Calcutta: 'The time is now!'
Calcutta is a city of charming contradictions. The tram company and the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation also run public bus services, a water treatment plant on the smelly outskirts is named after the city's tallest leader, and the Communist state government which has been struggling to attract industries is sponsoring a film festival on "development and discontent". A "political goon" in the city, according to local newspapers, is called Mandela.
It is a hideously hot and muggy summer, but the air is cleaner after decaying, smoke-belching vehicles were taken off its streets. Calcutta still hosts perhaps the world's noisiest traffic orchestra. Horns of varying sounds and pitches blare round the clock from its cars, buses and auto-rickshaws, creating a sound louder than The Who Live at Leeds.
One afternoon, I travel through the noisy traffic sweating profusely in a rattling Ambassador taxi. I go past hoardings advertising modern dance schools and a blood donation camp in the name of a departed, sun-hatted Communist leader. I pass a dull, whitewashed government building loudly promising "Fish For All" on its walls. I see the streets aflame with posters, flags and bunting hawking parties and candidates' for the city's municipal elections on Sunday. And then I spot an anonymous advert pasted on a wall which simply says, "The time is now!"
Indeed it is. Calcutta - and Bengal state - appears to be on the cusp of historic change. Most people I spoke to said that next year's state elections would see the eclipse of the Communist government, which has ruled uninterruptedly since 1977. The wildly popular and populist Trinamul Congress, a breakaway group from the Congress party, is expected to sweep into the citadels of power at the colonial and sleepy government headquarters of Writers' Building in central Calcutta. And the forthcoming municipal polls will give us some clues as to which way the winds are blowing.
To return to the city's contradictions - did you know that one of its proudest landmarks, the 67-year-old cantilever bridge that spans the Hooghly river is reportedly under threat... from saliva? More than 100,000 vehicles and millions of pedestrians use the bridge every day. 
The latter seem to be the culprits. "[The] commuters' collective spit power has reduced the thickness of steel hoods protecting the [bridge's] pillars from six to three millimetres since 2007," a newspaper reports. The tobacco-laced spit, according to a "forensic sciences expert" interviewed by the paper, contains "slaked lime combined with catechu and tannin [that] form an organic compound that acts as a corrosive agent on a steel surface". The Howrah bridge must be the first in the world that is being chewed up by spit.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~59~RS~)
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Calcutta : The 'Namesake'City
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Though raised in various cities across India,I have never been to Calcutta.On Maturer reflection,I can recollect lot of my friends are from Bengal.I got to see and experience Calcutta in the movie 'Namesake’.The city seemed like a global village with the hustle and bustle of Chandni-chowk of Old Delhi in every labyrinthine neighborhood.
Jingle over the Paisa
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My bengali friends used to repine over the middle class Calcutta/WB.They would infamously refer the public transport in Calcutta and say that, people niggle over “change” with the conductor in the public conveyance for even 25 paise.Even a rickshaw-wala in other cities would not mind giving up this coin,but Calcutta seems to have set an apotheosis for Communist Misrule.
Communists are answerable for the backwardness of West Bengal.They oppose disinvestment for granted.By trying to subsidize commodities and oil,they overlook the vestiges of inherent indolence towards development.
Harbingers for change? Not really!
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I am not over-optimistic about the competitor of the communists.The politics of this state revolves around minority mollification,symbolism with Nandigram and Singur.. rather than grass-root development.
Not to mention the minority job reservation the govt is mulling.Do these policies hoodwink the fact that politicians can sit at the corridors of power by offering sops to vote-banks before elections?
Why has Calcutta not become another Bangalore or even Mumbai, When it was the center of power prior to Delhi during colonial rule? I guess Calcutta has to shed its ‘sloppy’ Image.Some IT firms in Calcutta seem to have a labour union,when seldom IT companies elsewhere have one? Does this indicate reluctance to march ahead?
The turbid politics with exchange of tirades and tantrums between politicians is not encouraging.Bad governance has set the precursor for the maoist menace.Change can be seen only if the politics of ‘common man and his exploitation’ is metamorphosed into the politics of ‘achievement and competition’.
Bengal Govt will be exposed, if it compares its performance with Gujarat in any developmental parameter.Do we really need Communism in this country? Has it helped us solve the incubus of indigence and corruption.Has any country in the world succeeded with communism?..be it Cuba,North Korea or the Former Soviet Union?
I think it is a good idea for the Center to set up an independent body to rate states in their performance on a multitude of factors and release the data before assembly elections of every state to see if the ranks did improve?
Probably the answer lies in bringing this state under presidents rule if the election throws up a hung assembly.This could clean up the clutter.If the poultice works,it could gradually tackle maoism,help see more disinvestment,industries and finally resurgence of Calcutta/WB in the national arena.
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A correction,I seem to invariably have one with big posts:
"My bengali friends used to repine over the middle class Calcutta/WB"
to be replaced with
"My bengali friends used to repine over the middle class exodus from Calcutta/WB"
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First I must tell that I am not a great fan of communists, in Bengal or elsewhere. It seems that the alternative (Mamata Banerjee’s TMC) to communists in Kolkata/Calcutta and rest of Bengal are less matured as political leaders and more dangerous for the state. Due to obvious reasons, Maoists/naxals are now making fast inroads in many places in Bengal. The next state election seem to be very violent and bloody.
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Governance is the most difficult of things. A name is just a name...how much of the business in Calcutta is owned by the state? Any road will get you there if you don't know where you are going. Many divisions arise as the uneven hand of development continues. The educated move forward and jobs are created for them. Government is a bad manager and a worse planner, but that does not deny the needs of the poor. People attach to some "ism" and they all fail in one way or another. What we have seen is that none of the systems are sustainable and that is what is needed. Consolidation of wealth is only progress for the wealthy.
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Kolkata is equal measures intriguing or infuriating. City of Joy or the Dying City it inflames emotions on both sides of the divide. Unfortunately it has gone backwards since the independence due to combination factors including the messy partition and poor work ethics of the native Bengali majority but this has been made worse by the inept corrupt marxist rule for 33 years.
The communists oppose everything which made Mumbai and Bengalaruru successful- from not teaching kids English to delaying introduction of computer and sponsoring bandhs by the dozen. Therefore there is no hope while these dinosaurs are around and cry foul at the mention of globalization and capitalism. Infact can you really talk sense to people who still think Stalin was a great leader?
On the other hand the main opposition in the form of one woman band called Mamata is nothing but a unmitigated disaster, she is a populist with no firm plan and agenda or a blueprint to improve the state. How can a sane person vote for this lady whose mental stability is questionable, frequently flip flops, allegedly hobnobs with the dangerous Maoists, opposes much needed industrialization and lacks class.
God help my beloved city besieged by bandhs, betrayed by the politicians and burdened by the weight of history.
I hate the Communists (thankfully the red days may soon be over) and I equally detest Mamata and her merry men, who do I turn to for deliverance?
Come on Kolkata start contribute to the 10% growth rate of India or you will be forever the backwaters of the great country- time to wake up from the slumber and give up the false sense of snobbish intellectual superiority complex.
I echo the despair of Nirad C Chaudhury!
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Bengal has been under Communist rule since 1967, except for a brief period. The media reported Communist parties' armed intimidation of voters and polling booth-capturing, but a weak Centre didn't dismiss the Communist government, which robbed the middle class via a Land Ceiling Act. The robbed have grown old and/or died, so it may be late for at least two generations of Bengalis. Many of the the rich, meanwhile, have got richer, like some Communist leaders. Howrah Bridge, a symbol of Kolkata, is naturally also symbolic of criminal Communist misrule.
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Calcutta is my birth place. In Fifties & Sixties, Calcutta was probably one of the best cities of India. Calcutta Traffic Police and Mounted Police Force was the pride of the city. There used to be Governance. There used to be decipline in schools, collages and University. Then came left front Govt. in Seventies and slow and systematic transformation of a good state in to a failed state started. Now the situation is very gloomy. All policital parties are alike left of right. They are only concerned of how to gain political mileage from a given situation, otherwise how Tata's 'NANO' car project can be thrown out of West Bengal?? Surprising enough the people of West Bengal could not unite accross party line and prevent TMC Chief Mamata from doing this negative politics to ruin the industrial development of West Bengal. Yes, the people of West Bengal are fed up of Left Front misrule. In 2011 election most probably the vote aganst LF will bring TMC in Power. But then where the State of WB is heading?? Is it from frying pan to Fire??
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"Kalikata" is believed to be a version of Kalikshetra ("Land of the Goddess Kali”).
The name was always pronounced "Kolkata" or "Kolikata" in Bengali. But the English changed the name from "Calcutta" to "Kolkata" in 2001, reflecting the Bengali pronunciation. This change has not always been reflected by overseas media, but news sources like the BBC have normally opted to call Bombay Mumbai and Calcutta Kolkata.
Kolkata is red in so many ways – the Communist Party flags are everywhere. South Kolkata’s Communist candidate, Rabin Deb, will give Mamata Banerjee (Trinamool Congress Candidate) as much competition as she can handle. Shop windows and the terraces of homes all display the hammer and sickle with "Rabin Deb" in large print. river. Communism is a way of life to Kolkata's masses – a movement that promises people a voice, an identity. Communism roots are deep, even inseparable from the worship of Kali. The city celebrates Kali – the power of female sexual passion and power. The Kali Ghat, itself, in so many ways describes the spirit of Kolkata – a temple dedicated to the liberation in destructive spiritual and sexual passio and worshipping a red-painted goddess with fiery eyes, who is almost wholly caged in by her male devotees, falling over each other just to touch her feet.
Kolkata - and the Bengal state - may be on the cusp of historic change. The forthcoming municipal polls will give us some clues as to which way the winds are blowing and the winds could be blowing straight into trouble. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has sought union Home Minister P. Chidambaram's intervention to prevent Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee from "deliberately stoking" communal trouble in West Bengal ahead of the May 30 civic body elections. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has charged Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee with creating an communal tension through her election speeches. Apparently, Ms. Banerjee violated sub-section 1 of Section 1 of the code of conduct abetting divisive forces and creating disharmony among the various sects and communities, but as you say: We shall see what we shall see.
The Howrah Bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge because it links the city of Howrah to its twin city, Kolkata, but in 1965, it was renamed Rabindra Setu, after Rabindranath Tagore a great poet, India's Nobel laureate. However it is still popularly known as the Howrah Bridge. (And no, I didn’t know the bridge is being threatened by spit.)
A little voice whispers to me: The time may not be now.
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There are various reasons why Calcutta is in the state as it is today - just changing the name to Kolkata does nothing to help. Yes, the Left Front government are to blame for the most part. In the 50s when Dr B. C. Ray was trying hard to modernize and industrialize West Bengal, the left parties always opposed it. After coming to power, they turned a blind eye to militant trade unionism, which prompted most businesses to leave the state by the 80s. In the 90s they were hell against introduction of computerisation - saying it will take away jobs! Now, they are planning to develop industry; but taking away fertile agrigultural lands and not using the non-arrable lands. They have not done anything for the tribal areas. They will still prefer dirty fuel like a coal powered power plant if it came from China, than to a nuclear powered plant if it came from the US. They have made bad choices for as long as memory goes back. But there is one thing true about them at least today - a majority of the leadership and the ministers sitting in Writers Bldg are not personally corrupt. I would hesitate to see them go to make way for Ms Banerjee's TMC and her negative politics - 'now' may not be the right time.
