What makes Mamata Banerjee a 'Hindu' and what is the compulsion behind it?

BJP stalwart L K Advani had rightfully coined the term pseudo-secular. Politicians of her category certainly fit into the club of being the 'champions of pseudo-secularism'. They would focus their polity and administrative powers to appease religious minorities –push vote bank strategy even over wrong issues; but during election season they could be spotted around temples.

pray time or Paying the price ?

(Electoral compulsions make Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, a rank Islamist apologist, to wear her Hindu faith on her sleeve. Taking a leaf out of Left Front’s book, Mamata allowed ‘Islamisation project’ to take root in West Bengal for political gains. Her disdain for ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is well-known. Now, with ‘faith acrobatics’ and proclaiming her Brahmin origins, she hopes to pull wool over Hindus’ eyes. - Organiser) 

Aiming not to offend Hindus, Mamata Banerjee has started chanting Hindu mantras and reciting Chandipath. This is called being a ‘political Hindu’.

“Most of what she has been saying in the name of Hindu mantras and Chandipath are wrong. She is often mis-pronouncing the words and missing out key terms making a mockery of Hinduism. People of Nandigram and my state will never forgive her,” says Suvendu Adhikari, a former lieutenant of Mamata and now taking on the Chief Minister in a fierce contest.

For long and not without good reasons, Mamata had an image of a ‘Muslim appeaser’ and has perhaps as a design kept herself away from Hindu rituals and practices. Her regime also had created hurdles for Goddess Durga statues immersion– an unthinkable episode in her State - even as her administration moved heaven and earth to ensure smooth conduct of Muharram processions. Her party certainly paid a price for these in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

Now, she realises the importance of winning back Hindu support base, and thus she is tryingto run the extra mile to be on the right side of the majority voters. Mamata visited more than half a dozen Hindu temples and chanted mantras in public places on the day she filed her nomination.

                                                    (Blogger's views on Bengal polls for a TV show)

# Trinamool leader Farid Hakim told senior colleagues Saugata Roy and Partha Chatterjee in a meeting in Kolkata that this alliance would “surely cut into” Trinamool’s vote share among Muslims. This analysis is more of an admission for the earlier fault-line.

 # But can she make a difference now by her new tricks? Observers say finally it is up to the people of Bengal. But Trinamool is crafting its electoral strategy with lot of thoughts. Mamata has pushed ‘Bangla-r meye (Bengal’s daughter)’ card more aggressively. It is a move to divide the Hindu vote. 

The Fall

 

The Mamata camp is unnerved by numerous factors. One of them is strong anti-incumbency mood. Secondly, a fierce challenge from the BJP and its candidate Suvendu to herself at Nandigram.

 

Mamata Banerjee has already moved out of her original Assembly Bhawanipore in Kolkata as her party’s vote share nosedived. Though Trinamool had managed a lead of 3168 in Bhawanipore Assembly segment under Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 polls, the BJP had given her a shock as it managed a lead in Kolkata Municipal Corporation ward No 73, where Trinamool supremo resides. In fact, 17 of her ministers trailed in their respective seats.

But a more important reason that has made her a party desperate about Hindu votes is the likelihood of split in her Muslim vote share due to formation of a formidable alliance between the Congress-Left-and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) of Abbas Siddiqui.

Trinamool leader Farid Hakim told senior colleagues Saugata Roy and Partha Chatterjee in a meeting in Kolkata that this alliance would “surely cut into” Trinamool’s vote share among Muslims. This analysis is more of an admission for the earlier fault-line.The parliamentary elections in 2019 were proof, says Asansol-based educationist Jhantu Dey that BJP's win of 18 seats out of 42 Lok Sabha seats was because of the shift of a large portion of CPI-M and other Left parties' vote.

But can she make a difference now by her new tricks? Observers say finally it is up to the people of Bengal. But Trinamool is crafting its electoral strategy with lot of thoughts. Mamata has pushed ‘Bangla-r meye (Bengal’s daughter)’ card more aggressively.It is a move to divide the Hindu vote. Strategy wise it makes sense as women form nearly 49 per cent of Bengal voters. Therefore, her party has tried to highlight schemes like ‘Kanyashree’, under which a girl child gets Rs 25,000 once she is in Class 8, and also ‘Rupashree’ that would give Rs 25,000 to a girl’s family when she turns 18.

Trinamool has also announced cash relief for widows. But women voters in Bengal know it pretty well that the BJP has also come out with their versions in the manifesto promising for example Rs 22,000, to be offered in four installments at different points during schooling of a girl. Under Balika Ayog, the Saffron party says Rs 2 lakh grant would be granted for unmarried girls who have completed their higher secondary education up to Class 12. 

“Look here, the issues of corruption, tola-baazi (forceful Bengali Hindu extortion) and minority appeasement matter to Bengali Hindu women voters too,” says housewife Monti Das in Siliguri. Therefore, her argument - Mamata’s neo-gestures of ‘winning back Hindu support’ may not work.

 

Mamata has already moved out of her original Bhawanipore seat in Kolkata as her party’s vote share nosedived. Though Trinamool had managed a lead of 3168 in Bhawanipore Assembly segment under Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 polls, the BJP had given her a shock as it managed a lead in Kolkata Municipal Corporation ward no 73, where Mamata resides. 17 of her ministers trailed in their respective seats 

But BJP foot-soldiers working in Muslim-pockets in Malda in North Bengal or Asansol areas in the southernpart of the state, say Mamata regime’s ‘tactful strategy’ to fool Hindus should not be lost. Hence, they say Trinamool should be exposed before the people effectively. Some police stations, they point out, had last year circulated posters requesting the Muslim community not to slaughter animals in the open. In South 24 Parganas district, civil administration issued posters with a message for Muslims urging them to show ‘respect to the religious sentiments of Hindu brothers’. 

It said, animals should not be slaughtered in public and that they should not post any such video or images in social media. All these came too late.

There is large scale scepticism about Bengal police vis-a-vis delivering justice to Hindus.

In Durgapur, Sushanto Maity says, "We do not believe Mamata Banerjee and hence we cannot believe her police too. They look the other way when Muslims and Trinamool supporters are wrongdoers. Even Traffic police have been partial leaving out people driving without helmets if the wore a particular type of skull caps”. 

