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)

Bose and Basu

“The two great Bengali Heroes of 20th century are surely Bose and Basu, Subhas and Jyoti. Both should have become Prime Ministers. One was stopped by fate, the other prevented by his own party” (in 1996).

This is said by MJ Akbar, a prominent columnist. I have regards and respect to MJ but I beg to differ with him in some points. First of all he is not comparable with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the great freedom fighter. The word “Hero” of 20th Century is also not suitable for Mr. Jyoti Basu. He is not a hero like Netaji Subhas. Netaji fought for freedom for the country whereas Jyoti Basu fought for the rights of the workers and the result we all know. He may be a great leader of Communist movement, he may be a hero to some section of people but not a national hero like Netaji accepted by every Indian. Nobody can deny that he or his policies (too much of rights to workers) are in fact, responsible for  turning West Bengal into a ‘Industrial Graveyard’. His Govt. was responsible for banning English in the the primary classes which “paralysed” a generation. He was a successful leader for developing his party (not the state) and ruling the state continuously for more than 3 decades. He did more goods to his party than the state. Therefore, he may be a hero to his party and his party men but not to everybody. So comparing Jyoti Basu with Netaji, is a insult to him (Netaji). Emotionally charged People comparing him with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In a democratic system anybody can become a Prime minister. Who knew Devegowda willl be PM oneday? In politics anything can happen. Its a game of politics. That does not mean that any politician is comparable to a National Hero like Netaji. Netaji could have become PM of this country that does not mean any PM or would be PM can be equated with Netaji.

An untold story of Jyoti Basu

Welcoming the leader (right) at Dumdum Airport by his wife (centre) and sister in law on his return from Patna on April 01, 1970, next day of the incident.

Hundreds of thousand of links to Jyoti Basu on the websites, there is no reference to a historical incident of his life. It also has no mention in the biographies of the leader. The leader narrowly escaped a bullet in Patna on March 31 1970.

Veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu, who passed away on January 17, 2010 (Sunday),  had a brush with death in Patna four decades ago. He had a narrow escape when a bullet fired at him missed its intended target and a CPM sympathiser fell victim.

The incident occurred in the morning of March 31, 1970, at platform no. 1 of Patna Junction. A handful of people had gathered there to receive Basu, who had arrived by Delhi Express. As the supporters were handing him bouquets, a shot was fired and it hit Ali Imam, who had come forward to shake hands with the leader. Imam died on the spot.

“The incident shocked Basu terribly and the bouquets fell off his hands,” recalled CPM activist P K Shukla, who was not present on the platform that day but attended a meeting addressed by Basu later. After the incident, Basu first visited Imam’s residence and then went to the meeting where he spoke about the incident, Shukla recalled.

Source : Times of India

Justice after 34 years

15th Aug 1975, when India was preparing for celebration of its Independence Day in the early morning, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh, was assassinated brutally by his own army, in a military coup in Bangladesh.  Thirty-four years after, the country’s Supreme Court, on 19^th Nov 2009 upheld the death sentence on five of his killers, paving the way for their walk to the gallows. Seven others, who are absconding, were also convicted to hang by the apex court. It was  a well planned coup by the Army as seen from the date they selected for their operation. The ruling of the Apex court paves the way for the execution of the former army officers, who murdered Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with his wife and three sons, on August 15, 1975.

Sheikh Mujib led the country to independence in 1971 after a bloody, nine-month war against Pakistan. He was the only leader in true sense who  raised his voice against the Pakistani authorities and demanded independence for East Pakistan, after securing majority seats in the National Assembly in 1970 election by his party Awami League. Instead, the Pakistani President, sent his troops to regain control of the eastern province but  those Pakistanis were defeated with the help of India and they were made to surrender to Indian Army and Independent Bangladesh was created in 1971.

People of Bangladesh, especially new generation of today, like it or not, it is true that Bangladesh was born just because of India’s timely help and that credit goes to  the then Prime Minister of India, Smt Indira Gandhi,  most courageous lady for her bold decision. Had India not helped that time, it would have been a impossible task for East Pakistan to Achieve the Independence what they are enjoying today. As long as Bangladesh remains, Mujibua Rahman and India should be remembered. The Pakistanis (army) still unable to digest that defeat and the loss of their Eastern province  which increased the enmity with India.

