Change for a Better Bengal

The Predicament

Everything is not perfect, however. Corruption, Nepotism and Sycophancy are rampant. We are at the very top of the United Nation's list of most corrupt countries. The gap between the rich and poor is getting wider every day. India boasts of some of the wealthiest persons in the world. While the rich and the wealthy are rolling in pomp and plenty, close to 350 million Indians are wallowing in the mire of abject poverty. Child labor is a thriving industry and universal education for all until the age of 18 is still a myth. Education has taken a back seat and the hallowed halls of the Lower House of Parliament (the Lok Sabha) has become a sanctuary for many a criminally indicted politicians.

Yes, You Can

Why Change

“You must be the change you want to see in the world”. These inspiring words of Mahatma Gandhi should resonate in our hearts as we strive to create the Bengal of our dream. After a turbulent leadership role during the freedom struggle, Bengal, it seems, has gone to sleep. Let’s wake her up.

Bengal of today does not have the courage, conviction and determination of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to ask for the citizen’s blood. Bengal of today does not have the wisdom, knowledge and power of Swami Vivekananda to recognize and acknowledge the inherent bond holding all of us together. Bengal of today does not have the foundation, brilliance and the prophetic foresight of Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore to realize that those who we leave behind will pull us down.

It makes me feel hurt to see that today the weaker sections of Bengal do not have the opportunities to earn even the basic minimum wages to sustain their family. To earn a meager sum of Rs. 1500, they are compelled to leave their families and homes and go to other cities to work as jewellery makers, labours etc. I, as a Lawyer, have represented free of cost, various victims and their families from Bengal where their earning members have died due to road accidents, excavation accidents, car accidents, etc. away from their homes. This is tragic indeed.

Kolkata’s economy is in a stagnant state with all the attributes of an urban chaos. Hopefully, this is only a temporary phase. Like Shelly’s “child from the womb…. ghost from the tomb” let’s dedicate ourselves to be the harbinger of CHANGE and help realize the dream of a “Better Bengal”.

While other metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai are advancing at a phenomenal pace, Kolkata is lagging behind in every aspect, be it infrastructure, education, medical facilities, cancer cure, sewage, housing, roads or transportation. Now more than ever, when developing India is marching ahead in step with the other major countries of the world, we cannot afford to leave the vibrant city of Kolkata lag behind.

This is one of the paramount reasons why I chose to leave the cozy shores of the West and return to India to help re-build Bengal, spread education and foster peace and prosperity. The opportunity is before us in the form a General Election when India will choose its workers. I want to contribute, share my responsibilities and give back to India what she has offered without asking.

My Priorities and Programmes:

Though the Programmes are not limited to any one area of interest, I would like to address the following key issues and problems on priority basis because of the immediate attention they need.

Development and Improvement of Infrastructure.

Despite being a Metropolis and the Capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata is still seen and perceived more like an Urban Chaos with just footprints of urbaneness. It completely lacks modern and much needed Infrastructure, which is the lifeline of every metro city, unlike its counterparts Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The major thing lacking in Kolkata is the modern-day infrastructure, proper housing facilities, sewage and water facilities, transportation, beautification of roads, buildings, parks and markets and their cleanliness. This is my immediate area of attention. I would strive as hard as possible to update and modernize Kolkata’s infrastructure. I would introduce more modes of transports with the proper maintenance of the existing modes like trams and metro. Also the repair and beautification of roads and buildings would be undertaken.

Tourism

Kolkata and as a matter of fact the whole of Bengal is perhaps one of the most beautiful, historic and scenic places of this country. The people are always talking about the warmth and the cultural diversity and vibrancy of Bengal. The Royal Bengal Tiger is well renowned all over the world. Despite this, the irony is that it is the only Metropolitan city in India which is not preferred enough by the tourists. The major reason being the lack of governance and vision. Being the Son of the Soil, though it may sound prejudiced, but I believe that Bengal is beautiful in every aspect and this needs to be promoted and advertised extensively globally level. Even though Kolkata has huge potential to attract tourists from all over the world, ironically the same has remained tapped until now. For such, I would first revamp the various beautiful sanctuaries of Bengal, and introduce packages to attract tourists from world over. Not limited to that alone, the landmarks of Bengal like Victoria Park, Sunderban, Tea gardens would be specifically promoted through extensive advertisements and packages.

