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i
Over The Years: A Compilation
of My Commentaries On
Contemporary Issues
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Publishing-in-support-of,
EDUCREATION PUBLISHING
RZ 94, Sector - 6, Dwarka, New Delhi - 110075
Shubham Vihar, Mangla, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh - 495001
Website: www.educreation.in __________________________________________________
© 2015, Sudip Bhattacharyya
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a
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The opinions/ contents expressed in this book are solely of the author
and do not represent the opinions/ standings/ thoughts of Educreation.
Printed in India
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Over The Years
A Compilation of My Commentaries
on Contemporary Issues
(Updated till Mid May, 2017)
Sudip Bhattacharyya
EDUCREATION PUBLISHING (Since 2011)
www.educreation.in
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About The Book
It is a compilation of 107 articles, (105 of these articles
have been published) on contemporary issues in society,
politics and economy by Sudip Bhattacharyya over the years 1987 to 2017. The eight articles (written during a
six years‟ span-1987 to 1992) were mainly on economics
and finance focusing on financial liberalization, export market analyses and the new instruments of finance.
The author resumed writing in 2010 with the
publication of four essays on ethics, decision making
and challenges in industry, trade and banking. From end-2010, he diversified into politics, sociology and
management, while, retaining his first love in economics
and finance. In the two sections on politics and sociology, some principal themes, apart from other
contemporary happenings like recent assembly
elections,were pursued namely Left liberal arrogance,
Brexit, the rise of Trump, the rise of Mamata, Kejriwal and Modi; federalism in approach to states and regional
languages, Bangla in particular; declining ethos and
ethics in India especially West Bengal, Singur movement and his pet theme and hope in politics, carried
in 4 articles, was Mamata-Modi and other CMs-Modi
working jointly for development despite and inspite of ideological differences. In the section on economics and
finance, themes were widened to include emerging
problems and prospects and ideal directions in the
development path of India and West Bengal, Black
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Money, Digital economy, Demonetization, corporate
governance and the need for an enabling entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The basic thrust remained to capture the issues
and likely solutions in the opening up of the Indian
economy in the period 1987-92 and in Indian society, economy and politics, since 2010.
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Book Review
By South Asia Monitor
Over the Years, a collection of 107 short articles,
offers us interesting sidelights on the currents and
cross- currents in the public life of India during two
distinctive periods: (I) 1987 to 1991 and (II ) 2010
to the present.
The author Sudip Bhattacharya by training and
profession is an economist with specialization in
merchant banking and international trade; It is
therefore natural that the major focus of the book is
economic issues: policy decisions and their
implications. From this angle the two periods the
book covers, even though separated by two decades,
should be seen as twins. The first showing distinct
signs of the dissolution of Nehruvian model of
economics, the country getting ready, and being
pushed, to opt for its dismantling and choose
liberalization ( Narsimha Rao- Manmohan duo)
and the second representing the last phase of the
degeneration into which liberalization fell during
Manmohan's second term as PM and its subsequent
recovery and reorientation (Modi) including
contemporary action areas like skill development,
digitization, black money and demonetization.
Sudip of course doesn't spell out these in a
sledgehammer manner; he is subtler than that; he
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only leaves pointed hints for the reader. He is,
however, more explicit about the seamy side of
globalization and the evils of crony capitalism that
threatened to undo the salubrious impacts of
liberalization. He suggests measures to negate them.
The book is not limited to economic issues
alone; it is in fact divided into three sections namely
„Society and Related‟, „Politics and Governance‟
and „Economy, Trade and Related‟. Sudip's interest
range over a truly wide area. The rise of Mamata,
Kejriwal and Modi, tangled issue of language and
language politics,, the dissipation of liberal values
from our private and public life, the growing
disconnect with our own roots, the hollowness of
our education system and recent assembly polls
may be cited as some random examples.
The book is avowedly not a history of a given
period nor the enunciation of a or a set of specific
themes; it is rather a collage. And, that to the
reviewer is one of its major virtues. Moreover, it is
refreshingly free from ideological baggage. The
author's style is straightforward and simple and not
overloaded by verbiage. This greatly adds to the
pleasure of reading.
30/03/2017
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About The Author
SUDIP BHATTCHARYYA
Sudip Bhattacharyya is a Post-Graduate in
Economics from Calcutta University. He has been a
banker for 34 years, the first 11 years with State
Bank of India (mostly in Merchant Banking) and
the subsequent 23 years with Exim Bank of India.
He retired as Chief General Manager in 2007. Since
then, he has been a freelance journalist and a writer
for many years.
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Preface to The Update
Reception of my book, „Over the Years’, encourages me
to present an updated version. Over the Years contained
73 articles written between 1989 and 2015. It has now
been updated by including 28 new articles written in the
year 2016 and 6 article in , 2017. The book has now 107
essays and out of these 105 are published
In the 34 essays added, the economic issues covered are
current problems of Indian economy, revival of North-
East and East, happenings in Tatas, Infosys, black
money and demonetization. Political issues discussed are
Mamata, her handling of Singur, success of NDA,
Kashmir problem, Brexit, attitude of left liberal and
USA election and Trump and recent assembly elections.