Picture 1 :  Bangabandhu waves to supporters on March 23, 1971 as daughter Sheikh Hasina looks on
Picture 2 : Sheikh Mujib with Indira Gandhi in Bangladesh;

Picture 3 : Mujibur Rahman with his family members: (from left) son Sheikh Kamal, daughter Sheikh Rehana, son Sheikh Russel (on his lap), wife Fazilatunnesa, son Sheikh Jamal and daughter Sheikh Hasina (present Prime Minister Of Bangladesh)

Pix coutesy  : Bangladeshi publication “Father of the Nation” through Times of India

‘My party is full of corrupt leaders’ : said Kabir Suman, MP

Kabir Suman, Member of Parliament (Trinamool Congress) said about his recent outburst on his own party and his experiences while taking up developmental works in his constituency. Following is the excerpts from the newspaper : “You have to understand that I am not a partyman in the common parlance. This is my first brush with politics and what I am seeing around me has made me very sad. I am very sorry to say that my party is full of petty and corrupt leaders at the local level who are not letting me work for the development of my constituency and there is no redressal in sight. I am so fed up with the fact that though I am an MP, I have very little freedom to work on my own. That is why I burst out at the press conference.”

“After winning the elections, I extensively toured all seven assembly segments that make up Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency and chalked out certain projects that are immediately needed. I knew that I had Rs 2 crore to spend annually on my constituency. However, when I tried to get the projects moving I faced two peculiar problems. While CPM leaders and the administration tried to throw a spanner in my plans, Trinamool leaders, too, behaved the same way. They (Trinamool leaders) want me to hand over the funds to them so that they can spend the money on items that they think are important. Needless to say, I tried to find out what their plans are and I am convinced that their intentions are dishonest.”

”I tried to attract her (Mamata Banerjee) attention to corrupt partymen in my constituency several times. Unfortunately, I was unable to convince her. Each time she tried to placate me by saying that my constituency is her constituency too, and that I should not worry. Each time she would say, ‘You rather sing a song!’ This has left me crestfallen because my problems did not get sorted out and I am feeling helpless about the fact that as an MP I am not being able to address the problems of my area.”

Source : Times of India/Kolkata/17th Nov 2009

Kabir Suman, MP (Trinamool Congress) continues :  “I have voiced my grievances against some local leaders, like Shovan Chatterjee, who have made my life hell. Now, I hope the party leaders will try to root out corruption. If this continues, then Trinamool and CPM will be two sides of the same coin. Trinamool is yet to come to power in the state. If corrupt leaders are not weeded out then imagine what will happen when they rule the state.”

“No one takes me seriously… If  I complain to Mamata Banerjee,  she asks me to sing a song instead.”

“I am amazed to hear that Mamata has called me a ‘guest’ in her party. How can she say so, when I am an elected MP? I am pained. I hope she meant the words affectionately.”

The MP has been complaining since Sunday that local Trinamool leaders are trying to “monopolise” his MPLAD funds and that they asked him to “stay and home and sign the papers”. He is upset over the way Trinamool-led Panchayats are running in South 24-Parganas — a concern shared by Mamata.

Suman’s explosive allegations indicate that not all is fine with Trinamool’s firsttime MPs and the ‘non-politicians’ hand-picked by Mamata in the Lok Sabha battle.

Source: Times of india/Kolkata/18 Nov 2009

Mamata sees road to writers

The human sea at the Trinamool Congress gathering in Esplanade on Tuesday 21 Jul 2009, saw a matured politician – Mamata Banerjee. Success has made her more sensible. She asked her supporters to behave politely and not to resort to blockades without the permission of the leadership. People are in distress. Food prices are soaring. Lets not to add to their inconvenience.

The victory rally, timed to coincide with the Martyr’s Day in commemoration of 11 Youth Congress workers killed in police firing in 1993, saw a record turnout that clogged the city streets, bringing traffic in arterial roads to a standstill for nearly five hours.

