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Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Panch Matha Para Shyambazar
1 2 3 4 5 6 Shyambazar in north Kolkata stands as a crucial cultural intersection where heritage remains ever-present. It exists in the tea stalls, along the ghats, and within the deteriorating mansions, while contemporary cafes and delivery services operate through these same streets. At the riverside ghats, both the Hooghly and temporal progression appear suspended. The statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on horseback at Shyambazar five-point crossing serves as a significant marker, reflecting the area's connection to India's Independence struggle. What's in a name? According to author Rangalal Bandyopadhyay's writings, "...the two villages named Shyambazar and Shyampukur are very ancient. The existence of the village named Shyambazar is found in government documents from 1749..." Whilst its antiquity is recorded, the name's origins remain unclear, with various explanations regarding the identity of 'Shyam'. The most plausible historical account is documented in Evan Cotton's 'Calcutta Old and New'. It records that before the Battle of Plassey in the mid-18th century, numerous Bengali merchants established commercial ventures in Kolkata. One such trader, Shobharam Basak, was a devotee of Shyam Rai or Shyamchand. He dedicated the area as Shyambazar to his deity and constructed a pond for worship, now called Shyampukur. Shobharam owned the Shyambazar market, which developed into a prominent trading centre. The Shyampukur police station remains the longest-serving law enforcement facility in the area. Historical context The East India Co, alarmed by potential Maratha invasions, requested Alivardi Khan, Bengal's Nawab, to construct a defensive trench around Calcutta. The 7-kilometre excavation commenced in 1742 from Bagbazar (Perrin's Point), funded entirely through Indian taxation. The project was abandoned after six months, with Upjohn's indicating the Maratha Ditch's location. Following their victory at Plassey, the British East India Co expanded their colonial presence. In 1766, they constructed six roads linking Dihi Kolkata with outlying areas, including Shyambazar Road. Horse-drawn trams arrived in Shyambazar in 1882, followed by electric trams in 1889. Central Avenue's extension to Shyambazar in 1911 was renamed Bhupen Bose Avenue, honouring the distinguished Bengali lawyer, educator and politician Bhupendra Nath Bose. The area has been the residence to numerous distinguished individuals — Nilmoni Mitra, Bengal's first qualified engineer, created notable structures like Sadharon Brahma Samaj and Metropolitan Institute. The locality also produced Upendranath Brahmachari, who discovered urea stibamine to treat 'kala azar'. The residence of Nagendranath Basu, who compiled the first encyclopaedias in Bengali and Hindi ('Bangla Biswakosh' and 'Hindi Vishwakosh'), is situated in Shyambazar. The area is linked with artistic luminaries like Girish Chandra Ghosh, Amritalal Basu, Binodini Dasi, and others. The locality houses some of Kolkata's oldest educational establishments. Shyambazar AV School was founded in 1855, whilst Town School Calcutta began in 1894. Notable institutions include Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Seth Anandaram Jaipuria College, and R G Kar Medical College, established in 1886. Football's birth place "For the first time in the history of Indian Football, a core Bengali team, Mohun Bagan, won IFA Shield by defeating a competent White team...," Reuter, London wrote. In 1911, Mohun Bagan's barefooted players defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment, marking the first sporting triumph against imperial forces. These players are commemorated on Mohun Bagan Row, where the club originated in 1889. The club's foundation meeting occurred on Aug 15, 1889, at 14, Balaram Ghosh Street. Prominent families supported its establishment, with its first grounds at Mohun Bagan Villa. In 1890, it became 'Mohun Bagan Athletic Club'. Cultural evolution Shyambazar emerged as a prominent theatre district under the patronage of Calcutta's wealthy elite. The first Bengali production, 'Bidyasundar', was staged in Nabin Chandra Basu's mansion in 1835. Theatre groups such as Bagbazar Amateur Theatre Group and Shyambazar Natya Samaj were instrumental in establishing public, commercial theatre during the mid-19th century. The Star Theatre was established in 1883 at 68, Beadon Street through the efforts of Girish Chandra Ghosh, Binodini, Amritalal Basu and others. In 1888, it relocated to 75/3 Cornwallis Street. The theatre, now a grade-one heritage structure, was renamed Binodini by chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Dec 2024, highlighting its historical significance. The neighbourhood's theatrical