Apart from blasting the politicians, I would also like to blast the middle class bengali. They are idealist, but very averse to take business risks. As if 200 years of working as clerks in the British East India Company has taken away the business acumen from the entire nation. From a story as told by Purnendu Chatterjee of the Haldia Petrochem fame: Two aged men meet and one of them boasts about his older son-in-law because he has a job where the income is guaranteed, but he is uneasy about his younger son-in-law's future because he is an enterpreneur and income is not guaranteed. The other gentleman asks, "where does your older son-in-law work?". He replies, "why, in the younger son-in-law's company." This is very true for the bengali middle class psyche. Majority of the kids grow up learning that they should look up at the government to get them a job, and they will live happily ever after.
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@EternalIndia: Communism has not brought about industrial progress in Bengal, but it did bring about social stability and a reasonable amount of egalitarianism. Who can deny that Communist ruled states like Kerala and Bengal are more equitable than so-called advanced states like Maharashtra (home to some of India's poorest districts) and Gujarat (the state of the tribals and poor in pro-rich Gujarat is appalling). Sweeping comments like Communists were bad (why did the people vote for them over three decades) and imposition of president's rule smack of ignorance and a strong authoritarian streak and abhorrence of democracy. First, of all, if you look at West Bengal's growth rate it has been well over 5-6% over the past decade (more than many states), and things are not so bad. Yes, unemployment is high, trade unionism is still a problem, and there is a problem with work culture. But Bengal has a bigger problem with its image - pro-rich Gujarat can get away with mass murder of its minorities because it knows how to play the spin game on its development. So wake up and smell the coffee.
@Jay: I agree that Mamata Banerjee is no sensible oppposition option. But I sense people now want change at any cost and teach the Communists a lesson. And they will vote for any Tom, Dick and Harry. I think that staying out of power for a few years - I dont expect Mamata and her party to last a term, given the fact that she has no vision, and has no ministerial talent in her party- will actually tame the Communists and make them understand their mistakes and return to power, much sobered and educated. What do you say?
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Ananya78: Seems you have a penchant for pugnacity as you write comments in sheer disdain.You come and say :
"Who can deny that Communist ruled states like Kerala and Bengal are more equitable than so-called advanced states like Maharashtra (home to some of India's poorest districts) and Gujarat (the state of the tribals and poor in pro-rich Gujarat is appalling). "
What do you mean by EQUITABLE? What has Bengal done for "egalitarianism" that other states have NOT done?
Egality is immanent the Indian Constitution.Bengal or Kerala have NOT set an example for eqality.There cannot be WORST examples than what you gave.I will prove you incorrect.
FACTS ARE FACTS
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1.I will tell you how much EQUITABLE Kerala is:
"Kerala Public Service Commission has a quota of 12% for Muslims.
Religious minority status educational institutes also have 50% reservation for their particular religions."
Link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservation_in_India
2.And here is 'EGALITARIAN' Bengal run by communists:
"West Bengal announces 10 pct quota for Muslims in govt jobs"
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/west-bengal-announces-10-pct-quota-for-musli/577132/
Note - This reservation is NOT based on the general principle to reserve jobs for economically poor of ALL sections of society,but only muslims.What a Contradiction with your assertion.
When you say "why did the people vote for them over three decades"..Poor people and the bourgeois,will be ALWAYS drawn to Leninist ideology.As Communists who come and demand to make a Rs 5000 minimum wage for all workers..They know it is NOT practicable,They know WAGE rise depends on prosperity of economy as whole,but still would rake up these issues,subsidize every thing,widen Center's DEFICIT to stay in power.
Hence,retaining power by Sophistry and Machinations for three decades is not unusual for any political party.Late Mr Jyoti Basu might have been a good person,But in his rule,THERE WAS EXODUS OF MIDDLE CLASS from Bengal.Bengal slid down the declivity in development under his regime.
Naxalism and Maoism have matured from inchoate stages of a cabal to challenge the democracy under communist rule.The Political party that ruled Bengal for three decades has FAILED to tackle it.An average Bengali has to come out of Bengal to find a decent job in the private sector.
As for Kerala,it has good literacy rate,but an average Malayalee also has to come out of Kerala to find a job.Education system is rife with reservation.Kerala might have saved its environment by shutting the door to industries,but the expat-Keralites know,going back to the their home state means no opportunity.Thats why many settle in Gulf or move to other states.
Don't quote the slums of Mumbai(poorest districts as you said) to cite development.People from other poor states and within Maharashtra know that,by going to Mumbai,they will find a job,They can make a living and provide at least little,for their family,as opposed to living in Kerala or Bengal.
The same communists opposed computers in Kerala when it was knew.They thought it will take away jobs,but now thankfully Kerala has IT companies.We also know how the communists walk the rotating doors to do a U turn on every policy that hurts them.
If you mean districts in Vidarbha to bat for communists,the Maharastra govt has not encouraged industrial/agrarian development in its east and thus the problem is exacerbating.But as a State,Maharashtra's economy is doing pretty well.Its economic policies are not repressive/backward unlike the communists.
Communists have not done better than Gujarat.It is one of India's most industrialized states.It contributes:
39% of India's Industrial Output
10% of its Mineral Production
20% of its exports
25% of its textile production
40% of India's pharmaceutical products
67% petrochemical production
See Wiki for this.Bengal govt FAILED in setting up NANO factory and Gujarat has succeeded.We understand that the Gujarat government is WORKING for job creation and development.Yes the riots that happened are highly unfortunate.Hope the perpetrators are brought to justice.Hope the perpetrators who burnt the Karsevaks in the train are also brought to justice.People seem to forget the latter that triggered the riots conveniently.
Jab of Presidents Rule is Palpable
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I talked about Presidents rule as It would enable the Centre to fight the maoists better than dealing with the Bengal Govt and avoid the state politcs.Presidents rule can at least help the Centre formulate better policies for Bengal,to free it from the shackles of Communist ideology and scruples.
People of Bengal would then hopefully see,light of the day.It will not be a violation of democracy.The provision of Presidents in the constitution is in fact kept,for handling such failed states.
You also reckon,that once People of Bengal see capitalism and development,they will shun both the political parties of Bengal.We know how the opposition TMC stood against projects in Nandigram and Singur.
Do reason before engaging others.My disposition to be affable to other writers of this blog who participate in a healthy debate even if dissonance,is normal.
But with rancorous statements like "president's rule smack of ignorance" and "So wake up and smell the coffee",I guess my response will be APPOSITE.
Check your facts before you showcase your insolence and lecture me.
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Communist party aka the left front ruled West Bengal for almost thirty eight years ignoring the time period of 1972-1977. So, the responsibility of the current situation in West Bengal falls squarely on them. If you consider any indices: education, health, employment, transportation, road etc. West Bengal ranks pretty low, below 15th or 16th in India, while it was first or second in the decade of sixty. Now there is exodus of people from Kolkata or West Bengal for education, health, employment purposes. It has happened because of communist party's policy for last fifty or sixty years. From the very beginning they opposed B.C.Roy’s policy of rehabilitation of the refugees (few remember that with the central government help Roy was trying to settle the refugees in Dandyakaranya and in Andaman, communist party stopped it) or industrialization. This is the main reason for the plight of Kolkata. Influx of so many people and living in Kolkata has destroyed its civic capacity. Moreover, left parties were always more interested in other parts of the world such as in Cuba, Vietnam, China, they were not concerned about the people of West Bengal. You will notice that apart from Kolkata there is no other town or city in West Bengal where people can get administrative and financial amenities. Roy tried to set up places such as Durgapur, Kalyani, Siliguri etc but next set of administrations did not follow through adequately. It makes the situation worse. Work culture of the left parties, education policies in eighties and in the nineties completed the vicious cycle. Another interesting phenomenon, leaders of the communist parties/ left front are the perpetual rulers. Jyoti Basu was chief minister for 25 years, Buddhadeb is chief minister for more than 10 years, Asim Dasgupta is finance minister (submitting balanced budget all the time) for more than 25 years. They do not change and since they are perpetual ruler they do not need to look for subsistence for future. It makes them more honest compared to other parties’ leaders. But if you scratch the surface and inquire about the district level, block level or in the village level you will see preponderance of dishonesty. Party whole timers now ride motorbike, live in pucca houses and smoke cigarette not bidi. CPM offices are all well built houses. They win the election not by polling majority votes (50%+1), but by beating the next person who competes from one party whereas left front candidate is combined for five parties. I would rather prefer a leader like Narendra Modi who makes changes and leads the state towards rapid economic development to Jyoti Basu or Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. @10 has preferred the equitable distribution of income in Kerala and West Bengal over the other states. But Kerala’s economy is propped by the inflow of income from the Gulf States; otherwise it would be like West Bengal also. And I would rather have more unequal distribution if the lowest income in that state is more than the median income of the equitable state. Although Mamata as an individual is mere mortal compared to immortals like Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhatatchary, we have seen the outcome of the immortals. Now we want give a chance to the mortal. We think it will not be worse than the deed of the immortals.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The problem arose when Bengal (and Kerala) communists did not learn when to shift gear- from so-called class-struggle and typical, age old cliché of socialism to pro-market economy, like China. BTW, they successfully played the reservation card - caste based in National politics and religion based card in state politics. I was not too worried when I witnessed mass migration of Indian businessmen from Bengal (keeping in mind the nature of typical Indian businessmen), but I was really worried when CPM/I started politicising education, public offices, police, general administration etc. Previously CPM higher authority seem to order whom to kill, whom to sideline’ later the goons themselves started deciding and became political leaders or ruling party. That time higher authority of party had no other option but to support it.
So, even manufacturing industry left Bengal long ago, but Bengal govt could not attract knowledge based industries (like IT, Biotech etc), manly because negative propaganda against it, among corporate lobbies (sustained by UP-Maharastra-Gujarat type pro-Congress/BJP lobbies) and some stupid mistakes Bengal communists made (e.g abolishing English from state run schools from primary level etc). Still Bengal is one of the best states for a so-called lower caste or Muslim people living in a village, depending on agriculture.
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All forms of government work on paper. It is when human beings actually administer things and are given power that things become less theorectical. What is, is, that is all there is and that is mostly illusion..
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I was born and brought up in Howrah and used to use this bridge every weekdays for commuting. I am really sad to hear this news.
Unfortunately most of those slowly destroying this heritage are totally unaware of the implication of their act. Long live common Calcuttans.
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I agree with you, Ananya78. yes, I too support that idea. But there is NO, I repeat-NO, matured politician or administrator in TMC (that includes Mamata). The most eligible MP, TMC has, is Kabir Suman (Suman Chatterjee) and we all now know that he is fed up to his core with Mamata's autocratic, whimsical politics and her nature to remain surrounded by few sycophants and well known corrupt politicians.
I also agree with you that West Bengal is one of the BEST states so far social equality is concerned. Some so-called “developed” states like Gujarat and Karnataka is among the least developed so far public education, sanitation, hunger is concerned. Their ranking in those social and mass-economic parameters are far worse as compared to Bengal or even Assam.
