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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

Polling begins in Bengal under tight security cover

Reports of tension had started surfacing from certain pockets in the Cooch Behar constituency, which is under the scanner of the Election Commission of India…reports Asian Lite News

Polling for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal started on Friday morning under tight security cover.

However, in the first 30 minutes since the polling began, reports of tension had started surfacing from certain pockets in the Cooch Behar constituency, which is under the scanner of the Election Commission of India.

Voters were seen lining up in front of the polling booth in all three constituencies in the early hours.

Interacting with the media persons, early voters said that the two reasons that prompted them to reach polling stations early were to avoid the heat as well as the long queues in the latter part of the day.

The polling began with a tragedy at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district, where a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, who was admitted to a hospital, died early Friday morning. The said jawan, identified as Nilesh Kumar Nilu (42), was admitted to a local hospital on Thursday night after he complained of uneasiness. He was a resident of Bihar.

Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday told media persons that he will be keeping a watch on the developments throughout the day from the Peace Room within the premises of the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata.

Polling is continuing in 2,043 booths at Cooch Behar, 1,867 in Alipurduar and 1,904 in Jalpaiguri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a public meeting in Cooch Behar earlier this month and attacked the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for “protecting the accused” in the Sandeshkhali incidents that rocked the state.

He asserted that only BJP can stop atrocities against women, adding that the party has resolved to ensure punishment for the accused in the Sandeshkhali incidents.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP marked a strong improvement, taking its tally from 2 in 2014 to 18 against the TMC’s 22. The Congress’s tally dropped to just 2 seats, while the Left scored a blank.

The BJP, on the other hand, is aiming to make further inroads in the state after rising to the rank of main Opposition party in the state in the Assembly elections in 2021.

‘People of Bengal deserve peace, harmony’

After an alleged incident of stone pelting at a Ram Navami procession in East Medinipore district, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Friday said that the people of Bengal want and deserve peace and harmony.

He said that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to book and stern actions against the perpetrators.

“Peace and harmony are something that the people of Bengal want and the people of Bengal deserve. It is after the authorities to ensure that there is law and order in the state, especially during the elections. Any perpetrators of violence should be booked and stern action should be taken, that is the responsibility of the Election Commission,” the Governor said.

The Governor, on Friday, visited the iconic Kalighat Kali Temple in South Kolkata and offered prayers for peaceful polls in the three constituencies of the state.

While coming out of the temple, he told the media that throughout the day he would be at the Peace Room within the premises of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata keeping a watch on the developments of the day.

Initially, the Governor had plans to camp at Cooch Behar on the polling day considering that this constituency had the maximum records of poll-related violence. However, following the insistence of the Election Commission as well as a complaint filed by the Trinamool Congress with the Commission, the Governor shelved his plans to camp at Cooch Behar.

BJP candidate from Medinipore, Agnimitra Paul, and party workers also staged a protest against the alleged stone pelting incident by putting up a road blockade.

“Hindu brothers and sisters in the Ram Navami rally got attacked by Jihadis in EGRA tonight but those who attacked got spared but the ones who were attacked got arrested by EGRA PS Entire night the Bjp karyakartas protested. Our fight against @MamataOfficial APPEASEMENT POLITICS is ON,” the BJP leader posted on X on Thursday.

State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had slammed the BJP for linking her party to the clases in Murshidabad, “”I am challenging and saying that BJP orchestrated the incident that happened the other day… If I ask the BJP commission why they removed their DIG one day before Ram Navami,? Was it to plan this?”

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India News Politics

EC halts proposed visit of Bengal Guv to Cooch Behar

An Election Commission communique was sent to Governor’s office, suggesting the visit would amount to a violation of the model code of conduct…reports Asian Lite News

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has announced his intent to camp in the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency in north Bengal on April 19, the day the constituency goes to polls in the first phase, but the poll panel has urged him to refrain.

Sources said that the Governor took the decision after considering the record of poll-related violence in previous elections.

As per the schedule, said Raj Bhavan sources, the Governor will start for Cooch Behar from Kolkata on Thursday morning and will leave the constituency in the evening after the elections are over.

However, later in the day, a communique was sent from the Election Commission to the Governor’s office, suggesting he refrain from being in Cooch Behar on the polling day, since that would amount to a violation of the model code of conduct.

