Anarchy at schools!

Mamata Banerjee's govt seems to be plagued with populism.The way H.S Council tackled the situation of gheraoing of teachers by the students at Rishi Arabindo Balika Vidyalay at Santoshpore in connection with the results of H.S.Test examination bears out the statement once again.To lift the gheroao that spanned over 22 hrs the council members rushed to the spot the day after reportedly on request from the Headmistress of the school and virtually took sides with the failed students.As a result gherao ended.What they actually did was that they asked the Headmistress to hold examination of the failed candidates again on the plea of some apparent lapses in the tabulation sheet.They also took away the examined answer scripts of the failed students along with the tabulation sheet in sealed cover to council office.This action of the council met with scathing criticism from the academic circles and in other schools too failed candidates started agitation demanding promotion as feared.Finding the situation going out of hands the education minister Bratya Basu intervened and declared it was the prerogative of the schools concerned to decide whom they'd send up for final examination.A few schools, of course,stooped to the pressure of the failed candidates and their guardians but mercifully majority of schools as yet have stood ground and have not succumb to such pressure.However,demand for promotion of unsuccessful candidates are still spreading in different schools and pressure is mounting on the school authorities.What's more,the Council once again requested Rishi Arabindo Balika Vidyalaya to reconsider its decision but school did not change the tally after reconsideration of the result.What's most interesting is our Education minister later eulogized council representatives for their success in lifting 22-hrs gherao at the school.Any way, now School education is paying for the populist move of H.S.Council which has ultimately received the seal of approval from the Education minister Bratya Basu.

Off-the-cuff remark about judiciary!

It sounds ludicrous when Mamata Banerjee warns her cabinet colleague Becharam Manna against shooting his tongue so freely while she herself makes unbridled comments too often.In fact, Becharam tried to curry favour with his mentor Mamata Banerjee while making the most outrageous remark about the High court judge who had given verdict against the state govt in Singur Land Bill Case. Becharam claimed the judge gave the verdict in collusion with Tatas and CPI(M) to which he'd allegiance,Earlier Mamata Banerjee alleged judgement could be purchased.Evidently taking cue from his leader's statement Bacharam has gone to the logical conclusion about the Singur judgement.So he's only echoed and elaborated with specific example what his mentor spoke about judiciary.However, he couldn't realise, nor had he the ability to assess either the legal implication of what he said.Perhaps what he'd in the back of his mind was his performance would be appreciated by Didi.As ill luck would have it, High court has reacted sharply to Becharam's remark and initiated legal proceedings against him to protect the honour and integrity of judiciary.What's more,Court has also revived the hearing on Mamata's observation 'judgement is purchasable' that was kept pending.

Darker Days Ahead!

Markandey Katju,Chairman Press Council of India criticized Mamata Banerjee for her authoritarian and vindictive attitude in the strongest possible language.Perhaps he's spoken the mind of the most of the people of the state.As now an atmosphere of fear prevails in the state common people dare not express their opinion freely.So Katju would receive whole hearted support from all sections of people for his outspokenness.Earlier the Chair person of the state Human Rights Commission echoed the same sentiment with no less vehemence.The apex court of the country too has recently served notice to the state based on PIL filed by a South Indian girl to explain its position regarding the arrest of Jadavpore University Professor Amkesh Mahapatra in cartoon episode.So Mamata Banerjee is drawing flak from different corners for her activities.She aught to be under immense pressure. But what's a matter of concern is Mamata Banerjee rubbished the allegations and went to the extent of comparing the critics of her govt to barking dogs.She strongly believes a section of people and press are hatching conspiracy to belittle her govt.So she does not care to pay heed to even good advice of her well-wishers.She seems determined not to change her style of functioning and make amends for her mistakes. What's now most worrying for Mamata Banerjee is internecine squabbles have pervaded her party from the top to bottom and intraparty clashes are taking place almost regularly.Particularly, the increasing dissension in higher rank is doing immense harm to his party and the govt.With his faction ridden party she can't afford proper governance and as a result the state is suffering abjectly.What's more she fails to contain this factionalism either for apparently wrong handling of the problem.So darker days are waiting ahead for us.

No Confidence Motion

As a politician Mamata Banerjee is unique in herself.She's more guided by emotions than by reasons.Nor has she learnt from mistakes and she's paying for it.See, all on a sudden she announced the names of the Presidential candidates in consultation with the most unpredictable man in Indian politics Mulayem Sing Jadav and openly declared she would not support the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee in Prez poll.Mulayem as usual changed his stance and Mamata was isolated.Undaunted she desperately started campaigning for her candidates but ultimately called it quits disgruntled failing to garner support in her favour. As an ally of UPA she almost moved the govt around by noose according to her sweet will.But as Center didn't agree to comply with her repeated undue requests to do her extra favour by sanctioning moratorium on state's debt to Center, her relation with UPA turned sour.So she severed her relation with Center in protest against its 'anti-people' measures like FDI ,fuel price hike etc.Contrary to her expectation that Center would sincerely try to bring her back, Center,in fact, did nothing worthwhile to this effect except making only formal request to reconsider her decision.This indifference made her furious and she decided to topple the UPA govt by moving no confidence motion in the winter session of the parliament.She made declaration to this effect also and that too with her only 19 MPs.She perhaps took it for granted that other political parties would also lend support to her obviously legitimate move of no confidence motion.Now she's in a fix.She can't even procure the support of requisite number of MPs(at least 50) to initiate the no-confidence motion, let alone win the motion.Now she has been so desperate and feel so desolate that she's approached her most despised enemy so called 'untouchable' CPIM) on whom she breaths fire and brimstone almost every day for support.Mamata Banerjee who's supposed to be a matured politician by many is now in a pitiable plight for which she's herself responsible.

