Kolkata, 23 May : The West Bengal government today started examining all legal issues involved for the return of 400 acre to farmers who unwillingly parted with their land in Singur for the abandoned Tata Nano project."All legal issues are being examined. A file will be handed to the Industries Minister (Partha Chatterjee) tomorrow," Industry Secretary Dipankar Mukherjee told reporters.
Earlier in the day, Industry Secretary asked the 'West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation' to prepare a file on Singur.
After his request, state Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh, Dipankar Mukherjee and WBIDC MD Dr Subrata Gupta met to discuss the issues involved.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, immediately after assuming office, had said the government would return 400 of the 1000 acres acquired for the Nano project which subsequently shifted to Gujarat's Sanand.
She had said that the Tatas were welcome to set up a project on the remaining 600 acre of 1000 acre.
The Tatas were paying the annual rental till date for the land given on lease.
Mamata Banerjee had also sought to make public the agreement reached between the erstwhile Left Front government and the Tatas on the Nano project. န File Photo
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Substantial progress made in implementing Indo-Bangla joint communiqué : Dipu MoniUNB, Dhaka, 23 May : Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni today claimed that substantial progress has been achieved in implementing the Indo-Bangladesh Joint Communiqué, particularly resolving Bangladesh’s concerns over sharing of the Teesta waters, border demarcation and trade imbalance.
Responding to a question at a regular press conference at the Foreign Ministry, she said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi in January last year has generated much expectations and many of the issues would be resolved through the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh.
Although Dr Moni could not say about the date of Dr Manmohan Singh’s Dhaka visit, she said it would take place ‘soon.’
Asked about the service charge for giving transit to India, she said it is a very big issue involving many factors. She said the service charge would also depend on how much user countries like India, Bhutan and Nepal would benefit by using the transit offered by Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister said the National Board of Revenue is working on it in a bid to ensure a win-win situation for the countries concerned.
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Border Security Force writes to govt on 'Dhruv' helicopters
New Delhi, 23 May : The Border Security Force (BSF) has written to the Government for replacing indigenous 'Dhruv' helicopters saying they did not fulfil its operational requirement. "The Advanced Light Helicopters- Dhruv-- are not helpful in our operations like casualty evacuation and troop reinforcements. They are useless for us. Most of the times these helicopters are under servicing and there are issues about its capabilities to fly beyond a certain height," BSF sources said.
The BSF air fleet at present has six ALH 'Dhruvs' and two more will soon be inducted.
New Delhi, 23 May : The Border Security Force (BSF) has written to the Government for replacing indigenous 'Dhruv' helicopters saying they did not fulfil its operational requirement. "The Advanced Light Helicopters- Dhruv-- are not helpful in our operations like casualty evacuation and troop reinforcements. They are useless for us. Most of the times these helicopters are under servicing and there are issues about its capabilities to fly beyond a certain height," BSF sources said.
The BSF air fleet at present has six ALH 'Dhruvs' and two more will soon be inducted.
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Agartala promotes puppetry through "Putul Yatra festival"
ANI, Agartala, 23 May : To promote and encourage the use of puppets, a daylong edition of the Putul Yatra or the Putla was recently held here.Being organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi, Tripura Sanaskriti Samanya Kendra, Tripura Puppet Theatre and Department of Information and Culture Affairs of the state government, the festival saw puppeteers from across the country.
The festival aims to raise awareness about the ancient art of puppetry that is facing extinction due to the growing popularity of cinema, TV and other forms of modern entertainment. "The tradition of puppetry is in a state of decline, so we aim to preserve and promote it in each and every village of the state," said Gautam Kumar Das, organizer
The large number of people who turned up for the festival were thoroughly entertained by the interesting stories, endearing characters, colorful sets, lively music, songs and choreography.
"I liked the show. I hope such programme will be held in the future also, so that the children can see them," said Satarupa Karmakar. "I think such festivals will help the new generation learn about our culture and heritage of which puppetry is a part. Such festivals should be held more often. It can be a very good source of entertainment and I enjoyed the programme.," Manish Lodh.
Puppetry amalgamates drama, music and painting into an imaginative medium to put across social ideas and religious or mythological stories to its audience.
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Critic Chidananda Dasgupta dies Kolkata, 23 May : Eminent film critic, academic and director Chidananda Dasgupta died at his home here late Sunday night following old-age complications. He was 89. Dasgupta was the father of actress-filmmaker Aparna Sen.
He was suffering from acute broncho pneumonia and Parkinson's disease, doctors said. Dasgupta was a multi-faceted talent, who started off as a college lecturer, then switched to advertising but made his name as a film critic and historian.
Alongside doyens like Satyajit Ray and Bansi Chandragupta, he founded the country's first film society dedicated to feature films - Calcutta Film Society - in 1947 soon after independence. The society was the harbinger of the new wave cinema in the country, playing an important role in making world cinema accessible to Indian viewers and also started the film society movement.
Later, Dasgupta played a leading role in setting up the Federation of Film Societies of India, which also contributed to enhancing the cinematic sense among budding directors, actors and film goers.