However, there was no reaction from the Governor’s House yet to the EC message.

Besides Cooch Behar, two other Lok Sabha constituencies, namely Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, are also going for polls on the same day. However, the Governor decided to be in Cooch Behar considering the sensitivity of the constituency going by the past reports of poll violence there.

On March 16, the day the Election Commission announced the polling schedule, the Governor said that he would be on the field from day one. “I will hit the streets at 6 a.m. I will be available to the people. The political ‘holi’ with human blood that happened in the panchayat elections last year should not be allowed anymore,” he had said then.

Last month, a new portal was also launched at the Raj Bhavan through which the Governor could directly interact with the common voters in the state and address their grievances about the polls. The portal has a dedicated email through which any voter in the state can directly register their grievances.

Violence reported

Campaigning for the three Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal which will go to the polls in the first phase on April 19 concluded on Wednesday with reports of violence coming from Dinhata in Cooch Behar, one of the three constituencies where polling will be held on Friday.

In the closing hours of campaigning on Wednesday, tension flared up in a market area in Dinhata following clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers.

The local Trinamool leadership accused the BJP supporters of launching an unprovoked attack on the ruling party workers which left two injured.

The Trinamool also claimed that those who launched the attack are close associates of the BJP candidate from Cooch Behar, Union Minister Nisith Pramanik.

“The attack was launched in front of the police and CAPF personnel. I request West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose to take up the matter with the Election Commission of India so that the central forces could search the residence of Nisith Pramanik where anti-social elements are hiding,” alleged Trinamool MLA from Dinhata and state minister, Udayan Guha.

However, the BJP’s district leadership rubbished the claims of the ruling party as “baseless”.

“The clashes were the fallout of the enmity between two rival groups within the Trinamool,” alleged district BJP General Secretary, Biraj Bose.

Earlier in the day, Pramanik had appealed to the Election Commission requesting restrictions on the movement of Udayan Guha on the polling day.

Other than Cooch Behar, the two other constituencies that will go to the polls on Friday are Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Incidentally, Cooch Behar is perceived as the most sensitive among the three constituencies.

A total of 112 companies of CAPF will be deployed in Cooch Behar on Friday, followed by 75 companies at Jalpaiguri and 63 companies at Alipurduar. The special police observer for West Bengal will also camp in Cooch Behar on the polling day.

Didi says there can be no mission without vision

On the day when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that there cannot be any “mission” without a “vision” which her party has shared with people on Wednesday.

“There can be no mission without a vision. Today, we are proud to share that vision with the people,’ the Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X’.

Banerjee said that her party’s manifesto drafted after “extensive consultations” caters to the need of every section of the society.

“Based on extensive consultations, our Manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections caters to the needs of every section of society and prioritises people’s welfare over everything,” the Chief Minister said.

“From healthcare, education, and social security to agriculture, industry, employment and women empowerment, our manifesto sets out the roadmap to take every sector forward, uplift every community and create holistic development,” she added.

Promising to implement what she has promised in her party’s manifesto, Banerjee said, “I take a solemn shopoth (oath) to rededicate ourselves to the needs of Maa, Mati, Manush.”

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is contesting solo in West Bengal after failing to reach a seat-sharing agreement with its INDIA bloc partners in the state, released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The TMC which is in staunch opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), whose Rules were recently notified by the central government, promised to do away with the controversial legislation once it comes to power at the Centre along with the INDIA bloc.

Among the big-ticket promises, the TMC announced 10 gas cylinders free of cost every year to Below Poverty Line families and free 5 kg ration to very ration card holder.

“Every BPL family will get 10 gas cylinders free of cost every year. This will also ensure environmental friendly cooking. Every ration card holder will get 5 kg ration free of cost. It will be provided to every ration-holder’s doorstep free of cost,” Amit Mitra announced.

Promising 100-days employment and houses for all poor families, Mitra said, “All job card holders will be guaranteed 100-days work and all labourers throughout the country will get minimum Rs 400 daily wage. Every poor family will get guaranteed cemented and disaster-resilient houses.”

The TMC also promised legal guarantee of Minimum Support Prices to all farmers as per Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations. The MSP will be set at a minimum of 50 per cent higher than the average cost of production of all crops, the party said.