Ban on Teen Kanya!

Perhaps to ban screening of film Teen Kanya at Star Theater Kolkata is a well planned move of the administration to divert public attention from ongoing mess at Haldia port.Incidentally, the film is duly certified by the censor board.However, whatever may the ploy to clamp ban on this film, it deserves all-out condemnation from all sections of the society.It's the fall-out of the authoritarian mindset of the state administration which can't tolerate the slightest criticism about its activities.The concerned film depicts a Park street like incident and it is supposed to have offended the concerned authority.Any sensible man or a film critic will not find fault in display of such an incident but the govt that has shown extreme callousness and acted most irresponsibly in similar circumstances as presented in the film perhaps suffer from guilty conscience and so impose ban on screening of the film. Govt might have assumed the film intends to criticise its wrong doing to show it in poor light.This act of the administration is nothing but the infringement of fundamental right of its citizen that is normally done in dictatorial regime.We hope, those who recently and very rightly protested against the ban on staging of the drama Pashu Khamar ,an adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm in the fag end of the Left rule must come forward and vehemently oppose the ban on Teen Kannya too.

A few lessons to learn!

The proposed HBT pull-out from Haldia Port furnishes the following lessons: 1) Retrenched workers can retrench their employers. 2) A corporate body should see to the interest of a public representative (here MP) who best knows public mind.. 3) Law and order is a subjective subject. 4) Media should subserve those who rule the state as they only know what’s ‘best’ for the state. 5) Kidnap is a technique to protect those who’re in danger. However, it’s often misinterpreted as coercion. 6) Have full faith in administration .Never put it in the dock. 7) Neither spread rumour, nor pay heed to rumour. 8) Believe only administration speaks the truth. .

Blaming Mr.Ramesh!

Mamata Banerjee has forfeited the right to criticize the behviour of others after she herself behaved most indecently with Prime minster Dr.Monmohan Sing by mimicking him in an electronic channel.In fact, the Union minister Mr.Jairam Ramesh apparently wrote nothing unparliamentary, nor anything that smacks of bad taste.On the contrary, Mamata provoked Mr. Ramesh by qualifying the Union govt as 'brain dead'.This remark is likely to offend an Union minister and he might react to it sharply.So did Mr.Ramesh and nothing else,It's wrong to read much in his letter only to initiate a fresh round of tirade against the center.It's no denying the fact strained relation between the center and state harms the state in a big way. In other words at the end of the day it's the common people of the state who suffer most and the politicians playing the blame game might gain electoral dividend.

Blaming media again!

Didi has again lashed out at press for bringing to light the awful rise in incidences of rape cases.She wishes the media could avoid publishing such news that embarrasses the govt and 'vitiate' people's mind as well.Media should only dish out 'positive' news and not the so called 'negative' ones like rape or crime against women to keep people and govt in good humour.Never has she sent a stern message in her speech to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes.Nor has she ever referred to the recent incident of gang rape at Assansole and condemned it in no uncertain terms as expected from a well meaning and sensible citizen, let alone a responsible Chief minister of a state.It's no use making vain endeavor to push these awesome incidents below the carpet and nor can it be done as stinking smell will waft out on its own.In fact, by shooting her tongue too freely and loosely rather on the matter of sexual assault on women she's sending wrong message to the miscreants and police administration as well, incidentally which she herself looks after.Her remarks in reality encourages the criminals and equally discourages the cops to take tough action against crimes.It's no denying the fact if administration is duly serious and sincere to minimize crime against women it can do it easily.But unfortunately lack of good will and determination stand in the way.

Insulted and humiliated!

It's really very shocking the thespian Bimal Chakraborty was roughed up by the Trinomul activists.His offence was he protested against the assault on some fish sellers by these Trinomulies in the market for attending the meeting of CPM.Mr. Chakraborty made a general diary at the local thana and it enraged the assailants all the more.They were on the rampage before his house and kept threatening him and members of his family whole night.Under these circumstances any sensibile citizen would expect administration would stand by the thespian and bring the miscreants to book.But what actually happened was mind boggling.Next day Mr.Chakraborty received a letter from his office belonging to food department that he has been transferred and kept in compulsory waiting.Theater personalities cutting across party lines unequivocally protested against the treatment meted out to Bimal Chakraborty in a meeting.What's most interesting theater personalities owing allegiance to TMC has also convened a meeting to convey those who've condemned the episode of Bimal Chakraborty have simply played a political game to malign the ruling party.In reality, they claim, no injustice has been done to Mr. Chakraborty.Matter has been blown out of proportion intentionally.What's is very unfortunate the Education Minister Bartya Basu openly supported the view and claimed 'amra-ora' division inevitable.It's deplorable the Education minister himself is adding fuel to fire by such instigating statement, let alone try to bring a healthy ambiance in the cultural scenario of the state.

Mimicking PM!

The way Mamata Banerjee mimicked our honorable Prime minister Dr.Monmohan Singh while speaking her mind on different issues at a foreign TV channel is very unfortunate and shocking too.It's unbelievable how could she do it as a responsible Chief Minister of a state.By doing so, in fact, she belittled herself rather than the Prime minister.Cores of viewers who watched this show had an awfully bad impression about her.In fact, if some body does mimic her this way in electronic media she would certainly take action against her.Prof Ambika Mahapatra of Jadavpore University simply forwarded an innocent cartoon lampooning her in social net work site.He'd to pay dearly for this simple fun by spending a night in jail custody.What's more,in the face of scathing criticism from all sections of the society for putting Prof.Mahapatra behind the bar Mamata Banerjee openly justified the treatment meted out to him by the police.In our state decency and decorum has been given a go-by in politics and showing discourtesy has been order of the day.

