Dear Friends,
Some incidents, some moments in life force one to stand up and take notice of how self-styled “leaders” exist across India to take advantage of every opportunity to exploit the innocent for their purely selfish gains.
In creating this blog, I feel a bit like Mahatma Gandhi must have felt when he was thrown out of the train that forced him to change the course of Indian History-such a feeling of disgust and helplessness, with no option but to take action through non-violent means to try and end oppression. For almost a year I (like any other Bengali) have been following the twists in the tale of Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal, but the irony of the whole issue has now started wrenching my guts and I just had to voice out and take on the might of agenda driven politicians and NGO’s.
It has now reached the limits or should I say the abyss. Like any true son of Bengal, it made me proud when Tata Motors decided to set up their plant in West Bengal given that they had the choice of tens of other states. To me and to lakhs of Bengalis it was a moment of truth and pride. Here was this sense of victory – that now Bengal shall be out of the throes of a limited agrarian society- which has made them weaker over the decades while the rest of the country moved ahead on the road to development.
It seemed that bright day’s were ahead, it was the window to “Amaar Sonar Bangla”. It was then that one recalled what Bal Gangadhar Tilak had said 70 years back – “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow”. But alas! West Bengal is still struggling to take on that opportunity. One year down the line it seems we as a community are against development and we deny growth. We are happy in our small fenced low harvesting fields and content with the paltry amount, which we make to keep body and soul together and struggle for basic human needs.
Have we forgotten our history lessons?? Every nation, every inch of land in this world has developed only when they made the wheel turn from agriculture to industries. Why are we going backwards is what I fail to understand. At this rate we shall soon go back to the days when homosapiens were – Food Gatherers.
Where is the vision for Bengal?
Some incidents, some moments in life force one to stand up and take notice of how self-styled “leaders” exist across India to take advantage of every opportunity to exploit the innocent for their purely selfish gains.
In creating this blog, I feel a bit like Mahatma Gandhi must have felt when he was thrown out of the train that forced him to change the course of Indian History-such a feeling of disgust and helplessness, with no option but to take action through non-violent means to try and end oppression. For almost a year I (like any other Bengali) have been following the twists in the tale of Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal, but the irony of the whole issue has now started wrenching my guts and I just had to voice out and take on the might of agenda driven politicians and NGO’s.
It has now reached the limits or should I say the abyss. Like any true son of Bengal, it made me proud when Tata Motors decided to set up their plant in West Bengal given that they had the choice of tens of other states. To me and to lakhs of Bengalis it was a moment of truth and pride. Here was this sense of victory – that now Bengal shall be out of the throes of a limited agrarian society- which has made them weaker over the decades while the rest of the country moved ahead on the road to development.
It seemed that bright day’s were ahead, it was the window to “Amaar Sonar Bangla”. It was then that one recalled what Bal Gangadhar Tilak had said 70 years back – “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow”. But alas! West Bengal is still struggling to take on that opportunity. One year down the line it seems we as a community are against development and we deny growth. We are happy in our small fenced low harvesting fields and content with the paltry amount, which we make to keep body and soul together and struggle for basic human needs.
Have we forgotten our history lessons?? Every nation, every inch of land in this world has developed only when they made the wheel turn from agriculture to industries. Why are we going backwards is what I fail to understand. At this rate we shall soon go back to the days when homosapiens were – Food Gatherers.
Where is the vision for Bengal?
16 comments:
Great Blog. These politicians suck the poor man's blood for their interests. Let Bengal progress and develop. Protect Bengal and let the industrilisation happen for the prosperity for the people of Bengal.
