Look Back

Soumya De Sarkar: When the Central as well as the state government are claiming to undertake so many projects for the social and economic developments of the tribal people, an old tribal lady has been striving to meet both ends for more one and a half years. Mrs Sima Pahari (65) a tribal dweller of Sahajalalpur village of Kotowali gram panchayat under English Bazaar block, was declared ‘dead’ and the payment of the widow grant that used to be received by her every month was stopped.

Mrs Pahari, the tribal widow who has a mentally retarded daughter to add to her agony, has been on the mercy of the sympathetic villagers who have taken the pains to providing a meagre meal to her and her daughter for past one and a half years. Significantly, Mrs Pahari lives at a stone throwing distance from the residence of the north and the south Malda MPs.

Recently, the catastrophe of Mrs Pahari became so acute that the local villagers decided to draw the attention of the local panchayat member Ms Roshnara Begum. Ms Begum visited the dilapidated thatched hut of Mrs Pahari and communicated the matter to the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) of English Bazaar. Her wonder knew no bound when she came to know that Mrs Pahari was registered as ‘dead’ in the documents lying with BDO office and therefore her grant was stopped. Mrs Begum immediately demanded the amendment in those papers and re-inclusion of Mrs Pahari’s name so that the payment of her grant could be immediately resumed.

Mrs Pahari said: “We are on the mercy of the local people and they only know the amount of hardships faced by us every day.” She urged all concerned to arrange something so that she could receive the small grant to sustain herself and her daughter.

The BDO, English Bazaar, Mr Thendup Sherpa conceded the matter and said that the name of that tribal lady was eliminated as the local post office staff could not trace her in her house in a number of times and based on their report her name was struck off from the list though the local villagers of Sahajalalpur refused to accept the BDO’s version and demanded that government officials were trying to deprive the woman in some vested interest.

Soumya De Sarkar: No visible measures have been taken yet to commence the comprehensive renovation and beautification project of the railway park adjacent to Malda town railway station. Rs 11 lakh was sanctioned for the project about three months back and the tender process was also over. However, no enterprise has yet been taken up to begin the work except the initial removal of thorny bushes in the park. Concerned railway officials could not affirm the schedule of completion of the project.

This may be noted that former union railways minister Ghani Khan Chowdhury took the initiative to set up this park in 1982 as an entertainment park for the people of Malda. It was the most notable haunt of the children as well as the people of the district in the beginning. The park was decorated with colourful lights, tall fountains, artificial peaks, cradles, swimming pool etc and it had lush green all around. Even there was an underground canteen in the park.

However, after Ghani Khan’s term as the minister of railways, the park started fast losing its glory and beauty. All the children’s rides gradually went out of order owing to lack of proper maintenance. Eventually, the park turned into an abandoned place and a den for the anti-socials. Once, the English Bazaar municipality had placed a proposal to undertake the park but the railway authorities turned down the proposal.

Recently, district Trinamul Congress requested the union railways minister Ms Mamata Banerjee to adopt measures to renovate the park. Accordingly, Ms Banerjee directed the railway officials to start the beautification of the park. However, after the initial work is project has come to a standstill.

The organisation, that was given the responsibility of the project, has not yet received any plan schedule yet. Mr Soumya Deb, on behalf of the organisation, said: “We are contacting the concerned officers but they are busy in passing the buck.” “We are at a loss now as the estimated cost is increasing day by day”, said Mr Deb.

The Divisional Railway Manager of Malda Mr Mukseh Kumar Mathur said: “The work has already been started. Today I would sit with the contractors and issue the proper plan schedule to them.”

“AAMADER MALDA” team wishes Suvo Bijoya to all Readers & Advertisers.

State Health Department & Red Cross Society introduced 102, the toll free number for Ambulance 24 x 7.

Gour College Silver Jubilee Closing Ceremony

Date: 5 & 6 September 2010

Time: 4 pm.

Venue: Gour College