landscape has transformed significantly. Former theatres like Bijan Theatre, Rangana, Biswarupa, Rangmahal, and Sarkarina have been replaced by residential complexes or commercial establishments. The once-vibrant stretch from Shyambazar to Hatibagan, previously lined with single-screen cinemas like Mitra, Rupbani, Shree, and others, has largely disappeared. Shyambazar's architectural heritage includes distinctive features such as airy verandahs, iron latticework, louvred windows, and French doors. The Kamala Baati, with its neo-Gothic clock tower, exemplifies this heritage. However, as noted by advocate Debabarata Mukhopadhyay, a resident since 1969, "The old houses are slowly being replaced with modern flats to accommodate more people. The Sen bari, the third official office of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, is being demolished. The neighbourhood is changing and becoming more cosmopolitan." Religion and revolution 55, Shyampukur Street holds historical significance as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's residence during his illness in 1885. Notable visitors included Girish Chandra Ghosh, Mahendralal Sarkar, and others. Nati Binodini visited dressed as a European gentleman. The house, acquired by Ramakrishna Math in 2010, now serves as a museum. Mayer Bari on Udbodhan Lane, where Sarada Devi lived from 1909 to 1920, is another significant spiritual site. The area features historic religious structures, including the century-old Ghomta Kali Bari and the Niamatullah Ghat Mosque from 1794. According to researcher Sabir Ahamed, the mosque's location between two Hindu temples symbolises communal harmony. "Shyambazar and its adjacent neighbourhoods were hubs of nationalist politics. Nandalal and Pashupati Bose's house — the Basu Bati — held anti-British meetings and rallies. A procession was led by Rabindranath Tagore from Federation Hall to Basu Bati in Oct 1906. It was in the courtyard of this house Tagore initiated the 'raksha bandhan utsav'," said Swarnali Chattopadhyay, heritage activist. The area is associated with revolutionaries like Aurobindo Ghosh, arrested in 1908, and Dinesh Chandra Majumdar's 1933 police confrontation near Mohun Bagan Lane. Living by the river The riverside ghats remain vital community spaces. Mita Ghosh, 68, describes the Bagbazar ghat as her sanctuary since age 18. "I have been coming here since I was 18 and got married. Priests perform rituals, young boys take a dip in the river, and people just indulge in adda," she added. Despite deteriorating infrastructure, these ghats continue to serve various community functions. Nearby Kumartuli maintains its traditional idol-making craft while adapting to modern demands. "Shyambazar-Bagbazar is one of the oldest neighbourhoods and still evokes an old-world charm. One of the salient features of the area now is the coexistence of the traditional and modern — apartments share space with old houses and mansions; old food joints exist side by side with modern-day cafes and restaurants and even in transportation, we have the metro, bus routes and the age-old ferry service," said Barun Kumar Ganguly, businessman. Eating good The area's culinary scene combines traditional establishments like Golbari and Mitra Cafe with contemporary outlets. Historic eateries like Adi Haridas Modak, dating back 250 years, maintain their legacy while adapting to changing times. Street side shopping Hatibagan maintains its character as an affordable shopping destination while incorporating modern retail elements. As Sangeeta Ghosh, a local shopkeeper, notes, traditional businesses are adapting to digital payment methods while preserving their essential character. The Sunday morning pet bazar at Galiff Street near Shyambazar adds a uniqueness to the neighbourhood. GFX Who's the 'Shyam' in Shyambazar ? According to Evan Cotton's 'Calcutta Old and New', the origin of Shyambazar dates back to pre-Battle of Plassey (before mid-18th century) Several Bengali traders set up businesses in Kolkata during this period A Bengali trader, Shobharam Basak, worshipped Shyam Rai or Shyamchand as his family deity Named the area Shyambazar after his deity Basak owned the Shyambazar market John Zephaniah Holwell, who was an employee of the East India Company, documented the existence of a large market called Charles Bazaar The Basak family renamed Charles Bazaar after their family deity, Shyam Rai Another theory suggests that the area belonged to distinguished resident Shyamacharan Mukhopadhyay. The name Shyambazar featured in the first official map of Kolkata made in 1784 by Lt Col Mark wood supports the fact Netaji Statue Establishment on Jan 23, 1969 on Subhas Chandra Bose's 73rd birthday Second statue of Subhas Chandra Bose in Kolkata First was installed in 1965 at Raj Bhavan's south-eastern corner Sculptor of the Shyambazar statue | Marathi sculptor Nagesh Yavalkar Made of bronze Height | 15 feet 1 inch Pedestal height | 16 feet Scientist Satyendra Nath Bose, speaker Bijay Kumar Banerjee, mayor Govind Chandra De were present during the inauguration VOX Indrani Bhattacharya | Govt employee Vivek Para Vivek Para, nestled in the heart of N Kolkata, carries a soul that resonates with history, culture, and the warmth of everyday life Subhadeep Dutta | Cardiac technologist Thakur para Kumartuli is an all-time festival. We always have fun in the neighborhood Suman Saha | Coordinator, electrodiagnostic centre Festival Para All kinds of festivals are celebrated here. We are very glad to stay here Himadri Sekher Das | Govt employee Mayer Para Presence of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi's bathing ghat and divine Durga Puja of Bagbazar Biraj Sen | Pvt consultant Nivedita avenue Sister Nivedita has served a very important role in the upliftment of the underprivileged in the area Abhishek Munshi | IT professional Sabuj Biplab Para This para not only means only greenery, Ganga and various birds, it also represents historical places such as the house of Girish Ghosh
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP calls Rahul Gandhi 'Mir Jafar', Congress says S Jaishankar is 'Jaichand'
Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday aggressively retaliated to Rahul Gandhi's continuing charge that foreign minister S Jaishankar had "forewarned" Pakistan about strikes on terror targets under Operation Sindoor , saying the Congress MP was "a new age Mir Jafar". The marked escalation in BJP's attack on the issue led Congress to call Jaishankar a "Jaichand" - the medieval period ruler of Kannauj who is depicted as a "traitor" after he allied with Muhammad Ghori against Prithviraj Chauhan. Rahul is "a new age Mir Jafar", BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said on X while sharing an image juxtaposing Rahul's photo with that of Pakistan army chief Asim Munir and captioning it, "What's next for Rahul Gandhi? The Nishan-e-Pakistan?" Jafar, who served as a commander in the Bengal army under Siraj ud-Daulah, had betrayed him during the Battle of Plassey, paving the way for British rule in India. Hitting back, Congress functionary Pawan Khera in a post on X called Jaishankar "a new Jaichand". Congress Bihar unit shared on X an image juxtaposing PM Modi's photo with that of former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, and captioning it "ek biryani desh par bhari". Malviya also accused Rahul of aligning with Pakistan's narrative, noting his failure to congratulate the PM on Operation Sindoor's success, which demonstrated India's military strength. He said that Rahul never asked about Pakistani jets downed or destroyed in the operation but instead focused on Indian losses, a question already addressed in DGMO briefings. Malviya shared another cartoon on X depicting Rahul Gandhi, backed by Pakistan, questioning IAF jet losses. The caption implied Rahul was echoing Pak's narrative.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Mir Jafar' jibe, comparison to Pak army chief: BJP's Amit Malviya targets Rahul Gandhi over Jaishankar remarks
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday called the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, 'the new age Mir Jafar', sharing a cartoon in which the Rae Bareli MP can be seen standing on the back of Pakistan's defence minister Khwaja Asif. This wasn't the first attack launched by the BJP IT cell chief on the Congress leader in the day. Earlier, he had alleged that Rahul Gandhi was aiming for 'Nishan-e-Pakistan', the neighbouring country's highest civilian award. Malviya had also shared an edited photo, showing half the face of Gandhi along with half of Pakistan army chief Asim Munir's face. Malviya's jibe came a day after Gandhi launched a fresh attack on S Jaishankar, saying on Monday that external affairs minister 'silence' over his question on notifying Pakistan about India's strikes under Operation Sindoor was 'damning'. The BJP IT Cell chief posted a meme showing the Congress leader asking the Indian Army, 'How many aircraft we lost?'. 