Withering away of state!

Mamata Banerjee now seems more occupied with national politics than state's.Since she severed ties with the union govt on the issues of FDI,diesel price hike and limiting subsidies to only 6 cylinders of cooking gas a year she's taken up the issue of FDI in particular for campaign against UPA-II govt in the capital as well as in other states.Taking FDI as nucleus she's trying to combine different like minded political parties to form a third front.She's pretty sure in next Loksabha poll both Congress and BJP would fair badly and her third front consisting of regional parties might have an opportunity to form a govt at the Center.If third front really clicks she might be Prime minister.It may sound too wild a guess or a wishful thinking but in politics anything can happen.It's true to become a PM she will have to compete with her most formidable contestant Mulayem Sing Jadav who has been long dreaming of occupying the highest executive post of the nation.If she fails, in that even she'd play the role of a king maker. In her state Mamata has taken for granted her charisma has remained undiminished and if Loksabha polls are held earlier she's sure to win a large number of seats.So national politics have engaged her more attention.Though it's difficult to read people's mind so far as elections are concerned but it's certain they're not happy about what is happening around us,Safety and security of people particularly of women have gone to the winds.Crimes against women have increased manifold.They don't even feel safe in broad daylight.They're not safe at home either.Thefts and robberies have increased to a large extent too. Police administration has failed miserably to tackle the menace.Some times nexus between cops and criminals has made the matter worse.It seems free-for-all for the anti socials.An eerie atmosphere prevails all over. Developmental work of the state has come to a halt.The investors fight sigh of the situation prevailing here.Most of those who've come to invest in the state have turned their face away at the end of the day Cores of rupees are spent to illuminate roads with trident lamps but little care is taken to repair pathetically impaired roads.Health services are in poor state.While Dengue is taking toll of many lives administration seems more busy in their efforts to conceal the actual figure of deaths than fight the disease on war footing.Peace does not prevail in arena of eduction either.Principals and teachers are often the target of attack.They have been roughed up by students and outsiders at many colleges.What's very worrying is in most cases police administration seems to stand as on lookers.They delay in taking action against the criminals particularly when they belong to the ruling party.Under media pressure they some times are compelled to act.But they wash their hands off by slapping miscreants with bailable charges so that they can walk out immediately after arrest. If things are allowed to drift this way and Mamata Banerjee is busy pursuing her political ambition at national level days are not far off when West Bengal as a state will wither away beyond resuscitation.

Double Standard!

Regarding yesterday's(Sept 20) bandh Mamata Banerjee's double speak is really very confusing.She supports All India Bandh called by BJP as the issue is 'genuine' but vehemently opposes in the same breath 12-hour bandh called by CPM on the same issue in West Bengal .Isn't our state a part of India?She also lashed out at CPM for calling bandhs at the drop of a hat and advocated to take a move to make participation of public transport in bandh illegal.True, bandh as a democratic weapon loses its shine if frequently used.Bandh should be used as the last resort.It's also true bandh causes immense inconvenience to public and adversely affect the state financially.Nevertheless no political party would agree to part with their right to call a bandh.Nor did Mamata hesitate to convene a strike at the slightest pretext when in opposition.Perhaps she's learned from her mistakes the home truth that bandh does more harm than any good.Then why has she overwhelmingly supported BJP's bandh and went to the extent of congratulating people to make the bandh a success.It might have some other political connotation but she was not as hard in her stance in the present bandh as she was in 27th Feb bandh called by the Left unions.Is it so because the present bandh was in favour of her own demand too?.It rather supported her pull-out from union govt on the issue of FDI and diesel and LPG price hike.In reality Mamata Banerjee is maintaining double standard so far as bandh is concerned.

AIIMS type hospital

Future of founding a AIIMS type medical institute at Raiganj is sadly bleak.Perhaps,it's ego that stands in the way.Dipa Dasmunshi is the relentless critic of Mamata Banerjee.She's long taken initiative for a medical institute like AIIMS at Raigunj.Didi, on the other hand, like to have this institute at Kayani as land is no problem there.Didi is dead against acquiring farm land for such project.It's, in fact, the issue of farm land that has afforded Didi a firm political land to stand on in the state.So she can't now betray the farmers who are Didi's dependable vote bank. Dipa Dasmunshi is, however, justified in her demand for an AIIMS at Raigunj as North Bengal is lagging far behind South Bengal in medical facilities.Her claim that farmers here are willing to sell their land at a reasonable price for hospital should be given due weigtage.If the farmers come forward to part with their land for a noble cause,Didi should gracefully appreciate their gesture.Didi has, instead,decided to offer two multispeciality hospitals in the district , which would be as good as Christian Missionary Hospital at Velor.It may be noted in 2009 Center sanctioned two AIIMS type hospitals, one at Uttar Pradesh and another at Bengal.Construction work of hospital has already started under the stewardship of Akhilesh Jadav in U.P.If Deepa and Didi lock horns over the site of the proposed hospital, project might be hijacked by any other state.

Appraisal of College and University teachers!

