(A serial on Kolkata Politics)

Paye Pari Buddhamama :10

Darao Pathikbar ---  Tipu's Tomb

Darao pathikbar  tistha kshana-kaal.. ....   Oh dear traveller, wait a few moments for me

You burried me   ......  ...... where would you burry my land?.....  (a line of a poem I found in a newspaper)

As I visited the Southern States in the USA long time ago, I got an opportunity to tour their monuments to the Civil Wars. The courtesy extended to the loosers by the winners was impressive. And perhaps in return, even Democrats during their proceedings, cite Illinois as "Land of Lincoln"! I was so moved that I wrote to several of my friends that the Americans respect their deads ( The opposite is "partisan"!).  It so happened that the Civil War came to an end in Srilanka, and I got a glimpse of the mass burrials of the Tamil Tigers. It is also around Mr. Reagon's (USA) death anniversary and the visit by American Secretary of State. 

 I recalled the tension arising out of  Bangladeshis coming to India en masse.  The police used to believe that they would come as refugee and then join either naxals or the CPIM. I have the same identity, as a class, if I were to migrate to the USA with the Mexicans. Tamil refugees in India earlier, and now after the fall of the LTTE, are no exception. And most law enforcement agencies would like to exterminate each and every rats and roaches associated with terrorism. Iguess jews and Irish revolutionaries faced the same fate.That's how it happened with the Naxals in West Bengal and elsewhere, Khalisthanis in Punjab, LTTE's in Srilanka; it would still happen in Kashmir and elsewhere. Fights among Lodha tribes are very painfull and devastating. People say "Fascists" are worse; they can exterminate each and every individual of the opposition, "the unlike". And of course no one bulits a tomb or dig the rows of graves for criminals and terrorists. I had not seen any for naxals in my district in West Bengal. 

may be edited......

SG,
Bangalore,
June 1, 2009

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Paye Pari Buddha-mama 9: Gandhibadi Judisthir    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]
by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Not "rated" by the Author.
Last edited: Saturday, May 23, 2009
Posted: Saturday, May 2, 2009

A post-poll write up..... with special reference to "lal-durga"

Though I didnot suugest railway ministry for Mamata Bannerjee as a "booty" for defeating the CPIM, no offence meant to her personal or political life.

Paye Pari Buddhamama  9: Gandhibadi Judhisthir

When I grew up, I lived in a muffasil town; old people used to say that a local 'king', named  "Kotlu Khan",  had built a fort (durga) in the locality long long time ago. After I read Durgesh-Nandini by Bankim Chandra, I wanted to visit Kotlu kha'r Garh/durga at least once. I asked my father where it was, he was not sure. That day me and my brother realized the limitations of a small lower middle-class family with petty contacts. The other day when I went to a "big bank", I remembered my grandfather and my father, and I also wondered whether they ever wrote a cheque on any bank! I also got the strange feeling of entering "kotlu kha-r garh", since the building was an old-style fort-like structure. The same day, I was looking at the nice big buildings away from my room, as well as the houses around my place. I donot know any one of the owners/inhabitants; and if my students were to know of my ignorance, they would discover the limitations of my local contacts/connections . I am no better connected inside "lal durgh" or "lal garh" --- the citadel of leftist cluture, thought and action.  Neither was my father, like me he could have known one or two MLA/MP and Kolkata minister!

 Once upon a time my very young brother asked me how I could go to places father had not been to! I must have told him something; but the point remains the same, going to a place where one's father had never been to, was not/ is not an easy thing and would not be an easy ordeal to live with. Lal garh proves no exception. But would the other "durgas" be easier and safer to access? 

Rise of Congress:
If you go by the numbers, Congress got more seats than the exit poll suggested. Trinamul Congress got more than they had hoped for (see the Kolkata results). Gowda got only three seats. Mayabati lost beyond anticipation. Essentially third front lost, Congress and Trinamul gained. You don't se any third front, only "left front" and others (i.e. total four groups of votebanks. Congress, BJP and the left views Indian scenario from Delhi and London; the fourth category usually appear to be regional linguistic propertied class. So in summary the "left front" in Delhi accepted a defeat. Among the other groups, SP might be the "regular and steady supporter" of the Congress-led government.

