Well Done Buddha – Great Work On Nandigram

We all condemn violence - be it in Nandigram or anywhere across the world. But, violence is a necessity at times. When we defend our border with Pakistan or wage a violent war for a barren hill called Kargil, then it takes the flavor of nationalism and patriotism. Then why are Nandigram and Buddhadeb being criticized? Nandigram is not a barren hill, and much worth fighting for. And the enemy here is Maoists and criminals of Trinamool Congress who had laid siege over the area since the last 10 months. Buddhadeb has shown considerable patience to try and reason with these elements to leave the area, but finally he had no choice. The State Police Intelligence report had clearly shown the influx of the Maoists. They had been training the goonda elements in warfare. Buddha did what he should have done much before. Cleanse the dirt. What choice does anybody have, if armed criminals enter your house and throw you out proclaiming your house as their own? Anybody will take to arms to clean them up. Well done Buddha.

As for the Intellectuals, who stay closeted in Kolkatta and have no contact with the ground reality, I only ask them – Where were they when the Maoists and Trinamool criminals were ravaging Nandigram ten months back?

Why is Mamata quiet on Nandigram?

One fails to understand on the first go, why Mamata who throws a fit at the fall of a pin, is totally silent on the Nandigram Issue. The real reason however is not so difficult to comprehend. Mamata is maintaining a studied silence on the whole issue, except for a spectacle of tendering her resignation to the – Ahem! - Prime Minister. The question is why this sudden change? The change is very evident. The killers who are being evicted from the Nandigram area are not residents and farmers of the area, but the group of people who have been in control of those lands since last march are actually the Maoists. The gun totting Maoists whose main core comprise of wanted criminals and who are being funded by the coal mafia of the neighboring areas are the ones who are being flushed out and evicted from Nandigram. It doesn’t take much brain to figure out that had it been a flush out of residents and the local people then the situation would have simply gone out of control and a mass uprising and mutiny unparallel in independent India’s history would have been unraveling by now. The whole country would be up and watching and every tv channel and newspaper would have by now made the centre to declare a state of emergency in West Bengal and it would surely be under Presidents rule by now. The very shooting and the resultant death of peasants last year in Nandigram had sent shivers down the spine of every Indian. Every media was airing the incident day in and day out. If it was the same and similar case as rumors turned grapevine stories which are appearing in few print media are to be believed, then how is that the tv channels are away and of all the people Mamata is quiet? If it was the CPM versus the BUPC and Trinamool Congress who were fighting in this war zone, then we all know Mamata histrionics would have been at its shrillest and highest pitch. But Mamata’s silence itself is the answer as to the real picture and happenings in west Bengal at this moment in time. Its for the best of each and every resident of Nandigram that the Maoists are eveicted at the earliest, so the local people can return home safely after almost 8 months.

We hope that in a few days time the anti social elements will be out and peace and prosperity shall once again return to the lives of Nandigram folks.

Mamata Banerjee puts her foot in her mouth again!

The Fire in Reichstag ,set by the Nazi party, in 1933 depicts a beautiful application of Goebels theory of propagating lie. Communists were blamed for that incident which provided the Nazis a golden opportunity of massive scale annihilation of the commies. Right-wing groups have been following Goebels from then on.
But sometimes copying becomes caricature. And it may also happen that people are sick of the clown! Then, unfortunately, the show does not have any spectator. Still, the show must go on! But what our Goebels , or his caricature, does not understand is that the show might not be entertaining to the grass root population.
What is happening in Nandigram?a depiction of such goebelsian application. No chemical hub will be set up. The official declaration assured us again and again. Still, 1500 people are out of home for the last 11 months. Compelled to live in the camp, under the sky, with undescribable sufferings. Durgapuja passed, the children there could not participate. Their only crime is of belonging to a CPIM supporter’s family.Schools have been closed for a long time.The panchayet could not run its work. And all these tasks are being executed in the name of protecting land, whereas the official declaration was made six months ago that no land will be taken.
The main goal of Mamata Banerjee is the coming panchayet election. Shubhendu Adhikary has openly admitted the fact that this ‘struggle’ would continue until the election. Arms are being supplied in lot, goons are hired from Jharkhand. A planned programme of exterminating each and every CPIM supporter in Nandigram has been taken on . Our Naxalite friends are also overjoyed to see the achievement of TMC what they could not do, the achievement of murdering the family of every CPIM supporter. The CPIM supporters were scared to death, TMC [alias BUPC] was satisfied with its reign of terror, and the ultras have been rejoicing the achievement of their newly-found friend. So far, so good!
But Ranichowk toppled the calculation. For the first time the tortured mass is awake. They want to go back home, to maintain a regular life. When TMC supporters were making an attempt to take hold of that region, united resistance from the villagers fought hard to death against them. A TMC goon was killed in his own bullet. Finally, BUPC were compelled to retreat. For the first time in 11 months, the organized violence faced a mass resistance. NO police, no party cadres, but spontaneous reaction from common people. We don’t know what our fire-brand revolutionary friends would say [perhaps they are very worried in the failure of their ally], but we know that the terror created by TMC must face more and more of such resistance. Every road has an end. The game was started by TMC. The price of the bride must be paid by them.
And then comes the most comic episode in that whole incident. Mamata Banerjee screamed that she was targeted to be killed as she alleged a bullet was fired from a CPM office at her convoy when she was travelling in a car in violence-hit Nandigram. She also showed the empty cartridge. And the comedy starts from there!
• When a bullet is fired, the open cartridge does not go with the bullet. It rather falls in the ground where the bullet was fired from. How did Mamata Banerjee find the cartridge? Did it fly to her, or the shooter, after firing, went to her and presented the cartridge as a memento?
• The road by which the convoy was running, has riverlets in its two sides. If the shooter was at the other side of the riverlet, why would he throw the cartridge across the road? To prove the existence of firing?
• If we admit the fact that the shooter was on the road and ran away after firing, then the question is: how could he? That area was known to be BUPC bastion. He fired, then fled, and the BUPC watchers let him to do that? Or is it a planned act from the part of BUPC itself? [Herr goebels! Herr Reikhstag!]
• How come no one heard the sound of firing? Even the Z-category security personnel of Mamata Banerjee could not! Only Banerjee and Shubhendu Adhikary came to know the fact that there was a shooter, appointed by CPIM, to kill the supremo! Perhaps the shooter told them himself!
• The convoy stopped on Tekhali bridge and Mamata got out of the car,pointed to the road [some cartridges were there] and screamed that she was targeted. How come the firing took place before she arrived there, if it was targeted to her? How did she know that some cartridges would be there on the Tekhali road?
All these have only one satisfactory answer. It was a got-up game played on the basis of creating more terror.
This time the homework of TMC was not satisfactory. The above-mentioned questions are very basic facts that are clear to even a child. Unfortunately, TMC started the comedy without any groundwork! Intellectual level of that party is very high, we understand!
History proves that copying is always carried out by the most sub-standard follower. TMC is the most substandard follower of Fascism, and that is why its copy of the Reikhstag incident has been a mere caricature. Marx once mentioned that history repeats itself, as a tragedy for the first time and as a comedy for the second. But even we could not believe that the Reikhstag tragedy will come down to such a third graded comedy! Mamata Banerjee might take a lesson of Fascism from her ally BJP and RSS. We hope to see our ultra-left friends, too, in that class!
If Mamata Banerjee thinks that by propagating the lie she can take hold of panchayet election, then, we are sorry to say, she is wrong. Villagers in Ranichowk showed how the mass resistance can drive away the reactionaries and hooligans. Yes, the game must go on, and it has started just now! The real game. Until now, the game has been one sided. BUPC has been dancing in the empty field. Now the other side started to take part. The one sided carnival is over. The chess, started by TMC, must be continued until the checkmate. People are rising, realizing to fight unto the last. TMC must face the consequence. The price of the bride in the chess has been paid and accepted. But there would be no wedding until the player’s admission of capitulation. It is the fight between TMC and the common people. Ranichowk started to counter, and this will go on until TMC places the tip of one forefinger on top of the crown of its king. Ultimately the people shall be victorious, we know. Is Mamata Banerjee ready to accept this fact?