Though the TMC is part of the INDIA bloc, it does not have a seat-sharing arrangement with the other parties in the alliance, like Congress and the Left parties in the state.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for just 2 seats. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4.

However, the BJP came up with a much-improved showing in the 2019 polls, winning 18 seats against the TMC’s 22. The Congress’s tally dropped to just 2 seats, while the Left scored a blank. (ANI)

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India News West Bengal

Congress CEC meet finalises candidates for 12 Bengal LS seats  

The Congress has already announced candidates for 82 Lok Sabha seats. In its first list, the party declared the names of 39 candidates, while in its second list, the names of 43 candidates were announced...reports Asian Lite News

Congress has finalised the names of candidates for 12 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, sources said on Tuesday. The finalisation of names was done after Congress held a meeting of its Central Election Committee on Tuesday.

“Discussions took place for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal by the screening committee,” said Congress leader Jaivardhan Singh.

The Congress has already announced candidates for 82 Lok Sabha seats. In its first list, the party declared the names of 39 candidates, while in its second list, the names of 43 candidates were announced.

Voting for Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in all seven phases. The Trinamool Congress has already announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats, while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats.

Earlier today, the Congress Working Committee held a detailed discussion on the manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, which has a heavy thrust on the party’s ‘nyay’ agenda and authorised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to grant it final approval.

Addressing a press conference after the CWC meeting, Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh said that the party will build on the momentum of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, during which the party announced five guarantees and a plan has been prepared to take the message of guarantees at the grassroots level.

“The meeting we had today was not just for our manifesto but for our ‘nyay patra’. Congress is absolutely ready for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In the meeting today, there were discussions on our agenda. For the last 63 days, Rahul Gandhi has been talking about our five Nyay and has announced 25 guarantees. This is not just a simple manifesto but an important ‘nyay patra’ so that the people of our country can see a better future,” he said.

The meeting of the CWC, the party’s highest decision-making body, was held days after the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections. The Lok Sabha polls and assembly polls in four states will be held from April 19 to June 1 and the results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)

Kerala Congress urges EC to change polling date  

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) acting president, MM Hassan, on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reschedule the polling in the southern state, which is scheduled to take place on March 26, as it coincides with a Friday.

“Considering the inconvenience to a certain section of the people regarding the election day, which is Friday, we have urged the Election Commission to change the date. In Kerala, Friday and Sunday will be inconvenient to various sections of the community. So we urge to change this 26th day to another date,” MM Hassan said.

“I have sent an email to the Central Election Commission and the UDF chairman. The opposition leader has also sent mail to the election commissioner for the same,” he added.

Meanwhile, as the Lok Sabha is nearing, one of the most high-profile constituencies in this Lok Sabha election is Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Three-time MP from the constituency Shashi Tharoor of the Congress is up against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP and a strong left candidate in Pannyan Raveendran a former MP.

Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency comprises six Assembly segments: Nemom, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Parassala, Vattiyoorkav, and Kazhakkoottam. Being the state with the highest literacy rate in the country, Kerala holds 20 Lok Sabha seats.

MM Hassany.

Congress’ Shashi Tharoor believes that his work over the last 15 years in the constituency will speak for itself.

In 2019 general elections, Tharoor emerged victorious, gathering 416131 votes (41.4 per cent) of total votes, followed by BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan–416131 votes (31.4) and Communist Party of India’s C. Divakaran–258556 votes (25.7).

Similarly, in 2014, Shashi Tharoor emerged victorious, defeating BJP candidate O. Rajagopal.

The BJP has fielded Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress MP Tharoor. This is the first time that Chandrasekhar has been fielded for Lok Sabha polls.

He also served as a national spokesperson for the BJP.

Kerala will hold elections in a single phase on April 26. There are 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala and the BJP has never won a parliamentary seat in the state.

Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 353 seats, the UPA stood at 91, and others won 98. (ANI)

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-Top News UK News West Bengal

Bengal Business Summit to Host ‘Largest Ever’ UK Delegation

Amongst the upcoming flagship projects in the state, Jangal Sundari Karmnagari Industrial Township is being setup over 4,000 acres in Purulia…reports Asian Lite News

The upcoming Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) is poised to host the United Kingdom’s largest-ever delegation, with a notable presence from diverse businesses and institutions. Scheduled for November 21-22 in Kolkata, the event will welcome a 55-member delegation representing the UK. The British Deputy High Commission expressed enthusiasm, noting the anticipation of fostering stronger economic ties.

Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India, is eager to lead this substantial delegation, expressing hopes that the summit will provide opportunities for British businesses to expand in Bengal and vice versa. Among the companies participating are tech firms like Teknobuilt, AirNode, SmartViz, Xworks Tech, Hy-Met Limited, Cambridge Carbon Capture, and GreenEnco, along with established engineering companies such as Mott Macdonald.

Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India, highlighted the commitment to fulfilling the promises outlined in the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, aiming to transform trade and investment between the two nations. In the previous edition of BGBS in 2022, 49 senior figures from the UK actively participated, underlining the growing importance of such events in fostering bilateral economic cooperation.

“West Bengal has been rapidly transforming itself into an economic powerhouse. With a combination of strategic geographical advantages, proactive government policies, skilled human resources, and a vibrant business environment, West Bengal has emerged as a key player in India’s economic growth story,” BGBS said in a statement.

“It is among the leading exporters with 12% of the country’s leather and 10% of iron & steel exports. MSMEs form the vital base of the industrial pyramid and West Bengal has the country’s second highest number of MSMEs (about 90 lakh units) which accounts for 14% of India’s MSMEs.”

Amongst the upcoming flagship projects in the state, Jangal Sundari Karmnagari Industrial Township is being setup over 4,000 acres in Purulia. Mining operations at Deocha-Pachami-Dewanganj- Harinsigha, the second largest coal block in the world is expected to start soon. We have ready-to-Invest Industrial Infrastructure with 200+ Industrial Parks/ Estates spread over an area of around 10,000 acres.

A 200-acre IT and Electronics Park (Silicon Valley) is being set up at Rajarhat. Three Industrial Growth Corridors are being developed at: Dankuni- Raghunathpur; Dankuni-Kalyani; Dankuni-Haldia to augment the pace of industrialization in Bengal. The state has two large container and bulk handling ports at Kolkata and Haldia and a new deep-sea port is coming up at Tajpur.

Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) is the flagship summit of the Government of West Bengal. The summit envisions to bring together corporate leaders, business delegations, entrepreneurs, academia, and think-tanks from around the globe with the purpose of making strategic and business alliances as well as to learn about the industrial ecosystem and business friendly initiatives of the state.

The 7th Bengal Global Business Summit will have Plenary Sessions, Parallel Global Conferences, Sectoral sessions for focus sectors, Country sessions with partner countries, B2Bs and B2Gs meetings to expand networks and meet potential partners.

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Environment India News West Bengal

Weather Alert: Low Pressure Over Bay of Bengal Turns Depression

Earlier on Tuesday, the IMD also said, a low-pressure area formed over the Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a deep depression and cause heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha on November 16…reports Asian Lite News

A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal Sea moved westwards and concentrated into a depression on Wednesday, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, IMD Visakhapatnam’s MD Sunanda said, “Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from Wednesday onwards.”

“A low-pressure area is formed over the Bay of Bengal…Later it intensified into a depression in the west-central Bay of Bengal. Due to this, from Wednesday onwards, along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast, wind speeds are increasing…Winds will be prevailing for the 2 days – November 15 and 16. So fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from Wednesday onwards,” IMD Visakhapatnam, MD Sunanda said.

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather system is likely to move northwestwards initially and further north to northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast.

“Thereafter, it would recurve north northeastwards and reach over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast on 17th morning & off North Odisha-West Bengal coasts on 18th November morning,” she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the IMD also said, a low-pressure area formed over the Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a deep depression and cause heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha on November 16.