Social issues include inter regional mistrust, divided
history of partition in 1947, special patronage of Hindi
and negligence of Bangla and skill development
Warmest thanks to all members of my family for their
continuous inspirations and putting up with my tantrums.
Sudip Bhattacharyya
10th May, 2017
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Preface Before Updation
I started writing while working with the Exim bank of
India in its formative first ten years. The eight articles
(written during a six years‟ span-1987 to 1992) were
mainly on economics and finance focusing on financial liberalization, export market analyses and the new
instruments of finance.
My professional work kept me preoccupied until
2009 and I resumed writing in 2010 with the publication
of four essays on ethics, decision making and challenges in industry, trade and banking. From end-2010, I
diversified into politics, sociology and management,
while, retaining my first love in economics and finance. In the two sections on politics and sociology, 4 principal
themes, apart from other contemporary happenings, were
pursued namely the rise of Mamata, Kejriwal and Modi;
federalism in approach to states and regional languages, Bangla in particular; declining ethos and ethics in India
especially West Bengal and my pet theme and hope in
politics, carried in 4 articles, was Mamata-Modi and other CMs-Modi working jointly for development
despite and inspite of ideological differences. In the
section on economics and finance, themes were widened to include emerging problems and prospects and ideal
directions in the development path of India and West
Bengal and the need for an enabling entrepreneurship
ecosystem.
The basic thrust remained to capture the issues and likely solutions in the opening up of the Indian economy
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in the period 1987-92 and in Indian society, economy
and politics, since 2010.
Some of the articles in this compilation were
written jointly with Prof. Sibesh Bhattacharya, my brother-in-law, an eminent historian and prolific writer,
and Sujit Bhattacharjee, my elder brother, who is a
retired UK Civil servant and a writer and speaker on many cultural and socio-political issues. My sister
Sumita Bhattacharya (former journalist) has also joined
me in writing our tribute to Tagore and our review of the
'Saregamapa' program on Zee Bangla TV channel. I feel privileged, and, deficiencies in these articles, if any, are
entirely mine.
I must acknowledge the unflinching support
provided by my wife Ambalika. She enriched my
writings through many discussions we had and suggestions she made while stoically putting up with all
my shortcomings on the domestic front. Finally, this
book would not have been possible but for the youthful support from my daughter-in-law Radhika and my two
sons, Shubhadeep and Sayandip. Shubhadeep & Radhika
also did the super-excellent design on the cover page.
Sudip Bhattacharyya
1st January, 2016
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Forewords and Reviews Before
Updation
1. By T. C. Venkat Subramanian, Non-Executive
Chairman, Indian Bank
Former Chairman & Managing Director, Export-
Import Bank of India.
It is my great pleasure and privilege to write a Foreword
for my friend and former colleague, Mr. Sudip
Bhattacharyya for his forthcoming publication “Over the
Years - A Compilation of my Commentaries on Contemporary Issues” which is a collection of various
articles written by him and published in various reputed
journals, magazines and newspapers in India over last three decades. I have known Sudip ever since he had
joined Exim Bank in 1983 as a banking professional.
Like most people from eastern India (West Bengal), Sudip has a higher level of intellectual quotient, an
analytical bent of mind and a flair for writing.
Even as a relatively junior officer during his initial
days in Exim Bank, he ventured to write articles in
newspapers and magazines on contemporary economic subjects which normally were not looked at kindly by
senior officers. After few years of writing, Sudip
concentrated in his career development and discharge of
his professional responsibilities. Hence, there was a long gap till he resumed his passion after his retirement from
Exim Bank in 2007. Sudip is a soft spoken and straight
forward person, always concerned about others‟ feelings and sensitivity. That is the reason, his articles even if
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they were critical on issues and personalities rarely hurt
or offended anyone concerned.
Sudip‟s interests are diverse and covers a wide
spectrum of subjects: politics, economy, finance, governance, social and civic issues as could be seen
from the subjects of his various articles. He has interest
even in psephology. In one of his articles written in the first week of May, 2014 just few days before the official
results, he had predicted that BJP would secure 275 seats
when most of the renowned psephologists had not given
more than 220 seats. Unfortunately this article never got published in any newspapers. Sudip is objective and not
biased in his opinion and that is a major reason for many
of his predictions and analyses come true over a period of time.
In this compilation, he has divided the articles into three major headings viz. Society and Governance,
Politics and Governance, Economy and Governance to
facilitate ease of reading for the readers depending on their interest. Some of the articles have been co-authored
with his brother and brother in law who are equally
erudite and knowledgeable. The articles are highly informative, analytical, incisive and attempt to give the
readers a dispassionate and neutral view.
I wish to congratulate Sudip for having thought of
bringing out all his articles in the form of a compilation
so that the new readers and those who had not been able
to read all his past articles could benefit. One could also see the contrast in the economy and governance of the
eighties as compared to the present days when one reads
his early articles and the current. I wish Sudip continues to pen his thoughts which will be a source of well-
informed reference material for the younger generation
as well as inspiration for aspiring writers.
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2. By B. D. Banerjee, Director, Rallis India and
Tata-AIG General Ins Co. Former CMD Oriental
and National Ins Co and Insurance Ombudsman,
Mumbai.
My first introduction with Sudip was in early 90‟s on an opportunity provided by Prangan, a noted school of
Tagore music in Mumbai. Regular meetings thereafter,
brought us close to each other and we enjoyed discussing many topics of interest – politics, finance,
economics and of course, contemporary burning issues
of a varied nature. Soon we could experience the sharp edges of Sudip‟s intellect in articulating his arguments in
such a way that would be convincing and captivating.
Little did I know that by that time Sudip was into writing
impressive articles in outside Journals and in-house magazines as a freelancer. Still later, on specific requests
from many of us, Sudip used to mail a copy of his
writings for our viewing and suitable comments without any qualms.
I have enjoyed reading Sudip‟s critical articles characterized by freshness in thinking and his
fearlessness in espousing the cause pointedly to its
focus. Many such articles commanded respect not only in the so-called „primary market‟ but in the „secondary‟
as well. The diverse fields he navigated with ease were
testimony to his versatility in handling the most
engaging issues to be equal to the task.
Listing out Sudip‟s important and commendable work would itself be a task, yet naming a few should be
spontaneous. In hindsight I feel his prophetic writing
was on “Steps towards Integration - International
Banking” written as back as 1987! Or when you come across “Financial SWAPS - International Banking
Techniques‟” read in conjunction with “Indian JVs
overseas” or “Indian Exports” in 1987-88, perhaps you
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get a premonition of an impending reformism angle to
set the market right. More forth-right was his “Financial liberalization” and come to think of it, written in
1989(!), well before the Malhotra Committee on
„Insurance Sector Reforms in India‟ was structured as a
blue print in a critical and serious way. His „Technology- an enabler for Financial inclusion‟ and „Changing trends
in Business‟ is a timely warning to set the house in
order. On a broader perspective “Challenge before India Inc” or “Engines of growth” would be a straightforward
approach to send out a prescription for the path to
succeed in our modest venture. Almost unfailingly his observations on “MNCs &Tax avoidance” or on a more
serious note when we take his comments on “Mallya
responsible for KF mess” we realize how the thoughts
flowed in tandem to synchronize with the latest updates on the same issues. His scathing criticism of Chit fund
operation and management sarcastically as „cheat‟ fund
should go down well and must be giving insights into the hotly debated topic not only in Bengal but everywhere.
Contrary to this, his comments on “AAP vs BJP–
prospects and some issues” or “Why this Halla about the status and duration of AAP Govt in Delhi?” take us to a
level where you tend to side with his presentation of
facts mixed with an „agenda‟ of „powers-that-be‟ more,
than anything else. All in all, his compilations should be an insightful and thought provoking read intertwined
with sarcastic witticisms that would keep the readers
engrossed.
I send my best wishes to Sudip for his grand
initiative to publish his articles spanning more than a decade and feel convinced about its roaring success.
3. By Siddhartha Roy, Economic Advisor, Tata
Group
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„Over the years‟ is not a post retirement musing or
reminiscence, it is a sharp intellectual commentary on the socio political, economic and governance issues
confronting the country. The author is an economist by
training and a banker by profession, these two must have
contributed to his analytical approach, perceptive yet critical appreciation of issues. However, what makes the
compilation standout is its rare degree of sensitivity and
the emotional connect that the author has with the common citizen‟s interest. It has brought out the pitfalls
in the system without being acerbic about it.
Undoubtedly, the author has his own viewpoint on governance and socio-political developments which
makes the book eminently readable. The candour with
which the commentaries are presented is indeed
commendable. People may be aware of some of the issues taken up in the book, what the author provides is a
new perspective without being trite. His observations are
direct and based on deep introspection, they can be provoking at times.
Finally, it is indeed a privilege to be asked to write the foreword for a book like this. The present collection
has raised our expectations. We‟ll be early waiting for
the next set of commentaries.
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Content List
Part I.
Society and Related
1. Who's to govern the Media?
2. Education should cultivate civilized mind
3. Calling out to civil society
4. Marginalization of Bangali Bhadrolok in
India
5. A Tribute to the Film Industry in India
6. War of the words: Bangla withers, Hindi
gains in WB
7. Giving Banglabhasha its rightful place in
West Bengal and India
8. Duties and Obligations of Groups of
Citizens in a Democratic Set-up
9. Banglabhasa in the context of National
language
10. All pervasive decline in ethos
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11. Imprisonment and Basic Rights
12. Vanishing Bangla wordings
13. Judgments and Victims
14. Of Balance and Harmony
15. Tagore - A Complete and Universal Person
16. Popular perception is not reflected in
intellectual debates
17. Oh, to be seeing and hearing Sa Re Ga Ma
Pa!
