<p>A viral video, which surfaced on Sunday evening, left the Bengal government officials in a tizzy. The video shows a Bengal cadre IAS officer Nikhil Nirmal, who is the current district magistrate of Alipurduar, beating up a young man mercilessly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the video, Nirmal and his wife both take turns and beat up a local youth inside the Falakata police station in presence of inspector-in-charge Soumyajit Ray.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to sources in the police, the youth had made some lewd comments on Nirmal’s wife’s Facebook profile. Soon, he was summoned to the police station where he was beaten up by Nirmal and his wife.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Surprisingly, Nirmal is heard saying in the video, “I will not let you do anything against me in my district. I will enter your house and kill you.”&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">See how Bengal IAS officer, Nikhil Nirmal, district magistrate of Alipurduar district take law in his own hands. He &amp; his wife beat up a youth for making lewd comments on his wife’s Facebook profile. Incident unfolds inside the police station &amp; infront IC of Police <a href="https://twitter.com/dna?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeeNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZeeNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/iRCO7SnRa6">pic.twitter.com/iRCO7SnRa6</a></p>
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_zeenews) <a href="https://twitter.com/pooja_zeenews/status/1081974285210546176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The husband and wife took turns to beat him. Nirmal’s wife is heard asking the man, “At who’s behest did you make such comments?”&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the youth pleaded for mercy, the duo continued beating him up.</p>

<p>The entire episode unfolded at the police station without the district magistrate or his wife filing any official complaint against the man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the correspondent tried reaching Nirmal, he neither answered nor returned calls. The inspector-in-charge too did not answer calls despite several attempts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nirmal, is a 2011 Bengal cadre IAS officer and hails from Kerala.&nbsp;</p>


A viral video, which surfaced on Sunday evening, left the Bengal government officials in a tizzy. The video shows a Bengal cadre IAS officer Nikhil Nirmal, who is the current district magistrate of Alipurduar, beating up a young man mercilessly.

A viral video, which surfaced on Sunday evening, left the Bengal government officials in a tizzy. The video shows a Bengal cadre IAS officer Nikhil Nirmal, who is the current district magistrate of Alipurduar, beating up a young man mercilessly. In the video, Nirmal and his wife both take turns and beat up a local youth inside the Falakata police station in presence of inspector-in-charge Soumyajit Ray. According to sources in the police, the youth had made some lewd comments on Nirmal’s wife’s Facebook profile. Soon, he was summoned to the police station where he was beaten up by Nirmal and his wife. Surprisingly, Nirmal is heard saying in the video, “I will not let you do anything against me in my district. I will enter your house and kill you.” See how Bengal IAS officer, Nikhil Nirmal, district magistrate of Alipurduar district take law in his own hands. He & his wife beat up a youth for making lewd comments on his wife’s Facebook profile. Incident unfolds inside the police station & infront IC of Police @dna @ZeeNews pic.twitter.com/iRCO7SnRa6 — Pooja Mehta (@pooja_zeenews) January 6, 2019 × The husband and wife took turns to beat him. Nirmal’s wife is heard asking the man, “At who’s behest did you make such comments?” While the youth pleaded for mercy, the duo continued beating him up. The entire episode unfolded at the police station without the district magistrate or his wife filing any official complaint against the man. When the correspondent tried reaching Nirmal, he neither answered nor returned calls. The inspector-in-charge too did not answer calls despite several attempts. Nirmal, is a 2011 Bengal cadre IAS officer and hails from Kerala.

Watch: Bengal IAS officer beats up youth for making lewd comments on wife’s social profile 

<p>West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh ruffled a few feathers within his party on Saturday when he said TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has the best chance to become the first Bengali prime minister of the country.</p>

<p>Extending birthday wishes to her, Ghosh said he prayed for her good health and success in life "because the fate of our state depends on her success".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We want her to be fit so that she can work well. She needs to remain fit because if there is any Bengali who has the chance to be the PM from this Bengal, then she is the one," he said.</p>

<p>Asked if anyone from his own party's Bengal unit had the chance to be the PM, Ghosh said that Mamata Banerjee was ahead in the race among Bengalis who can become Prime Minister.</p>

<p>"We can surely have one from Bengal after her. But she has the first chance. We couldn't have Jyoti Basu as the first Bengali prime minister as his party did not allow him to be," Ghosh said.</p>

<p>"We had Pranab Mukherjee from the state as the first Bengali to become President so now it's time to have a Bengali as PM," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement came as a shocker for the state BJP as it is engaged in a bitter fight against the TMC in the state.</p>


West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh ruffled a few feathers within his party on Saturday when he said TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has the best chance to become the first Bengali prime minister of the country.

West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh ruffled a few feathers within his party on Saturday when he said TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has the best chance to become the first Bengali prime minister of the country. Extending birthday wishes to her, Ghosh said he prayed for her good health and success in life "because the fate of our state depends on her success". "We want her to be fit so that she can work well. She needs to remain fit because if there is any Bengali who has the chance to be the PM from this Bengal, then she is the one," he said. Asked if anyone from his own party's Bengal unit had the chance to be the PM, Ghosh said that Mamata Banerjee was ahead in the race among Bengalis who can become Prime Minister. "We can surely have one from Bengal after her. But she has the first chance. We couldn't have Jyoti Basu as the first Bengali prime minister as his party did not allow him to be," Ghosh said. "We had Pranab Mukherjee from the state as the first Bengali to become President so now it's time to have a Bengali as PM," he added. The statement came as a shocker for the state BJP as it is engaged in a bitter fight against the TMC in the state.

If any Bengali has chance to become PM, it's Mamata: West Bengal BJP chief

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/scholarships-awarded-to-17-crore-minority-students-in-west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-184968">West Bengal Chief Minister</a> <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengals-doors-open-for-migrant-and-homeless-people-mamata-banerjee-184999">Mamata Banerjee</a> Sunday paid homage to former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary and said the income of farmers in her state has tripled during the past seven years of the Trinamool Congress rule.</p>

<p>"Respectful homage to Chaudhary Charan Singh, former prime minister, on his birth anniversary. This day is also observed as #KisanDiwas. My best wishes to all the farmers in the country on the occasion," she tweeted.</p>

<p>"In #Bangla the average annual income of farmers has tripled from Rs 91,000 (in 2010-11) to Rs 2.91 lakh (in 2017-18). We have also waived the tax and mutation fee on agricultural land. We are committed to the welfare of farmers #KisanDiwas," she said in a second tweet.</p>

<p>The 'Kisan Diwas' or National Farmers Day is observed across the country on this day to celebrate the birthday of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India.&nbsp;</p>


West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday paid homage to former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary and said the income of farmers in her state has tripled during the past seven years of the Trinamool Congress rule.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday paid homage to former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary and said the income of farmers in her state has tripled during the past seven years of the Trinamool Congress rule. "Respectful homage to Chaudhary Charan Singh, former prime minister, on his birth anniversary. This day is also observed as #KisanDiwas. My best wishes to all the farmers in the country on the occasion," she tweeted. "In #Bangla the average annual income of farmers has tripled from Rs 91,000 (in 2010-11) to Rs 2.91 lakh (in 2017-18). We have also waived the tax and mutation fee on agricultural land. We are committed to the welfare of farmers #KisanDiwas," she said in a second tweet. The 'Kisan Diwas' or National Farmers Day is observed across the country on this day to celebrate the birthday of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India.

Farmers' incomes tripled in West Bengal during TMC rule, says CM Mamata Banerjee

<p>In a bid to counter BJP chief Amit Shah's 'rath yatras' in Bengal ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls, opposition Congress and the CPI(M) have decided to take up mass contact programmes and 'padayatras' (foot marches) in the state.</p>

<p>The ruling TMC, however, refused to attach any importance to either Shah's rath yatras or events organised by the opposition, saying people of the state were firmly with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>The BJP, which is trying to make inroads in Bengal, stood second to the Trinamool Congress in the local body polls held recently. The saffron party has emerged as the principle challenger to TMC, leaving its two traditional rivals -- the Congress and CPI(M) -- fuming.</p>

<p>The state Congress, on its part, has decided to launch 'Jan Samparak Abhiyan' (mass contact) programme across the state, as part of a nationwide initiative, likely from the end of next month, party sources said.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) leadership under the banner of its farmer wing - Kisan Sabha - has announced three foot marches from Singur in Hoogly district, Coochbehar district and Farakka in Murshidabad district, sources in the party said.</p>

<p>According to the sources in both parties, these programmes will clash with the timing of the three rath yatras of Shah in the state from December 5-9, and are aimed at countering it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>West Bengal Congress president Somen Mitra said the 'Jan Samparak Abhiyan' is targeted at reaching out to the masses with the objectives of the party and highlight the "corruption, communal politics and misrule" of the Narendra Modi government.</p>

<p>"In every district, blocks and booths of the state, our party workers will reach out to the masses and communicate our vision. We will also raise a donation of Rs 2 to Rs 5 from every household for the party. Through these activities, we will strengthen our party organisation," Mitra told PTI.</p>

<p>Asked whether the outreach programmes are aimed at countering Shah's rath yatras, Mitra said, "Our programme is part of a nationwide campaign of AICC. We are not competing with anyone, but yes, the Congress will oppose any sort of communal or divisive politics of the BJP and during our mass contact programme, we will speak out against it".&nbsp;</p>

<p>CPI(M) politburo member and Kisan Sabha general secretary Hannan Mollah said apart from various issues related to farmers, including the land policy of the TMC government, the party will propagate against the communal politics of the BJP.</p>

<p>"It is obvious that when the CPI(M) is organising a programme, we will speak out against communal politics and will advocate in favour of unity of masses to defeat the BJP and divisive forces. During our padayatras too, we will do the same," Mollah told PTI.</p>

<p>"It is also obvious that Amit Shah during his rath yatras will try to create communal polarisation in the state in order to reap benefits in the Lok Sabha polls. We will fight tooth and nail against it," he said, adding, the first foot march will start from Singur on November 28.</p>

<p>CPI(M) state committee member and state secretary, Kisan Sabha, Amal Haldar said the party will emphasise on issues relating to farmers.</p>

<p>"We will highlight the anti-farmer policies of the state and central governments. Farmers' distress, agricultural loans and lies of the TMC government regarding the issue of Singur and its land policy will be raised during our programmes," Haldar said, and claimed that the campaigns are not aimed at the rath yatras of the BJP.</p>

<p>Reacting to the proposed mass contact programmes, BJP Bengal president Dilip Ghosh said both the parties were "spent force" in state politics, and people were looking up to the saffron party to fight against the misrule of the TMC government.</p>

<p>"We are not bothered about what the Congress and the CPI(M) are planning. In the last panchayat polls and several by-elections, it has been proved that the BJP is the only alternative to the TMC in Bengal," Ghosh told PTI.</p>

<p>TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said neither the rath yatras of the BJP nor the outreach programmes of the Congress and the CPI(M) would yield any result, as the people of Bengal stand together with the CM.</p>

<p>The BJP chief will kick-off his rath yatra in Bengal, starting December 5, from the temple town of Tarapith in Birbhum district. The yatras will cover all the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state.</p>

<p>The second and third rath yatras will start from Coochbehar district in north Bengal and Gangasagar in south Bengal on December 7 and 9, respectively. Each rath yatra will cover 14 Lok Sabha constituencies.</p>

<p>The tableau of these rath yatras will stop at various places for public meetings and interactions. The three yatras will span across 40 days, and will be followed by a massive rally in Kolkata at the end of January or the beginning of February.</p>

<p>Shah has set a target of winning 22 seats from Bengal in the next Lok Sabha polls. The party presently has two Lok Sabha seats -- Asansol and Darjeeling.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) and the Congress at present have two and four Lok Sabha seats, respectively, in the state.&nbsp;</p>


In a bid to counter BJP chief Amit Shah's 'rath yatras' in Bengal ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls, opposition Congress and the CPI(M) have decided to take up mass contact programmes and 'padayatras' (foot marches) in the state.

In a bid to counter BJP chief Amit Shah's 'rath yatras' in Bengal ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls, opposition Congress and the CPI(M) have decided to take up mass contact programmes and 'padayatras' (foot marches) in the state. The ruling TMC, however, refused to attach any importance to either Shah's rath yatras or events organised by the opposition, saying people of the state were firmly with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP, which is trying to make inroads in Bengal, stood second to the Trinamool Congress in the local body polls held recently. The saffron party has emerged as the principle challenger to TMC, leaving its two traditional rivals -- the Congress and CPI(M) -- fuming. The state Congress, on its part, has decided to launch 'Jan Samparak Abhiyan' (mass contact) programme across the state, as part of a nationwide initiative, likely from the end of next month, party sources said. The CPI(M) leadership under the banner of its farmer wing - Kisan Sabha - has announced three foot marches from Singur in Hoogly district, Coochbehar district and Farakka in Murshidabad district, sources in the party said. According to the sources in both parties, these programmes will clash with the timing of the three rath yatras of Shah in the state from December 5-9, and are aimed at countering it. West Bengal Congress president Somen Mitra said the 'Jan Samparak Abhiyan' is targeted at reaching out to the masses with the objectives of the party and highlight the "corruption, communal politics and misrule" of the Narendra Modi government. "In every district, blocks and booths of the state, our party workers will reach out to the masses and communicate our vision. We will also raise a donation of Rs 2 to Rs 5 from every household for the party. Through these activities, we will strengthen our party organisation," Mitra told PTI. Asked whether the outreach programmes are aimed at countering Shah's rath yatras, Mitra said, "Our programme is part of a nationwide campaign of AICC. We are not competing with anyone, but yes, the Congress will oppose any sort of communal or divisive politics of the BJP and during our mass contact programme, we will speak out against it". CPI(M) politburo member and Kisan Sabha general secretary Hannan Mollah said apart from various issues related to farmers, including the land policy of the TMC government, the party will propagate against the communal politics of the BJP. "It is obvious that when the CPI(M) is organising a programme, we will speak out against communal politics and will advocate in favour of unity of masses to defeat the BJP and divisive forces. During our padayatras too, we will do the same," Mollah told PTI. "It is also obvious that Amit Shah during his rath yatras will try to create communal polarisation in the state in order to reap benefits in the Lok Sabha polls. We will fight tooth and nail against it," he said, adding, the first foot march will start from Singur on November 28. CPI(M) state committee member and state secretary, Kisan Sabha, Amal Haldar said the party will emphasise on issues relating to farmers. "We will highlight the anti-farmer policies of the state and central governments. Farmers' distress, agricultural loans and lies of the TMC government regarding the issue of Singur and its land policy will be raised during our programmes," Haldar said, and claimed that the campaigns are not aimed at the rath yatras of the BJP. Reacting to the proposed mass contact programmes, BJP Bengal president Dilip Ghosh said both the parties were "spent force" in state politics, and people were looking up to the saffron party to fight against the misrule of the TMC government. "We are not bothered about what the Congress and the CPI(M) are planning. In the last panchayat polls and several by-elections, it has been proved that the BJP is the only alternative to the TMC in Bengal," Ghosh told PTI. TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said neither the rath yatras of the BJP nor the outreach programmes of the Congress and the CPI(M) would yield any result, as the people of Bengal stand together with the CM. The BJP chief will kick-off his rath yatra in Bengal, starting December 5, from the temple town of Tarapith in Birbhum district. The yatras will cover all the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state. The second and third rath yatras will start from Coochbehar district in north Bengal and Gangasagar in south Bengal on December 7 and 9, respectively. Each rath yatra will cover 14 Lok Sabha constituencies. The tableau of these rath yatras will stop at various places for public meetings and interactions. The three yatras will span across 40 days, and will be followed by a massive rally in Kolkata at the end of January or the beginning of February. Shah has set a target of winning 22 seats from Bengal in the next Lok Sabha polls. The party presently has two Lok Sabha seats -- Asansol and Darjeeling. The CPI(M) and the Congress at present have two and four Lok Sabha seats, respectively, in the state.

CPI(M), Congress aim to counter Amit Shah's Bengal rath yatras

<p>Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP Wednesday to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said.</p>

<p>No untoward incident was, however, reported during the blockades put up by bandh supporters at the stations, a police official said.</p>

<p>Transport services were normal in the city though bus drivers were seen wearing helmets.</p>

<p>Bandh supporters had squatted on the tracks at Barasat, Krishnagar and some stations in Sealdah division for 5-10 minutes in the morning, but the blockade has been lifted, an Eastern Railway spokesman said.</p>

<p>At present, train services in the Eastern Railway, including suburban services, are normal, he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Howrah: Train movement obstructed by protesters on Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today in protest against the death of 2 students following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. <a href="https://t.co/nHdR5fP5Ui">pic.twitter.com/nHdR5fP5Ui</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1044779626755579904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Party workers are staging blockades at Chengail, Andul and Ramrajatala stations in the Howrah-Kharagpur section of the South Eastern Railway, affecting suburban train services in the section, SER Central Public Relations Officer Sanjoy Ghosh said.</p>

<p>A huge police contingent has been deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident during the shutdown and no untoward incident has been reported in the metropolis since 6 am, a police official said.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the bandh to protest against the death of two students in a clash with the police on October 20 during a demonstration over recruitment of teachers at Daribhita High School in Islampur area, the police said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: Protesters vandalise government buses and torch tyres in Midnapore. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh today in protest against the death of a student who died following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. <a href="https://t.co/qBn4SHX0Dx">pic.twitter.com/qBn4SHX0Dx</a></p>
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<p>The protesting students had said they did not require an Urdu and Sanskrit teachers and demanded that teachers be recruited for science and other subjects.<br />
In the Islampur area, BJP supporters squatted on the road to stop traffic movement.</p>

<p>The state government had issued a notification for its employees asking them to attend office on the bandh day.</p>

<p>There will be no holiday on the day before or after the Bangla Bandh. Even a half-holiday will not be sanctioned on the day, it said.</p>

<p>Commercial establishments, private offices and educational institutions were also asked to function normally on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>


Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP Wednesday to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said.

Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP Wednesday to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said. No untoward incident was, however, reported during the blockades put up by bandh supporters at the stations, a police official said. Transport services were normal in the city though bus drivers were seen wearing helmets. Bandh supporters had squatted on the tracks at Barasat, Krishnagar and some stations in Sealdah division for 5-10 minutes in the morning, but the blockade has been lifted, an Eastern Railway spokesman said. At present, train services in the Eastern Railway, including suburban services, are normal, he said. Howrah: Train movement obstructed by protesters on Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today in protest against the death of 2 students following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/nHdR5fP5Ui — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018 × Party workers are staging blockades at Chengail, Andul and Ramrajatala stations in the Howrah-Kharagpur section of the South Eastern Railway, affecting suburban train services in the section, SER Central Public Relations Officer Sanjoy Ghosh said. A huge police contingent has been deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident during the shutdown and no untoward incident has been reported in the metropolis since 6 am, a police official said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the bandh to protest against the death of two students in a clash with the police on October 20 during a demonstration over recruitment of teachers at Daribhita High School in Islampur area, the police said. West Bengal: Protesters vandalise government buses and torch tyres in Midnapore. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh today in protest against the death of a student who died following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/qBn4SHX0Dx — ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018 × The protesting students had said they did not require an Urdu and Sanskrit teachers and demanded that teachers be recruited for science and other subjects. In the Islampur area, BJP supporters squatted on the road to stop traffic movement. The state government had issued a notification for its employees asking them to attend office on the bandh day. There will be no holiday on the day before or after the Bangla Bandh. Even a half-holiday will not be sanctioned on the day, it said. Commercial establishments, private offices and educational institutions were also asked to function normally on Wednesday.