'Rahul Gandhi is the new age Mir Jafar,' Malviya wrote in his X post. It is said Mir Jafar, who served as a commander in the Bengal army under Siraj ud-Daulah, had betrayed him during the Battle of Plassey, paving the way for British rule in India. In the post where he shared an edited image of Rahul Gandhi comparing him with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, Malviya wrote: 'It is not surprising that Rahul Gandhi is speaking the language of Pakistan and its benefactors. He hasn't congratulated the Prime Minister on the flawless #OperationSindoor, which unmistakably showcases India's dominance. Instead, he repeatedly asks how many jets we lost—a question that has already been addressed in the DGMO briefings. Curiously, he hasn't once inquired about how many Pakistani jets were shot down during the conflict, or how many were destroyed while parked in their hangars when Indian forces pounded Pakistani air bases. What's next for Rahul Gandhi? The Nishan-e-Pakistan?' Malviya wrote. The opposition leaders slammed Amit Malviya's attacks on Rahul Gandhi, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi suggesting that the BJP reconsider its social media strategy. "At a time when the opposition leaders of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the all-party meeting supported the government and the armed forces to take every possible action against the terrorist attack. When the entire opposition is supporting and are going before the world (all party delegation) by keeping their personal differences aside, and Amit Malviya is making statements on Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, which is against the spirit of the work being done. The BJP should rethink its social media strategy," Chaturvedi was quoted by ANI as saying. Congress leader Pawan Khera also lashed out at the BJP after Malviya's posts on Rahul Gandhi. "As far as Nishaan-e-Pakistan is concerned, their leader, Morarji Desai, was the only Indian politician who was awarded it for leaking RAW's secrets. Nobody else got more people deserve Nishan-e-Pakistan, like Lal Krishna Advani, who called Jinnah a secular, and the person who went to eat biryani with Nawaz Sharif without being invited," Khera told ANI.
News18
20-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Mir Jafar, The Traitor: Why India's Operation To Hunt Down Spies Is Codenamed After Him
Last Updated: The anti-espionage operation was named after Mir Jafar, a historical figure widely remembered as one of the greatest traitors in Indian history In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, security forces have now launched Operation Mir Jafar, targeting individuals suspected of spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. The operation aims to identify and neutralise those who allegedly provided critical information to Pakistan during India's military response. The anti-espionage operation was named after Mir Jafar, a historical figure widely remembered as one of the greatest traitors in Indian history. His name has long symbolised betrayal, even though the context in which it is used often varies. Historians generally agree that Mir Jafar betrayed the Nawab of Bengal during the Battle of Plassey. In modern times, his name is more commonly used as a metaphor for political treachery than as a direct reference to the historical event. In 1756, when the 23-year-old Siraj-ud-Daulah ascended to power, his military commander and relative, Mir Jafar, began to feel increasingly marginalised. Though he had supported Siraj's assault on the East India Company's Fort William just months before the Battle of Plassey, simmering resentment lingered. Ambitious and discontented, Mir Jafar aspired to become Nawab himself. His betrayal was seen as particularly grave due to his familial ties with Siraj-ud-Daulah. Unlike other conspirators, Mir Jafar was shielded by the East India Company, intensifying perceptions of his treachery. British agents uncovered that Mir Jafar, the Nawab's military commander, harboured ambitions of seizing power. Clive capitalised on this, forging a secret pact with Mir Jafar and promising him the throne in exchange for his betrayal. As British forces neared Murshidabad, Siraj-ud-Daulah readied for defence but faced wavering loyalty and political setbacks. At Plassey, his position worsened with the death of his trusted general, Mir Madan. Isolated and desperate, he turned to Mir Jafar—unaware of the treachery already unfolding. Feigning loyalty, Mir Jafar advised Siraj to halt the fighting. The Nawab agreed and withdrew to his camp. On Mir Jafar's signal, the British launched a swift and decisive attack. Deprived of leadership and direction, the Nawab's army collapsed. Siraj fled but was soon captured and executed by Mir Jafar's son, Miran. True to their word, the British installed Mir Jafar as the puppet ruler of Bengal. Under Mir Jafar's rule, Bengal—once the wealthiest province in India—suffered rampant exploitation and looting. The region's riches were drained, laying the groundwork for centuries of colonial extraction. Mir Jafar's alliance with the British ultimately proved his undoing; once he had served their purpose, they discarded him. His name endures as a lasting symbol of treachery in Indian history. Why Was Operation Mir Jafar Launched? According to the investigators, numerous photographs and sensitive data were shared through various channels with the ISI. The probe also uncovered the involvement of the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi, where