This is precisely Mamata’s problems. There is immense trust deficit. 

Journalists tracking Trinamool Congress say her party colleagues like Derek-O'-Brien and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had even informally objected to utterance of 'Om Shanti' words in Parliament during obituary references to sitting or former members.

"There was a time when anything seemingly seen as part of Indian and Hindu culture, the Trinamool Congress would vehemently oppose to," says BJP leader Saumitra Khan, who was elected to Lok Sabha in 2014 on Trinamool ticket.

In September 2020, on Hindi Diwas, Mamata restructured her party’s defunct Hindi cell, re-introduced a Hindi academy and announced allowances for Hindu priests.

But Mamata’s leadership ‘defects’ and duplicity towards Hindu cause have been exposed so well. People know her pretty well. Mamata is herself responsible for most of what has gone wrong for her.

ends

Post Nandigram win, Modi will be 'invincible' ? ::: Nervous Mamata pens letter : PM quotes Bible

Modi compares Kerala's ruling communists with Judas in Kerala where 15 per cent of population are Christians

"Judas had betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver ... just like that Left Democratic Front government has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold," Modi said in a poll rally in Kerala on March 30.

The reference has triggered a debate on why the Prime Minister, who does not mind displaying his blatant support for Hindutva politics, made a Biblical reference. A master of symbolism and a powerful communicator, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a Biblical reference in his election rally speech in the southern state of Kerala, where Christian votes are decisive in certain seats.

However, Modi's statement was more political as gold-smuggling charges against the communists' dispensation in Kerala, especially against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, have made waves in the run-up to the polls. Political observers say it is not the first time that Modi, whose regime is accused of being harsh on conversion to Christianity, has referred to Christ or the Bible in his speeches. "Modi not only knows how to talk as a good orator and communicator. 

He has a perfect sense of timing. So, when the prime minister used a Biblical reference, he was not only targeting the chief minister or communists for the gold-smuggling scam, he was also giving a message to around 15 percent of the population," said Tushar Bhadra in Modi's parliamentary constituency in Varanasi.

Bhadra points out that in December 2017 in his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat (Speaking from the Heart), the PM made reference to the Bible and the teachings of Christ. "Serving people is the biggest identity of humankind," Modi said, adding that on Christmas Day "we do remember the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ, and the thing we remember the most was his teachings on service."

Earlier this year, Modi met Catholic cardinals and archbishops from Kerala and, of course, everyone tracking Modi said the meeting was ultimately aimed at wooing Christians.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi-led federal government have been facing criticism for ignoring Christian interests amid reports of increased anti-Christian violence by Hindu fanatic elements in various parts of India including Uttar Pradesh, where the PM handpicked Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath to be chief minister.

Priyanka Gandhi: Pushing Hindu Card

In the run-up to the assembly elections in Kerala next month, both the communists and the BJP have been trying to secure Christian and Hindu votes to fight “radical Islamic forces” in the state.

Congress leader A.K. Antony, a Christian-turned-agnostic and a former Kerala chief minister, dismissed Modi's Biblical reference as a move with a political motive. "He is only eyeing  Christian votes," he said.

Antony also claimed that the BJP and the Communist Party of India (Marxists) have a hidden agreement to defeat Congress in these elections.

Rahul Gandhi, the face of the Congress party, is an elected MP from Kerala's Wayanad constituency.

Nandigram set to make Modi 'invincible' ? ::: Nervousness shows it again, Mamata pens letter

Nervousness shows it again, Hours before Nandigram voting, Mamata writes to Opp. leaders

New Delhi: She has been doing everything. She took on a wheelchair, went onto temple hopping, chanting mantras and even displayed her Shandilya Gotra. But rattled to the manner that she stands today - just hours before Nandigram voting, Trinamool Congresssupremo Mamata Banerjee on March 31 dashed off a letter to at least ten opposition leadersand urged them all to unite to fight BJP.

Many have called it her 'SOS' missive. 

BJP president J P Nadda said the letter showed "Mamata is in trouble".

"This letter is an internal matter of her party. But this letter is SOS - Save our Soul and Save our Ship. This is an attempt to save our ship".

The three-page letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, M.K Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Hemant Soren, Arvind Kejriwal, Naveen Patnaik and Jagan Reddy says: “I am writing this letter to you, and to several leaders of non-BJP parties, to convey my serious concerns over a series of assaults by the BJP and its government at the Centre on democracy and constitutional federalism in India".

In her letter, she also said that despite losing to the AAP in both 2014 and 2019, the BJP was “unwilling” to accept the people’s mandate.

“The BJP has chosen to govern Delhi by making the chief minister subservient to the Lt Governor. The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act is a direct attack on the federal structure of the Indian Republic, as enshrined in the Constitution. It also makes a mockery of the letter and spirit of democracy since it disempowers the people of the national capital.

“You will also agree that what the BJP has done in Delhi is not an exception, but is increasingly becoming a rule,” she said.

The letter has drawn sharp criticism from many quarters including from the BJP and also netizens in the socialmedia.

"You cannot turn the wheel back ....," remarked BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma adding the signals

shows Mamata is nervous for having not performed in the last ten years.

"Didi is very DESPERATE at the moment," wrote one Upasana Singh. 

Another message on Twitter from Ravi Gaur says: "Unite Against BJP'....When u make noises like this signal goes to public that u r in distress.When WB was going to polls you were adamant to go it alone.Now,what is the urgency...Do u foresee BJP getting more seats Didi?"

Will Nandigram make Modi 'invincible' ?

Snatching power in West Bengal and humbling of Mamata Banerjee would mean 'endorsement' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies including the strongly contested three farm laws, the controversial CAA and also the manner Modi-Amit Shah duo has led India through the Covid19 crisis.

Thus, there is the immense political significance of the April 1 battle at 'ground zero' Nandigram.