I do agree with the author, if the politicians are so worried about the plight, why dont they have an open dialogue on any of the 24 hours news channel
After a long time have come across a meaningful blog. I too am a true blue Indian and do belong to west bengal, though i left India 17 yrs back.After 15 yrs when i visited my country, it was a changed land. The India shining was evident in Mumbai, bangalore and New delhi, and surprisingly i found even Kolkatta was on the move, though at a snail's pace. When last year i read about the Tata motors project, i was thrilled no end as i had witnessed the transformation of Jamshedpur under the Tata's. How a small township had been modernized, jamshedpur was a case study.I was hoping to see similar transformation in and around the Singur area, but now it seems a distant reality. When will our politicians end their vote bank tactics? But more concerning is how the people are being made a fool of by these politicos and so called activists? I hope the Bengali intellectuals atleast would take up cudgels against the poor farmers being fooled and being made to believe that industrialization will hurt them whereas it is exactly vice versa.
regards
Biplab Roy
Good blog. Sensitive, touches the right cord. Untill not mislead, why would any poor farmer refuse a better life. Why would he not turn away from backbreaking labour for which he earns a pittance/? Why would anyone refuse the benefits of industrialization like potable water, electricity, better roads and good education and employment for their children? Does Mamata understand what she is doing? Does she realize that she is sealing the fate of the Singur farmers and making them continue a deprived life ? Why is she blocking the opportunity which has come calling on to the farmers of Singur ?
Hope this blog of rational thinking imparts some sense and sensibility to the so called politicians and NGO's who under the banner of Anti land grabbers are the actual Life Grabbers. God Bless West Bengal & may good sense of allowing the Tata Motors Plant to come up in Singur prevail in the hearts of the Singur farmers and the people of bengal. Opportunities do not knock twice.
Its amazing how easily our politicians can turn off anybody and what all they wont do to get their votes. People and their live's are just mere tools which these politicians use to the hilt. Now an additional band has joined in - the mercenary activist. Whoever pays them best, they gyrate that ways. Means, what the heck has an Anuradha Talwar - the so called guardian of - Right to food, got to do with Singur. She has no business to park herself with her cohorts and disrupt public life. But then for people like Anuradha - Disruption is their specialization & they get paid hefty for it.Mean's dear Anuradha why dont you focus on your subject of choice instead of taking up mercenary activities at the behest of politicos. If you relly did care, if you really felt for poverty alleviation, then you should be on the other side of the fence. Its only and remember Only industries which can render greater good for the greater number. Land cant, specially with not our - Hum 2 humare 2 kind of bursting population.Nowhere in the world has agriculture fed and clothed people beyond a point. The land can only stretch that much. If its the look of unkempt and marginal farmers that excites you and is the face of growth - Then God help You & the poor farmers of Singur.
Arvind Chawla
you know,back when the industrial revolution was sweeping across the UK and Europe, there was a band of people called the Luddites who opposed the advent of industrialisation on the grounds that it would create greater unemployment because of the efficiency of machines as against manual labour. Does anybody rememberthe Luddites today? I see the same fate for the likes of Mamta Banerjee who are stopping the farmers from seeking a better life. Will Mamta provide financial help to farmers to stop them from committing suicides? I doubt it very much. All she will do is instigate more innocents to create troouble through illegal means. I mean, come on even people like Sharad Joshi, a true farmers' leader have accepted that farmers after initial teething problems, find better lives through industry and urbanisation. Mamta is the kind of person who does not think of thefuture but only of today. Is she doing anything to help progress? Is she doing anything to help people who are willing to forego the current miserable status quo in the hope of a better future for their families and children. These people need counselling and advice of a constructive nature, not the brand of destructive lawless politics that Mamta practices.
Regards
Rukmini Bose
Delhi
Informative Blog... Well some one has quoted "Only change is constant in this world" .. I think West Bengal is going through a phenomenal change after many years and facing hurldles from its very own POLITICIANS. My view is that PEOPLE OF WEST BENGAL has already given its verdict by electing a next generation government which is not only taking decisions to bring WEST BENGAL on the world map alomg with India but also giving a boost to Indian economy. It is only the vested interest of some politicians like Mamta who have not done anything for the growth of state and its people for the past many years. She is only venomising the Industrial Growth environment of the state and tring to create misguided ripples in the general public.
