It is really shocking to see that how the former Telecom minister Mr. A. Raja is trying to drag the honourable prime minister’s name into the 2G Spectrum controversy.
Mr. A Raja’s desperation to defend himself is understandable. But he must realize that espousal of any baseless reasoning to wash his hands off can hardly dilute the charge against him. Rather such acts will leave his image to be murkier.
He has said that the prime minister (and the then finance minister Mr. P. Chidambaram) knew about the steps he was going to take about the 2G Spectrum allocation. OK, accepted. But does that establish this that they are equally responsible for the scam? No. We must realize that knowing about the administrative or policy decision of a ministry is something, and realizing the possible outcome of that decision is something else. To study a policy decision and identifying its possible outcome is actually the responsibility of the in-charge of the concerned ministry (i.e. the concerned minister), as he has hands-on connection with the day-to-day activities of the ministry. We can at most say that the prime minister should have sensed the outcome of Raja’s decision, but we can never say that he should must have sensed it. At the end of the day it was Raja’s responsibility to sense the outcome, and back out from the controversial decision that resulted in the scam. That he did not back out from his decision naturally naturally reflects this feeling that he had actually identified the irregularities in his decision, but still went ahead as he had his personal gains in mind.
Mr. Raja must realize that the prime minister can not set up a Group of Ministers for each and every issue, then it is meaningless to have dedicated ministers for the government ministries. Besides, if the prime minister is to mind the pros and cons of every decision and step of a ministry, then what is the role of the ministers-in-charge? Are they there only to execute prime minister’s orders? Cannot they take independent decisions? They have to independent decisions, and will have to take full responsibility for the outcome. Therefore, sorry Mr. Raja, you have to face the music alone. Please do not try to drag the name of your honest prime minister, who is an asset for this nation.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
General Election To Be Held In Egypt – A Good News, But…
It was really heartening to know that Egypt’s Military Council has announced the holding of general election in Egypt in October 2011.
The common Egyptians fought tooth-and-nail to overthrow the dictatorial Mubarak regime. And after that it was understandably frustrating for them to be under the Military Council. It is certainly true that the setting up of the Council was an inevitable decision, as one such caretaker entity was required to run the show till a popularly elected government could take charge. The common Egyptians also realized it, and accepted the development as a stopgap arrangement.
However, of late their patience was running out, as they probably felt that the Military Council was not sincere about holding general election at the earliest. They were not ready to wait for a popularly elected democratic government, their cherished wish, and their displeasure was oozing out through various activities and incidents. Now they must be feeling relieved and happy that at last the military council is going to hold general election, the occasion that they have awaited for so many days.
However, there is one issue that is preventing some people from becoming completely happy and relieved. The Military Council has barred international monitors from observing the poll, and has chosen Egypt’s judiciary to play that role.
I hope everybody will agree that it would have been better if the Military Council gave international monitors to observe the poll process. Probably the Council top brass feels that if international monitors observe the poll, then it will not be in line with Egypt’s national pride, or even sovereignty. But the Council should remember that if the election takes place under the supervision of international monitors, then its transparency and credibility will be unquestionable. Otherwise, people (both from Egypt and outside) might feel that the Military Council has manipulated the election, to ensure that its favourite party/coalition comes into power. Given the sensitive nature of the upcoming general election, if the elected government suffers from even a grain of credibility deficit, even then it can be disastrous for its stability.
So, I feel Egypt’s Military Council should change its decision and permit international observers to supervise the election. I humbly request Egypt’s military bosses to reconsider their decision in this regard. I also remind them that such a decision will also give a huge boost to the Egyptian army’s image.
The common Egyptians fought tooth-and-nail to overthrow the dictatorial Mubarak regime. And after that it was understandably frustrating for them to be under the Military Council. It is certainly true that the setting up of the Council was an inevitable decision, as one such caretaker entity was required to run the show till a popularly elected government could take charge. The common Egyptians also realized it, and accepted the development as a stopgap arrangement.
However, of late their patience was running out, as they probably felt that the Military Council was not sincere about holding general election at the earliest. They were not ready to wait for a popularly elected democratic government, their cherished wish, and their displeasure was oozing out through various activities and incidents. Now they must be feeling relieved and happy that at last the military council is going to hold general election, the occasion that they have awaited for so many days.
However, there is one issue that is preventing some people from becoming completely happy and relieved. The Military Council has barred international monitors from observing the poll, and has chosen Egypt’s judiciary to play that role.
