DOWNFALL of Kolkata Explained in 10 Minutes! | Sanjeev Sanyal on The Neon Show

Summary

The speaker reflects on Kolkata's decline from a thriving economic and cultural hub in the 1970s to a city struggling to regain its former glory, attributing this to the policies of Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and the communist government. They discuss the interconnectedness of economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy, using Kolkata's past as an example of a civilization in decline. The speaker also highlights the importance of aspirations and the need for a renaissance in various spheres of life, drawing parallels with the European Renaissance and the impact of open-mindedness on progress.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker grew up in 1980s Kolkata and has a strong aversion to socialism and communism due to witnessing the negative impact on Kolkata's economy and culture.
• 🏙️ Kolkata was once the most important economic and industrial hub in India and one of the most significant in Asia, but it declined significantly under the leadership of Chief Minister Jyoti Basu.
• 📚 Kolkata's intellectual and cultural sphere suffered greatly, to the extent that the city has never fully recovered from the shock of its decline.
• 🌐 The speaker believes that Kolkata's decline was not an accident but a deliberate 'murder', and they consider themselves a witness to this process.
• 🎭 Kolkata's cultural and intellectual decline is directly linked to its economic decline, emphasizing the interconnectedness of economic and cultural vibrancy.
• 🛤️ The speaker's work in various areas, including history and infrastructure, is part of a broader goal to rebuild a civilization, not just an economy.
• 🏛️ The Renaissance in Europe and the Bengal Renaissance are highlighted as examples of a cultural and intellectual awakening that can drive broader societal progress.
• 💡 The speaker argues that the decline in Kolkata was a result of a 'closing of mind' that affected all aspects of society, not just business and commerce.
• 🚢 Kolkata's decline was accompanied by the departure of influential figures and businesses to other cities like Mumbai.
• 🎨 The city has not produced cultural or intellectual figures of the same caliber as Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, or Swami Vivekananda since its decline.
• 🗳️ The speaker questions why the people of Kolkata continued to elect Jyoti Basu despite clear signs of mismanagement and decline, suggesting a 'poverty of aspiration'.

Q & A

What was Kolkata's status in the 1980s according to the speaker?

The speaker describes Kolkata in the 1980s as a city that had significantly declined from its former glory as a major economic and industrial hub, largely due to the policies of Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and the communist government.

How did the speaker's experience growing up in Kolkata shape their views on socialism and communism?

The speaker's distaste for socialism and communism stems from witnessing the negative impact of these ideologies on Kolkata's economy, culture, and intellectual sphere, which they believe led to the city's decline and inability to recover.

What was Kolkata's position in terms of economic and industrial importance before the 1980s?

Before the 1980s, Kolkata was India's most important economic hub and one of the most significant industrial hubs in Asia, with a vibrant cultural and political scene.

What does the speaker believe happened to Kolkata?

The speaker believes that Kolkata did not simply decline; it was 'murdered' due to the policies of the socialist government, which they witnessed firsthand.

How did the audience react to the speaker's previous conversation about Kolkata?

The audience was deeply engaged, with many people from Kolkata or those who have visited sharing their own experiences and relating to the speaker's description of the city's decline.

What was the speaker's childhood experience with electricity in Kolkata?

The speaker recalls doing homework by lantern and candlelight due to frequent power outages, which was not a result of poverty but rather poor electricity management by the government.

What is the speaker's perspective on the relationship between economic and cultural vibrancy?

The speaker believes that a vibrant cultural hub cannot exist without a strong economy, implying that economic decline leads to a broader cultural and intellectual decline.

What is the speaker's broader goal in their work?

The speaker's ultimate goal is to rebuild a civilization, which includes not just the economy but also culture, history, and various other aspects of society.

How does the speaker connect the decline of Kolkata with the Renaissance period in Europe?

The speaker draws a parallel between the decline of Kolkata and the Renaissance, suggesting that both periods involved an 'opening' and 'closing' of the mind, leading to periods of cultural and intellectual flourishing or decline.

What does the speaker suggest about the reasons for the continued election of Jyoti Basu and the socialist government?

The speaker suggests that a combination of electoral malpractice and a 'poverty of aspiration' among the people led to the continued election of Jyoti Basu and the socialist government, despite their poor performance.

Why does the speaker believe Kolkata has not produced notable figures like it did in the past?

