Mamata Banerjee has taken up the responsibility to restore the lost glory of Bengal. It is not that rosy a picture as you might imagine.
Restoring lost glory of Bengal essentially means cohorting with film stars and cricketers. Film stars are popular and attract large crowds at public meetings which hopefully may turn into votes. Cricketers are also wildly popular figures which attract reams of newspaper coverage. But are film stars and cricketers the only guardians of culture and heritage?
What about the thousands of doctors toiling away in remote villages of the state? They are helping save lives with barely there resources.
What about the thousand of farmers toiling away on the soil in these uncertain times? As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, it is time we salute those unseen hands that feed all of us.
What about the thousands and teachers toiling away in schools across the state? They are preparing the next generation of guardians of the very heritage that she is trying to save.
What about the thousands of sportsmen and women toiling away for the state and national glory? They are winning medals without sponsorships or rewards from the state.
What about the thousands of writers, artists, painters toiling away to bring revival of the language and documenting our way of life? They are upholding our rich history and culture and enriching the content by adding their voice and work to it.
Rewarding already cash-rich movie stars and cricketers will not bring glory back to the state. People in the state make Bengal. People silently working towards its upliftment deserve attention, support and recognition. Honoring the past is essential. But bolstering the present to pave way for the future is vital. Let us not miss this opportunity to truly restore the glory of Bengal.
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