Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Durga Puja shopping and the associated madness


Durga Puja is the biggest festival of Bengalis. It is an occasion when families go out to buy new clothes and the latest trends in fashion come into view – the fashion is not restricted to the fairer sex but is equally applicable to the males. As has been the tradition for ages, the fashion style is dictated by screen stars. And, there are any number of outlets in the form of malls where one can get lost in the varieties on offer – if the credit card is handy, no one will return disappointed.
It is generally believed that shopping malls and credit cards are associated with the rich and the nouveau riche and, for the others, the shops scattered all over the city are the answers. These shops are generally localized in the Hatibagan area of the north, and the Gariahat area in the south apart from the famous Hogg Market (or New Market) in the center of the city on Chowringhee Road.
The marketing strategy in all shops is more or less the same – in malls it is the ‘buy one, get one free’ culture and in the shops, it is all about discounts and, in some cases, a bottle of cold drink is thrown in for good measure to influence one’s buying decision.
The annual buying spree does not end with clothes but spills over to accessories – this is especially true for the women and girls but, the men also edge their way into the slot. While the women go in for artificial jewelry, the men opt for more masculine accessories – like belts and goggles.
And – at the end of the day, there is always the inevitable stopover in some restaurant to take the weight off the tired legs and enjoy some delicious mouth-watering snacks.
However, with the advent of online shopping, much of the excitement and charm of Durga Puja shopping would vanish. (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Durga Puja today is a commercial venture


Durga Puja today is a huge commercial venture – this is applicable to the Baroari pujas and not the household pujas some of which date back to 300 years ago. The household pujas that have survived the ages are today the annual meeting grounds of family members who are scattered all across the globe. And, on this occasion, they come together to exchange notes and find out who has succeeded in life and who has not been so lucky.
Anyway – the other category of pujas, namely the baroari pujas, have become the arena to announce political strategies and the organizers have to keep an eye on the awards. It is the awards and the number of sponsors that define the success of a puja.
It was not like that in the olden days. I remember the good old days - it was in 1959 when I was in a group of boys who had been detailed by our Durga Puja Committee to go to Kumortuli to buy an idol and bring it to the pandal.
Ours was a group of around ten, we were given a lorry – the leader of our group was given Rs 500 to buy the idol.
Yes, in those days, Rs 500 could get a reasonable sized idol. I remember the wonderful experience - we reached Kumortuli by around 4pm and put our lorry in queue while the leader accompanied by the gang went inside to select and bargain about the price. Idols were readily available except a few which had ‘already sold’ boards on them.
Once our turn came, it was past 11pm – there were local porters who carried the idols up to the lorry. By the time we returned to our pandal, it was midnight. The idols were unloaded and our decorators took over to decorate the pandal and install the idols. The decorators were another group of our friends.
Unfortunately, all that camaraderie has vanished. Today it is all done by professionals. Right from selection of idols, to placing the order and decoration of the pandal there are specific groups. And, money flows freely because most of the pujas have been taken over by people who have the clout.
The funds come from sponsors and their banner ads can be seen around all the venues. And, sponsors will come forward only if the committee has something special to offer. (to be continued …)
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36-days for Durga Puja and the dhakis get ready

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Friday, September 25, 2015

Bengalis rolled out the egg-roll culture


If I remember correctly, the egg-roll culture rolled out sometime in the mid-1960s and it caught the fancy of Kolkattans like wild fire. It must have been some bright eyed Bengali who discovered this method of keeping himself gainfully employed and earn a decent living. All it needed was the willingness to toil for six to seven hours in front the oven – and dish out egg rolls by the dozens to everyone from a school child to the grandmother.
It was a time when these trollies could be seen at eve street corner and the trollies would be stocked with trays of eggs, cans of cooking oil and ready-made paratha-like stuff made of a dough of maida. Plus, of course, the chopped onions, and chilies for the omelet.
There would be a huge frying pan placed on top of the stove and, once a customer arrives, one paratha would be placed on the frying pan and a little bit of oil would be applied at the edges. Then the beaten egg mixed with chopped onions would be poured over it. The combination would be rolled, wrapped in a paper and served- ready to munch.
It was a good and honest business and once the fad caught on, the demands branched out to mutton roll, and, occasionally, chicken roll – these depended on clientele.
Anyway, as long as these were individual initiatives, they went along fine until local goons descended on the scene. They began to demand a cut of the profits and followed up with threats to create problem if they were not kept happy. Needless to say – they had the backing of local political leaders.
Still – the enterprising individuals carried on and, over a period of time, they formed small groups and added other fast foods to their menu – fast foods of Chinese origin like chow mein, noodles, chili chicken, momo etcetera. And, began to operate all through the day – in shifts. They had a huge task to keep feeding the Kolkattans. (to be continued …)
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Bengalis and the hawkers’ corners in Kolkata


