August 27, 2011
An international perspective of May 20 and August 27
May 20, is the day number 140 according to the Georgian Calendar. The day is not that significant because of the number 140 but is immensely significant for millions of Indians and also people of Bengal. The day is really significant as it symbolizes change and development.
Back in the year 1498, on this date, the fleet of famous Portuguese explorer Vasco-Da-Gama arrived in Calicut for the first time. This arrival of the famous explorer was really significant from Indian perspective since this voyage opened a direct sea route to Asia for the European as well as the African explorers and traders. There was immense development of our country after Vasco-Da-Gama’s arrival. Today’s Goa, the place known for its beautiful sea beaches, people’s hospitality and tourism was a part of the wave of development initiated by Vasco-Da-Gama. The place which remained in dark for several years got rays of hope and development with the arrival of the famous Portuguese explorer.
After 1498 several years have passed, time have flowed according its own course, Indians as well as the whole world went through a number of ups and downs and witnessed several historic incidents and happenings. At this point, when the date May 20, 1498 was fading into oblivion, nearly after 513 years on May 20, 2011, people of Bengal witnessed a wave of change when Ma-Mati – Maush Government under the leadership of `Didi` as people call Ms. Mamata Banerjee took charge freeing Bengal from the 34 years of tyranny of Marxist Government. The much awaited “Pariborton”, persuaded almost all residing in West Bengal to dream that Bengal will once again, `Jogot Sabhai Shrestha Asana Lobe`.
Both the days have one thing in similar that is `Paribartan`. The first one marked a `Paribartan` that brought changes in the lifestyle of people residing in that place and brought that place into light which remained in dark for ages. On the other hand the second one marked a `Paribartan` that marked an end to the years of fascist rule over ordinary people.
Few other important international landmarks that happened on May 20:
· 1891 – History of cinema: The first public display of Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope.
· 1983 – First publications of the discovery of the HIV virus that causes AIDS in the journal Science by Luc Montagnier.
· 1990 – The first post-Communist presidential and parliamentary elections are held in Romania.
· 2002 – The independence of East Timor is recognized by Portugal, formally ending 23 years of Indonesian rule and 3 years of provisional UN administration (Portugal itself is the former colonizer of East Timor until 1976).
Today, on August 27, 2011, we are standing on day 240 of the year and 100 days after Ma-Mati-Manush Government took charge; 100 days in the reign of `Paribartan`. So how these 100 days were for the Government? A million dollar question…first of all it was not possible for Mamata Banerjee to change things overnight and give a new look to our Bengal. But she did her level best to clear the back logs of last 34 years and stride forward to build up `Sonar Bangla`. None of the sectors escaped Ms. Banerjee`s strict vigilance, be it the unfortunate farmers of Singur, the people of the terror affected Jangalmahal or the people from the Hills. In one word, Ma-Mati-Manush Government was always with the people and will be with the people in coming days. The wave of change and development that was initiated on May 20, 2011 by Ms. Mamata Banerjee continues in all other sectors like administration, traffic control, culture, education medical facilities and commodity and fuel price. The `Paribartan` most importantly brought a change in way of living of the people; changes definitely took place in the way people use to think. The fresh energy instilled on May 20, persuaded industrialists, IT professionals, investors to think again about Bengal. Ma-Mati-Manush Government is surely makes the famous quote `Government of the people, by the people and for the` a reality. Playing Tagore’s song at every traffic signal in Kolkata makes one feel a fresh air; yes fresh air of change. On a whole the government is trying to build up Sonar Bengal a place where agriculture and industrialization will reside peacefully.
Few other notable international landmarks that happened August 27:
· 1828 – Uruguay is formally proclaimed independent at preliminary peace talks brokered by Great Britain between Brazil and Argentina during the Argentina-Brazil War.
· 1957 – The Constitution of Malaysia comes into force.
· 1991 – Moldova declares independence from the USSR.
· 1991 – The European Community recognizes the independence of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Whatever we have seen in these 100 days was really just a trailer, more to come in the coming days of the Government and that day is not far when we the people of West Bengal would proudly say, `I am proud to be a Bengali, and also proud to be a citizen of Bengal`.