After the marginalisation of Congress and a number of regional players, Mamata Banerjee is perhaps the 'last' mass level leader who has been steadfastly fighting BJP, unlike Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik or JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who is also BJP's chief election strategist in West Bengal, says, "The defeat of Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram would be a direct and vital step to achieve Ashol Poriborton (true change) in the state". In fact, political observers say a poor show by Mamata in her constituency will loosen her grip on Trinamool Congress and the party will collapse. The battle in Nandigram and the rest of the multi-phased polling West Bengal will have a huge impact in national politics. 

BJP on Khela Shesh

The BJP strategists feel if Trinamool is humbled in its citadel, all other opposition parties across India will clearly get demoralised.

BJP's Lok Sabha MP at Barrackpore, Arjun Singh said, "The Trinamool Congress will further disintegrate at various levels''. Even others agree.

"It (Trinamool defeat) will have a huge psychological impact beyond Bengal. It will put a question on the viability of putting up a challenge to the BJP," poll strategist Prashant Kishor has been quoted in a section of the media. 

The detractors of the Modi-led dispensation have already dubbed the entire governance scenario and regular election wins by BJP as 'electoral autocracy. Such critical descriptions are definitely uncalled for.

On this backdrop comes the real significance of the on-going massive election process especially in states like West Bengal, Assam and partly in Kerala too.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has rightly dismissed the reports of some Swedish and US-based organisations as acts of hypocrisy. "I am self-assured about my country, I don't need certificates from other countries, who clearly have some agenda," he asserted.

But it goes without stating that stakes are high in these elections.

Indo-Bangla border fencing

Observers say 'the Mother of all elections will be on Thursday, April 1 wherein West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee's electoral fate would be decided by the voters.

"There is definitely an added importance about the battle in Nandigram," Shah said after successful rounds of roadshows and small election meetings at Nandigram on the last day of campaigning.
Of course, elections in West Bengal and Assam have the special significance of their own - both separately and also if taken as a unit.

 

In two states - Bengal and Assam, there are a sizable Muslim population.

In Mamata Banerjee-ruled West Bengal, the religious minority group form around 30 per cent of the population. Therefore, in both Assam and Bengal, issues like citizenship, CAA and illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis are livewire issues. The BJP is banking on its traditional 'Hindu nationalist ideology' and development cards pushed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only to draw votes but wrest power in Bengal - where they would create history if there is a win.

 

Keen to consolidate its hold in Assam, the saffron outfit has been able to motivate the 'Hindu support' base by promising to ensure effective implementation of NRC and 'identify and deport' hundreds of Bangladeshi illegal infiltrators who fled Bangladesh to these two states.

Do not forget, none other than Home Minister Shah had described them as “termites” eating into India’s resources.

Even the Prime Minister had said in the past that two types of people have come from Bangladesh, one the refugees who were forced after being thrown out in the name of the Hindu religion and the other infiltrators.

In Bengal, BJP leaders accuse Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of appeasing Muslims and hence the real test in Nandigram and other seats in this eastern Indian state is also on the issue of 'genuine Hindutva' vis-a-vis Hindu bashing and Muslim appeasement cards of Mamata.

BJP state unit chief Dilip Ghosh says: "TMC has made chanting Jai Shri Ram a criminal offence. Just like how the Britishers were irked by Vande Mataram slogan, the Mamata regime gets upset and scared of Jai Shri Ram. It is time for her exit".

 

Suvendu Adhikari, BJP candidate, who is taking on Mamata thunders repeatedly in election rallies, "Begum ke ami harabo (The emphasis is on word Begum to signifiy Mamata as a leader of the Muslims)".

 "Election victories in Bengal and Assam would mean entire eastern India right from Bihar to northeastern states are on the same page with the Modi government and this would also mean Modi has no challenger across India," says Naga politician Thomas Ngullie.

 He points out that after all Mamata Banerjee is the 'last' mass level leader and a powerful regional player who has been steadfastly fighting BJP and Modi-Shah duo.

ends 

'Death of a Banglar meye' ::: Nadda, Shah condole demise of 85-year mother of a BJP worker

New Delhi: BJP central leaders including Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Monday condoled the deathof 85-year-old saffron party worker Shova Majumdar and termed the deceased leader as "Bengal's daughter" taking a dig at Trinamool Congress campaign of 'Bangla nijer meye ke chae'. 

"Anguished over the demise of Bengal’s daughter Shova Majumdar ji, who was brutally beaten by TMC goons. The pain and wounds of her family will haunt Mamata didi for long," Home Minister Shah tweeted.

He said, "Bengal will fight for a violence-free tomorrow, Bengal will fight for a safer state for our sisters and mothers".

Among others, BJP national president J P Nadda tweeted in Bangla, "Ini o Banglar meye chhilen (She was alsoa daughter of Bengal)"."The aged lady had to give her life because her son Gopal Majumdar was with the BJP. The BJP will alwaysremember her," Nadda's missive said.

The news of the attack on the BJP worker and her aging mother came earlier this month.The saffron party had said both mother-son duo were beaten "mercilessly by TMC goons".The old lady later said, "They hit me on my head and neck. They punched on my face too. I am scared. They asked me not to tell anyone about it. My whole body is in pain".

Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy denied involvement of his party workers.

"She died of cardiac arrest and nothing to do with her injuries," Roy said adding his party had nothing todo with the incident.

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote: "This daughter of Bengal, someone’s mother, someone’s sister... is dead. She was brutally assaulted by TMC cadres but Mamata Banerjee didn’t have a word of compassion for her. Who will heal the wounds of her family? TMC’s politics of violence has bruised Bengal’s soul...".

ends 

While Bangladesh marched on, Shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ did not help India's western neighbour

Pervez Hoodbhoy, according to media description teaches physics in Lahore and Islamabad. A scholar in his own right, in a 2019 article for 'Dawn', he had said rather acidly - "Shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ from the rooftops while obsequiously taking dictation from the Americans, Chinese, and Saudis has taken us nowhere". 

Drawing a comparison between his country and Bangladesh, Mr Pervez further wrote, there were lessons for Pakistan to ponder over. Importantly, he pointed out that in Bangladesh, democracy was more genuine as people "invested in people instead of weapons or a massive military establishment". 