It was at some point of time in the mid-1950s that the first ever hawker’s corner came up in North Kolkata at Shyambazar. It was located in the area of cinema halls and the famous Hatibagan bazar. As the name suggests, it was meant exclusively for hawkers who were allotted one unit of space in which the owner could set up shop and sell his wares.
It was a sprawling covered space and the shops were mostly of clothes, sarees, blouses, handicrafts, artificial jewelry, toys etcetera. And, the advantage of having it in an area frequented by people was good for business. There were no overheads as such and usually, the owners were jack-of-all-trades from being the salesman to the helper boy.
At times they were assisted by their wives or sisters because the clientele was usually women and girls.
Later, more hawkers’ corners were set up in Kalighat and in the Maidan. The concept was to rehabilitate the refugees who had come over from Bangladesh and the government of the day rose to the occasion to set up these hawkers’ corners.
However, in South Kolkata, the picture was different. Here also refugees had settled in the suburbs and they also wanted to find out methods of earning their livelihood. Most of them put up cottages on forcibly acquired land and took up hawking goods from footpaths. And, over a period of time, they joined hands, formed groups, obtained the blessings of political parties and began to set up shops on the footpaths of the busy crossing at Gariahat.
Right now, it is impossible for pedestrians to use the footpath due to the encroachment.
The bottom line is that these hawkers are officially categorized as unemployed, their names ae registered in the employment exchanges but the amount of money that the take home at the end of the day can never be imagined. It is all tax-free. (to be continued…)

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Monday, September 21, 2015

Survival tactics of unemployed Bengali youth


Necessity is the mother of invention and that is evident from the way the unemployed Bengali youth manage to survive even though they may not be blessed with a steady job that guarantees a pay-packet at the end of the month. It is strange that with thousands registered in the employment exchange and jobs at a premium, the Bengali youths arrange to obtain money required to pay for cinema tickets and mobile phone bills and cigarettes and tea and snacks – and they do not do this alone but usually have at least one girl for company.
How do they do it?
Well – these young Bengalis are innovative. It was the culmination of a number of important factors that showed them the way of how to lead a life that had its share of ups and downs and was also a paying proposition, provided one had the determination to forge ahead.
If I remember correctly, it all stated in the 1970s when, with bleak prospects of getting regular employment, they decided to go it alone. Their beginning was through groups of friends who would be called upon to organize feeding of guests at marriage parties. Usually, the head of the family would request a local boy to organize and the boy would oblige. He would land up with his trusted group of friends and take over. They would set the tables, and serve the food with smiling faces. And, after the last guest had left, they would sit with members of the family for their dinner. There would be occasions when the fish or mutton or the rosogollas would be in short supply – they would not grumble. They would happy at having done a social work.
They were contented with the thanks but, suddenly, one day. They decided to go professional – and, became caterers. A profession that has continued to flourish. It does not require any investment to start with except good contacts with suppliers from chairs and tables to fish, mutton, rosogollas and all other items that are indispensable at weddings.
The advances paid are from money received from the head of the family. The only requirement for success are skill, man management and contacts. (to be continued …)

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Saturday, September 19, 2015

Industries just do not gel with West Bengal


Bengalis love poetry and it is difficult to imagine one who loves his pen to take up cudgels of machines – the two just not gel and, as experience has shown, the results are not what one would have liked.
Bengal is basically an agriculture based area where paddy fields swaying in the breeze are what one wants to see.
Therefore, when one wants to change track, one has to go in for some sort of sacrifice. One cannot get something from nothing. Unfortunately, the leaders have forgotten that simple basic.
The conflict surrounding the industrialization on West Bengal hinges on availability of land – the state keeps on talking about a sort of land bank but the investors appear to be a confused lot just like the administrators. There are vague ideas about the land scattered in small pockets and that does not appeal to the investors.
Mamata did not want industries to come up on agricultural land. Her agitation, on behalf of a section of farmers, was a big gain for her and her Trinamool Congress TMC because it led to the fall of the Left Front government and she came to power. She promised to ensure return of land to the unwilling owners but, that was, practically, a pipe dream because Tata Motors had constructed their workshops and the land was unsuitable for agriculture.
Mamata Banerjee’s land policy is now her Achilles’ heel because, when industries are categorically advised to procure land on their own by interacting directly with the landowners, it opens up the doors of corruption. Her land policy has still not changed even after being four years in power and, the net result is disappointment on the industrial front in spite of putting up a brave front.
It has been reported that she has now roped in Sourav Ganguli, the cricketer, to promote industries in her state through a reality show. Reality shows of songs, dance and even laughter do have audiences but, how far it will help the state to improve its image and raise its head is a matter of debate. Yes, Sourav Ganguli does have an enormous fan following and it remains to be seen how far he can influence industrialists to invest in West Bengal. (to be continued …)

