07 September 2011

So Paschimbanga it is!

So Paschimbanga it is -- and like always the name change, or rechristening saw its fair share of raves and rants. From citing linguistic, parochial to more practical concerns such as pronounciation -- the debates have been intense and often plain sensational. But Mamata being the leader that she is, chose to follow the rules she best knows. And while we feel sad or sorry, for this rather odd name of our state, since we had hoped for a more 'presentable' appellation, something like Banga or Bangla for instance; this move cannot be ruled out as being unacceptable. In the recent past we have seen many cities adopting more indianised names and which had attracted their fair share of protests as well. A name of a place is a reflection of its linguistic and etymological roots, and therefore should mirror that ethos. It therefore makes sense to call 'Bombay' Mumbai, or Bangalore as Bengaluroo, doesnt matter if that seems unpalatable for some more so-called modernised souls, who have certain globalised concerns.