Keeping a track of these facts and opinions gain their own importance in the context of recent visit made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. It was an eventful visit. Even Bangladesh experts and diplomatic players say the trip mirrored the "special nature" of  bilateral relationship

Modi with Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana with Gandhi Peace Prize

There's lot in the simple phrase 'special nature'. Indian government too changed its rule for a change and decided to give Gandhi Peace Prize posthumously to Mujib, the founder of Bangladesh.

What is the significance of the visit of Modi and the 10-day long events in Bangladesh to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh ?

As many as five South Asian heads of states and governments including Modi were in Dhaka. The series of video messages from US President Joe Biden, Canada's Justin Trudeau, Pope Francis, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Britain's Boris Johnson and China's Xi Jinping, Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi and even Pakistan's Imran Khan showed Bangladesh has come of age. So has Sheikh Hasina as a regional player. In the words of a former foreign secretary of Bangladesh, Shamsher M Chowdhury, BB, Hasina has attained for herself the image of "a strong advocate for meaningful regional cooperation in South Asia".

This is no small achievement for a country like Bangladesh which emerged in the scene only in 1971 - as many as 24 years later than India and Pakistan.

The earlier caricature of a country (that is Bangladesh) on life support disappeared years ago. Today, some economists say it shall be the next Asian tiger, so said our Pakistani expert Pervez Hoodbhoy in 1971. 

Bangladesh has made a difference despite coming late in the scene and despite hiccups of military coup and 'pressures' of Islamic fundamentalism. One credit ought to be given for successful campaigning on family planning.

East Pakistan’s population in the 1951 census was 42 million, while West Pakistan’s was 33.7m. But today Bangladesh has far fewer people than Pakistan — 165m versus 200m. A sustained population planning campaign helped reduce fertility in Bangladesh. "No such campaign — or even its beginnings — is visible today in Pakistan". (Dawn) 

Of course, we could complain about Bangladeshi infiltration into Assam and other eastern states with tacit patronage of unscrupulous elements or some political parties. That debate can be kept for another day. But Bangladesh has also shown improvement in textile industry and in the words of Pakistani expert yet again - "West Pakistan’s poor cousin manage to upstage its richer relative by so much so fast". 

To the surprise of many, Bangladesh attained 7.28 pc growth in FY-2017,  the rates even surpassed India’s. Importantly, it had done better than Pakistan in 2008 and many thought that could be an aberration. But it is pertinent to note that the economic performance of Bangladesh has been steady for the last 20-22 years. 

Importantly, the entire blame could not be heaped on the Modi regime because the story is about two decades - much before than 2014. Bangladesh has in two decades improved on key political yardsticks and social metrics like health, sanitation, financial inclusion, and women’s political representation.

Of course, the World Bank has cautioned Bangladesh in Oct 2020 that “Poverty is expected to increase substantially in the short term, with the highest impact on daily and self-employed workers in the non-agricultural sector and salaried workers in the manufacturing sector.”

India has its problems and challenges. A decisive Prime Minister is under constant attack for pushing electoral autocracy. Yet, New Delhi should keep assisting its key eastern neighbour. I cannot agree more to what Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said. The External Affairs Minister said to make India's Act East policy successful, India will need to keep Bangladesh in good conditions. 

Would it be too much to ask of India's policymakers ?

(Report from Daily Star, Dhaka)

The mayhem by Qawmi madrasa-based organisation Hefajat-e-Islam continued nationwide for the third consecutive day yesterday with Brahmanbaria turning into a battlefield.

Police stations, public offices, offices of the ruling party, and buses have been torched and vandalised. Even a train and a temple where Dol Purnima puja was being held did not escape their wrath.

During violence, at least three more people were killed, taking the toll of the violence that began with protests against the Indian prime minister's visit to 13.

Scores of people, including Hefajat supporters, bystanders and law enforcers were wounded and vehicles damaged in different districts.

They hurl brick chunks, left, at law enforcers on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Narayanganj Photo: Mashuk Hridoy/ Rashed Shumon. In Brahmanbaria, public offices set on fire by Hefajat activists kept burning and firefighters did not dare go to the scene before the activists went home after 9:30pm.

Hefajat announced a day of prayers and mourning for today and called for nationwide rallies on April 2.

Clashes also took place in Kishoreganj, Narayanganj, Dhaka, Habiganj, Sylhet, Narsingdi and Mymensingh. Public offices were set on fire while vehicles were vandalised in several districts.

In Brahmanbaria, Hefajat supporters attacked Khatihata Highway Police Station and as they set the facility on fire, police used firearms, reports our correspondent in the district.

Twenty-three-year-old Kalon Miah and 20-year-old Al Amin, both residents of Brahmanbaria Sadar, died of gunshot wounds after they were taken to Brahmanbaria General Hospital, Medical Officer Syed Ariful Islam said, adding that a third man died at the hospital soon after he was brought there from Pirbari area with gunshot wounds around 2:30pm, but his identity was not known as of last night.

Hefajat activists also attacked the police lines in Pirbari and ransacked Brahmanbaria's biggest temple Sree Sree Anandamayee Kali Mandir. They trashed and broke the idols of Krishna and the Goddess Kali.
The donation box for the temple was looted, while the artifacts used for ceremonies were ransacked and strewn about.

"We were performing prayers for Dol Purnima, when 200-300 armed men broke the temple gate and barged into our ceremony. We tried to protect the idol of Goddess Kali, but they shoved us aside and vandalised the idol," said Ashis Paul, president of Anandamoyee Kalibari Temple Festival Celebration Committee. The Sadar Land Office in Brahmanbaria was set on fire and completely destroyed. Columns of smoke billowed from the facility throughout the day as the documents kept burning. Firefighters did not dare go near the scene until 9:30pm, when the mob went home.

Ustad Alauddin Khan Music Academy was shrouded in flames while clouds of black smoke covered the municipality office building and the office of district Awami League General Secretary Al Mamun Sarkar. The Shaheed Dhirendra Nath Bhasha Chattar lay completely vandalised and burnt.

The Hefajat activists also attacked Sonar Bangla Express train at Dakshin Poirotola in Brahmanbaria around 10:00am yesterday and injured at least 10 passengers.

They damaged the locomotive, broke 117 windows, and vandalised 15 coaches of the train, said Station Master Shoeb Ahmed.