I hope everybody will agree that it would have been better if the Military Council gave international monitors to observe the poll process. Probably the Council top brass feels that if international monitors observe the poll, then it will not be in line with Egypt’s national pride, or even sovereignty. But the Council should remember that if the election takes place under the supervision of international monitors, then its transparency and credibility will be unquestionable. Otherwise, people (both from Egypt and outside) might feel that the Military Council has manipulated the election, to ensure that its favourite party/coalition comes into power. Given the sensitive nature of the upcoming general election, if the elected government suffers from even a grain of credibility deficit, even then it can be disastrous for its stability.
So, I feel Egypt’s Military Council should change its decision and permit international observers to supervise the election. I humbly request Egypt’s military bosses to reconsider their decision in this regard. I also remind them that such a decision will also give a huge boost to the Egyptian army’s image.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement – The End, Or The Beginning?
Is the signing of the tripartite Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement the end of the around 3 decades old Gorkhaland problem? Or is it a signal step towards the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state?
West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram have clearly said that there is no question of accepting any proposal to divide Bengal. The GTA agreement has been signed only to boost development in the Darjeeling area (as if it was impossible without this agreement), and not to smoothen any process to divide Bengal that has already faced the brunt of division once at the time of India’s partition in 1947.
Significantly, during the signing of the agreement, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supremo Mr. Bimal Gurung also did not utter a single word about the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state (though he did not categorically say that they have dropped that demand, either).
All this may be taken as a sign that the GTA has been successful in placating the grievances/feeling of discrimination/etc. of the so called sons of the soil (sorry, all of these local people are not indigenous to Darjeeling), and now they are no more interested in having a separate Gorkhaland state.
However, the matter might not be that simple. While Bimal Gurung himself did not say anything about Gorkhaland demand, the occasion saw many of his supporters raising slogans like “We Want Gorkhaland”. More importantly, on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, a couple of GJM leaders told journalists that the GTA agreement was not going to put an end to the struggle for Gorkhand state. Rather that demand will very much remain in place, and in fact that is their ultimate goal.
I feel before the signing of the GTA agreement Mamata Banerjee should have got an official assurance from the GJM leadership that after the agreement they would drop their Gorkhaland demand. That (or something like that) would have been a better thing to do. Unfortunately, Mamata did not bother to do anything like that in a hurry to get the agreement signed and claim credit for resolving a long-standing issue.
Anyways, I feel that immediately the West Bengal government and GJM should jointly issue a media statement, wherein they will clarify their stand and view on this. Otherwise there will be room for rumours and false hopes, which is not very appreciable. The common people want to know the truth, and they must be told the truth. It is a sensitive issue, and there must not be any confusion over anything.
And yes, GJM must drop its demand to bring Nepali-speaking parts of Dooars and Terai under GTA. This is simply too much.
Finally, a bagful of congratulations to my friends, brothers and sisters of Darjeeling for getting an autonomous body for themselves. I may not appreciate the idea of Gorkhaland. I may be uncomfortable even with the signing of GTA agreement. But I certainly appreciate the grievances/ethnical sentiments, etc. that have made you support the Gorkhaland movement. (It is only that I feel that Gorkhaland is not a must to address your demands and aspirations.) I sincerely wish that GTA becomes successful in addressing your grievances, demands and aspirations. And yes, I also hope that GTA pays equal focus on the development of every ethnic community (the Gorkhas, the Lepchas, the Bhutias, etc.), instead of remaining obsessed with one or two community/communities.
Darjeeling has always lied very close to our (Bengalis) heart, and we will keep loving this beautiful place (and its inhabitants) whether it remains under the West Bengal government or GTA or any other entity. An average Bengali’s bonding with Darjeeling is purely emotional, which has nothing to do with the political status of that place. We will always love Darjeeling. And we will always love and adore the people of Darjeeling, even if they perceive us as their enemy, or even oppressor.
And, sorry to say, for us Darjeeling will always remain Darjeeling, and not Gorkhaland. Never!
West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram have clearly said that there is no question of accepting any proposal to divide Bengal. The GTA agreement has been signed only to boost development in the Darjeeling area (as if it was impossible without this agreement), and not to smoothen any process to divide Bengal that has already faced the brunt of division once at the time of India’s partition in 1947.
Significantly, during the signing of the agreement, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supremo Mr. Bimal Gurung also did not utter a single word about the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state (though he did not categorically say that they have dropped that demand, either).