The speaker attributes the lack of notable figures in modern Kolkata to the overall decline of the city's intellectual, cultural, and economic spheres, which they believe are interconnected.

Outlines

00:00

🏭 Kolkata's Economic and Cultural Decline

The speaker reflects on their upbringing in 1980s Kolkata and expresses a strong aversion to socialism and communism, attributing it to witnessing the detrimental effects of Chief Minister Jyoti Basu's policies. Kolkata, once a thriving economic and industrial hub in Asia, suffered a significant decline under communist rule, which the speaker likens to a 'murder' of the city. Historically, Kolkata was a cultural and political powerhouse, producing notable figures like Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Netaji, and Rabindranath Tagore. However, the speaker argues that the economic downturn led to a broader cultural and intellectual decline, with the city never fully recovering. The speaker also emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy, using the example of the European Renaissance to illustrate the point.

05:01

🚢 The Renaissance of Minds and the Spread of Prosperity

The speaker draws parallels between the Bengal Renaissance and the European Renaissance, suggesting that the same spirit of intellectual and cultural awakening was present in Kolkata. They discuss the multifaceted contributions of individuals during these periods, who were not only patrons of the arts but also pioneers in business and exploration. The speaker highlights the interconnectedness of various fields, such as finance, maritime trade, and the arts, and how prosperity in one area often led to advancements in others. They lament the decline of Kolkata, noting that not only did businesses and industries leave, but the city also failed to produce cultural or intellectual giants in the subsequent years. The speaker questions the societal aspirations that led to the re-election of Jyoti Basu and suggests that a 'poverty of aspiration' may have contributed to the city's stagnation.

Keywords

💡Socialism

Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned or regulated by the community as a whole. In the video's context, the speaker expresses a strong distaste for socialism and communism, attributing the decline of Kolkata's economy and culture to the policies implemented by Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and the communist government. The speaker's negative experience with socialism is a central theme in the video, as it shaped his perspective on economic and cultural development.

💡Communism

Communism is a political ideology and movement that aims to establish a classless society where all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. The video discusses the impact of communism on Kolkata, with the speaker suggesting that the ideology led to the destruction of the city's economy and intellectual sphere, preventing its recovery.

💡Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is a city in eastern India and the capital of West Bengal. The video focuses on the decline of Kolkata from a thriving economic and cultural hub to a city that has struggled to regain its former glory. The speaker's personal connection to Kolkata and his observations of its transformation under socialist policies are central to the narrative.

💡Economic Hub

An economic hub refers to a city or region that serves as a central point for economic activity, often characterized by a concentration of businesses, industries, and financial institutions. The video script describes how Kolkata was once India's biggest city and a significant industrial hub in Asia, but it fell apart due to the policies of the socialist government.

💡Cultural Sphere

The cultural sphere encompasses the collective cultural aspects of a society, including its arts, intellectual life, and traditions. The speaker in the video laments the destruction of Kolkata's cultural sphere, which he believes was once vibrant and produced great figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray, but has since declined due to political and economic factors.

💡Intellectual

An intellectual is a person engaged in or having a great interest in serious thought and ideas, often associated with the pursuit of knowledge and the arts. The video script discusses the decline of Kolkata's intellectual sphere, suggesting that the socialist government's policies stifled intellectual growth and cultural production.

💡Renaissance

Renaissance refers to a period of revival or renewed interest in the arts, literature, and learning, often associated with the cultural and intellectual movement that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe. The video script uses the term to describe the Bengal Renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing in Kolkata, which the speaker contrasts with the decline that followed the rise of socialism.

💡Marichjhapi Massacre

The Marichjhapi Massacre refers to a tragic event in 1979 when the West Bengal government, under Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, forcibly evicted thousands of refugees from the Marichjhapi island, resulting in many deaths. The video script mentions this event as an example of the negative impacts of the socialist government's policies.

💡Electoral Malpractice

Electoral malpractice refers to improper or illegal practices that affect the fairness of an election, such as booth capturing or voter intimidation. The video script suggests that electoral malpractice played a role in the re-election of Jyoti Basu and the socialist government, despite their perceived negative impact on Kolkata.

💡Aspiration

Aspiration in this context refers to the ambitions, hopes, or ideals that drive a society or individual. The speaker in the video criticizes what he perceives as a 'poverty of aspiration' in Kolkata, suggesting that the society's lack of ambition contributed to the continued support for the socialist government and the city's decline.