Government's decision to initiate a move to periodically assess performances of teachers is really a welcome one.For university teachers teaching performance should include regular taking of classes and quality of teaching imparted.Their research work should include the quality of papers published.However, the quality of journals in which they're accepted should also be reckoned with.That apart, the number of research scholars who have been awarded PhDs under their supervision should also be considered.It should be remembered standard of a university is primarily judged by its contribution to the field of research.Participation of a teacher in national and international seminars should also be recognized. But it's difficult to appraise college teachers. Their regularity in taking classes, teaching performance, examination of answer scripts of both college and university examinations in scheduled time, helping the college administration in other academic works etc may be considered.Unfortunately, most of our colleges are not in good shape.Students normally come to college for admission and examinations.Teaching is in reality treated as extracurricular activity.Pass students normally bunk classes and most of them are not deemed eligible to take university examinations as per university rule unless their percentage of attendance is shown inflated by the college authorities.However, Honours students are a bit more serious as expected.They at least attend practical classes regularly in practical based subjects.If college authorities take a hard stance in case of students' attendance, college unions would stand by defaulting students and ultimately authorities would be compelled to compromise on the issue.However, there're colleges where attendance norms are duly maintained and they've academic ambiance.But their number is unfortunately very few . Except in few colleges there is hardly any infrastructure for research work.UGC normally sanction research grants to teachers with PhD but where would they do their work?So teachers are mostly frustrated as they can't pursue their research work after doing PhD particularly in practical based subjects.So infrastructure in colleges needs be improved a lot to ward off their frustration.In fact in colleges assessment of teachers on the basis of their continuing performance in the field research can hardly be done.In some colleges, again ,students' politics vitiate the academic atmosphere all the time. It's welcome students will also assess the performance of teachers as done in foreign universities and in some Indian universities also.In reality, it's the students who make good teachers.But, reportedly only those students who have 70% attendance in classes would be eligible to have their say in a teacher's performance.If so, very few students could be found to fulfill this criterion.In that case only a handful of students would participate in the assessment process that might not result in proper appraisal.Again, if the political dadas influence these few students it would defeat the very purpose of this assessment procedure.So appraisal of college teachers unlike their university counterparts would be a complex process.Nevertheless periodical assessment of teachers is necessary.Let the process be started and loop holes plugged whenever needed.

Fighting shy of truth!

Recently crime against women has increased manifold.However,some people whose valued opinion in this matter is some trimes sought by media more often than not refuse to buy this plain and simple fact.They argue incidences of criminal assaults on women were no less in earlier days too.The difference is now is the media highlight them more.But why are media so proactive now in bringing such ugly incidents to light?Why did they hush up such crimes perpetrated in earlier regime?Do media like to deliberately show the present govt in poor light?If so,Mamata Banerjee's scathing criticism of media merits justification. What's true is eve teasing, molestation and rapes have really increased in recent times.Perhaps many people don't want to be tagged a Marxist by saying such criminal offences were less frequent before the change of guard.They seem to maintain a neutral stance by tarring both the govts(LF&TMC-Cong) with the same brush particularly in this matter only to be on the safe side.However, humdrum public expect they should have the courage to call a spade a spade.

An inhuman act!

It’s really unbelievable auto-driver refused to stop his vehicle when a girl child fell off the auto as it took a sudden turn while her mother cried desperately to stop the auto.Mother helplessly clasped her baby's hand strongly as she was being dragged on the road.The child was hauled as much as 30 meters before the auto stopped for a moment and sped away.The baby was seriously injured in the process and was hospitalised.Something more serious could have happened to her and it was by sheer stroke of good luck she had had a close shave.What’s more, three days have passed since the incident took place but police was yet to nab the inhuman auto-driver lest other auto pullers could go on strike in protest of arrest of their colleague.However, on the fourth day when the media brought the matter to public administration was prodded to arrest the culprit.Initial police inaction is certainly condemnable and we wonder is it a civilized society that we’re living in?

Misdirected!

State's now exercising its authority giving a go-by to all rhymes and reasons to teach lessons whoever venture to criticize its activities.CM thinks she's infallible and conspiracy is being hatched all around to show her in poor light.She lashes out even at judiciary which comes to the rescue of the hapless who've incurred her wrath.Cops act .with brazen discrimination to satisfy her.The incidence of mercilessly heckling the Principal of Raigunj College inside the College campus by TMC activists under the leadership of a TMC Councillor was dubbed by CM as a minor incident perpetrated by 'small' boys.The perpetrators were slapped with bailable offences and released immediately after arrest.Almost for same offence, if not a lighter one, at Majdia College students belonging to SFI were booked under non-bailable section and they were put behind the bar for 50 days.CM initially said Park street rape case was concocted and later Damayanti Sen's investigation revealed rape actually happened.Enraged CM didn't hesitate to transfer an efficient officer like Ms.Sen to a position of lesser importance.It, in fact, helped send an encouraging signal to the miscreants and opened the floodgate of rapes there after.CM took it an affront to her when Jadavpore University Professor Ambika Mahapatra and his septuagenarian neighbour Mr Subrata Sengupta, a retired engineer, simply forwarded an innocuous cartoon lampooning her.They'd to pay a heavy price for their job.Police arrested them and put them behind the bar until next day when they were released on bail.Now a legal suit is pending against them.West Bengal Human Rights Commission has however made a suo motto inquiry into the matter and pronounced judgement asking the govt to initiate legal proceedings against the police officers who arrested them.Commission has also directed the govt to pay each of them Rs.50,000 as compensation.The verdict has so offended the CM that she's lambasted the Chairperson of the Commission without mentioning his name.She's alleged Commission has gone out of its way in delivering such judgement.She's also claimed now a days judgment can be purchased by money and entire judicial system is tainted with corruption.Now some cabinet ministers have openly accused the electronic media in particular of giving undue publicity to the rising incidences of crime against women and other law and order problems.West Bengal is far better than other states so far as the safety and security of women are concerned, some cabinet ministers vociferously claim.Incidences of crimes are deliberately blown out of proportions, they allege.Media should better engage themselves to change the mindset of the criminals, they advise. It's heartening to note WBHRC has taken up the case of of Shiladitya who's tagged a Maoist by CM herself for his protest against exorbitantly high price of manures.He.s now incarcerating in jail as police framed him with non-bailable offense.What's more,the Commission can't rely on the state's investigating agency and so has decided to get the inquiry done by its own agency.Certainly,CM won't take it without reservation.Again,High Court has already admitted a PIL against CM for her sweeping comment against Judiciary calling it corrupt.Another suo motto case is in the same issue is pending for admission after submission of affidavit by media that reported her invectives against judiciary.Now if the CM entangle herself in legal battles, when will she think about the developmental activities of the state?