All this may be taken as a sign that the GTA has been successful in placating the grievances/feeling of discrimination/etc. of the so called sons of the soil (sorry, all of these local people are not indigenous to Darjeeling), and now they are no more interested in having a separate Gorkhaland state.
However, the matter might not be that simple. While Bimal Gurung himself did not say anything about Gorkhaland demand, the occasion saw many of his supporters raising slogans like “We Want Gorkhaland”. More importantly, on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, a couple of GJM leaders told journalists that the GTA agreement was not going to put an end to the struggle for Gorkhand state. Rather that demand will very much remain in place, and in fact that is their ultimate goal.
I feel before the signing of the GTA agreement Mamata Banerjee should have got an official assurance from the GJM leadership that after the agreement they would drop their Gorkhaland demand. That (or something like that) would have been a better thing to do. Unfortunately, Mamata did not bother to do anything like that in a hurry to get the agreement signed and claim credit for resolving a long-standing issue.
Anyways, I feel that immediately the West Bengal government and GJM should jointly issue a media statement, wherein they will clarify their stand and view on this. Otherwise there will be room for rumours and false hopes, which is not very appreciable. The common people want to know the truth, and they must be told the truth. It is a sensitive issue, and there must not be any confusion over anything.
And yes, GJM must drop its demand to bring Nepali-speaking parts of Dooars and Terai under GTA. This is simply too much.
Finally, a bagful of congratulations to my friends, brothers and sisters of Darjeeling for getting an autonomous body for themselves. I may not appreciate the idea of Gorkhaland. I may be uncomfortable even with the signing of GTA agreement. But I certainly appreciate the grievances/ethnical sentiments, etc. that have made you support the Gorkhaland movement. (It is only that I feel that Gorkhaland is not a must to address your demands and aspirations.) I sincerely wish that GTA becomes successful in addressing your grievances, demands and aspirations. And yes, I also hope that GTA pays equal focus on the development of every ethnic community (the Gorkhas, the Lepchas, the Bhutias, etc.), instead of remaining obsessed with one or two community/communities.
Darjeeling has always lied very close to our (Bengalis) heart, and we will keep loving this beautiful place (and its inhabitants) whether it remains under the West Bengal government or GTA or any other entity. An average Bengali’s bonding with Darjeeling is purely emotional, which has nothing to do with the political status of that place. We will always love Darjeeling. And we will always love and adore the people of Darjeeling, even if they perceive us as their enemy, or even oppressor.
And, sorry to say, for us Darjeeling will always remain Darjeeling, and not Gorkhaland. Never!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Let There Be “Shoot-At-Sight” Orders Against IM And LeT Operatives
I know it is very difficult for the Indian government to implement, as there are issues like communal sentiment, etc.
However, if the government has to enhance its anti-terror operation, then I feel it should immediately issue “shoot-at-sight” orders against the members of Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (a.k.a. Jamaat-ud-Dawa). And I hope technically it will not be very difficult, as both the organizations are now banned by the Indian government.
I understand that the proposal seems to be somewhat harsh, and also appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to the recent Mumbai blasts. However, I will very confidently say that there is no other way. Whenever police arrests one member of any of these banned organizations, it has to waste a lot of time and energy to gather evidence and prepare a chargesheet against him. Until and unless a proper chargesheet is not filed, the person cannot be prosecuted. And he keeps enjoying a happy life in the custody.
More importantly, both IM and LeT have a huge membership. If police takes so much time to tackle one member, then how can it tackle the entire organization?
Prosecuting an arrested terrorist through legal process is a lengthy procedure, which delays his punishment to a huge extent (just recall the examples of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab). Terrorism is now like an ever expanding tumour for India, and we have to wipe out as much chunk of the problem as possible by spending as little time as possible. We have to be fast and swift, ruthlessly cutting down each and every branch and fruit of the two venomous trees – IM and LeT. And in that case there seems to be only one way out – instantly gunning down an LeT or IM operative the moment police can have a hand on him.
The idea might not appeal to so-called intellectuals who are obsessed with catchy words like “Human Rights”, “ethics”, “morality”, etc. Well, I have due respect for the philosophy of “Human Rights”. But I am sorry to say that I do not feel it to be more valuable than the lives of my fellow Indian citizens.
However, if the government has to enhance its anti-terror operation, then I feel it should immediately issue “shoot-at-sight” orders against the members of Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (a.k.a. Jamaat-ud-Dawa). And I hope technically it will not be very difficult, as both the organizations are now banned by the Indian government.