BJP calls 12-hour bandh in Bengal, train services affected 

<p>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the killings of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced.</p>

<p>The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month.</p>

<p>The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal.</p>

<p>An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said.</p>

<p>Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member.</p>

<p>In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the killings.</p>

<p>The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.</p>


The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the killings of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced. The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month. The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal. An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said. Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member. In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the killings. The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment seeks report from Bengal govt on Dalit killings

<p>A couple of days after a BJP worker was found dead, hanging from a tree in West Bengal's Balrampur, another party cadre was killed in Purulia district, reports said on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Purulia police has begun the investigation into the case. According to media reports, the 32-year-old slain BJP worker Dulal Kumar was allegedly murdered by TMC cadres for his participation in the recent thana gherao protest.</p>

<p>West Bengal Police said the investigation of Dulal's murder has been handed over to Crime Investigation Department (CID).</p>

<p>Taking to Twitter, BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that Dulal's murder is quite similar to the lines with that of Trilochan Mahato, a BJP activist.</p>

<p>Vijayvargiya said that he had called ADG Law and Order or Friday night and told him that Dulal has been facing life threats. He said he even asked the ADG Law and Order to save him from being killed.</p>

<p>According to Vijayvargiya, ADG Law and Order had told him that the police is trying to do its best in protecting Dulal and even he will be ensuring his safety.</p>

<p>Kailash Vijayvargiya said despite the ADG's effort Dulal's corpse was found hanging in Purulia district.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">ADG के पूर्ण प्रयास के बाद भी आखिर<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> के पुरुलिया जिले में,<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJP</a> कार्यकर्ता दुलाल की लाश भी<br />
सुबह टॉवर पर लटकी हुई मिली है!<br />
<br />
हम शर्मिंदा हैं!<br />
शायद प्रजातन्त्र भी शर्मिंदा है!! <a href="https://t.co/0IjlhwWctb">pic.twitter.com/0IjlhwWctb</a></p>
— Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) <a href="https://twitter.com/KailashOnline/status/1002760954306678784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Dulat death comes in the wake of the alleged murder of a 18-year-old BJP worker Trilochan Mahato on Wednesday.</p>

<p>On Wednesday night, an 18-year-old BJP member, identified as Trilochan Mahato, was found dead hanging from a tree in Balrampur, with a poster stuck on his back reading: "Being involved with BJP politics at the age of 18 claimed your life. I have been searching for you since the elections and now you are dead."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, seeking response to the "inhumane political murder" in the state. Notably, the victim was a member of the Dalit community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP chief Amit Shah, reacting to the murder on Thursday, had accused the TMC regime of "surpassing the bar of political violence" set by its communist predecessors.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The present TMC govt in West Bengal has surpassed the violent legacy of Communist rule. Entire BJP mourns this tragic loss & stands firmly with Trilochan Mahato’s family in this hour of grief. His sacrifice for organisation & ideology will not go in vain. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.</p>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1001825007213973505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Reiterating that Dulal was a BJP worker, Rahul Sinha said that "West Bengal was under jungle raj" and only a "CBI investigation will lead to anything".

A couple of days after a BJP worker was found dead, hanging from a tree in West Bengal's Balrampur, another party cadre was killed in Purulia district, reports said on Saturday. The Purulia police has begun the investigation into the case. According to media reports, the 32-year-old slain BJP worker Dulal Kumar was allegedly murdered by TMC cadres for his participation in the recent thana gherao protest. West Bengal Police said the investigation of Dulal's murder has been handed over to Crime Investigation Department (CID). Taking to Twitter, BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that Dulal's murder is quite similar to the lines with that of Trilochan Mahato, a BJP activist. Vijayvargiya said that he had called ADG Law and Order or Friday night and told him that Dulal has been facing life threats. He said he even asked the ADG Law and Order to save him from being killed. According to Vijayvargiya, ADG Law and Order had told him that the police is trying to do its best in protecting Dulal and even he will be ensuring his safety. Kailash Vijayvargiya said despite the ADG's effort Dulal's corpse was found hanging in Purulia district. ADG के पूर्ण प्रयास के बाद भी आखिर#WestBengal के पुरुलिया जिले में,#BJP कार्यकर्ता दुलाल की लाश भी सुबह टॉवर पर लटकी हुई मिली है! हम शर्मिंदा हैं! शायद प्रजातन्त्र भी शर्मिंदा है!! pic.twitter.com/0IjlhwWctb — Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) June 2, 2018 × Dulat death comes in the wake of the alleged murder of a 18-year-old BJP worker Trilochan Mahato on Wednesday. On Wednesday night, an 18-year-old BJP member, identified as Trilochan Mahato, was found dead hanging from a tree in Balrampur, with a poster stuck on his back reading: "Being involved with BJP politics at the age of 18 claimed your life. I have been searching for you since the elections and now you are dead." The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, seeking response to the "inhumane political murder" in the state. Notably, the victim was a member of the Dalit community. BJP chief Amit Shah, reacting to the murder on Thursday, had accused the TMC regime of "surpassing the bar of political violence" set by its communist predecessors. The present TMC govt in West Bengal has surpassed the violent legacy of Communist rule. Entire BJP mourns this tragic loss & stands firmly with Trilochan Mahato’s family in this hour of grief. His sacrifice for organisation & ideology will not go in vain. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 30, 2018 ×

Another BJP worker killed in Bengal, body found hanging from electric pole

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-talking-directly-with-north-korea-over-meeting-with-kim-trump-131078">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-talking-directly-with-north-korea-over-meeting-with-kim-trump-131078"> in direct talks with North Korea 'at a very high level': Trump</a></p>

<p>President Donald Trump today said the US was in direct talks with North Korea "at a very high level" ahead of his planned summit with Kim Jong-un. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have not spoken directly, the White House said, but the US president confirmed that Washington and Pyongyang had been in contact at "very high levels" to prepare for a historic meeting between them.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-arrives-in-uk-for-commonwealth-heads-of-government-meeting-131093">Modi arrives in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-arrives-in-uk-for-commonwealth-heads-of-government-meeting-131093">UK</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-arrives-in-uk-for-commonwealth-heads-of-government-meeting-131093"> for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UK today for a four-day visit of bilateral engagements as well as multilateral discussions as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received Modi at the Heathrow airport here.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ten-killed-as-rainstorm-hits-bengal-rail-road-air-traffic-affected-131081">Ten killed as rainstorm hits Bengal rail, road, air traffic affected</a></p>

<p>Ten people were killed and several others injured after strong winds of up to 98 km per hour hit Kolkata and its adjoining areas late on Tuesday night. Four died were reported in Kolkata, while 4 people in Howrah.One death was reported from Bankura and another from Hooghly.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/8000-starbucks-outlets-to-be-shut-in-us-on-may-29-for-racial-tolerance-training-131084">US: 8,000 Starbucks outlets to shut down for racial-tolerance training</a></p>

<p>Starbucks Corp will close 8,000 company-owned US cafes for the afternoon on May 29 so 175,000 employees can undergo racial tolerance training in response to protests and calls for boycotts after the arrest of two black men waiting in a Philadelphia store.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/barbara-bush-wife-of-ex-president-of-us-george-h-w-bush-dead-at-92-131077">Barbara Bush, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/barbara-bush-wife-of-ex-president-of-us-george-h-w-bush-dead-at-92-131077">wife</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/barbara-bush-wife-of-ex-president-of-us-george-h-w-bush-dead-at-92-131077"> of ex-US President George HW Bush, dies at 92</a></p>

<p>Barbara Bush, the wife of one former president and mother of another, died at the age of 92 on Tuesday. Bush was the wife of the 41st president, George H W Bush, and mother of the 43rd, George W Bush.</p>


US in direct talks with North Korea 'at a very high level': Trump President Donald Trump today said the US was in direct talks with North Korea "at a very high level" ahead of his planned summit with Kim Jong-un. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have not spoken directly, the White House said, but the US president confirmed that Washington and Pyongyang had been in contact at "very high levels" to prepare for a historic meeting between them. Modi arrives in UK for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UK today for a four-day visit of bilateral engagements as well as multilateral discussions as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received Modi at the Heathrow airport here. Ten killed as rainstorm hits Bengal rail, road, air traffic affected Ten people were killed and several others injured after strong winds of up to 98 km per hour hit Kolkata and its adjoining areas late on Tuesday night. Four died were reported in Kolkata, while 4 people in Howrah.One death was reported from Bankura and another from Hooghly. US: 8,000 Starbucks outlets to shut down for racial-tolerance training Starbucks Corp will close 8,000 company-owned US cafes for the afternoon on May 29 so 175,000 employees can undergo racial tolerance training in response to protests and calls for boycotts after the arrest of two black men waiting in a Philadelphia store. Barbara Bush, wife of ex-US President George HW Bush, dies at 92 Barbara Bush, the wife of one former president and mother of another, died at the age of 92 on Tuesday. Bush was the wife of the 41st president, George H W Bush, and mother of the 43rd, George W Bush.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Ten people were killed and several others injured after strong winds of up to 98 km per hour hit Kolkata and its adjoining areas late on Tuesday night.</p>

<p>Four died were reported in Kolkata, while 4 people in Howrah.One death was reported from Bankura and another from Hooghly.</p>

<p>People returning home after work faced major traffic jams as metro and more than 24 trains are running late from Howrah station.</p>

<p>Departure and arrival of some flights were also delayed because of the storm.</p>

<p>Mobile and internet services were hit with the storms snapping overhead wires and damaging mobile towers.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


Traffic was disrupted as winds of 98 kmph uprooted trees across Kolkata.

Ten people were killed and several others injured after strong winds of up to 98 km per hour hit Kolkata and its adjoining areas late on Tuesday night. Four died were reported in Kolkata, while 4 people in Howrah.One death was reported from Bankura and another from Hooghly. People returning home after work faced major traffic jams as metro and more than 24 trains are running late from Howrah station. Departure and arrival of some flights were also delayed because of the storm. Mobile and internet services were hit with the storms snapping overhead wires and damaging mobile towers. (With inputs from ANI)

Ten killed as rainstorm hits Bengal; rail, road, air traffic affected

<p>A BJP leader was attacked by several men in West Bengal's Bankura district on Friday upon his arrival at the District Magistrate's office to file a complaint over violence on panchayat polls.</p>

<p>Vivekananda Patra, party state general secretaries Raju Banerjee and Sanjay Singh were about to enter the Sub Divisional Office (SDO) of the district to demand a violence-free election, a group of miscreants — allegedly TMC cadres — attacked their vehicle. The offenders dragged Patra out of the car and beat him up. Banerjee and Singh too were attacked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attackers woke helmets and scarves to cover their faces and broke the car's rear window before beating the leader.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Bankura: BJP State Secretary Shyamapada Mondal attacked, allegedly by TMC workers. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/RSgwJbHYCp">pic.twitter.com/RSgwJbHYCp</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/982186496982581255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Continuous incidents of violence happened across West Bengal on Friday — the fifth day of submitting nominations for panchayat elections for 60,000 panchayat seats for which voting will be held on 1, 3 and 5 May.</p>

<p>Opposition parties claim the Trinamool is not allowing their candidates to file nominations. The Trinamool says the opposition have filed as many nominations as them.</p>

