It has been a great honor for me to serve as Editor of Samaj Sangbad for the year 2001. I could not have accomplished this task without the staunch support I received from my fellow members. I would especially like to express my gratitude to the following persons:- · Sarmishtha Banerjee, Mekhala Banerjee, Deb Kumar Mustafi, and Dolly Basu for providing me with up-to-date community news · Ananta Ghosh for researching and writing his series on “Banglar Sahitya Rathi” · Debanshu Bhattacharyya for writing his series on “Major Contributons of India” · Sunanda Bose for writing her column, “Unmesher Chitthi” · Anjan Roy for writing his column, “Sangbad Shironam” · Bob Evans, Indrani Mondal, Jyoti Mondal, Subham Sanyal, Neil Chatterjee, Abir Bhattacharya, Angshuman Gooptu, Manatosh Banerjee, Alak Bhattacharya, Devipriya Roy, Ranjit Roy, Shouvik Datta for contributing articles on selected topics upon my request · Bakul Banerjee, Alak Bhattacharya, Purabi Majumdar, Rekha Maitra, Manisha Bose, Bani Bhattacharya for contributing poems · Amitava Deb for his overall guidance I hope our readers have enjoyed this year’s issues. I wish my successor all the best!
Debasish Gooptu
Editor 2001

The format of BAGC events may need change and expansion, simply because the needs of the community are changing and expanding. To me, this change would be most effective if conducted by the youth themselves. Youth leaders may communicate with youth members in trying to investigate kids’ suggestions about how they want to spend their time when their parents are at BAGC events. The youth need to be given some freedom in choosing their own topics and programs.

Let us channellize and utilize their energy to help build good future leaders. If they have no idle time chances are they will not involve themselves in unruly unacceptable behavior. Let’s not cry foul if all the kids of our community don’t sing like we sing, talk like we talk and think like we think. With time they will be able to make connections and help our culture evolve.

Subham Sanyal: “For any organization to survive, remain active and expand, it is essential that its supply of fresh blood gets renewed constantly, flowing actively through its arteries giving renewed vigor, energy and activity to it. Societies, clubs and associations have stood the test of time, only when they have been successful in inducting young new members who enjoy the same activities and value system of the organization.

We can be proud that the BAGC has remained united and the primary organization of the Bengali community in the Chicago land region for twenty-five years. However, I do perceive a symptom in our BAGC too, which ultimately might cause its degeneration over the years. And that is an alienation and un-involvement of our younger generation in BAGC activities and functions.

Many of us, as parents, may not bother much about our children not accompanying us to a BAGC function or remain contented letting them play outside in their own groups rather than watch a stage event or religious ceremony. We have a laissez faire attitude: to each his own interests.

This nonchalance does have a short and long run impact though. In the short run we have experienced ‘unsupervised’ children damaging school property, presenting an image of unruliness and hooliganism to the critical outsider and finally even indulging in unlawful activity which has cost us the privilege of renting an excellent facility. But in the long run , we may be losing even more! Think of thirty, twenty or even ten years hence…These young children, grown up to adults by then, would have a minimal sense of belonging and affiliation to an organization where they find very little interest and relation to their newly acquired culture.

But can we really blame our young children for their estrangement? Can we blame them for running around and playing in the compound instead of watching a cultural show? In my perception, the BAGC events are forums of get-togethers of adults and shows that primarily cater to interests and involvement of adult members of the community. [I do commend the efforts of many of our cultural and sports secretaries (especially in the recent past) to get more involvement of young children in the cultural shows.] But we need to develop more sustained interest by our youth in the BAGC and its activities.

If we can generate enough activities in our BAGC functions (maybe even as side activities) which have a direct interest to our young members they would get more and more involved in BAGC and its functions. These could be sports activities, indoor sports competitions, youth oriented quizzes and word games, debates, video shows, discotheques etc.

I can suggest a couple of courses to resolve this: 1. Group Discussion forums as a side activity in our events to brainstorm on this and other community related issues. It would be good to involve the youth themselves in such a discussion panel. 2. Suggestion and Opinion Polls conducted by Samaj Sangbad and subsequently discussed by the Executive Committee. I am positive that if we as a community come up with a creative solution, we can make the youth as much a part of BAGC functions as the ‘grown-ups’ are and ensure the flow of young blood through our growing vibrant organization.”

