Investments are pouring in (much, much more than in Bengal), industries are coming up, physical and social infrastructure is being created, and there's a strong belief that the goals the state has set for itself will be achieved. Unlike in Bengal, people there aren't slothful and pessimistic, nor is backstabbing or playing petty politics or running each other down their favourite pastime. Orissa, after initial setbacks (like the deaths due to police firing at Kalinganagar in December 2005), has taken firm steps to make developmentan all-inclusive and a happy process that benefits everyone. Politics isn't venal there, nor is it geared to benefit only the ruling combine and its supporters or workers. The people are simple, religious andunpretentious—fancy cars and gadgets are largely absent and ostentation is avoided. People are rooted to their rich culture and traditions and retain a strong sense of values. This is all a far cry from what exists in Bengal.
The Brickbats…
After returning to this hell-hole from Bhubaneswar, I told some friends and associates about my pleasant experiences in Orissa. Some, who had been to that state recently, agreed with me. But some, those Bengali chauvinists, bristled with rage at this comparison between Bengal and Orissa. They went hot under their collars. They rattled off names like Tagore, Subhas Bose (incidentally, a Cuttack-born) and many others right down to Amartya Sen to buttress their claim about Bengal's eminence and superiority over all other states (typical of Bengalis, wouldn't you say?). Bengal had to bear the load of millions of refugees from East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and hence fell back, they argued. Bengal was accorded step-motherly treatment by successive governments in Delhi and so couldn't progress, they alleged. The rest of India envied Bengalis and their achievements and hence have always conspired against Bengal, they contended. Industrial and economic policies were framed by new Delhi to hurt Bengal, they added. None of that cuts any ice with me. Exasperated, they finally said I should get out of Bengal and go stay in Orissa if I find that state to be so much better. My reply: yes, I'd love to relocate to Bhubaneswar. So should all other intelligent people who care for their, and their children's, well-being. Orissa is the state to watch out for. That's where all action will take place over the next few years and decades. Who wouldn't want to be part of the excitement in store at (to borrow a coinage of a media house) 'Orissa Poised'?