“In one of the most prosperous states in India, Gujarat, over 55% of the teachers have not got beyond the secondary stage of schooling. The only state which comes near Gujarat in terms of the low quality of teachers is Karnataka, another highly prosperous state in India, with about three-fourths of its teachers having studied only up to the higher secondary level". http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Only_21_teachers_in_Bihar_are_Class_X_pass/articleshow/2615791.cms
Such data also implied that prosperity of few people (that inflate the macro level data like GDP, par capita income) does not mean prosperity for common people (or the country as a whole). The same “prosperous” states like Gujarat and Karnataka also do worse as compared to “least developed” states like Assam in term of hunger and social well being. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7669152.stm
Such facts imply that “trickle down” effect of “development” or “prosperity” as many seem to justify, can never be translated to the common people of the country unless strict oversight and transparency in governance is present. This is true for any country, be it USA or India. In that sense India should follow true federal system, like US or Switzerland where interest of locals should be protected. ALL semi skilled or unskilled jobs MUST go to the locals unless there is shortage of such people and there should be a legal way to determine that (it must not be determined by the employer/industrialist alone).
Whenever we, mainly Bengalis, evaluate West Bengal we tend to compare with our past, when Bengal was THE most prosperous (economically, educationally, culturally and governance-wise). That makes us more sad than doing an objective evaluation of our state.
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Current uncontrolled Intra-state migration within India and previously from East-Pakistan and now Bangladesh has huge influence on the way things were taking shape in Bengal. In fact, the rise of communists was largely dependent on huge refugee influx from Bangladesh, on or before mid 1970s. There are enough evidences that support Jyoti Basu’s government actively supported illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Deputation of higher state government employees (like DM and SP etc) was very selective in bordering states (with Bangladesh). It has/had huge influence on the city of Kolkata. Practically all the civic amenities, urban infrastructure collapsed due to huge influx of people into the city without any plan or money to develop it to accommodate that extra population (which was broadly followed for Punjab after partition).
Such uncontrolled migration not only changed state demography (even away from Kolkata and other cities) but practically killed Kolkata. And that is continuing even now, almost unabated.
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I am not Indian, nor have I been to India-yet. I will be traveling there; just as most people want to see the Taj Mahal and/or Rajasthan I have to see Kolkata. The city and the state of Bengal represent an idea--failed or not-of equality, artistic endeavor and a love of the best writer to ever put pen to paper-Rabindranath Tagore. Kolkata attempts to live a revolution of people power and is routinely trashed as a basket-case of poverty and human/governmental failure. While the problems are colossal ones for the city, I feel it is rich in it's attempts-sometimes radical ones-to help its citizens while facing caste and corruption problems that are no worse than any other cities in India.
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Bengalis have typically been xenophobic, and, the bridge to the outside world wearing thin is only symbolic of the situation.
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I support Ananya78 in whatever she has said and completely oppose the majority of the comments, especially those by people such as EternalIndia. The constipated and archaic view that Industrial "Development" is good for the people is codswallop. There's no point comparing Calcutta with Mumbai or Bangalore, because as far as a city and the quality of life in it is concerned, the latter two are far worse than Calcutta. And I say this as a Bangalorean. In fact one of the greatest things about Communist Rule in Bengal has been the fact that industries moved out of Bengal, people started leaving and Calcutta stopped growing as crazily as Mumbai or Bangalore. What is ironic is that Bangalore today is like Calcutta in the '80s, with hours of power-cuts everyday and eternal traffic jams. It is GOOD that Nano wasn't set up in WB and went to Gujarat instead; they can have industry and fascism live side-by-side like 1930s Germany. Developing India is not about setting up industries that build cars for Rs 1 lakh. India's development potential lies in its villages and its poor people. Communist Land Reform in Bengal virtually abolished Bonded Labour and discontentment among its villages, something most other states have failed to remove. Farmer suicide rates are highest in the states of Maharashtra and AP, two states that "claim" to be "developed" or "industrialised". Those words mean absolute squat as far as I'm concerned, if they are such non-inclusive pro-rich policies. In the 21st century, you have bigoted fascists in Maharashtra and Karnataka demanding that everyone who doesn't speak Marathi/Kannada or isn't "from" Maharshtra/Karnataka should go back to their state of "origin". A similar negative non-national sentiment will never ever plague Bengal, and that has to be lauded. It's also unfortunate that comments here have criticised the Bengali people for not being "business-like". I'm glad they aren't, or else India wouldn't have been able to boast any scientists, artists or freedom fighters.
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In a lighter tone: probably Bengal govt should send technical teams to study how steel/iron bridges survive in states like Bihar, UP, Rajasthan or Gujarat (if there is study on those for spiting affect) . Does Delhi have any such bridge? If yes, then that can also serve the purpose.
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It is very hard for many people to understand that “development” does not mean increase in income or ability to spend money in shopping mall or buying cars. I will consider any society or country more developed when it provide basic support for anyone who want to pursue their honest and decent way of living, in harmony with nature and other people. It is also not accepted that one’s own model of “development” imposed on others. There are many people in the world who aggressively pursue their dreams that make them happy, neglecting monetary benefit by doing something else or relocating to somewhere else. One great example is noted Bengali film maker Satyajit Ray or Satnedra Nath Bose who were offered many lucrative positions abroad (even from Ivy league universities in US) but never left "less privileged" lives in Kolkata.
If I say Bhutan is more “developed” as compared to Japan or USA, probably many people will frown. But just read the “The politics of happiness”: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4809828.stm or “The science of happiness“: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4783836.stm
We need to understand that people from Bengal have their rights to do whatever they feel right, a Bihari or Gujarati or Marwari should not dictate what they should do. Gujarat or Rajasthan also have every right to pursue their monetary successes, leaving everything else and that is not the business of Bengalis. One famous British author once told that, “The easiest thing in the world is to make money, but fortunately very few people know that.” I read that in a Bengali novel written by Buddhadev Guha.
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I would like to respond to comment number 21 from ProMal.Though there is a valid point in the comment when he/she says :
"the fact that industries moved out of Bengal, people started leaving and Calcutta stopped growing as crazily as Mumbai or Bangalore."
I do not agree that Communist model of rule is better.Because,for "Area Development", there are 2 broad options to be seen in many countries.
Option 1: The Area is developed in agrarian methods for self-sufficiency/export of food and people are well provided for.This is better than industrialization if the farming is not using as much pesticides to harm the ecosystem as it would have similar effect of a high polluting industry.Also development, preservation, expansion of the forest land to be self sufficient for tribals is essential.
Option 2:The Area is "Developed" with industries and it employs a large workforce.It is desirable that Central Govt imposes strict environmental norms/or encourages green industries with tax incencitives so that states are not singled out if they opt for tougher or lighter laws.Such a development will be a win-win for employment and economic prosperity.
Examples include some of China's regions that have served as rice basket, for the nation for thousands of years for Option1.The latter option can be seen a lot in the occidental world,be it Germany or the United states.
Either of the options has its pitfalls when not properly excecuted.As for Mumbai and Bangalore,yes there is a problem of congestion that puts enormous pressure on the resources of the respective cities.Yes, Maharashtra has not done well for the prosperity of its eastern province of Vidharbha(which is agrarian).But the wider question is "should we abandon industrialized development" and "capitalism"?
The answer is no.We need to develop as a nation that encourages industries and also frame and execute policies that help our environment,protect our forests and glaciers.We need to develop service sector industries which employees thousands of people at menial jobs,but not as labourous as the manufacturing sector.For example,an IT company not only employs professionals, but also supports various services that employs people in the cafeteria, maintenance, sentinel for security and other services.
We also need to operate at the frontiers of technology that help boost our prowness in Agricultural, Manufacturing, Shipping, Services, Governance and other myriad realms to excel in the world and stay competitive, consequently being prosperous.
It is woefully incorrect to call governance of Gujarat as fascists rule akin to pre-world war Germany.
People of Gujarat are known to have enterprising,go-getting attitude in work and its not surprising that the country's biggest companies have roots in that state.We need to learn from those Gujarati women or housewives who work at home,trade all day in the stock-exchange online to make more money than their husbands.
We need to learn from Israel which,at its inception,turned a desert terrain,green after mass plantations to "create" forests.We also need gto learn how it exports food today by horticulture.It also is known for maximum number of startups in any country.
I suggest a good book here : "Start up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle" by Dan Senor,Saul Singer
Link - http://www.startupnationbook.com/
The Communist ideology of Indolence does not work in this direction.Communist ideology does not foster innovation and creativity, that the private sector brings.Starting a business in these states means red-tape/i.e being tied up in regulations for months/years.It pushes the state back and wanes the competitiveness of the state as a whole in the Country.If all the states in the country have a "development model of communists"(a misnomer),we would be facing strikes,lock-outs and dissonance in the labour sector.We will be stuck with destitution and remain a laggard.
We cannot become a country much in the balkans/eastern Europe.This approach means the economy will fall of a cliff with deficits.
A better approach is to address the problems we face in Bangalore and Mumbai/other cities to help the common man by expansion in the power sector,providing better public amenities,establish institutions that foster our unorganized sector in technology,help by pecuniary assistance in set-up.Good governance at state/central level has an important role to play.
If India has to prevail over its foes,avoid the economic woes of its past,not be subservient to other nations or a colonial power,It has to embrace competition,It has to be an apotheosis for innovation and creativity,It has to accept the challenge.
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I do not think anyone needs to learn from Guajarati women (or men) how to become a machine to earn more and more money. Although, I do appreciate risk taking ability and entrepreneurship of any society like that in Gujrat or Rajasthan that has much less natural resources and was forced to become “entrepreneurial” spread all over the country and beyond.
We need money for something we love doing, to have a life with certain degree of comfort and security. And that needs real time estimation with a finite target (so far money is convcerned). If making money becomes an addiction or hobby (at the expanse of many moral or social values that need time and care to nurture) then it is a real problem for that person (although s/he never understand that, just like any other addict) and also for the wider community. Gujarat’s lack of social development (as compared to its economic muscle), lack of technical or scientific ability to undertake modern knowledge based industry is just one indication. In main stream of Gujarati or Rajasthani society (the two main entrepreneurial societies in India) give much less freedom and decision making rights (within a family) to women, even tough they are used as another extra tool to make some more money, at least compared to women from Bengal or Kerala (another commuist ruled state) or Any state in North east India. As a result Gujarati-Rajasthani society is far worse in religious fundamentalism, gender bias (girl child-foetus killing, abortion etc, dowry related domestic violence etc), and more feudal social structure to name few prices it pays for being “enterprenural”.
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@Chuckwong - to say Bengalis are xenophobic is a travesty of truth. I have lived in Calcutta as a non-Bengali and found it to be the most welcoming city to outsiders along with Mumbai. So nobody will ever agree that Bengalis are xenophobic. Remember, Calcutta had the least of anti-Sikh riots after Indira Gandhi's killing, and the least anti-Muslim violence after the fall of the Babri Masjid. It is one of the most tolerant socities I have lived in.
@EternalIndia and Jay: For those who bask in the glory of Gujarat's undoubted economic progress, and put blinders on the grimmer aspects of the state let them be. Is EternalIndia aware that Gujarat is India's msot environmentally polluted state in the country? The levels of industrial pollution are shocking. Also, the plight of the over 20% tribal population is among the worst in the country. Gujarat has a dynamic entreprenurial class, but it is also one of the most casteist, communal and corrupt societies in India. So lets look at the plus and minus points. Bengal has a lot of ground to cover economically, but in terms of social stability, gender equality and social progress it is streets ahead of most Indian states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. These things possibly dont matter to people like EternalIndia, so be it.