18. Isolated violence does not reflect on the
whole Community
19. Towards Harmony / Power, Money And
Social Order: How Badly Mismanaged Are
They In Our Society?
20. Pointless Youth Anthem in HIndi
21. Divided Histories
22. Education in India: Skill development is the
key
23. Apathy for Bangla Bhasa
Part II.
Politics and Governance
24. 'Error of judgment' plagues India
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25. Learning from contemporary events
26. Don‟t wait for an Occupy Dalal Street
27. Aap vs Bjp -Prospects and Some Issues
28. Cameras Can Lie
29. Shahbag - The Longest Peoples‟ Movement
30. AAP is here to stay
31. Why this Halla about the status and the
durability of AAP Govt. in Delhi
32. A Post-Election National Political Scenario-
Far Fetched?
33. Learnings for Politicians
34. A Charter of demand for a truly Federal
India
35. In Focus: Better days ahead for the nation
36. The Four AAP Issues– An Analysis
37. A Forecast of Election Result
38. Outcome and Issues: Post National Election
39. Better Days Ahead for the Nation - Future
Political Scenario
40. Changing Political Wind Cracks The Mirror/
Time to Expect Better Things.
41. Justice for Linguistic Minorities.
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42. Need for re-evaluation of recent Indian
history
43. Power and career without responsibility
44. Free Speech or Ideological Divides
45. TMC is all set to come back in West Bengal
46. Creating Level Playing Fields
47. Unlocking Secret to Mamata's Success
48. What Trump, Brexit Have In Common
49. Brexit, Trump And India
50. Kashmir Issue: Avenues for Conflict
Resolution
51. Dialogue is the only answer to solution of
Kashmir problem
52. When Words Match Action In The NDA
53. A Last Min Twist
54. Lost hegemony of left narrative
55. Donald Trump: The future of America /Why
Donald Trump is considered as future of
America / The future of Donald Trump‟s
America
56. What led to the SuNamo effect in Assembly
Polls / The Wave that Led to Sunamo Effect.
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57. Kashmir's: Problem and Resolution / What
measures can government take to tackle
Kashmir issue?
Part III.
Economy, Trade and Related
58. Steps towards Integration
59. Financial Swap: Some Aspects
60. Indian joint ventures overseas
61. India‟s Exports – Problems & Prospects
62. India‟s Exports - Indicative Approach
63. Venture Capital Financing
64. Financial Liberalization
65. Trade and Investment: Global Environment
and Signals
66. India Inc.- Time for Introspection
67. No objectivity in lending and Investment
Decisions
68. Professional Ethics is The Key
69. Challenges before India Inc.
70. Mallya Responsible for Kingfisher Mess
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71. Export of Capital by India Inc.
72. Technology as Enabler for Financial
Inclusion
73. The Need for and Structure of Regulatory
and Supervisory Integration in Financial
Markets
74. Is Providing Debt- Relief to West Bengal So
Difficult?
75. MNCs and Tax Avoidance
76. Cheat Funds of West Bengal
77. Our Institutions Should Boot-Up to Propel
the Economy
78. 10 Steps Needed to Revive the Economy
79. Has Capitalism Failed?
80. CAD, Inflation and Corporate profitability
81. Way Forward for Kolkata
82. Engines of Growth …
83. How to Put India on the Path of Growth
84. How to Steer the Economy to Industrial
Growth and Revival of Investment?
85. Would Mamata see reason?/ Whither
Bengal?
86. Cracking down on crony capitalism
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87. Is it a new chapter?/ Much redounds to
Didi‟s credit
88. Emergence of On-demand Economy and its
Implications for India
89. Factors for Industrial Development in a
Dynamic World
90. An Analysis of Current Economic Condition
in India
91. Integrated Quality Management
92. Higher Educational Institute – A Model
Organization
93. Inept Governance to Apt Governance
94. Digitization and Start-up for Economic
Growth
95. The Troika Of India‟s Economic Troubles
96. Govt. Financial Intervention in Market
Economy especially in India/ Intervention in
Free Market
97. Setting Priorities for Job Creation in India
98. Thinking Of Last Man In The Line
99. Connecting Northeast: Key to Asian sub-
regional linkages
100. Black Money in India and its current status
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101. Eastern Region will have a Major Presence
in Future India
102. Combating non-competitiveness and
demand deficit in Indian economy
103. Mistry‟s Fall From Grace A Mystery
104. India: Betrayal by opposition at time of
national unity/ Liberals‟ Arrogance and
Snobbery
105. A Forceful and Positive
Thrust/Demonetisation: Transforming India
into a Honest and Virtuous Society
106. The Two Stalwart Indian Companies and
Corporate Governance / : Indian bellwethers
found lacking in accountability-/BEYOND THE
FUTURE OF TECH GIANTS.
