Proud that I belong to Potuapara: WB CM at Kumortuli

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was proud that she lived near Kalighat Potuapara while inaugurating the Kumortuli Sarbojonin Durgotsav at Kumortuli in north Kolkata.

The two main areas where Durga idols are created are Kumortuli in North Kolkta and Kalighat Potuapara. Each of these two areas has hundreds of studios, all dedicated to creating clay idols of Gods and Goddesses.

The West Bengal Chief Minister, in the same evening, inaugurated puja pandals at Bhowanipore 95 Pally and Ajey Sanhati and 41 Pally in Haridebpur.

The West Bengal Chief Minister wished all a happy Puja and urged all to maintain communal harmony.

State Cabinet clears Group D Recruitment Board, early salaries before Pujas

A meeting held by the State Cabinet on Wednesday decided that a Recruitment Board to incorporate 70,000 Group D staffs will be formed. A retired IAS officer may head the Board.

The meeting, chaired by State Finance & Industry Minister, Dr Amit Mitra decided that the salary of all the Government employees for the month of October will be released by October 17, as all the Government offices will be closed till October 28 due to Puja vacations. There has been precedence in doing so in past years.

The cabinet also decided to allot Rs 731 crore in the Integrated Power Development for development in power supply in urban areas of the State.

T V Mohandas Pai roped in by WB Govt to draft startup policies

Infosys co-founder and IT industry stalwart T V Mohandas Pai will take the leading role in drafting a policy to encourage build and nurture a conducive environment for startups and entrepreneurs in the sector in Bengal.

Pai has proposed a target of building as many as 10,000 startups in the state in 10 years, generating around $50 billion business. Latching onto Pai’s pitch, state finance, industry, commerce and IT minister Dr Amit Mitra requested him to take charge and formulate a comprehensive startup policy for Bengal.

On the sidelines of the Investment Roadshow for the Bengal Global Business Summit in Bengaluru, Pai, “I will wait for the Bengal government’s next proactive step. We have to sit with the government and other authorities. Let them come up with some concrete measures and I will definitely pitch in with ideas.“

At the roadshow organized by industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Dr Mitra said, “The government has always encouraged technocrats and industry experts to take lead. And, I wish Mohan Bhai to take the leadership. I am assuring him that the government will do its best to fulfil the target by five years. Mr Pai will send us a draft policy on the startup soon.“ He promised to make Bengal the startup capital of the country. According to Pai, startup will be the most vibrant and buzzing sector of the economy. “By 2025, there will be one hundred thousand startups operating in India, generating a business of a staggering $500 billon. West Bengal, with its 93 million people–most of them making a talent pool–can’t lag behind in the race. Imagine the number of jobs that would be created, if you count 35 peoples’ employment involved with one startup,“ said Pai, who is currently the chairman of Manipal Global Education Services.

Pai also urged the state IT minister to come up with or arrange for initial funding for the budding startup space: “The state government needs to set up Rs 1,000 crore angel fund for the seed capital.“ Replying to it, the state finance minister said in the last state budget, the government earmarked Rs 200 crore for the fresh entrepreneurs.

According to Pai, who has become a pioneer in investing, advising and nurturing startups in India and across the globe, startups do not mean something dealing in pure IT jobs only. “They can work in life science, 3D printing, stem cells, and robotics. So, high-quality, Wi-fi equipped digital infrastructure for the common man and a policy to back vibrant enterprises are the need of the hour. Kolkata, once called the east of London, is moving towards it. The road map lies there,“ Pai signed off.

Taking a cue from Pai, Dr Mitra announced that the government would organize Startup Bengal Global Summit this year under the umbrella of Bengal Global Summit, January 8-9. “We needed a mentor, such as Mr Pai, to push us to a new frontier,“ he said.

Singapore team shows interest in New Town smart city project

A seven-member team from Singapore met state urban development officials recently and showed interest in various smart city projects, especially that of New Town.

The state government has asked the delegation to see if they could form a consortium to assist the government for the smart city projects.

The state is also planning to stage a road show in Singapore to promote the smart city projects.

The delegation from Singapore consisted of Grace Chiew, Wong So San, Khor Aik Lan, Amita Mehta, Tay Lian Cheu, Uma Maheswaran and Nirup Jayanth.

The delegates expressed interest mainly in urban planning and mobility and development of parks, leisure centres and other facilities.

WB CM felicitates football legend Pele

His birthday is still be some days away but football legend Pele had the celebrations here on Monday, as Academy Award winning music composer A.R. Rahaman sang the ‘Happy birthday’ jingle, and former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly clapped in reverence.

Felicitated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Pele cut the birthday cake — in the shape of the Jules Rimet trophy that Brazil permanently won by triumphing in the 1970 World Cup – during a glittering ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, with thousands of fans of all ages chanting the legend’s name.

“We are indeed very happy to have Pele with us on the eve of Durga Puja, our biggest festival,” said the Chief Minister.

“Football pulsates us, thrills us. And Pele is an incredible icon in the world of football and sports. We are very very proud of him,” she wrote on her social media pages.