I understand that the proposal seems to be somewhat harsh, and also appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to the recent Mumbai blasts. However, I will very confidently say that there is no other way. Whenever police arrests one member of any of these banned organizations, it has to waste a lot of time and energy to gather evidence and prepare a chargesheet against him. Until and unless a proper chargesheet is not filed, the person cannot be prosecuted. And he keeps enjoying a happy life in the custody.
More importantly, both IM and LeT have a huge membership. If police takes so much time to tackle one member, then how can it tackle the entire organization?
Prosecuting an arrested terrorist through legal process is a lengthy procedure, which delays his punishment to a huge extent (just recall the examples of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab). Terrorism is now like an ever expanding tumour for India, and we have to wipe out as much chunk of the problem as possible by spending as little time as possible. We have to be fast and swift, ruthlessly cutting down each and every branch and fruit of the two venomous trees – IM and LeT. And in that case there seems to be only one way out – instantly gunning down an LeT or IM operative the moment police can have a hand on him.
The idea might not appeal to so-called intellectuals who are obsessed with catchy words like “Human Rights”, “ethics”, “morality”, etc. Well, I have due respect for the philosophy of “Human Rights”. But I am sorry to say that I do not feel it to be more valuable than the lives of my fellow Indian citizens.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Some Appeals To Mr. Milind Deora, The New MoS – Communications & IT
Hi Milind (or shall I say Mr. Milind Deora?),
A bagful of congrats for getting selected as a member of the Council of Ministers. While becoming a Minister itself is a thrilling experience, what must have made you more thrilled is that you have been made an MoS at the Ministry of Communications & IT. What I feel, after going through some of your newspaper articles, that you take a special interest in Telecommunications gadgets, like cell phones. And you seem to have some definite plans as far as that field is concerned. In that case your ministerial appointment has provided you with a golden opportunity to realize your plans, right?
Anyways, without taking much of your time, I will like to come to the point straightaway. I have some appeals, and with your kind permission I dare to place them before you.
i.) Please try to inculcate some professionalism in the functioning of MTNL and BSNL. Even at this age of high cell phone penetration the basic telephony still enjoys a significant popularity. And when common people think of basic telephony, they usually think of the government players (i.e. MTNL and BSNL) and not the private players. So it is very crucial that MTNL and BSNL upgrade their customer service, which can be called “just average” at its best.
ii.) Please take strict measures to ensure that porn site viewing in cyber cafes comes to an end, or at least gets reduced.
iii.) Please ensure that your ministry keeps a vigil on the social, health and other impacts of the various value added services offered by cell phones.
iv.) (Most important appeal) Finally, can you please conceptualize something like an “e-mail and snail mail combo”? What I mean is like this –
Suppose I want to send an e-mail to Mr. X, who does not have an e-mail ID and is not e-mail friendly in the first place. So I send the e-mail to the post office that is located nearest to his residence. The post office people take out a print of the e-mail, and then deliver the hard copy to Mr. X’s residence in a way snail or postal mails are delivered. Is something like this possible? Sorry if my plan sounds stupid.
OK, so these are some my wishes which I dared to share with you.
Congrats to you again, and a bagful of wishes for a successful ministerial career.
A bagful of congrats for getting selected as a member of the Council of Ministers. While becoming a Minister itself is a thrilling experience, what must have made you more thrilled is that you have been made an MoS at the Ministry of Communications & IT. What I feel, after going through some of your newspaper articles, that you take a special interest in Telecommunications gadgets, like cell phones. And you seem to have some definite plans as far as that field is concerned. In that case your ministerial appointment has provided you with a golden opportunity to realize your plans, right?
Anyways, without taking much of your time, I will like to come to the point straightaway. I have some appeals, and with your kind permission I dare to place them before you.
i.) Please try to inculcate some professionalism in the functioning of MTNL and BSNL. Even at this age of high cell phone penetration the basic telephony still enjoys a significant popularity. And when common people think of basic telephony, they usually think of the government players (i.e. MTNL and BSNL) and not the private players. So it is very crucial that MTNL and BSNL upgrade their customer service, which can be called “just average” at its best.
ii.) Please take strict measures to ensure that porn site viewing in cyber cafes comes to an end, or at least gets reduced.
iii.) Please ensure that your ministry keeps a vigil on the social, health and other impacts of the various value added services offered by cell phones.
iv.) (Most important appeal) Finally, can you please conceptualize something like an “e-mail and snail mail combo”? What I mean is like this –
Suppose I want to send an e-mail to Mr. X, who does not have an e-mail ID and is not e-mail friendly in the first place. So I send the e-mail to the post office that is located nearest to his residence. The post office people take out a print of the e-mail, and then deliver the hard copy to Mr. X’s residence in a way snail or postal mails are delivered. Is something like this possible? Sorry if my plan sounds stupid.