“Thereafter, it would move north-westwards and may intensify into a deep depression over the West-Central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 16. Subsequently, it would recurve north-northeastward and reach the northwest bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast on November 17. Due to this system, we are expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall activity over some parts of Odisha, especially coastal Odisha,” added Sunanda. (ANI)

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Culture Lite Blogs

A Tribute to West Bengal’s Culture

The tram on the Tollygunge route covers all the famous areas known to have historic and significant Pujo pandals, making it the ideal choice for this transformation…reports Asian Lite News

In a heartfelt tribute to the vibrant culture and people of West Bengal, Asian Paints has orchestrated a magnificent transformation of Kolkata’s iconic tram from Tollygunge to Ballygunge into a living canvas, celebrating Kolkata tram’s 150th year and for the first time ever, has launched a special heritage-inspired festive pack for their luxury interior paint, Royale Glitz. Additionally, Both these unique creations encapsulate the very essence of West Bengal’s vibrant culture and traditions, which have been a constant source of inspiration for Asian Paints.

For nearly four decades, the brands has been an inseparable part of Kolkata’s vibrant Durga Pujo celebrations through its beloved initiative, Asian Paints Sharad Shamman. The company’s deep understanding and connection with Bengali culture has allowed it to be an integral part of the creative evolution and artistic enhancement of Durga Pujo celebrations. As the festive season approaches, 
 

Kolkata’s iconic tram, dating back to 1873, is a symbol of the city’s history and charm. To celebrate this milestone, it has given the tram from Tollygunge to Ballygunge a remarkable makeover coinciding with Kolkata’s most important month of celebration. The tram on the Tollygunge route covers all the famous areas known to have historic and significant Pujo pandals, making it the ideal choice for this transformation.

Two bogies of the tram have been beautified. The exteriors of the first bogie capture the extraordinary 38-year journey of Asian Paints Sharad Shamman (APSS) in Kolkata. It features hand-painted artworks honouring Kumartuli – the traditional potters’ quarter in North Kolkata where Durga idols are sculpted. It also encapsulates Sindoor khela and Dhunuchi dance. The exterior artwork showcases the first print advertisement and the first winning pandal. The bogie also highlights the unique stories featured in ‘People of Pujo’ – a documentary series capturing the lives and passions of those who make Pujo the celebration what it is! On the tram we see a visually impaired artist who has commendable skills and women dhakis who challenge the masculine stronghold of the performing arts.

Inside the bogie, the makeover includes Pujo decor with cane installations, Alpona art, and a museum-style visual narrative of APSS’ transformative journey. Interactive elements and QR codes engage visitors with “People of Pujo” stories, allowing consumers to explore the stories of the people behind Durga Pujo festivities as they enjoy the tram ride.

Stepping into the second bogie which is the Royale Glitz bogie transports passengers to a heritage Kolkata location, mirroring the luxurious appeal of the paint. The interiors boast the ultra-sheen finish of Royale Glitz and offers a Glitz photo booth for an immersive experience. The exteriors are inspired by West Bengal’s culture and landmarks, featuring augmented reality elements. The artwork on this bogie reflects the dramatic elements of the packaging.

West Bengal is a treasure trove of mesmerising experiences, and the brand’s latest creation, the heritage-inspired limited edition festive pack for Royale Glitz with in mold labelling (IML) packaging, perfectly captures this essence. The packaging features an exciting, augmented reality (AR) integration, allowing customers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of West Bengal. With a simple scan of the Royale Glitz can, consumers can embark on a virtual journey through the state’s heritage, witnessing its art, music, cuisine, dance, and architecture come to life in stunning augmented reality. The artwork in the AR features the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Howrah Bridge, the ever-famous Ilish fish, Bankura Horse, Chau Dance, Alpana Art and more. This innovative packaging is more than just a can of paint; it’s a gateway to the soul of West Bengal.

Speaking on this occasion, Amit Syngle, CEO and MD, Asian Paints Limited, shared, “Since 1985, Asian Paints has been an integral part of West Bengal’s Durga Puja festivities through Asian Paints Sharad Shamman. It has been able to add to infuse creativity & thematic excellence across Pujo Pandals & allowed us to be a part of the celebration in a special way. This year, we are taking our celebrations to the next level with creative initiatives that pay tribute to the culture and traditions of West Bengal. The unique packaging for Royale Glitz seamlessly blends the wonders of technology with the timeless allure of West Bengal’s beauty. We have taken inspiration from native elements of West Bengal like the Bengal Tiger, Tram, Howrah Bridge & Baul to name a few and used it on our Pujo packaging for Glitz. We’ve also undertaken a complete transformation of the tram from Tollygunge to Ballygunge, turning it into the talk of the town just in time for Kolkata’s most revered Durga Pujo festival. We believe in making art accessible for all and we are sure with this tram beautification initiative it will also add back to the legacy of Bengal in an extremely meaningful way.”