Justice awarded!

It's heartening to note that Jadavpore university Professor Ambika Mahapatra and his neighbor Subrata Sengupta have received justice from West Bengal Human Rights Commission(WBHRC) in Cartoon episode.What's more, the commission took up the case own its own and has asked the State govt in its judgment to initiate legal proceedings against the two police officials who arrested Ambika and Subrata in the cartoon case and award Rs.50,000 to each of them as compensation.Though it's a recommendation of the Commission that has no binding on the govt, nevertheless it proves a moral defeat to the govt.On the other hand, it's a moral booster for those who dare criticise the wrong -doings of the govt.Again,the judgement of the Commission should have no legal bearing on the on-going case against Mr. Mahapatra and Mr.Sengupta in court of law but still it'll influence the case in a big way, Govt should now witdraw the case against them at least in honour of the judgment pronounced by WBHRC.

Rail needs full-time Minister!

Train journeys are becoming increasingly hazardous.Every other day there's train accident at some place or other.No body can assure you'll reach your destination unscathed.Even you may be transported to the Otherworld by the multi wheeled monster.Perhaps we people have accepted these tragedies with stoic calm.The railway administration too seems to possess a lackadaisical attitude in this matter.It's awakened only when a massive accident takes place.They routinely pay money to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured and institute a commission of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.Then they wash their hands off and go to deep slumber till the next accident occurs.Perhaps hardly any action is taken based on the recommendations of the inquiry commission to minimise accidents.Again,the Central govt is too busy to appease their coalition partner that holds the railway ministry to set their house in order.Who cares for those whose lives are lost in accidents?Can money be a substitute for life?How many families are ruined in a rail accident of even moderate intensity! Incidentally, attitude of Railway board was apparently reflected in a panel discussion on railway safety and train accidents(July 30) in a private TV Chanel(ABP Ananda). Two of the panelists were ex- members of Railway board. on that very day three train accidents took place in a row and in one accident one of the coaches of Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express caught fire and it took toll of 47 lives and left 25 injured.The panelists, however, don't like to share the view that safety and security of Indian railways were alarming.They were complacent that even in advanced countries also railway accidents take place and compared to the vast number trains run by Indian railways the number of accidents taking place are reasonably few.Perhaps, such attitude is seemingly shared by the present members of the Railway board and UPA govt as well.If not, then how does PM allow the present Railway minister to monitor his departmental work from Kolkata?Our Railway minister behaves like a part-timer while the problem ridden Indian railways badly need a full-time minister.Unfortunately,our Prime minister is sacrificing human lives at the altar of compulsions of coalition politics. --

Eveteasing and MLA's comment!

The comment made by Chiranjit Chakraborty, a Trinomul MlA and an actor too, on the recent incident of eve-teasing at Barasat is extremely unfortunate and merits condemnation from all sections of the society.Barasat has earned notoriety for antisocial activities that culminated in the murder of Rajib Das who tried to save his sister from sexual assault by a group of hoodlums in drunken state. Police inactions and political leaders’ attempt to cover up such incidents or play down their gravity claiming them as small incidents being blown out of proportions or concocted altogether by media to malign the present govt. have encouraged the miscreants to perpetrate such crimes with impunity.Chiranjit’s remark is in tune with the above line of thinking of ruling party. Sexual assaults on women have increased manifold now-a-days. Almost every other day a rape is being held in our state. Women are no longer safe and secured here as we earlier boast they were unlike in Delhi or Bombay. Women’s commission has lashed out at the Bengal govt for increasing incidents of crime against women. People in general also share this view of the commission and feel much concerned about increasing rate of crime. But govt is yet to react, let alone tone up police administration to curb such crimes.Govt seems to be ignoring these allegations and keeps looking the other way.

At the mercy of the criminals!

It's really unbelievable that a married woman accompanied by her husband was forcibly bundled in an auto by a group of auto drivers at broad daylight in full view of others in busy Kolkata Road and whisked away to other place to teach her a lesson by outraging her modesty as she protested along with her husband when an auto collided with their car.Her husband was also badly beaten by auto drivers.The next part of the story is more incredible.When complained to police they did not even arrest the auto-driver.Nor did they slap him with a non-bailable offence like kidnapping and molesting a woman.The accused auto-driver was freed on bail bond of only Rs.600 next day. Is it a civilized society that we're living in?Isn't it a Jungle raj?We feel extremely unsecured and helpless.Such incident may occur with any one of us at any time.There is none to protect us.The custodian of law look the other way when crime takes place.They, in fact, take sides with the criminals keeping us in the receiving end.More often than not cops are dictated by political leaders.If the administration severely deal with these offences irrespective of political complexions and the offenders get exemplary punishment, incidences of crime will definitely decrease to a considerable extent.Unfortunately the way police administration is blatantly pampering the criminals they'll(criminal) soon rule the roost in our society.Days are not far off when we'll be at the mercy of the criminals.

Mamata's U-turn!

