History of Bengal – a new chapter

A leader was born in Bengal in the year 1984. Her destiny was written as a killer of 34 years rule of CPM. Giant killer, Mamata Banerjee at a rally in Maidan on January 5, 1985, soon after winning the Jadavpur seat. (Pic : coutesy Times of India of 14 May 2011).

Mamata Banerjee started her political carrier by demolishing of a stalwarts in 1984 when she defeated CPM stalwart Somnath Chatterjee from Jadavpur constituency, to become one of India’s youngest Parliamentarians. After 27 years of her continuous struggle against the  regimented ruling party, finally she won her battle and reached to her destination. 13 May 2011 election results came as a shock to the ruling party. Even to the public, because everybody knew there is wind for TMC but we never thought that wind will turn to a  Tsunami which uprooted and swept away all giant-like trees like Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee (Chief Minister), Nirupam Sen (Industry), Asim Dasgupta (Finance), Gautam Deb(housing). Ashoke Bhattacharya and many more.Mamata with Rajiv Gandhi at Netaji Bhawan, Kolkata

Victory Rally at Esplaned on July 21, 2009,after her stunning performance in the Lokshabha poll 2009.

After her stunning performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee making it clear that she was now thinking beyond Trinamool’s role as an Opposition party, she gave a hint of her priorities as the leader of the party in power in the state in 2011″ – that was my blog post in 2009 under a heading “Didi sees road to Writers Building“. She has finally reached to her destination – Writers’ Building.

In spite of being a union Minister and Firebrand Youth Congress Chair person, she was forcibly thrown out from the corridor of writers Building by the then CM Jyoti Basu (07 Jan 1993) and was lodged in the Police lockup. After release from Lalbazar Police lock up, on the way to home, she spent some time alone at the Gandhi statue at Mayo Road crossing at 0100 AM night. It was perhaps in this moment of solitude she took a pledge to enter Writers’ only after dislodging the CPM from power. Perhaps God rewritten her destiny that day. Today CPM has been thrown out from the Writers’ in a democratic process and made her way smooth to Writers’.

Pic source : Times of India)

Murshid Quli Khan’s Murshidabad

Murshidabad was founded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It was named after Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the Dewan of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa under Emperor Aurangzeb. In 1704, the nawab Murshid Quli Khan (following Aurangzeb’s orders) moved the capital ( of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa) to Murshidabad from Dacca. During the regime of Siraj-ud-daula  the British started interfering into the subcontinent’s affairs. The Nawab, peeved by the persistent British defiance of his wishes, marched to Calcutta and drove the British out of Fort Williams to their ships offshore. Months later, the British, led by Robert Clive, retook Calcutta and plotted with Mir Jafar, Siraj-ud-Daula’s general, to overthrow and assassinate the Nawab in 1757 after the battle of Plassey (now Palashi). Murshidabad remained the capital under the British until 1790 and is still the seat of the descendants of the Nawabs of Bengal. The palace of Mir-Jafar  where  his descendants lives is called by people as “Nimak Haram ki Deori”.

Bhagirathi (Ganges) River at Murshidabad.

The remains of the palaces and garden speak of those times. But the history of this region date back perhaps further. The famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang, who made the long journey to India in 629-645 AD, in his world famous travelogue describes Karna-suvarna near Murshidabad as the first capital of the ancient Bengal. Murshidabad was also the major trading town between inland India and the port of Kolkata, 221 km south. Today it’s an insignificant town on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. River Bhagirathi is the witness of many ups and downs of Murshidabad.

Hazarduari Palace literally means “palace with thousand doors” was the palace of the Nawab. It was built in the 1830s by General Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers. It has a banquet hall lined with mirrors and a circular Durbar Hall. The palace comprises of 1000 doors of which only 900 are real and 114 rooms and 8 galleries. The palace is now a museum with many fine exhibits, such as a gigantic chandelier, presented by Queen Victoria. Camera is not allowed inside. Hazarduari Palace Museum at night

Hazarduari Palace museum Murshidabad.

Nearby the Hazarduari palace, which were built between 12th and 14th century, there are some other attractions :  Asia’s biggest Imambara, Siraj’s Madina, Ghori Ghar (Clock Tower ), Bachchawali Tope (a canon), Tripolia Gate, Dakshin Darwaza and Chak Darwaza.

