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On 20th June, I celebrated my first foundation day in West Bengal as the Governor of the state. November 23, 2022 was a historic day for me – I was sworn in as the ruler in the Throne Room at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata.
As my procession entered the Raj Bhavan, the majesty of the magnificent edifice slowly unfolding before the moving vehicle, I could not help but think of the environment here under colonial control. The government building was then viewed with fear and loathing. I cannot help but remember the Bengal famine of 1943 which killed more than three million people due to the policies of Winston Churchill.
My conscience led me to seek to repay the common man to whom he was long due – the decolonized Raj Bhavan. Ordinary man will get gana raj bhavan. This goes for Raj Bhavan, Darjeeling and Flagstaff House in Barrackpore as well.
It was a truly gratifying day when on 28th March 2023, as part of the decolonization process, I approved the West Bengal Land Laws (Repeal) Act 2023. This legislation seeks to rectify the exploitative and oppressive measures initiated by Lord Cornwallis in the year 1793 – commonly known as the ‘Abolition of the Lands of West Bengal’ Act Cornwallis” – led to the creation of the zamindari system, which proved detrimental to the interests of the common man. It also contained wicked provisions, excluding Indians from holding higher ranks of services, and thus depriving them of any responsible position in the then government. This Bill might be seen as an affirmation of the will of the people over the remnants of British rule.
The gates of Raj Bhavan were opened to the people with the symbolic handing over of the key to the chief minister of West Bengal by the President of India on March 27. It is now Jana Raj Bhavan. On the day of the Bengali New Year, the first batches of visitors are welcomed at Jana Raj Bhavan.
My relationship with Bengalis goes back to my childhood. My father, a freedom fighter, was inspired by my productions. Swami Vivekananda’s teachings have been motivating in our home. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Ma Sharada were worshiped. We grew up listening to and reading Tagore’s stories. Bengal had already seeped into my consciousness when I seized the opportunity of coming to Bengal as an employee of the State Bank of India: I had begun my career in Jalpaiguri. Subsequent postings brought me to several Kolkata SBI branches – on the Esplanade and Shyambazar – before I joined IAS.
What I could not learn as a child, which is to learn the Bengali language, I decided to learn it now. At Saraswati Puja this year, I had Hathey Khorey (Introduction to Bengali Writing). Interacting with people, knowing them, understanding them and being one with them has been my honest effort. As ruler, I did not wish to confine myself to the comfortable ivory tower.
Bengal has many issues in common with the rest of the country. We may have less rainfall one year, and droughts or floods in another year. Some issues tear the peace apart, and we may have to endure sudden, unexpected developments that get our attention out of our way. But the people of Bengal have shown extraordinary resilience in not only taking these challenges their way but also in overcoming them.
We stand at a crossroads at a time when there are narratives that try to thwart peaceful coexistence and harmony. We must stand together and make our choice—accepting what is right and rejecting what is not, upholding the dignity of our great heritage.
The potential of Bengal is huge. Its lands are fertile and it has abundant natural resources. Bengal too has a glorious heritage. This is the land from which Sri Chaitanya broke down the barriers of caste and creed. Bengal is the land of Raja Rammohon Roy. It is from this earth that Rani Rishmoni rose up to show what a woman can achieve. Eshwar Chandra Vidyasagar championed the cause of women’s education and empowerment. The list is endless.
Bengalis’ contributions to literature, science, technology, and modern social expectations are recognized throughout the world. Our filmmakers and actors have been in the global spotlight. The state’s rich folk culture includes many sub-regional and ethno-cultural forms such as jatra, baul gan, chau, bala gan, kirtan, tusu gan and patta naakh.
Bengal protests, Bengal feeds, Bengal understands, Bengal merges. Bengal rises in revolts that shook the foundations of empires. This is the Bengal that Gopal Krishna Gokhale had in mind when he said “What Bengal is thinking of today, India is thinking of tomorrow”.
On the occasion of its anniversary, let us renew our pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder and rise as one body to uphold the spirit of Bengal. I imagine a Bengal that is growing by leaps and bounds and taking people with it. As part of Leap Bengal, here are some of my suggestions.
West Bengal will endeavor to boost agricultural production and productivity through a coordinated campaign of integrated agriculture with emphasis on organic farming, high-tech, precision farming, vertical farming, home farming and collective farming. ‘Agripreneurship’ will be encouraged. The villages of Bengal will be transformed into eco-villages where the focus will be on environmentally friendly and clean living
To capitalize on human capital in Bengal and facilitate change from a livelihood approach to an entrepreneurial one, skills development and capacity building must be approached with a global market perspective. Training in nursing, medical sciences, teaching, construction and other professional fields can be upgraded to meet global requirements. Three districts of Bengal will be developed as global healthcare centers where leading medical institutions will be stimulated to establish hospitals and research institutions. Education and training should be provided for medical personnel and paramedics.
A concerted campaign to achieve complete literacy in Bengal will be launched within a specified time frame. Efforts will also be made to achieve universal digital literacy.
To expedite the commercialization of agricultural products, the ‘farm gate to home gate’ approach should be encouraged. An online marketing portal should be introduced for this. Adequate cold stores and logistics facilities should be built. Given the electronic readiness of Bengal, the ICT ecosystem can be developed by ensuring the convergence of various spheres of life with ICTs, and launching a series of innovations, new markets and applications.
Traditional industries should be treated as part of our social heritage and protected as such with adequate support from the central and state governments. Workers in traditional industries are subject to social security measures. To help the floating population, government sponsored restaurants will be opened in different parts of the state to provide good food at reasonable prices. The role of the housewife needs to be reconsidered and evaluated. To ensure women’s empowerment and security in their old age, a theoretical wage is set for the domestic work they do.
Let us all remember Swami Vivekananda’s unequivocal admonition to youth: “My hope for the future lies in young people of character, intelligent, giving up everything to serve others, obedient – good for themselves and the country as a whole.” Jay Hind.
Writer, Governor of West Bengal
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