The hartal supporters put barriers on the tracks and forced Sonar Bangla Express to stop and then attacked it, he said.

Hefajat supporters set fire to the police lines, the Sadar police station, the office of a local MP, the public library, press club, the homes of the district AL leaders Chowdhury Afzal Hossain Nesar, Rabiul Hossain Rubel, Shahadat Hossain Shobhon, and Sheikh Anar Jamal Khan, the offices of AL leaders Md Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan, Muktijoddha Sangsad Bhaban, Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury Women's College, and many other establishments.

In Habiganj, around 20 people, including seven cops were injured, in clashes between law enforcers and Hefajat in Jhingri area of Ajmeriganj on Ajmeriganj-Baniachang road. Hefajat activists set fire to two police motorcycles there.

Hefajat and AL activists engaged in clashes on Station Road, Shaheedi Mosjid area, Ekrampur and Atharabari Kachari areas that continued for hours, injuring almost 50 people, said police. Police used teargas shells and fired blank shots to disperse the crowds.

In Sylhet, three Shibir activists were detained during repeated clashes between activists of Hefajat, Shibir, and AL. It happened when the AL men were marching against the hartal in Sylhet Zilla Parishad complex and the procession got attacked by the Hefajat and Shibir activists, witnesses said.

Several crude bombs were exploded during the clash, they said. Police also detained two store workers during the clash.

In the capital Dhaka, Hefajat Secretary-General Nurul Islam told a press conference at Khilafat Majlish office in Purana Paltan that 17 activists got killed, 500 others were injured and 200 arrested.

Will Teesta watershare pact possible after fall of Mamata regime ? 

Modi draws roadmap for Indo-Bangla ties with 'Nayi Urja, Nayi Gati'

However, there is yet another story of doom and negativeness from across the border in Bangladesh.

Opinion makers in Dhaka say possibilities of a breakthrough on Teesta water share is bleak. The Modi government, they say, has to contend with the Mamata factor, and Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal Chief Minister has so far not showed any signs of relenting. In her address at an election meeting in Siliguri, the Bangladeshi observers point out, Mamata said that the people of West Bengal should have enough water of the Teesta for themselves first, before sharing it with the neighbouring country. So the obvious fear is if Trinamool returns to power after May 2 counting and eight-phases of ongoing polls than Teesta is not happening.

But my question remains - should it become easier for 'Double Engine' BJP regimes (both in Delhi and Kolkata) to deliver Teesta waters to Bangladesh. Yes and No - both.
All eyes would be soon on water share issues related to six other rivers - Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. 

Bangladesh is also unhappy over the fact that there have been reports of killings of as many as 45 Bangladeshis killed by BSF between January and December 2020. That number has been the 'highest' in the last few years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a new roadmap for a shared future with its key eastern neighbour Bangladesh.

Modi's parting remarks to his hostess and Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, was that his visit had given “nayi urja, nayi gati (new energy, new pace)' to the relationship. The Teesta water sharing issue also figured prominently. 

Notably, both the Prime Ministers directed their respective Ministries of Water Resources to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six common rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.

The Joint Statement said: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of the waters of the Teesta river. She underscored that to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta river basin, it is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta waters, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both Governments in January 2011". 

It further said - "Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The Indian side also requested for early finalization of the draft of the interim agreement for sharing of water of Feni River, pending with the Bangladesh side which had been agreed upon by both sides in 2011."

Bangladesh PM Hasina’s spokesperson Ihasanul Karim also said on Teesta watershare, which has long been objected to by incumbent West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Modi told his counterpart, “We are committed to a reasonable solution to sharing of water of all the rivers".

Bangladesh Prime Minister thanked the Indian side for considering Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nadia on the Bangladesh- India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations.

Both sides acknowledged the potential of 'new and emerging areas' of cooperation in bilateral cooperation and directed authorities to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence and also peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

On PM Modi's visit to rural areas including at Bangabandhu Mausoleum and Orakandi temple in Gopalganj, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said, "We are not countries that go to capitals, have meetings in  drawing rooms. We are countries that have so much of shared history and cultural legacy that we visit different parts of each other's country". 

'Mind games' : Shah says BJP winning 26 of 30 in first phase Bengal polls::: Does not rule out meeting Pawar

Home Minister Amit Shah played his politics well and taking it to a new height on March 28, 2021. 

Firstly, he mounted pressure on Trinamool leadership by claiming the BJP will win 26 seats if not more out of the 30 seats polling was held on March 27. None other than Trinamool MP, Derek-O' Brien called it a 'mind game'. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, he did not deny a supposed behind the doors meeting he held with NCP chief Sharad Pawar sometime back possibly in Ahmedabad.

"Everything need not be made public," Shah told reporters when asked about the supposed meeting on Saturday.

Such a 'closed door' meeting came when Shiv Sena-led government is in crisis over Vazegate extortion racket involving a police personnel.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has given clean chit to its beleaguered Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. NCP took exception to Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut terming Deshmukh an “accidental Home Minister”. 

The NCP hit back, with state Minister and party spokesman Nawab Malik refuting claims that Deshmukh was chosen “accidentally”. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that selecting ministers from the NCP quota was sole discretion of the party supremo Pawar.

In 2019, Sena formed government after parting ways from BJP and decided to ally with Congress and NCP.

Playing Victim: the Mamata Card

Trinamool leader Derek O' Brien tweeted to say 'mind games' by seat prediction would not work.

"Mind games won’t work, Mo-Sha (Modi-Shah). Try your seat prediction stunts at the Gujarat Gymkhana. This is Bengal. #KhelaHobe," he wrote. 

New Delhi: A day after first phase of polling showed good turnout of voters in both West Bengal and Assam,BJP stalwart and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Sunday exuded confidence that his party has recorded"convincing victories" to these elections.

"We have got clear indications from our workers and party's poll machinery that we are winning more than 26 seats out of 30 and more than 37 out of 47 polls were in first phase in West Bengal and respectively,"Shah told a press conference here.  

"We are only winning....we are also recording convincing and large margins of win," he said.