<p>On Saturday, violence had been reported so far from Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur districts.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH Unidentified persons hurled crude bombs at BJP workers in Murshidabad's Jangirpur as they were going to file nomination for Panchayat polls, earlier today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/zY17KdzUSd">pic.twitter.com/zY17KdzUSd</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/982240610475114498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Continuous incidents of violence happened across West Bengal on Friday — the fifth day of submitting nominations for panchayat elections for 60,000 panchayat seats for which voting will be held on 1, 3 and 5 May

A BJP leader was attacked by several men in West Bengal's Bankura district on Friday upon his arrival at the District Magistrate's office to file a complaint over violence on panchayat polls. Vivekananda Patra, party state general secretaries Raju Banerjee and Sanjay Singh were about to enter the Sub Divisional Office (SDO) of the district to demand a violence-free election, a group of miscreants — allegedly TMC cadres — attacked their vehicle. The offenders dragged Patra out of the car and beat him up. Banerjee and Singh too were attacked. The attackers woke helmets and scarves to cover their faces and broke the car's rear window before beating the leader. #WATCH Bankura: BJP State Secretary Shyamapada Mondal attacked, allegedly by TMC workers. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/RSgwJbHYCp — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2018 × Continuous incidents of violence happened across West Bengal on Friday — the fifth day of submitting nominations for panchayat elections for 60,000 panchayat seats for which voting will be held on 1, 3 and 5 May. Opposition parties claim the Trinamool is not allowing their candidates to file nominations. The Trinamool says the opposition have filed as many nominations as them. On Saturday, violence had been reported so far from Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur districts. WATCH Unidentified persons hurled crude bombs at BJP workers in Murshidabad's Jangirpur as they were going to file nomination for Panchayat polls, earlier today. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/zY17KdzUSd — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2018 ×

Watch: BJP leader attacked in Bengal over Panchayat nominations

<p>Data procured by the&nbsp;home ministry has unearthed shocking facts about the rate of suicide&nbsp;in the country.</p>

<p>According to statistics, one student commits suicide every hour in India which amounts to close to 26 suicides committed in a day.</p>

<p>Going by the latest data, nearly 26,476 students took their life between 2014 and 2016. Around 9,474 students committed suicide in the year 2016.</p>

<p>Maharashtra and Bengal emerged on top with the highest number of suicides cases.</p>

<p>Lakshadweep, on the other hand, reported no suicide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Research blames acute stress and depression for suicide among teenagers and young adults.</p>

<p>Data also attributes 10% to 15% of suicide incidents to drug and alcohol abuse.</p>

<p>Adolescence is a critical phase which can often get exceedingly overwhelming for some individuals.</p>

<p>World Health Organisation&#39;s &#39;Health for the world&rsquo;s adolescents&#39; report reveals depression as the predominant cause of &quot;illness and disability for both boys and girls aged 10 to 19 years&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Globally, depression is the number 1 cause of illness and disability in this age group, and suicide ranks number 3 among causes of death. Some studies show that half of all people who develop mental disorders have their first symptoms by the age of 14. If adolescents with mental health problems get the care they need, this can prevent deaths and avoid suffering throughout life,&quot; notes the WHO report.</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind also addressed the issue recently urging students not to&nbsp;stigmatise mental health issues.</p>

<p>President Kovind spoke at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) on December 30 and asked people to talk openly about depression and mental health.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Going by the latest data, nearly 26,476 students took their life between 2014 and 2016

Data procured by the home ministry has unearthed shocking facts about the rate of suicide in the country. According to statistics, one student commits suicide every hour in India which amounts to close to 26 suicides committed in a day. Going by the latest data, nearly 26,476 students took their life between 2014 and 2016. Around 9,474 students committed suicide in the year 2016. Maharashtra and Bengal emerged on top with the highest number of suicides cases. Lakshadweep, on the other hand, reported no suicide. Research blames acute stress and depression for suicide among teenagers and young adults. Data also attributes 10% to 15% of suicide incidents to drug and alcohol abuse. Adolescence is a critical phase which can often get exceedingly overwhelming for some individuals. World Health Organisation's 'Health for the world’s adolescents' report reveals depression as the predominant cause of "illness and disability for both boys and girls aged 10 to 19 years". "Globally, depression is the number 1 cause of illness and disability in this age group, and suicide ranks number 3 among causes of death. Some studies show that half of all people who develop mental disorders have their first symptoms by the age of 14. If adolescents with mental health problems get the care they need, this can prevent deaths and avoid suffering throughout life," notes the WHO report. President Ram Nath Kovind also addressed the issue recently urging students not to stigmatise mental health issues. President Kovind spoke at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) on December 30 and asked people to talk openly about depression and mental health.

1 student commits suicide every hour in India, over 9,000 died in 2016: Report

<p>The Odisha government has decided to seek a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for &#39;Jagannath Rasagola&#39; and not &#39;Odishara Rasagola&#39; as was decided earlier after it lost a bitter battle with West Bengal over the origins of the popular sweet.</p>

<p>Odisha&#39;s MSME minister Prafulla Samal said the decision to apply for GI tag on &#39;Jagannath Rasagola&#39; - a variety of the syrupy sweetmeat offered to Lord Jagannath at Puri temple - was taken after consulting legal and industry experts.</p>

<p>&quot;If the state files for GI tag on &#39;Odishara Rasagola&#39; against its Bengali counterpart, then it will not be able to get any benefit or advantage,&quot; an official at the Director of Industries said.</p>

<p>In a letter to MSME Additional Chief Secretary L N Gupta, Director of Industries S R Pradhan said chances of successfully registering &#39;Odishara Rasagola&#39; are not very bright.</p>

<p>&quot;Unless it can be established Rasagola from Odisha has certain unique qualities, characteristics and reputation associated with state of Odisha, the chances of successfully registering &#39;Odishara Rasagola&#39; are not very bright,&quot; the letter said.</p>

<p>The letter also pointed out that since different varieties of the syrupy dessert were being prepared across the state, justifying its uniqueness can be difficult, it said.</p>

<p>The GI under the World Trade Organization is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place.</p>

<p>The industries department has suggested the MSME department to apply for a GI tag for &#39;Jagannath Rasagola&#39; going by its unique identity and the age-old custom of offering the sweetmeat to Lord Jagannath at Puri temple.</p>

<p>Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) or the Servitors&#39; Association may apply for the tag on behalf of the state, Pradhan said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Odisha&#39;s Law Minister Pratap Jena said the MSME department has been entrusted with the responsibility of getting the GI tag for Lord Jagannath&#39;s rasagola.</p>

<p>Jena said the MSME officials have already visited Puri to collect evidence for the purpose.</p>

<p>Puri collector Aravind Agarwal said the district administration would provide all support to MSME department in its endeavour.</p>

<p>&quot;Rasagola is being offered to Lord Jagannath for centuries. The district administration will provide all support to MSME department to secure GI tag for &#39;Jagannath Rasagola&#39;,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>West Bengal obtained the GI tag for ?Banglar Rosogolla&#39; on November 12.</p>


Odisha's MSME minister Prafulla Samal said the decision to apply for GI tag on 'Jagannath Rasagola' - a variety of the syrupy sweetmeat offered to Lord Jagannath at Puri temple - was taken after consulting legal and industry experts.

The Odisha government has decided to seek a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola' and not 'Odishara Rasagola' as was decided earlier after it lost a bitter battle with West Bengal over the origins of the popular sweet. Odisha's MSME minister Prafulla Samal said the decision to apply for GI tag on 'Jagannath Rasagola' - a variety of the syrupy sweetmeat offered to Lord Jagannath at Puri temple - was taken after consulting legal and industry experts. "If the state files for GI tag on 'Odishara Rasagola' against its Bengali counterpart, then it will not be able to get any benefit or advantage," an official at the Director of Industries said. In a letter to MSME Additional Chief Secretary L N Gupta, Director of Industries S R Pradhan said chances of successfully registering 'Odishara Rasagola' are not very bright. "Unless it can be established Rasagola from Odisha has certain unique qualities, characteristics and reputation associated with state of Odisha, the chances of successfully registering 'Odishara Rasagola' are not very bright," the letter said. The letter also pointed out that since different varieties of the syrupy dessert were being prepared across the state, justifying its uniqueness can be difficult, it said. The GI under the World Trade Organization is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place. The industries department has suggested the MSME department to apply for a GI tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola' going by its unique identity and the age-old custom of offering the sweetmeat to Lord Jagannath at Puri temple. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) or the Servitors' Association may apply for the tag on behalf of the state, Pradhan said. Meanwhile, Odisha's Law Minister Pratap Jena said the MSME department has been entrusted with the responsibility of getting the GI tag for Lord Jagannath's rasagola. Jena said the MSME officials have already visited Puri to collect evidence for the purpose. Puri collector Aravind Agarwal said the district administration would provide all support to MSME department in its endeavour. "Rasagola is being offered to Lord Jagannath for centuries. The district administration will provide all support to MSME department to secure GI tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola'," he added. West Bengal obtained the GI tag for ?Banglar Rosogolla' on November 12.

Odisha to seek GI tag for 'Jagannath Rasagola': Minister

<p>After Hilsa, a hard battle was fought over Rosogolla-the famed sweet of Bengal. This time the contestants were Bengal and Odisha and not India and Bangladesh as was the case with the bony fish of Padma and Ganga. The two states of India fought over who will get the GI claim over the sweetmeat. The battle started with Odisha staking a claim over&nbsp;Rosogolla in 2016. A committee was formed by the state government, stating that the sweet has its roots in the Land of Jagannath.</p>

<p>To bolster its claim, Odisha has primarily taken recourse to religious ritual as evidence. It drew from mythology to argue that Rosogolla is the sweet that Lord Jagannath offered to his consort Goddess Lakshmi when she was upset at his long absence during Rathayatra. Goddess Lakshmi relented upon taking a bite of the sweet, proving for eternity the heavenly taste of Rosogolla.</p>

<p>Till date, Rosogolla is an important part of &#39;Niladri Bije&#39; celebration in Puri, Odisha.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>But unlike Odisha, Bengal in claiming a GI status over Rosogolla, hasn&#39;t walked the religious line. Instead, the Bengal government took a very technical line.</h5>
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<p>But unlike Odisha, Bengal in claiming a GI status over Rosogolla, hasn&#39;t walked the religious line. Instead, the Bengal government took a very technical line. In the letter to the Geographical Indications Registry office in Chennai, the state department of food processing industries and horticulture said the way the dessert is made in Bengal is different from that of other states.</p>

<p>The officials of the Ministry goes on to elaborate, &quot;The preparation of light sugar syrup is unique and it contributes towards the taste of Rasogolla. Light syrup adds to the unique mouth-fill characteristic which is traditional in nature and well documented in different books unlike other similar products.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &#39;unique&#39; feature of &#39;Banglar Rasogolla&#39;, therefore, lay in the use of light syrup. The Rosogolla&#39;s from Odisha, on the other hand, use dense thick syrup, it is brownish in colour and it is, as the petitioners from West Bengal, pointed out is &#39;chewy&#39; and &#39;sticky&#39; as opposed to the &#39;light&#39; and &#39;fluffy&#39; test of Bengali Rosogolla.</p>

<p>So far I have witnessed two types of reactions to this Rosogolla debate: there are many among us who completely find the battle trivial; they are nodding in disbelieve as to how can possibly there be a fight over a type of sweetmeat. There are equally as many people, perhaps more vociferous, who are treating the episode in all seriousness.</p>

<p>However, what we are missing to note is, the fight over Rosogolla is not entirely a fight over the origin. The fight is actually a cultural battle; a tussle over an urban and a more rural version of Rosogolla. The one that got the GI tag will not only bring more business but also emerge as the most coveted type. All Rosogollas, losing their distinctive character, will aspire to become the Kolkata type.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is in this close braiding of economic and cultural aspects wherein lies the significance of the Rosogolla battle.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>The fights over Rosogolla is not entirely a fight over the origin. The fight is actually a cultural battle; a tussle over an urban and a more rural version of Rosogolla.</h5>
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<p>Made of cheeseballs that are dipped in syrup, Rosogolla has been the iconic sweet of Bengal. Wherever Bengalis went, they have ensured Rosogolla is made available at least on special occasions. I have seen Rosogolla selling in the restaurants of New York City in a very similar way to &#39;mishthanna bhandars&#39; (sweetmeat shops) of Hatibagan, a 19-century old neighbourhood of north Kolkata. If the Bengal historians are to be trusted that Nobin Chandra Das was the inventor of Bengali Rosogolla, then it is area around Hatibagan and Shyambazar that must have seen the first emergence of these sweet cottage balls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The small pyramid of spongy white balls tugged my heart more than any other symbol of my homeland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The popularity of Rosogollas ensured that it became the first canned sweetmeat of Bengal. KC Nag, a very old sweet seller from Kolkata, showed the foresight to can, pack, and fly out Rosogollas to distant lands. KC Nag&#39;s marketing made the soft, fluffy, spongy Rosogollas the representative sample of the sweetmeat. This particular type emerged as the hegemonic Rosogolla of Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For good or bad, Kolkata-type of Rosogollas very successfully erased the business potential of all other kinds of Rosogollas worldwide. The educated, urban middle-class Bengali made this spongy type their own. That is what began to be served during all festivities, celebrations, and all kinds of occasions.</p>

<p>The type of Rosogollas found outside India or in the major metropolis of India is basically this Kolkata type.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But does that mean that rest of Bengal swoon over the same type? Not at all. Go to the mufassils and you will see them selling Rosogollas which are brown, chewy, heavy and large. To put it simply, most of Bengal have Rosogolla&#39;s that are very similar (if not exact) to Odhisa ones. Kolkata, in this case, is a distant cousin.</p>

<p>Winning the GI tag for &#39;Banglar Rasogolla&#39; (Bengal&#39;s Rasgulla) serves as a fantastic instance of a cultural imposition when Kolkata thrust its own type of Rosogolla as <em>the</em> Rosogolla of Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But this is the official discourse. As far as what we consume, there is an old saying in Bengal: aap ruchi khana i.e eat what <em>you </em>want.</p>


The fight over Rosogolla is actually a cultural battle; a tussle over an urban and a more rural version of Rosogolla.

After Hilsa, a hard battle was fought over Rosogolla-the famed sweet of Bengal. This time the contestants were Bengal and Odisha and not India and Bangladesh as was the case with the bony fish of Padma and Ganga. The two states of India fought over who will get the GI claim over the sweetmeat. The battle started with Odisha staking a claim over Rosogolla in 2016. A committee was formed by the state government, stating that the sweet has its roots in the Land of Jagannath. To bolster its claim, Odisha has primarily taken recourse to religious ritual as evidence. It drew from mythology to argue that Rosogolla is the sweet that Lord Jagannath offered to his consort Goddess Lakshmi when she was upset at his long absence during Rathayatra. Goddess Lakshmi relented upon taking a bite of the sweet, proving for eternity the heavenly taste of Rosogolla. Till date, Rosogolla is an important part of 'Niladri Bije' celebration in Puri, Odisha. But unlike Odisha, Bengal in claiming a GI status over Rosogolla, hasn't walked the religious line. Instead, the Bengal government took a very technical line. × But unlike Odisha, Bengal in claiming a GI status over Rosogolla, hasn't walked the religious line. Instead, the Bengal government took a very technical line. In the letter to the Geographical Indications Registry office in Chennai, the state department of food processing industries and horticulture said the way the dessert is made in Bengal is different from that of other states. The officials of the Ministry goes on to elaborate, "The preparation of light sugar syrup is unique and it contributes towards the taste of Rasogolla. Light syrup adds to the unique mouth-fill characteristic which is traditional in nature and well documented in different books unlike other similar products." The 'unique' feature of 'Banglar Rasogolla', therefore, lay in the use of light syrup. The Rosogolla's from Odisha, on the other hand, use dense thick syrup, it is brownish in colour and it is, as the petitioners from West Bengal, pointed out is 'chewy' and 'sticky' as opposed to the 'light' and 'fluffy' test of Bengali Rosogolla. So far I have witnessed two types of reactions to this Rosogolla debate: there are many among us who completely find the battle trivial; they are nodding in disbelieve as to how can possibly there be a fight over a type of sweetmeat. There are equally as many people, perhaps more vociferous, who are treating the episode in all seriousness. However, what we are missing to note is, the fight over Rosogolla is not entirely a fight over the origin. The fight is actually a cultural battle; a tussle over an urban and a more rural version of Rosogolla. The one that got the GI tag will not only bring more business but also emerge as the most coveted type. All Rosogollas, losing their distinctive character, will aspire to become the Kolkata type. It is in this close braiding of economic and cultural aspects wherein lies the significance of the Rosogolla battle. The fights over Rosogolla is not entirely a fight over the origin. The fight is actually a cultural battle; a tussle over an urban and a more rural version of Rosogolla. × Made of cheeseballs that are dipped in syrup, Rosogolla has been the iconic sweet of Bengal. Wherever Bengalis went, they have ensured Rosogolla is made available at least on special occasions. I have seen Rosogolla selling in the restaurants of New York City in a very similar way to 'mishthanna bhandars' (sweetmeat shops) of Hatibagan, a 19-century old neighbourhood of north Kolkata. If the Bengal historians are to be trusted that Nobin Chandra Das was the inventor of Bengali Rosogolla, then it is area around Hatibagan and Shyambazar that must have seen the first emergence of these sweet cottage balls. The small pyramid of spongy white balls tugged my heart more than any other symbol of my homeland. The popularity of Rosogollas ensured that it became the first canned sweetmeat of Bengal. KC Nag, a very old sweet seller from Kolkata, showed the foresight to can, pack, and fly out Rosogollas to distant lands. KC Nag's marketing made the soft, fluffy, spongy Rosogollas the representative sample of the sweetmeat. This particular type emerged as the hegemonic Rosogolla of Bengal. For good or bad, Kolkata-type of Rosogollas very successfully erased the business potential of all other kinds of Rosogollas worldwide. The educated, urban middle-class Bengali made this spongy type their own. That is what began to be served during all festivities, celebrations, and all kinds of occasions. The type of Rosogollas found outside India or in the major metropolis of India is basically this Kolkata type. But does that mean that rest of Bengal swoon over the same type? Not at all. Go to the mufassils and you will see them selling Rosogollas which are brown, chewy, heavy and large. To put it simply, most of Bengal have Rosogolla's that are very similar (if not exact) to Odhisa ones. Kolkata, in this case, is a distant cousin. Winning the GI tag for 'Banglar Rasogolla' (Bengal's Rasgulla) serves as a fantastic instance of a cultural imposition when Kolkata thrust its own type of Rosogolla as the Rosogolla of Bengal. But this is the official discourse. As far as what we consume, there is an old saying in Bengal: aap ruchi khana i.e eat what you want.

How Bengal won the 'Rosogolla war' over Orissa

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/first-look-anushka-sharmas-spooky-movie-pari-16770">Anushka Sharma </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/first-look-anushka-sharmas-spooky-movie-pari-16770">starrer</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/first-look-anushka-sharmas-spooky-movie-pari-16770">-horror movie &quot;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/first-look-anushka-sharmas-spooky-movie-pari-16770">Pari</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/first-look-anushka-sharmas-spooky-movie-pari-16770">&quot;</a> is hit by an accident.</p>

<p>In a fresh report&nbsp;from the film&#39;s set, a 30-year-old lightman identified as Saheb Alam is dead as a result of electrocution. &nbsp;Alam was a Mumbai resident and was working on the film&#39;s set when this happened.</p>

<p>Due to heavy downpour in the city, the production unit of the film had asked all crew members to wear gumboots while filming. It is reported that Alam refused to wear the gum boots and ended up getting electrocuted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alam was rushed to the hospital&nbsp;but was declared brought dead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anushka Sharma has been shooting for the film in Bengal&#39;s&nbsp;Bojherhat area for the past three days. The shooting resumed soon after the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Anushka Sharma has been shooting for the film in Bengal's?Bojherhat area for the past three days

Anushka Sharma starrer-horror movie "Pari" is hit by an accident. In a fresh report from the film's set, a 30-year-old lightman identified as Saheb Alam is dead as a result of electrocution. Alam was a Mumbai resident and was working on the film's set when this happened. Due to heavy downpour in the city, the production unit of the film had asked all crew members to wear gumboots while filming. It is reported that Alam refused to wear the gum boots and ended up getting electrocuted. Alam was rushed to the hospital but was declared brought dead. Anushka Sharma has been shooting for the film in Bengal's Bojherhat area for the past three days. The shooting resumed soon after the incident. (WION)

Man dies on the sets of Anushka's film 'Pari'