Asian Paints onboarded XXL Collective from the St+art India family as creative partners for the unique transformation of the tram. Sharing more insights into the artwork, Arjun Bahl, Founder, XXL Collective said, “As we step aboard this tram ride through the streets of Kolkata, we get a glimpse of a journey that is a tribute to the city’s rich cultural heritage. This project, creatively led by XXL Collective, is a labour of love aimed at celebrating the 40-year odyssey of Asian Paints Sharad Shamman and the unveiling of their latest creation, Royale Glitz. Our collaboration with Asian Paints underscores our shared vision of making art more accessible and immersive. This was a milestone for us as well, transforming a simple tram ride into a cultural experience, reimagining the possibilities of public spaces in our city. As we pay homage to the past and embrace the future, we aspire for Kolkata to become a canvas where art and culture thrive, bringing this experience closer to every resident.”

Speaking on the launch of the Tribute to West Bengal initiatives, leading Bengali actor, Abir Chatterjee said, “I would like to applaud Asian Paints for their meaningful tribute to West Bengal and its vibrant culture. Asian Paints Sharad Shamman, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of Pujo,’ holds a special place in my heart. Having had the privilege of judging in 2015 and 2018, I’ve experienced the magic they bring to Durga Puja firsthand. Their tireless efforts have elevated this celebration, making it even more extraordinary and inspiring for pandals. This year, they’ve taken creativity a notch higher with the makeover of Kolkata’s quintessential tram, a truly wonderful way to celebrate the culture and the people of West Bengal.”

Sharing her views on the occasion, popular Bengali actor, Sohini Sarkar said, “I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Asian Paints for its ‘Tribute to Bengal’ initiative. I must say that I’m absolutely in love with the concept behind the unique packaging design for Royale Glitz’s festive pack and the integration of augmented reality. It’s centred around the vibrant culture and people of West Bengal and is a brilliant way to celebrate the essence of this beautiful state.”

As styles, trends, and attitudes evolve over the decades, one thing has remained constant in West Bengal —the spirit of celebration. Throughout these years, Asian Paints Sharad Shamman has proudly maintained its status as Kolkata’s beloved Pujo Awards since 1985. It symbolizes a commitment to nurturing, inspiring, and championing creativity and aesthetic excellence in Durga Puja pandals. It has been at the forefront of transforming pandals from simple setups to vibrant hubs of art, culture, and limitless creativity.

From creative pandals, Asian Paints has also gone behind the scenes to recognize and celebrate the people who make Durga Puja memorable for all. Sharad Shamman stands tall almost four decades on, due to the efforts of every artisan, artist, sculptor, committee members who works tirelessly behind the scenes. In tribute to these remarkable people and the pandals that have been a part of the Asian Paints Sharad Shamman journey over the last four decades, Asian Paints has released a short video.

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Films Lite Blogs

Civil society divided over ban on ‘The Kerala Story’

Adah on 'The Kerala Story': Film's about girls getting drugged, raped, and human trafficking

Senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court Kaushik Gupta said that such bans on screening of movies in cinema halls or multiplexes are useless in the current age of internet and OTTs…reports Asian Lite News

The West Bengal government’s decision to ban the screening of “The Kerala Story” in the state seems to have divided the civil society.

Those who are against the ban cite three different logical premises on this count – the first being the justification of banning a film which has got clearance from the censor board, the second on the effectiveness of the ban in this age of OTT when shortly the film will be available on the OTT platform, and the third is that by banning the movie, the government has actually increased the public craze for it.

On the other hand, those who are in support of the decision to ban the movie feel that considering the changed social-cultural changes that the West Bengal had gone through in the recent past, there was a risk in allowing the screening of the movie and hence the state government has done the right thing by not taking that risk.

According to the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) General Secretary, Ranjit Sur, when the decision of the ban on screening was taken, already the movie had been screened in different multiplexes of the state for four days.