Also like to add that the farmers should be provided amicable facilities after the land acquisition for new industries and manufacuturing units.
"CHANGE IS CONSTANT"
: Subhash Verma
CHANGE- the 6 letter word that everyone in West Bengal is so scared of.
I am a student from Kolkata university and everyday I am reading about the agitations against the government with regards to the Singur issue. All political parties promise on doing something on industrialization and when the government is taking steps effective towards this direction, opposition jumps and starts to create noise. These opposition parties say we are not against industrialization but it must happen according to the way we want it. WHY????
Why are we not letting the industrialization wave enter West Bengal, the last plant we saw was 15 years back, we need to move away from agriculture and recognize the importance of heading to the 21st century. Other States like Punjab and Gujarat have made cities like Chandigarh and Ahmedabad into mini-metros, they have become cities to reckon with. What has happened to Kolkata? It has become a haven of bandhs and agitations; do we not want the Tata coming into the State and make the 1lakh car plant? Will it not benefit us? The employment generation, the new outlook, the new opportunities.
I appeal to my fellow friends, lets get together and support the government initiative -Its high time we move away from being an agricultural state and move to being a modern industrial state. Join me my friends.
Great Blog! Finally I get to express my views
Everyday in the news there is something on the Singur controversy. I have been living in Kolkata for the past 35 years, the life, the culture, the heritage is something I am so proud of. I love my city and State, but today I sense frustration in the youth, there is a need of giving opportunities to youngsters and this can only come if new setups come in the State.
60% of India is yet agriculture, but farmers today realize that agriculture is not much of a revenue generator as it was in the earlier times, the cost of living has increased and needs can only be meet with new prospects come their way. A farmer does not want to make his son a farmer. What is fight all about? Is it really for the support of farmers or just one party getting to another? When will these parties realize it not about proving a point, this about the lives of people.
The West Bengal government is trying to take the State in the right direction but opposition and other parties are against it, in the name of ‘We care for Farmers’. Silly things saying we will prevent WBIDC from taking possession of the land at Singur for the Tata small car project. Such a big and reputed name like the Tata’s is looking at creating a positive investment climate and offering newer opportunities and we are scaring them away with all these agitations.
Please STOP right now and think positive people of West Bengal, we need to be looked upon as a Modern State and not a naxalite driven, lazy place. Tata Motors you are one of the most reputed companies in India and we welcome you to our State, you have full support of the people. We want you to come to West Bengal and change the economies and opportunities.
Regards
Arindham Pathak
Stop this campaigning and let’s move with times. West Bengal wants industrialization not agitation. We want opportunity not opposition parties deciding what is best for us. The West Bengal government is in the right direction, we support the Tata small car project in Singur.
Regards
Shruti Bhattacharya
Political parties are always deciding what is right for the common man. The Tata Small car project is exactly what West Bengal needs. People are failing to understand the employment opportunity for the people. With the plant setting up, a number of ancillary industries supporting the plant will come up and that will generate employment. There will definitely be a rise in revenues earned by the State.
Tata could have gone to other States but choose West Bengal on good faith and we should leverage on that, them leaving the state will be a loss for all of us. Newer business is what the State needs. If Tata’s project goes through, other corporate companies will want to invest in our State, the magnitude we are talking about is huge. Let us look at the larger picture and not be stuck with the micro aspect. Farmers will also benefit with this. The Tata’s are talking about training programs and community plans, they are known to deliver. We must have faith and support the setting up of the Tata Motors plant in Singur.
Regards
Sibabrata Ganguly
i have a friend here in Kolkata working as a television reporter and what he told me is very interesting. Mamata Bandhopadhyay was eating during her 27 day fast. the fast in itself was a miracle - are any doctors looking at this for conducting tests? But this is the true face of our politicians who mislead the masses for their vote bank politics. great blog i will keep visiting this - bye bye untill further update. Can anyone better this?
