The West Bengal government's decision on Friday to rechristen the state as 'Paschimbanga' has evoked a mixed response among the city intellectuals with a majority of them questioning the use of 'Paschim' (or West) in the name.
"Where's the change? It has been merely translated to Bengali. I have strong reservation against the use of Paschim (west) in the name. The change is for the sake of change, there is no essence behind the change. I thought they would use Banga, or Bangabhoomi, but they didn't," said Sahitya Akademi Award winning author Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay.
The state government and the opposition Friday unanimously decided to rename the state Paschimbanga, state Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee announced.
Echoing Mukhopadhyay's sentiments, noted theatre personality Bhibhas Chakraborty said: "It's no change at all. Why the word Paschim is there? Where's the place for a Paschim or a West? Ideally it should have been Bangla or Bangabhoomi."
However, legendary magician PC Sircar Jr expressed happiness over the decision.
"I am very happy and excited. Finally Bengali sentiments have been honoured. No other state in the country has an English name except ours. The new name will remind the coming generation about the painful history of division of Bengal.
It will help them grow strong."
Celebrated poet and novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay also expressed his reservation over the use of Paschim in the name.
"Paschim is redundant, wonder why it is still there. Wherever you go, people refer to the state as Bengal. You will hardly find anyone saying Paschim or West Bengal. Though I am glad a Bengali name has been given."
Source : The Daily Star