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It is a conspiracy to paint a picture of rapacity on Gujarati women.They handle the household chores ,look after the children,are also adept in financial matters.They are indeed street smart and know trading in financial markets.This is no sign of slyness.Women of Gujarat are not used as money making tools.Such an assertion will offend any Gujarati in this forum.
There is nothing wrong in making good money without illegal means and
aspiring to be rich.
People of Rajasthan are known for their rich culture and traditions.They are one amongst us.Warriors of Rajasthan/Rajputs defended our country.Female foeticide is present all over India and not just rife in Gujarat.I think its worse in Haryana.Also quoting this is a digression.
Every state needs to work towards social development,but there is not comparison in development between Gujarat and Bengal.The Communists can't point a finger at Gujarat when it stands as one of the most developed states in the country,they should reckon that communist rule has wrecked Bengal in the last three decades.
Let's face it,my point here is that Bengal govt has failed holistically with communist rule and these states(Gujarat,Maharashtra,Rajasthan) have raced ahead emphatically to Bengal at least.
Victimizing these two states/its people and calling them/their society to be entrenched in religious fundamentalism is a stark case of misjudgment.Than nitpicking on each other points,its better to bring one's own views without making vile assertions.
Gujarati society builds business acumen in its families.Children are taught the art of business and they mature into successful traders, businessmen.
They are live examples of the book:
RICH DAD POOR DAD,What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
Link - http://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Money-That-Middle/dp/0446677450
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There are many people in India who believes that having successful “entrepreneurial” skill is inversely proportional to social and moral values a person get since childhood and socio-political situation. A person who was born and brought up in a family that teaches “anything is justified to earn money so long you are not caught by law enforcement agencies” have a much higher chance to succeed to build a business empire, at least in Indian context. As India introduces more transparency and accountability into corporate governance, more and more people from many different communities (like Tamils, Bengalis etc), other than those traditional business families/communities will come up and succeed in wealth generation and prove their entrepreneurial skills. I am sure this trend will increase in coming years and that will be good for the country. This is more evident after 1991 liberalization of Indian economy and boom in IT and Biotech industry. There is very slim chance to get another Narayana Murthy or Azim Premji from Gujarati community. In fact, a economic (Gujarati) superpower like Reliance (it has both IT and Biotech) will have a tough time to become a global, successful player in any knowledge based business in any country where law and order enforcement is upto certain, internationally accepted mark.
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There are many social reasons why a typical Gujarati or Marwari businessman who is so successful in manufacturing industry or retain sale do have a far less chance to succeed in a knowledge based industry. Their feudal upbringing generally prevents them to give due respect to employees in lower hierarchy and at the same time they hide facts and engage in sycophancy to make the higher authority “happy”, even at the cost of company. The nature of employees (their awareness, knowledge, technical ability and above all, chance to get another job) is very different than average employees in manufacturing industry or traditional business (retail sale or middleman type business). In that sense, socio-economic situation in those areas of India where scarcity of natural recourses forced its inhabitants to migrate and take larger risk (as in any migratory or immigrant society anywhere in the world) is a game changer in traditional entrepreneurial skills but the same factors are a great stumbling block for the same people to succeed in many modern industries that need different ways of personnel management and business ethics. It is relatively easy to adopt standard business ethics to succeed in business (particularly when you already hit the wall) BUT it takes longer, much longer to make social changes that alter attitude, perception about life (and money) of a person.
Before coming to this stage, Kolkata or Bengal enjoyed much more privileged economic condition as compared to any city in India, including Mumbai or Bangalore. And Kolkata enjoyed that privilege relatively longer period (starting from 1857 till late 1960s) as compared to Banglore or Mumbai. The sign of stagnation (as a city) in Mumbai or Hydrabad or Banglore is far worse as compared to Kolkata in late 1970s. I’ll be curious to watch how these cities cope with its urban infrastructure and governance problems, and how they avoid being another Kolkata in a relatively shorter, much shorter, time as compared to Kolkata.
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Correction: The first sentence will be-
There are many social reasons why a typical Gujarati or Marwari businessman who is so successful in manufacturing industry or RETAIL sale does have a far less chance to succeed in a knowledge based industry.
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It (post#25) has nothing to do to offend anyone. It was simply facts.
“It is a conspiracy to paint a picture of rapacity on Gujarati women. They handle the household chores , look after the children are also adept in financial matters. They are indeed street smart and know trading in financial markets. This is no sign of slyness. Women of Gujarat are not used as money making tools. Such an assertion will offend any Gujarati in this forum”.
Good. Now just let me know how many Gujrati men get time do their basic (as per any developed country/society) DUTIES in maintaining household chores? Not many I suppose (as compared to Bengal, in this case). In fact I will be surprised it such people (seem to represent that community) will ever accept that as “duty” and surely deny that male folks have anything to do with such “female” specific works.
Do you need data (not from ancient scriptures but from modern sources like national level newspapers etc) to show the level of “rights” Guajarati women enjoy (girl child killing, dowry related violence and death), communal riots etc, as compared to Bengal?
Do I need to remind the level of land holding and pattern of land holding, in short LAND REFORM in Gujarat as compared to Bengal? This one factor has huge impact on the way land is acquired to set up an industry.
A rich Bengali family will never (so far I know) will FORCE (I am not talking about voluntarily here) its women folk to clean palatial houses, cook food all day long, clean clothes, just to save some extra money? Have you seen a typical Gujarati-Marwari family travelling in trains? How many luggage and food they carry? How the male folks are served and the way they are served by the women in the long journey? Anyone can defend that as “tradition” but that’s not the way many fellow passengers think.
To me, "development" is NOT, I repeat, NOT, reflected in mere GDP or par capita income. As I mentioned in my post #23:
It is very hard for many people to understand that “development” does not mean increase in income or ability to spend money in shopping mall or buying cars. I will consider any society or country more developed when it provide basic support for anyone who want to pursue their honest and decent way of living, in harmony with nature and other people.
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@Ananya78 : First I proved you wrong when you claimed that the Bengal Govt was the paragon of equality. I answered with reservations for Muslims and you conveniently did not address that in your response.
Now you come and say:
“ Gujarat is India's msot environmentally polluted state in the country”
-Pollution is a problem in every state with industries. The answer lies in TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION and investment in GREEN ENERGY. Do you suggest we go and hide in a Cave and shut down industries or encourage them. You can read my “Area Development Case studies” in comment 24 to know the trade-offs and the best solution.
Now I want to refer to the Green Energy Projects in Gujarat:
1.Wind energy in Gujarat : Wind to power Rs 20K-cr projects - State Government Unfurls Amended Wind Energy Policy
- http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOI&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIA/2009/01/09&ID=Ar00203
Same news : World’s Largest Solar Power Project Planned -
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/worlds-largest-solar-power-project-planned/
Again : Clinton Foundation to set up 3000MW solar plant in Gujarat –
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/ahmedabad/Clinton-Foundation-to-set-up-3000MW-solar-plant-in-ujarat/articleshow/4984301.cms
2.Solar energy projects in Gujarat :
a.World’s Largest Solar Energy Project (5GW!) Planned for Gujarat, India
-http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/worlds-largest-solar-project-planned-for-india.php
b.Rs 20,000 cr solar energy project for Gujarat -
http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=16814
c.Solar Energy in India – Gujarat to host World’s Largest Plant, India’s grand plans..and more
- http://www.pluggd.in/solar-energy-in-india-gujarat-to-host-worlds-largest-plant-297/
3.Hydro energy projects in Gujarat: Oreva Energy plans 90 mw hydro power capacity in Gujarat
http://www.3dsyndication.com/showarticle.aspx?nid=DNAHM30097
BENGAL Govt run by the communists have been BULLDOZED in development by Gujarat.
You also say “it is also one of the most casteist, communal and corrupt societies in India”
What’s your motto when you are referring to Gujarati society. This discussion is about Governance in Bengal and “is it time for change in Bengal” ,not Bengali society.
Gujarati society is not a “corrupt society” as you claim. It is a LIBEL on this wonderful Society where business, entrepreneurship and innovation flourishes. It has a rich and vibrant culture. Your repugnant statements on Gujarati society are filled with mendacity.They are offensive to me as an Indian and also offensive to a Gujarati who is also an Indian.
On the statement :
“ but in terms of social stability, gender equality and social progress it is streets ahead of most Indian states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.”
Well tell me what stability, gender equality and social progress MAOISM and NAXALISM have brought to Bengal? Do we have this problem in Gujarat?
Again you are quoting Bengali society but the debate is on the performance of a Communist Govt in Bengal and the need for change.
Disparities and Uniformities in “social stability, gender equality and social progress “ are seen in all states across India and I believe that Bengal is no better in it than Gujarat. But the communist rule of Bengal in the last 3 decades has holistically failed the People of Bengal
I talk with facts,please stop taking a gibe at people who differ in opinion.
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I am repasting one of the broken links on WIND ENERGY in Gujarat
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOI&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIA/2009/01/09&ID=Ar00203
Hope it works now,or just google the title "Wind to power Rs 20K-cr projects - State Government Unfurls Amended Wind Energy Policy "
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"Now just let me know how many Gujrati men get time do their basic (as per any developed country/society) DUTIES in maintaining household chores? Not many I suppose (as compared to Bengal, in this case). In fact I will be surprised it such people (seem to represent that community) will ever accept that as “duty” and surely deny that male folks have anything to do with such “female” specific works. "
- Well tell me ..don't Bengali women also do house hold chores?
you mean all Bengali men share work equally and not Gujarati men ?
Well I gave one example in Gujarati society and lets not generalize digress as usual
Also when you say with disdain :
"Do you need data (not from ancient scriptures but from modern sources like national level newspapers etc) to show the level of “rights” Guajarati women enjoy (girl child killing, dowry related violence and death), communal riots etc, as compared to Bengal? "
- Well I don't refer to Albert Einstein quotes, unsubstantiated and unsolicited hypothesis of Mr Jha to falsely claim to prove a point.I also don't quote Swami Vivekananda once and forget to come back with proof when questioned deeper.
These social malaises(girl child killing, dowry related violence and death) are in Bengal also.We are talking about individual government performance ,not on societies of these two states.And on Governance the Communists have done a bungled job.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
as far as I see it, its a combination of Communist rule and Bangladeshi influx that has killed off Kolkata. BJP ruled Gujarat and Karnataka are doing so well.
soutik biswas, the name is Kolkata you fool, why must you bend over for the white man at every juncture?
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"Those quotes and references are NOT for any Tom, Dick, Harry. Those were meant for someone who can understand logic. I am sorry if those quotes offended any Dick. "
Well then to every Tom Dick and Harry lets make it terse ,why not Dick check his logic when he quoted Vivekananda and come back with proof logically? Why did not Dick try to understand the scripture "logically" before Goading the Pandit.Why does Dick bash Gujarati people/society as a whole "logically" when the debate is on Governance in Bengal and not societies? Seems Dick heard the word logic in school like a parrot but never truly understood to reason and ratiocinate.
Also by saying :
1. "But I am sure the percentage of that will be much lower in Bengal as compared to Gujarat. "
- I say this is an assumption and I ask you to prove it to the audience of this blog now.