107. Black Economy in India: Where Do We
Stand Now?
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Table of Publications
(In chronological order)
1. Steps towards Integration-International Banking: Business Standard, Dec. 31, 1987
2.
Financial Swaps-International
Banking Techniques: Economic Times,
Dec. 10, 1988
3. Indian J/Vs Overseas- Problems & Remedies:
Financial Express, Sept. 19, 1989
4. India‟s Exports – Problems &
Prospects: Economic Times. Sept. 29, 1989
5. India‟s Exports - Indicative Approach:
Economic Times. Sept. 30, 1989
6. Venture Capital Financing: Economic and
Political Weekly, Nov. 25, 1989
7. Financial Liberalization: Economic Times.
Dec. 18, 1989
8. Trade and Environment: Indian Institute of
Public Opinion, Jan. 1992
9. India Inc.- Time for Introspection: Free
Press India, 02/06/2010
10. No objectivity in lending and
Investment Decisions: Do, 09/06/2010
11.
Professional Ethics is the Key/ Peoblem of
Ethics: Presented at AIMS International
Conference on Value-based Management on
Aug.11-13, 2010 at Haridwar. Published in Governancenow.com.
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12.
Challenges before India Inc. : Presented at
SIMARC 10, an International Conference, held on 17th December 2010 at Pune
and published in Symbiosis Institute
of Management Studies‟ Myths and Realities
India Advantage.
13.
Who‟s to govern the media- The fourth
estate needs a regulatory body:
Governancenow.com, 24th Dec. 2010 issue
14. Education should cultivate Civilized Mind: Do, 17th Jan.2011 issue
15. Error of Judgment: Do,
13th April 2011 issue
16. Calling upon Civil Society in West Bengal: Do, 28th April 2011 issue
17. Marginalization of Bengali Bhadrolok: Do,
17th May 2011 issue
18. Learning from contemporary events: Do, 11th July 2011 issue
19. Don‟t Wait for an Occupy Dalal Street: Do,
November 1, 2011 issue
20. Mallya Responsible for Kingfisher Mess: Do, November 18, 2011 issue
21. Export of Capital by India Inc.- Is it all
Justifiable?: Do December 16, 2011
22.
Technology as Enabler for Financial Inclusion: In-absentia presentation
at International Conference on Financial
Inclusion on 3rd February, 2012 at ITM Business School, Kharghar, Mumbai
23.
Integrated Quality Management:Presented in
seminar on “Changing trends in Business”
and Published in SASMIRA,s Annual Compendium “Sasmira‟s Business Review”
on “Changing trends in Business”
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24.
The Need for and Structure of Regulatory
& Supervisory Integration in Financial Markets: Presented at the
National Symposium on Money, Banking and
Finance organized by Institute of
Management Studies and Research of SASMIRA and published in the
relative Compendium of Papers.
25. Is Providing Debt-Relief to West Bengal
so Difficult?: Economic Times 15/2/2013
26. MNCs & Tax Avoidance:
Governancenow.com 19th March 2013
27.
Higher Educational Institute- A Model Organization: Presented in National
Conference „Utkarsh‟ on 13th-15th
April, 2013 on „Challenges and Opportunities
in Business Management and Information Technology‟ and published in the
relative compendium.
28. Cheat Funds of West Bengal: Governancenow.com 1/6/2013
29. What makes Shahbagh a unique movement?:
Governancenow.com 6/6/2013
30. War of the words- Bangla Withers Hindi gains: Governancenow.com 19/6/2013
31.
Our institutions should boot up to propel
the economy: Governancenow.com
10/8/2013
32.
Cameras Can Lie- jtly with Sibesh
Bhattacharya: Outlook magazine:
Issue 2/9/2013
33. 10 Steps Needed to Revive Growth: Governancenow.com on 2/9/2013
34.
Has Capitalism Failed?- jtly with
Sujit Bhattacharjya: Governancenow.com
23/9/2013
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35. A Tribute to the Film Industry in India:
The Statesman- 26/11/2013
36.
AAP vs BJP: Prospects and Some Issues: Governancenow.com
on 23/12/2013, Millennium Post-25/12/2013
37.
Why this Halla about the Status and the Duration of AAP Govt in Delhi:
Governancenow.com on 1/1/.2014.
38. A Post-Election National Political Scenario:
Governancenow.com on 13/1/2014
39. CAD, Inflation and Corporate Profitability:
Do on 16/1/2014
40. Lessons for Politicians: Do on
10/02/2014, Millennium Post- 12/02/2014
41.
AAP is here to stay.-jtly with Sibesh
Bhattacharya: Indian Currents Weekly-
3/3/2014
42. Way forward for Kolkata: Millennium Post- 25/03/2014
43. A Charter of Demand for a Truly Federal
India: Countercurrents.org- 3/4/2014
44.
