With courage, clarity and commitment to national interest, West Bengal can once again emerge as a beacon of culture, prosperity and civilisational confidence for the entire nation

Having spent more than five decades observing the social, cultural and political evolution of West Bengal, I feel compelled to share my concerns about the direction in which our beloved state has travelled. My journey began in Malda during my formative years at school and continued through my college days in Kolkata. Those experiences gave me an intimate understanding of Bengal’s rich civilisational heritage, its cultural ethos and its unique way of life.

I had the privilege of being closely associated with the late Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India, one of India’s finest statesmen and a son of Bengal whose unwavering commitment to national unity and democratic values inspired generations. His deep understanding of India’s civilisational roots and constitutional framework shaped many of my own views on public life.

Over the past half-century, I have witnessed profound changes in West Bengal. Many of these changes have been positive, including advancements in education, infrastructure and democratic participation. However, I have also seen developments that, in my view, have weakened the cultural foundations that once defined Bengali society.

One of the most significant concerns has been the large-scale migration from Bangladesh over several decades. While humanitarian considerations must always remain important, the absence of effective border management and the politicisation of migration have, in my opinion, created serious demographic, social and administrative challenges. The issue has often been discussed through partisan lenses rather than through the broader framework of national interest, social stability and the rule of........

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