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.

A beaming Mamata unfolded her roadmap for the post-2011 Bengal, saying the industry and the agriculture will grow side by side. “Both will flourish under the Trinamool rule. They will be like two sisters — hashi (smile) aar khushi (happiness).”
It seems she is in the process of changing, but she is still to be more matured and realistic in talking as well as in her works.

This is politics but this time it may boomerang

The state of West Bengal is passing through a difficult times. All the developments and industrialization process may be at grinding halt due to some irresponsible movements by the few politicians. The state is always politically active but this movement is unprecedented and most damaging to the image of the state. The upcoming Nano factory at Singur has been closed before completion of its construction and the situation there has forced TATA to rethink about the project. Their workers were stopped and threatened and the most important NH2 was blocked for days. The damage what was inevitable due to the irresponsible movement of the political parties at Singur, has been successfully done by them. The movement for ‘land for land’ for the unwilling farmers itself is a unpractical demand. If this demand is met, then it will become a precedence for the future and no development in the state could be done. The mood of the agitating parties shows that they are not bothered for the development of the state, because they want to project themselves as the savior of the farmers, just for a narrow political mileage.

The industry-pro environment was created in the state by the present Chief Minister shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and to turn “anti” to “pro” took few years. But the agitating parties and their irresponsible movement ruined pro environment in few days and it will not be surprised if the decade old ‘industrial draught’ condition comes back in the state, if TATA forced to withdraw his project from Singur. The indications are coming of similar nature, because during last few days, investors have shown their concern and apprehension and they are rethinking.

Inspite of all these how the agitating party can say that they too want industrialization in the state. Their words or wish (at least for Singur) are not matching with their activities. The package offered by the Government is very much attractive and there are still rooms for negotiations. But the agitating leaders have just rejected the package and they are sticking to ‘Land for land’ demand. It again shows that the leaders are aiming for their narrow gains only and not the interest of the farmers and the state. The agitating party should understand that their adamancy now goes against the interest of the poor farmer and this will boomerang on them and the resultant political mileage may be zero from this movement.

Suicidal movement to “ta” “ta” to Nano from Singur

During last few years, a new chapter has started in the state’s industrialization by Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Chief Minister. Since then the atmosphere of the state started changing. He relentlessly is trying to change the scenario of the state. Inspite of allodds, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee successfully has brought some changes in the scenario of Industrialization of West Bengal. And Ithink it is just because of his own image tothe Industrialists and nothing else helped for such changes. Thats how Tata came here for his Nano factory.Its not that Tatas are not aware of the history andwork culture of this state. Despite of all doubts Tata presented the Nano project to this state just because of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. We all should be proud for this project since the Nano car has becomean international issue. We should feel lucky that such an international car will be rolling out from our Singur. This will make Singur known to the world.

 

Today the Nano project at Singur has become uncertain just because of some senseless agitation of Trinamul Congress Party demanding return of 400 acres of land to the farmers. The party which is shedding crocodile’s tears for the farmers, is already known for their suicidal, directionless politics in the state. Its nothing new for the state. The party has got an issue and they want to stick to that for some political gain out of that. They never want anything good for the affected farmers or the state. Had they wanted it , they would have brought the farmers at fore front to dialogue with the state government and resolve the issue of injustice, if any. But they don’t want to resolve it, and their aim is for some narrow political gain out of the situation. We are not bothered for their political gains or games what they are playing, but we are definitely worried for the cost, the state has to pay for their silly politics.

 

Nano project at Singur has become part of life of many people of Singur today. Young generation, who are in colleges, technical Institutes under going training, of nearby areas have started weaving their dreams with Nano project as many job opportunities are in the pipelines. They are looking forward for the Nano project to complete and secure a job in any company there. They are dreaming of a better life, better environments, better society which will come up with the developments of that area alongwith Nano factory and other ancilliary industries in and around Singur.The Scenario of those villages will totally change in few months. But senseless, suicidal, directionless and selfish politics of Trinamul Congress will shatter all hopes ofIndustrialization started in the state and this will send a negative message to the world.