Subrata Ghosh
Amount of criticism and controversy which surrounded Singur can put any corporate on the back foot or even force them to consider pulling out of the project. I think people of West Bengal should appreciate Tata’s for not pulling out. But has any one thought of what Tata’s would have under gone?
I was part of a company which got a road contract in Bihar. Most of the employees preferred resigning than going to Bihar for posting (this was post murder of Mr. Satyendra Dubey). I would imagine Tata will also be having internal resistance from the employees who have to work in such a troubled situation. When people of WB are leaving the state for greener pasture to other states, it will be difficult for Tata’s to convince & send top employees for initial year till the time they create local talent pool or attract migrant Bengali.
Tata Motors plant is expected to bring slew of investment to West Bengal like it did for Uttrakhand. Tata Motors announced its plant in Uttrakhand in Feb 06 and within 6 months some of the major player’s automobile players like M&M, Hero Honda announced their plans. Same would have happened to West Bengal but for the controversy.
If they are capable of getting investment in a state then their pulling out would mean that the state’s investment climate is not fit for investors. If you remember some time back when Tata’s were contemplating pulling out of Bangladesh project, World Bank said it will be very unfortunate for Bangladesh and will send a wrong signal to new investors.
Easiest option for Tata’s would be to pull out. By doing this they would have avoided controversy, their employees who would have resisted transfer to WB would have been a happier lot. But what would this have done to the state. It would have been one of the most embarrassing moments for the Chief Minister Buddha babu & people of West Bengal. It would also have affected fresh investment flow into West Bengal.
It is high time that we from Bengal should support project like Tata Motors this will not only create job or self employment opportunity for surrounding population but also give change to we “prabasi Bengali” population to return to Bengal.
M Chatterjee, Kochi
World is looking at us ... We are going to enter into the category of devloped nations...We talk about India Brand shining all over the world...and then BOOMMMMMMMMM......
Kolkata... state with a great heritage... state with large number of people with high intellect...and they all are misled and fooled by few politician on issues which are not at all of relevance for "AAM Adami".
Well.. I am not with any industry/company nor with any political group... but it makes me feel sick about the human psycology going through such a phase wherin politicians are crossing all limits to fulfill their vested interests.
I would like to suggest to one of the opposition party in Kolkotta that they should limit their role as an party who try to bring those issue into picture which are of importance. Mamata Banerjee has changed into a Vampish charachter and i think she is responsible for all the said and done for the past one year in Kolkota. Sometime i feel that she is an Alien Character and want to convert the Kolkota into a AILEN NATION.
Bhai Logo Jaag Jao.... We are not the slave of one person's devil thought process.. Let's match our state's future with the future of India. It can be done only when we allow companies to grow in the state....
One story would like to share: "I was standing on the one side of a long tunnel....I saw a small ray of light on the other side...well i thought in my mind that it's god's grace that wherever there is dark..dont be afraid..you will find light...
"But to my surprise it was a train dircetly coming on me..."
Friends ... Politicians are selling hopes.. You have to beware of that and always think as an individual otherwise you will find TRAINS COMING ON YOUR HEAD ALL THE TIME
Jayshree Das
Well.. three cheers!One for Ms. Banerjee for all the publicity she has managed..one for the NGO'S for having managed to finally find a cause for themselves..n the final cheer is for Tata Motors..for lettin me indulge into a fantasy i have had for years...well nearly
I have grown up with the sound of the rickshaw,the temples,the buzz on Park Street and the one thing that runs common for every person who has ever had the honor of having lived in West Bengal..pride for all that we have been and all we could be.Then came the news that the development that each true blooded Bengali has dreamt of was to be materialised through the faith that Tatas showed in our land's potential.
What is disturbing is that it has been a year and the dream is slowly turning into ashes thanks to the vested interests of those who have turned what could be an opportunity into a black mark against our own integrity as a community.
But then as Don Marquis said "The chief obstacle to the progress of the human race is the human race" and till the time we dont change our own limited outlook we will forever be held back by the shackles of our own prejudices.
Jyoti
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