Mamata Bannerjee - this isnt the road to Development

: Please double click on the picture to view it in actual size

Mamata do you think that putting the common man to trouble and by destroying public property will help you to reach your ambition?

We think not, and nor do millions of people in Bengal?

Do We Need To Say Anything More On Mamata?

Is Mamata Hand in Glove with Maoists?

Is Mamata Hand in Glove with Maoists?


It would not surprise anybody. Knowing Mamata and her ways - her joining hands with the Maoists could be a possibility. Mamata has a one-point programme. To oust the Red Govt. and somehow come to power herself. She will not stop at anything to realize her mega ambition. If she have had any sense, by now she would be aware that her dream to rule is beyond bounds – atleast in this birth of hers. Maybe next time around.

But, the thought of her joining in with Maoists is a scary thought, which will endanger the lives of millions in Bengal. Please find below media reports which have emerged out of the IB report.

According to intelligence reports, the Maoists are helping out villagers with arms and ammunition
KOLKATA: In a significant breakthrough, the intelligence branch (IB) of the West Bengal police have come to know how arms and ammunition are being sent to activists of Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (land eviction resistance committee) that is spearheading a movement to retain control over Nandigram.
What is even more alarming, according to IB findings, is that their firepower has increased significantly over the past three months. This is due to uninterrupted supply of sophisticated arms by Maoist guerrillas. The IB report has further pointed out that a group of six Maoist explosives and firearms specialists have already reached Nandigram to train the activists.
According to IB sources, all six members of the group are in the most-wanted category, with several cases of murder against them. The six-member team includes Ranjit Pal, Gauranga Chakraborty and Sangita Pal, all of whom are wanted for a series of insurgency activities in the districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.
As per the IB findings, apart from country-made single shooter guns, muskets and revolvers, the committee is in procession of at least two AK47 rifles, three self-loading rifles and over 60 mortars of various ranges. “All of these came into Nandigram is different consignments along with the Maoist guerrillas. We suspect that these Maoists have also brought to Nandigram the high quality explosive Neogel 90 along with them,” a senior IB official said.
The IB has also secured information that these sophisticated arms are not supplied free by the Maoists. “We have come to know that Maoists are selling these items at a nominal cost to the committee activists. However, we are not yet sure who is proving the funds,” the IB official said.

Finally, that the people of Bengal have pushed out Mamata Banerjee out of their life and taken to the good and benefiting work happening in the state for them by the current government under the stewardship of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, its now time to celebrate.

Gone, is Mamata and her nonsense whimpers. The media doesn’t speak to her anymore, nor do they want her comments. Except for the sold out paper Bartaman, not a single media is with her. Bartaman unfortunately survives on bashing the govt. and thus manages to sell few of its copies to the miniscule opposition coterie. That being the business model of Bartaman, they are doubtful to ever say the correct and right thing. But, except for these loose shots here and there, Mamata has been outcasted and strewn away.
But now - the good news. Investments are pouring into West Bengal like never before. It spells good future for all the people of the state. Prosperity is round the corner and this Durga Puja reflects the mood. Happiness all around. And why should it not be the mood.

Sample this –

Rejuvenation of Steel Industry in West Bengal – leaves other states behind

With more than Rs 100,000 crore worth investments in the pipeline, West Bengal has emerged as a hot destination for the steel industry, leaving behind the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh. The investments announced for greenfield and brownfield projects in the state stand at Rs 108,500 crore.

According to a steel ministry document dated July 1, Orissa topped the chart with Rs 1,92,380 crore investments, followed by Jharkhand at 1,78,496 crore and Chhattisgarh at Rs 89,232 crore. West Bengal ranked third with Rs 1,08,500 cr investment lined up in greenfield, brownfield projects.

While Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh bagged the investments largely on the back of their iron ore deposits, West Bengal was helped by its ports.

PROPOSED INVESTMENT IN WEST BENGAL – STEEL SECTOR
Finally, that the people of Bengal have pushed out Mamata Banerjee out of their life and taken to the good and benefiting work happening in the state for them by the current government under the stewardship of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, its now time to celebrate.

Gone, is Mamata and her nonsense whimpers. The media doesn’t speak to her anymore, nor do they want her comments. Except for the sold out paper Bartaman, not a single media is with her. Bartaman unfortunately survives on bashing the govt. and thus manages to sell few of its copies to the miniscule opposition coterie. That being the business model of Bartaman, they are doubtful to ever say the correct and right thing. But, except for these loose shots here and there, Mamata has been outcasted and strewn away.
But now - the good news. Investments are pouring into West Bengal like never before. It spells good future for all the people of the state. Prosperity is round the corner and this Durga Puja reflects the mood. Happiness all around. And why should it not be the mood.

Sample this –

Rejuvenation of Steel Industry in West Bengal – leaves other states behind

With more than Rs 100,000 crore worth investments in the pipeline, West Bengal has emerged as a hot destination for the steel industry, leaving behind the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh. The investments announced for greenfield and brownfield projects in the state stand at Rs 108,500 crore.

According to a steel ministry document dated July 1, Orissa topped the chart with Rs 1,92,380 crore investments, followed by Jharkhand at 1,78,496 crore and Chhattisgarh at Rs 89,232 crore. West Bengal ranked third with Rs 1,08,500 cr investment lined up in greenfield, brownfield projects.

While Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh bagged the investments largely on the back of their iron ore deposits, West Bengal was helped by its ports.

PROPOSED INVESTMENT IN WEST BENGAL – STEEL SECTOR

The companies which are setting up are - JSW Bengal Steel, Videocon group, Jai Balaji, Abhijit Steel, IISCO Steel Plant ( being modernized), Bhushan Steel unit, Adhunik Steel, Durgapur Steel Plant( Brownfield) and Alloy Steel Plant( Brownfield)

And the investment they are pumping in is a proposed whopping - 108,500 crore

Now that is simply fabulous.

According to a CII-McKinsey study, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa have 56 per cent of India’s iron ore deposits and 70 per cent of coal.
Bengal has some coal reserves but that is negligible compared with the Big Three. The state accounts for around 6 per cent of the total coal production in the country.
Even though it has no iron ore to offer, the government is wooing investors with coal.

The big-ticket plant will be the JSW’s 10 million-tonne-steel plant is the largest steel sector project in the state.

The state government has offered sales tax exemption to Bhushan Steel the second largest, which is investing Rs 8,800 crore to set up an integrated two-million-tonne steel plant with a captive power plant of 1,000 Mw and a 0.5-million-tonne cold rolled and galvanising plant for automobile grade steel.

Most of Bengal's steel plants would come up in backward districts such as Purulia, Birbhum and West Midnapore.

With all this good news we leave one message for all Bengalis in West Bengal:

DHAKER BADDI, DHAAKER SHAAJ, EI TOH PURANO REETISHEULI PHULER GONDHEY AAJKE DEKHO DURGA PUJOR PHURTIONEK KHUSHI ONEK AALO, PUJO TOMAAR KATUK BHALO.EI SHARODIYA UTSHOBEY JANAI AAMAR SUBECHHA O PREETI ...

