Assembly Scuffle!

The assault and counter assault among the MLAs that took place in West Bengal Assembly was unfortunate and unprecedented.But what's more unfortunate was the way the doctors treated two of the injured in the assembly scuffle at SSKM hospital.One MLA Gouranga Chatterjee of CPI(M) whose head was bleeding profusely was allegedly released after giving first aid only with the advice that he didn't need admission to hospital.The same treatment was meted out to another lady MLA Debolina Hembrom of CPI(M) who complained of stomach pain.Later it was found Mr.Chatterjee suffered crack in his skull and that apart he was a cardiac patient.So SSKM doctors should have seriously examined him and admitted him to hospital.Debolina's stomach pain was later found due to her gall stone which could have been diagnosed if SSKM doctors did her an Ultra sonograpohy.In fact, doctors of the premier hospital of the city seemed to have examined the traumatized MLAs most perfunctorily.If the public representatives are treated this way at the best govt hospital of the state then what is in store for common people is any body's guess. However,leader of the opposition Suryakanta Misra is smelling a rat in the above incident.He complained doctors were not to blame as they couldn't admit the injured to the hospital at the instance of the higher-ups in the administration who intended to play down the injury of the opposition MLAs.If it's true, it's a serious allegation that warrants thorough investigation.But whatever the case may be, the doctors who examined the injured and almost gave them clean chit of health after primary examination can't escape public criticism for negligence of their duties.

Kolkata Film Festival 2012

It may sound cynical but true that a film festival of international standard is not meant for all.It's, in fact, meant for serious cine goers.Normally,best films from different countries of the world are selected for viewing in such festivals.So only selected audience who can appreciate these films are supposed to attend these festivals.Any attempt to make it people's festival is an useless exercise.Solemnity and sobriety of these festivals should be maintained from very beginning to end.So due weitage should be accorded to its inaugural ceremony also.An endeavor to inculcate a spirit of a carnival in the recent inaugural function of Kolkata film festival was unfortunate.It really looked odd and shocking too when people in large numbers left the venue as soon as the Amitava Bacchan and Saha Rukh Khan along with host of other Bollywood stars left the function.They didn't care to view the film screened later.It was as if a mega function of Bollywood stars rather than a solemn occasion of inaugural function of an International Film festival.If such a trend continues Kolkata film festival that has reached a covetable standard over the years would reduce to a carnival in real sense of the term.

Not donating pledged body!

The eminent litterateur Sunil Gangapadhya pledged his body be donated after his death.But his family took the decision of not honuring his last wish and decided to cremate him.It's true, had his dead body been handed over to the appropriate authority for use in medical purposes with in 48 hrs of his death as is the norm, a countless admirers of the legendary author would have been denied the opportunity of paying last tribute to the departed soul.Perhaps this aspect was in the back of mind of the of the family members of the late author and they didn't agree to donate his body, though the consent of the relatives of the deceased is not necessary in this respect.What's interesting and worrying too is that that family members of other celebrities too might react in the same way in case of handing hover the pledged body to the concerned authority after death in contravention of the last wish of the deceased.Any way, the family members of Sunil refrained from celebrating his Sardh ceremony as he didn't like it in his life time.

In jest!

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In jest oinly!

1)Judgement purchasable! Son: Didi's said judgement now a days can be purchased,dad. Dad: She's absolutely right, my boy. Son: Why dad? Dad: See, now a days law suits have been very expensive.Lawyers' fees and other related fees to conduct a case are pretty high.So who has money can buy a judgement ,may it be in his favour or against. 2)Independence Day!. Son:Didi has observed I-Day like Republic Day, dad. Dad:You're wrong, my son. Son:Why dad? Dad: She's only made I-Day celebration public. 3)Maoists! Son: Why did police free Shiladitya fist day,but next day arrest him? Dad: Next day they came to know Shiladitya had not absconded even after being released. So they came to the conclusion so dauntless a man must be a Maoist and arrested him. ..

In jest only!

(1)Breaking a party! Son:Dad,Didi's declared her party will fight Panchayet Polls without Congress. Dad: Yes, my boy. Son: If so her party will break. Dad: Why, my son? Son: As her party is Trinomool Congress, dad. (2)Hand Of ISI: Son:Though Pranab Mukkherjee has won Prez poll, ISI might undo the result. Dad: How dare Pakistan interfere with Presidential election of India?It's our internal affair.. Son: Don't blame Pakistan in every matter, Dad. Dad: Then? Son:Hand writing experts have found Pranab babu's signature on his letter of registration from Indian Statistical Institute(ISI) forged,claimed BJP. 3)Center&State: Son: Dad, why are TMC and Congress at daggers drawn both at Center and state? Dad: You know like forces repel each other, similar are like words. Son: Please explain, dad. Dad: Very simple! 'Congress' in TMC repel 'Congress'.Because of unlike word Trinomool the repulsion is not that great and so they some how remain together.

Consistent!