2. "Bengali companies and societies do not enforce their “tradition” when someone else live in Bengal, unlike Gujarat."
- An assumption and cannot be true for all Bengali families and Gujarati families also be generalized thus.
This offensive to Gujarat Travelers when you say :
"There is very slick chance that a Bengali family travelling in sleeper coach with huge luggage (occupying most of the space there with a simple “request”, “thora adjust kar lee jiye. Thori dur ke hee to baat hai- BTW, it’s Howrah to Ahmadabad journey), eating almost all day with the same number of dishes (most probably, as they do in home) and not sharing a single chore with their women. That surely not a great example of sharing chores! "
- this could have been true for one Gujarati family or Bengali family but is not a sweeping reality for all.I have met very friendly and courteous Gujarati people and also Bengalis.
"Anyone can check the track record in Land reform, role of religion and caste in public governance, men-women sex ratio, quality of government education infrastructure, basic health and hunger in Gujarat and Bengal."
So does zamindari system exist in Gujarat and not Bengal.Infrastructure is better in Bengal than Gujarat? And by the way women-men sex ratio is an acute issue in Haryana and its social more than directly culpable on Government.
The wider question is "Is Bengal better in Governance than other states in India?" and the answer is "No,its fails emphatically due to communism which is passe"
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Also this proves how Bengal is NOT better when you say :
" role of religion and caste in public governance"
I will re-paste this response to "role of religion":
'EGALITARIAN' Bengal run by communists:
"West Bengal announces 10 pct quota for Muslims in govt jobs"
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/west-bengal-announces-10-pct-quota-for-musli/577132/
Note - This reservation is NOT based on the general principle to reserve jobs for economically poor of ALL sections of society,but only Muslims.What a Contradiction with your assertion.
So Govt of Bengal or the Communists have no moral higher ground here.
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World Bank data:
Share of West Bengal in implementation of distribution of ceiling surplus land among all major rice producing states in India as in March, 2001 (% of National total):
West Bengal- 47.14 (Highest); Andhra Pradesh- 9.83, Uttar Pradesh- 5.40, Tamil Nadu- 2.62.
info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/.../West%20Bengal%20PPT.ppt
In West Bengal, one of the few states where land reforms, especially tenancy laws, were implemented
rigorously, the negative relationship between land reform and productivity is absent.
http://personal.lse.ac.uk/ROYS1/papers/Land%20Reform%20Rural21_Ghatak%20Roy.pdf
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Whole reservation policy (whether based on caste or religion) is political issue. Bengal Govt is playing politics on that. And I do Not support that either, be it in Bengal or Andhra Preadesh. But there is almost no chance to have a Godhra or anti-“outsider” extremist movement in Bengal.
Being said that, I do admire Narendra Modi for his developmental work there. This is the first time, in Gujarat’s history, that a CM of the state is taking some care for common people, other than powerful Patel community and rich industrialists.
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It is useless to talk about Vivekananda or Ramkrishna Dev to someone who does not have ANY knowledge about them, NEVER read RamKirshna Kathammrita or works of Vivekananda, and do not even acknowledge that both of them ALWAYS opposed caste system among Hindus.
In the same way, I do ignore majority of posts from insane, religious bigots. But sometimes I get provoked and sucked up in meaningless discussions. I should be more careful in future. So, I should stop my argument for some irreverent points.
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UNICEF report:
States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have recorded a more than 50 point decline in the child sex ratio in this period.
Despite these horrific numbers, foetal sex determination and sex selective abortion by unethical medical professionals has today grown into a Rs. 1,000 crore industry (US$ 244 million).
The PCPNDT Act 1994 (Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act) was modified in 2003 to target the medical profession - the ‘supply side’ of the practice of sex selection. According to the latest data available till May 2006, Delhi reported the largest number of violations – 76, Punjab had 67 cases and Gujarat 57 cases.
http://www.unicef.org/india/media_3285.htm
"The paradox lies in the data from progressive and industrialised states like Gujarat where the sex ration has fallen from 954 in 1901, to 919 in 2001. Statistics show wide spread and continuing gender bias.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2872/is_2_28/ai_86049638/
Census data show a consistent drop in the sex ratio (933F:1000M).The intensity of sex ratio imbalance in the 0-6 age group in some states are Punjab (793),Haryana(820),Himachal Pradesh(897),*Gujarat(878)*.
http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l292-Female-Foeticide.html
It is alleged that Gujarat (mainly Ahmadabad) is one of the major hubs of illegal clinical trials in India (besides Mumbai and Hyderabad):
Drug trials outsourced to India : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4932188.stm
There is no mention of Bengal in any of these reports.
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Gujarat, AP top list of child marriages - India - The Times of India : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-AP-top-list-of-child-marriages/articleshow/5742216.cms
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We hear a lot about Singur these days. Almost everyone is up against Bengal Govt. First, it was not Bengal Govt but opposition party (TMC) that is mainly responsible for that, so far I am concerned. Of course Bengal Govt has its fault in the process but not main responsible. TMC started getting electoral success on that issue (and with justified reasons), where majority urban Bengalis will oppose relocation of Tata’s Nano to Gujarat. Although I fully support Tata’s Nano plant to be in Singur, but I do see at least one good sign in the whole fiasco. Rights of farmers of Bengal are not bulldozed by the political connections and monetary might of big industrialists.
“The government offered a good price for the land acquired and the compensation for the first time in India included Bargadars” (http://www.pragoti.org/node/2070).
Many economists like Amartya Sen acknowledged that the compensation package Bengal Govt offered (in association with Tatas) was THE best in history of Indian industry (The Telegraph, today, the 20th Sept'08, published a letter of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, written to the editor Abheek Sarkar, in the front page, on the situation of Singur in the wake of imminent pull out by Tata Motors from Nano Project). A farmer in Gujarat or Maharashtra can never dream of such a price for their lands, despite of the fact that real estate value in those states is much higher. It is also true that general farmers in many other states like Maharashtra or Gujarat or Rajasthan (which have more feudal social structure) would not have succeeded in opposing the might of even mediocre industrial groups.
Even “Sanand villagers oppose land acquisition”: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/industrial-estate-adjacent-to-nano-plant-sanand-villagers-oppose-land-acquisition/554719/0
“About 3,000 residents from the seven villages submitted a memorandum to the local mamlatdar on Monday, opposing the land acquisition. A copy of the memorandum was also given to the GIDC.
The villagers argued that agriculture was their main source of livelihood and the land should not be taken away. Agricultural production in the area, according to the memorandum, has increased substantially as Narmada water is now reaching their fields.
Another villager, Ramanbhai Patel, said the government was offering them the jantri rates that were very low. “We will not part with our land under any pressure,” said Patel.
Farmers’ victory : http://www.thehindu.com/fline/fl2613/stories/20090703261311900.htm
The SEZ would have affected 45 villages in Raigad district. The company initially offered Rs.25 lakh a hectare for productive land and Rs.12.5 lakh a hectare for “wasteland” plots. It promised to create 25 lakh jobs in over 10 years and improve infrastructure and health and education facilities. But the farmers of Pen, Uran and Panvel taluks were not interested. With tension running high, the State government held a referendum on the project on September 21, 2008. It was a first-of-its-kind voting exercise in the country, and 6,000 landowners from 22 villages participated in it. Its outcome was never made public, but the large turnout implied solidarity among the farmers against the project.
Ulka Mahajan told Frontline: “The promoters identified some young men from the villages and employed them as agents to try and get the land. Of course, this did not work.” She noted that the attitude of the promoters was a big mistake. “Ask any farmer and he will tell you that just because farming is not a profitable activity, it does not mean farmers want to give it up. The idea is to improve farming. Not to cement fields over,” she said.
Farmers on the warpath against SEZ: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2006/09/29/stories/2006092900231400.htm
All these got momentum after Singur became famous and infused some courage among farmers outside Bengal. Most of the land acquisition to set up industries are managed exploiting simplicity and ignorance of local farmers (by monetary provocation, terrorizing the unwilling farmers using mafia etc).
SEZs and Land Acquisition: http://business.mapsofindia.com/sez/land-acquisition.html
SEZs and Land Acquisition are interconnected for in the setting up of SEZs huge amounts of land are required. Land Acquisition and SEZs have picked up speed in India since the Indian government has encouraged the setting up of SEZs in the country.
The various disadvantages of SEZs and Land Acquisition in India are that it is estimated that more than 10 lakh people who are dependent upon agricultural lands will be evicted from their lands, it is estimated that the farming families will have to face loss of around Rs.212 crores each year in total income, and it will also lead to putting the food security of India at risk. SEZs and Land Acquisition in India has now resulted in dissent, uproar, and opposition from the farmers, for their livelihood has been put at stake.
Farmers to launch protest against land acquisition in Gujarat: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_farmers-to-launch-protest-against-land-acquisition-in-gujarat_1321908
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Child labour in Gujarat's cottonseed farms: http://www.indiatogether.org/2010/feb/hrt-cseed.htm
"In 2007, Dakshin Rajasthan Mazdoor Union (DRMU) conducted a study in cottonseed farms in Gujarat, and found that about one-third of the total workforce is below 14 years of age, and another 42 per cent in the age group of 15-18. A little less than half of these children, in both age groups, are girls. Children are also employed in other work in the cotton production chain i.e. in cotton farms and in ginning factories. As a result of mounting pressure from rights activists, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan have both accepted that children are employed in their farms, and promised steps to correct this. The Gujarat government, however, has yet to even accept the fact".
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Bonded Labor in India: Its Incidence and
Pattern: (Cornell University ILR School Year 2005):
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1017&context=forcedlabor
There are an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 salt pan workers in the coastal districts of Gujarat, mostly belonging to the Koli or other low castes and many others who are migrants from other states. They are bonded to the contractors to whom they sell their produce at an artificially low price (Ganguli, 2001; John, 2001).
The NHRC started monitoring the implementation of the Act in 13 states identified as Bonded Labour Prone states. These are: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (name of Bengal is not in the list).
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Unites States department of Labour report: http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/sweat/india.htm
In 1993, India exported more than $1 billion worth of gems,33 which is the largest export by value from India to the United States. The majority of these exports are diamonds, which are processed and polished in Surat, Gujarat, and emeralds which are polished in Jaipur, Rajasthan. SOME SOURCES ALLEGE THAT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 6,000 AND 100,000 CHILDREN ARE WORKING IN THE DIAMOND INDUSTRY, CUTTING AND POLISHING DIAMOND CHIPS.34 These figures are uncorroborated.
THE OPERATIONS RESEARCH GROUP IN ITS 1993 REPORT SINGLED OUT THE DIAMOND-CUTTING INDUSTRY IN SURAT, GUJARAT, OF SPECIAL CONCERN FOR CHILD LABOR.35 IT FOUND CHILDREN, MOSTLY BOYS BETWEEN 12 AND 13 YEARS OLD, POLISHING DIAMONDS FOR AN AVERAGE OF SEVEN TO NINE HOURS A DAY IN UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS.36 This study also found major health and safety problems, including eye strain, headaches, leg and shoulder pain, malaria, discoloration of hair, rotten teeth, and dysentery. Wage rates were similar to adults; children, who received wages based on the number of diamonds they polished, reported a monthly income of 930 rupees (approximately $30). The Indian government, under its National Plan of Action, has targeted, on a priority basis, the diamond polishing industry in Surat as one of nine industries in which it will develop a Child Labor project.37
In addition to diamonds, children also polish emeralds, sapphires, rubies, lapis lazuli, turquoise, corals, garnets, amethysts, and topaz.38 Estimates of child workers in the gem industry in Jaipur range from 7,000 to 13,000.39
There is NO mention of Bengal in the whole report.
