PROBASHI- A Cultural News Magazine Volume 2 Issue 2 | Page 5

Probashi Editorial Editorial Team Editor Sudipto Sengupta (9910377716) Advisor Amit Mukherji (9891903209) Bangla Section Coordinator Mamani Pal Circulation Prof Deb Mallik Logistics Tanya Sengupta Surbhi Seth Executive Committee Durga Puja & Cultural Association President Prof A Basu Vice President Dr. DK Banerjee Amit Mukherji General Secretary PK Seth Treasurer Gautam Kar Jt Secretaries Ardhendu Das DD Chowdhury Organising Secretary Aditya Bhaduri Contact Us B-13, Ashoka Enclave II, Sector 37, Faridabad-121003, Haryana, India [email protected] You may send your donation to Durga Puja & Cultural Association Punjab National Bank, Sector 37, Faridabad A/c No. : 2258000100237358 IFSC Code: PUNB0225800 The famous architect Louis Kahn once said “every K brick wants to be something”. But probably not, for some bricks do not aspire to be corner stones at grand buildings, but remain in oblivion on the streets and by lanes- as part of a humble house, as kerbstone of a sidewalk, a step to the doctor’s clinic or a wall protecting a soldier’ bunker. These bricks do ’s their calling, and do it well, maybe much more usefully than the bricks making the King’s palace. Such bricks will never be known, they will never be glorified or be part of a monument. But they sustain the common man and his pleasures, hopes and aspirations, so that the monument of the king or the president is remembered with respect. Now change the brick metaphor with people, and it is these people whom we celebrate in this issue of Probashi. These people have not got their due recognition; probably many of them have shunned the limelight, but silently worked to take humankind forward. I am proud to be writing an introduction to such people, a sprinkling of them is featured in this issue of Probashi. This issue took longer than usual, because the Editor is presently involved in the rehabilitation of flood victims in Uttarahand and frequently travels. To my mind the cause for the delay is itself noble and knowing our readers, they will not hold the delay against us. Prof A Basu President, Durga Puja and Cultural Association “Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes”, said heroes Bertolt Brecht, the German poet, playwright, and theatre director. Bystanders that most of us are, we do need heroes to redefine limits of possibility, and set goals and ideals for us to emulate. Heroes are commonly portrayed as those who get the media’s attention – sports figures, pop artists, and movie stars. Rarely do we include ordinary men and women who have done something meaningful in support of a greater cause or sacrificed on behalf of their fellow human beings. We wish to propose an alternate definition of a hero- the ability to create meaningful and lasting change; a mindset that encourages our willingness to act on behalf of others, defend fairness and equality and the ability to explore uncharted waters, despite conventional advice against doing so. This issue of Probashi celebrates such action. - may that be the first friendly contact with a hostile tribe, or being unmindful of personal dangers in flood search and rescue , or using street theatre in bringing social change. We see heroism in spending a lifetime in upholding a forgotten author or in investing life savings in photo-documenting old temples for posterity, or a doctor spending years to find cure for a dreaded disease. There are many more who we could not document. Do keep a look out for such unsung heroes; recognition is the least that we owe to them. Sudipto Sengupta Editor