Mamata Banerjee has candidly spoken her mind as to why she's decided to vote Pranab Mukherjee in Prez poll.She'd only two optons:abstaining from vote or voting for Pranab Mukherjee.She has chosen the latter one in the interest of democracy.Her decision has not been influenced by expectation of any financial package from center, she's claimed.She's taken this course of action against her will and with heavy heart.,she's mentioned.In reality Mamata has taken the right decision which she should have taken much earlier. Almost in each case of dissension with Center on different issues she came out winner and was able to establish she was a member of prime consequence in UPA with only 19 MPs.Perhaps her ego did tempt her to dictate terms in Presidential election also.But her game plan suffered a jolt when Mulayam Sing Jadav back tracked on his promise to support any of their jointly chosen candidates like APJ Abdul Kalam, Monmohun Sing and Somnath Chatterjee.That apart she offended Congress by naming Monmohun Sing, the existing PM, as Presidential candidate.It amounts to expressing no confidence to Monmohun Sing as PM.Congress made no delay in declaring the name of Pranab Mukherjee as Presidential candidate of their choice.Now Mamata is left alone in her crusade against opposing Prez candidacy of Congress.She repeatedly requested APJ Abdul Kalam, whose name she perhaps declared as a Presidential candidate even without taking his consent, to contest Prez poll.She vociferously campaigned for him in Facebook.However,Mr. Kalam, who was once unanimously elected as President of India, didn't agree to contest the poll.A perfect gentleman as he is, he complimented Mamata for selecting him as presidential candidate.That apart, Mamata can't support NDA candidate P.A.Sangma in view of her minority vote bank which is sufficiently strong. So Mamata was marginalized in national politics Perhaps Mamata's resentment against Pranab Mukherjee has originated from her frustration that her repeated request to him for special financial package or granting moratorium on repayment of huge loan to center has been turned down on the plea that India is a Federal country.If any special privilege is given to a particular state other states too would demand such special treatment.However, Congress didn't take Mamta's decision not to vote for their Presidential candidate desapite being one of the allies of UPA govt lying down.They started mounting pressure on her in different ways.Sometimes Central ministers have come to state and made adverse comments on functioning of the govt.State congress too have taken to streets in protest against law and order , price hike and different issues.However, at the same time central leadership was trying to persuade Mamata to change her mind.This blow-hot-and-blow-cold attitude of congress yielded some result.She's perhaps thought if center starts non-cooperating with her govt state will suffer and she'll lose her popularity which will affect her vote bank.After all money is needed for developmental activities.It's not wise to live in water and be enemy of the crocodiles.

Talibani Fatwa!

It's unbelievable that in the 21st century at Bhagpat, a place only 42 Km away from New Delhi some people have given fatwa against love marriage and dictated no woman below 40 shall go for shopping and must not use mobile phones outside their homes They've further dictated women must be covered when they go outside home and women above 40 must not stir out of home alone.This Talibani fatwa has been dictated by Khap Panchayet.First of all, how dare these people give this fatwa against women infringing their fundamental right?Secondly,has administration taken any legal action against the people who have made this illegal and bizarre order?Bhagpat is under the constituency of Civil aviation minister Ajit Sing who himself could take note of this unlawful fatwa which constitutes a cognizable offence. Akhilesh Jadav the young and energetic Chief minister of newly formed U.P govt must come forward to rescue Bhagpat women from Talibani fatwa.But what's most worrying is political parties might look the other way considering their vote bank at Bhagpat.

Mass molestation in Assam!

People who're actively involved in the barbaric incident of molesting and stripping a teenage girl are even worse than beasts.The on-lookers who apparently enjoyed the most uncivilized incident are no less than subhuman beings.The TV cameramen who took shot of the hapless girl trapped in hell fire for as much as 30 mins. seemingly to increase the TRP of the channel or sell the ugly footage at a premium instead of calling cops to rescue the girl deserve condemnation from all well meaning people,although admittedly it's the footage that helped the administration to nab some of the miscreants.Police also draw flak for reaching the spot late and taking action even later.Perhaps unless media started clamouring about the incident, Assam govt could not assess the gravity of the situation.In fact, administration reacted so late that the miscreants had enough time to make themselves scarce.Photographs of the accused have been displayed on bill boards and till now only a handful of them have been apprehended by cops.The whole nation has reacted sharply to and is fuming over such a diabolic act one could ever imagine in a civilised society.The incident has regrettably shown the bestial instinct of man when let lose can wreak havoc with all norms of the society we're living in.

Anarchy in education!

While move is being made to make Presidency University a center of excellence by recruiting best faculty from across the globe,the education in undergraduate levels are in total doldrums in the state.What's most worrying is foot steps of late sixties or early seventies are getting increasingly louder day by day in the arena of education.Now teachers and non teaching staff as well have been soft target of attack by the students and outsiders as well in academic institutions.Incidences of physical assault on teachers which did scarcely occur even in early seventies now take place almost at regular intervals.Students take on teachers without any compunction, whatsoever.As in seventies students now seem to claim copying as their legitimate right.When invigilators, who are primarily teachers, prevent them from taking unfair means, it's unbelievable they are so brutally roughed up by examinees that some of them even need be admitted to hospital.If these incidents are not stopped immediately dark days of mass copying and turbulence in seventies would soon revisit our educational institutions. The assailants are not always students.Imagine, the president Governing body of a college threw a water jug towards a lady teacher to teach her lesson.Perhaps this muscle flexing and assault on teachers in college compasses all started from the incident that took place at Raigunge College where the College principal was played like a ping pong ball by outsiders in presence of a political leader of that locality.The administration played down the incident as minor one and the assailants were slapped with bailable offence so that they were set free almost immediately after arrest..The incident has, in fact, encouraged those who indulge in violent activities including manhandling of teaching and non teaching personnel in college compasses.So in the wake of Raigunj incident similar occurrence took place in many other colleges too.Now teachers are suffering from fear psychosis.