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Sorry, it (post #47) will be:
United States Department of Labour Report: http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/sweat/india.htm
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"I do ignore majority of posts from insane, religious bigots"
- So the parrot started singing in sonorous tone "BIGOT,BIGOT" with anyone who differs in view,what a hideous sign of prejudice indeed!!
You made a fatuous statement that Bengali women are less immured to household chores than in Gujarati Households by number.I asked you to prove it and you have pasted all web-links except for the part you were required to prove.
"It is useless to talk about Vivekananda or Ramkrishna Dev to someone who does not have ANY knowledge about them, NEVER read RamKirshna Kathammrita or works of Vivekananda, and do not even acknowledge that both of them ALWAYS opposed caste system among Hindus"
- Now come and prove by statements of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa where he made a speech or a statement to "ABOLISH THE CASTE SYSTEM".Get me any lecture of Swami Vivekananda in his tours in chicago or anywhere else where he called to REPUDIATE THE CASTE SYSTEM OR ABOLISH IT
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was very kind to the lower caste and everyone and taught us not be arrogant with people of different caste.
I get into a droll disposition when I see so many web links pasted to
prove a discursive and irrelevant point when the question is on Governance and NOT ON INDIVIDUAL AND DISPARATE SOCIETIES OF BENGAL AND GUJARAT.
Indeed there is child labor across India and other data you pasted but I do NOT seek to DENY,but wish to point out that you have IGNORED the POVERTY OR DESTITUTION AND BACKWARDNESS OF BENGAL due to GOVERNANCE.
‘Quarter of Bengal below poverty level' - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/769860.cms
Bengal is tackling child labor well ,but it is stagnant in development which is a big drawback,impediment to Bengal's prosperity.
Again you are quoting Bengali/Gujarati society by referring to child marriage but the debate is on the performance of a Communist Govt in Bengal and the need for change.We are not debating on the societies here,we discuss the Governance and relative success of the 2 states in last 3 decades.
Also lets not deviate to child marriage and its a totally different topic and I have a set of points for it write when Mr Biswas writes a blog on it.
On SEZ 's every state is facing opposition from farmers,not just Gujarat.Then what can you say about Singur and Nandigram.There has to better be compensation,no land grabs,no SEZ's in fertile landscape to make it a success.
Industries hare being driven away from Bengal due to this.IF TATA CAN'T DO BUSINESS IN BENGAL,FOREIGN COMPANIES FEEL NERVOUS TO TAKE A PLUNGE.
Wider question is :
"Is Bengal better in Governance than other states in India?" and the answer is "No,its fails emphatically due to communism which is passe"
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You have quoted that :
" DIAMOND-CUTTING INDUSTRY IN SURAT, GUJARAT, OF SPECIAL CONCERN FOR CHILD LABOR.35 IT FOUND CHILDREN, MOSTLY BOYS BETWEEN 12 AND 13 YEARS OLD, POLISHING DIAMONDS FOR AN AVERAGE OF SEVEN TO NINE HOURS A DAY IN UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS."
I know there is child labor in India ,So is the solution to Curb Child Labor or to Curb the Industry itself due to child labor.Communist ideology believes there should be no Industry due to its pitfalls on environment and on workers,that is dead wrong to accept.
We will have to address the pitfalls(eliminate child labor and other malaises) and embrace industrialization and green energy to move ahead.That's why:
" In 2003, 92% of the world's diamonds were cut and polished in Surat, India.[56] "
wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond
We need to encourage and grow this industry ,remove child labor,improve working conditions than close the factory
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Also lemme quote wiki itself on the poignant state of Bengal:
"While West Bengal has made economic gains recently, it still remains one of the poorest states in India because of high political instability, strike, low Human Development Index level, abysmal medical treatment or health care services, tremendous lack of social development, lack of industrialization, excessive corruption and violence.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] According to well known Economists West Bengal is by far the least industrialized and under developed state as compared to other metropolitan states, where industrialization and economic development is relatively high.[17][18][19]"
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal#Government_and_politics
Who is to blame from this backwardness,is it not the Government or political party that has ruled Bengal for three decades?
Why is Bengal not acting against illegal immigration from Bangladesh.The porous border is easy way for terrorists to infiltrate into India.It is an easy route for drug smuggling and also counterfeit notes from Pakistan.The Bengal govt is slow to act due to Minority votes.We all know it
I admire Bengali society and people.I see their unity in Durga Puja and they help each other in community service.I admire art and literature from Bengal,it has produced many of best prolific writers and visionaries in India.It has contributed to Indianans in our freedom struggle,but it sad to see its glory being waned by poor Governance and Naxalism.
Lets debate Governance here.
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A clarification:
"Communist ideology believes there should be no Industry due to its pitfalls on environment and on workers,that is dead wrong to accept."
This is not literal.I am mean the communists are ready to give up on industry if it confronts with capitalist mode of business.
CM Buddadeb has tried to help Bengal,But he has not succeeded due to opposition from TMC,his own party,also from farmers.Buck stops with the Govt and if there is no lack of development and stagnation and hence Bengal needs change.
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I mean "Buck stops with the Govt if there is lack of development and hence Bengal needs change to get over stagnation."
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Can anyone convince a Bin-Laden to see the world differently? Probably not. There is a huge conflict of "culture", “education” and upbringing which can never be bridged by civic, logical discussion. I hope not see anymore lengthy, irrelevant rhetorical blabbering anymore. Probably that is too much wishful thinking from my part.
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I was born and brought up in Bengal. Then I lived and traveled extensively within India and abroad. I also lived in Gujarat (Surat, before plague), travelled at least some parts of Gujarat, including the salt panes in coastal area.
There are reasons why Bengal maintained a consistent track record to producing so many “prolific” writes, exceptionally good film makers, singers, music directors, social reformers, freedom fighters, logical thinkers and scientists, visionary politicians (that includes the founder of BJP, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee) and political rebels (birth of Naxalims is in a village in Bengal, named Naxalbari). If you take away those parameters of social evolution, then Bengal will be just like any other state in India.
The allegation of corruption against Bengal politicians is much less than from many other parts of India. In fact, there is NO corruption charge against any communist leaders, including Jyoti Basu (although Mamata shouted a lot about it, but even she was unable or unwilling to sue him in a court of law).
If anyone say that Bengal’s glory is a thing of past and Bengal is a a bad shape so far economic development of the state ins concerned, so far mass industrialization is concerned. I will fully support him/her. But a society, country or state must not be judged on a single parameter of economic development and that too for few people. Governance of any state does include its quality and reach of public education, public health, poverty, hunger, sanitation, availability of drinking water and electric, equality/inequality in wealth distribution, law and order implementation (that includes prevention of child marriage, bonded labour, transparent corporate governance etc), public policy that encourage/discourage use of religion and caste as state policy etc. in short, happiness of people and quality of life with true spirit of secular democracy.
I firmly believe that Bengal is much better in MANY of those parameters than majority of other Indian states. If I am given a chance to choose between Gujarat or Rajasthan style “development” or to remain Bengal style “poor”, then I’ll opt for Bengal style poverty, without any confusion. Probably that’s why Bengal is so “poor” in the eyes of so many people who never lived in Bengal and/or travelled in rural Bengal, the heart of the state (although some stayed there to exploit it for personal financial gain).
Ideally, Bengal should prosper economically. We all know that. But we are not ready to pay such a high price that many other states following more feudal social structure like Gujarat or Rajashtan, to achieve that. Singur or Nandigram is possible in Bengal (or Keral) as a path finder for many oppressed people in other states. Such movements may not be so “good” for people like me, a city dwelling person having practically no attachment or dependence of land or agriculture. But if you ever lived in a village in any part of India, including that in Bengal, then you will understand that land (even if they are not legal owner but cultivate that peace of earth for long) is not just another commodity to be used for profit or loss. It is their sole source of existence that gives meaning to their lives worth living.
I will hate to see individual farmers in Bengal to have the same fate of cotton farmers and bonded labors in Gujarat or Maharashtra or AP. I will hate to see general labours in Bengal to have the same fate of salt pane bonded workers in Gujarat. I will not trade Bengal’s creativity and courage to stand up against a system for some more money, few more shopping malls and highways that majority people will never use. I am for all-inclusive, sustainable growth with harmony with nature. That is not possible via the “Gujarat” model of “development”, at least till pre-Narendra Modi era. Bengal will develop, but in its own term, as they did before. You can see a resurgent Bengal (at National level, in flim, in music, in corporate executives, individual entrepreneurs etc) now, as compared to few years ago. But it will take few more years to understand and over come the mistakes we, the general Bengalis, made.
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Anyone who has doubt about the performance of Gujarat Govt (as compared to bengal), s/he can refer ro my post#17. As I mentioned
“In one of the most prosperous states in India, Gujarat, over 55% of the teachers have not got beyond the secondary stage of schooling. The only state which comes near Gujarat in terms of the low quality of teachers is Karnataka, another highly prosperous state in India, with about three-fourths of its teachers having studied only up to the higher secondary level". http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Only_21_teachers_in_Bihar_are_Class_X_pass/articleshow/2615791.cms
Such data also implied that prosperity of few people (that inflate the macro level data like GDP, par capita income) does not mean prosperity for common people (or the country as a whole). The same “prosperous” states like Gujarat and Karnataka also do worse as compared to “least developed” states like Assam in term of HUNGER and social well being. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7669152.stm
Anyone can check the track record in Land reform, role of religion and caste in public governance, men-women sex ratio, quality of government education infrastructure, basic health and hunger in Gujarat and Bengal.
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Previously I used to think that insanity and inability to follow logic has a limit. But now I do not think the same way. Half educated and misinformation is worse than un-education and illiteracy. I forgot who said “the person who know and knows that he knows- follow him; a person who knows but does not know that he knows- guide him; a person who does not know but knows that he knows- ignore him; a person who does not know and knows that he does not know-teach him”. Ignoring is a Bliss…… ?
Now coming to Bengal issue:
I firmly believe that Bengal is much better in MANY of those parameters than majority of other Indian states. If I am given a chance to choose between Gujarat or Rajasthan style “development” or to remain Bengal style “poor”, then I’ll opt for Bengal style poverty, without any hesitation. Probably that’s why Bengal is so “poor” in the eyes of so many people who never lived in Bengal and/or travelled in rural Bengal, the heart of the state (although some stayed there to exploit it for personal financial gain).
Ideally, Bengal should prosper economically. We all know that. But we are not ready to pay such a high price that many other states following more feudal social structure like Gujarat or Rajashtan, to achieve that. Singur or Nandigram is possible in Bengal (or Keral) as a path finder for many oppressed people in other states. Such movements may not be so “good” for people like me, a city dwelling person having practically no attachment or dependence of land or agriculture. But if you ever lived in a village in any part of India, including that in Bengal, then you will understand that land (even if they are not legal owner but cultivate that peace of earth for long) is not just another commodity to be used for profit or loss. It is their sole source of existence that gives meaning to their lives worth living.
