It’s not often that The Economic Times (ET to many) sings paeans to something good happening in Bengal. One suspects couple of reasons there. For one, most of India’s mainstream media (ET included) and the hallowed persons manning them have historically treated Bengal with more than a tinge of contempt, just as they routinely do in case of North-East with greater fervor. Among older generation, Bengal’s pre-independence eminence felt like a bitter pill. And for new generation, Bengal is a ‘gone’ case. That perception is changing. And changing fast.
The second reason of ET’s nonchalance is its right-of-center ideological slant that is so apparent in its daily columns. It therefore comes as a small surprise to see the front page of ET’s June 16 issue dedicating good amount of space to deal benevolently on Bengal’s industrial rejuvenation.
A smile escapes as I go through the news items. The underlying tone subscribes to the ground reality of Bengal’s reawakening. Better shape up than stay intransigent.
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