Opposition is jealous of development in Bengal: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday flayed the opposition for spreading slander about her government despite the state’s economic progress, saying they were jealous of her development initiatives.

Launching the Parama Island Flyover, the state’s longest, her first official function after her Bhutan tour, the Trinamool Congress chief also initiated projects for the New Town, on the north eastern fringes of Kolkata.

“Despite all the development, the opposition is indulging in politics of slander and spreading negativity…. They are jealous of the progress we have ushered in. I tell them to stay quiet,” she said.

Her comments come at a time when re-polling is underway in two civic bodies in the state with the opposition – the Left Front, Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party – boycotting the balloting.

The Park Circus-EM Bypass flyover stretches 4.3 km, from the Park Circus seven-point crossing all the way to The Spring Club. It is expected to ease traffic to and from the airport.

Banerjee also used the opportunity to attack the central government for non-cooperation in infrastructure development projects.

“Despite non-cooperation from the centre, I am proud to say we took it upon ourselves to complete the project. The centre reneged on its promise of constructing this flyover. But we took it forward,” she said.

Banerjee added: “Infrastructure is our asset. Our (West Bengal’s) GDP growth is higher than the national average.”

CPM has ruined Bengal’s progress: Mamata Banerjee

Left Front leaders are creating trouble in West Bengal to stall progress of the state, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday.

After inaugurating 4.3 kilometer long Park Circus to EM Bypass flyover, she said that Left Front leaders in 34 years had ruined the state. “CPI-M led government had not taken up any developmental work in those years. They had pushed the state into a debt trap. And now when the people have rejected them and sent them to opposition benches they are now trying to instigate violence in the state and stalling developmental work,” she said.

Miss Banerjee also said that leaders of the Left Front always try to display their faces in television channels and causing unrest in the entire West Bengal. “These leaders (Left Front) don’t have any work to do apart from showing their faces in television channels. They are only interested in petty politics and halt the development work. They should stay quiet as they have been rejected by the people of West Bengal,” Miss Banerjee said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today also described her visit to Bhutan as “historic” and said it would boost the relationship between the two neighbouring nations. “Even I asked the King of Bhutan whether they are facing such kind of petty politics like West Bengal,” she said.

She also praised Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for attending the Biswa Bangla Sammelan on January 8 and 9. “They are so good, even the Prime Minister, had in fact, come to see me off in Thimphu,” she said.

WB CM inaugurates the Park Circus-EM Bypass flyover, the longest flyover of Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Park Circus-EM Bypass flyover today at 12 Noon in Kolkata. The Government of West Bengal had promised to complete the flyover before Durga Puja, and has delivered on its promise. As the Chief Minister said at the inauguration ceremony, “We had set a target for ourselves to complete this project and we have completed before that target.”

The Parama Island Flyover happens to be Kolkata’s longest flyover, stretching to 4.3 km, from the Park Circus seven-point crossing all the way to The Spring Club on EM Bypass. There is already an existing flyover stretching from near the Police Training Institute to the Park Circus crossing. Soon, these two are going to be connected too, to make travelling from Alipore to the EM Bypass and vice versa a breeze.

Accusing the Centre of non-cooperation, the Chief Minister said at the inauguration ceremony, “Despite non-cooperation from the Centre, I am proud to say we took it upon ourselves to complete the project.” Expanding on the lack of help from the Centre, she said, “The Centre walked back on its promise of constructing this flyover. But we took it forward.”

The triumphant note in the Chief Minister’s speech was evident when she said, “Soon West Bengal will shine all over India for its infrastructure… Despite all the development, the Opposition is indulging in slander politics. I tell them to stay quiet and witness the development.”

Commenting on the development of West Bengal under Trinamool Congress, the Chief Minister added, “Infrastructure is our asset. Our GDP growth is higher than the national average.”

She assured everyone of further glory for our beloved Bengal: “We will together build Bengal in all its glory. Have faith in us and we will soar to greater heights.” She coined a new slogan for development too: “NASA theke bhasha, Bangla-i amader asha.”

The West Bengal Chief Minister also announced the construction of one more flyover – connecting Taratala with Prince Anwar Shah Road. Last but not the least, the Chief Minister didn’t forget to thank the labourers who worked hard day and night for many months to complete Kolkata’s longest flyover: “We thank all the labourers who built this infrastructural marvel, and the people of Kolkata for their patience.”

Commenting on her successful official tour of Bhutan, the Chief Minister said, “We were spellbound by the hospitality extended to us by the King of Bhutan and his Prime Minister.”

The West Bengal Chief Minister extended her warmest wishes to ghazal legend Ustad Ghulam Ali and heartily invited him to do a concert in the cultural capital of India, Kolkata: “I extend our warmest invitation to music legend Ustad Ghulam Ali. There are no boundaries in music.”

The West Bengal Chief Minister today also inaugurated through remote control a number of projects for New Town.