Better Days Ahead for the Nation- jtly with Sibesh Bhattacharya: Milleneum Post
4/4/2014
45. Four Topical Issues-An Analysis.- jtly with
Sibesh Bhattacharya: Do 18/4/2014
46. Engines of Growth: Do- 28/4//2014
47. A forecast of election results: Written on
10/5/2014, not published
48.
Giving Banglabhasa its rightful place in West
Bengal and India: Statesman-
30th June, 2014
49. Outcomes and Issues: Post National Election: Frontier – 09/07/2014
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50. How to Put India on the Path of Growth:
The Pioneer – 10/07/2014
51.
Duties and Obligations of Groups of Citizens in a Democratic Set-up: The Statesman
03/08/2014, Frontier Weekly – 03/08/2014
52. Banglabhasa in the Context of National Language: Frontier - 3/9/2014, 29/11/2014
53. All pervasive decline in ethos:
Do 21/9/2014
54.
Better Days Ahead for the Nation-Future Political Scenario: Do
25/11/2014, print 47/27
55.
How to steer the economy to industrial growth
and revival of investment?: Published by Merc Global for their international
management journal for social science and
management vol 2 issue 1
56. Would Mamata see reason?: Frontier – 21/4/2015, print 47/31
57.
Time to expect better things/Changing
Political Wind Cracks The Mirror : Statesman: 19/02/2015
58.
Imprisonment and their basic rights:
Frontier Print,
15-21 March, 2015 Vol 47, No 36
59. Crony capitalism in India and how to break
it?: Free Press Journal: 09/04/2015
60.
Is it a new chapter for Mamata/ Much
Redounds to Didi's Credit: FPJ, 21/4/2015 & Frontier, 47/41, 19-25 April
61.
Emergence of On-Demand-Economy and its
Implications for India: International Journal
for Social Science and Management of Merc Global, vol 2, issue 1. Jan. 2015
62. How wordings change in Bengal: Frontier
Print 47/42, 26 April- 2 May, 2015
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63.
Justice for Linguistic Minority:
Frontier : 15/05/2015, Print 47/50, 21-27 June, 2015
64.
Factors for industrial development in a
dynamic world: International Journal
in Management & Social Science - June, 2015, issue 6, Vol 3
65. Judgements and Verdicts: Frontier Print
Vol. 47, No. 52, July 5 - 11, 2015
66. Of Balance and Harmony: Frontier Print Vol. 48, No. 2, July 19 - 25, 2015
67.
An Analysis of Current Economic Condition
in India: International Journal
of Multidimentional Research - July, 2015, issue 7, vol 3
68.
Re-evaluation of Recent Indian History:
Sanskriti - August 2, 2015, Frontier - 48/7, August 23-29, 2015
69.
Tagore- A Complete and Universal Person:
Jointly with Sumita Bhattacharyya:
Sanskriti -August 31,2015, Frontier-vol 48, no. 51, June 26- July 2,2016
70. Power and Career without Responsibility:
Sanskriti - September 10, 2015,
71. Popular perception is not reflected in intellectual debates: academia.edu - 16907627
72. Inept Governance to Apt Governance:
academia.edu - 25798992
73. Oh, to be seeing and hearing Sa Re Ga Ma Pa!: Sanskriti: 20/02/2016
74. Isolated violence does not reflect on the
whole Community---Sanskriti, 5/3/2016
75. Free Speech or Ideological Divides ---Sanskriti, 7/3/2016
76. TMC is all set to come back in West Bengal --
-DNA, 25/4/2016
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77.
Towards harmony and progress/ Power,
Money and Social Order... How Badly Mismanaged Are They in our Society---Rise
For India, 27/4/2016
78. Creating Level Playing Fields: The Pioneer ,
20 May 2016
79. Unlocking Secrets to Mamata‟s Success---The
Pioneer:1/6/2016
80. To harness digitisation and start-ups for economic
growth, : DNA - 5/7/2016
81. Pointless Youth Anthem in Hindi: The
Pioneer - 6/7/2016.
82. What Trump, Brexit have in Common?:The
Pioneer, 15/07/2016
83. Brexit, Trump and India:FPJ, 20/7/2016
84.
The Troika Of India‟s Economic Troubles:
The Pioneer, 26/07/2016. South Asia Monitor,
25/07/2016
85.
Govt. Financial Intervention in Market
Economy especially in India/Intervention in
Free Market:DNA, 29/7/2016, 4/8/2016
86. Setting Priorities for Job Creation: The
Pioneer, 12/8/2016
87. Kashmir Issue: Avenues for Conflict
Resolution: DNA, 18/8/2016
88. Divided Histories: The Telegraph, 31st
August, 2016.
89. Thinking Of Last Man In The Line: The
Pioneer, 16/09/2016
90.
Connecting Northeast: Key to Asian sub-
regional linkages: South Asia Monitor,
27/09/2016/-IDR, 30/9/2016
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xxxiii
91.
Dialogue is the only answer to solution of
Kashmir problem:South Asia Monitor,
05/10/2016
92. When words match action in the NDA: The
Pioneer, 17/10/2016, SAM, 16/10/2016
93.