Price-hike of vegetables

Our Chief minister made surprise visits to some markets in Kolkata to see for herself how high are the prices of vegetables and why they are so exorbitantly high.It's claimed the extremely hot weather and lack of rains even at the end of June are responsible for this sky high prices of vegetables.No or inadequate rains have affected growth of vegetables and scorching heat on the other hand destroy to some extent which are grown.May it be partially true ,but what is very surprising why is the yawning gap in prices the farmers get and the vegetables are sold in the market?Again, why is so much differences in price of the same commodity in different markets in Kolkata.Transport cost can't be the reason as argued some times?There must be some sort of maneuvering some where.It may be the middlemen who pull the string to manipulate prices.In fact, it so happens as there's no control or monitoring of prices by some appropriate authority.It's all left to the businessmen alone.Only when prices become too high there's furor and administration makes some knee-jerk movement to visit markets and make statements to display their concern for common people.No body cares to go deep in to the problem to address it sincerely.What's most unfortunate is the sudden awakening of the administration hardly yield any result.In Left regime too during abnormal price rise ministers visited markets, admonished traders not to horde commodities and sell them at reasonable prices.But it didn't cut any ice.CM's visit too would be only the repetition of the past and nothing else.

Out of court settlement!

Singur that once catapulted Mamata Banerjee to power has now become a bone in her throat.The recent verdict of Calcutta High court declaring the Singur Land Act unconstitutional and void has put her on the spot,While in opposition she demanded return of 400 acre of land from Tata Project area to the 'unwilling farmers' who refused to accept cheques from the the Left Front govt.LF govt argued land once acquired for public purpose can't be returned according to the prevailing land acquisition law.This issue of 'return of 400 acre of land' ultimately put an to end to coming up of Tata's Nano factory that reached near completion.Tatas shifted their project to Gujarat.Mamata Banerjee came to power and framed Singur Land Bill which Tatas contested at single judge Bench of Calcutta High court and lost.They appealed to the new two-judge Bench of the court and has won the case.The so-called unwilling farmers who were eagerly waiting for the judgement are now shell-shocked.Many of them are eking out miserable existence for long six years.Now State govt would appeal to Supreme court aginst the judgment and no body knows how many days it'd take to have a final verdict from the apex court.That apart it can in no way be guaranteed that the verdict would come out in favour of the farmers.In case the judgement goes against the state govt, what would be their(farmers) fate ?Trinomool Congress is contemplating to launch agitation in favour of the farmer's demand to get back their land. but such movement would be of no use as the case is sub judice Nor does it behove a ruling party to start agitation virtually against the court verdict while the govt is engaged in legal battle with Tatas at the apex court.Now govt should go in for out of court settlement with Tatas at least in the interest of abjectly suffering farmers.As the nature of the land has changed it needs to be made cultivable again.Govt should take the responsibility to bring back the land to cultivable state.However,it'll be all possible provided Tatas are agreeable in this respect.

Justice Sen's reccommendation and its aftermath!

Little did GJM think when they agreed to abide by Justice Shymal Sen's recommendations regarding the number of moujas from Terai and Doors to be appended to GTA that Sen might recommend only five mouzas against their demand of 396.They were confident Sen would find at least 150 moujas appendable to GTA.But how did they get such confidence?Justice Sen Committee acted within certain parameters which were supposed to have been endorsed by four members of GJM who were on the Committee.They didn't object to the terms of reference on which the Committe worked at the out set.Nor did they register any note of dissent at any stage of Committee's work.But after the job is finished and results are out the've started clamouring injustice has been meted out to them and they've been duped by justice Sen.They've declared they'd ask the govt not to accept Committee's suggestion and launch movement against the injustice done to them.In view of roaring business in tourism at Darjeeling this time after couple of years perhaps the common people here are in no mood to extend support to the movement of GJM.However, GJM won't relent and they'd gradually rev up their agitation particularly after the tourist season is over at least for their prestige and credibility.So peace and tranquility now prevailing in hills are likely to be disturbed in near future. Now, if the recommendations of Sen Committee were in favour of GJM in that event too problem could take a different turn.The people of Tarai and Doors who are already determined not to concede an inch of their land to GTA would have started agitation.There might be confrontation between Adibasi Bikas Parisad and GJM.Then peace of both hills and plains were seriously disturbed. In fact, the problem of inclusion of Moujas from Tarai and Doors might play spoilsports in successful implementation of GTA treaty that was supposed to have solved problem of hills.GJM are interested in accession of so many Mojas to GTA to expand its territory in size to facilitate their demand for separate state of Gorkhaland in future.So it's unlikely they'd settle for only five mouzas as endorsed by Justice Sen Committee.However,we like to see peace and amity prevailing in hills and planes as well.

College Principals and Spoken English

It's reported most of the candidates, who are likely to be no lesser persons than associate professors at college or university levels, appearing at interview for college principals at College Service Commission have fared badly in verbal communication in English.They often stumbled or felt ill at ease while speaking in English.Incidentally,many of them have brilliant academic records and presented research papers at conferences or delivered lectures at learned gathering at home and aboard.In fact, there's no element of surprise in this matter.Nor does it mean they don't know English.May be, many of them can write excellent English rather. For fluency in speaking a foreign language regular practice is necessary.In respect of fluency in spoken English students of English medium schools have certainly edge over their counter parts from Bengali medium ones because the former learn spoken English from primary levels. . In our state in most of the average colleges subjects are taught in Bengali though many students write answers in English in examinations.In fact, students in classes like to be taught in Bengali as they can follow the subject matter better in mother tongue.Even the Honours students find it difficult to follow lectures in English.So teachers hardly find scope for teaching in English, which could help them improve their English speaking ability.When these teachers deliver lectures at seminar most of them read the matter out from their written scripts or recite the matter after repeated cramming at home. In question-answer session they reply more in 'broken' than in spoken English.However, there're exceptions too.What's actually needed is spoken English be made compulsory at primary level as proposed by Education minister Bratya Bose.But who'll teach spoken English at primary levels?However, it's a problem that can be sorted out by the education department.

