 |
| Photo ©hindustantimes.com |
Her name is Mamata which means affectionate and nurturing. Her demeanour is anything but gentle.
The chief minister of West Bengal wears flip flops, a scowl, cotton sarees, resides alone in a humble home, wears no make-up and leads a formerly communist state with an iron hand, a commanding voice and an unpredictable temper.
Yet, her power and popularity prompted the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to pay her a special visit on a recent trip to India. It's an ghonour that’s highly unusual for any regional leader. Mamata opposes many policy changes such as allowing foreign retail outlets such as Wal-Mart to set up base in India and often ends up contradicting her views.
‘Didi’ (sister) as she is called,claims there is a global conspiracy to kill her. She seldom keeps her temper in check or her views to herself. Her decisions are spontaneous and often spark heated debates. But she is still a hero to many in West Bengal for having the courage to stand up to a communist government that ruled West Bengal for 34 years and even beat her up black and blue when she voiced her protest. Whether she is a stumbling block to India’s growth as many believe or the light of hope to a better India remains to be seen. As some say, Mamata is a very determined lady and it is the determined people who get things done.
` (Based on NYtimes.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment