Kolkata Confidential

New oath !

It is an accepted fact that Bengal politics always get reflected in every sphere of public life. This was further reinforced at a recent programme organised at Kolkata Medical College where students took oath. Interestingly,doctors were asked to rise above political affiliations,which is not in any versions of the Hippocractic Oath.

Observing Bengal

It’s been a time when ‘observers’ of various kinds are visiting Bengal to assess important issues. First it was observers sent by Central Election Commission that criss-crossed Bengal’s rural backyard hit by political violece. Then came observers from International Cricket Council to inspect the Eden Gardens for its preparedness to host the World Cup matches. What followed is known to everybody by now. When the news broke that the proposed India-England match of February 27 has been cancelled,the stadium was virtually out of bounds for photo Journailists who were on a prowl to shoot pictures of the Eden mess. A photographer was at his wit’s end to get an entry and finally managed to do so by saying he to the guard that he was an “observer.” “What observer,Sir ?” asked the security. “Board observer,” was the curt reply from the lensman. The gates opened and no more hurdles — the photographer-turned-observer had a free run.

Didi’s bounty

Nowadays,if anyone wants something,the easiest way to get it is by requesting Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee,who is “blessing” everyone. Recently at the inaugural programme of three new trains from North Bengal,Banerjee herself admitted this fact,when she candidly said: “Last time when I visited North Bengal two youths told me about the difficulty they face in travelling regularly from New Jalpaiguri to Darbhanga in Bihar,and requested for a new train in that route. I remembered their request,and today,I have brought a gift for them— a train from New Jalpaiguri to Darbhanga.”