💡Cultural Production

Cultural production encompasses the creation of cultural goods and services, including art, literature, music, and other forms of expression. The video script discusses how Kolkata's cultural production declined under socialist policies, with the speaker noting that the city has not produced figures of the same caliber as those from its past.

Highlights

Grew up in 1980s Kolkata with a strong distaste for socialism and communism due to witnessing the destruction of Kolkata's economy and intellectual culture under Chief Minister Jyoti Basu.

Kolkata was once the most important economic and industrial hub in India and one of the most important in Asia, but fell apart within the speaker's lifetime.

The speaker believes Kolkata didn't just die but was 'murdered', and he considers himself a witness to this event.

Audience resonated with the statement 'Kolkata didn't die, it was murdered', sharing personal experiences of the city's decline.

Kolkata's history as the largest city and commercial industrial hub in India, and its cultural and political vibrancy before independence.

The speaker's mission to rebuild a civilization, not just an economy, with cultural and historical projects like rebuilding Ayodhya temple and building a ship.

The Renaissance in Europe as a parallel to the Bengal Renaissance, where an opening of mind led to advancements in various fields.

The decline of Kolkata was not only economic but also a closing of mind in science, culture, and commerce.

The absence of influential figures like Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, and others in Kolkata post-decline.

The question of why people elected and re-elected Jyoti Basu despite clear signs of economic mismanagement.

The impact of electoral malpractice and booth capturing on the political landscape of West Bengal.

The concept of 'poverty of aspiration' as a reason for the continued support of the socialist government.

The speaker's personal experience of doing homework by lantern and candlelight due to electricity shortages.

The aspiration of society being limited to roles like union leaders or 'order intellectuals' in Kolkata.

The importance of having high aspirations for society, as exemplified by Mrinal Sen's movies and the lifestyle they depict.

Transcripts

So well I grew up in 1980s Kolkata.

And I suppose my strong distaste for socialism and communism comes partly from the experience

of watching how Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and the communists basically destroyed...

Not just the economy of Kolkata and West Bengal, but you know, the entire intellectual, cultural

sphere to a point that Kolkata has never recovered from that shock.

And so when I was born, in the early 70s, Kolkata was the most important economic hub

in India.

It was one of the most important industrial hubs in Asia.

And within my— right in front of my eyes, it kind of fell apart.

And I always say that, you know, Kolkata didn't die.

It was murdered, and I'm a witness to that murder.

So that happened and that had a big impact on me.

Sir, our audience loved our conversation about Kolkata last time, and they're all asking

more details on it.

Like last time, you mentioned the word 'Kolkata didn't die.

It was murdered.'

And the audience just latched on to it because hundreds of 1000s of people from Kolkata replied,

sharing comments that, 'I am from Kolkata, or I have visited Kolkata.

Stayed in Kolkata for 20 years.

And I can relate to it.

It is getting murdered in front of my eyes.'

right?

So just want to go back to the history of it, where it all started with maybe Chief

Minister Jyoti Basu, and in 1947, as you mentioned, in a few interviews, it was the largest hub,

the largest city, across Asia, like after Japan, maybe.

So, yeah, I mean, when I was born, as I mentioned, Kolkata was even in 1970, it was India's biggest

city, it was the biggest commercial industrial hub.

It was culturally & politically a very vibrant place.

Indeed, before independence, even more important because it, of course, was a capital till

1912, actually effectively into the 1930s because even though the capital shifted, it

continued to be the main hub.

And it produced all these greats within a few generations.

I mean, Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Netaji, Rabindranath Tagore.

And by the way many of these people knew each other very well.

So it's within a couple of generations and this huge and by the way, they were a huge

industry— Bengalis, by the way, were famous as scientists, as businessmen.

The original Marwadi—

Originally Marwadi success came from Kolkata, not from the original homeland Rajasthan.

The Birlas originally made their money there.

So this was a real driver, and then it all fell apart.

And this is important to understand because when one thing falls apart, which is let's

say, you decide that you know, you are going to for whatever socialist kind of reasons

you're going to wreck the economy, be very clear that everything else gets wrecked as

well.

So there is no such thing as a vibrant cultural hub, which is not also an economic hub.

So this is important because this is also in the context of, you know, many people ask

me, Why do you work in so many areas?

Why are you working in history?

Why are you building this ship?