He claimed the mandate in both the states have been "positive". "In Assam people have given their approval for a strike and movement free Assam and for the new development initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Lauding Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's rolein last five years, "there is big mandate for the development works". "The concept of Double Engine government has convinced the people of Assam," he said.

Referring to Bengal voting in the first phase on Saturday, March 27; Amit Shah said after the Leftists rule people had reposed hopes in the government of Mamata Banerjee.

"But it was only a symbolic change. Ruling party's name and leaders changed. But Bengal did not. It was stuck into the same status quo (wohin ka wohin)," the Home Minister lamented rather adding, "there was even further decline (in quality of governance).

The mandate of March 27 shows that the BJP has able to kindle a "ray of hope" among the voters bythe parry's vision of Sonar Bangla."Like any other state, people have started hoping now that even West Bengal can develop and can become Sujalam, Sufalam," said Mr Shah, who is often credited for crafting party's electoral strategy in the state where the saffron party did not have much of a presence even a few years back.

"People have now started believing that in Bengal too a government can uphold constitutional mechanism and run effectively without banking on minority appeasement," he said.

Even otherwise, the Mamata camp is unnerved by numerous factors. One of them is strong anti incumbency mood wherein Mamata's image has emerged as that of a Muslim appeaser.

There is immense 'trust deficit' now between the voters and the Trinamool Congress leadership.

Shah also complimented the Election Commission for holding the elections peacefully in Bengalon the first phase of polling.In the first phase, polling took place in all nine seats in Purulia, four in Bankura, six in Paschim Medinipur, four in Jhargram and seven seats in Purba Medinipur.

The excitement of all polling this year will be in Nandigram on April 1 when Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeeis pitted against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, a son of the soil in that region and a former lieutenant of Trinamool supremo.

However, Trinamool leader Derek O' Brien tweeted to say 'mind games' by seat prediction would not work. "Mind games won’t work, Mo-Sha (Modi-Shah). Try your seat prediction stunts at the Gujarat Gymkhana. This is Bengal. #KhelaHobe," he wrote. 

Left supporters: Enthusiasm 

Importantly, Mamata Banerjee has already moved out of her original assembly Bhawanipore in Kolkata as her party’s vote share nosedived.

Mamata's‘Hindu love’:  Trust Deficit is the key

What makes Mamata Banerjee 'Hindu' and what is the compulsion behind ?
BJP stalwart L K Advani had rightfully coined the term pseudo secular. Politicians of her category certainly fit into the cap of being the 'champions of pseudo secularism'. They would focus their polity and administrative powers to appease religious minorities – push vote bank strategy even over wrong issues; but during election season they could be spotted around temples.

Aiming not to offend Hindus, Mamata Banerjee has started chanting Hindu mantras and reciting Chandipath. This is called being a ‘political Hindu’.

"Most of what she has been saying in the name of Hindu mantras and Chandipath are wrong. She is often mis-pronouncing the words and missing out key terms making a mockery of Hinduism. People of Nandigram and my state will never forgive her," says Suvendu Adhikari, a former lieutenant of Mamata and now taking on the Chief Minister in a fierce contest.

Different Strokes: Blogger

For long and not without good reasons, Mamata had an image of a 'Muslim appeaser' and has perhaps as a design kept herself away from Hindu rituals and practices. Her regime also had created hurdles for Goddess Durga statues immersion – an unthinkable episode in her state - as her administration moved heaven and earth to ensure smooth conduct of Muharam processions. 

Her party certainly paid a price for these in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

 

Now, she realises the importance of winning back Hindu support base, and thus she is trying to run the extra mile to be on the right side of the majority voters.

Ms Mamata visited more than half a dozen Hindu temples and chanted mantras in public places on the day she filed her nomination.

 

The Fall:

The Mamata camp is unnerved by numerous factors. One of them is strong anti incumbency mood. Secondly, a fierce challenge from the BJP and its candidate Suvendu to herself electorally at Nandigram. 

Mamata Banerjee has already moved out of her original assembly Bhawanipore in Kolkata as her party’s vote share nosedived. Though Trinamool had managed a lead of 3168 in Bhawanipore assembly segment under Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 polls, the BJP had given her a shock as it managed a lead in Kolkata Municipal Corporation ward no 73, where Trinamool supremo resides. In fact, 17 of her ministers trailed in their respective seats.

But a more important reason that has made her party desperate about Hindu votes is the likelihood of split in her Muslim vote share due to formation of a formidable alliance between the Congress-Left-and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) of Abbas Siddiqui.

Trinamool leader Farid Hakim told senior colleagues Saugata Roy and Partha Chatterjee in a meeting in Kolkata that this alliance would "surely cut into" Trinamool’s vote share among Muslims. 

This analysis is more of an admission for the earlier fault-line. The parliamentary elections in 2019 were proof, says Asansol-based educationist Jhantu Dey that BJP's win of 18 seats out of 42 Lok Sabha seats was because of the shift of a large portion of CPI-M and other Left parties' vote. 

But can she make a difference now by her new tricks?

Observers say finally it is up to the people of Bengal. But Trinamool is crafting its electoral strategy with lot of thoughts. Mamata has pushed 'Bangla-r meye (Bengal's daughter)' card more aggressively.

It is a move to divide the Hindu vote. Strategy wise it makes sense as women form nearly 49 per cent of Bengal voters.

Therefore, her party has tried to highlight schemes like ‘Kanyashree’, under which a girl child gets Rs 25,000 once she is in Class 8, and also ‘Rupashree’ that would give Rs 25,000 to a girl’s family when she turns 18. 

Trinamool has also announced cash relief for widows. 

But women voters in Bengal know it pretty well that the BJP has also come out with their versions in the manifesto promising for example Rs 22,000, to be offered in four instalments at different points during schooling of a girl.

Under Balika Ayog, the saffron party says Rs 2 lakh grant would be granted for unmarried girls who have completed their higher secondary education up to Class 12. 

"Look here, the issues of corruption, tola-baazi (forceful extortion) and minority appeasement matter to Bengali Hindu women voters too," says housewife Monti Das in Siliguri. Therefore, her argument - Mamata's neo-gestures of 'winning back Hindu support' may not work.