"Mamata Made" - Time to bow out Mamata di

We have been saying this for a long long time. But now the others too have joined us. Finally the mainstream media too is fed up with Mamata and her monkey tricks. Today we just copy + paste the editorial that has appeared in one of the key Bengali publications -Aajkal - and that too in the Editorial :

Aajkaal Editorial - 05.10.2007 – "Man Made"

The West Bengal government is facing lot of problem to pursue industrialization. Some in the government are also creating trouble, but we are not going to discuss that now. The main opposition party, Trinamool Congress wants industrialization, but not in the Left rule. It's "ok" if it's happening in Andhra, Gujarat or Tamil Nadu, 'but not here'. The people of Nandigram would have been benefited most had a big industry come to Nandigram. And along with it, West Bengal. But there was a dangerous opposition which resulted in bloodshed. Sad history. It is already clear that the local people are going to be benefited from the Singur factory. It would be beneficial to the state in long run. There is trouble even there. Cheers if the factory is flooded by torrential rain. Efforts are on to break the wall on the days of calamity. As if the state government is to blame for the large number of police presence there! The mystery of Rizan's death. The government or the CPM does not have any interest or role there. But, the Chief Minister and CPM are still being targeted. Allegations against corruption of ration dealers. There should be an investigation. Trinamool is terming it as "Ration Scam". The minister in charge is not CPM. But CPM is still being attacked. The opposition leader of the state, Ms Mamata Banerjee has said that Buddhadev Bhattacharya- Biman Bose aerated the recent flood situation in Bengal to divert attention from Nandigram, Singur, Ration, Rizwan. Yes, she has again uttered that word 'man made'. As if floods in the districts would increase CPM's vote share. When the Chief Minister, Finance Minister and Minster for Relief are visiting the flood affected areas, the Trinamool leader is looking for vote from the disaster. She doesn't have the heart to go and visit the distressed people, to support the development drive in the state – she is always looking at votes. What to do? That she is the opposition leader is also man made. Some of these 'men' are supposedly 'responsible'!.

Mamata –lies –Singur suicide –more lies

Mamata ––Singur

That Mamata Banerjee is the epitome of opportunism and falsehood is a bygone conclusion, but now she is the new avatar of disruption of life for all Kolkattans. She at once grabs any event that can be twisted and turned for some political mileage and she will go no ends to assert that the situation is grave. Her new mantra is – Raasta Rocko.

Just the other day a man, fed up with his situation of penury and a unstable marriage, wherein he suspected his wife to be philandering other village men broke down and took the extreme step of committing suicide. The poor man hung himself from a guava tree outside his house. A sad case indeed. Sad, as a precious human life was ebbed out. Unfortunately suicides have become a regular routine event in our country and not a single day passes with one not being recorded.

But, then comes the twist in the tale. The man who died was a resident of Singur. This information was enough cannon fodder for a Mamata. She immediately went into whirlwind action and termed the suicide as a Murder. Her justification – the tata motor car plant that was coming up at singur had resulted in that mans loosing his land and this unhappiness spurred him to take the extreme step. Sadly, her claim bust within minutes, when it became public knowledge that the man belonged to a poor family, who never owned any land and that he used to work in a steel company at Kumarkundu. Not to be outdone, Mamata claimed that before he worked in Kumarkundu, he was a sharecropper, tilling the land of other farmers, and that he lost his job as those farmers sold their land. Now, how can anyone argue with such nonsense? For one, the man was earning five times the amount he ever made working as a sharecropper. Finally, with the public smirking at Mamata and the media avoiding her, mamata called for a Raasta Rocko in Kolkatta. All Kolkattans received this news with dread, as it obstructed their life. The choked streets of Kolkatta if stopped further results in huge traffic jams disrupting the life of all commuters. The irritation was evident when one overheard people on the streets commenting that – some bugger commits suicide in some far flung place, and this stupid woman brings our life to a standstill. Sadly a loss of life was being derided owing to stunts by Mamata.

We can only advise Mamata, to pay heed to public sentiments otherwise the mantle of a politician that she is still donning will slip out very soon.

Mamata Banerjee - Congress to NDA and back again.

Mamata and her 'Sic' politics

Just a week back, Mamata forgot to maintain her ‘false’ firebrand image, and the chameleon showed its true colors. In the most vague way, she gave out the message that she was now disassociating herself with the NDA (BJP) and was looking ahead to forge relationship with UPA (CONGRESS). Nobody was surprised, knowing that Mamata only plays the politics of opportunism. And then a ping-pong ball is paddled from one court to the other. If only Mamata had the looks, she would have been a social climber.

But Mamata’s move should not surprise anybody. To jog you down the memory lane – In 2001, just five weeks before the West Bengal assembly elections, she ditched the BJP, her ally in two successive Lok Sabha elections, and embraced the Congress, on which she had once bestowed the epithet of "B-team" of the ruling Left Front. Banerjee had joined Congress hoping to win many seats in the elections. Even before the counting of votes for the May assembly elections in West Bengal had begun, she was flashing the "V" sign before television cameras. She had even made plans to hold the swearing-in ceremony of her cabinet in the open air on Brigade Parade Ground. But, it turned out otherwise and she won only 60 seats in the 294-member Assembly. With egg on her face at the hustings, the Congress alliance came to an end. So for Mamata, U turns are nothing new. The only problem she faces now is that the voter too understands what she is doing, and nobody wants an opportunist in the Drivers Seat.

We can only advise and repeat the words that Napoleon had said when retreating from Moscow – “There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous"

Mamata, we hope you are taking notes.

Mamata Bannerjee has no character

Dear Readers,

This is really not a blog post, but a reply to a query. While we were inundated with phone calls congratulating us by scores of our readers as to the – funniest and crudest website that Trinamool Congress has put up, one of our readers asked if we were not committing a case of – Character Assassination? Well, our reply to the question is very simple – You can assassinate a character; when one does exist. Unfortunately, Mamata is no mettle and no character. She is just a rabble-rouser and trouble brewer – and that’s her – only character.

We would further request the reader to have a “dekho” at the Trinamool website and we assure – you shall have no further doubts.

Few of the gems we would highlight:

Mamata is the daughter of a legendary freedom fighter. All the history annals will provide you with no clue at all, as to what her father did for the independence struggle?

Mamata, has written about 15 odd books both in the - Queens language and in Bangla – “Please don’t fall off the chair laughing”

She has written a song and also imparted music for the same. “ She could have chosen the alternative career of a song writer”

Such and many more laughs are on your way. Just log on to the site, and check out -what a "false character making attempt" it is by Mamata Bannerjee.

Mamata Banerjee = No Ideology

Trinamool Congress - The Party Has No Manifesto

Dear Readers,

Yesterday, we signed off with the note as to how opportunist Mamata is, and if at all her existence had any ideology. So to be fair, we conducted an in-depth online search and we came up with few gems, which only Mamata and Trinamool could have offered.

The party has online presence and it can be found on the URL - http://www.trinamoolcongress.com/

Amazingly, while all kinds of categories have been created under many heads, the site does not have any mention of the party manifesto or ideology. Though a section called –‘Party Constitution’ is present, but has a vague two introductory paragraphs of what the party stands for. Apart from those 12 lines the rest of the document is on – How to become a party member etc etc. Obviously a party that came into being trying to broker power had to be without any ideology.

We paste below the two skimpy paragraphs that describe the philosophy of this party. It is word obese and its vagueness will surely bring upon a smile. So Cheers here we go –

AIM
Article I - The aim of the Party shall be to make all round development of India in the political, economic, industrial, social, cultural, agricultural sectors and to establish India as global power keeping in view the multilingual, multifaceted, multiethnic, rich culture and heritage of India.
Objective
Article II - The objective of the Party shall be (a) To uphold and adhere, with true faith and allegiance, to the Constitution of India as by law established.(b) To uphold and work for the furtherence of the principles of Nationalism, Socialism, Secularism and Democrary. (c) To eradicate illeteracy, poverty and injustice and cause upliftment of the downtrodden by ensuring social equality, awakening of the masses by peaceful means, movement and participation in the lawful electoral process


We leave you today at this, but for more laughs you can log on to the Trinamool website and enjoy.

