Over the last four and a half years there has been an unprecedented growth and development across West Bengal. From Darjeeling to Jangalmahal, Cooch Behar to Kakdwip, Sagar to Sitalkuchi – people are smiling.

Here are some genuine stories of how good governance has changed people’s lives. Real people have shared their experiences.

From teenage girls to housewives, from doctors and entrepreneurs to senior citizens, from women who have been empowered through self-help groups to folk artistes who have got due recognition, from farmers who have increased their productivity to Kolkatans who have more reasons to cheer…

This series of short films is a shining testimony of how dreams have been fulfilled in our state.

Here are some of the stories:

Puja Mahali from Alipurduar can now fulfil her dream of pursuing higher education in Hindi due to the establishment of Banarhat Hindi College.

Kalipada Mura, a wood cutter from Amlashole in West Midnapore is one of 8 crore people in Bengal receiving rice at Rs 2 per kg under the ‘Khadya Sathi’ scheme.

Jaladhar Karmakar of Purulia, a daily wage-earner benefited from ‘Sishu Sathi’ scheme which provides free treatment for children with heart problems.

Life has changed for the better for Nakul Pramanik, a tourist guide in Purulia with peace and normalcy returning to Jangalmahal.

Ramanath Singh Mura, a Chhau artiste from Purulia, got due recognition under the Lokprasar Prakalpa.

Sanjay Pramanik, a former extremist, has now returned to the mainstream.

Sadhan Mohanta from Bankura, a Baul singer has got due recognition now.

Lakshi Tudu from Bardhaman whose life changed after she received loan for her self-help group.

Sheikh Ratan from Bardhaman who did not have a pucca house but now has a reason to smile.

Sukhmati Rai from Kalimpong received all assistance and support after a landslide in 2015.

Md. Jargis Alamgir from Dakshin Dinajpur is happy now, the farmers are happy now.

Suchita Mandal from Birbhum is associated with a self-help group which received a loan, bought sewing machines and started a business.

Chandidas Majhi from Birbhum is a Baul singer who has received his due recognition.

Amit Nayek from Dooars is a driver whose life has become easier due to increase in tourist inflow.

Many artistes, like Shanti Sharma from Darjeeling, are now getting monthly stipends.

Hafijur Rahman from Dakshin Dinajpur did not have any land earlier, now he has a roof on his head and is living in peace and prosperity.

Sheela Oraon is a tea-garden worker of Alipurduar who gets amenities under our Social Security.

Nandita Das from Nadia goes to school faster now thanks to her Sabuj Sathi cycle.

Khokon Debnath from Nadia has benefited due to better irrigation facilities.

Dalim Jana from North 24 Parganas has benefited immensely due to huge thrust on pisciculture.

Bishwanath Jana from North 24 Parganas has benefited immensely due to organic farming.

Prashanta Maity of North 24 Parganas, who struggled in a mud house in the past, has a pucca house now.

Great strides in the health sector brought Dr Sushmita Roy Chowdhury back to Bengal.

Maya Panja from South 24 Parganas is receiving financial assistance and living with dignity.

Bappa Das, a fish-seller from South 24 Parganas, is living happily now.

Like lakhs of farmers in Bengal, Kazi Abu Sajjad from Hooghly, is smiling now.

Anirban Saha is a young entrepreneur from Kolkata who is happy with the developments in MSME sector.

Sports journalist Boria Mazumdar whose heart belongs in Kolkata.

Entrepreneur Malavika Banerjee has proven that great brands can be created in Kolkata.

Moukchora Bibi Hooghly received financial assistance to build her own pucca house.

Kalyani Debgupta received hen and goats due to our thrust on alternative livelihood and is happy now.

Kanchan Rang is an example of how Anandadhara scheme has helped in making women from rural areas self-reliant.

Environmentalist Sanchita Sarkar is happy with progress made in the field of environment conservation.

Somnath Mahapatra from East Midnapore is happy as he is earning well from fish-farming now.

Habibur Mia, a farmer from Coochbehar, is smiling like lakhs of farmers in Bengal.

Carine Lepcha is a teacher from Kalimpong where a new school for Lepcha kids has been set up.

Kanailal Maity from East Midnapore used to live on the streets. Now he lives happily in a pucca house.

Anjupa Khatun from Coochbehar received financial assistance under Kanyashree. She can now study law.