But BJP foot soldiers working in Muslim-pockets in Malda in north Bengal or  Asansol areas in the southern part of the state, say Mamata regime's 'tactful strategy' to fool Hindus should not be lost.  

Hence, they say Trinamool should be exposed before the people effectively.
Some police stations, they point out, had last year circulated posters requesting the Muslim community not to slaughter animals in the open. In South 24 Parganas district, civil administration issued posters with a message for Muslims urging them to show 'respect to the religious sentiments of Hindu brothers'. It said, animals should not be slaughtered in public and that they do not post any such video or images in social media. All these came too late. 

There is large scale scepticism about Bengal police vis-a-vis delivering justice to Hindus.

In Durgapur, Sushanto Maity says, "We do not believe Mamata Banerjee and hence we cannot believe her police too. They look the other way when Muslims and Trinamool supporters are wrongdoers. Even Traffic police have been partial leaving out people driving without helmets if the wore a particular type of skull caps”. 

This is precisely Mamata’s problems. There is immense trust deficit. 

Journalists tracking Trinamool Congress say her party colleagues like Derek-O'-Brien and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had even informally objected to utterance of 'Om Shanti' words in Parliament during obituary references to sitting or former members.

"There was a time when anything seemingly seen as part of Indian and Hindu culture, the Trinamool Congress would vehemently oppose to," says BJP leader Saumitra Khan, who was elected to Lok Sabha in 2014 on Trinamool ticket.

In September 2020, on Hindi Diwas, Mamata restructured her party’s defunct Hindi cell, re-introduced a Hindi academy and announced allowances for Hindu priests.

But Mamata’s leadership ‘defects’ and duplicity towards Hindu cause have been exposed so well. People know her pretty well. Mamata is herself responsible for most of what has gone wrong for her.

Ends 

Modi puts Indo-Bangla ties on track with 'Nayi urja' :: Skepticism remains

Three people got killed during Hefajat's hartal across Bangladesh - - the third day of the Islamist organisation's demonstrations against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

Brahmanbaria turned into a battlefield, with public buildings incinerated, and trains derailed. At least three people were killed there.

There was intensified violence in several other districts.

In Brahmanbaria, public offices set on fire by Hefajat activists kept burning and firefighters didn't dare going to the scene before the activists went home after 9:30pm.

Hefajat announced a day of prayers and mourning for today and called for nationwide rallies on April 2.

Prime Minister says he participated in a Satyagraha for Bangladesh war of liberation 

Modi at Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex: Tungipara 

Will Teesta watershare pact possible after fall of Mamata regime ? 

Modi draws roadmap for Indo-Bangla ties with 'Nayi Urja, Nayi Gati'

However, there is yet another story of doom and negativeness from across the border in Bangladesh.
Opinion makers in Dhaka say possibilities of a breakthrough on Teesta water share is bleak. The Modi government, they say, has to contend with the Mamata factor, and Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal Chief Minister has so far not showed any signs of relenting. In her address at an election meeting in Siliguri, the Bangladeshi observers point out, Mamata said that the people of West Bengal should have enough water of the Teesta for themselves first, before sharing it with the neighbouring country. So the obvious fear is if Trinamool returns to power after May 2 counting and eight-phases of ongoing polls than Teesta is not happening.

But my question remains - should it become easier for 'Double Engine' BJP regimes (both in Delhi and Kolkata) to deliver Teesta waters to Bangladesh. Yes and No - both.
All eyes would be soon on water share issues related to six other rivers - Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. 

Bangladesh is also unhappy over the fact that there have been reports of killings of as many as 45 Bangladeshis killed by BSF between January and December 2020. That number has been the 'highest' in the last few years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a new roadmap for a shared future with its key eastern neighbour Bangladesh.

Modi's parting remarks to his hostess and Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, was that his visit had given “nayi urja, nayi gati (new energy, new pace)' to the relationship. The Teesta water sharing issue also figured prominently. 

Notably, both the Prime Ministers directed their respective Ministries of Water Resources to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six common rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.

The Joint Statement said: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of the waters of the Teesta river. She underscored that to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta river basin, it is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta waters, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both Governments in January 2011". 

It further said - "Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The Indian side also requested for early finalization of the draft of the interim agreement for sharing of water of Feni River, pending with the Bangladesh side which had been agreed upon by both sides in 2011."

Bangladesh PM Hasina’s spokesperson Ihasanul Karim also said on Teesta watershare, which has long been objected to by incumbent West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Modi told his counterpart, “We are committed to a reasonable solution to sharing of water of all the rivers".

Bangladesh Prime Minister thanked the Indian side for considering Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nadia on the Bangladesh- India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations.

Both sides acknowledged the potential of 'new and emerging areas' of cooperation in bilateral cooperation and directed authorities to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence and also peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

On PM Modi's visit to rural areas including at Bangabandhu Mausoleum and Orakandi temple in Gopalganj, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said, "We are not countries that go to capitals, have meetings in  drawing rooms. We are countries that have so much of shared history and cultural legacy that we visit different parts of each other's country". 

Modi lands in Dhaka, pays homage to Bangladesh martyrs

New Delhi/Dhaka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid his homage to martyrs of Bangladesh freedom struggle when he visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial (Jatiyo Sriti Shoudho), the National monument of Bangladesh.

The monument is located in Savar, about 35 km north-west of Dhaka and was designed by Syed Mainul Hossain.

Prime Minister Modi also planted sapling of Arjun tree at the memorial premises and signed the visitor’s book in the monument. He wrote - "I pray that the eternal flame at Savar remains a lasting reminder of the noble victory of truth and courage over deceit and oppression.”

In the same complex, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also had planted a sapling durig his Bangladesh visit in 1999. 

In Twitter messages in Bangla and English, the Prime Minister also said that his visit will contribute to even stronger bilateral relations between two nations. 

In an article for Dhaka-based newspaper 'Daily Star', Mr Modi wrote: "I ask myself, what could our subcontinent have looked like, had this modern-day giant not been assassinated?

It is a hard question to answer...., he wrote adding;  "It is a safe bet that with Bangabandhu at the helm, Bangladesh and our region would have evolved along a very different trajectory. A sovereign, self-confident Bangladesh, at peace with its neighbours, bearing friendship to all and malice towards none, was rising fast from the ashes of a painful war."