Mamata - Most corrupt politician 2007

Mamata - The new breed of Aaya Ram & Gaya Ram

We had heard of the concept of Aaya Ram & Gaya Ram’s, but thought that by dint of certain parliamentary processes and laws the same had become a past tense. However we were brutally shocked to realize that some power hungry politicos still are practicing the same formula albeit in a subtle way, though shameless about it. So shameless, that they have the audacity to try and justify it to the common voter. But the question is - who could be that politician, who is so power hungry, who is bereft of any ideology and is leading the common man to darkness and doom.

Our fear came true when the one and only name that cropped up was – Mamata Banerjee. Not that anybody had ever underestimated her. She is the shining light of senseless blabber, total lack of any vision and ideology. But that she would stoop so low? Even we were surprised.
Here was Mamata, all joining the NDA. And why? – The most stupid reason she had proclaimed then - Out of sheer respect for Atal Bihari Vajpayee. We wonder was it Bajpayee or was it because BJP was in power? Today BJP is in a bad shape and the electoral equations have changed. So now Mamata does a somersault and is flirting up the Congress. She feels that the fallout among the Congress and Left over the Nuclear Deal has a window opening. The bad Congress and Left relations mean that she could win some seats in West Bengal with Congress support. Additionally BJP has a Hindutva face – A big NO No when it comes to Muslim votes. So disassociating with NDA reflects as her being Pro Muslim. But sadly Mamata, every Indian can see through the charade you are trying to play. We sympathise with the gullible TMC followers in the interiors who are too innocent to see through this rigmarole game of yours and understand that all you want is a piece of power for your own benefit. And that’s all you care or ever cared for - your own Self.

We just hope may God give the simple folk the understanding to see through your chameleon colors.

We shall be back again with more power hungry moves of Mamata as she commits the transgressions, which she almost does on a daily basis. We sign off till then dear readers.

Mamata - You are the brick in the wall - You need education

Mamata stop misinforming the public !!

Dear Readers,

Yesterday we signed off on the note that we shall come back with expert opinion on the Chemical Hub. Today we have for you all critical questions answered by the experts who know it all. The questions deal with all aspects – starting from the need of a chemical hub, to why West Bengal has been chosen, how it will benefit the people by way of employment and otherwise, to the most important question of all - safety of having a chemical hub.

We for one do not doubt the experts and like Mamata would not like to infringe into territory unknown, specially subjects which are highly specialized. Mamata has her own agenda – To oppose any and everything that would lead to progress and a better life for millions in Bengal. Our perspective is different - We want to see a flourishing Bengal.

At the end, dear readers we leave you to decide on your own once you have read the answers given below:

What is Chemical Hub?

It’s an integration of chemical, petrochemicals and other related industries under one roof. The end product of one can be used as the raw material of another industry.

Is chemical hub a new concept?
Not at all. When the petrochemical project was set up in Haldia, it was decided that the project would be expanded. This 60’s thought is now being implemented.

Why is there a need of a Chemical Hub?

India’s production of petrochemical products is much less than any other countries in the world. Hence, we have to import petrochemical products. However, it’s important to reduce this dependency on import. This industry not only caters to our daily requirements, but also plays a significant role in increasing the economy of the state/country.

What are the products?

All the bi products of Naphtha based chemicals are made into Polymer, Textiles, Synthetic Rubber, Engineering instruments, Milk Packet, Mobile Cover, medicines etc.



Are the Western countries pressurizing the hub to be set up in India?

It is really hilarious the situation is quite opposite. If we become self-sufficient we would not have to import products from Western Countries.


Why West Bengal?
Geographically, it’s suitable. West Bengal is one the seven states that feature in the list prepared by a high-powered committee of the Government. Haldia already has a petrochemical industry. Moreover there is the advantage of having a port.

Employment Opportunities?
Around 1-lac direct and indirect job opportunities.

Total Investment required?
Initial investment of Rs.12, 000 crores is required for setting up infrastructure. IOC is willing to invest Rs.20, 000 cr. Deep-sea port will also be set up. More investments to follow once the hub is set up. Such huge investments would translate as excellent infrastructure and overall economic development of the state for one and all.

Is it possible to set up the hub at Nayachar?
There is no problem in setting up a hub on an island. A petrochemical hub was set up six years ago in Singapore with an investment of 200 million dollars.

How reasonable is the apprehension about the environment?

No project is set up without the environment clearance. There is no reason for apprehension. Many people have opposed the use of plastic. But the steering wheel of the car that they ride in is also made of plastic! From toothbrush to water pipes everything is made up of plastic.

YET ANOTHER BATTLE LOST FOR MAMATA

More Good News For West Bengal – Chemical Hub


It was a sigh of relief for lakhs of Bengalis across the state when the All party Meet on the proposed chemical hub, came to an end on 3rd Sept. People had been waiting for some good news and it came – All the political parties in the state had given their go ahead for the chemical hub, and now it was to be set up in Nayachar. Smiles lit up on every face as this news poured in. For Bengal, this was the next piece of - Good News, the last being – when the Tata’s chose the state for their small car unit. The go ahead for the chemical hub, translates for the common man as - more employment, more money and better infrastructure. In a nutshell a better lifestyle - a lifestyle that everyone wants to have – a standard of living which today more then half of the population are enjoying in the central, northern and southern parts of the country, but Bengal is still aspiring for it. The sole reason – Industrialization, which in turn brings in overall progress, has escaped Bengal. But now it seems everything will change for a better Bengal. But surely, you will always have one detractor – Mamata Bannerjee who would throw mud at any attempt towards progress for West Bengal.But by now, the people of Bengal have realized what’s good for them, and don’t pay heed to useless canker thrown up by self styled activists and politicians. At the end - empty words don’t feed anybody.

To know more about the proposed chemical hub, we took upon ourselves to send a questionnaire to chemical scientists and await the answers. Once the answers are in we shall post it for all of you.

Singur Gone, Nandigram going, going - - - - - - going - - -

In any democracy, people have the last word. Whatever be the issues raised, whatever points made by all opposing candidates and parties, the end result is the indicator as to the wish of the people. The “blown out of proportion” problems created by Trinamool and its leader – Mamata Bannerjee has now taken the ultimate beating - that of the people. Clearly the people have voted for the Tata small car factory in Singur and given their -Go Ahead - for the SEZ, which had to be stalled few months back.

How else can one explain the panchayat elections 2 months back and the municipal elections declared just yesterday? In the Panchayat elections, Trinamool suffered a backlash they had not even dreamt of. Maximum seats were won by the CPI (M). – (You can get the complete details in a previous blog written then). And now, the just held municipal elections have sounded the death knell for opposing the SEZ at Haldia. Out of a total 25 wards, the Trinamool had trumpeted a clean sweep. But, Alas! The people decided otherwise. Out of 25 seats, CPI (M) bagged an overwhelming 17 and their front partner CPI won 2 seats, thus taking the total to 19 seats. This victory has great significance as the Left Front had campaigned on the plank of industrialization and development, while the opposition Trinamool took the high road and highlighted the police firing in Nandigram and the govt’s. “ So called forcible” acquisition of land in Singur for Tata Motor’s small car plant. The people have given their choice - industrialization and development is what they want.

And though, Mamata may try to belittle this win by terming it as local and only at the municipal level and not state level – then she would have missed the point totally. It’s at the grassroots level. The issue was raised at the grassroots and is now dying at the grassroots.

For the Trinamool and Mamata the oracle is very clear – Bow out, before you are Thrown out.

Mamata's country tour

Crisis of Confidence

Why is Mamata roaming all over the country with a group of Singur residents whom she bandies around with placards around their necks proclaiming them as – victim’s relatives, when actually she should be in her own state and giving a helping hand to the increasing number of flood victims which are rising with each mm of extra rainfall? Is it that flood victims do not stir any feelings in her or is it that she is on her own trip to somehow muster power on her side and thus is on a nationwide jaunt engaging in confabulations with political heads of various shades.