Shaharuk's Behaviour!

It's unfortunate that Shaharukh Khan, a renowned film personality,owner of Kolkata Knight Riders and above all the Brand Ambassador of West Bengal was locked in spat with security forces at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai that culminated in physical brushes at midnight.Shaharukh has been banned to enter Wankhede stadium for as many as five years even as a spectator.True, King Khan should not have behaved this way as reported probably under the influence of liquor and could have regretted the incident instead of sticking to his stand that he'd done no wrong in behaving in such an unseemly way.Perhaps matter could have ended there and Shaharukh would not have to face such a stringent punishment that tells upon his reputation.Shaharukh's fans might find no fault with him and would rather argue he was sufficiently provoked to vent his rage but a dispassionate view claims Shaharukh should have behaved more responsibly. However, now Shaharukh episode has relegated to back seat following incidents like sexual assault on an American lady and drug scandal those have recently hit IPL.No body knows how many ugly incidents are in the pipeline to add to already tarnished image of IPL..Unfortunately, IPL is increasingly adapting vices of Under World.Perhaps, unrestricted flow of money is the root cause.Any way, it's high time King Khan could shun his ego and be 'sorry' for what he has done.Hope, his case would be reconsidered by the appropriate authority.

SEZ facilities to Infosys!

Mamata Banerjee's dislike for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) facilities awarded to the industrialists as expressed in her election manifesto has put her on the spot.In the event she denies SEZ opportunities to Infosys it will leave the state Again, if she award such facilities to the IT giant she'd fall back on her pre-election commitment against SEZ.So she's on the horns of the dilemma.Tata has already left our state with its Nano project that was nearly complete at Singur primarily for her sustained agitation.It's sent a bad signal to the prospective investors in Bengal. Again if Infosys too quit our state for not being awarded SEZ facilities .it'll prove disastrous for the prospect of IT and ITes industries that can provide employment opportunities to thousands of people.To get rid of this catch 22 situation, what she's contemplated to do is nothing short of unmitigated hypocrisy.She asks Center to provide SEZ like facilities to the IT company or create an IT hub that would enjoy all the amenities that SEZ does.She's also proposed to have SEZ facilities extended to IT giant based on the request of the earlier govt and she'll not object to it.Any way, she'll not apply for SEZ facilities her self.In fact, in the greater interest of our state she can straight way apply for SEZ facilities to center for Infosys and no body will criticise her for going back on her per-election commitment.In fact, pre-election promise can't be always adhered to considering ground realities.

Principal's Reaction!

Reaction of the Principal of Bhangar college vis-a-vis the ugly incident that took place in his college is really unfortunate and unwarranted.In stead of standing by the aggrieved teachers, particularly the lady teacher who was allegedly hit on her chin by the jug thrown by Arabul Islam , the President governing body of the college who also bullied the teachers in the most uncouth language, the Principal took sides with Arabul.He tried to play down the incident and complained that occurrence was blown out of proportion to cover up the teachers' lapses of irregular attendence at college as complained of by the Presidemt to him. He also alleged that Arabul also complained many teachers come late and go away early from college.The Principal also claimed Arabul didn't throw jug at the lady teacher as alleged. In all probabilities the Principal took this stance to curry favour with the management or he's some other axe to grind..Interestingly, he reportedly stayed away from college the day after the incident.Perhaps, he's no guts to face the teachers of the college due to his cowardly or self seeking behaviour. As Principal runs the college as an academic head he's supposed to know which teacher is a habitual absentee or late comer or skip classes.It's his duty to monitor if classes are duly held in his college. He's empowered to take corrective measures, if necessary.It's unbelievable and it also betrays his lack of efficiency too if he has to mull this information from the President, Governing body or some other else.Again,it's a pity Arabul Husain himself has no knowledge of College education as he'd never crossed the threshold of a college( for higher studies,of course).Isn't it an utter shame for our education system that men like Arabul Hussains become even the Preident of a College governing body simply by virtue of their political affiliation?

An Ugly Incident!

It's really shocking and an unimaginable too the way Mr.Arabul Hussain, President, Governing body of Bhangar College at South 24-Parganas misbehaved with a lady teacher of his college..He allegedly abused the teacher in the filthiest of language and hit her on her chin with a water jug in a fit of rage in the college staff room.He misbehaved with other teachers too. Election of representatives from college to the General Body of WBCUTA was going on when such an ugly incident took place.Incidentally, Mr.Arabul Hussain is a former MLA of Trinomool and so powerful a man in the locality that the teachers including one who was physically hurt could not even allegedly dare lodge a FIR with police.What's more, the Principal of the college too couldn't muster courage to actively stand by the teachers and rather looked the other way,The teachers reported the matter to WBCUTA for help. Mr.Husain denied that he did throw jug at the lady teacher as alleged and claimed incident was simply concocted on a TV channel.However, he admitted as a President Governing Body he took exception to the teacher's audacity to talk to him with her finger raised and louder voice.He also claimed the teacher concerned was a hardcore CPM and other teachers owing allegiance to CPM like her are determined to ruin the college.Incidentally, during her speech to defend himself he looked very aggressive and all along talked with his finger raised.He was accompanied by a group of youths. The incident is a pointer to the fact in academic institutions Dalatantra is well-ensconced as before, if not to a greater extent.Then how can a muscle man like Arabul Husain with minimum acadenic qualifications be the President of a College Governing Body?Secondly, the way he was spewing venom on CPM before a TV camera seemed to be the practical demonstration of what Jyotipriya Mullick recently taught his cadres.Now brace for many such incidents in days to come.