Since India's Independence in 1947, Western half of Bengal was integrated with India and was named as West Bengal though it had no Eastern half within the country's border ! East Bengal had then become a separate nation - which later proudly came to be known as the "Bangladesh" ("The Bengali Nation") in 1971. But, the Indian portion of Bengal was and is still being called "West Bengal". But why ???
Why refer it as "West Bengal"? when there's no existing "East Bengal" in India?. Sounds completely illogical.... right?
To cut it short and make it simple- "West Bengal" doesn't make any sense today.... Think over it! its completely Irrational and illogical. We can never be "East Bengalis" or "West Bengalis" We'r all just "Bengalis" no matter we'r from East or West - Its as simple as that ! The mere term "West" reminds us of the grim past and the sad memories of Partition of United Bengal. It also brings the debate of "Epar Bangalee and Opar Bangalee" Today the youth wants to be United and we have grown out of the
In "Jana Gana Mana", India's national anthem, Rabindranath Tagore calls the land "Bongo (বঙ্গ )". In protest against the partition of Bengal in 1905, he had composed "Amar Shonar Bangla", thus referring to the land as "Bangla". The newly created country of Bangladesh adopted this song as its national anthem in 1972, but India and the Indian part of Bengal have failed to honor the spirit of his composition. It's high time we gave the state a name it deserves.
The time has arrived for giving a more meaningful and logical name to our state and to drop the prefix "West". But we also have to keep in mind that, by naming our state as just "Bengal"("Bongo" "বঙ্গ") we would create a great conflict in our History and we cant afford to play with the heritage and history of Bengal! BENGAL is the Region of Bengali speaking people comprising of present West Bengal & Bangladesh, so Bengal is incomplete without Bangladesh and thus, we cannot name our state as Bengal!
There are several other meaningful names:
- Indian Bengal ("Bharatio Bongo" ভারতীও বঙ্গ)
- Bongo Prodesh (বঙ্গ প্রদেশ)
- Bangla Prodesh (বাংলা প্রদেশ)
Time of India has also joined the hands and started a campaign in Kolkata which they are calling Only "Bengal”.
You also can join the movement by just registering your vote at www.onlybengal.com
Can you come out from the grip of India to create 'Independent Greater Bengali Land'? Then Bangladeshis may start thinking about it and most probably will consider. But, if you think that Bangladesh will merge with Indian Bengal under Delhi's administration, then I suggest you forget it at this moment. Bangladeshis will never allow from happening it with any cost.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, you want to replace 'West' with 'Indian'- i.e. 'Indian Bengle'. Are not West Bengle sounds more independent than Indian Bengle? There is ‘Uttar Pradesh’, is there any ‘Dakkhin Pradesh’? Think about it.
The name West Bengal has lost it's relevance since East Bengal no longer exists. Let the state to be called only Bengal and be the sole inheritor of thousand years old cultural and linguistic heritage!
ReplyDeleteFriends : As i already stated Bengal cannot be complete without taking into account both the parts (Bangladesh + Poschim Bongo). So Our Poschim Bongo government had the option to name it "Bangla Pradesh" or "Bongo prodesh" or "Bangla" but they eventually decided and finalized the name "POSCHIM BONGO" As the official name of the state.
ReplyDelete@Mad Bengali - sorry, I dont agree that Poschim Bongo can be called the "sole inheritor of thousand years old cultural and linguistic heritage!" cos i'v been to kolkata in january 2011, and what i experienced was- Bangla Is absolutely Neglected, people dont take pride in being Bengali...!
I hope the new Government of Poschim Bongo does the needful, cos people have high hopes.
Yes we want to be united. We all are Bengalis.
ReplyDeleteThere is a madhya pradesh
ReplyDelete