As the elections results were getting clearer, people were praying to their own Gods speculating on the stock market. Those who remembered the crash from 2004 were relieved by the "Golden Monday"; but may not had made money if they were anticipating a fall. Apparently Manmohan Government brought a bullish trend. But commies would say that the share prices are so high that they cannot buy.

New Career for Mamata:

Sidhubabu became popular in Delhi with India Gandhi and Ambika Soni. He had good connections, and proved his mettle in containing the left (CPIM and Naxals) insurgency in West Bangal. Eventually he became Governor and then Ambassador. Is the time coming for Mamata Bannerjee for a bigger role? For example after her term in Delhi, A governor in Kerala and an Ambassador in Ghana. 

Debacle of the Left:
When I was very young, I liked Jyoti-babu, Sidhu-babu and Profulla-babu as a speaker; I could see them as my "reasonable teachers" --- as regards their delivry, voice, accent and content, essentially what made their public image. But when I listen to Mr. Karat or Mrs Karat or Mr. Yechuri (remember that they were mentored by the doyens of left (Sundaraya, Harkishan, Namboodiripad), they appear to be "telling me" and I have difficulty identifying/empathising. I remembered their 30-40's; they have changed; I also have changed. Summarily they are not being able to win the "faith" of "rovers" like me.

During the 1970's the left under Jyoti-babu and Charu-babu were totally crushed. But that became one of the reasons for Mr. Jyoti Basu becoming one of the powerful men in Indian politics. Is that happening Mrs. Mamata Bannerjee now? Or would Mr. Karat become the most powerful man after this debacle. Anwsers to these questions wold tell us whether Trinamul Congress a new and significant political development in West Bengal, or an offshoot of DelhiCongress trying to manage local left politics.

Bengalis of my age, of all parties, would split their hairs about "unity of the opposites", "quality and quantity" and "unity and struggle". Some of my students, from SFI families know all those thing much more than me. But I still wonder how Mr. Jyoti Basu remained in center stage from 1950 through 2009! I had the same question in my mind when I read the obituary of Prabhakaran (LTTE). Why is it that he could fight the official government with his own army and banks, and still living in a small strech of land (several hundred square kilometers at the most) ---- is it related to the equations of the big brothers like RAW, CIA, M16 etc? Debacle of the left also have to be read along with their relation with CIA, ISI, RAW, and KGB. 

Why suddenly RAW/ CIA /ISI/KGB came into picture? Because they are the pepole, directly or indirectly, who manage cash (banks and brokers with thousands and thousands of crores) and capital (ownership and management of land, housing, companies etc.).  Without their sponsorship, "big bourgeosie" won't pay. 

How are they different? For exaple if I were to contest with Mamata Banerjee and Subhash Chakrabarty for the same job in Jadavpur University, whom do you hink CIA or RAW would support. Of course not me; I could only be a "slumdog sarbahaara"  

Why Not Just One Party at Delhi?

The other day when we had been discussing the exit poll results, and possible formation of coalition government (it was before the final resulats were out), one young student found a very siimple solution ---- Congress-BJP coalition at the centre. I laughed and told them that Gowdas tried coalition with both Congress and BJP; and so did Mamata Bannerjee. It is like saying A=B and A=C and hence B=C! So it is always possible that Congress could merge with BJP and rule as one-party from Delhi. The situation was like that from 1950-- to 1975; but not exactly as a coalition at the central government. BJP and Congress had collaborated outside USA. But I doubt if they could jointly run an effective, smooth, competitive and active government, since they might not agree on many issues. The question goes back to asking why Mr. Jyoti Basu dis not join Congress in the 1960's (towards the end of Nehru's rule) to become chief minister after BC Roy? Mr. Shibdas Ghosh (SUCI) asked the same question to the three fraction of the communists, as to why they could not make left movement under SUCI stronger?  

Such interesting ideas are good thought (as utopian and harmless as staying out of politics!); but  is not possible due to many practical reasons; concerned parties would not agree about their income!  Consider what would happen if Americans were the only legal government; and HH the Pope the only leader, and HM Charles were the only monarch. And if my father wre the only father!!!!!

