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Wednesday, 19 June 2013 16:47

            REWRITING HISTORY - Part I

Without assessing the depth of Darjeeling’s pre and post Independence political development, Prof. Dipak Basu’s unqualified statement is altogether a capricious exercise.  Worse, to indulge in political canard, with comments such as, ‘Except for the few who  were in Darjeeling before 1950, almost all of them are Nepalese citizens that is foreigners’, is by all means to dwell in the world of hashish induced fantasy.  For that matter: the same is equally applicable to those disgruntled elements, desperately wanting to subvert the facts related to Darjeeling’s history.  While drawing parallel, the chronological development of Pre-Independence era is abruptly pushed forth into Post-Independence period.  Based on the dubious and irrational analogy- they have juggled the sequence of events for trivial gain.  In sheer hysteria-demur and decry the aspiration of Indian Gurkhas, with a tinge of bias.

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Wednesday, 19 June 2013 16:47

DARJEELING: A JOURNEY THROUGH BRITISH SIKKIM, SCHEDULED DISTRICT AND SEPARATE ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP.


Post 1986 agitation: whenever, the issue of “Gorkhaland” is raised - peeved by the demand, Calcutta’s immediate and assertive retort is, “Bengal shall not be divided” of late, joining the fray are a group of tinny – whimsy, riff-raff organizations.  Allegedly, these groups had emanated under the tutelage of Bengals, most endearing government of the Left Front.  Devoid of the regions history, and soaked in the world of delusion, the motley group’s one and only agenda is to direct tantrum against the demand for Gorkhaland.  Invariably, failing to asses the ground reality, while articulating the demand for a separate state, the advocates for Gorkhaland, have not ventured beyond the prescribed year of 1907- to enlighten and impress those that matter most.  Significantly, 1907 was the year, when the hill leaders had expressed their aspiration to secede from Bengal Province.  In the over, all estimation, as the matter stands, is the often-repeated rhetoric; ‘Bengal shall not be divided’ is in the right tune?  Or is it just an impetuous utterance to serve as a political gimmick?  If not, does Bengal have the credibility or moral authority to rein in Darjeeling, for eternity?  Is Darjeeling really an inalienable part of Bengal?