Tata writes a letter to West Bengal

My heart aches beyond words when I think about the entire fiasco around the Nano project and West Bengal. Matter in bengal have gone from bad to worse and we remain silent spectator.

Today Tata Motors issued an advertisement in several leading newspapers of Kolkata which features a letter by Ratan Tata. The letter is about the exit of the Nano from Bengal and asks if the citizens of the state want jobs or lawlessness.

Addressing the youth the letter says: "Would you like to support he present government of Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to build a prosperous state with rule of law, modern infrastructure and industrial growth or a state consumed by a destructive political environment of confrontation, agitation, violence and lawlessness".
"Do they want education and jobs in the industrial and hi-tech sectors or," the letter goes on to say, "does the future generation see their future prosperity achieved on a 'stay-as-we-are' basis?"
Ratan Tata says he has written the letter in response to criticism by "vested interests" that the decision to pull out the Nano project from Bengal was "hasty" and "politically motivated".

He names Mamata Banerjee and says "confrontative actions" by her party, supported by "vested interests and certain political parties" disrupted work at the Nano plant at Singur. Sigh!

Tata Indica Vista launch pictures

As promised here as some pictures from Indica Vista launch...

The patent Indica high backlights continues...

The instruments are shifted to the middle of the dash... Tata claims this improves the road view for the driver.

The Eye of Vista: The most distinct change in the Indica's design

For more details have a look at my Vista launch post...

Tata may not produce Nano in Singur

A visibly disturbed Ratan Tata threatened to move Tata car plant out of West Bengal if the violence at Singur did not subside. Tata have already invested around Rs 1500 crores in setting up the plant and with plans of producing the world's cheapest car - Nano.

Tata revealed, "We are deeply concerned at the violence and disruption and at the safety of our employees, equipment and investments at the project site at Singur". Tata said that there was a general perception that Tatas were exploiting the state. "We are extremely sensitive to the needs of the rural community. We have not come to exploit anyone. We have got the land on lease and not bought it."

State opposition party Trinamool Congress led by Mamta Banerjee is hellbent to make Tata set up operations on 600 acres and return 400 acres of land earmarked for ancillary units to farmers from whom the property was acquired.

The CPM state government is adamant not to succumb to Trinamool's demands, causing a deadlock leading to tension and violence in the project area.

The question here is not 'what's gonna happen to Nano?' but 'what's gonna happen to Bengal?'