2025 । ২০২৫

It is often believed that the whole business of setting off riots-at-will began after the arrival of a single individual, who is well versed in such matters. But then, to be fair to him and to history, we can trace this phenomenon back by a decade before, to the fateful day when the Babri Masjid was razed to the ground.

ভারতের সর্বোচ্চ আদালতের রায়ে বাংলায় প্রায় ২৬০০০ শিক্ষকের চাকরি বাতিল হচ্ছে। এই রকম আঘাতের পর, বোঝাই যাচ্ছে, বাংলা আবার উত্তাল হতে চলেছে, আবার এক বা একাধিক আন্দোলন শুরু হব হব করছে। মুখ্যমন্ত্রী এটা আঁচ করে, মরিয়া হয়ে এক হাত খেললেন। নেতাজি ইনডোর স্টেডিয়ামে শিক্ষকদের ডাকলেন আর চেষ্টা করলেন গরম হাওয়াটা তাঁর পালের দিকে টানতে। কিন্তু তিনি কোনও স্পষ্ট আশ্বাস তো দিতে পারেনইনি, বরং জল আরও ঘোলা করে দিলেন। উনি শিক্ষকদের স্বেচ্ছায় স্কুলে পড়াতে যাওয়ার কথা বলেছেন।

Now that we are hell bent on becoming a Hindu Pakistan, how can we do without a Sunni-Shia divide, that has led to innumerable killings among Muslims in the real Pakistan? When hate becomes the cornerstone of the one-religion-one-country demand, then the ghost of Jinnah is bound to roam all over, to ensure that this hate just does not stop at one community.

There are admirable traits in all religions that I salute. Very recently, the world's largest congregation of humanity took their sacred dip at the maha-prayag of Mahakumbh. Yogi's team claims 66 crores bathed, while mature estimates place this at 25 crores — which is still a world record of faith drawing so many. We admire the tremendous social service that Sikhs render across the globe, like offering free food to all irrespective of religion or origin, in every Gurudwara.

This refers to Vinay Sahasrabuddhe’s article, ‘In with the new, and the old‘ (IE December 24, 2024). He writes that Indic ideas can contribute to good governance. We are keen to know which Indic ideas he refers to. From the potpourri of statements made by him as a spokesperson of the current regime, we shall restrict ourselves only to his “old Indic” inspiration for good governance, and not contest his many political and contemporary claims.

Few world leaders have caused such universal consternation, even before they formally accepted their office, as President Donald Trump has. Much of this apprehension arises out of his past record of extreme aggression whenever he perceives that American interests are hurt, leading to a lot of sabre-rattling and chest thumping. The more worrisome part lies in his weaponising of tariff protect the American market against importers, until they zip open their markets to him or toe his political line.

The terrible rape and murder of a junior doctor, pseudonymously called Abhaya, at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9th August 2024 suddenly shattered the normally placid acceptance of several chronic problems of health sector in West Bengal and elsewhere. It led to immediate strikes in hospitals and medical institutions all over India and triggered the longest-ever agitation by enraged citizens and junior doctors of Bengal. There is no doubt that this protest is surely a historic landmark in many, many respects.

It is a matter of concern that, till now, we have no comprehensive study or publication in English on Bamapada Bandyopadhyay (Banerjee) of Calcutta, whereas we have countess books, studies, videos and even a movie on his senior, Raja Ravi Varma of Travancore, Baroda, Bombay and Mysore.

রবি ও সোমবার সরস্বতী পুজোর পর অনেক বাঙালির বাড়িতে, বিশেষ করে ঘটি পরিবারদের মধ্যে, গোটা সেদ্ধ খাওয়া হয়ে থাকে। আসুন জেনে নিই কেন এই গোটা সেদ্ধর প্রথা মানা হয়। পঞ্চমীর দিন সরস্বতী পুজোর পরেরদিনই সকালে ষষ্ঠী তিথিতে হয় ষষ্ঠী পুজো আর গোটা সেদ্ধ পর্ব।

For someone from Kolkata who had boarded the ‘Deluxe’ train from an overwhelmingly large and frighteningly busy Howrah station, the railway station of New Delhi appeared to be very small and so quite provincial. This was during the biting winter of 1967. I had been told by panicky relatives back home to wrap my muffler tightly around my neck and over my ears. I had complied with this instruction until our taxi stopped before a group of smartly turned out in bright school blazers greeted us with unstoppable giggles.

Of the two major national day celebrations that India observes, Republic Day is certainly more colourful because of the pomp and power government displays on New Delhi’s imposing Central Vista avenue. Amidst the glitter and glory, we tend to forget why we celebrate this day. On this 26th day of January in 1950, India gave effect to the Constitution of a free nation and replaced the Imperial-era Government of India Act of 1935.

“Forgive them, for they knew not what they were doing; But some did, and did not care!” These impassioned words were inscribed on a poster that was mounted and was fixed on the wall over my desk. It inspired me for several years until the compulsions of my job took me away from that house. The poster was printed by the Ananda Bazar group and it depicted an old sepia tint photograph of demolition labourers tearing down the Senate Hall of Calcutta University, in 1960.