INDIAN ACADEMY

Dr. Keshab Chandra Mandal E-Mail: mandalkeshab2013@gmail.com Darjeeling, the northern most district of West Bengal, is surrounded by Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west and Sikkim in the north-east. According to provisional census report of 2011 Darjeeling urban agglomeration had a population of 132,016, out of which 65,839 were males and 66,177 were females. The literacy rate for the population older than 6 years was 93.17 per cent. The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism. Christians and Muslims form the minority. 6 The majority of the populace is ethnic Nepali. Indigenous ethnic groups include the Lepchas and Bhutias. The Indian Gorkha ethnic groups include Limbus, Rais, Yakkhas (Dewans), Sunuwars, Sherpas, Tamangs, Yolmos, Damais, Kamis, Newars (Pradhans), Magars, Bahuns and   Chhetris. Other communities are the Bengalis, Marwaris, Anglo-Indians, Han Chinese, Biharis and Tibetans. Languages spoken in Darjeeling include Nepali, which is the predominant...

Dr. Keshab Chandra Mandal E-Mail: mandalekshab2013@gmail.com   The discussions in the previous chapter indicate that there existed a great many problems in the state prior to assembly elections in 2011. These include dire financial crunch in state exchequer, disruption of life and property due to frequent Maoist movement in Jungal Mahal, complex hill crisis, Singur land dispute, indiscipline in administration, health problems, bad condition of roads, high-handedness of a large section of government officials as well as party members, unemployment problem, stagnation in industrialization and above all corruption at every level. All these undesirable, unacceptable and undemocratic happenings made a mess in the whole situation in state affairs. The people, being disgusted and disturbed by the uncanny situation, voted for a massive change in rule and they enthusiastically elected the Trinamool Congress Party led by the firebrand leader of India Smt. Mamata Banerjee. After...