DHAMMA WALK - 18 JULY 2008

DHAMMA WALK -18 July 2008.
- A Report.
By Dr. U.N.Biswas, Convener, Dharmachakra.

Participants: Ven. Buddhist Monks and Shramanas, Buddhists and peace loving citizens- men and women. Total participants, including 30 Monks, were around two hundred people.
Assembly: We assembled at Dharmatola, on Metro Channel at 14-30-1445 Hours. Initially there was some confusion about the starting point of the Dhamma Walk of ‘Peace & Fraternity’. An Inspector of Calcutta Police arrived and took us to the exact starting point and told us that he would be with us to assist the walk. The point was barricaded by Police and it facilitated to line up in single file. Two boys from North- Bengal held the banner in the front. Mr. Tapas Pathak, the President of Ambedkarite, stood behind them to guide them. Mr. Patahak is a social worker who spends money from his own pocket to serve in public interest. Next stood Dr. U.N.Biswas the Convener,of Dharmachakra, with Ven. Buddha Rakshit, a senior Bhikshu. Other Ven. Monks followed. The Ven. Monks were followed by women. The rest, Upasikas and peace loving citizens of Calcutta who have great respect for the Dhamma stood behind the women. Volunteers of the Walk stood behind each section of participants to guide and supervise the Dhamma Walk. Mr. Sukumar Barua, a dedicated and devoted Upasaka and coordinator, Dharmachakra, was directed to follow women participants. At the tail, walked Mr. Palas Biswas, Secretary, Ambedkarite,to ensure that no participant loses track. ‘Peace & Fraternity’, walk had to be silent. Therefore, necessary instructions were issued.
The Officer-in-command arrived with his team and we proceeded. We crossed Dharmatola- Chowringee crossing and entered Dharmatola Street. A Calcutta Police Jeep was in the front. An officer on a motorcycle joined to clear the obstacles on the road. Few women Police constables were in the team.
The walk up to Welligton Crossing was so smooth as if we were only people who walked on the road. Soon we arrived at Dharmatola- Puran Chand Nahar Street crossing and took a right turn. After walking a couple of minutes, we were on S.N.Bannnerjee Road. Soon we reached 45. S.N.Bannerjee Road.( Janbzar Road in Old Calcutta). A Sitala( Hindu Goddess) temple stands on 45. S.N.Bannerjee Road. In this temple, a votive Stupa is crowned and occupies the most exulted position in the temple. The Stupa is worshipped as Dharmathakur. The Priest of the temple has no doubt that Dharmathakur is no one else other than The Buddha.Dduring my previous visit, his wife told me that name Dmarmatola originated from this Stupa and the entire area came to be known as Dharmatola.
We slowed down here so that every body in the walk could identify the temple. As we moved further, an officer of the local Police Station joined. We crossed Janbazar and the famous palace of Rani Rashmoni. The palace is in dilapidated condition. We stood at Dorina- crossing traffic signal. As the signal turned green, we crossed Jawaharlal Nehru Road and took the New Road on the left to pass Calcutta Press Club. The silent walk at Mayo Road cross over was a spectacular show. The monks, with their yellow robes, slowly walking on Mayo Road Cross over was a rare sight to be seen in Calcutta.
We reached the famous Red Road where the British did not permit any Indians to walk. Sir Ashtosh Mukherjee defied the order and head high he walked on this road.

We crossed Red Road at Red Road- Cenotaph cross over and started walking along the right flank on the grassy portion. The walk towards the statue of Babashaeb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar on the red took me to the pages of history of India. Here is the statue of a person who, more than any one else in the modern history of India, fought all through out his life for emancipation of the people who are most oppressed. Buddhism, which was wiped out of India, was revived by Ambedkar in one stroke when he returned to Buddhism with a half a million of people at Nagpur on 14 October in 1956.
We assembled in front of his statue. Ven. Buddha Rakshit conduced a brief meditation session. Thereafter, we thanked the Police Officers and melted.
We felt a sense of tranquility and peace in our mind during the walk and more so after the walk. We were in perfect equanimity and universal loving-kindness.

3 August 2008.
CG 22 Sector II, Salt Lake City, Calcutta-700091.