Apart from the stark reality of Mamata’s total lack of sympathy or the will to do any good for the people of Bengal, her cross country movement also indicates how her so called trump card of Singur, which she has and is still trying to use has died its natural death. Singur, as of today in Bengal is a fizzled out proposition. Mamata realizes this aspect very well and is currently suffering a crisis of confidence. Her support base in her own state has eroded and that has now forced her to look for partners elsewhere. Her hunt to gather power is evident as per news report which appeared on 9th July in the Economic Times. We attach underneath the news report which is self explanatory and brings to the fore, the wishy washy person that Mamata is, and leaves one wondering - Does Mamata really care for anybody except for her own self? :


Mamata meets Jayalalithaa, fans speculation of her quitting NDA


TRINAMOOL Congress leader Mamata Banerjee’s sudden decision to meet Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa in Chennai on Sunday has fanned intense speculation about her possible entry into the newly revived Third Front.
Lately, Ms Bannerjee has been seen distancing herself from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of which till recently, she was a very vocal member. The root cause behind the differences have been over the Presidential candidature.
Ms Bannerjee had initially come out openly in support of NDA candidate Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and even campaigned on his behalf with Third Front leaders like Chandrababu Naidu. But later, she announced that she would like President A P J Abdul Kalam to be reelected.
The timing, coming as it did soon after Ms Jayalalithaa’s announcement on behalf of the Third Front in a similar vein, has raised questions about Ms Banerjee’s long-term plans of staying with the NDA.
Besides, the Trinamool leader’s decision to spurn requests from all NDA leaders wishing to meet her during her visit to Delhi last week has further lent credence to speculation that she was deliberately trying to distance herself from the NDA.
She is on her way back to Kolkata after a successful trip to Kerala, where she traveled to underscore the plight of displaced farmers in the Singur site of the Tata Motors auto project.
The Third Front, which in its new avatar has been christened the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), has several leaders who are close to Ms Bannerjee including Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh. She has been maintaining close contact with these leaders.
Ironically, she had till early June been trying to convince these leaders to vote for the NDA candidate in the Presidential elections. However, there may be one hitch for Ms Bannerjee. In its earlier form, the Third Front had the active support of the CPM-led Left Front. If that happens again in the future, Mamata may find it difficult to justify her presence in it.
It has never been easy to predict Mamata’s moves. For the moment, she refuses to show her cards. She termed her meeting with Jayalalithaa as merely an attempt to highlight the plight of displaced farmers in West Bengal. She told journalists that she planned to spread the word about her ongoing crusade against the Left Front government in West Bengal to all like-minded political parties.
However, she played safe and refrained from commenting on whether this was the beginning of the end of her journey with the BJP-led NDA.

Dear Mamata, we would wish, that instead of parading across the country, you would rather join hands with the ruling Govt. in your state and help to empower people of your own state or if you have better plans of empowering the people of Bengal in which Industrialization does not figure, then lets see you share that with the people. Let’s see some nation building ideas from you and your party. We will wait.

Mamata, you must read this - you really need to change

AK BHATTACHARYA: A PRAGMATIC APPROACH

The West Bengal leadership finally seems to be more transparent on its rehabilitation and compensation policy.

Why is the West Bengal government worried over the adverse publicity the state continues to receive over the land acquisition controversy arising out of the proposed small cars plant of Tata Motors at Singur and a chemical complex at Nandigram? There could be two reasons. One, the media’s expectations from the West Bengal government on governance and how it should handle popular protests over large industrial projects are high. Two, investment commitments of over Rs 50,000 crore are at stake and the state government cannot afford such adverse publicity.

The perception from Writer’s Building, headquarters of the West Bengal government, is that the media has paid disproportionately higher attention to a few deaths at Nandigram and some incidents at Singur than it did for incidents in Chattisgarh or Orissa, where a substantially larger number of people were killed. This may not be entirely true. And even if it were, the fact is that the media surely expected from the Left Front government in West Bengal a better and more mature handling of the troubles at Singur and Nandigram over the local residents’ fears arising out of land acquisition. It was a failure both administratively and politically. The state administration was not proactive enough to anticipate the trouble over land acquisition and take necessary precautionary steps. Nor did the political leadership recognise the potential mischief that the state’s opposition political parties can cause in the wake of those controversies. So, why blame the media for focussing on the problems at Singur and Nandigram?

The more serious cause for concern is on account of the huge investments that the West Bengal government has managed to attract in the last few years. New investments in the state have been around Rs 2,500-3,000 crore a year in the last three-four years. This year, fresh investments might cross Rs 5,000 crore. Over the next decade, the annual investment figure will go up rapidly as the state has already got investment commitments worth Rs 50,000 crore. If, however, problems over Singur and Nandigram get more complicated, prospects of fresh investments will suffer. And the Left Front’s plans to revive industrial investment in West Bengal might receive a major blow. There is near-unanimity among the senior leadership in the Left Front government that increased industrialisation of the state is the way forward to increase job opportunities.

The leadership also recognises the need for implementing a more transparent policy on rehabilitation and compensation for those who lose land as a result of setting up large industrial projects. It is pragmatic enough to understand that there cannot be a fixed model of compensation for all types of industrial projects. If a project is being set up by a newly floated company, the possibility of offering shares of that company to those who lose land can be explored. Similarly, as in the case of the Singur plant, the entire area to be handed over to Tata Motors was redrawn so that fewer farmers lost their land. And if Nandigram was mishandled giving rise to major problems, the government was quick to announce that no such project will be considered in that area.

The short point is that the Left Front leadership has shown a commendable degree of pragmatism in handling such problems. What’s more, it has now begun a process of advance consultation with the people who may be affected by such projects and the opposition political parties in the state. For instance, it is in consultation with the opposition political parties on the proposed four-lane highway project to connect North Bengal with Kolkata. The project to revive the IISCO plant has also been a subject of consultation with leaders of opposition political parties. Gone is the arrogance that one sensed in the way Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s government dealt with the Nandigram and Singur issues. There is an attempt to hold more discussions over such projects within the Left Front partners, in a belated recognition of the fact that this after all is a coalition government. The larger concern that Bengal’s industrialisation programme should not be allowed to derail has brought about a new consultative approach.

The lessons that the Left Front government has learnt in West Bengal are relevant also for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. The difference is that no one in the UPA government has as yet shown signs of recognising the importance of consulting the various stakeholders in the system before deciding on infrastructure projects — be they special economic zones or the mega power projects.

The West Bengal leadership finally seems to be more transparent on its rehabilitation and compensation policy.

Why is the West Bengal government worried over the adverse publicity the state continues to receive over the land acquisition controversy arising out of the proposed small cars plant of Tata Motors at Singur and a chemical complex at Nandigram? There could be two reasons. One, the media’s expectations from the West Bengal government on governance and how it should handle popular protests over large industrial projects are high. Two, investment commitments of over Rs 50,000 crore are at stake and the state government cannot afford such adverse publicity.

The perception from Writer’s Building, headquarters of the West Bengal government, is that the media has paid disproportionately higher attention to a few deaths at Nandigram and some incidents at Singur than it did for incidents in Chattisgarh or Orissa, where a substantially larger number of people were killed. This may not be entirely true. And even if it were, the fact is that the media surely expected from the Left Front government in West Bengal a better and more mature handling of the troubles at Singur and Nandigram over the local residents’ fears arising out of land acquisition. It was a failure both administratively and politically. The state administration was not proactive enough to anticipate the trouble over land acquisition and take necessary precautionary steps. Nor did the political leadership recognise the potential mischief that the state’s opposition political parties can cause in the wake of those controversies. So, why blame the media for focussing on the problems at Singur and Nandigram?