1)Consistency! Son:Knowing fully well Sonia Gandhi wouldn't accept Gopal Krishna Gandhi or Krishna Basu as vice presidential candidate, why did Didi propose their names? Dad: Only to show she's honestly and sincerely consistent. Son: How? Dad: Didi's so far opposed every proposal mooted by PM or Sonia Gandhi. 2)ATM machine: Son:In mass molestation incident in Assam Police came late at the spot and when questioned DGP said "Police are not like ATM machines so that whenever you insert card money will instantly come out". Dad:Analogy is imperfect, my boy. Son:Why dad? Dad:Of course, police are like ATM machines but with frequent link failures. 3)Stitch in times! Son:Dad, imagine sweepers are reportedly engaged in stitching wounds, pushing injections etc in govt hospitals. Dad: See, I find nothing wrong in it. Son:Why? Dad: Who cooks does hair too, goes the Bengali proverb!.

Smile, please!

1)Underachiever Son: Dad,Time magazine has called our PM Monmohan Sing an underachiever. Dad: They've said nothing wrong, my boy. Son: Why ,dad? Dad: Because whatever Monmohan Sing has achieved is under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. 2)Licking one' s own urine: Son:Have you heard at Visva Bharati a girl student was compelled to lick her urine for bed wetting at hostel? Dad: Yes, my son.It's really inhuman.The warden must be punished. Son: Dad, what would happen if Morarji Desai were the Chancellor of Visva Bharati now? Dad: The warden were rather rewarded! 3)Political somersault: Time was there when a Panchayet minister could not tell which political party he belonged to.He said,' Please ask my secretary, I can't exactly remember it now'. 4)Incidence of rape: HM: See, women are not safe in Bengal.Incidences of rape have now increased manifold. CM:It's down right falsehood to malign Bengal .We don't even allow rape seed to grow in our state.

Smile a day!

1)God particle: Son:What's God particle the scientists are looking for? Dad:It's nothing new, my son.It's known to us since long. Son:How dad? Dad:See, God is omnipresent.He's present in you and me.So He's present in all particles.Western scientists call them God particles. 2)Law of mass action: Son: Dad, what's law of mass action? Dad: It's the action taken my mass when it turns into a mob. 3)Diabetes: Son: What's Diabetes Dad? Dad: It's the cottage industry of sugar in human system. 4)Vegetable state: Son:Dad, we do clamour against too high veg prices but not that vocal against extraordinarily high prices of fish.Do you find anything fishy in it? Dad: No my son.Perhaps it's because most of us live like a vegetable.

In lighter vein!

1)Fortune: Son:Dad, they say crime does not pay. Dad:Yes, my son. Son:But dad, many hard-core criminals have made huge fortune and got never punished. Dad; This is because fortune favours the brave. 2)Green chilly: Son:Dad,why is green chilli selling at exorbitantly high prices in the market? Dad:Because our Food minister has banned use of red chilli. 3)Prez Poll: Son:Knowing fully well he'll lose why's Sangma contesting Prez poll? Dad: It's Sangma's not-to-win-but-to-take-part spirit, my son! 4)Euro Cup: Son: Dad, why did Italy fare so badly in Euro Cup Final? Dad: Spain played and Italy enjoyed their(Spain's) play, my son.

In lighter vein only!

1)Brownian Motion: Son: What’s Brownian movement, dad? Dad: Very simple! It’s the way Robert Brown, a Botanist, moved. 2)Hacking: Dad: Cops took the accused in custody to hack him. Son: Dad, how can cops hack a man like a criminal? He might die. Dad: But they always do it to extract secrets.. See, hacking is no crime to police men, may it be computer or human being. 3)SOS: Dad: The doctor ended the prescription with S.O.S and the patient became very angry. Son: Why dad? Dad: He took it for Son of Swine. 4)Prez Poll: Son: Dad, whom do you think Didi would vote for in Prez Poll? Dad: Pranab Mukherjee, of course. Son: But Didi dislikes Mukherjee.. Dad: True, but she disliked him as Finance minister. 5)Reforms: Son: PM would soon start economic reforms. Dad: But these proposed reforms will soon deform your economy.

Pez Poll

There's nothing much to read in APJ Abdul Kalam's letter regretting his inability to contest the Presidential poll.The language he used to praise Mamata Banerjee simply displayed his profound sense of courtesy as Mamata herself was carried away by her effusiveness in eulogizing him in the choicest possible words and tried to impart him a larger than life image in her Face book.However, it was any body's guess he'd not throw his hat in the ring of Prez election as he was not a consensus candidate.To start with he made it crystal clear he'd offer his candidature for Presidency in the event he became a unanimous choice.But it's difficult to understand why Mamata pushed his name so emphatically as a candidate for presidential poll in Face book even after knowing his mind.In the present political scenario Kalam has lesser chance of winning the poll than Pranab Mukherjee.So one-time President Mr. Kalam is no fool to stake his claim as a Presidential candidate to sustain loss of face under present circumstances President is elected by electoral college and not by electorate in general.So it's no use influencing public at large by campaigning in favour of a particular candidate.Such campaign might work in case of general election and not in Presidential poll.So Mamata's sustained canvassing for Mr.Kalam has hardly any effect on Prez Poll. So far as ethics or morality in politics is concerned it has been a myth.Now political maneuvering or back door deal has been a part of the game.No politician is a Caesar's wife so far as political honesty or integrity is concerned.So it's of no use questioning Machiavellian machination in politics. It's wise to admit of ground realities and act accordingly.

Fitness test and a tragic death!