The Prime Minister further wrote: "If this had continued, perhaps India and Bangladesh could have achieved many decades ago some of the accomplishments that we were able to reach only recently."

Ends 

Khajuraho: A splendid visitors' paradise :::: Centre to encourage more 'tourism fests' in NE on pattern of Hornbill

I started writing this blog or thinking about penning these few lines as I got ready for a flight. The journey is to Khajuraho, the well known tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh.

But tourism is more often related to history and geography. At times history makes me wonder at the genius of the likes of Dominique Lapierre. He had enthralled us all with his typical anecdotes - and most of it from India's past.

Emulating Nagaland's much popular 'Hornbill Festival

Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) : Taking Nagaland's much popular 'Hornbill Festival' as a cue, the Government of India is set to encourage similar local tourism bonanza in all other northeastern states, Secretary Union Tourism, Arvind Singh has said here.

Poster at display at Khajuraho Meet

"On the issue of festivals to attract tourists in northeastern states, we have a good suggestion. Like we have Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, we can encourage more such local state level festivals," Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of two-day long 'Meet in India' tourism conference held here on March 25 and 26. 

"We will take up this matter with stakeholders," he said. 

The Government of India is seriously striving to revive tourism especially post-Covid as the hospitality industry is also game changer in more ways than one.

Steps are also being taken to augment training programmes for youths from northeastern states to help them get employment in private sector in tourism industry.

Obviously, tourism can also provide jobs, help earn revenue and of course it can also deal with challenges posed by insurgency and related matters. 

Northeast of India as a bloc was last to be affected and first to recover from the affects of pandemic and hence officials say 

it would make a lot of sense to boost both domestic and international tourism in that region.

"First of all we are trying to convey the impression that it is safe to travel  (in the context of Covid19) to northeast. Our campaigns under webinar series and Dekho Apna Desh is aimed at showing that there is improvement in connectivity. Better rail and air connectivity will also happen," he said. 

Lot many north east tourism projects have been funded by the centre under Swadesh Darshan and Prashad schemes. 

The Golf Course in Mizoram capital Aizawl is an excellent example, the Secretary said.

To a question that true potentials of northeast tourism have not been exploited yet, he said, "As I said, slowly by word of mouth only things will improve. Improvement of infrastructures and improvement of connectivity are two things which will attract more people."

Moreover, he said there will be higher allocation for northeast in days to come.

He cited the instance of Arunachal Pradesh wherein for some spots, even private planes have landed with visitors.

"Why this is happening?  One, there is publicity, people know about the spot near Tawang. Secondly they know there is connectivity and people know they can land there," he said.

Ends (Nagaland Page, Dimapur) 

A glimpse of Hornbill Fest

Some snaps from Khajuraho: Nothing erotic about it !! A splendid visitors' paradise

Past is always accompanied with prejudices. It is more so when it comes to Hindu relics and history and Islamic sultanate was bent upon destroying the temples. The name Khajuraho would lead one to talk about Kama Sutra and offensive pornographic carvings. The truth is hardly 7-10 per cent of carvings would be erotic but visitors - from two tourism loving states West Bengal and Gujarat - seldom visit the place.

There were perhaps 85 temples in the region until the 12th century. Many temples were destroyed during the 13th century. Subsequently only 25 temples are still around now. But Khajuraho offers unique tourism atmosphere with lot many other things in and around the place. Konark Sun temple has some carvings but somehow the taboo is more with Khajuraho.

I started writing this blog or thinking about penning these few lines as I got ready for a flight. The journey is to Khajuraho, the well known tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh.

Wikipedia says, Khajuraho is a city of Group of Monuments and a hub with Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district. 

To start with, my memories go to January 30 of 2009. A cold Delhi evening no doubt, I was among a select audience. The celebrated writer Dominique Lapierre had enthralled us all with his typical anecdotes - and most of it from India's past. But he did not forget to remind the scribes and autograph hunters at the French embassy that Jan 30th 2009 was also the sixty first anniversary of Gandhiji's assassination.

Of course, Lapierre spoke in certain details about the past. The co-author of the magnificent 'Freedom at Midnight'recalled how Lt Colonel John Platt told Lapierre and Larry Collins how he (Colonel Platt) and his forces were given a farewellin 'Bombay'. "Whereon earth would be a sea shore where outgoing colonisers would be given a farewell with the poignant promise to meet again".

But as I keep thinking about past, history, life and future; I also remember an old Bengali song whose rough translation would mean - when we get to tomorrow, there would be another tomorrow! So true, but I am not sure whether the Bengali song got popular or not. All these took me to another wavelength or thought process. When we are to get to 'Tomorrow', there is a need to knockdown the 'yesterday'. True? But what would happen to something between yesterday and tomorrow?Hmmm, that's today, the present and hence the momentous moment.

History can be called celebration of 'present'; of course the historians should be in right tuning with the rulers !

At least the post-independent 'Indian history' strengthens my argument. Look at glorification of one dynasty. It suited all - perhaps including Lapierre. I still remember quizzing Lapierre - almost whispering as he signed his autograph on a book for me - "Sir, people say you glorified the colonisers". A senior colleague of mine - R C Rajamani had smiled.

Lapierre did not give up so easily, "Well, that's only a postmortem. But when we wrote the book and when it came out everyone said, history should be exactly written like the way we did".

I did not have any intention to argue. Memories, they rightly say, are like glasses - those grow fuzzier!

I pause for a while and then my journalistic instinct takes me back to the happening around West Bengal elections. Truly, it is mother of all elections and may be the state is waiting for a new Chief Minister.

Of course, politically speaking Mamata is still holding on to the ground. It is also true that she has grown nervous!So, when it comes to leadership qualities for a new would be Chief Minister, what will be few essentials?

Charm of a popular leader or Charishma, boldness, ruthlessness and decisiveness. All these need not be in that order of course! These traits might not be attractive in a friend or a relative; but they ought to be there in a leader especially one who is 'dreaming' to govern the state of West Bengal - which for 44 years has been under communists and 'super communists' Mamata's rule.