Employment Generation

The utmost urgent issue of this Constituency is the need for apt and accelerated employment generation. The people of this Constituency have suffered because of lack of interest of corporate houses and industries to set up their plants in Kolkata. Also the graduates of Kolkata are forced to go to other states and abroad search of jobs because of lack of opportunities and openings in Kolkata. In order to revive the employment condition, I believe that faster and broad-based economic growth is an essential pre-requirement for generating employment. To realise this objective, I aim for the following:

• Job opportunities need to be created in the areas of Infrastructure, Industries, Technology etc.;
• Better environment for investment, credit, marketing and technology inputs;
• Establishment of Technology Parks;
• Effective implementation of the National Employment Policies which are not implemented yet to their fullest potential;
• Modernization of various home grown industires like handlooms, powerlooms, handicrafts, food processing, sericulture, leather, pottery, etc.;
• Greater thrust on labour-intensive exports like textiles, handicrafts, gems and jewelry, leather, software, engineering and consumer goods will also significantly boost employment;
• The concerns of small-scale industries like shortage of working capital, lack of technology and marketing, delayed payments, etc. need to be addressed expeditiously;
• Along with vastly expanded credit facilities for self-employment, the services industry need to be given full support to fulfill its true employment potential. This includes not just software, IT-enabled services, trade, distribution and transport, but also financial and telecommunication services.

Education

In comparison to the 1991 Census, the 2001 Census shows that the number of colleges in West Bengal has declined viz a viz the rising population. The growth rate of literacy and literate population has been merely 3% as per the 1991 and 2001 Census. I believe this area needs immediate attention and I propose:

• Raising investment and adequate funding in education by networking with National and International Institutions;
• Providing more academic scholarships;
• Establishment of Institutes for Higher and Technical education;
• Raising ceilings for Investment and Research in education;
• Empowerment of schools with tools and infrastructure for quality education, a priority emphasized and practiced in developed and developing countries world over.

Cultural Reforms

It is a misconception that the first attribute of being a Metropolis is to leave behind and ignore its old heritage and culture and move forward with new structure. In fact, the heritage and culture of Bengal has been so glorious that one can never think of getting from it. On the contrary, it is the culture and heritage which have held us together. It is another story that presently they are in shambles. To address this burning issue, I call for:

• Proper upkeep of monuments and heritage places;
• Repair and maintenance of the homes of our great idols;
• Maintenance of existing cultural places and theatres and establishment of more such places.

Administrative Reforms

I believe there is an urgent need for just and progressive administration, efficient delivery of services to the people and, implementation of socio-economic development programmes. I will strive to re-instill in the public the spirit of service to the common people. Public servants at all levels will be given due support and trust. In turn, they will be held fully accountable for their acts. To lead in a responsive and responsible administration, I will strive to:

• Ensure objectivity and fairness in administration;
• Ensure good, efficient and accountable governance;
• Ensure Citizen’s access to Ministers and government officials;
• Undertake reforms in district administration, police and other organizations interfacing with the people, with emphasis on responsiveness and accountability;
• Set up Redressal Forums for speedy redressal of individual and community grievances.

Financial Reforms

This Constituency is going through a very lean phase of economy which is accentuated by the global recession. This moment of distress calls for planned and immediate economic measures. For such purpose, I have set my goals, as follows:

• Attraction of Central Funds for the various development programs in the Constituency;
• Introduction of Public-Private Partnership (PPP)ventures;
• Promotion of GO- NGO co-operation and ventures.

Immediate Tasks

Although above mentioned programmes form my basic agenda for Kolkata Uttar Constituency, the immediate tasks loom large as follows: 

Entally:

• Cleaning, Modernization and Decongestion of Sealdah Railway Station.

Beleghata:

• Revamping of Rajabazar Tram Depot;
• Revival of Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan.

Jorasanko:

• Revamping of Jorasanko Thakurbari.

Shyambazar:

• Decongestion and modernization of Shyam Bazar and the Tram Depot.

Kashipur-Belegachhia:

• Decongestion of Chitpur;
• Modernization of Ultadanga, Belgachhia and Tala Park;
• Revamping of Kashipur Gun Factory;
• clearing up of Hugli River.

Chowrangee:

• Revival and proper upkeep of Park street, Victoria Memorial and Outram Ghat;
• Resettlement of pavement dwellers.

Some of the other tasks are: 

• Proper repair and upkeep of the heritage and cultural places of Kolkata;
• Establishment of Hospital and Medical Institutes for treatment, research and aid to Lung Cancer patients at minimal cost;
• Repair and beautification of roads, buildings, parks and market places;
• Construction of more flyovers to relieve Kolkata of congestion traffic;
• Supply of enough safe and arsenic free drinking water;
• Noise Pollution has reached to dangerous level which needs to be decreased;
• Introduction of computerized traffic management system;
• Curb the tendency of outburst of Communal Riots and violence;
• Speedy redressal of human rights issues;
• Poverty eradication;
• Curbing of illegal migration from Indo-Bangla Border;
• Reduction of distress migration from Bengal.

Appeal:

Last but not the least, In the end, I urge each and every adult to exercise his/her right to vote and uphold the true spirit of Democracy. Let us not fail ourselves by not voting. Let us stand for change, let us stand for ourselves.