While fierce heat wave was relentlessly sweeping the state and it was mercilessly taking toll of precious lives everyday,thousands of young people from across the state were participating in physical ability test for jobs of constables amidst this hellish atmosphere.A job , in fact, seems more valuable than life itself.Police officials who were conducting the test should have considered the impact of of such grueling heat on the contestants.Perhaps they forgot the youths who participated in the test were not trained personnel like those working in police or military services who have much more endurance than average people.These youths were ordinary people who had at best practiced ability test at home, that too not in such an extremely scorching heat.A section of press and some well meaning people cried foul and appealed to the authority not to conduct the endurance test in such extremely hot and humid weather.Even the chief minister herself reportedly suggested to postpone the test. But no body cared till the contestant Avisek Pal(22) fell ill during test and ultimately died.Chief minister has reportedly ordered to postpone fitness examination.Had the police officials paid heed to what press and people clamoured for Avisek would not have to die so young.Isn't it very tragic?

Freedom at Midnight

KKR winnig IPL: It was a freedom at midnight for Kolkata Knight Riders.It was freedom from humiliation of not winning IPL trophy ever since the game came into being.In fact, KKR ever failed to make it to the Final since the beginning of this corporate cricket.In some years it performed miserably even under the stewardship of Sourav Ganguly, one of the finest captains India has ever seen.Shaha Rukh Khan himself perhaps stopped short of dreaming of winning IPL and resigned to fate, although outwardly he flaunted determination to see his team win the laurels.Similar was the plight of KKR fans.However, earnest lovers of KKR were hard-core believers of the adage- failures are the pillars of success.But little did they know how many failures would make the pillars.Nor did they know pillars of success for KKR were looming large on the horizon.Now their wisdom has paid them handsomely and mercifully they'd not to wait long.KKR has clenched IPL trophy at last.

Drug Scam!

It's really unbelievable that drug manufacturers themselves write certificates about their own drugs only to be signed by medical experts to be launched in the market after formal endorsement by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).What's more, these medical experts are no lesser mortals than very renowned doctors of the most renowned medical establishments of our country.Normal practice should be that medical experts will recommend a drug for use only after proper scrutiny.Money obviously plays a pivotal role in this blood chilling story of drug scam.It's well known that our country is a dumping ground for drugs which are already banned in other countries.Not only that, those drugs which are even banned in our country are freely available in the market and sold under the nose of the administration.That apart, spurious drugs are a great menace.Corruptions around us are so rampant that we've got used to such evils.If the drug monitoring agencies themselves are corrupt who'll see to what's going wrong in drug manufacturing industries ?We've, in fact, nothing else but to resign to our fate.

Changed Stance!

Only a couple of hours back Mamata Banerjee seemed to have found nothing wrong in the behaviour of Arabul Islam ,President Governing body of Bhangar College and nor in the threat openly spelt out by Shanku Ponda, the State president of TMCP to those teachers of the same colleges who're supposedly supporters of Communist Party of India( Marxist).What's more, the Panchayat Minister Sri Subrata Mukherjee on her behalf defended what they have done at Writers.Not only that, Mr. Mukherjee unbelievably presented a tenant of the the lady teacher who was locked in heated conversation with Arabul Islam before the journalists at Writers' to prove how ill tempered the lady is.But the day after Mamata Banerjee summoned both Arabul and Shanku at Writers and reprimanded them for their work.It's difficult to explain what exactly changed her stance over night.True,both Arabul and Shanku were drawing flak from different corners and image of the party was supposed to be getting tarnished.But Mamata Banerjee is a hard nut to crack and she is unlikely to retract in the face of public pressure only.Perhaps,Governer's attitude to the incident might have influenced Miss. Banerjee to some extent.Teachers of Bhangar College accompanied by the leaders of WBCUTA met the Guv who showed sympathy with the aggrieved teachers and assured them he'd look into the matter.What's more, he reportedly advised the lady teacher who was hurt by the jug allegedly thrown by Arabul to lodge a FIR with police.Incidentally, Subrata Mukherjee at Writers' refused to recognise the incident of jug throwing and injury inflicted on the lady teacher in the process in absence of any FIR and a medical report..After interview with Guv the lady teacher made FIR and also did meet a doctor to secure a proof that she was hurt.In fact, the scenario changed there after as was evident in Miss Banerjee's censure of Arabul and Shanku..

Merger of Mouzas with GTA?

Though hills are comparatively calm now, plains are burning.However,hills would soon feel the heat.GJM has already threatened to pull out of GTA treaty.Before signing GTA treaty people of Doors and Tarai should have been taken in to confidence as a host of mouzas from their land were decided to be merged with Gorkha territory.At least pulse of the people there should have been felt if they were agreeable to such merger.In fact there's a strong resentment among the most of the inhabitants of Terai and Doors against being included in GTA..GJM too know it well and so it's taken field to convince people on plains to join GTA.John Barla who was initially against merger but now is spearheading movement for merger.He was once the president of Terai Doors regional unit of Adibashi Bikas Parishad and is now expelled from Parishad.GJM tried to form Gorkha Land and Adbashi Territorial Administration(GATA) wtth the help of John Barla but the efforts some how fizzled out.Now it's any body's guess what will be the relevance of Shyamal Sen's committee to identify the mouzas those would be included in GTA..Now if the tribal take a determined stance not to be acceded to GTA or very few mouzas are available for merger, what will GJM do?Ultimate goal of GJM is to have a seperarte Gorkhaland which is also incorporated in GTA treaty.So the greater is the area of their territory the better will their dream land-a separate Gorkhaland.GJM has already signed the GTA treaty will they now back out as it's threatened to do?Or will it accept the present deal only to be prepared for a greater movement for separate Gorkhaland?However, the division of Bengal once again is by all means an impossibility.