Why are you also working on the— Why don't you just focus on this?

They have completely misunderstood what we are trying to do.

In the end, I'm trying to rebuild a civilization.

I'm not building just an economy.

The economy is a part of it.

But the overall purpose is rebuilding civilization.

So building a highway and rebuilding Ayodhya temple are part of the same agenda.

And they cannot be understood separately from each other.

And by the way, all civilizations that go through a renaissance or a rebirth, have this

phenomena.

Europe for example, you talked about it.

Yes.

So if you look at the late 1300/1400s, what happened in Europe.

In northern Italy, not even in all of Europe.

In a small area, northern Italy, a whole small group of relatively small towns go through

this explosion.

And you have Florence, for example, producing this amazing art.

Venice produces amazing art.

But in fact, neither of those is actually...

The real business is not art.

It's actually in the case of Florence, it's finance, right?

Banking, what is the great invention?

It is not art.

It is actually double entry bookkeeping.

Venice's great successes are maritime trade.

It's the stock exchange.

And so all the art is actually a sub thing that sort of happens on the side as a result

of this.

When you have wealth, these things are the side-effects—

No, that is precisely what I'm trying to tell you.

That is the wrong way to think about it.

What really is happening is an opening of mind and opening of aspiration, which is manifesting

in different ways.

So the same people who were funding the art, were also doing the banking and also sailing

the shore.

And by the way, this entire phenomenon that I just mentioned, starts from northern Italy,

rapidly spreads.

It goes to the Netherlands.

It goes to Britain.

It goes to Spain.

So the same people who are listening to Shakespeare, write his plays, and his first actual Shakespearean

play is done for the first time.

Elizabethen England are also the people who sank the Armada.

Francis Drake must have watched those Shakespearean plays.

He also is the guy who circumnavigated the world.

It's the same people who set up the first East India Company.

Same thing is going on meanwhile, in the Netherlands.

So what I'm trying to say is, it is not surprising that Kolkata was the hub of everything, because

it very often were the same people doing all these different things.

They knew each other.

So it's really an opening of mind that happened.

And it's called the Bengal renaissance in the same way as you talk about the European

Renaissance.

So when it went into decline, it was a closing of mind.

And the closing of mind didn't just happen in business and in commerce.

It also happened in science at about the same time.

It happened in culture.

It happened in every sphere of human activity.

So, it is extraordinary that not only did you know the Birlas and all these people leave

Kolkata and set up shop in Mumbai and other places.

It is also the case that Kolkata has never produced again, somebody of the calibre of

Satyajit Ray, or Rabindranath Tagore, or Swami Vivekananda or Netaji Subhas Bose or Sri Aurobindo,

or Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, or any number of other names I can give you.

It just didn't produce anybody of that calibre.

Once things began to unwind everything unwound.

And what caused like, like, why did people elect Jyoti Basu or the socialist government

in the first place?

So you know, people elect all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons.

Yes.

The question is, why did they re-elect him because having elected him it was quite obvious

what he was doing.

Yeah, I even remember his first term, which was, I think, '77 to whatever '82 or whatever,

the first term whenever he got elected.

He had already carried out the Marichjhapi massacre.

He had already begun to shut down the businesses.

He already was mismanaging electricity supply.

So that you know, I remember growing up doing my homework essentially by lantern and candle

light.

You know, people have this thing that 'My father was very poor.' and then he would sit

under, you know, would do his homework by a kerosene lamp and all that.

I also did my homework using a Kerosene lamp.

Not because I came from a poor family.

I came from a solidly middle class family, but because there was no electricity, and

this was before the days of when generators were commonly available.

So, the question is, why did they keep bringing him back despite lack of performance?

You know, you can try out anybody once.

Why do you keep re— Now some part of it was, of course, electoral malpractice, booth

capturing was converted into an art form.

But I would argue that even more important than that was a poverty of aspiration.

If your society aspires that the highest form of life is a union leader, or a, you know,

an order intellectual, what in Kolkata is called an appeal.

And, you know, that is your aspiration, that you are sitting around smoking and having

a sip of your old monk and, you know, passing judgement on the rest of the world rather

than doing anything and smoking throughout the day.

Yeah, I personally have no problem with either of them, your health, but pointing them out

is the aspiration of society.

If Mrinal Sen movies are the aspiration of your society, then do not complain that that

is what you get.