OK, so these are some my wishes which I dared to share with you.
Congrats to you again, and a bagful of wishes for a successful ministerial career.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Hey Subhasis, Hearty Congrats For Your Debut Novel – “Those Were The Days”
As a person of little (or better to say no) caliber, I have nothing as such to boast of. So naturally I need to depend on reflected glory, which I manage to gather by trying to get close to talented and successful people who have carved a niche in various fields.
And trust me, I am really lucky in this respect. While god has not given me any quality to stand out from the crowd, he has certainly given me quite a number of friends to feel proud of.
And the latest one in that group of friends is Subhasis Ghosal, the sharp and intelligent software engineer-turned-marketing communications professional who was my colleague at Espire Infolabs, New Delhi around 4-5 years back. And while he quit Espire before I did, we had already cemented a life long friendship which is, needless to say, still there.
A man with equal command on software domain and creative activities, Subhasis had already started working on a novel when I was working with him at Espire. He told me that the novel was based on student life, and he would take some idea from his own student life. I was thrilled that he was writing a novel, and wished him good luck, and was at the same time doubtful about whether it would at all see the light of the day.
I kept touch with him after he quit Espire and moved to Pune with his new job. Whenever we would communicate through Facebook, SMS or phone call, I would ask him about his job, his family, etc. But never I would ask him about his novel, as, honestly speaking, I had forgotten about it.
It was just one or two months back that Subhasis told me, during a Facebook chat, that he was through with the novel, and it would be published soon. And then the other day I got the good news. His novel, named “Those Were The Days”, is out in the market. My beloved friend Subhasis is now an author.
Congrats dear. A bagful of hearty congrats. Only I know how happy I am. And I sincerely hope that “Those Were The Days” is just the beginning, to be followed by many other works. Let your passion for novel writing always be with you.
And trust me, I am really lucky in this respect. While god has not given me any quality to stand out from the crowd, he has certainly given me quite a number of friends to feel proud of.
And the latest one in that group of friends is Subhasis Ghosal, the sharp and intelligent software engineer-turned-marketing communications professional who was my colleague at Espire Infolabs, New Delhi around 4-5 years back. And while he quit Espire before I did, we had already cemented a life long friendship which is, needless to say, still there.
A man with equal command on software domain and creative activities, Subhasis had already started working on a novel when I was working with him at Espire. He told me that the novel was based on student life, and he would take some idea from his own student life. I was thrilled that he was writing a novel, and wished him good luck, and was at the same time doubtful about whether it would at all see the light of the day.
I kept touch with him after he quit Espire and moved to Pune with his new job. Whenever we would communicate through Facebook, SMS or phone call, I would ask him about his job, his family, etc. But never I would ask him about his novel, as, honestly speaking, I had forgotten about it.
It was just one or two months back that Subhasis told me, during a Facebook chat, that he was through with the novel, and it would be published soon. And then the other day I got the good news. His novel, named “Those Were The Days”, is out in the market. My beloved friend Subhasis is now an author.
Congrats dear. A bagful of hearty congrats. Only I know how happy I am. And I sincerely hope that “Those Were The Days” is just the beginning, to be followed by many other works. Let your passion for novel writing always be with you.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Mamata’s “Revolutionary” Decision – West Bengal To Have 6 More Official Languages
Mamata Banerjee-led TMC-Congress government of West Bengal has taken an “innovative” and “revolutionary” decision.
From now, apart from Bengali and English, West Bengal will have 6 more “second” official languages - Urdu, Punjabi, Nepali, Ol-Chiki, Oriya and Hindi.
So from now onwards every government communication will be printed in all these languages, the Calcutta Doordarshan will have news programme in all these languages, and so on. Wow, what a revolutionary step by our firebrand Chief Minister.
However, I am such a nagging person that instead of appreciating this step for promoting communal harmony, I rather find the decision to be a bitter ill to swallow. I am so sorry.
Actually, I completely fail to understand the logic behind declaring 6 more languages as the second official language fails me. There are some loopholes in the government’s logic, which I cannot ignore.