Taxi ride at night!

Now taxi drivers would claim 15% extra fare for travel from 10-30pm till 4-30am.But would this extra money to be coughed up by the passengers ease availability of cabs at night?Among the metro cities Kolkata has the dubious distinction of highest taxi refusals.Even by day cab drivers refuse to go the way the passengers like to, let alone at night.Refusals get momentum after dask.The reason is the standard one-passengers will not be available on way back.In the evening if you like to go to Sealdah from Shyambazar driver will not mind to carry you to your destination but if you need to go to Dunlop from shyambazar there's a fair chance that you'll be denied a ride.You may be at best advised to go in for a shared taxi.Now to empower the cab drivers to demand 15% extra fare from 10.30pm only legitimizes the fact that now on it would be no wrong to demand extra fare from the passengers at night.Certainly extra fare would not be confined to 15% only-it'd be much more in most cases.Incidences of taxi refusals would have no quantitative change either.

Hate Campaign!

The food minster Jyotipriya Mallick's advisory to boycott CPM is nothing new.It's TMC's policy long since.When in opposition no TMC leader did share dais with their CPM counterpart even by mistake.It so happened a TMC leader made a u-turn at the sight of a CPM minister present on the stage at a certain occasion.It's for this reason TMC member never did attend all party meet convened by Left front govt.In fact, there was a standing instruction from TMC supremo to avoid CPM by all means.CPM too called upon their cadres to socially boycott the opponents, in a very subtle way of course, particularly in rural areas.What's very interesting is Mamata Banerjee did never so openly asked her cadres or leaders to ostracize CPM as Mr.Mallick has done.What's more,unlike Mr.Mallick Mamata Banerjee did never so vociferously issued dictum to her cadres not to go in for marital relation with CPM or boycott them socially in all respects.Nor has she ever said CPM need be hated otherwise revenge can't be taken on them like Mr.Mallick.This hate campaign is very dangerous as it might aid and abet political violence.This part of Mr.Mallick's statement would not be certainly approved of by Chief Minister herself.

Transfer of Ms.Damayanti Sen

Though govt claims transfer of Damayanti Sen, Joint Commissioner of
Police(Crime) is just a routine affair, people are not ready to buy
this argument.In view of Ms.Sen's painstaking efforts to have made a
break-through in Park Street rape case ,which Mamata Banerjee claimed
to be a concocted story to malign her govt, she should have been
allowed to continue in her present position till the investigation was
complete as the main culprit is still absconding.Instead of doing that
Ms.Sen has been transferred to a less important post at Barrackpore
.One may be afraid the on-going enquiry in the rape case might suffer
a set back because the present incumbent in Ms.Sen's post might not
dare take that initiative as Sen considering her fate.Mamata took
this decision deliberately to defy public sentiment as well a section
of press that is highly critical of some of her activities and
illogical utterances.In fact, it betrays her egoistic attitude.

It may be pointed out during Left Front regime Prasun Mukherjee, the
then Commissioner of Police had to relinquish his post under the
pressure of public and media as well in view of his unwanted remark
in Rizwanur Rahaman's death case.Incidentally, Mamata Banerjee who was
then in opposition lent her full throated support to the demand to
remove Commissioner of Police from his position.But now public
opinion to have Damayanti Sen to continue in her present position to
pusue the Park Street rape case has been more hounered in defiance by
Miss.Banerjee as a Chief minister.

However, if Damayanti sen were transferred to a post that is more
challenging than the present one, it could have been a consolation
that she's atleast received appreciation for her skill and efficiency
as a police officer.But her present posting as DIG(training) at
Barrackpore might send a wrong signal to people that she's been
tranferred to a position of lesser cosequence as she proved
Miss.Banerjee wrong in Park street rape case.

Dream will come true?

Mamata and Media:
It's no denying the fact many acts of omissions and commissions of the Left front govt and arrogance of its leaders and cadres brought about its fall.Another factor that mostly contributed to end Left rule was the decision of the Left to pull out support from the central govt and make an unsuccessful attempt to topple it.As a result TMC and Congress unitedly fought the Left in Assembly polls.But the third factor that was in no way less important than the earlier ones was the role of media.Since Nandigram episode both print and electronic media made all out attack on the LF govt.No doubt govt deserved such onslaught from Press.But the Press was far less mild in its criticism of Mamata Banerjee when she staged dharna totally blocking Durgapur express way for as many as thirteen days.Press was equally soft with Miss.Banerjee when she insisted on return of 400 acre of land to the so called unwilling farmers from Nano project site. Mamata Banerjee's sustained agitation and her continued adherence to her demand for return of land ultimately drove Tatas out Of Bengal with their automobile project after ninety percent of work done to Gujarat.She made her demand a prestige issue rather than consider the interest of the state.What's more even after frustrating a near complete project Miss. Banerjee didn't draw flak from press the way she deserved.What's very interesting is media continually spewed venom on the Left( however, the Left deserved it) making them villain and extended full-throated support to Miss Banerjee. Primarily, Left's lapses and media support combine brought Mamata in power with absolute majority.It should be reckoned with Mamata's sustained efforts backed up by unfailing media support made her a charismatic leader.It'd not be an over statement Mamata was sometimes pampered by media.

After Mamata came to power media were all- praise for her almost from day one.Her every movement was monitored and generously lauded.Normally during honeymoon period Press maintains a good relation with the ruling party.But in this case the relation was too good.Now Mamata has fallen from grace of a section of press,of course for her own fault and is sometimes subjected to scathing criticism.As a pampered child can't tolerate any body's criticism, may it be for his or her good, similar is the case with Mamata. Her ears are tuned to listen to praise only from the obsequious press.So any criticism sound cacophonous to her.As the all powerful leader of her party and govt where other members,even ministers, are practically non entity,it's no wonder she'd have intolerant mind-set that breeds authoritarian attitude.So when criticised she sees red and behaves irrationally.She often makes unbridled utterances that put her on the spot.She hardly reverses her decision or withdraws her comments even made inadvertently.It hurts her ego.These are all authoritarianism syndromes.Her win in every battle (mostly one-sided) with the Center has made her all the more confident that hers is the last word.

What's very interesting is her entourage are sometimes more aggressive than her perhaps to curry favour with her.In recent press censorship issue Sisir Adhikari's statement and the most arrogant body language is a case in point. Intolerance and confrontational attitude of ruling party has vitiated the political ambiance of the state and adversely affected the developmental activities govt has under taken.Pepole brought this govt with massive mandate to see Poribatan(change) and expected peace and tranquility would prevail and ruling party and the opposition would work in tandem for the progress of the state.But they are already disillusioned to a great extent.Nevertheless we hope, may it be hoping against hope, good sense would dawn on the ruling party and real Poribartan that we dreamt of would usher in.

Small is Beautiful!

They say Small is Beautiful. Didi also finds beauty in small.So it's no wonder Didi would recommend only small news papers for public reading in govt aided libraries.She claims it's a 'small' decision..She actually means it's the 'beautiful' decision of her Ma, Mati and Manus govt.Didi also believes as the big fishes deavour the small ones,similarly big news papers engulf the small ones.It means small news papers are neglected in presence of big ones in libraries.If the leading dailies are removed from the reading rooms of public libraries readers would be left with no choice but to read small and lesser circulated news papers and thus they would gradually develop the habit of reading these dailies.That apart,the monetary allocation of public libraries is so limited it can't afford funds to buy big news papers which are costlier than small ones.What's more, to stand by big publishing houses of news dailies is as good as carrying coal to Newcastle.However, Times of India is only an exception and inclusion of Ajkaal indiactes Didi is above Dalatantra as the latter is supposed to believe in Left ideology.

Perhaps, Didi believes the small papers promote free thinking while big papers badly influence and vitiate people's mind against the establishment.In that sense these dailies are out and out anti- people and duly merit total boycott.Govt should launch awareness program to teach people which books or newspapers they should read and which not.This attempt would be made to allay the prevailing confusion in people's psyche against the govt..Not only that big papers grandiosely promote consumerism and make the gullible 'Ma' & 'Manus' of our 'Mati' greedy and corrupt.

Some people clamour that govt has stopped or minimised offering ads to small news papers and it has put them in sheer financial constraints.In fact, it's wrongly interpreted by the detractors of the present govt.It has been done only to give them opportunity to struggle with poverty and ultimately stand on their own leg.It's Darwinian theory of 'survival of the fittest'.

An authoritarian attitude!

Circular for keeping selected news papers in public libraries:

The tone and tenor of Mamata Banerjee's statement made with some selected TV channels are quite alarming as it unmistakably reeks of authoritarian mind-set.She lashed out at the larger section of media that vehemently keeps criticising her govt's recent move to select a few news papers those should be only kept at govt and govt aided libraries for public reading.She claimed she's not as yet asked people what to read and what not to, but if the press continues attacking her this way, she threatened, she'd even do that.Though initially her govt argued these particular news papers were chosen to 'promote free thinking' but now stance has changed.She claims the move has been made to promote financially weak news papers.However, later inclusion of Times of India in the list, a news paper from the most affluent publishing house, finds no explanation.Miss Banerjee refers to the circular of Library department as the 'small circular' of a 'small department' .But it's deliberately blown out of proportion to malign her govt and stall all developmental activities her govt has embarked upon, she alleged.There's a deep rooted conspiracy behind the present concerted attack on her by the politicians and a section of press as well, she fumed.

Press Censorship@Public Libraries

There's no room for intolerance in democracy.Unfortunately, the present govt in our state is too intolerant.It can't stand criticism at all.It's so much so that it's instructed the govt and govt aided libraries to keep eight selected dailies only for public reading.Incidentally, these chosen papers blindly support every move of the govt irrespective of its merit. On the other hand, the leading and the most widely circulated dailies those have incurred the displeasure of the govt and hence are denied entry to these libraries criticise govt activities in no uncertain terms whenever needed.But govt want press to be docile and sycophant.It'd eulogise the ruling party in every issue.