If there were only one party based on this years election results, following would be my choice for the all-party cabinet:

1. Left Front:  No ministers, but voting members in the parliamentary commitees on fince, eduation, labour, housing  and judiciary.

2.  Laloo Prasad:  Railway Minister

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Paye Pari Buddha Mama 8: Free Speech in Bangalore    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]
by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Not "rated" by the Author.
Last edited: Thursday, December 18, 2008
Posted: Thursday, December 18, 2008

I was "retired", but forced to write again.......

Paye Pari Buddha Mama 8:

Free Speech in Bangalore

Jamal tumne kamal kiya bhai...... Nazrul

All legal tests are these bizarre; you would not know whom to support! Terrorism in Bombay scared the people in power, and people's power is not the slogan for any party; but the police and securities are on the highest alert everwhere, specially in Bangalore!

Before the Al Queda,Laskar and the Talibans, I had heard of Abu Nidal, Khalistanis, LTTE, Naxals and Panthers! And of course before that I had read of all the "extremists" who are now admired as "violent freedom fighters" ----- the musclemen protecting the land of the Gandhis.

What is the issue? After the Bombay massacre, one journalist threw shoes at Mr. George Bush (USA), got his own limbs and ribs broken by the security, and apparently also got a job offer from Lebanon. Soon after one employee in a company in Bangalore talked about the incidents to his colleagues ---  in the colours of his own sympathy; then got into minor altercations with his colleagues, an incident that reached the police. The Bangalore police had to act on the complaint, had to go through his personal life, e-mail, bank accounts and mobile phone! Imagine what followers of Hillary Clinton would say as regards rightto privacy in Bangalore! Eventually of course the person got a clean chit from the police today. They might not appreciate why I was advising few of my young over-enthusiatic collegues to be conservative in behaviour at work (it really happened in September)!

Now imagine the likes of me, in Bangalore and elsewhere. How much they have to manage gangs, thiefs,police,  IB's, other party men. If you know me, you would know the differences between idiosyncratic conservatives and the paranoid!

Sheepishly I was going through one of the national magazine ( most probably TOI). They surprised me by printing a letter to the editor that claimed that Mr. Bush deserved the insult. In the same issue, the front page carried the story of the employee who was questioned as suspected terrorist! Perhaps they asserted "Freedom of Press".

When I was very young in Kolkata, some of my communists friends used to say, that I should be careful, otherwise BJP might charge me with "attempted murder"!  I was jacked up and I thought that I might become a Kolkata minister! However the CPIM did not like me either! In any case I did not do much better in my thirties in the USA. My failure had nothing to do with politics ----- it's all personal problems.  ALL PROBLEMS PERSONAL.............

What I learned is that it saves to be conservative, and it pays to be progressive! Would I ever pretend to be progressive again ???  (And even Mr. Bajpayee needs Mr. Jyoti Basu against Indira Gandhi's authoritarianism!)!

SG,
Bangalore,
Dec 19, 2008.

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  Paye Pari Buddha-Mama: 7: Tata, Ratan.....    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]

by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Not "rated" by the Author.
Last edited: Saturday, October 4, 2008
Posted: Sunday, September 28, 2008

Who am I? Of course not Mr. Viswa Ranjan Ghosh (B.Tech. Aeronatical Engg.,alumnus of IIT Kharagpur) ---- he had a very big uncle........

Paye Pari Buddha-Mama 7:

Tata ,....  Ratan........ tata

After Mr. Birla expired, I went out by bus. (Nowadays I do not go out as  I had grown old).  The bus took me through the Whitefield, then to Sarjapur, to the City Market, and finally to home. As I watched the newer housings, I was wondering who were inhabiting these areas 25 years ago. I was also pondering why I did not explore opportunities with Birlas (e.g. BITS Pilani) or with the Chatterjee group (biochemical reseach). I know I was not as famous as Mr. Viswa Ranjan Ghosh (B.Tech. Aeronatical Engg, IIT Kharagpur) or Mr. Rohan Gavaskar (you know who), but what is  the" honey" I had with the Tatas? I was also wondering why the Tatas chose Prof. Amitabha Ghosh as the Director to lead the IIT Kharagpur at the turn of the millenium, since in my opinion he could not have provided any leaership to the Tatas in nano-machine technology, on a self-reliant inter-dependent platform. Let us not talk about big Directors, but how did I come to know of the Tatas?!