“But there had not been a single report of law & order problems over screening the movie. The state government should have allowed the screening of the movie and let the people of the state decide whether they accept it or reject it. I do not think that by banning the screening of the movie, the state government has taken a revolutionary step against attempts to create communal divide. This is a pure political game keeping in mind polarisation of the vote bank,” he said.

Senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court Kaushik Gupta said that such bans on screening of movies in cinema halls or multiplexes are useless in the current age of internet and OTTs.

“Already there are reports of the movie being leaked online. Very soon the movie will appear in one or more OTT platforms. How will the state government stop people from viewing that there? Rather, this ban will now encourage even those people, who otherwise might not have gone to watch the movie, to view the same,” Gupta added.

Acclaimed painter Subhaprasanna, otherwise known to be very close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, disagrees with the state government’s logic for banning the movie. According to him, he had always been against any forced opposition against any creative work. He said that when the censor board has cleared the screening of the movie, he does not find any logic on the ban enforced by the state government. “The people should have the freedom of accepting or rejecting the movie,” he said.

Poet and educationist Subodh Sarkar, however, feels that the state government has done the right thing by banning the screen of the movie since it had enough elements to fuel tension. “To my opinion the state government has done the right thing by nor allowing the sparks to turn into flames,” he said.

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India News Lite Blogs UK News

Ace Bengali artistes to gather in Manchester to celebrate culture, arts

With the aim to connect a bridge between the Bengali culture and the people across continent the United Kingdom Bengali Convention (UKBC) will attempt to bring together the Bengali diaspora in UK and Europe to celebrate everything: Bengali – language, culture, food etc. will host its annual convention to raise awareness and recognise contributions of Bengalis in all spheres, reports Rahul Laud.

Music that traditionally binds Bengalis together is the staple of the two-day  cultural extravaganza at the 3rd edition of UKBC 2022, to be held on Saturday  27th August and 28th August 2022, in Stroller Hall(1) and in Carole Nash ,Hall  2 in Manchester.

The conference is expecting to draw attendees along with 75 Bengali organisations and charities with its offerings of sports, business, performing arts, politics, science, innovation, social welfare, charity etc. The sole attempt of this event is to reflect common Bengali heritage overall. In the list of celebration artists are invited from India to perform.

The event will showcase celebrity artists like Poushali Chatterjee, Jayati Chakroborty, Monami Ghosh, Trijoy, Anindya Chatterjee and Iman Chakraborty.

The conference also has literary seminars and discussions. Among many the prime focus of seminar is renowned Bengali author and novelist Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Prachet Gupta, Dolonchampa Dasgupta, Noor from Mitra Ghosh Publishers and UK based internationally acclaimed Bengali writer Dr Nabakumar Basu.

In addition to Pachforon, which aims essentially to provide the spices of conventional Bengali families, children will present solo dance, song, recitation or any other innovative performances. Antakshari and a Quiz competition will also be held, say the organisers.

At the UKBC Natya Utsav (Drama festival) performance of children can be seen in a wonderful drama  based on the introspective story of Ramkrishna Paramhansdev, Swami  Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita ,besides, the mature performers would  perform “Tahar Nam Ranjana” ,a tragedy drama.

At Another program named Bachik o Abriti, various talented performers from different parts of UK will participate to recite poems, short stories to showcase power of recitation.

Coffee  Houser Adda and Rang Moshal will attempt to foster ties strengthen Bengali – Britain cultural assimilation .On day 1, the programme will commence with Prabhat Feri (a road march) . The Opening Ceremony is to be presented with a mesmerizing performance, based on a dance drama theme by the silver screen queen Monami Ghosh; followed by various solo and duet dance and singing performances by artists like: Sridevi Bhattacharya, Debjani Deshpandey, Madhuchanda Ganguly, Debatrisha Sengupta and many more. Various dance and music groups will also perform to enthral audience. 

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Cong sweeps Himachal, Rajasthan; Trinamool in Bengal, NDA in N-E

The Congress won all three Assembly constituencies — Arki, Fatehpur and Jubbal-Kotkhai — of Himachal Pradesh…reports Asian Lite News.

The results of the bypolls to three Lok Sabha seats and 29 Assembly constituencies have been encouraging for the Congress in the states of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka where the party is now better placed than the BJP.

In the three Lok Sabha seats, the result shows that the BJP has won in Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh), Shiv Sena in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Congress in Mandi (Himachal Pradesh).