 

The demands of the agitating party, if genuine for the poor farmers, they should have come forward for discussion with a practical, negotiable and compromising solution in the greater interest of the farmers as well as of the state. But it seems to that they want to keep the issue live with an aim to their Vote Bank.If Tata wind up the project, a grave situation will arise in the state and all hopes of industrialization will end here. After that, what will the fate of those 400 acres of land ? If Tata goes from Singur, one good thing will happen that Mamata Banerjee will lose the issue for their senseless politics.

 

God may help Mamata to understand the greater interest of the people of the state and be wise to protect that. At least she should have some sense to understand that her adamancy and senselessmovement going against her and creating sympathy to the ruling party only.

Pro-Industry Rally at Esplanade, Kolkata in favour of Industry in the state. (Photo : courtesy Times of India)

 

Senseless Bundhs

(Passengers stranded at Airport, a Patient carried on the back due to non availibility of transport on road, and passengers stranded at Howrah station. Pics courtesy :Times of India )

Two days “Bundh” has been called by political parties (in West Bengal) on 5 and 6 Jun 2008, in protest of hike of the petro products prices by the Central Government. This senseless politics of Bundh is not much familiar outside India even out side this state. Bundh (strike) is known as a political, democratic weapon for protest in India. But this weapon has lost its sharpness due to frequent use of this by the political parties. Now public do not support this but they are forced to sit at home as the transport system run by the Government are withdrawn and private ones are forcefully made off the road. People of this state has seen enough of these senseless protests in the past and never has brought any solution to any problem.

The political parties/ leaders are elected by the people for good governance, development of the state and also for meaningful opposition. But Party leaders do not care for these, they think for their political gains only. Ruling party of this state supports the central Government, this means they support the price hike also. At the same time they called a Bundh in protest of the hike. What does it mean? I think it is nothing but double standard. Its India, every thing is fair in politics here. This political “drama” have been staged by political parties in the state just to show that they are with the public, they are concerned for price hike and thats why they are protesting center’s decision. The political leaders irrespective of political color should look at the above pictures and try to understand how the people are pressed into awefull conditions on the Bundh days.

Everything has got a limit. The public are frustrated, disgusted and want to express their protest against this senseless political “drama”. But they are helpless. We feel ashamed to say that we live in a state which is part of a developing country. In a developing country this can not be the work culture. Political people forced the entire workforce to sit at home for two consecutive days. Even this type of irresponsible political activity are not seen in other states in India. Political parties should note that public has no support to their such Bundhs, they want development and to compete with the outside world. This type of senseless activities ultimately tarnishes the image of the state and sends wrong messages to the outside world. In fact this type of political activities dampens the atmosphere of the industrialization and development of the state which has just started after 30 long years. We expect that political parties should now act in a responsible manner for the welfare of their own state and own people.

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(The article is written in the perspective of Indian Politics, particularly in the state of West Bengal)

A wise decision of Taslima

It is a wise decision of Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi feminist writer to end the controversy by deleting or withdrawing those controversial contents of her Book “Dwikhandita”. Nothing would be better than this for a peaceful solution to save the situation being faced by herself as well as the Government of India. On Friday 30^th Nov 2007, she said :

“I am withdrawing controversial lines in ‘Dwikhandita’, written in 2002 with the memory of Bangladesh in the 1980s when military threw out secularism in the country. I wrote the book in support of the people who defended secular values. I had no intention to hurt anybody’s sentiment”.

“Now since some people in India claim that it hurt their sentiments, I am withdrawing some lines in the book,” Taslima said.

She hoped from now on, there would be no controversy and “I’ll be able to live peacefully in this country.” She had already asked her publisher not to circulate copies of the book which were in their possession and she said : “I asked my publisher to bring out the next edition of the book deleting those controversial lines”.

Taslima speaks, writes in our language which makes us feel her very close to us and never feel her as “Bangladeshi”. She too loves Kolkata very much, there is no doubt in it. We expect that Taslima should live in India like an Indian, harmoniously having moulded herself in Indian traditions and cultures. Lets hope that she would be forgiven and welcome by all section of people of India since she has reconciled herself.

Sourse: Times of India/ Electronics media

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