For example, the government has said that Punjabi has been chosen as an official language to recognize the fact that the Punjabi speaking community has made a huge contribution in the development of the state. Besides, the Punjabi community has a sizeable presence in West Bengal, that too for several years.
Nobody can dare to contradict the logic that Punjabis have really played a very appreciable role in the in various developments of West Bengal, especially in the field of trade & commerce (courtesy their legendary entrepreneurial skill).
But if by that logic the beautiful Punjabi language can be given an official status, then why not the same be done to the Rajasthani language? Punjabis of West Bengal have been staying here for many years, and the community has also played key role in the economic and other developments of the state. But in that case why Rajasthani (the language of Marwari community) was left out? Marwaris have also been in the state since the days of Jobe Charnock and Sirajdaulla, and have played a very significant role in the overall development of the state, with the main area again being the field of trade & commerce. In fact, if today we try to think of any Calcutta based industrialist, then the two names that will obviously come in our mind ar R.P. Goenka and Harsh Neotia (both Marwaris).
And by what logic was Oriya (one of the world’s richest languages) selected? With due respect to Oriya friends who stay in West Bengal (and we cherish their presence), Odisha or Oriya community has historically not played that much a significant role in any aspect of West Bengal’s development and growth, (though since ancient days we have had cultural and business relations with that region). Nor it is so that the educated and erudite Oriya community has any sizeable presence here. (I wish more Oriya friends made West Bengal their home).
Every community should enjoy equal right/prestige/honour on the soil of every Indian state, with the so-called “sons of the soil” enjoying no special status. But this is certainly not the way to offer the “equal treatment”. Rather I find this decision of the West Bengal government to be a big joke.
By the way, I hope nobody will misunderstand me. While opposing the selection of a language as West Bengal’s official language, I have only questioned the cultural and historical logic behind it. And by no means I have tried to show lack of respect to those languages and their speakers.
Thank you so much for reading the post. You have honoured me.
From now, apart from Bengali and English, West Bengal will have 6 more “second” official languages - Urdu, Punjabi, Nepali, Ol-Chiki, Oriya and Hindi.
So from now onwards every government communication will be printed in all these languages, the Calcutta Doordarshan will have news programme in all these languages, and so on. Wow, what a revolutionary step by our firebrand Chief Minister.
However, I am such a nagging person that instead of appreciating this step for promoting communal harmony, I rather find the decision to be a bitter ill to swallow. I am so sorry.
Actually, I completely fail to understand the logic behind declaring 6 more languages as the second official language fails me. There are some loopholes in the government’s logic, which I cannot ignore.
For example, the government has said that Punjabi has been chosen as an official language to recognize the fact that the Punjabi speaking community has made a huge contribution in the development of the state. Besides, the Punjabi community has a sizeable presence in West Bengal, that too for several years.
Nobody can dare to contradict the logic that Punjabis have really played a very appreciable role in the in various developments of West Bengal, especially in the field of trade & commerce (courtesy their legendary entrepreneurial skill).
But if by that logic the beautiful Punjabi language can be given an official status, then why not the same be done to the Rajasthani language? Punjabis of West Bengal have been staying here for many years, and the community has also played key role in the economic and other developments of the state. But in that case why Rajasthani (the language of Marwari community) was left out? Marwaris have also been in the state since the days of Jobe Charnock and Sirajdaulla, and have played a very significant role in the overall development of the state, with the main area again being the field of trade & commerce. In fact, if today we try to think of any Calcutta based industrialist, then the two names that will obviously come in our mind ar R.P. Goenka and Harsh Neotia (both Marwaris).
And by what logic was Oriya (one of the world’s richest languages) selected? With due respect to Oriya friends who stay in West Bengal (and we cherish their presence), Odisha or Oriya community has historically not played that much a significant role in any aspect of West Bengal’s development and growth, (though since ancient days we have had cultural and business relations with that region). Nor it is so that the educated and erudite Oriya community has any sizeable presence here. (I wish more Oriya friends made West Bengal their home).
Every community should enjoy equal right/prestige/honour on the soil of every Indian state, with the so-called “sons of the soil” enjoying no special status. But this is certainly not the way to offer the “equal treatment”. Rather I find this decision of the West Bengal government to be a big joke.
By the way, I hope nobody will misunderstand me. While opposing the selection of a language as West Bengal’s official language, I have only questioned the cultural and historical logic behind it. And by no means I have tried to show lack of respect to those languages and their speakers.
Thank you so much for reading the post. You have honoured me.
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