The more serious cause for concern is on account of the huge investments that the West Bengal government has managed to attract in the last few years. New investments in the state have been around Rs 2,500-3,000 crore a year in the last three-four years. This year, fresh investments might cross Rs 5,000 crore. Over the next decade, the annual investment figure will go up rapidly as the state has already got investment commitments worth Rs 50,000 crore. If, however, problems over Singur and Nandigram get more complicated, prospects of fresh investments will suffer. And the Left Front’s plans to revive industrial investment in West Bengal might receive a major blow. There is near-unanimity among the senior leadership in the Left Front government that increased industrialisation of the state is the way forward to increase job opportunities.

The leadership also recognises the need for implementing a more transparent policy on rehabilitation and compensation for those who lose land as a result of setting up large industrial projects. It is pragmatic enough to understand that there cannot be a fixed model of compensation for all types of industrial projects. If a project is being set up by a newly floated company, the possibility of offering shares of that company to those who lose land can be explored. Similarly, as in the case of the Singur plant, the entire area to be handed over to Tata Motors was redrawn so that fewer farmers lost their land. And if Nandigram was mishandled giving rise to major problems, the government was quick to announce that no such project will be considered in that area.

The short point is that the Left Front leadership has shown a commendable degree of pragmatism in handling such problems. What’s more, it has now begun a process of advance consultation with the people who may be affected by such projects and the opposition political parties in the state. For instance, it is in consultation with the opposition political parties on the proposed four-lane highway project to connect North Bengal with Kolkata. The project to revive the IISCO plant has also been a subject of consultation with leaders of opposition political parties. Gone is the arrogance that one sensed in the way Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s government dealt with the Nandigram and Singur issues. There is an attempt to hold more discussions over such projects within the Left Front partners, in a belated recognition of the fact that this after all is a coalition government. The larger concern that Bengal’s industrialisation programme should not be allowed to derail has brought about a new consultative approach.

The lessons that the Left Front government has learnt in West Bengal are relevant also for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. The difference is that no one in the UPA government has as yet shown signs of recognising the importance of consulting the various stakeholders in the system before deciding on infrastructure projects — be they special economic zones or the mega power projects.

Singur Project crucial for Bengal, says Minister

The Tata small car project at Singur holds the key to an estimated Rs 50,000 crore investment into West Bengal, said the state's industries minister Nirupam Sen on Monday. Sen maintained that West Bengal would get substantial investment within a year of the small car project starting off. But he agreed that the local opposition to the project would have to end first.
Criticising those opposed to the industrialisation of the state, Sen said those opposing the project had simply refused to listen to the appeal of chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya."I did not expect that a manufacturing unit would be opposed by opposition parties. Earlier we used to be attacked by the same people who said that despite being in power for 30 years, we have failed attract a single automobile manufacturer," said Sen.
He explained that the state government had managed to bring Tata Motors to West Bengal when the Tatas had almost decided to set up the plant at Uttrakhand due to fiscal sops the state offered. "We managed to match them. I cannot divulge the financial details," said Sen and added, "I have taken a calculated risk." He said the officers in his ministry worked hard for six months with the Tata Motors management to hammer out a mutually acceptable agreement.
Sen also pointed that the state government has already tied up an investment of about Rs 2,000-Rs 5,000 crore for 2007-08, which is about Rs 3,000 crore more than last year. Further, a number of new ventures are in pipeline that amount to more than Rs 50,000 crore. This is in addition to the total investment of Rs 50,000 crore spread across various industries that have started production, he said.
When quizzed about the steps taken by the government to improve the investment climate and promote industrialization following the strong opposition, in Nandigram and Singur, Sen said that the thrust is to build the consensus from the lowest level. "We have asked the District Magistrates to engage people from the lowest level of the administration to build a consensus on industrialisation," said Sen.

We are sure Mamata doesnt agree. Well for her, the govt. which has been ruling Bengal for 30 years by will of the people are fools and do not know how to run the state and specifically do not understand what is best for the people. Well, its time you read the pulse of the people Mamata.

Tata's educate the people of Singur. What have you done Mamata?

Singur Trainees eligible for Employment on successful completion of Training

We spoke to Tata Motors and what more can you expect Mamata? Its easy to crticise. Can you even give employment to 1 person Mamata ? ?


The Tata Motors' operation in Singur is expected to create employment in excess of 10,000 direct and indirect jobs within the plant, amongst vendors and service providers in the vicinity. The company, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and the West Bengal Government have jointly undertaken several initiatives to train youth, from the singur villages. When contacted, Tata Motors spokesperson said that " if they successfully clear the training and related tests, they will become eligible for employment."



The Youth from Singur villages who are being trained had earlier registered with the WBIDC to improve their employability.

This exercise on training/improvement in skills for employability started in December 2006 with a focus on ITI-trained youth from the Singur villages. About 36 such youth were found and called for tests, and 17 from among them have been selected and placed in Tata Motors' Jamshedpur facility for extensive 6-month training. Tata Motors has been providing them with hostel facilities and also a monthly stipend during the 6-month period. On successful completion of the training programme and other related tests, they will be eligible for employment in the Small Car project in Singur.


On April 25, 2007, taking such initiatives forward, the Government of West Bengal's Department of Technical Education & Training (DTET), the WBIDC and Tata Motors had signed a memorandum of understanding for an even more extensive training programme for a larger number of Singur residents. The programme includes a 9-month course for freshers, and a 6-month course for those Singur residents whom the WBIDC had earlier begun to train at the Ramakrishna Shilpa Mandir, of the Ramakrishna Mission (Belur Math), Howrah District of the state. To begin with, this initiative is benefitting about 340 individuals, with various educational qualifications.

These two programmes are being run at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Howrah Homes, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Hooghly, and the Ramakrishna Shilpa Mandir. The syllabus has been prepared by the Directorate of Industrial Training in consultation with Tata Motors and approved by the State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT), West Bengal. The expenses for the programme at the two ITIs are being equally funded by the WBIDC and Tata Motors. Tata Motors will help the ITI's, where the youth are under training, with equipment and also train, if necessary, the trainers. The expenses for the programme at the Ramakrishna Shilpa Mandir is being fully borne by Tata Motors. WBIDC is paying a monthly stipend to these trainees.

After completing the programme, the trainees will undertake a test to be conducted by the DTET, and successful candidates will receive the State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT) certificate from the DTET. These successful candidates will then undergo a 15-month hands-on training at the Tata Motors plant to endow them with multi-skill abilities and enhance their employability. On successful completion of the training programme, they too will be eligible for employment in the Small Car project in Singur.

Arrangements will also be made to impart relevant training to other individuals, in the WBIDC list, appropriate to their educational background and skills and based on a selection process.

Mamata and her stupid arguments

Singur farmers will not "Chew Cars"

The tantrum of Indian politicians is not a new phenomenon, but surely Mamata Bannerjee takes the cake. It is indeed sad, that such hue and cry has been made for a non-starter issue dubbed “Singur”. Means, have we lost our navigation? Why are we going off course? Does anybody disagree to industrialization? Don’t we all know that if our country has to keep on growing and maintain the current growth rate, then we need to go all out and set up more and more industries? So, what is it that Mamata is trying to do? She seems just hell bent to rouse a rabble and thereby create a vote bank for her. For her own petty selfish gains, she is willing to sacrifice better future of thousands of farmers and their families.

Mamata and her logic defy any and all sense. It certainly is a well thought out plan, or why else did the Trinamool Youth Congress take out a procession demanding return of land of farmers at Singur on 18^th, when it was known that on 19^th the Govt. would announce the compensation package for the so called effected farmers? Clearly, Mamata had in her mind to refuse straightaway any package that the Govt. was to announce. Undoubtedly, the package is - as described by the patriarch Jyoti Basu – “This is the best package in the country”. The announced package is black and white and not a portion exists which sounds garbled or gives the impression of hidden mines. Just to encapsulate what the package is and how it benefits all, I summarize it below:

• Farmers who are elderly & directly dependent on tilling land cannot be considered for training for employment. Govt is considering putting up shops etc in the 47.11 acre of land that they have at their disposal in Singur and giving it to those farmers as alternate means of sustenance.

