12 May,2011 07:55 AM IST | | Partha Sinha
As a Probashi Bangali (a Bengali who does not stay in the state), I have always wanted and dreaded change in West Bengal with equal intensity. I suppose it is the cultural tension everyone of my ilk goes through. But this time around, the change seems to be palpable. Do I welcome it? Yes and no. For decades, the Bengali brand has retained certain strong symbols, rituals and values. Be it Wills Navy Cut, a penchant for intellectualising even the most trivial thing, or the uncompromising support for Dada (even beyond the game of cricket).
Partha Sinha
The Left Front was fast becoming one of those symbols of the Bangali brand. Will a change over to Trinamool rob Bengal of its characteristic brand value? No, but only if the change comes without disturbing the core.
West Bengal always had political leadership that was educated, thought things over, and had a certain sense economic and political wisdom. I hope the Trinamool has the required wisdom (especially economic) in its leadership.
This is one aspect that should never change about West Bengal. An average bangali always takes pride in comparing his political leadership with that of UP or Biharu00a0-- he shouldn't be denied that pleasure. The other thing about West Bengal has always been stability and the comfort resulting from it. A situation of turmoil is another change I would never like to see in West Bengal. Changing for the better is goodu00a0-- if it stays.
It's difficult for me to believe that anti-incumbency is the primary reason for this forthcoming change. Bengal has always wanted change at a more fundamental level and so, at a conceptual level, I will be pro change.
But not at the cost of a loss of character. Give me a prospering Bengalu00a0-- not a modified version of backward states in the name of progress.
Partha Sinha is a Managing Partner of Bartle Bogle Hegarty, an advertising firm