In fact, the press that blindly endorses whatever govt do does more harm than good and govt is misled as a result.Press should act as the watch dog and mince no words in criticising the wrong policies of the govt.On the other hand, press would not fall short of lauding and encouraging the govt either when it do good job.In fact,all authoritarian rulers consider even the constructive criticism of press as hostility and try to gag its voice.It's no wonder Mamata Banerjee with her full dictatorial temperament would do the same.However,such activities of the govt would certainly send wrong signal to people and adversely affect its support base.

Interestingly, people normally go to public libraries to read most of the papers those have been banned .If these leading papers are not available the readership of dailies in public libraries is likely to drastically fall.That apart,the major and national dailies are preserved in library archives for reference reading in future particularly by researchers.If the entry of these dailies are prohibited , how could they be preserved in archives?That apart,govt can't dictate as to what to read and what not to.It's as good as infringement of fundamental right.

In fine, the govt is requested. to rescind the order immediately in public interest as well as for its own good.

Fire in the city!

Fire breaks out almost everyday in the city.In most cases fury of fire is devastating and it engulfs wide area making innumerable people destitute.In some cases fire has taken heavy toll of lives too.In fact,fire has spared none, right from patients in modern corporate hospital to slum dwellers.

After each incidence of major fire break-out administration embark upon some knee-jerk measures to prevent fire.They visit high rises and large establishments to see if people properly maintain fire safety norms and have fire detecting and fighting devices.In most cases they're disappointed by utter indifference of the management there regarding fire safety.In some old buildings electrical wiring is in such a bad shape that cluster of wires dangle menacingly causing concern for fire breakout by short circuit at any moment. Fire department caution them against being so callous about safety and advise them to duly follow fire norms.But all suggestions fall flat on the deaf ear and things go on as usual till a major fire breaks out again some where.

Kolkata is a pretty old city and so it is built mostly in unplanned way.Particularly North Kolkata is so congested that space between two buildings and approach roads as well are so narrow that fire engines can't enter many areas to combat fire.In most places lack of water badly affect fire fighting.In fact, to minimize the incidences of fire many old building and new high rises as well need be demolished but it's no practical proposition.Occurrences of fire should be controlled with in the present frame work.For it what's most needed is public awareness and sustained efforts of the administration.Let us hope our collective determination would make it possible the devastating fire at Hatibagan is the last episode of major fire in the city.

An Insipid End Of Budget Drama!

Resignation of Dinesh Trivedi:
It started with a fanfare but ended in a fiasco.Yes, Rail budget drama started with a high pitch but ended in a a tame note. Dinesh Trivedi could not stick to his stand that unless Mamata Banerjee herself or Prime minister asked him to resign he would not step down.On the contrary he himself contacted Mamata Banerjee simply to be asked to quit railway ministry with immediate effect and he did it as a 'disciplined soldier'.He heaped praise on TMC supremo and did swear unwavering faith in party leadership.In fact, he could have resigned immediately after his party chair person made it known to the Prime minister that she didn't want him to continue as Rail minister any more.It's not clear why he took unnecessarily so much time to call it quits.May be,he expected Congress leadership would stand by him as Prime minister and Finance minister lauded his budget.Pranab Mukherjee in particular supported fare-hike by thumping table.But in reality none in the govt dared extend active support to him and rather projected it as a personal matter between Mamata Banerjee and Dinesh Trivedi. Mamata Banerjee had the last laugh.

Now it's up to Mamata Banerjee(defacto Railway minister) to dictate to what extent roll-back in fare hike would be made or there would be no fare-hike at all. What's, perhaps, certain is hapless Prime minister has no choice but to accept Mukul Ray as Railway minister notwithstanding his strong reservation against him.

Democracy at a stake!

Asking Dinesh Trivedi to resign:

As the things stand Dinesh Trivedi might have to relinquish railway portfolios at the instance of Mamata Banerjee who feels let down by her party colleague for hiking train fares .As railway minister Miss Banerjee put railways on the dock and bade farewell to passengers' safety and security.Mr.Trivedi has made an honest ,sincere and realistic approach to recover the financial health of railways instead of playing to the gallery like his predecessor.For doing this job first of all money is required and to enhance revenue he's hiked train fares.He's enhanced fares marginally at lower classes and at higher rates for AC and sleeper coaches keeping in mind that poor people too can afford the enhanced fare.What's more, people in general don't grudge to cough up the extra fare considering the moribund state of Indian railways.They rather hope rail could now ensure them safe,secure and hassle- free journey.Nothing could be more unfortunate if Dinesh Trivedi has to quit now simply because Mamata Banerjee does not like him while whole nation is behind him.Even Prime minister Monmohan Singh has complimented him for presenting a rational budget.Trivedi's departure might go down as a dark spot in the history Indian democracy.

Again, what's most humiliating and insulting for Monhmohan singh that Mamata Banerjee has recommended the name of Mukul Ray as railway minster to replace Dinesh Trivedi.It's Mukul Roy who outright defied Monmohan Singh when he asked Mr.Ray, the then minister of state for railways, to visit the site of train accident due to bomb blast at Assam.