Black Money in India and Current Status:
South Asia Monitor, 19/10/2016/-The Global
eye, 19/10/2016
94. Eastern Region will have a major presence in
future India: DNA, 29/10/2016
95.
How to combat the non-competitiveness and
the demand deficit in Indian economy.:SAM,
29/10/2016
96. Education in India: Skill development is the
key: South Asia Monitor, 03/11/2016
97. Mistry‟s Fall From Grace A
Mystery:Tuesday, 08 November 2016
98. A last min twist: written on 8th November,
2016 but not published
99. Apathy for Bangla Bhasa: Frontier Vol. 49,
No.20, Nov 20 - 26, 2016
100.
India: Betrayal by opposition at time of
national unity/ Liberals‟ Arrogance and
Snobbery- South Asia Monitor:
27/11/2016/The Global eye, 28/11/2016/-The
Pioneer, 29/11/2016
101.
A Forceful and Positive Thrust/
Demonetisation:Transforming India into a
Honest and Virtuous Society- merinews.com,
06/12/2016/
SAM, 06/12/2016
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xxxiv
102. lost hegemony of left narrative: The Pioneer,
16/01/2017
103.
The Two Stalwart Indian Companies and
Corporate Governance, Merinews-
22/2/2017/ Corporate governance: Indian
bellwethers found lacking in accountability-
SAM, 24/2/2017/ BEYOND THE FUTURE OF
TECH GIANTS 28 Feb 2017 | The Pioneer
104. Black Economy in India: Where Do We Stand
Now?, Merinews – 24/2/017
105.
Donald Trump: The future of America –
Merinews, 06/03/2017/Why Donald Trump is
considered as future of America: Postcard
News, 07/03/2017 / The future of Donald
Trump‟s America: SAM, 08/03/2017
106.
What led to the SuNamo effect in Assembly
Polls: South Asia Monitor, 13/03/2017 /The
Wave that Led to Sunamo Effect: The
Pioneer, 28 /03/2017.
107.
Kashmir's: Problem and Resolution: The
Pioneer, 10/05/2017 / What measures can
government take to tackle Kashmir issue?:
Postcard news, 10/05/2017.
X
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Over The Years: A Compilation
Of My Commentaries On Contemporary Issues
1
PART I
Society And
Related
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2
Who's To Govern
The Media?
X Who’s to govern the Media?
The fourth estate needs a regulatory body. Media, since a
long time, has contributed immensely to independence
and development of the nation state and continues to do
so. In recent times, it has, interalia, tirelessly focused on and succeeded in introducing corporate governance and
regulatory body in banking, security and insurance,
company affairs, science and technology, health, education, competition and right to information.
Knowledge Commission and Yash Pal committee have
recommended for overhauling, (including setting up of
01
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3
CHRM) of education and research. In executive,
legislature and judiciary, we have the President, the Speaker and the Chief Justice respectively. But, there is
no regulatory body or even any governance norms in the
fourth estate. Media has been recently playing a proactive role in uncovering and goading investigation
into crimes and corruption in high places. But has it all
been fairly done? Has not there been bias, witch-hunting
and violation of privacy? The reputation of eminent journalists like Barkha Datta and Vir Sangvi has come
under cloud. Moreover there are new entrants
continuously and an increasingly intense competitive pressure. Transparency, objectivity and accountability in
evaluation of news and views and their communication
to customers are of paramount importance now. There
are charges of plagiarism too. Santosh Desai has in TOI, June 10, 2010, satirically given „10 easy tips to
manipulate media‟. This is mainly for TV, but largely
valid for print media also. In both print and electronic media, objectivity and transparency in evaluation of
news and views are not very obvious. Not much is
known on the existence of any structured approach to or system of corporate governance for evaluation,
objectivity, transparency and accountability in customer
service and other such operations in media. As a result
media is losing credibility.
As early as on 27th June, 2009 in a discussion program in NDTV, almost all the eminent journalists
present agreed and cried against declining morality
(immoral or amoral–there was a debate) in journalism,
package sales and corruption in visual/electronic and print media. They were, ironically, celebrating the „finest
in Indian journalism‟. There have been so many cases of
investigative journalism in medical, education and political/bureaucratic corruption but the same in
corporate/financial sector and media has been practically
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absent. Further, there are reports of a nexus between
media and corporate sector/finance sector companies. Where does the aggrieved one approach in such cases in
media, for justice? In view of all these there is a crying
need for Governance norms and a regulatory body in Media also.
X
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5
Education Should Cultivate Civilized Mind
X Education should cultivate civilized mind Without which Lalgarh and Nandigram will resurface.
Truth and existence may not be always coterminous, but
at the same time truth cannot be conceived outside and
away from existence. In that sense it is all pervasive in
the universe; it pervades all forms, dimensions and entities. These multifarious forms and entities often
provide accommodation to contradictions: void and
content, zero and infinity, static and dynamic, etc. What seems to hold these conflicting things together is the
principle of harmony and balance. This guards peace and
02
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6
order. It may even be argued that it is nature‟s ordinance
that the principle of balance be maintained.