I did not know of the Tatas until I became aware of IIT Kharagpur (around 1976). Then later, another student told me " Indian state is a landlord-bourgeosie state with remnants of feudalism, but  run by the big  bourgeosie" .  I asked him how had he known the "line". He told me that after reading  the book "Capital", written by Karl Marx, for at least 17 times, Mr. BT Randive (CPIM) had reached that conclusion!  That time I did not understand all the leftist jargon (even now I do not know much), though it was fashionable to become "progressive"!  I sheepishly asked him, "what is big bourgeosie?" He told me "Tatas"!

Then, in IIT, one person (who had some connection with DYFI) told me that even if you "do party", you can work in Tata. His brother, who came back from the USA, told me "in USA you can do party and get jobs, they are like Tatas!"  Then another Amrican explained, "Tatas are big capitalists; they follow advanced management techniques. They flood the base areas with lot of cash, so that terrorists  and naxalites cannot penetrate the Indian industries". Then I knew more about the Tatas. But, what is then, the management problem Mr. Ratan Tata is facing in his nano plant? why could he not appease the Trinamool and the CPIM with financial packages?

What are related problems? Would the Tatas like industrial development under the left leadership (i.e. Buddhababu as the CM)? Would the Tatas like the small and Bengali bourgeosie (e.g. Mr. Purnendu Chatterjee)? Would the Tatas like to view Ms Mamata Bannerjee as a potential CM for Bengal?

As it appears, Tatas believe  that the CPIM-led Government provided opportunities for the big bourgeosie, but Ms Mamata Bannerjee is forcing them out! And Ms Bannerjee believes that the Tatas and the CPIM have joined hands to "do politics against" her followers.

What is at stake? Tatas could dismantle some of their machinery and transport to other destination(s). The CPIM did not prevent them from "fleeing".  Tatas could of course invest in Singapore or Dubai to make money. They could also comeback to West Bengal, after making the same car from another plant within  their deadlines.   

If I were to teach at the management training programmes, what would I teach? All I can say that "Tatas would not put all the eggs in one basket"; and I would not teach anymore!  

I have grown older and mature since my college years; but I still do not understand why Mr. Ratan Tata might have to make so much efforts, and go through so much "troubles", to find a way to pay me -----  the nameless faceless Bokachoda Ganguli !!!!

SG,

September 29, 2008. 

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 Paye Pari Buddha-mama: 6 : Subha Vijaya    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]

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 Paye Pari Buddhamama: 5    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]

by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Rated "R" by the Author.
Last edited: Monday, November 19, 2007
Posted: Monday, November 19, 2007

 This is not a joke!

Paye Pari Buddha-mama : 5

BJP members had to give up their hopes on running a stable government in Karnataka. Their management policies could not command respect from their peers! I remembered Charan Singh (Delhi) and the Front Governments in West Bengal in the 1960's!

There is no chaos in Bangalore, as we observed in Pakistan. But this is politics.

You might never know : Siddaramaih might come to power with Kumaraswamy as his deputy! Perhaps congress party offered Janata Dal (S) members better port folios!

Sujodhan-Susashan

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Sujodhan-Susashan are two characters in Ur Bangalore.

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 Paye Pari Buddhamama: 4    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]

by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Not "rated" by the Author.
Last edited: Saturday, December 1, 2007
Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2007

 The team man or the leader!!!!

Paye Pari Buddhamama : 4

SOURAV ----- THE TEAM LEADER: The King

Sourav got better luck at  last. He got the century he was waiting for. According to the TOI news item, he is the second Bengali to get a century at the Eden Gardens. And it is his first, apparently succeeding at the 8th attempt and failing seven times on the previous appearances. Remember the story of the King and the spider. Saurav is not a 'Prince' any more; he must be the King! 