I will hate to see individual farmers in Bengal to have the same fate of cotton farmers and bonded labors in Gujarat or Maharashtra or AP. I will hate to see general labours in Bengal to have the same fate of salt pane bonded workers in Gujarat. I will not trade Bengal’s creativity and courage to stand up against a system for some more money, few more shopping malls and highways that majority people will never use. I am for all-inclusive, sustainable growth with harmony with nature. That is not possible via the “Gujarat” model of “development”, at least till pre-Narendra Modi era. Bengal will develop, but in its own term, as they did before. You can see a resurgent Bengal (at National level, in flim, in music, in corporate executives, individual entrepreneurs etc) now, as compared to few years ago. But it will take few more years to understand and over come the mistakes we, the general Bengalis, made.
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I accept that Bengal cannot be judged by only economic development and other factors and overall quality of life of people ,access to services,public heath and lot of factors determine the progress of a state.
But when a state's population is very high,like Bengal, for its area,It has to rely heavily on Industrialization to create jobs and help people provide for themselves.It cannot have a slapdash,desultory policies to achieve economic prosperity and good quality of life for its people.
If indeed it had succeeded in public satisfaction,we will not see acute problem of Maoism in the state. If a state is rich ,it thwarts other insurrections by its own weight.We have to see a resurgent Bengal to fight Maoism,subdue Gorkha demands for new state,check illegal immigration and consequently be called Utopian state for Governance.
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Dear Moderator, is it possible to ignore and/or hide the comments made by any specific user by another user? I think, that will be very helpful for the forum, both for the moderator and general users.
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Can't help but break into a chuckle when some people use multiple login ids to complain against one comment and refer them to the moderator.I can tell them,those comments contain no profanity but verity and they shall be brought to the audience
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It is unfortunate to make elliptical references to Bin Laden to label other people who have a different opinion.
If we teach a parrot,the word Bin-Laden,it will prate incessantly.
If someones comes and quotes Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ,I want say that Swamiji also made strides in Mantras.
" He began with mantra rituals such as japa and purascarana and many other rituals designed to purify the mind and establish self-control. He later proceeded towards tantric sadhanas"
Link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakrishna
If someone also calls marriage mantras as Biased.(see previous entry of Mr Biswas and search for the word 'biased' or the below text) as :
"I specifically instructed the pandit to translate the mantras in Bengali, so that I can understand what I am saying. I did just for curiosity sake. That time I realized that how biased and nonsense many of those mantras are."
...So LOGICALLY ,I infer that this person thinks those mantras biased.So a person practicing them should also be biased logically.If I go by pure Logic,Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa should have been biased to practice them as many of mantras are "nonsense" according to the person.BUT PARADOXICALLY,the person quotes Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa to substantiate his case.The person thinks others are Bin-laden if views are LOGICALLY CONFRONTED.
It is an IRONY of galactic proportion and also a travesty of LOGIC.
I have the highest reverence for Swami Vivekananda and Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.I come and reason as I don't like to see their teachings being misused by people.
Now to Bengal and Governance,I feel Bengal is far behind in development even though it has good record in child labor relative to other states and has implemented many public schemes better,But we cannot discount the pithy fact that Governance has not worked in Bengal.
We have seen a sabotage by Maoists today where more than 60 people have lost their lives in Bengal.I hope we confront Maoism and get rid of the communist ideology,which is negative for the development of Bengal.
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The sad truth is Bengal has suffered from poor governance and partisan politics since independence or more importantly partition. Bengalis has never emotionally recovered from partition unlike the Punjabis. There are plenty of people who are descendants of Eastern Bengalis who still yearn for the lost land after being forced to move during the partition. This is easy to spot in the matrimony columns and wedding cards which still mention the family roots in places like Khulna Dhaka etc. The communist party established their base in the displaced refugees and sold them the dream of socialism and marxism. There was a time when being a progressive communist was the badge of honour, now the brand is tainted with three decades of government.
However the alternative brand of Mamata is equally unpalatable. The lady is nothing but a rabble rouser who jumps on band wagons. Her face today as she was being interviewed about the latest Maoist (who so far she denied even existed) atrocity told its own story. The Frankenstein she used to cause trouble Nandigram will return to haunt her.
Unfortunately politicians across the spectrum indulge in short term populism without a plan for the future. Bengal lost its political power in 1911 when the capital was shifted, she lost her economic power in the 1970s when militant trade unionism affiliated to the CPI(M) resulted in the flight of capital and now she has lost the cherished intellectual power due politicization of education (and other spheres of life) by Jyoti Basu and co.
Can I vote for any of the parties? Mamata or Buddha? Sadly the answer is NO
Time for new politics no bandhs, no stupid arguments against capitalism and globalisation.
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I largely agree with 3idiots. Bengal had one excellent CM after independence, i.e Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. Probably that was the golden era of post-independence history of Bengal. Then came the jungle raj of Congress, headed by Atulya Ghosh. In fact, the rise of naxals and communists lies equally in the misrule of Congress and then huge post-partition migration and refugee influx in Bengal, mainly in Kolkata. If you ask any living person (e.g my dad and uncles) who have witnessed Congress rule (after BC Roy) still feel that communist rule is much better.
The distrust on businessmen as c community and politicians (mainly Congress) started that time and Naxals successfully used that. You can see the same trend in many parts of India now, even in some more industrialized states. History of Bengal is and will repeat in many other states, I can assure.
I fully agree that communists neglected urban Bengal and concentrated in rural Bengal. They also did not develop any alternative center for business and other infrastructure. BC Roy started developing few other cities like Durgapur. But that was not continued.
Time and again it has been proved; in many different countries, that true market economy is equally utopian as socialist economy. It has been proved in almost any sector of business- global financial sector, crude oil, health care, manufacturing industry etc. In fact, blind faith on market and the idea that it can regulate itself, during Regan era and then Bush (both senior and junior) era lead to the near collapse of so-called western model of market economy. After all they are run by human beings who put personal profit much ahead than collective benefit, as a society. They (both businessmen and politicians at the top level) successfully socialized the risk but benefit remained private. That’s why when a big MNC like HP lost about 400million USD, they slashed about 5500 jobs (in US alone) and slashed salary of basic workers by 15% in 2008. But the same company made a first quarter profit of 2.5 billion USD in 2010. They did not even reinstated the salary at per 2008 level of existing personnel, while the salary of its CEO, Mark Hard, was increased few millions. It has a huge impact on society. Such big companies like Meryl Lynch, Goldman shacks, City group, Halliburton, BP, Exon-mobil, GE etc, which are considered too-big-to-fail practically control our so-called market economy.
It again proved that such big companies need strict regulation and fiscal monitoring. Blind privatization does not increase quality of service or product, as we see in India. Greedy businessman and executives do not regulate themselves. That’s why many West European countries do not give public health care, transport etc in private hands. Many economists believe that Westren Europe, Scandinavian countries are going towards socialism more.
For Singur I was very optimistic as it was from TATAs, not by a typical lala company like Reliance or Jindal or JK group or Birla. Bengal need investment, but that must not be at the cost of people. Bengal must not introduce more feudal society (as majority of Indian businessmen prefer for ease of their “business”) and loose what Bengal have achieved in social equality and political awareness and empowerment of general public, unlike majority of so-called industrialized states in India.
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I think I should add to my earlier post that:
I do not support state or federal government to run big businesses like (Air India) or get too much involved in their day-to-day operations. But it is the duty of the government to supervise and regulate them in a way that does not increase red tapes and the whole system must be made transparent.
Market economy is good at lower level of business, for mom-n-pop shops in our neighborhood. But big businesses need to be strictly supervised and regulated.
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I apologize to Ananya 78 if he thinks that being "xenophobic" is such a bad thing. While Bengal has shut out many industries and decided to live in the 19th instead of the 21st century, it has maintained the very essence of its culture. There's not an ounce of difference between a Gujrati and a Western capitalist and the former has sacrificed its entire roots in the name of the almighty rupee.
While Mankind has rapidly progressed, I yearn for a simpler time where music was performed by street artists rather than the i-pod. I would rather eat a Bengali meal with a dozen delectable dishes than McDonald's fast food. I see the value of being a Luddite if progress doesn't include the improvement of lives for the masses.
Where the balance lies is always subjective but if Bengal does advance in its economic well being, it will increasingly find itself left behind. It's easy for the Communist to want to cut up a pizza into smaller and smaller pieces but for goodness sakes, let's think of baking a pizza in the first place. Now I would like to get off the rickshaw and take an Ambassador home, and no... I don't need a BMW.
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The distrust on the system, mainly against politico-businessmen-bureaucrat nexus started when common people cannot address their justified grievances in peaceful ways. Near my little village in Bengal, local and tribal people are systemically marginalized, their land are taken over by businessmen to open stone quarries destroying otherwise fertile land on which the local people and Shantal tribes were living peacefully since ages. No, they did not have huge buying capacity to become buyers of consumer electronics or nano car or someone who control media and shout about “incredible India”. Just few years ago, there was no beggar or homeless people or major crime. Those people had a peaceful life. They used to do back breaking hard work in their fields during day and enjoy with their traditional ways of relaxing during night. It all changed in last 10-15 years. Now almost all local people are suffering from silicosis (caused by very high dust particle in the air), loss of hearing due to constant, high noise of stone crushing. Rate of cancer and many other health issues have jumped many folds. Big trucks are travelling through their villages almost all the time, including nights. Many women folks form local (now) landless famers and labourers find prostitution a lucrative option and sometimes coerced to cater migrant labourers and truck drivers-cleaners. Many tribal people are increasingly getting involved in organised crime, allegedly organised by the same owner of road-side “dhabas” and stone crushing industry. Crime rate has sky rocketed, surrounding farm lands are losing its productivity fast while local agricultural land is disappearing faster due to setting up of new hotel, residential, leisure complexes etc.
Previously it was all green fields, red mud road full with trees (mango and many other fruuit trees), dotted with clean, mud houses with beautiful paintings (of traditional tribal way), little kids used to play in front of those, calm, tranquil environment. Now it has a metalled road with to many pothole, lots of dust and noise all around, all the time. Almost all the trees are gone. Swear and sewage is overflowing the open drains. In short all the tranquillity and serine natural and human beauty is gone.
The same happened in and around Shantiniketan–Bolpur area in the name of “development”. I have seen how local and “outside” businessmen cheat local people in close association with politicians and police. Once the trust is broken, it takes very long and sincere effort to get that back. Now those very peaceful people do not trust anyone, particularly outsiders. They are convinced that so-called “development” did more harm than good to them. Previously repeated requests and protest did nothing to politician-bureaucrat-businessman nexus. Stone industry destroyed peaceful lives near Panchami-Md Bazar area in Birbhum district of Bengal. Now the same peaceful people are no more “peaceful”.
You can read a short report in a reputed national English newspaper. Local Bengali newspaper like Anandabazar has more detail of it. http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=328602&catid=42
This is a perfect condition for Naxals to make inroad there. You can see the same trend in many parts of India now. If that is the case in THE most politically aware state, in most politically charged (with communist ideology) state in India, we can easily understand the situation in more feudal states like Gujarat or Rajasthan or Haryana or Maharashtra etc.
I am sure that history of Bengal is and will repeat in many other states.