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Friday, September 18, 2015

West Bengal’s industry-friendliness at a low


In the latest analysis of industrial friendliness in the country, Gujarat stands at the No 1 position while West Bengal languishes at the 11th position. This, in spite of chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s trips to Singapore and London to woo investors apart from holding Bengal Leads events. Needless to say, she did have crowds but not the investments.
It is a fact that the industrial climate in the state had soured up over a period of time because of problems like load shedding and labor unrest and, while the load shedding did come within control, industries, unable to cope up with regular agitation by labor unions, fled from the state. The fingers of accusation were pointed towards the left front which was in power in the state for over three decades. Bandhs were the order of the day and, coupled with the pathetic condition of infrastructure and commination, investors avoided West Bengal.
However, finally, West Bengal decided to make a new start and bring back industries to the state. It was expected that Tata Motors, with its Nano small car project, would be the magic wand to revive industrialization in West Bengal. And – for a project of such a huge magnitude, the important factor was land.
Well – that was also done in Singur and it was felt that the factory, along with ancillary industries, would help the state to recover. Tata Motors had arranged to train the youth so that they could get absorbed in the factory once production started. The locals also were hopeful that the factory would allow them to prosper in their own ways – like small time shopkeepers, tea stalls, and markets.
Their needs were not much but Mamata Banerjee, the firebrand leader, put a spoke in the wheels of change – as a result Nano, like other industries, fled to Gujarat and, today Gujarat has captured the top spot that could have been Bengal’s. (to be continued …)
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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Durga Puja is the busiest time of the year for Kumortuli


Durga Puja is the greatest festival of Bengalis and the artisans who create the idols of Goddess Durga and her retinue of four children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh use this opportunity to earn their year’s income.
In Kolkata, they work in the locality known as Kumortuli – kumor means one who works with clay and tuli is a locality. Their work is a long drawn, painstaking one and since most of the idols are made of eco-friendly material like straw, bamboo, clay and jute threads, the artisans have to be wary of the sudden rains that can spoil their works.
The size and style varies from one idol to another and the idol makers are contacted very much in advance by the authorities of the clubs who specify their requirements. Once a contract is arrived at, the work begins in full swing and club committee members maintain a regular follow-up to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
It is a busy time for not only the artisans but also for those who make the frills like the weapons, the artificial jewelry, and the trinkets that go to make the complete Durga.
Then there are some idol makers who go in for using alternate material like fiberglass – these are usually small in size and meant for overseas markets. Yes, Bengalis who have settled in foreign countries do arrange the celebrations there and, for this, they obtain fiberglass idols which are easy to transport and handle.
And, in villages in Bengal, the making of the idol is held in a central place and people from nearby places flock to see as the idol takes shape step by step from the straw skeleton till the application of paint and final decoration. There is much enthusiasm among especially the children who spend hours watching the complete process. (to be continued …)
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Sunday, September 13, 2015

36-days for Durga Puja and the dhakis get ready


Suddenly I saw this tiny news flash blinking on the top left hand corner of one of the Bengali TV channels – it was announcing ‘36-days left for Durga Pujas’.
That conjured up visions of the past when no one had heard about television and newspapers enjoyed prime place in every home. It was the medium available to know what is happening around us apart from the news reports broadcast over the Radio – it was a boring affair.
Anyway, these newspapers had other uses also – people would come from door to door to buy the old papers because these would then be made into paper bags and sold to shopkeepers to pack groceries. Many of these buyers of old newspapers cheated by using weights that were not proper – a portion would be scooped out from the rear and, even though the weight resembled a one-kilogram measure, due to the tampering, it could actually be 900-grams!!
But, the best part of newspapers were the ads of new arrivals in clothes and footwear and special ‘Sales Offers’ pertaining to previous years’ stocks held in the inventory of the shopkeepers. These would be termed ‘Puja Sales’. As far as footwear goes, the leading newspapers would devote the last page to showcasing the wide range of new designs with prices – the purpose was that the head of the family could prepare his budget in advance. Pujas meant celebrations and wearing new clothes and footwear. For the women folk, there would be jewelry and cosmetics – and these invariably took second place because the boys mattered more. The weaker sex had to learn that sacrifice is what they must accept.
And, while the city folks began to gear up for the celebrations, the dhakis living in far-off villages would be fine-tuning their instruments – namely the ‘dhaks’. Durga Puja was the occasion to make some money. Their ‘dhaks’ or drums would have to perform to perfection and create music appropriate to the occasion. They would have to participate in open competitions in Sealdah Station in Kolkata and satisfy the organizers of the Pujas to be selected for that year. (to be continued …)
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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Bengal’s new industrial policy – revive the hand fan and pickle industries