some Indian nationals were reportedly in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives stationed there. Further investigations revealed that Pakistan obtained sensitive information by sending individuals on foreign trips and offering monetary and other incentives. Electronic surveillance showed that significant data was transmitted to Pakistan through Indian mobile phones and other digital channels. Officials involved in the operation shared that individuals from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and several other regions were found to be involved in these activities. Under Operation Mir Jafar, security agencies are actively gathering evidence, and based on initial findings, intelligence units are working to identify and prosecute those involved. According to several officials, intelligence agencies have started to closely monitor individuals suspected of leaking information to Pakistan, resulting in the arrest of at least 12 people across three states on espionage charges. The arrests include four in Haryana, six in Punjab, and one in Uttar Pradesh. Among those detained is Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber with thousands of followers, apprehended by the Haryana Police in Hisar. The 33-year-old travel vlogger, who runs the YouTube channel 'Travel with JO', is under investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan. Investigators discovered that Malhotra was allegedly honey-trapped by Danish, an employee of the Pakistani High Commission, believed to have ties to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). top videos View all Other notable arrests include Devendra Singh, a 25-year-old postgraduate student from Mastgarh Cheeka village in Haryana; Nauman Ilahi, a 24-year-old security guard from Uttar Pradesh working in Haryana; Arman, 23; Shahzad, a businessman from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh; and Mohammad Murtaza Ali, who was arrested in Jalandhar. An official familiar with the investigation stated that interrogations are currently underway and more arrests are expected as the probe progresses and additional evidence emerges. First Published: May 20, 2025, 15:43 IST
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Nishan-e-Pakistan next for Rahul Gandhi?' BJP slams Congress leader over Operation Sindoor controversy
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday, accusing him of undermining India's military success during the recent Operation Sindoor and 'speaking the language of Pakistan.' In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Malviya slammed the LoP for failing to congratulate PM Modi on the "flawless" military operation that showcased India's air superiority and strategic preparedness. 'It is not surprising that Rahul Gandhi is speaking the language of Pakistan and its benefactors. He hasn't congratulated the Prime Minister on the flawless Operation Sindoor, which unmistakably showcases India's dominance,' Malviya wrote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Pelajari Undo — amitmalviya (@amitmalviya) The BJP leader went on to criticise Gandhi for repeatedly questioning the number of Indian jets lost during the operation—queries that Malviya said were already addressed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) in press conferences on the operation. Live Events 'Instead, he repeatedly asks how many jets we lost—a question that has already been addressed… Curiously, he hasn't once inquired about how many Pakistani jets were shot down during the conflict, or how many were destroyed while parked in their hangars when Indian forces pounded Pakistani airbases,' Malviya added. Taking his criticism further, Malviya sarcastically questioned Gandhi's loyalties by saying, 'What's next for Rahul Gandhi? The Nishan-e-Pakistan?' The Congress has not yet responded to Malviya's statements. — amitmalviya (@amitmalviya) Mir Jafar was a senior military commander under Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah of Bengal. He is infamous for betraying the Nawab by colluding with the British East India Company, which led to Siraj ud-Daulah's defeat at the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Malviya's attack in relation to the Mir Jaffar is not by the first the saffron party on Congress. Earlier, BJP leader CR Kesavan had termed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge 'modern-day Mir Jaffar' when the latter had India's questioned intelligence failure over the Pahalgam attack. "He (Mallikarjun Kharge) has made treacherous statements similar to a modern-day Mir Jaffar. His toxic, baseless, unfounded rant against the Prime Minister is most deplorable and condemnable. Everybody demands an unconditional apology from him, and he should also come clean on what kind of inputs he received to make such outrageous remarks,' he had said.