To Editor,The Bengal Post

The queer logic presented by your correspondent Niranjan Hazra in his write-up (March16) Trivedi has violated the collective will of the people has surprised me a lot.What he's said boils down to the moot point that by hiking train fare in railway budget he's betrayed his party and the people who support it.The party is always dead against such hike particularly in the interest of poor people.As he's won election on TMC's ticket and not as an independent candidate he should have toed his party's line of not affecting people's interest by any means in his budgetary proposals.What Mr.Hazra has missed is Dinesh Trivedi is not a minister of a particular party, he's a cabinet minster of UPA -II govt.So his budget proposals should reflect the policy and principles of UPA-II govt and not of TMC or of any other party in particular.Although in a coalition govt different partners might have different policies but the govt is run on common minimum program.In fact, Dinesh Trivedi has taken a bold decision of hiking train fares after so many years to augment the financial health of railways.People too don't grudge to cough up the extra fare considering the morbid condition of Indian rail ways which now fail to ensure minimum safety to the passengers.Thanks to Mr.Trivedi he has not followed the populist policy far divorced from ground realities adopted by his predecessor.Trivedi has, in fact, respected the collective will of the people who want railways to assure them safe, secure and hassle free journey.

Appeasing farmers

Mamata Banerjee has called upon the cooperative banks not to confiscate the property of a farmer and put it on auction if he fails to repay his bank loan.She's also declared that she'd amend such legal provision enjoyed by banks.She's also added she'd file FIR against the bank which has issued notice to attach mortgaged property of defaulter farmers.As usual she's lambasted the Left Front govt for passing such anti farmer draconian law, although such a legal provision was in vogue much before the Left came to power.Perhaps, a series of suicides recently committed by debt trapped farmers in the state has prompted CM to make such a populist statement as a damage control measure.That apart,Panchayet election is not far off and now it's time to look after the rural vote bank.

A dispassionate review of CM's statement suggests it's not only populist but irrational also.It'll encourage the farmers not to repay loan even if they 're able to do so.It's as good as asking the banks to waive the debts of the farmers irrespective of their financial position.If the banks have to oblige CM, how would they run their institutions?A time would come when the cooperative banks would be compelled to roll down their shutters or refuse to sanction loans to the farmers for their own survival.As a result the farmers will have to approach the money lenders to take loan at an exorbitantly high rate of interest.So CM should think twice before making such a populist statement to appease the farmers with an eye to their vote bank.In fact,in doing so she'll do more harm than good to the farmers whose interest she's apparently going to vindicate.

Jumping the gun!

They say man learns from mistakes.But our CM Mamata Banerjee is an exception.She never tries to learn from mistakes because she doesn't believe she can commit any mistake at all.Park Street rape case proved her wrong as she'd claimed it was concocted.Incidence of rape is a very sensitive issue, so she should have been more cautious while making any comment on Katwa rape incident.But here too she made the similar remark as in Park Street case, this time, of course ,based on medical test though doctors claim this preliminary test does prove nothing unless the result of forensic test is received.Doctors are, in fact, waiting for the results of forensic test.As these uncalled-for remarks are coming from no lesser a person than CM herself, it might have a far reaching impact on investigation.Investigating agency might be influenced and try to prove CM was not wrong in her observation as all cops are not that courageous as Damayanti Sen.CM did jump the gun in murder cases too.Recently,immediately after dastardly incidence of twin murders at Bardwan she claimed from Delhi it was the fall-out of internal squabble of CPM while her ministers claimed murders were the result of mob fury.What's most significant is in these murder cases cops didn't even pray for police custody of the accused as is normally done.In each instance she should have made remark after the investigation was complete to do justice to the victim.What's more, yesterday during ALL India General strike when a journalist of a private TV channel was brutally assaulted by Trinomool activists she also called it concocted to malign her party and govt..

What's very disturbing is Mamata Banerjee always finds CPM's presence behind every untoward incidents or crimes taking place in the state.She seems obsessed that CPM is working overtime to do harm to her government and thus embarrass her.So she passes not a single day without spewing fire and brimstone on CPM for some reason or other and some times without any rhyme and reason..May be it's paranoia syndrome but it proves very costly for our state.Such a sour relation between the ruling party and the opposition stands in the way of developmental activities of the state.In a democracy govt and ruling party should respect each other and work in tandem for the progress of the state.As ill luck would have it in the last Left regime too TMC and the Left were at daggers drawn and state suffered a lot.We're afraid the same thing would happen in the changed regime too.

Courageous Fight For Justice

Park street rape case:
We’re happy that adverse comments from high places of administration could not influence the police investigation as feared in the Park Street rape case and ultimately it could be successfully cracked. It’s the untiring efforts and doggedness of some dedicated police officers that yielded results. The rape victim’s courage and unfaltering adherence to her complaint that she was assaulted and raped even in the face of disbelief prevailing in some quarters convinced the investigating officers that some mischief was done to her.However, initially cops at police station didn’t take her statement seriously and on the contrary misbehaved with her, she alleged. Perhaps, matter could have ended there hadn’t the electronic media brought such a dastardly incident to light. So, thanks to media for playing a pivotal role that prodded the cops to swing into action.

The incident has laid bare our attitude to a rape victim. Many of us questioned her character as if women of questionable character deserve to be raped. That apart, it’s revealed how custodian of law behaves with a woman in distress, particularly in case of sexual assault. Now the question arises how safe are women in our society.

In fine, congrats to the victim whose courage and indomitable spirit would inspire other women to come forward and fight for justice if any sexual assault is made on them.