Among the projects are – a Herbal Garden, a tea garden and tea lounge in Eco Park, the Biswa Bangla Wi-Fi at New Town, Mongal Deep – a welcoming sculpture on Biswa Bangla Sarani, New Town, the Smriti Bon in Action Area I, Swapno Bhor- a senior’s park, a 500 KW canal-top solar project adjacent to Biswa Bangla Haat, the 3rd bridge over Bagjola canal in Action Area III, a 4 cusec-capacity drainage pumping station at New Town and the statues of Sk Mujibur Rahman, ex-PM of Bangladesh and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, ex-President of India in the Mother’s Wax Museum, New Town.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Biswa Bangla showroom at Bagdogra Airport from the same venue.

 

BJP has finally found its leader in ‪‎Bengal: Derek O’Brien

I usually write an opinion or analysis post, explaining my, or my party’s, position on an issue. Today, I’m going to break news: the BJP has finally found its leader in West Bengal and its face for the 2016 assembly election. The active politician who’s going to front for the party and in effect handle its campaign is Kesrinath Tripathi. As it happens, he is the governor of the state. And the incumbent in Raj Bhawan is supposed to be apolitical, and meant to be scrupulously neutral, especially in these days of so-called “cooperative federalism”.

Yes, governors have been misused by earlier governments, especially the Congress. Yes, it is a fact that unlike the President – who has key constitutional duties and is at least indirectly elected by legislators at the national and state level – the governor has nothing much to do. Raj Bhawans have been reduced to retirement postings for political has-beens.

We expected this culture to change, with the BJP-led government promising a relook at the utility of public positions, taking time to choose those it considered appropriate for a job (which is why the PMO is sitting on so many files and has still not filled so many crucial vacancies in the Central government, 18 months after coming to power). We expected that the Prime Minister and his team would be true to their promise of “cooperative federalism” and at least consult state governments and not send saboteurs to Raj Bhawan, but upright and apolitical people.

Instead we have got more of the same. Busy-bodies and failed politicians, those who couldn’t make it to the top rung of the BJP or were no longer useful to the current boss men of the party, have been kicked upstairs. Unfortunately, their instincts and their KRAs (Key Result Areas) have been defined by their appointing authorities in Delhi and are largely to do with sabotaging and harassing duly elected and popular governments in states, and using the Raj Bhawan to further the propaganda of the BJP.

Under Mr Tripathi, Raj Bhawan has become a hotbed of intrigue and virtually the state headquarters of the BJP. Almost every day, party leaders and ideologues seem to meet here to discuss new ways of needling the Mamata Banerjee government. The latest excuse is the unfortunately and condemnable violence, limited to a few pockets, that accompanied municipal polls last week.

The Trinamool Congress denounces such incidents, as long-term victims of political violence at the hands of CPI(M) goons, we are very sensitive to such concerns. The police is investigating and doing its job. The guilty will be punished. If it is found that a few of the trouble-makers have a link with the ruling party, it will not matter. As I write this, three people have already been arrested. But it is not for the BJP pracharak cum governor to poke his nose and play judge, jury and executioner.

On behalf of Trinamool, I must emphasise that the party doesn’t need to resort to violence to win elections. Mamatadi will lead us to victory, in the municipal elections and the assembly elections in a few months. We have won every election since 2008, and handsomely. Our record of development and our transparency is there for all to see. We are not a trigger-happy political party that provokes riots to win elections. Mr Tripathi and his political colleagues may be familiar with such practices but Trinamool is not and abhors such conduct.

Mr Tripathi is an honoured guest in West Bengal. He can be a guiding figure for our state. But he has to decide whether he is West Bengal’s elder statesman or Delhi’s Viceroy. He cannot be both. The Raj Bhawan shakha must stop.

Initiative to declare cities along the bank of Hooghly as heritage cities

The State Government in association with some NGOs has taken an initiative to appeal to the UNESCO to declare the old colonial cities on the banks of the river Hooghly as “Heritage Cities”.

If the appeal is considered, the cities will be featured in the World Heritage Sites of the UNESCO.

The cities like Panihati, Barrackpore, Noihati, Serampore, Uttarpara, Chinshurah , Chandannagar and Bandel have glorious pasts and are parts of historical events. Many of these cities were the colonial headquarters of European countries.

A meeting was recently held between the Information & Cultural Affairs Dept, Govt of West Bengal and other bodies. It was decided to send an appeal to the UNESCO.

The cities that may be put in the list to be sent are:

On the eastern side of River Hooghly:

• Kolkata – The former capital of British India

• Dakshineswar – Famous for the Bhabatarini Temple and Sri Ram Krishna

• Baranagar – Houses the Peneti Bagabari of the Tagore Family among other historical buildings

• Khardaha – Famous for the Shyam Temple

• Barrackpore – Historical city housing the Mangal Pandey Ghat

• Naihati – Famous for Sanskrit studies

• Halishahar – Famous for Ramprasader Bhitey

On the western side of River Hooghly:

• Belur – Sri Rama Krishna Math and Mission

• Konnagar – Birthplace of Rishi Arabinda

• Uttarpara – Famous for the age old Jaya Krishna Library that started in 1854, one of the first in Asia

• Serampore – Danish colony, Serampore College, Mahesh

• Chandanangore – French colony

• Chinsurah – Dutch colony, Imambara

• Bandel – Portugese colony, Bandel Church