<p><tt><em>&ldquo;Crazy! Crazy! Everyone says I am crazy!<br />
But often I wonder is it the world or me?&rdquo;</em></tt></p>

<p>(Translated in English from the original lines, these are the lyrics of a Baul song)</p>

<p>The folk song explores the relationship between an artiste&nbsp;and their passionate love for the divine, the nature and the body.</p>

<p>Dressed in simple clothes with unkempt hair, Baul performers are often seen driven with a strange eagerness to profess their love via music and dance. One such artiste is Parvathy Baul, who is internationally-acclaimed for her Baul song and dance sequences. Born in 1976, the Baul singer, musician and storyteller feels the need to &ldquo;contribute to this tradition as a practitioner&rdquo;.</p>

<p><strong>Music for Mind and Body</strong></p>

<p>To realise a taste for an old music form in a techno-savvy world today, Parvathy helps us understand the symbiotic relationship between mind and body, &ldquo;finding true self within--through music, dance and poetry&rdquo;.</p>

<p>Tracing the origin of Baul and its earliest form of practice, Parvathy narrates an episode between her Guru and herself: &ldquo;When I asked my Guru Sri Sanatan Das Baul, &lsquo;who is the first Baul?&rsquo;, his answer was Shiva. I then asked him why, to which he said, &lsquo;Look, he (Shiva) is mad, he left the golden palace and came to sit in cremation ground. Shiva represents our most ancient stream of wisdom&rsquo;. &nbsp;Baul stream is deeply rooted in our ever new culture of spiritual consciousness.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parvathy confirms that Baul songs are meant for all. She says, &ldquo;I too was born in a modern time where I grew up with the knowledge from east and west, listening to all kinds of music, but I found deep resonance inside me with Baul. Baul songs are timeless because these songs come from our conscious wisdom through many generations who observed life with great compassion. Therefore it is relevant for anyone who wants to find the true self within.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Apart from nurturing the best within an artiste, Baul, according to several researches is a love story between the divine and the performer. Parvathy narrates, &ldquo; I love this love story, I think every Baul does--story of Sufi Rabia. Once a man came to her and asked her : &lsquo;I have committed many sins. If I pray to the God will he show mercy on me?&rsquo; She replied with a no, and said that he will turn towards you and you will turn within--to turn towards him&rsquo;. Baul is about turning towards Him through voice and music while the beloved is turning along with Baul.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Baul follows the path of compassion and love, here the god is described as the &lsquo;Moner Manush&rsquo; or the Man of the heart, and he is manifested through everyone equally. Baul do not belong to any boundary.</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>She adds, &ldquo;Baul follows the path of compassion and love, here the god is described as the &lsquo;Moner Manush&rsquo; or the Man of the heart, and he is manifested through everyone equally. Baul do not belong to any boundary. There are quite a number of people who were inspired from this tradition, and has followed the Baul path in their lives.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parvathy also draws a similarity between Sufi and Baul style of music. She says, &ldquo;Baul songs and sufi songs have similarity in content and approach to poetry but singing style is very different. Baul songs were inspired and composed within the frame of original Bengali Music which includes folk music, tribal music, Bengali Drupad and Padavali traditions.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Baul follows the path of compassion and love (Facebook)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Mystical Romance</strong></p>

<p>Born and raised in the eastern state of West Bengal in India, Parvathy did not belong to the community of Baul who identify themselves as a group of mystic minstrels, free from any religious identity. So how was she introduced to them?</p>

<p>Parvathy says, &ldquo;I wasn&#39;t exposed to Baul in my childhood, it&rsquo;s only when I came to study in Shantiniketan Kalabhavan as an art student, I got introduced to it. I started performing in 1994, so it&rsquo;s been 23 years now.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;When I saw my Guru Sanatan Das Baul&rdquo;, she remarks when I ask her what is that one incident that made her leave everything else and submerge in the art form. She continues, &ldquo;I was drawn to Baul songs already by then when Baba came to perform in Kalabhavan. &nbsp;In those days, I was still contemplating and seeking inside (myself) to find completeness as an artist through art. I saw his performance--he was complete. When he was sipping his tea after a concert, I went up to him. I had seen artists and musicians before, but there was a certain aura (around him) which created magic--a yogi artist. Baul is about using the medium of art to experience inner transformation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Baul is about going beyond music, dance and poetry, through all movement to achieve an inner stillness.</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There is a beautiful story I must tell. When Savitri (Satyavan Savitri from Mahabharata) was shown darkness by death, she came up without fear. Then the Supreme showed her another face which was full of light that stayed on forever but it still did not satisfy her. She wanted to transform the darkness, so she went beyond light and darkness in her silence to a land where there is neither sun nor moon. Baul too is about going beyond music, dance and poetry, through all movement to achieve an inner stillness.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p>(Here Savitri&rsquo;s reference comes from Mahabharata, the Hindu mythology but Parvathy adds that the Baul community also derives aspiration from a poem called Savitri by Sri Aurobindo based on the same ancient story.)</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&#39;s very nice for me to discover the journey of aspiration through wise woman Savitri&rdquo;, Parvathy adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Celestial novelty</strong></p>

<p>Parvathy performs all across the world to revive and sustain the age old practice of Baul but she also believes that it&rsquo;s one of the easiest things to do, if you have the zeal. She says, &ldquo;Being a Baul you must keep yourself prepared always because singing is an everyday practice for a Baul. Everytime you sing anywhere, it will mostly be a satsang. Baul concerts are all about remembering poetry of wisdom. There&rsquo;s no pressure as it all depends on your inner being which in turn controls the expression of songs. We don&#39;t decide because even if you decide, you will sing only what is necessary, since the songs are those of the Masters and they make you sing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Baul unlike any other music form does not fashion a strict structure of rhythm and style. It depends entirely on the individual and the passion with which performance is carried forth. Parvathy talks about synchronisation of music and dance while the artiste presents to an audience. She says, &ldquo;Dance happens with the flow of the song. Baul dance is not choreographed. Every time a Baul is dancing, it is spontaneous. Sometimes these conscious movements are ever new and the Baul may not be able to repeat it. It will almost be like asking a painter to rewind his paintings or asking the painter to paint the same painting exactly like before. The song and dancing together is unique in Baul as we hardly find any other tradition where the performer sings, dances and plays an instrument at the same time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Baul not just differs in style but also in its message. Parvathy explains, &ldquo;The message is in the song, in the poetry. Baul is known as &lsquo;Shavda Gaan&rsquo;--word/ sound song, or spoken song-- a singing wisdom. Dance is &lsquo;Bhav Nritya&rsquo; where it is the true inner expression of pure joy of celebrating the union with the divine. &nbsp;This is the connection. Dance is the egoless state in Baul which is sometimes described as &rsquo;Sahaj Bhav&rsquo;.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dance steps are learned from the Guru while performing Baul-- (you) stand only as an empty slate which is to be painted by the divine. So one must unlearn in order to dance. The essential being within us remembers and it will guide the body to move only in a disciplined way. Yet Baul wouldn&rsquo;t decide his &nbsp;steps. It is guided with the &lsquo;Bhav&rsquo; (English: feedback) which comes from the flow of the song and the meaning of the song.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>But I must say that a woman has to cross much more obstacles, and she has to be extraordinarily strong inside to keep her songs alive.</h5>
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<p><strong>Man-Woman bond</strong></p>

<p>While Baul art form addresses important issues of mind-body-soul, is it also gender-neutral?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parvathy answers, &ldquo;Baul is Guru-Shishya (English: teacher-student) stream of learning and teaching process. So basically, one goes to learn first from a Guru. The student needs to&nbsp;go through tough training: discipline, improvement through time and come out as a mature practitioner. On successful completion, the Baul community will accept anyone devoid of class, caste, religion, culture or gender. But I must say that a woman has to cross much more obstacles, and she has to be extraordinarily strong inside to keep her songs alive.&rdquo;</p>

<p>To my question of what does it mean to be a woman Baul performer, she adds, &ldquo;There is a song in Baul: &lsquo;Oh my heart , I wonder where you are a man or a woman?&rsquo;. Within Baul, aspect of man and woman, both are inside the same body. We identify with sexuality in a biological manner only on the exterior while inside it&rsquo;s the same. The real work is to keep both energies equal but it takes great opening (exposure) within to recognise this truth.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She also thanks her Gurus for introducing her to the rich tradition of Baul. Reflecting on the strength of women performers, she says, &ldquo;I feel we have a lot to contribute to this tradition as a practitioner of this tradition. Women Baul practitioners living in small unknown villages contribute their one-minded devotion and service to keep the tradition alive. Though they do not usually take the front seat of a teacher but they hold the knowledge deep within them and help in passing it on to the next generation. These women continue to sing and fill the hearts of their listeners. I feel a lot more women will take up the role of practicing and teaching the Baul tradition in future.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Staying in a Spiral of Love</strong></p>

<p>As a celebrated Baul artiste, Parvathy has achieved international fame and recognition. She has not only given private shows but has presented in various top-rated universities. A highly successful minstrel, Parvathy is a rare example of Baul as most come from disadvantaged areas of the world with almost no exposure to the world. They carry their traditional art form and pass it on to those who wish to learn. Parvathy at this point says, &ldquo;I would like to experience receiving love and giving love&rdquo;.</p>

<p>While many would not confirm with this style of music given the changing taste of younger generation, towards the end of the interview, Parvathy emphasises that there is no need for Baul to compete with today&rsquo;s brand of music. She says, &ldquo; Baul songs can be traced back to thousand years and now the tradition is deep and mature. Those who will be thirsty and will seek within will always return to Baul songs. Baul song is ever new because any man or woman&rsquo;s search for their true self, to seek true love &nbsp;will lead them to Baul, through pure music and dance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Owing to the nature of music and rich cultural references, Baul is currently in the list of &ldquo;Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity&rdquo; conferred by UNESCO.</p>

<p>One of the songs she shared with us:</p>

<p><tt><em>Je jon poddohem sarovare Jai</em></tt></p>

<p><tt><em>One who goes to the golden lotus lake<br />
Finds the invaluable wealth of love<br />
Simply.<br />
The flow of that water is continuous<br />
Pearl and rubies hide in the deep&nbsp;<br />
The words not sufficient to describe<br />
If you touch&nbsp;<br />
You become the touch Stone.</em></tt></p>

<p><tt><em>In a moment the banks builds its shore<br />
In moment it breaks<br />
On that shore one can find that fish<br />
It&#39;s not a work of ordinary.</em></tt></p>

<p><tt><em>The waves comes and goes<br />
Without wind<br />
The river breaks into three in a blink<br />
In that flow the connoisseur<br />
Dives deep&nbsp;<br />
To gather pearls and rubies.</em></tt></p>

<p><tt><em>One who has guru as his boatman<br />
He can give shelter to many<br />
Fakir Lalan says , with the power of yoga<br />
He goes beyond the fear of death.</em></tt></p>

<p>(WION)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


With the young generation craving for Justin Bieber's music, Baul singers continue to search for true self within--through music, dance and poetry.