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The same thing has happen in many parts of Bengal, including world famous tea industry in Darjeeling. Just see the different in living conditions, attitude etc of few managerial staff and that of labourers in that (once) hugely profitable industry. Local people, who used to open their doors even to totally strangers, allow them to live in their small, mud huts; share whatever they had with other visitors in their village has lost faith for almost everything. Many people may call it “development”, but those people affected may not agree. I was involved in a federal Govt report on reforming secondary agriculture. At least few sensible people in government realised that no, i repeat NO, amount of industrialization can solve unemployment and many other issues India facing today, including extremist violence without proper land and agriculture reform. During that time I came to know that about 18% of manpower depending on agriculture has been made redundant without providing ANY alternative profession. That is a huge number considering 60% of 1 billion people depends on agriculture, as of now.
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Communism is not mentioned anywhere in the Indian Constitution. But Social populism is enshrined right in the front in the preamble. The notion of welfare state is built into the Indian State. To have a welfare state, we need tax revenues, we need those pesky greedy capitalists. We need a lot of good paying low-skilled blue collar jobs. Communism puts a stranglehold on private job creation. Tax revenues dwindle. In stark contrast to states like WestBengal and Kerala, a state like Tamil Nadu has pioneered social populism and the results are there to see. The primary health care in TN is the best in the country. Also TN was the first state to introduce the mid-day meal scheme, now endorsed even by Amartya Sen. But for all this you need tax revenue. TN has aggressively wooed industries like Ford, Hyundai, Nokia and others. It is a testament to the State's populist policies that someone like Mammen Mappilai who originally hailed from Kerala decided to setup shop in Madras. Other states can take a leaf out of the TN rulebook.
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Very interesting observation that the bridge is being chewed away by human spit, in other countries I have heard about pigeon droppings that corrode the steel structures. This bridge was made by the British, the commies have NOT maintained it, now they are finding a new excuse for the absence of any routine maintenance. A it is Kolkata is a sinking, stinking city, the local people are busy finding ways to make the rich poor, while the Marwaris and other communities are becoming richer by the day, this grand experiment of making the horse and donkey equal has failed miserably. One thing Bengal can boast is arts, culture, investment into education, recognition for educated people and endless arguement on any topic. Hopefully Waste Bengal will realize that its educated elite are leaving in droves, so if they want the commie lifestyle to continue, then some educated idiot will have to pay the taxes, for which the commies will have to create industries, that do not pollute and at the same time promote the well educated with a great paycheck. Misrule by the commies for the past 33 years shows on every street, every walk of life and attitude of the government workers.
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In the late 19th century, Bengal was the pride of India and the crown jewels of the British empire. One of the major industries was jute. The jute plant thrived there due to the monsoons and marshes, and the fibers were used everything from rice sacks to doormats.
However, in the 1950's, DuPont had developed synthetic fibers from oil and Bengal's decline began. Instead of developing new industries or new uses for jute, the govt gave power to the unions and chased away foreign firms. Anybody with a brain left for greener pastures. Bengalis all over the world hold high positions in medicine and law while Calcutta deteriorates.
Politicians expended enormous energy in changing the name of the city and other peripheral issues. Now, Stephen Court, the heart of Park Street, has burned. I keep saying that things can't get worse and hope this time I'm right.
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I just read this article about how wide influence tobacco industry had/has on public health, many of which we never thought of. Here it is:
"Tobacco industry activity has influenced so many spheres of life in ways that most people would never imagine," said Ruth Malone, RN, PhD, co-author of each paper and a professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Nursing. "We are continuing to discover previously unknown ways in which the industry not only seeks to sell cigarettes, but to actively undermine public health measures."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100528092025.htm
If that is the case in a developed country like USA, we can easily understand the influence of such big industries have in public governance in countries like India. It also will be foolish to belive that only tobacco industry does that. It becomes the duty of the government to discipline such powerful industries. We need investment, in Bengal and elsewhere, but that must not allow our governments to get swayed away (by such "investment" and "development") and neglecting its primary duty (of governance). It's better to remain economically little poor than to loose tranquility, peace of mind, ability to think, health issues, ethics and morality.
I am not supporting the misrule of Communist Govt in last 33 years, but I also do not support the irresponsible mode of so called "development" taking place in many places in India, including Gujarat and in my village in Bengal (post# 72).
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Jay,
The very people that you vilify, the "greedy" businessman or the multinational are the only ones that can provide jobs. Kaliyug in #75 is absolutely right about the bad attitude of the govt workers. In fact, it is the greedy businessman that puts his capital on the line, works harder to keep customers coming back and hires people. Govt the world over cannot create wealth. They should be the referees in football game and not the players. When they want to referee and play at the same time is when you have problems like corruption and lackadaisical attitudes. Privatization is the way to go and govt should just govern. Nothing more.
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I understand your point. There are two different and seemingly contradictory aspects to run and develop a society. The first is wealth generation and second is wealth distribution. The role of a good government is to make a balance. If someone is only generating wealth as the cost of majority people then it will create more social anarchy, which will in turn crate social and political instability. This trend is typically represented by “rich-poor divide” by economists. We cannot distribute wealth if we do not have it in the first place. If you stop at this point, what you and few others are suggesting seem to be perfectly all right. But the story does not stop here. Any country which might have huge wealth but have poor distribution is bound to fail. Examples of such extremes are many Middle Eastern countries, African countries.
Now consider a rich family who have many children. All children are not same intelligent, same hard working or same entrepreneurial. How a “good” parent distribute the wealth in their absence? I think, no “good” parent will deprive the most inefficient and non-entrepreneurial kid. Even if he is not great in intellectual or hard working, but s/he deserve a basic (minimum) share of his/her parental property.
In that sense, every citizen of a country must have their share of national wealth. An ideal parent will try to uplift the lazy and less intelligent son to something that he can be productive with. Maintaining good house is the responsibility for all and not obeying that must have consequences; irrespective of his/her intelligence, talent in specific line or entrepreneurship. A boy who get good marks in exams must not have the right to go unpunished for doing something for which s/he need to be disciplined. The same logic applies to businessman/industrialists. Yes, we need them and they need us too. They are doing any charity by doing business in a specific location or country.
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The last sentence of my previous post will be:
They are NOT doing any charity by doing business in a specific location or country.
For more clearer explanation you can read: "How important money is to decide which profession to join?" : http://jaychatterjee.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-important-money-is-to-decide-which.html
“I think that there should be legally binding cap (for salaries and executive benefits) for all the top executives of big industries (say, with more than 1 billion USD turn over). I am sure that there will be no serious attrition of talents. Talented people will continue to enjoy their professions as before. But such cap will help distributing the money to other junior staff and will make their lives more at ease (to reduce job loss and salary erosion, mainly during recession time like this). Focus on short term gain and overcrowding of mediocre people, who joined the job only for money in many financial institutions and Banks is one of the main reasons for our current problem in global economy.
Real talents, the dedicated ones (including in business and management) join a profession they love. Money is important but must not be the main parameter, mainly in creative professions like research. CREATIVE EGO, PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS AND INSTITUTIONAL POWER (FAME) ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT DRIVING FORCES FOR TALENTED PEOPLE.
In fact, it is proven that money does reduce motivation.
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Governance either in the flavor of communism or otherwise, invariably conducts its business with the common lot. Intriguing though true, this common lot prevails with its submission to corruption that has plagued this country since its independence. This cancer has spread with such virulence that one can find it at almost all departments of the government.
It is no surprise that with the passing of the decades, Bengal remains enshrouded in uncertainty regarding development in general. As long as the general population continues to either engage in or submit to corrupt practices, the fate of this state shall continue to remain the same irrespective of whichever party comes to power.
I have personally witnessed widespread booth-capturing at elections way back in the 60's. Political murders, police atrocities including custodial deaths that continue down to this day are manifestations of the same cancer that I have stated above. I do not believe any party can rescue this state as long as the general population starts leading the way with sincere hard work. Bundhs and strikes that have become a part and parcel of life will only take this state further down the slide. In this regard, all parties bear full moral responsibility for the declining state of affairs.
What we need is a change in our general attitude towards our state and country. Values and morals that have been eroded must be restored if any change for the better is expected.
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Its a lot of shame why Calcutta is in a state where it is now. Given the fact that her past is glorious, there is no reason that it should be left behind. We can go on blaming the governments on what they have done and haven't done, but really they ruled for 35 years with the support of the people. So the people also indulged in the what has been going on. Well, you might argue that the poor and illiterates in the rural Bengal could be easily molded during election, but then it's not only Bengal, its the case for the rest of India, who have progressed...
Even now, the intellectual capital of the city and the state can easily be counted as one of the highest with some of the best schools and colleges maintaining their standards and glories. Having stayed in many parts of India and abroad, i think, Calcutta still preserves a lot of tradition of old India, the food is un-undoubtedly the best, the cost of living is one of the cheapest, Calcuttans detest monotonous lives (infact people believe in a work-life balance), people are warm and freindly, people protest and stand by others, best of the best artists, film-makers, singers and writers are from Bengal, there is a great passion for sports, etc etc... but the question is why Bengal is not growing?
What I think is people (and the younger generation aged 20-45/50) do not think while casting the votes. They just follow the traditions what has been followed in the families. The same mentality is observed in the way governance is done. The state ministers tend to follow the same old means and ways to fool people. The hype which was created in the early 2000s didn't materialize due to this reason - government tried to embrace the new with the old ways. 5 years back, Calcutta actually set the stage to attract a lot of FDI, but the hopes have been subdued by the lengthy decision making and sometimes hasty decision making (case of Tata).
What can be done:
1. Repair the present - if i were to decide on the things which needs to be prioritised, then I wouldnt think of any Roles Royce solution when probably a horse cart would do.
a. Improve infrastructure - Improve the metro (tube)service, build escalators in every station, increase the frequency of the trains, provide better ticketing systems, finish the un-finished work. Repair the roads such that the repairs are long lasting and doesnt break in the monsoons. Replace the private buses with more safe government-type buses, improve the ferry services, improve drainage, etc. In rural Bengal, look to improve road traffic, impose more strict rules on traffic, cut the middle man link (even if they belong to the beloved political party) such that the farmer gets the right price of the produce.
2. Build for the future - Develop the suburbs, invite companies to set up facilities, reach out to the districts and build facilities, load balance Calcutta and the suburbs (the infrastucture strain will reduce), Build more metro stations and connect whle of Calcutta and suburbs, develop more regions (like newtown) and complete them aggresively...
well the list goes on....
I just wanted to say that theres a lot which needs to be done (and its easier said than done !) and all of us who curse others and are ignorant about the happenings are to be blamed themselves. It doesnt feel like the alternative plitical solution will work effectively and change the lives of the people overnight, but if it works relatively better, the trick is done. COme 5 yrs, replace them and bring in new people. In this way, develop a political aggression towards development - politicians should be aware that if they dont deliver, they are out of game !
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The Bengalis seem all set to kick out the Communists in the next assembly elections and usher in Mamata didi. Only problem is Mamata is to the left of the communists. I fear it is going to be a case of out the frying pan and into the fire for the Bengali people. Good Luck.
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Mr Biswas - if I may suggest a topic that affects the people of India.
Perhaps the travesty of justice that has been the response from the courts of India towards the plight of the Bhopal survivors.
That to me is an enigma - why the courts of India refuse to protect the people of India.
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