A section of the Vishwa Mangal Gou Gram yatra, which parted from the main yatra in Jalpaiguri, toured the north eastern states from December 19 to January 14. It not only visited thousands of villages of the region but also brought the people of various communities and Satradhikars together for the cause of cow and village protection.
The yatra truly touched the heart of the people and made an impact in the entire region. During this period the yatra received reception at more than 200 places and organised meetings and touched more than 5,000 villages. A total of 14 upyatras were also conducted in the region, which after visiting thousands of remote villages joined the main yatra at different places.
Basically the main yatra did not visit the north eastern states. Rather a section of it turned to this region from Jalpaiguri on October 30, 2009. Apart from senior leaders of the society and Satradhikar of Uttar Kamlabadi Satra Shri Janardan Dev Goswami, Baba Raviram Basumtari of Gosaigaon, president of Kali Ashram (Barkona) Shri Shyamananda Brahmachari, president of the State Reception Committee Shri Prasanna Kumar Goswami (Satradhikar of Brahmachari Satra), vice president of the Reception Committee and Satradhikar of Elengi Satra, Majuli, Shri Bhavananda Goswami and Satradhikar of Satrasal Satra, Dhubri, Shri Jitendranath Pradhani welcomed the main yatra at Jalpaiguri city of West Bengal on October 30, 2009. It was at this function that the national secretary of the yatra Shri Shankarlal handed over this part of the main yatra to the leaders of North-East.
The yatra in this region formally began on December 19 from Satrasal (near Bangladesh border) with shankhavadan and traditional ulur dhvani. Satradhikar Shri Janardan Dev Goswami explained the objective of the yatra and administered special pledge to the gathering in Assamese language. Many other Satradhikars too addressed the gathering. Shri Janardan Dev Goswami reminded the people the popular Assamese saying that ‘the person who does not have cow is the poorest.’ Addressing the gathering Swami Parmatmanand said the cow is not an animal but a divine creature of the God. He said it is unfortunate that the cow whom more than one crore people call as ‘mother’ is being killed so inhumanly. He said those who are silent and neutral are also equally responsible for the crime. Shri Yogesh Shastri explained the benefits of panchgavya.
The village elders welcomed the yatra leaders by presenting them traditional Assamese gamachha. Most of the villagers asked why this yatra came too late as it should have come decades back. The people also purchased many books published in Assamese language on panchgavya and village development. They also purchased panchgavya products and organic fertilizers.
Beginning from Nalbadi in the morning and passing through Tamulpur and Rangia town the yatra reached Subalkuchi village which is famous for designer clothes and silk industry in the evening of December 26. Satradhikar of Ishwar Hathi Satra Shri Rajiv Prabhu addressed the huge gathering there. The yatra also received warm reception at Maligaon Goushala of Guwahati. The huge gathering was addressed by Swami Parmatmanand and many Satradhikar Prabhus. The folk artists from the surrounding village presented Nam Kirtan and Dashavatar dance. Addressing the gathering here RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi described the protection of the cow as the protection of the nation. He informed the gathering that the signature campaign being conducted by the Vishwa Mangal Gou Gram Yatra is the largest ever signature campaign of the world. Swami Parmatmanand, Satradhikar Shri Janardan Dev Goswami also addressed the gathering. The premises of the Goushalal was packed to its capacity.
The yatra received warm reception at Morigaon and Dhing village on December 28, Bardova, Raidingia and Naugaon under Naugaon district on December 29 and Lailuri and Laokhova villages on December 30. The meeting organised at Aambagan the same day was addressed by convenor of the yatra Shri Bhaskar Kulkarni who explained the importance of the cow and panchgavya, organic fertilizers, etc. The meeting organised at Jakhalabandha village was addressed by Satradhikar Shri Janarda Dev Goswami. Receiving warm reception at Kohra (Kajiranga) and Bokakhat the yatra reached Dergaon in the evening where the reception meeting was addressed by Satradhikar of Gharmura Satra Shri Haridev Goswami. The upyatra which began from Malinithan of Arunachal Pradesh also merged with the main yatra here. The yatra visited Rath Vishnu Mandir of Golaghat on January 1. The presence of Arogya Rakshaks at this meeting was very impressive. The same day it also visited Titabar and Mariyani villages of Jorhat district. Meetings were also organised at Thakurvadi, Gaurisagar and Shivsagar.
The yatra reached Dibrugarh on January 5, where the welcome meeting was addressed by former RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri KS Sudarshan and noted panchgavya Vaidya Shri Hitesh Jani. Shri Jani explained the difference between the Indian and cross-breed cows. He said only the Indian breed cow has swarnabhasma in her milk. Later, speaking in another meeting at Tinsukia on January 7, Shri KS Sudarshan praised the participation of five Satradhikars and their valuable guidance to the people of the region. Vaidya Hitesh Jani and the Satradhikars also addressed the gathering. The yatra finally concluded at Parsuram Kund on January 14. National vice president of the Vishwa Mangal Gou Gram Yatra Shri Hukumchand Sanwala and National Executive member of RSS Shri Indresh Kumar addressed the valedictory meeting. Prasuram Baba, who has more than 700 cows, also shared the dais.
The active participation of five Satradhikars in the whole yatra proves the success of the yatra. These Satradhikars normally live a very different and disciplined life but during the yatra they managed in all the difficulties and never complained. Despite the old age and having many problems, Satradhikar of Brahmachari Satra, Nogaon, Shri Prasanna Goswami remained throughout the yatra and guided the people for cow protection.