“Crazy! Crazy! Everyone says I am crazy! But often I wonder is it the world or me?” (Translated in English from the original lines, these are the lyrics of a Baul song) The folk song explores the relationship between an artiste and their passionate love for the divine, the nature and the body. Dressed in simple clothes with unkempt hair, Baul performers are often seen driven with a strange eagerness to profess their love via music and dance. One such artiste is Parvathy Baul, who is internationally-acclaimed for her Baul song and dance sequences. Born in 1976, the Baul singer, musician and storyteller feels the need to “contribute to this tradition as a practitioner”. Music for Mind and Body To realise a taste for an old music form in a techno-savvy world today, Parvathy helps us understand the symbiotic relationship between mind and body, “finding true self within--through music, dance and poetry”. Tracing the origin of Baul and its earliest form of practice, Parvathy narrates an episode between her Guru and herself: “When I asked my Guru Sri Sanatan Das Baul, ‘who is the first Baul?’, his answer was Shiva. I then asked him why, to which he said, ‘Look, he (Shiva) is mad, he left the golden palace and came to sit in cremation ground. Shiva represents our most ancient stream of wisdom’. Baul stream is deeply rooted in our ever new culture of spiritual consciousness.” Parvathy confirms that Baul songs are meant for all. She says, “I too was born in a modern time where I grew up with the knowledge from east and west, listening to all kinds of music, but I found deep resonance inside me with Baul. Baul songs are timeless because these songs come from our conscious wisdom through many generations who observed life with great compassion. Therefore it is relevant for anyone who wants to find the true self within.” Apart from nurturing the best within an artiste, Baul, according to several researches is a love story between the divine and the performer. Parvathy narrates, “ I love this love story, I think every Baul does--story of Sufi Rabia. Once a man came to her and asked her : ‘I have committed many sins. If I pray to the God will he show mercy on me?’ She replied with a no, and said that he will turn towards you and you will turn within--to turn towards him’. Baul is about turning towards Him through voice and music while the beloved is turning along with Baul.” Baul follows the path of compassion and love, here the god is described as the ‘Moner Manush’ or the Man of the heart, and he is manifested through everyone equally. Baul do not belong to any boundary. × She adds, “Baul follows the path of compassion and love, here the god is described as the ‘Moner Manush’ or the Man of the heart, and he is manifested through everyone equally. Baul do not belong to any boundary. There are quite a number of people who were inspired from this tradition, and has followed the Baul path in their lives.” Parvathy also draws a similarity between Sufi and Baul style of music. She says, “Baul songs and sufi songs have similarity in content and approach to poetry but singing style is very different. Baul songs were inspired and composed within the frame of original Bengali Music which includes folk music, tribal music, Bengali Drupad and Padavali traditions.” Baul follows the path of compassion and love (Facebook) × Mystical Romance Born and raised in the eastern state of West Bengal in India, Parvathy did not belong to the community of Baul who identify themselves as a group of mystic minstrels, free from any religious identity. So how was she introduced to them? Parvathy says, “I wasn't exposed to Baul in my childhood, it’s only when I came to study in Shantiniketan Kalabhavan as an art student, I got introduced to it. I started performing in 1994, so it’s been 23 years now.” “When I saw my Guru Sanatan Das Baul”, she remarks when I ask her what is that one incident that made her leave everything else and submerge in the art form. She continues, “I was drawn to Baul songs already by then when Baba came to perform in Kalabhavan. In those days, I was still contemplating and seeking inside (myself) to find completeness as an artist through art. I saw his performance--he was complete. When he was sipping his tea after a concert, I went up to him. I had seen artists and musicians before, but there was a certain aura (around him) which created magic--a yogi artist. Baul is about using the medium of art to experience inner transformation. Baul is about going beyond music, dance and poetry, through all movement to achieve an inner stillness. × “There is a beautiful story I must tell. When Savitri (Satyavan Savitri from Mahabharata) was shown darkness by death, she came up without fear. Then the Supreme showed her another face which was full of light that stayed on forever but it still did not satisfy her. She wanted to transform the darkness, so she went beyond light and darkness in her silence to a land where there is neither sun nor moon. Baul too is about going beyond music, dance and poetry, through all movement to achieve an inner stillness.” (Here Savitri’s reference comes from Mahabharata, the Hindu mythology but Parvathy adds that the Baul community also derives aspiration from a poem called Savitri by Sri Aurobindo based on the same ancient story.) “It's very nice for me to discover the journey of aspiration through wise woman Savitri”, Parvathy adds. Baul is about finding true self within--through music, dance and poetry (Facebook) × Celestial novelty Parvathy performs all across the world to revive and sustain the age old practice of Baul but she also believes that it’s one of the easiest things to do, if you have the zeal. She says, “Being a Baul you must keep yourself prepared always because singing is an everyday practice for a Baul. Everytime you sing anywhere, it will mostly be a satsang. Baul concerts are all about remembering poetry of wisdom. There’s no pressure as it all depends on your inner being which in turn controls the expression of songs. We don't decide because even if you decide, you will sing only what is necessary, since the songs are those of the Masters and they make you sing.” Baul unlike any other music form does not fashion a strict structure of rhythm and style. It depends entirely on the individual and the passion with which performance is carried forth. Parvathy talks about synchronisation of music and dance while the artiste presents to an audience. She says, “Dance happens with the flow of the song. Baul dance is not choreographed. Every time a Baul is dancing, it is spontaneous. Sometimes these conscious movements are ever new and the Baul may not be able to repeat it. It will almost be like asking a painter to rewind his paintings or asking the painter to paint the same painting exactly like before. The song and dancing together is unique in Baul as we hardly find any other tradition where the performer sings, dances and plays an instrument at the same time.” Baul not just differs in style but also in its message. Parvathy explains, “The message is in the song, in the poetry. Baul is known as ‘Shavda Gaan’--word/ sound song, or spoken song-- a singing wisdom. Dance is ‘Bhav Nritya’ where it is the true inner expression of pure joy of celebrating the union with the divine. This is the connection. Dance is the egoless state in Baul which is sometimes described as ’Sahaj Bhav’. “Dance steps are learned from the Guru while performing Baul-- (you) stand only as an empty slate which is to be painted by the divine. So one must unlearn in order to dance. The essential being within us remembers and it will guide the body to move only in a disciplined way. Yet Baul wouldn’t decide his steps. It is guided with the ‘Bhav’ (English: feedback) which comes from the flow of the song and the meaning of the song.” But I must say that a woman has to cross much more obstacles, and she has to be extraordinarily strong inside to keep her songs alive. × Man-Woman bond While Baul art form addresses important issues of mind-body-soul, is it also gender-neutral? Parvathy answers, “Baul is Guru-Shishya (English: teacher-student) stream of learning and teaching process. So basically, one goes to learn first from a Guru. The student needs to go through tough training: discipline, improvement through time and come out as a mature practitioner. On successful completion, the Baul community will accept anyone devoid of class, caste, religion, culture or gender. But I must say that a woman has to cross much more obstacles, and she has to be extraordinarily strong inside to keep her songs alive.” To my question of what does it mean to be a woman Baul performer, she adds, “There is a song in Baul: ‘Oh my heart , I wonder where you are a man or a woman?’. Within Baul, aspect of man and woman, both are inside the same body. We identify with sexuality in a biological manner only on the exterior while inside it’s the same. The real work is to keep both energies equal but it takes great opening (exposure) within to recognise this truth.” She also thanks her Gurus for introducing her to the rich tradition of Baul. Reflecting on the strength of women performers, she says, “I feel we have a lot to contribute to this tradition as a practitioner of this tradition. Women Baul practitioners living in small unknown villages contribute their one-minded devotion and service to keep the tradition alive. Though they do not usually take the front seat of a teacher but they hold the knowledge deep within them and help in passing it on to the next generation. These women continue to sing and fill the hearts of their listeners. I feel a lot more women will take up the role of practicing and teaching the Baul tradition in future.” Staying in a Spiral of Love As a celebrated Baul artiste, Parvathy has achieved international fame and recognition. She has not only given private shows but has presented in various top-rated universities. A highly successful minstrel, Parvathy is a rare example of Baul as most come from disadvantaged areas of the world with almost no exposure to the world. They carry their traditional art form and pass it on to those who wish to learn. Parvathy at this point says, “I would like to experience receiving love and giving love”. While many would not confirm with this style of music given the changing taste of younger generation, towards the end of the interview, Parvathy emphasises that there is no need for Baul to compete with today’s brand of music. She says, “ Baul songs can be traced back to thousand years and now the tradition is deep and mature. Those who will be thirsty and will seek within will always return to Baul songs. Baul song is ever new because any man or woman’s search for their true self, to seek true love will lead them to Baul, through pure music and dance.” Owing to the nature of music and rich cultural references, Baul is currently in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” conferred by UNESCO. One of the songs she shared with us: Je jon poddohem sarovare Jai One who goes to the golden lotus lake Finds the invaluable wealth of love Simply. The flow of that water is continuous Pearl and rubies hide in the deep The words not sufficient to describe If you touch You become the touch Stone. In a moment the banks builds its shore In moment it breaks On that shore one can find that fish It's not a work of ordinary. The waves comes and goes Without wind The river breaks into three in a blink In that flow the connoisseur Dives deep To gather pearls and rubies. One who has guru as his boatman He can give shelter to many Fakir Lalan says , with the power of yoga He goes beyond the fear of death. (WION)