Any industry worth its name must necessarily have investors who would like to see their investments multiply and make profit so that a certain portion can be ploughed back to generate more profits. Obviously, those at the helm of affairs of the industries must be visionaries and must strive to enter global markets where dollars rule. That, unfortunately, cannot be said of West Bengal as things stand right now.
The importance of industries in society needs no emphasis because, while it requires adequate land, it also requires men to work and generate the products that get sold and the proceeds go towards payments of the workers and staff.
It is not that Bengal did not have industries – there are the steel plants in Durgapur and Tatanagar, an automobile industry Hindustan Motors in Howrah, the Dunlop tyre factory apart from the petrochemical project in Haldia and the Garden Reach Shipbuilders. Because of such industries, the surroundings prospered and smaller industries took roots to meet the requirements of the larger companies.
However, at one point of time, industrial unrest began to rear its head and the investors fled – there was rampant intimidation of workers and officers and, violence. The political formation that was in power never realized the folly of driving away those who provided employment to the unemployed.
The result was the creation of a huge mass of unemployed youth who opted to use their muscle power to line their pockets. And, the political leaders decided to exploit this group to hold on to power.
Anyway, when the tide turned and a new political formation came to the forefront, there were hopes that Bengal would regain its lost ground – but, that has remained a dream because of the rigid policies of the government with regard to acquisition of land for setting up industries.
The government proudly talks about its readymade land bank – it overlooks the basic fact that if an industry needs 100-acres and it is spread into tiny pockets of 20 and 30 acres here and there, it just would not serve the purpose.
And, the government says that if it must have 100-acres in a single location, it would have to arrange for it on their own by talking to individual owners. Since that is a difficult task for any outsider, it means he must take the help of local mediators – and they are the goons.
What then is the alternative for industries in Bengal? Well – they can go in for industries that require little or no land. For instance, industries like hand fans, pickles, bamboo products, clay idols, brass showpieces and other cottage industries. That way, the farmers can retain their land and the poets can write poems on the green rice fields swaying in the breeze. (to be continued …)
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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Bengalis are daydreamers tied to mothers’ apron strings


Believe it or not, it is true that Bengalis are basically daydreamers – they love their addas where they can theorize and tear to pieces all prevalent thoughts and explain how the country can progress but, when it comes to real action, they hide behind the pallu of their mothers and shy away from hard work.
Bengalis are a homesick lot and, tied to the apron strings, never want to leave the shelter and comfort of the home, the locality and the local tea shops. For them, love blossoms in the lanes and by lanes and bear fruit amidst munching of peanuts in the Maidan or idly staring into the muddy waters of the Ganges hoping for a miracle to happen and sigh.
They are not geared up to the philosophy of ‘do not wait for things to happen but make them happen’.
Bengalis love white collar jobs and, since two major railway headquarters of Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railways are located in the city, a majority of Bengali old-timers were employees of the railways. Then there were the banks - a clerical job in any bank meant assurance of a stable life. The money may not be much, but was sufficient. Of course, these were days when computers had not invaded our lives. This new technology spawned a whole new generation of youngsters whose demands were sky high. They earned in dollars and nurtured visions of one day owning one of those pent house flats.
But, Bengal kept losing out on industries and these are necessary to sustain growth – Bengal was known for its jute industries but, with the entry of polythene and plastics, jute bags went out of fashion and the jute mills closed down. There were many other industries and a whole lot of well-known factories and establishments that began to close down due to labor unrest. Names like Bengal Lamps, Hindustan Motors, Dunlop Tyres and Jessops and more recently Tata Motors at Singur, beat a hasty retreat.
And, politicians seized the opportunity to exploit the group of unemployed masses by offering them money in exchange of services, services that included violence and bloodshed to strike terror in the minds of the opponents.
A new order was created and the unemployed realized that education does not pay as does cozying up to the leaders – that is the sure path to prosperity. The leaders created a Frankenstein and, as expected, it has gradually gone out of control. (to be continued …)
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Monday, September 7, 2015

