people of Kushtia, the Police Super said it was his expectation that the guests would return to their respective destinations with the hospitality and sincerity of the people of Kushtia. At the same time he expressed the hope that they would carry with them the memories of Kushtia's good name, heritage and history.
At the closing event, ADC (General) office secretary Mizanur Rahman said that in the field of cultural heritage two major events are held in Kushtia every year around Lalon. The people of Kushtia's sincerity, goodwill and combined cooperation are reflected in the successful implementation of these events. He expressed the hope that in future too, in any adverse and critical situation, the people of Kushtia would stand by in the same spirit of sincerity and, staying closely involved, help make the events a success.
For the Baul-sadhus and Lalon devotees this three-day event was a special occasion of coming together in memory of their beloved sage. Some returned with memories of songs, some with the experience of sadhu-sangha, and still others with the urge to understand anew Lalon's humanist philosophy. Though the festival has ended at Lalon's akhra bari, the appeal of his songs and philosophy does not end. The question also arises anew of how far society is able to embrace the message of equality, humanity and non-communalism that he left behind. With the festival's closing note has returned Lalon's timeless call - to love people, to stand by people, and, rising above divisions, to walk the path of humanity.
