Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. (Express archives/ Partha Paul)
Written by Mohammed Selim
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was a man of principles, which he lived by. In today’s political arena, there is no parallel to such a leader. Many of us have been deeply influenced by his persona, words and writings since were students.
Bhattacharjee was a founder secretary of the Democratic Youth Foundation of India (DYFI) and had taken on the responsibility of building the Left youth movement across West Bengal. His work took him to the common people, peasants and workers during the political turbulence of the late 1960s and early ’70s.
His politics had a strong anti-imperialist bent. His approach – always constructive – was rooted in Bengal’s ethos and its celebrated culture from literature and paintings to films. He was a writer, poet, translator and dramatist. It was with this background that he put the democratic struggle for jobs, equality and education front and centre in Bengal.
Bhattacharjee was staunchly secular and firm in his socialist beliefs. He had a scientific temperament, which he promoted against blind faith and superstition. He also encouraged creativity in others. Although a student of literature, he had a keen interest in modern science and discoveries. As a young minister in the first Left Front government in Bengal, he showed that the Information and Culture department is not meant for propaganda alone. It could be used for the promotion of films, culture, literature, publishing and encouraging young, creative talent.
Bhattacharjee made the Calcutta Book Fair a world-class event, almost single-handedly. Simultaneously, he established the Calcutta Film Festival. In 1997, when the Book Fair was ravaged by a fire, he promised to restart it within 48 hours and kept his word.
He always encouraged good film producers of alternative films and ensured the upgrading of processing units, cinema halls, etc. He built Nandan, Rabindra Sadan and the Bangla Academy in Kolkata, creating a hub where Bengali culture can flourish. He also tried to make sure the cultural movement spread to rural areas. Bhattacharjee pioneered the music festival, youth festival, Kobita Utsav, and Jatra Utsav. He also made efforts to ensure that the near-lost folk arts of Bengal — whether Gambhira (North Bengal) or Chhaw Dance (Purulia) –- are preserved.
As CM, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee put everything on the line for the industrialisation of West Bengal. He did so to prevent brain drain from the state and so that young people could get jobs. He simultaneously worked to build infrastructure for skill development and vocational training. At the beginning of this century, he was successful – Bengal stood second in industrialisation and processing of new industries at the time. He was a great admirer of Deng Xiaoping (former president of China) and wanted Bengal to become a leader in many spheres. Alas, that did not happen.
Bhattacharjee was a dreamer who could make his dreams come true, through sheer effort. He also brought Latin American literature to the state by translating great works into Bengali.
On a personal note, it is hard for me to accept that he is no more. I was fortunate enough to receive great affection, love and guidance from him as a youth activist. He convinced me to come to Kolkata and join the cabinet when he became Chief Minister. He was an elder brother to me and I cherish the trust he placed in me on various occasions.
Often, he would encourage me to take on challenging tasks. In 1996, when a tragic avalanche took place on the Amarnath route, he told me to rush there from Delhi. During the 1992 riots, he advised me to go to the people and talk with the people to maintain peace and harmony. His confidence in me gave me courage and the opportunity to gain valuable experience.
The writer is a member of the CPM Politburo and West Bengal Secretary