Amarto Bhattacharyya (Grade 5):“There are a few reasons why parents do not keep their children with them during BAGC events. First, many parents have friends. During the "adda marra" part of BAGC events, parents do not want their children tagging along every moment. Many times the parents would just find a friend of the child and leave them alone. Many times this leads to accidents/trouble. Also, during the cultural programs, children do not want to watch the plays, songs, and dances, etc. While all the parents are in the auditorium children fool around in the main room. Moreover, many children have lots of energy but they do not have anything to do. Many times they need to blow off some steam.

To stop any possible trouble, there are a few things that can be done. Most parents would like to bring kids to these functions. Not bringing kids is not a solution. Parents can usually take care of babies and toddlers. The problem is with kids aged 5 to 18.

There is not one solution that will solve the entire problem. There are 2 different type of age groups, pre-teenagers and teenagers. We can keep these pre-teens busy by doing many things. First, we can engage them in activities such as drawing competitions, karaoke, board games, etc. Also, we could rent movies and have kids watch movies. For the teenagers aged 13 - 18, we could also have the movies. Also we could include music from a DJ or a dance for children with no adults. This would keep the peace and also children would have fun.

There are a few things we could do with both age groups. For example, we could rent a part of a field or to rent a gym where kids can play soccer, basketball, etc., and do whatever they wanted without any trouble. Some parents, adults, or older kids may have to volunteer to watch kids. A gym or field would be a good alternative for both older and younger kids.

As you can see, there are many things we can do to prevent trouble at BAGC events. If we can do these things, I think there will be no trouble and children will have fun.”

Neil Chatterjee (Grade 6): “Every year, the BAGC holds mainly six events that allow us to meet and interact with other members of the community. Three of these events are based on our religious festivities. As a member of the BAGC, my family and I love to attend all of these occasions. I believe that many people in the community enjoy these revels also. Most of these events start from morning and last until night. During these long hours, I have noticed that most of the children run out of things to do. This often leads them to boredom and they engage in activities that are fun to them but not necessarily perceived as appropriate by adults. To engage children to constructive activities, I have listed some suggestions that were discussed by my peers and me.

In prior years, the BAGC held youth discussions in which children would gather together to learn and talk about religion and various other interesting topics. I used to attend these meetings and I thought they were very effective and fun-filled learning experiences. Later they were dropped from the BAGC agenda. I believe we should re-establish youth meetings so children become more interested and involved in meaningful activities.

The most recognized idea that children think would have the most impact is different sports events. Most facilities where the BAGC functions occur have a gymnasium. The Executive Committee could think of renting the gym for the children’s activities such as: basketball, volleyball and other sports. If the facility doesn’t have a gym, the Committee might consider providing an assigned area for children activities. Indoor sporting equipment should also be available, so kids will be able to play inside if the weather and the facility do not permit them to play outside.

Another idea is to provide music systems/audio for children of all ages, including karaoke, and on occasions DJs. Many of my peers have expressed to me that karaoke would occupy time in a fun and convenient way. We should also allow children to bring their own musical instruments to play music for fun.

The younger children, of ages seven and younger, frequently become restless when their activities are limited. To keep them occupied, BAGC supplies these children with crayons and paper. Sometimes, the kids end up with sitters having to look after them while coloring or drawing. This may not be fun for both the children and the sitter. I have heard numerous complaints about this issue. Possible solutions to this matter could be giving fun toys such as Play-Doh, Lego, and other things they could engage their time in and perhaps a nice, fun-filled movie to keep entertained.

During the last Saraswati Puja, two officers were invited to look after the kids of the BAGC. Though nothing went wrong many kids disagree with this course of action. I believe that the officers were a restriction for the kids to have a fun time. By keeping the children busy with the possible ideas I have listed, there would be no need for the officers to limit the children’s amount of enjoyment.

I feel the members of the Executive Committee should consider making a subcommittee for the children’s activities in BAGC functions. This subcommittee should be able to solve today’s problem by providing organized youth activities.

Every year in August, the BAGC has organized Children’s Day. This is a wonderful event in which adults come to listen to their children perform. I have attended Children’s Day for numerous years. It is a lot of fun for all of the kids, but I’ve also noticed that it is not getting the proper attention it deserves. I have seen equipment shortages, unclean stages and less and less people coming to observe the wonderful abilities of the younger generation. I think that the BAGC should pay proper attention into this event, along with the parents. Without the audience, children lose enthusiasm and their desire to perform. With the proper encouragement from elders, children will have an even better time and will want to attend more BAGC functions.

The problems that exist today can be easily fixed with a little help from the adults. I ask the BAGC Executive Committee and the adults of the community to consider some of these requests that we children believe would eliminate the predicament that is present today.”