How the Bengali is destroying the Bengali

Kolkata: Whatever be the political consequences of this fifty-crore cash seizure in Kolkata, one outcome is for certain. The legendary intellectual foundation of the snooty Bengali has been direly busted, schooling now in the same sketchy spotlight as higher education. 

In truth, this is parcel of a larger prevailing pattern, on how this once dominant ethnicity, in matters of thought leadership, seems inexplicably keen on self-destruction. Equally frankly, blaming the present-day politicians is not a valid alibi, as the causes of this rot are considerably deep rooted, and connected to the long abdicated days of glory. The Bengali was doggedly and adoringly affiliated with the erstwhile British Raj, in spirit and inspiration, and a fairly elementary analysis will validate this thinking. 

Our doctors, from Nilratan Sarkar to BC Roy and their many proteges, were astute products of the British medical system and thus early adopters of excellence. Scientists, ranging from JC Bose to PC Roy, followed similar patterns and thus influenced global reputation building in the city. In business, the iconic Mukherjee's, Sir RN and Sir Biren were noted for their imperial citizenry and built many notable institutions, including the Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge.

In arts and culture, the story persists, as even the great Tagore was pretty much a mainstream citizen of British India as indeed, of the universe. Uday Shankar and Ravi Shankar, stunning pioneers of their craft, revelled in the regime as did renowned painters and sculptors. Even the sporting giants of the day were often organised by British efficiencies, as were entertainment and community establishments. 

To cut to the chase, the choosy educated Bengali thrived under canny British bosses and sundry Old Blighty influences. The outsiders were sufficiently distant to be revered and yet suitably affectionate to be liked - a notch above fellow Indians who were considered intellectually subpar. Exactly why, the Bengalis thrived during the latter part of the Raj, famously thinking and doing today while India reacted tomorrow. An anachronistic equilibrium that changed swiftly post the heady developments of August 15, 1947.

Quite suddenly, the new paymaster was the freshly minted socialist state for those in Government employment, while in private business the expatriate influence persisted for a few more decades, in banking and corporate most surely. But lurking aggressively in the corner was the Marwari entrepreneur, impeccable in money craft but not necessarily prioritising institution building, or pandering to the whimsical workforce. As latent trade unionism was permitted to erupt, connected to lowering business performance, industry veritably collapsed, and the Bengali systemically started to degenerate.

The educated and affluent packed off their children to foreign or at least national climes, where they started building cosmopolitan, yet culturally rooted, identities. Most of the millions who were left behind felt rudderless, as role models invariably were fertile politicians and not institution builders, and disreputability became par for the course. Rather frighteningly, Bengalis were now being led by Bengalis, no patch on the stern but caring imperialists, in channelising the heady brew of intellect and passion, shyly averse to labour.  

Equally, from heavy industry, durables and personal care, the new age Bengali business icons were into chit funds and occasionally, real estate. The doctors had mostly decamped and those who remained, swiftly put self (read money) above service. Quite sadly, the IT revolution never witnessed the Bengali success story and even popular culture is being managed by the supremely adaptive Marwaris. Education did seem promising but the latest events have been a damming spanner, threatening the ambitions of a whole host of new-age innovators. 

Rather remarkably, the greatest enemy of the emerging Bengali is the successful Bengali, usually a well-rounded resident of the city, with balmy antecedents. He is unable or unwilling to mentor the next generation of worthies, instead happily lip-synching with the populist narrative of outstation careers as the only survival gambit. Role models of genuine pedigree are thus increasingly unusual and the entire halo of success is shifting to lowbrow businesses and their perpetrators, constantly on the vigil of law enforcement. 

The latest education scam is certainly no less vile than endangering baby food or infiltrating life-saving drugs, for a lesser grade of current educator will lead to a lower calibre of future readiness. On the larger issue of Bengali becoming obsolete, especially in the home state, it is indeed a self-inflicted tragedy. A generic lack of entrepreneurship combined with the flight of quality is leading to the ungainly prominence of abysmal lower tiers. 

There is however an obvious yet under-leveraged solution, to restore the erstwhile batting average of Bengalis. Which is the spontaneous union, from business to familial to attitudinal, with the wealthy Marwaris, stunning role models for generational upgradation. What I am indeed suggesting is meaningful two-way traffic, with the willing Bengali being ably rescued from the disabled Bengali.