A few months ago I was going through Saurav's statistics --- I found him brave and aggressive. Perhaps his fielding would improve. He is very impressive for a Kolkatan! Those who found fault in his 'attitude', have to consider him a very successful aggressive Leader  ---- Indian cricket was fortunate to discover him at the right time. What is wrong with his attitude -- nothing! It is like saying if you want capitalism get 'Ronnie', and if you want communism, get 'Gorbie"!!!!  

I remembered Mr.Hoover's comments in TOI, and his troubled career during Greg Chappel's time. I liked Ganguly -- perhaps he might consider retirement in due course.

I was remembering Bob Dole (USA) ---- you know how many times he tried to challenge the US Presidency!

I also remembered W B Yeats ... and you know why! But you might not know how many times I tried to finish an essay (literary criticism) on WB YEATS!

Happy holidays!!!!

SG,
BANGALORE,
Dec 2 2007.

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 Paye Pari Buddha-mama: 3    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]

by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Not "rated" by the Author.
Last edited: Thursday, October 4, 2007
Posted: Thursday, October 4, 2007

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 Paye Pari Buddha-mama: 2    [ Flag as Inappropriate ]
by Dr. Subrata Ganguli   
Rated "R" by the Author.
Last edited: Saturday, March 17, 2007
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2007

This is a new serial meant for local issues. Though the title is in Bengali, I might write either in Bengali or in English...

The Land Named Nandigram:
(Banglai bihar, na, bihare bangali?)

Despite living through much of the history of revolution of India, and Bengal in particular, octagenerian Jyoti Basu eventually had a doctrinal doubt at the fag end of his political career : the violence in Keshpur made him lament: "baglata biherer mato haye jachche (Bengal is becoming like Bihar!)"

Opposition to the CPIM, primarily Trinamul and fragments of Naxals, promised to make Keshpur a 'Seshpur' (figuratively, political deadend). That did not happen; violence at Nandigram erupted after many years! What is at stake?

The government wanted land from the farmers and they resented. Aglican Protestants were slowly taking away the land from the Catholics, and the Irish Catholics protested for many centuries! The British took away the land from Arafat and his followers, and Palestinians opposed for almost half a century. Jews never got any significant land in Europe, and they settled in their ancient holiland, displacing the Arabs , -- and of course with the help of the Americans!

In this case of Nandigram, the concenred parties were the CPIM - the most successful communist force in West Bengal, the non-congress opposition parties represented by Ms Mamata Banerjee, and eventually the congress party, and the non-CPIM left parties. Essentially in became an all encompassing national public issue. Ms Medha Patkar (I do not know much about Arundhati Roy) opposed the land aquision by the government.  Mamata Bannerje fasted. Finally Governor intervened, President responded, and even Advani came to visit Nadigram after the violence erupted. I remembered events associated with Naxalbari, and its aftermath with killings of 'jotdars'. Of course Nandigram could not become Jalianallabagh! 

Even in a caricature, I would never say that either Mr. Jyoti Basu, or Mr. Budhdhadev Bhattacharya would have made many crores out of the land-aquisition. If there were SEZ under the patronage of the CPIM, as they view new world order and development in Bengal, there might be jobs for some CPIM or CITU activists (total number would be very insignificant in comparison to the educated unemployed in India).  But it might develop better business and industrial connections, and might make Bengali culture more goal- (career?) oriented ---- much the way Bengalis changed under BC Roy with IIT Kharagpur and Durgapur becoming the dreams of Bengalis. Opposition to the government would always complain of partisanship, but the communists argue that Mr. BC Roy did not generate as many jobs for CPIM/CITU as they anticipated during 1950-1965! 

What is a relevant precedence? I was remebering activities around Orissa when the Indian Defence Department was acquiring land from farmers for a missile testing sites. It was many many years ago, and it could have concerned the current President, then with the missile technology department. The resistance to the action of Govt. of India was prolonged and dragged; and did not culminate in as much violence as we found in Nandigram!
 

Bokachoda Ganguli,
Marh 18, 2007.

To be continued.........

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 Paye Pari Buddha-mama: 1

Friday, March 16, 2007  11:57:00 PM

by Dr. Subrata Ganguli