Bengalis and the scenario of political violence


I remember in the 1950s there was a stir in Kolkata over the increase in fare of trams by one paisa – it was much before the introduction of the decimal coinage. In those days, one paisa was just one paisa, a circular bit of copper with a hole in its middle. Well – the increase led to a stir and police firing. I was a school student and at home. The windows had been kept closed by my mother to shut out the unpleasantness outside, and I was trying to open a panel and peep outside when suddenly a bullet whizzed past my ears and embedded in the wooden frame of the window.
That was my first experience with violence.
Later, when I was in college, there was this milkman who used to deliver milk to our house – he was a jovial character, a Bihari and well loved by one and all. One morning, he failed to come. And, we learnt that he had been killed in a bomb explosion. He had tried to intervene in a political quarrel and paid the price.
In those days the Naxalite movement was always in the news. Young and bright students would form groups on the sly to rebel against the authorities. They felt that the country was not in good hands and they wanted to change it.
And, in order to tackle that thinking a new police officer came to Kolkata. He was young and it was rumored that he would go around the city in plain clothes and would stop when he saw a gathering of young boys. He would alight, go near them and eavesdrop. Then he would order his force to take them in and carry them far away where they would be released and asked to run. And – a bullet in the back would mark the end of a would-be rebel.
I have no idea about the truth of these reports because, by that time, I had left Kolkata and heard about these instances when I came home on leave. It seems at the time many of these youngsters left Kolkata for fear of being hounded out by the police. Rumor has it that one of them had fled to Mumbai and made a name for himself in the movies. Once again – I do not know whether it is true or just another imaginary tale.
Anyway, the Calcutta Coffee House on College Street in the educational hub of the city surrounded by institutions like the Calcutta University, the Presidency College, and the Hindu College played a major role in shaping the future of Bengal. Intellectuals gathered there and over cups of coffee would debate the future course of action depending on which the wind blows. (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Friday, September 4, 2015

Bengalis are a politically conscious lot


Bengal is probably the only state in India where politics begins literally from the cradles – at the grassroots level of schools and colleges. Bengalis mature very fast in this field and the training begins early because Kolkata is the only city where school going children have to grow up facing the wrath of political parties and politicians.
Their training begins with bandhs and rallies on any subject under the Sun – the children gradually get used to be sitting it out in the traffic jams as the protesters shout slogans and march on the streets. Obviously, the message goes out clear and loud to the kids that might is right and, if you want something, demand it as a right and take to the streets.
Once the Bengali children move on to the next level of education namely, college, they really get into the thick of things. They have to align themselves to some political party because politicians are firm believers in the logic that the college is the nurturing ground of future leaders. Naturally, the students step into a new world where a general feeling is that the party in power can dictate terms and others have to follow, else face the consequences which could be death.
It was there earlier and is still in vogue – only, earlier it used to be on a selective basis, and today it is free for all.
Believe it or not, one of my nieces passed out from a reputed school and got admission in the prestigious St Xavier’s College but she elected to in City College because Xavier’s was not politically oriented and she wanted to see action first hand!! (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

(Image curtesy ikimediacommons.org)

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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Bengalis and their ‘dada-giri’ lifestyle


Bengalis have always been very much ahead of other communities because, as the famous saying goes ‘what Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow’. These famous words were uttered by none other than Gopal Krishna Gokhale and, appears to be valid even today – may not be in the way Gokhale had envisaged but Bengal does take the lead in all fields that require less of brawn and more of brain.
Bengalis love to write poems and have invented a concept called ‘little magazine’ – some of these are ‘little’ in size as far as the number of pages go. When these little mags came on the scene in the 1960s, it was the age of letter press printing. And, sometimes a couple of individuals, caught by the writing bug, would pool their financial resources to get a little mag printed. The contents would be poems dedicated to the girl who remains in their imagination.
The little mag would be a method to get it out of the system and, the novelty would wear off once he young man got hold of a job.
Another proof of Bengalis are the innumerable tea stalls at every street corner – the owner opens the shutters at daybreak and shuts down at night. And, as long as he is awake, he is kept busy serving out tea to his clientele.
Usually, most of them are locals and known faces. They will drop in, snatch the day’s newspaper, glance through the headlines, select a topic and proceed to create a storm in the teacup.
The topics could be anything from Tasleema Nasreen to Narendra Modi, from football to tennis, from the rising prices of onions to the murder of a local ‘dada’. ‘Dada’ means ‘big brother’ and, Bengalis all over the country are known as ‘dada’. It is believed to be a respectable address unlike in some parts of the country where ‘dada’ means a rowdy character.
Of course, ‘dada-giri’ is a different kettle of fish altogether – especially, after the popularity it has gained as a gameshow on a TV channel, thanks to Bengal’s blue-eyed boy Saurav Ganguli. (to be continued …)
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