He wrote over 2,000 articles on cinema in several periodicals and magazines, and in 1980 authored "The Cinema of Satyajit Ray" which is regarded as one of the most authentic research on the film maestro.
Dasgupta directed seven films "The Stuff Of Steel" (1969), "The Dance of Shiva" (1968), "Portrait of a City" (1961), "Amodini" (1994), "Zaroorat Ki Purti" (1979), "Rakhto" (1973) and "Bilet Pherat" (1972). He was given the lifetime achievement award at the Osian Film Festival in 2004.
He was suffering from acute broncho pneumonia and Parkinson's disease, doctors said. Dasgupta was a multi-faceted talent, who started off as a college lecturer, then switched to advertising but made his name as a film critic and historian.
Alongside doyens like Satyajit Ray and Bansi Chandragupta, he founded the country's first film society dedicated to feature films - Calcutta Film Society - in 1947 soon after independence. The society was the harbinger of the new wave cinema in the country, playing an important role in making world cinema accessible to Indian viewers and also started the film society movement.
Later, Dasgupta played a leading role in setting up the Federation of Film Societies of India, which also contributed to enhancing the cinematic sense among budding directors, actors and film goers.
He wrote over 2,000 articles on cinema in several periodicals and magazines, and in 1980 authored "The Cinema of Satyajit Ray" which is regarded as one of the most authentic research on the film maestro.
Dasgupta directed seven films "The Stuff Of Steel" (1969), "The Dance of Shiva" (1968), "Portrait of a City" (1961), "Amodini" (1994), "Zaroorat Ki Purti" (1979), "Rakhto" (1973) and "Bilet Pherat" (1972). He was given the lifetime achievement award at the Osian Film Festival in 2004.
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25 killed, 82 injured in lightning strikes in B'desh 11 districts
Dhaka, 23 May : At least 25 people were killed and 82 others injured in separate lightning strikes in during storm in Chandpur, Chapainawabganj, Bhola, Pabna, Natore, Manikganj, Jamalpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Bogra and Joypurhat districts Monday.
Dhaka, 23 May : At least 25 people were killed and 82 others injured in separate lightning strikes in during storm in Chandpur, Chapainawabganj, Bhola, Pabna, Natore, Manikganj, Jamalpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Bogra and Joypurhat districts Monday.
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Chief Minster Mamata to revive century-old 'Basumati press'
Kolkata, 23 May : West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee today said that her government would revive the century-old Basumati Sahitya Mandir, which is now lying in a moribund state.
"I called Union Minister of State for Urban Development minister Saugata Roy and sought the expertise of his ministry in reviving and running press," Chief Minster told reporters here. The chief minister said she had urgedSaugata Roy to give a report to her within three months about how to revive the press.
Kolkata, 23 May : West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee today said that her government would revive the century-old Basumati Sahitya Mandir, which is now lying in a moribund state.
"I called Union Minister of State for Urban Development minister Saugata Roy and sought the expertise of his ministry in reviving and running press," Chief Minster told reporters here. The chief minister said she had urgedSaugata Roy to give a report to her within three months about how to revive the press.
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Teacher in cabinet, Pupils jubilant but 'worried' of learning
Malda, 23 May : Their teacher has successfully passed in her examination already and also received the reward today, but Subhrajit, Maman or Bulti are not quite sure of who would teach them from now onwards as their only teacher has already shouldered the heavier responsibility of a state cabinet minister from this afternoon.Sabitri Mitra, the only cabinet member from Malda district, is not only the teacher-in-charge of Rajendra Dutta Primary School located at Sadarghat area under Sadar primary circle, but also the only teacher who has taught the students with her best might so far. Mitra joined the school as an assistant teacher in October, 1983 when she had at least four colleagues with whom she imparted education to the students.
With the passing of time, the primary school has faced not only dearth of students but also an acute crisis of staff. After the headmaster of the school retired few years back, there was no replacement. The senior teachers used to serve as the teacher in charge to run the school. As her only remaining colleague retired on 31 December, 2010, Sabitri Mitra is the only teacher of the institution having strength of 30 students presently. She is also the teacher in charge of the school now.Hence, the students besides being jubilant of the success of their dear madam, are adequately pensive that she would not be teaching them any further. Subhrajit Saha, a student of class IV or Maman Das of class II have no distinct idea of the importance of the ministerial berth. They only said: “We are very happy that madam has become a minister. But who will take our classes then!” Bulti Das, a student of class III and another fond student of Mrs Mitra said innocently: “Madam will definitely give us more chocolates than she usually does.” But she is not very sure if their madam would teach them as before.
The district primary school council (DPSC) chairman Zahirul Islam did not have the any information about the scarce staff strength of the school of the new cabinet minister. Having the information from Bengal Newz correspondent for the first time, Islam said: “I would definitely look into the matter and something must be done so that innocent pupils are not deprived at any cost. ”The chairman informed that as the new government has assumed office today, he would discuss the matter with the district inspector of schools (primary) on a priority basis. န Photo : Uday Mandal
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