The divine, the nature and the body: Parvathy Baul in conversation with WION

<p>The villagers of Bhangar in Bengal woke up on Wednesday morning to find police uniforms strewn over the village&#39;s fields.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bengal Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Combat Force uniforms were found in the fields, as were helmets and bullet-proof jackets.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>According to the villagers, &quot;outsiders&quot; dressed as Bengal Police officers had opened fire at&nbsp;protestors and attacked their homes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police and villagers had clashed on Tuesday over the acquistion of village land for the setting up of a power substation at Bhangar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as two villagers were left dead in the clashes. Both of them had suffered bullet injuries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A section of the villagers allege the abandoned uniforms are linked to a local strongman from the Trinamool Congress. &ldquo;In the name of police, his men attacked us and our houses. They opened fire and hurled bombs at us,&rdquo; said Safikul, a villager.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Trinamool Congress is the ruling party in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the villagers have put up makeshift road blockades using uprooted trees and bricks at almost every entry point into the village to prevent police from getting in.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, the villagers said their protest and agitation would continue till Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee herself announces the closure of the project. They added that only then will believe the project has been scrapped.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, Banerjee reached Bengal Police headquarters to chair a high-level meeting with the director general of police and additional director general (Law and Order) over the prevailing situation at Bhangar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Villagers wonder whether ?outsiders? dressed as policemen had attacked them

The villagers of Bhangar in Bengal woke up on Wednesday morning to find police uniforms strewn over the village's fields. Bengal Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Combat Force uniforms were found in the fields, as were helmets and bullet-proof jackets. Helmets and bullet-proof jackets were found along with the uniforms × According to the villagers, "outsiders" dressed as Bengal Police officers had opened fire at protestors and attacked their homes. Police and villagers had clashed on Tuesday over the acquistion of village land for the setting up of a power substation at Bhangar. As many as two villagers were left dead in the clashes. Both of them had suffered bullet injuries. A section of the villagers allege the abandoned uniforms are linked to a local strongman from the Trinamool Congress. “In the name of police, his men attacked us and our houses. They opened fire and hurled bombs at us,” said Safikul, a villager. The Trinamool Congress is the ruling party in the state. Meanwhile, the villagers have put up makeshift road blockades using uprooted trees and bricks at almost every entry point into the village to prevent police from getting in. On Wednesday, the villagers said their protest and agitation would continue till Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee herself announces the closure of the project. They added that only then will believe the project has been scrapped. On the other hand, Banerjee reached Bengal Police headquarters to chair a high-level meeting with the director general of police and additional director general (Law and Order) over the prevailing situation at Bhangar. (WION)

Bengal anti-land grab agitation: Day after clashes, police uniforms found abandoned in fields

<p>Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has alleged that the Indian Army that its personnel were deployed at toll plazas without informing the state government and were collecting money from vehicles.</p>

<p>&quot;This is unprecedented and a very serious matter,&quot;&nbsp;she said.</p>

<p>The army strongly rebutted to this comment saying that the exercise was being carried out in coordination with the Kolkata police.</p>

<p>&quot;The exercise was earlier planned for November 27 and 28. The dates were changed to November 30 to December 2 on a specific request by Kolkata police due to Bharat Bandh called on&nbsp;November 28,&quot; said GOC Bengal area (officiating) Major Gen Sunil Yadav.</p>

<p>However, the TMC in the Rajya Sabha accused that it was being misled by MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre and says that no conclusive answer was being given by the Centre on army deployment.</p>

<p>The officiating GOC Bengal Area reacted to Chief Minister&#39;s allegations by saying, &quot;We deny all charges with all contempt. Allegations of collection of money by Army personnel are also totally baseless.&quot;</p>

<p>Maj Gen Yadav said a similar exercise in Eastern Command was carried out in November 2015 at the same places. The Major Gen also said that a recce was conducted with two inspectors of the Kolkata Police at toll plaza on November 27.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;The issues raised by the police were addressed and were telephonically informed to the police.&quot;</p>

<p>He further added that the exercise will continue as planned earlier and will end tonight.</p>

<p>The army also released letters written to the state government on the exercise. &quot;It is happening in nine states now across 80 locations. We have our specific targets for data collection. After doing the work for 36 hours our work was done and&nbsp;<br />
we had left the toll plaza near Nabanna,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Yesterday a defence spokesperson had said that the army conducts biennial exercise throughout the country with the aim of getting statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the army in case of a contingency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wing Commander SS Birdi of the Indian Air Force said, &quot;There is nothing alarming about this and it is carried out as per government orders.&quot;</p>

<p>He also said that&nbsp;the exercise gives an estimate about the number of vehicles passing through a certain area that could be tapped during operations.</p>

<p>(WION&nbsp;inputs from DNA)</p>


Mamata had yesterday alleged that the army had been deployed without informing the state government

Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has alleged that the Indian Army that its personnel were deployed at toll plazas without informing the state government and were collecting money from vehicles. "This is unprecedented and a very serious matter," she said. The army strongly rebutted to this comment saying that the exercise was being carried out in coordination with the Kolkata police. "The exercise was earlier planned for November 27 and 28. The dates were changed to November 30 to December 2 on a specific request by Kolkata police due to Bharat Bandh called on November 28," said GOC Bengal area (officiating) Major Gen Sunil Yadav. However, the TMC in the Rajya Sabha accused that it was being misled by MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre and says that no conclusive answer was being given by the Centre on army deployment. The officiating GOC Bengal Area reacted to Chief Minister's allegations by saying, "We deny all charges with all contempt. Allegations of collection of money by Army personnel are also totally baseless." Maj Gen Yadav said a similar exercise in Eastern Command was carried out in November 2015 at the same places. The Major Gen also said that a recce was conducted with two inspectors of the Kolkata Police at toll plaza on November 27. He said, "The issues raised by the police were addressed and were telephonically informed to the police." He further added that the exercise will continue as planned earlier and will end tonight. The army also released letters written to the state government on the exercise. "It is happening in nine states now across 80 locations. We have our specific targets for data collection. After doing the work for 36 hours our work was done and we had left the toll plaza near Nabanna," he said. Yesterday a defence spokesperson had said that the army conducts biennial exercise throughout the country with the aim of getting statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the army in case of a contingency. Wing Commander SS Birdi of the Indian Air Force said, "There is nothing alarming about this and it is carried out as per government orders." He also said that the exercise gives an estimate about the number of vehicles passing through a certain area that could be tapped during operations. (WION inputs from DNA)

Indian Army refutes Mamata Banerjee's charges, says exercise done with Bengal police

<p>Communist Party of India (Marxist) mouthpiece in India&rsquo;s eastern state of West Bengal, known as &lsquo;Ganashakti&rsquo; made startling revelations on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
The regional daily carried a page one story revealing that hours before the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a move to demonetise Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 currency notes, the Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party deposited Rs.1 crore into its bank account comprising Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 currency notes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
On the afternoon of November 8, a bank account at Indian Bank&rsquo;s Central Avenue branch registered in the name of BJP &ndash; West Bengal bearing an account number, 554510034 recorded a transaction under which Rs.60 lakhs were deposited, comprising all notes of Rs.1,000 denomination. A few hours later, another transaction was recorded, where in Rs.40 lakhs were deposited, this time comprising notes of not just Rs.1,000 denomination but also Rs.500 notes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
The CPI(M) claims that the Rs.1 crore deposited in the bank account of BJP&rsquo;s Bengal unit hours before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s announcement reveals the close quarters of the party were aware of the government&rsquo;s move of demonetisation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&ldquo;Why did the BJP suddenly deposit this huge amount of Rs.1 crore hours before the announcement? Were they aware that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to announce something that same evening? This is not just an attempt to convert black money to white but also reveals that the party was aware of the government&rsquo;s move,&rdquo; said CPI(M) state secretary, Surya Kanta Mishra.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Sujan Chakraborty, a CPI(M) MLA took a dig at the ruling party at the Centre &ndash; BJP that more such transactions have taken place across the country. &ldquo;Here we have evidence of this transaction taking place in Bengal. But, similar transactions have taken place in other parts of the country, hours before the announcement,&rdquo; Chakraborty said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
On the other hand, the President of BJP&rsquo;s Bengal unit, Dilip Ghosh ruled out the possibility of conversion of black money to white. &ldquo;First of all, I&rsquo;m not aware of any such transaction taking place. Even if this huge amount has been deposited, there is nothing wrong. We must have the sent the money to Delhi for election-related expenses. The party does not lack funds in this part of the country,&rdquo; said Ghosh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Another leader of the Bengal unit of BJP, Jayaprakash Majumdar said it was a completely legal bank transaction.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Regional Bengali daily ?Ganashakti?, mouthpiece of Communist Party of India-Marxist in West Bengal, made the startling revelations on Friday

Communist Party of India (Marxist) mouthpiece in India’s eastern state of West Bengal, known as ‘Ganashakti’ made startling revelations on Friday. The regional daily carried a page one story revealing that hours before the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a move to demonetise Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 currency notes, the Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party deposited Rs.1 crore into its bank account comprising Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 currency notes. On the afternoon of November 8, a bank account at Indian Bank’s Central Avenue branch registered in the name of BJP – West Bengal bearing an account number, 554510034 recorded a transaction under which Rs.60 lakhs were deposited, comprising all notes of Rs.1,000 denomination. A few hours later, another transaction was recorded, where in Rs.40 lakhs were deposited, this time comprising notes of not just Rs.1,000 denomination but also Rs.500 notes. The CPI(M) claims that the Rs.1 crore deposited in the bank account of BJP’s Bengal unit hours before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement reveals the close quarters of the party were aware of the government’s move of demonetisation. “Why did the BJP suddenly deposit this huge amount of Rs.1 crore hours before the announcement? Were they aware that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to announce something that same evening? This is not just an attempt to convert black money to white but also reveals that the party was aware of the government’s move,” said CPI(M) state secretary, Surya Kanta Mishra. Sujan Chakraborty, a CPI(M) MLA took a dig at the ruling party at the Centre – BJP that more such transactions have taken place across the country. “Here we have evidence of this transaction taking place in Bengal. But, similar transactions have taken place in other parts of the country, hours before the announcement,” Chakraborty said. On the other hand, the President of BJP’s Bengal unit, Dilip Ghosh ruled out the possibility of conversion of black money to white. “First of all, I’m not aware of any such transaction taking place. Even if this huge amount has been deposited, there is nothing wrong. We must have the sent the money to Delhi for election-related expenses. The party does not lack funds in this part of the country,” said Ghosh. Another leader of the Bengal unit of BJP, Jayaprakash Majumdar said it was a completely legal bank transaction. (WION)

India: Daily claims state BJP knew of demonetisation plans, deposited Rs 1 crore on morning of announcement

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