To continue my fixation with the land of my birth, today may well mark a turning point in history. A time when legacy and history reduce to naught, and a time when we begin to dream bolder and bigger. Today is when Calcutta went to polls. Though loath I was to be absent from the proceedings, I have nevertheless been there in spirit. And I can't help but feel the silent rebellion.
To be honest, I never really thought such a day would be needed. Being brought up in a primarily Left-wing Calcutta, it is difficult to suppress the Comrade in me. I grew up in a time when micchils (rallies) and hartals (bandhs and strikes) were order of the day. Helpless and relentless, we learnt to take it as a part of life and even derived joy from it (the fun of playing cricket on a really wide road is something you can experience only in Calcutta).We never even complained when the Left shut down our factories, or when Skyroom on Park Street (arguably the best restaurants in town then) closed down due to "Union" problems, and remnants of which continue to adorn the legendary road to this day. We suffered and watched silently in an emotion that can only be described as akin to the Stockholm Syndrome. We thought all this would change when Jyoti-babu left, only to left equally surprised. Buddha-babu was no substantial improvement over his predecessor.
Thirty-four years. Thirty-four years is enough time to foment and execute revolutionary change, no matter how dire the circumstances. An entire generation has grown up listening to tales of how the Left will "soon" deliver. No more. We Bongs, to put it quite frankly, are at our wit's end. However this doesn't mean that we place our allegiances with Didi yet. Writers' is yours for the taking, dear Comrades. But, we do feel that five years of introspection would do you some real good- shake you up from your slumber and get you up and running again. As for Didi, we'll bear with her for five how we bore you for thirty-four! Although it pains my heart to say this, it may be best if you go.
No matter which way the vote swings, one thing is sure,, things will never be the same. The Left may scrape a narrow victory, or suffer bitter defeat. So, which way will it go? Only May the 13th will tell.
Till then,
Your loving Comrade
(Laal Salaam)
To be honest, I never really thought such a day would be needed. Being brought up in a primarily Left-wing Calcutta, it is difficult to suppress the Comrade in me. I grew up in a time when micchils (rallies) and hartals (bandhs and strikes) were order of the day. Helpless and relentless, we learnt to take it as a part of life and even derived joy from it (the fun of playing cricket on a really wide road is something you can experience only in Calcutta).We never even complained when the Left shut down our factories, or when Skyroom on Park Street (arguably the best restaurants in town then) closed down due to "Union" problems, and remnants of which continue to adorn the legendary road to this day. We suffered and watched silently in an emotion that can only be described as akin to the Stockholm Syndrome. We thought all this would change when Jyoti-babu left, only to left equally surprised. Buddha-babu was no substantial improvement over his predecessor.
Thirty-four years. Thirty-four years is enough time to foment and execute revolutionary change, no matter how dire the circumstances. An entire generation has grown up listening to tales of how the Left will "soon" deliver. No more. We Bongs, to put it quite frankly, are at our wit's end. However this doesn't mean that we place our allegiances with Didi yet. Writers' is yours for the taking, dear Comrades. But, we do feel that five years of introspection would do you some real good- shake you up from your slumber and get you up and running again. As for Didi, we'll bear with her for five how we bore you for thirty-four! Although it pains my heart to say this, it may be best if you go.
No matter which way the vote swings, one thing is sure,, things will never be the same. The Left may scrape a narrow victory, or suffer bitter defeat. So, which way will it go? Only May the 13th will tell.
Till then,
Your loving Comrade
(Laal Salaam)