• 350 nos. of project affected youth are being trained at different ITIs for 6 and 9 months. These youth will get direct employment at the mother plant

• 150 more such youth will be selected for training in Ramakrishna Mission. The selection process will start from Sunday 24^th June.

• To train, as “Test Drivers” 100 people will be given training at Hooghly Motor Training School.

• 40 Ladies have already been trained in sewing at Beraberi High School, who will make uniforms and gloves for the small car plant personnel.

• NIIT at Salt Lake, Kolkata has already trained 40 men & women for 2 months. WBIDC has borne expenses of such training. 30 of them have already got jobs.

• 40 men & women have also been trained at NIIT on Hardware and some of them have already got jobs.

• 25 nos. of ladies have been trained in cooking and have formed canteens. More women are expected to join for such training and will open up more canteens.

• 50 people will be trained in gardening and landscaping

• Govt aims to make people self-dependant and entrepreneurs by making them become suppliers of vegetables, detergents etc that will have huge requirement on a daily basis once the project comes up.

• Government will also have an arrangement with Mother Diary for supply of milk by the local villagers

• 400 women will be trained on making cable & circuit board required for the car lant. Pune model training will be followed. Initially 100 women will be trained.

Such a well thought out package is the very first of its kind. The elderly have been taken care of, the youth have been looked after, the women too have been handed economic freedom and the bright future of the Singur farmers ensured.

But then follows the bluffmaster Mamata. It is obvious that Mamata never heard of the saying – First think, and then speak. Mamata doesn’t even bother to think or for that matter to even hear. She gives instant stupid reactions. And that’s exactly what she did after the package was announced. She just went ahead and rejected outright the package announced. Her ground of refusal was a clutter of baseless allegations bereft of any sense or sensibility. She really defines the Height of stupidity and to recap her ludicrous logic:

• "It is a rotten package and a deal to give passage to the Tatas in Singur," She claimed that the Tatas were fronting the Singur project while a foreign company had equity in it. "There is equity of a foreign company in the Tata Motors' small car project at Singur,"

• We don't need driving schools. Let them train their own people. Farmers don't need to drive cars. They know how to drive tractors and till the land.

• What will we do with cars? Do you think farmers will chew cars for dinner?

Now Mamata, what is your source of the first allegation - that a foreign company had equity in the project and that the Tatas were merely fronting it? First if you do have any such information, why didn’t you share it with the people and the media on day 1 itself? Secondly, if what you say is true, then can we have the exact details - the name of this foreign company and its share in the project? As per your statement, it sounds like – this foreign company owns the project since you say – Tatas were fronting the project, thereby ownership obviously is of the foreign company. And Mamata, if all this is true, then why did you hide such vital information from the public all this time, and moreover why are you giving a show of spilling the beans at this point in time? Or is it that questions of national interest and security concerns are secondary to your personal vote bank politics?

As for your second rationale – I would describe it by way of a famous Bengali saying – “Even a donkey would laugh” You say – Farmers don’t need to drive cars. Why Mamata, - are farmers not good enough to own and drive cars? Do we smell here a casteist flavor of politics? Is it like, – farmers like scheduled castes should never prosper, will never ever be able to own cars and so why should they even learn driving? Well for starters Mamata, if the farmers learnt driving, it will add to their skill set and provide an additional means of earning a livelihood.

Going ahead - you reiterate – They know how to drive tractors and till the land. Mamata, do you have any idea as to how many farmers in West Bengal own tractors? And the farmers, who have tractors, are of a different scale and unfortunately the Singur farmer never fell in that class. The land owning has to be huge, huge to make it economically viable to own and maintain a tractor. It seems your idea of farmers has its roots in the cowboy ranchers as shown in Hollywood movies. Mamata, just to enlighten you - most Indian farmers rent out tractors before sowing and get their land tilled.

And last but not the least - Do you think farmers will chew cars for dinner? No we don’t think farmers will chew cars for dinner, but yes we do think that the day the Tata car factory is operational, the farmer is employed and owns his car, that day the farmer will not have to think what he is going to chew for dinner. That day he will surely have his hot piping dinner.

18th june - Singur gets freedom from Mamata and her antics

18th June – Last day of Mamatas charade of fighting for people of Singur

Its V-day for the people of Singur, and as per sources the villagers are celebrating. On the other hand it’s a sad and glum TMC camp and office. When reporters today reached the party office, they found it empty and none of the floating junior party members had any answer as to where their so called firebrand leader and her close coterie were. The media later found out that a party meeting of the high command was on; in some unconfirmed venue, and that the party was deliberating how to overcome the current situation - which has cropped up post the patriarch Jyoti Basu made a media statement as to the Singur settlement.

We attach below the news that appeared post Jyoti Basus’ meeting and briefing the media:

Alternative package best in country: Basu
Kolkata, Jun 15 (PTI) Veteran CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu was today
all praise for the alternative compensation package prepared by state
Industry Minister Nirupam Sen for the "unwilling" farmers whose land
have been acquired for the Tata Motors' small car project at Singur.
"This is the best thing in the country," Basu told reporters
after attending the party's state secretariat meeting here.
The package, however, would be disclosed by Sen after hearing
of a land acquisition case in the High Court on June 18, he said.
Asked if Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee found the
package unacceptable, he said it can't be helped. "Is she aware of
the package?" he asked.
The West Bengal government had yesterday turned down the Trinamool
Congress' demand that the land of the unwilling farmers at Singur
be returned but said an alternative proposal was being worked out
by the state government.
After a meeting with Banerjee on June 4 to find a solution to
both Singur and Nandigram problems, Basu had said that her demands
should be looked into by the state government. Both had then expressed
confidence on reaching an amicable settlement of the issues.
Basu veered around to the state government stand that the land
for Tata project was already acquired and that Banerjee's demand
for return of land to unwilling farmers could not be conceded.
"During my meeting with her, she told me that there is a land
measuring 600 acre oppositite to the Tata site. But on inquiry I
found that it is private property," Basu said responding to a question
by a reporter.

So Mamata, what’s your next trick going to be?

We always knew it Mamata: People of Singur were never your concern

We never had any doubts as to what Mamata would do at the end of her meeting with the patriarch Jyoti Basu. It was very obvious – she had put forward her demands - nobody would or could ever meet them. That was her very strategy. Ask for something that cannot be ever met and that is the end of all. Mamata's mantra is simple - do a turnaround and try to rouse the dying fire.

Off late, Mamata had realized that Singur was dead. That except for a few farmers, the others had seen the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and were only interested that peace and following that - prosperity should now be their life's course. But, for Mamata – peace is a four-letter word. Thus Mamata came up with the idea of creating this whole show of meeting the great patriarch of Bengal Jyoti Basu to solve the Singur issue et all. She knew such a move would whip up media interest again, which was the last hope for her to try and rekindle the issue.

Though Mamata gave an impression that she is as aggressive as she has been in the past, but actually she is becoming rest less to find a solution. She is softening owing to the so called very affected people not supporting her anymore is very evident in her change in stance. Earlier she was against having industry on agricultural land, but now she is fighting for returning the land that has been forcibly acquired. A typical chameleon like color change, common with vote bank politicians.

Now, that her reasons for all these moves is clear, lets see what has been the outcome. It has been a disaster for her party TMC, and a number of her close colleagues and confidante’s have internally criticized the whole – “ Tamasha”.

