‘Nobody conquers a poor country. There is not enough return on investment.’ Can’t remember who said this, but it applies perfectly to the British and their conquest of India. When they arrived, India was among the world’s wealthiest countries. When they left, it was among
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD5rjTZuCVc October will remain a special month in the history of India’s struggle for freedom. In 1943, it was in October that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose established the Provisional Government of Free India (Arzī Hukumat-e-Azad Hind) or simply Azad Hind, a provisional Indian government, in Japanese-occupied
When most of the Western nations have shown reluctance in taking the COVID-19 vaccines, with the governments having a tough time convincing the masses to be vaccinated against the deadly virus, we saw a different scene in West Bengal. Long queues, people literally waiting since
A few days ago, we spoke about the ways of crime and punishment in old Calcutta. This may lead quite naturally to questions about famous trials and the justice system as it then was, and while today is not the day to talk about all
It was the year of 1877 when a teenager on the sprawling grounds of Hare School was seen playing with his classmates a game of football. The European teachers were amazed at his skills and that of his young team and thus was born the
GetBengal Autumnscape celebrates the sheer joy of being a Bangali -- anywhere on Earth. With contributions from some of Bengal’s most creative minds, from artists to historians, authors to film stars, and food historians, this year’s Autumnscape reflects the haunting beauty of a quiet, winding
A hollowed mango tree log about 2.5 to 3 feet long, covered at both ends with goatskin (now replaced by fibre or other synthetic materials) - that is a ‘dhaak’, the quintessential Bengali percussion instrument, inextricably associated with Durga Puja. One of many indigenous musical instruments
Not every Bengali will be on the streets this year pandal hopping, for there are many of us who love to spend a quiet Pujo, back home in the middle of books. GB recommends this particular book that features the man whose smile has swept
Far from the maddening crowds of Kolkata’s Puja revelers and dazzling pandals, lies Shyamdaspur, a tiny hamlet, tucked in Bankura’s hinterland. The Shali River flows gently by this idyllic village. Unending stretches of green fields sway in the gentle breeze and hurried barren feet of
HRecently Tarakeshwar-based artist Malay Ghosh’s name appeared in the prestigious ‘India Book of Records 2021’ for drawing a miniature portrait of West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, on palm leaf. He took just 25 minutes to execute the entire painting! Not one to sit on his