Congress candidate Pratibha Singh has won the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, the home district of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, by defeating BJP’s green horn Brigadier Khushal Thakur (retired), a decorated officer who played a crucial role in the 1999 Kargil war. Singh won by a slender margin of 8,766 votes.

In Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Shiv Sena candidate and the widow of late Mohan Delkar, Kalavati Delkar won by more than 50,000 votes.

The Congress has however, faired well where it was in direct contest with the BJP. In Bihar too, Congress has not been the first choice despite the party contesting alone. The main contest was between the RJD and the JDU.

The Congress won all three Assembly constituencies — Arki, Fatehpur and Jubbal-Kotkhai — of Himachal Pradesh.

The Congress has won both the seats — Vallabhnagar and Dhariyawad in Rajasthan. Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, “What is more important, is for people to see who is most viable option that they need to support against BJP, and I think Congress is fast emerging as that option.”

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress swept all four seats in West Bengal, while the BJP and allies have gained grounds in the northeast.

In West Bengal, in three of the four assembly constituencies that went for the bypolls, the security deposit of BJP candidates has been forfeited. The security deposit of BJP candidates in Gosaba, Khardha and Dinhata have been forfeited, putting a huge question mark on the party’s performance.

The JD(U) has won in Bihar’s Kusheshwar Asthan and the RJD in Tarapur. The candidates of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and ally United Democratic Party (UDP) are leading in the Mawryngkneng, Rajabala and Mawphlang Assembly seats in Meghalaya.

In MP’s Khandwa Lok Sabah seat, BJP has won with a handsome margin of votes. The party has also won Jobat, and leading in Prithvipur but is behind the Congress in Raigon.

In Maharashtra the lone seat went for the bypoll has been won by the Congress and it has wrested Hanagal seat from BJP in Karnataka which is the home turf of the Chief Minister but the major setback has been TRS which has lost Hazoorabad seat to the BJP.

Victory of Congress workers, says Rahul

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has credited the bypoll results to the party workers. He said this win is the victory of ground level workers.

In a tweet on Tuesday said, “Every victory for the Congress is a victory of our party workers. Keep fighting hate. No fear!”

Humbly accept verdict in bypolls: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said he humbly accepted the verdict given by the people in the by-elections to one Lok Sabha seat and three Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the state, as the ruling BJP lost all.

He said the results were not according to their expectations.

“We would try to come up to the expectations and aspirations of the people of the state and would work with renewed zeal and dedication to perform better in Assembly elections of 2022,” Thakur said in a statement.

The Chief Minister congratulated the winning candidates.

The BJP lost the Mandi parliamentary seat and three Assembly seats to the opposition Congress.

ALSO READ-Potshots between Congress, RJD intensify

READ MORE-Congress remembers ‘Iron Lady’ on her death anniversary

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Arts & Culture West Bengal

Don’t miss the 11th RadhaRaman Folk Festival returning to Leeds from 5-7 November!

Featured at a number of indoor venues, the festival also extends to Roundhay Park, writes Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya

Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya

The RadhaRaman Folk Festival, a three-day long prodigious presentation of Bengali folk music and dance along with other global folk art forms, is returning to Leeds for eleventh year from Friday 5 November to Sunday 7 November.

The highlights of the festival includes 24 hour performances of Bengali folk music, Dhamail dance, Moroccan/ North African Folk Music through Oud, Nye and Lute, Irish and Flamenco dance, early European music, multicultural poetry, a panel discussion along with the ancient music from other cultures of the globe.

Featured at a number of indoor venues, the festival also extends to Roundhay Park.

Organised by Leeds-based art organisation RadhaRaman Society, approximately 28 prominent performers including award-winning musicians and dancers national and international artists.

The festival will also feature talks by a few guest speakers including important political personalities.

The inaugural performance will kick off at Seven Arts Centre Leeds on Friday 5 November leading to the all night session and many more on the days following.

Amal Podder, Amar Baidya and Sujith Chowdhury who have been very involved in this unique festival felt that this festival offers a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy a cultural extravaganza whilst promoting wider humanism and love to make the most of the living moment.”

Link below for free registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/-11th-radharaman-folk-festival-tickets-170276360177?aff=ebdssbdestsearch