A violation of this ordinance brings in its train
conflict and suffering. Humanity has at long last appears to have realized the importance of adopting this principle
in co-existence with environment. But, alas it is not
applied in co-existence within humanity. If one dominates over/subjugates other, then it amounts to
going against nature and violating the principle of co-
existence.
The urge to dominate, which is the other name of
aggression, gives rise to what may appear in the initial stage merely as ambition, is likely to become
increasingly inhuman, oppressive and brutal. This is the
consequence that waits for the subject; and for the object
it leads to frustration, humiliation and servility. Thus aggression and the urge to dominate dehumanize both
the perpetrator and the victim. And the reaction from an
utterly frustrated and humiliated victim, when it eventually comes, becomes equally brutal.
Adler had argued that aggression is embedded in the human nature itself. Even if it is so, there is no
reason that this undesirable appetite should been
couraged by gratification. The philosophy of Yoga, unlike the modern Western psychology, puts emphasis
more on the need to control the baser appetite so human
nature rather than on giving into their demands.
Liberty has to be livened with equality and
fraternity. This has been accepted since the days of the French Revolution. Dominance leading to subjugation is
at the root of all evils. When it operates in groups it
breeds riot, ethnic cleansing, battles and war. Casteism, communalism, racism, and even the slogans of
nationalism and socialism, often become, wittingly or
unwittingly, catalysts and vehicles of dominance
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hungering for subjugation. Hence, the need for
cultivation of civilized mind through proper education.
Ragging is one form of subjugation. One recalls
that in Kolkata ragging started in engineering and medical colleges in late 60s or early 70s. American
competitive culture which is only a euphemism for
aggression and domination was introduced in these institutions. (The current collapse of institutional
infrastructure in financial sector in US has been the
result of malpractices the financial institutions found
necessary to recourse to for subjugating competitors.) Some of such students in our educational institutions
exposed to this culture over a year or two would develop
the sadistic tendency to dominate and subjugate others. Some like minded „senior‟ students would then form
groups for this purpose and fresher would provide an
obvious soft target. This is the way ragging began in our educational institutions. Initially it was mental
subjugation, but gradually it turned physical, violent and
sadistic. Similarly, communal/casteist clashes, bandhs
and rampant vandalism on any pretext are the latest manifestations of ugly domineering tendencies leading
to a state of utter anarchy. Biswajit Roy, an eminent
educationist had written in the Anandabazar Patrika an article headlined “Mushal Parba” depicting the
phenomenon of Jadubangsha Dhangsha looking at the
happenings at West Bengal. Lalgarh, Nandigram, Singur, Keshpur, Ramgarh, Jangal mahal and elsewhere
it is same everywhere: this relentless attempt at
subjugation at individual, group and party level. In
Times Of India, M J Akbar had said in his column on June 21, 2009, “No one is communal, except in that brief
moment of madness when the civilized mind crumbles.”
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My humble attempt is devoted to explaining
why it is of paramount importance today to encourage
the cultivation of „the civilized mind‟ through proper education.
X
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Calling Out To Civil
Society
X Calling out to civil society West Bengal is a fit case for agitation against political
violence.
West Bengal is under terror. It is the Maoists in
western districts and the GJM in the north, unleashing violence and anarchy simultaneously harming the causes
of ethnic cultural identities and greater autonomy. The
present government in the state has become defunct and cannot combat this terror. Unfortunately, here
intelligentsia/civil society and social activists are
03
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keeping mum. The reasons behind the agitation are lack
of local economic growth and development, reckless and selfish plundering of forest resources and severe
unemployment. This is compounded by blatant
corruption in economic and developmental measures. One way to redress the situation would be to strengthen
the ongoing local developmental work.
Can local civil society play a positive role here?
The centre, with or without participation of the states,
has many worthwhile schemes for rural development.
National Rural Employment Generation Act (NREGA), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Drought
Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Integrated Water-land
Development Programme (IWDP), Hariyali and Sajald hara, ARWSP are some among many addressing
unemployment, self-employment, village development,
roads, housing, drought, land-reform, greening, sanitation and water supply.
But these programmes can succeed only with peoples‟ participation and they need to be organised and
motivated. Further, most of these schemes are now
sought to be implemented through Panchayti Raj institutions. The plan panel is working on a planned
expenditure of Rs 14,000 crore for three years for
development of infrastructure in 35 districts of red zone.
All this needs monitoring by independent agencies. Even on land pricing, there is need for mediation and
education by uninterested entities.
Thus there is lot of scope for independent social
activists to form NGO to supplement state development
efforts. We can learn from what some NGOs like Disha and Eklavya Sangathan are doing, as reported in the
Times of India newspaper on May 31, 2010. They work
in rural Gujarat, UP and Rajasthan and not only expose all irregularities but also work for the successful honest
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