1. Many leaders of her party feels that by responding to Jyoti Basu's call for a meeting, Mamata had fallen into the trap of CPI (M) and they are quiet upset on the move taken by her. These leaders feel that if Mamata is unable to get the land back from the Govt. and the car rolls out in 2008, then she will have a major political set back.
2. Though Left front had lost the recent panchayat election at Panskura, yet they won the two most crucial seats of Singur - the bone of contention (our blog had carried the election result in an earlier article) and overall the Left Front have done pretty well in the election and given the trend, there is no great hope of TMC doing well in the forthcoming panchayat election to take place after 1 year.
3. Next State Assembly elections will be held after 4 years. If she fails to come to any settlement on the issue, then it would be quiet tough for her to continue with the agitation for another 4 years, and Mamata will be held responsible. She already stands responsible for the deaths in Singur.
4. On June 18 there is hearing at the High Court on several cases on Singur. Mamata's camp feels that the judgement will not go in their favour for which they are now preparing themselves to move to Supreme Court.

But between all these wheeling and dealings, both Mamata and her party are just singularly focused in increasing the political clout of TMC. Why else are they even refusing to hold talks for the compensation package? At the end, the package would be the biggest benefit for the people of Singur.

But, when did actually Mamata bother about the people of Singur.

Singur - Jyoti (Light) of Hope

Jyoti Basu – Thank You Sir

The patriarch of Bengal spoke and spoke well and this is not any ordinary man we are referring to. This man is like the one & only Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who changed the American Constitution and put a limit to the number of terms, a person could be President, similarly Jyoti Basu, stepped down to allow the next generation to be a part of shaping Bengal. For over 30 years he had been at the helm of power & if he wished to continue, there could have been no one stopping him.

Thus, when Singur was still being used by few as a means, to play dirty politics of power while the people of Singur were suffering, that the grand patriarch was requested to step in- to resolve the problem. This was a united voice from both friends and foes. Trinamool was infact the one to initiate and request Jyoti Basu to step in. The talks went on for almost a week and at the end of each day some news filtered out. The Patriarch didn’t spare even his own. He was stern and minced no words to criticize his own party cadres for festering trouble at Khejuri. Thus, Jyoti Basu was the judge, whose verdict was to he accepted by one and all. The people were happy and expressed hope. And then few days back judge gave his final verdict.

The verdict read –

• The state govt. will be responsible for providing employment to atleast one member of every family, whose land has been or is being acquired for the purpose of Industrialization
• That in certain areas the payment made for the land acquisition could be revisited and looked into.
• That the land handed out to the Tatas will remain that way and no land will be returned back-as it’s only a handful of farmers who were unwilling, as against the other thousand who realized the opportunity and have willingly sold their land.
  

So the final verdict is out. And like any final verdict – should be binding on one and all. We hope, that as promised before the talks, certain politicians will now abide by the verdict. We can only wish & hope, for with vote bank politicians-promises are meant to be broken.

Notes from Singur

I am not a blogger, but I do intend to lend my voice to the vocal Voices of India and this piece has been penned by me solely as I have been fortunate enough to be part of a movement called Singur.

Having worked for a NGO for over 20 yrs and with a strong inclination towards Marxism values and Dialectical Materialism, it was a shot from the sky, when I was approached by this self help group who were conducting a self sponsored albeit subsidized trip to Singur, with the idea of conducting a 30 day study tour to observe and create a report which was to be presented to the PMO.

To me it was a great opportunity to be in the august company of few of the most erudite and scholastic minds of the country, each one having brought about radical grassroots level changes pertaining to socio economic development and human welfare. I was rather the odd man out, and stood out like a sore thumb among the best minds of the country.

Our journey was to reach straight to Singur, and our brief was very clear- do not read the media ramblings as they are all aligned - either negative or positive. We were to only be in the villages in and around Singur and be amongst the villagers and just get their feedback, as at the end of the day, it was the only thing that mattered.

And for 30 long days we did just that, day in day out and compared notes in the evenings. At the end of it all- I have come back with mixed feelings. Feelings of how Good is so easily turned around as bad, and how gullible till date our village folks are.

Though, I must add – Singur has opened the eyes of our country cousins finally. When, I had gone to Singur, my main thought was- as per media reports- “Had the CPI (M) govt. actually gone berserk?” What happened to – Greatest Good For Greatest Number?

That has been the cardinal rule of what Marx ever preached. Had 30 yrs of power and ruling erased and abolished Marxism thought process in Bengal? Have the current crop of Marxists donned the Capitalist cap and have started to oil the wheels of Industrialists? These and many such questions tormented my mind on my first day of reaching Singur.

But as I said I was disillusioned. My disillusionment was not with the Bengal Marxists as with Singur they just embarked on - the greatest good for the greatest number. Singur is the New Bengal. It's the face of a progressive Bengal, which has all the potential of a Chinese Tiger under communist rule. Singur is the beginning of a wealthy Marxist model, a case study that reiterates that communism is not about poverty or rationing, but is about progress in a controlled manner - which is by the people and for the people. Bengal has been an agrarian economy for far too long. The land fed and has kept on feeding till date, as thousands Bengalis have moved on. Bengalis have had a knack for education and provide amongst the maximum working professional class of this country. One can count on their fingertips as to the number of industrialists and businessmen in the whole community. Thus, the agricultural land sustained the population so far, but not anymore. Land fragmentation and growing population, even with multiple crops growing land, the yield is just not enough to keep body and soul together. Therefore it is with the best of intentions that the Govt of Bengal decides to bring in prosperity for the people. This also goes out to woo investment in the state, many industrial houses want to dig in their feet, but the Govt. only allows few to come in and all this for the people.

The Tata legacy and record is very clear. Its probably the only corporate which has a human face. Wherever Tata's have set foot, it has meant welfare and development for that region. A Tata industrial setup brings with itself the boon of good hospitals, the best of schools and the best of amenities like electricity, clean drinking water and hygiene essential for human lives. Now, if people don't want it and prefer to continue their lives in the dark ages then it is really unfortunate and the people of Singur too are human enough to want it. But a handful of politicians thought otherwise.

It is so easy to scare poor people. The political carrions put the fear of loss to the farmers last remaining hope - his land, along with the painted and the tainted picture of an uncertain future. That triggered the orchestrated movement of Singur and today in Singur you have the villagers speaking in two breaths.

While he laments his land is lost, and talks of the uncertain future, he also cannot hide his excitement as to how fast the car factory work is in progress. Surreptitiously each villager is full of glee that soon, his days of travelling 100 miles for medical treatment is going to get over- they already can see the Tata clinic facility almost complete.

A mixed mood reigns among the people. A black picture thrust down their throats by power gathering politicos and on the other side - daily progress. The people have now understood what they should choose, thus all peace talks are being brokered. As the lines go - there should be laughter after pain, there should be sunshine after rain. The laughter days are around. And yes, I was proved totally wrong - the Bengal Marxists are still only focused with a singular vision – Greatest Good, For The Greatest Number.

Razzak Ahmed

Workers Coalition of India

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are purely of the author.

People of Singur awaiting solution

People are tired of being pulled into controversy made by politicians like Mamata which is finally evident. “ We just want peace to return to our lives” We are not against the Tata car factory. We welcome it. It’s a wrong picture the political parties have portrayed,” - said one octogenarian villager of Singur on a national channel. He added further – “Our only asking was that few of the farmers had refused compensation and did not want to sell their land and that that land should not be forcibly acquired by the govt. Now with Jyoti Basu taking lead, I am sure the uncertainty over Singur will finally end and Tata car factory will come up with no harm to any farmer”

This and other such news abound in the media over the last two days. Take for example the news which appeared in three of the highest circulated newspapers of West Bengal, who have been covering the Singur issue from its very inception – namely the Ananda Bazar Patrika, Sangbad Pratidin & Bartaman. All three have reported the same today –

“People there have been fighting for last 14 months but without any result, but the meeting between Jyoti and Mamata have given them some hope. These people have not taken their compensation cheques yet. These people think that the govt has recognised their agitation, they think that though Jyoti Basu is not the chief minister now but he still has a big influence over the party and the govt, and it is Jyoti Basu only who can come out with a solution.”

What more can we say? At the end we can only add – Let the peace and prosperity prevail in Singur with Tata car factory