Buddhadeb, an altruistic gentleman

 

 

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's passing away marks the end of an era in West Bengal politics. Known as a reformist among the Left, the veteran communist leader was responsible for bringing industrialisation to the State. During his regime West Bengal saw investments in sectors of IT and IT enabled services. His contributions and the complexities of his governance will continue to be studied and debated in the context of India's political evolution. His life serves as a testament to the challenges and triumphs of a leader navigating the intricacies of governance. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who refused to accept the Padma Bhushan, as he was not informed prior about it, will be remembered more as an altruistic gentleman than as a politician.

 

His departure is not only a loss for the Left and the CPI(M), but it is a loss for all those who consider Marxism, cinema and literature as the heritage of human civilization. The emotional tributes paid by the political leaders from the ruling and opposition parties on his demise not only reflect his acceptance of political differences but also the relevance and brilliance of Marxism and the Left in these difficult times. He evolved from an ordinary teacher to an extraordinary politician of the working class, in which he spread cool light instead of dazzling light. Buddahdeb Bhattacharjee was a lamp, whose flickering and extinction was inevitable. He left his mortal body and went on an eternal journey.