Prescribing Generic names

Central govt is reportedly going in for making it mandatory for
doctors to prescribe generic names of drugs instead of trade names.The
move is apparently a welcome one as it would curb the alleged practice
of the pharmaceutical companies to woo doctors by cash and kind to
promote sale of their drugs.That apart drug dealers will not have to
keep a host of drugs of same generic names but of different trade
names at their shops.Not only that, they'd require to make less
monetary investment to run their business and much less space would be
needed too.As different pharmaceutical companies sometimes supply a
drug of same formulation at mindbogglingly widely varying prices the
consumer would have now the choice to opt for one that costs less.So
for patients drugs will not be as costly as they are now.

There's also the flip side of the coin.In our country vigilance on
drug manufacturing is not at all satisfactory.So efficacy of the
same drug prepared by different companies is not always the same.The
reputed pharmaceutical companies generally maintain the required
quality of a drug perhaps for their sophisticated infrastructural
facilities and their product also normally cost high. On the other
hand, the lesser known companies who sell drugs at cheaper price
sometimes fail to maintain proper standard as they can't afford that
sophistication in drug manufacturing.Of course it's not always
true.Sometimes many cheaper formulations have the same efficacy as the
costlier ones.Again, there is menace of spurious drugs.All these
problems can be sorted out if there's proper vigil on drug
manufacturing companies to ensure that quality control is rigorously
followed.That apart, vigil should be also kept on the drug stores to
check sale of spurious drugs.Each drug store should compulsorily have
a qualified pharmacist.

Freedom of expression

The way the Booksellers and Publishers Guild cancelled publication of
Taslima Nasrin's book Nirbasan at Kolkata Boimela is shameful and
shocking too.Guild cowed down to the threat of a fundamentalist group
not to publish the book.Govt too yielded to the threat as instruction
to stop publication of Taslima's Nirbasan came from Lalbazar.Police
administration apprehended law and order problem in case the book was
published at Boimela.How can a section of people infringe upon the
freedom of expression of others?Can they dictate which people should
not read?Definitely not.Freedom of expression is our fundamental
right.Perhaps Guild at Kolkata Boimela and govt as well took cue
from Jaipur Literature Festival where Salman Rushdie's invitation to
the Fair was ultimately cancelled lest it could rue a section of
Muslim fundamentalists at election time.It's unfortunate that
sometimes vote bank determines our freedom of expression.

Discourteous and dangerous!

Sometimes landlords take recourse to cutting off supply of
electricity to the tenants to make them vacate their house.Publishers
and Booksellers Guild general secretary Tridib Chatterjee also.
embarked upon almost the same plan in case of Imran Khan to terminate
his program at Boi mela yesterday.What's more, he boldly or rather
brazenly made it public to all as if to let everybody know how
intelligently he handled a difficult situation.one wonders how he
conducts such a big event like Boimela with this level of
intelligence.His concept of decency and decorum is also
questionable.Before instructing to switch off the light didn't he once
think a high profile guest like Imran Khan would feel insulted and
humiliated at this bizarre way of cutting short his program?That apart
he exposed Imran to high security risk as any thing untoward could
happen in darkness.Guild secretary could easily request Imran not to
entertain any more question from press as another program is scheduled
at this venue and participants are waiting.

Unsavory treatment!

Everybody is equal in the eye of law.In that sense the arrest of
Dr.Mani Chettri in connexion with AMRI tragedy is justified.But law
has its human face too.Dr. Chettri is a nonagenarian with frail
health.His contribution to medical science is indisputable.He's
produced a good number of brilliant doctors who have made their mark
in the field of their specialization.He's devoted his life to the
physical well being of innumerable patients.That apart Dr. Chettri has
been whole heartedly cooperating with the investigating agency since
the AMRI fire incident took place.It's not conceivable why police has
felt it necessary after as many as 45 days to nab him and slap him
with a non bailable offence.Not only that, police even contested his
bail petition.Medical fraternity should vehemently protest against
such a unsavory treatment, may it be legally justified, being meted out to him on
humanitarian ground.

Double Standard

Manhandling Principals in college campus:
Campus violence in academic arena is nothing new.Students gherao
principal, teachers and the non teaching staff or the members of the
governing body of an academic institution to get their demands
fulfilled.Sometimes they become unruly and go on the rampage too.But
they hardly manhandle teachers. At present roughing up a teacher at
the slightest pretext has been a very common phenomenon.The sights of
a college or school principal being physically assaulted by the
students or outsiders in the campus are really pathetic and barbaric
too.No language is sufficient to condemn such incidents.What's most
unfortunate is the miscreants are not properly dealt with by the
administration.Police make out cases in such a way that the miscreants
are released on bail immediately after arrest.What's more, the main
culprits who're normally big guys are not even arrested at all for
their political influence.Not only that, the top administration
unabashedly and openly play down such occurrences and describe it as
just aberration.Isn't it as good as pampering the criminals?

So far as the police action is concerned, unashamed discrimination is
made most probably based on political complexion.In Raigunj College
incident police slapped the culprits who incidentally belong to TMC with bailable offence for assaulting principal while at Majdia
college, Nadia for the same offence police framed the miscreants
who're reportedly members of SFI with non- bailable offence and sent
to court for trial.

It's high time administration could act properly cutting across party
line to stop such ugly incidents,otherwise we'll see the re-run of
dark days in early seventies.