The kathgola palace (above picture) and garden was built by a business man named Lachmipat Singh and the descendents of his still maintains the garden. The Garden is huge and covered with big trees. Near the palace, there is a tunnel which ends at the palace of Jagat Seth. Jagat seth was a rich man, a Banker having money lending business. As per the authorized guide of the palace the tunnel was used for illegal trades by these two families like smuggling etc.A marble statue  facing the swimming pool at Kathgola Palace

It is said that once Siraz Ud Daula slapped Jagat Seth in the open court in front of all ministers . This insult lead him to join hand with the other enemies. This way the regime of  young Siraz  Ud Daula collapsed within two years (1756-57). He was defeated in the battle of Palashy  and later when he wanted to escape from the palace but he was caught and killed by his  enemies . Mir jafar succeeded to get the throne with the help of Aurangzeb and since then the Bengal was ruled by the descendants of Mir Jafar.

A marble statue of a dancer at the palace of Jagat Seth

Enough is enough

Enough is enough. People of Bengal are fade up of vote bank politics of some immature leaders. Their statement gives clear indication that they are not bothered if Tata goes from here. They just doing their best to turn a promising industry to another graveyard in Bengal.

As per media news, Tatas have decided to leave Singur. The decision is reported to have been made by the Tata management and the Bengal government has been informed. But Tatas are likely to make a public announcement next week unless something dramatic happens very soon which seems unlikely.

The West Bengal Government has shown signs of defeat. Nirpupam Sen, the Industries Minister of West Bengal on Tuesday acknowledged that the prospects of the Nano project in Singur are becoming bleaker by the day. And it seems Tata’s top brass has already taken that final call, sources say that an internal decision to shift out of Singur has already been cleared. So, there will be no turning back for Tata.

The Trinamul leaders are sticking to their demands hoping that their stubborn stand will pay dividends in rural Bengal in the forthcoming parliamentary election. Naturally what matters for them if Tata opts out of Singur and another graveyard is added to Bengal ?

Nano plant at singur at death bed due to a desease called “politics”.

(Acknowledgement : ndtv.com)

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In a rainy day

IN A RAINY DAY

Its raining early morning in a summer day,

Sitting idle at home in the mood of a holiday.

In this cloudy rainy day, I am alone at home,

My mind thinking of you, it is in the roam.

Mind floating with the clouds, memories in queue,

Sitting alone, drowned in the memories of you.

My mind not with me, in these moments of dull,

My heart desires to unite, waiting for your call.

No sight of stopping, continues rain with wind,

Enjoying the fragrance of yours in my mind.

Thinking of you every moment having no limit,

When will you arrive, when shall we meet ?

***** Composed By : Anil / 05 Jun 2008 *****

‘

Train to Bangladesh

“That is my country …. How near is it. Still, I can never reach there.” This was a dialogue in Ritwik Ghatak’s film “Komal Gandhar”, which captured the pain and grief of partition and his dream of reaching there remained just a dream . But on the day of poila Baisakh, Bengali New Year 1415, the Bengalis of both side of the International border got a gift to cherish and to make their dreams of “reaching there” fulfilled.

“Maitree Express” (Friendship Express) a train to Bangladesh from India, (Kolkata to Dhaka) started its journey on the auspicious day of Poila Baisakh that is 14^th april 2008, after 43 years of snapping rail link between India and Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). The rail link between India and the then East Pakistan was snapped during Indo-Pak war in 1965.

The two countries, India (particularly West Bengal) and Bangladesh supposed to be very close at hearts to each other because of their common bond of language, culture and food habits. But we are not so due to politics and misunderstandings. An International Boarder separated us from each other. India always respect sovereign state of the neighboring countries and never believe in aggressiveness or Dadagiri to any neighboring country. India always stood by the side of Bangladesh, at the time of distress like a good friend.

“Maitree Express” alone can not bridge the gap or erase the border between two nations built or created through many years unless there is heart to heart communications by way of cultural exchange and tourism. Let there be more “Bharat Bangaldesh friendship society”, and let us extend our hands for friendship with each other. The same was reflected on the first day run of “Maitree Express” when the passengers reaching Kolkata expressed their happiness shouting “we are very happy to be here. We Bangladeshis share a common bond with you people. We especially thank you for standing by us during our war of liberation”.

If East and West Berlin can unite by breaking their “Wall of Berlin”, why can’t we work for union of two Bengals ?

Note : During united India (before Independence) the present Bangladesh was known as “East Bengal”. Then came the partition of INDIA in 1947 on the basis of religion and then “East Bengal” became “East Pakistan” ruled by Pakistan. In 1971, “East Pakistan” was freed from the clutches of Pakistan by India and a new nation was born , thats “Bangladesh”.

Train reached Kolkata from Dhaka. ( Pic : Times of India)

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