News / Author / Avijit Ghosal

Avijit Ghosal

Avijit Ghosal writes on economy, industry and politics from West Bengal. Has been doing so for more than 20 years.

Articles by Avijit Ghosal

Two dead, many injured in stampede at foot overbridge in Howrah’s Santragachhi station, many injured

The incident took place around 8 pm at Santragachi rail station, about 4 km from Howrah.

Two persons died and more than a dozen injured in a stampede at Santragachi rail station in West Bengal’s Howrah on Tuesday evening.(ANI Twitter)

india news

Updated on Oct 23, 2018 10:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

Delhi chalo: Rural theatre on Mamata’s national dreams to coincide with LS campaign

Sita Ghosh, who has already played the role of Mamata Banerjee twice, is busy picking up the nuances of her transformation from a firebrand opposition leader to an experienced administrator.

Sita Ghosh, who will play Mamata Banerjee’s role in the play 'Mamata-r dake Delhi chalo' (Mamata beckons, march to Delhi), rehearsing at her Behala residence in Kolkata.(Samir Jana)

cities

Published on Oct 01, 2018 10:59 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal, Kolkata

One killed as 50-year-old bridge collapses in Kolkata, many others feared trapped

The Majerhat Bridge on busy Diamond Harbour Road reportedly collapsed around 4.45 pm in Kolkata on Tuesday. CM Mamata Banerjee termed the incident as a “crime”.

Rescue workers remove debris of the collapsed Majerhat bridge, in Kolkata.(PTI File Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 05, 2018 01:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Kolkata bridge collapse kills 1, injures 19. Search continues for survivors

The bridge on Diamond Harbour Road in south Kolkata reportedly collapsed around 4.45 pm on Tuesday.

A section of Majerhat bridge collapsed in south Kolkata.(PTI Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 04, 2018 11:38 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

CM Mamata Banerjee supports Missionaries of Charity, lashes out at BJP

On July 5, the Jharkhand Police arrested a nun and an employee of a Ranchi-based organisation run by the Missionaries of Charity on charges of selling a baby allegedly against an amount of Rs 1.2 lakh.

Police stand outside the premises of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. A staff member and a nun were arrested on child trafficking charges in Ranchi, Jharkhand.(AFP)

india news

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 07:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata and Ranchi | ByAvijit Ghosal and Vishal Kant

West Bengal board Class 10 result 2018 declared: Slight dip in pass percentage

The results of Class 10 board exam of West Bengal were declared on Wednesday morning recording a pass percentage of 85.49% that was slight lower than the 85.65% registered last year.

Students of St. Margaret School rejoice after the Madhyamik result in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday.(Samir Jana/ Hindustan Times)

education

Updated on Jun 06, 2018 02:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

No decision yet on Bengal rural election dates as govt, poll panel differ on number of phases

The government wants voting before the month of Ramzan begins tentatively on May 15-16. But there must be a 21-day gap between the last day of nomination — April 23 in this case — and first day of polling.

Officials indicate that election commission is not keen on a single-phase election as Bengal’s security apparatus is lacking — there are only 46,000 policemen for about 58,000 booths.(Samir Jana/ HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 25, 2018 10:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Fight over Bengal rural polls reaches court, SC to hear matter

A row erupted after the West Bengal poll panel recalled its Monday decision extending the last date for filing of nominations for next month’s panchayat election.

A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said the matter would be listed on Wednesday before the same bench which had passed the verdict.(Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)

india news

Updated on Apr 10, 2018 11:56 PM IST

Kolkata/New Delhi, Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

Ahead of elections, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC takes right turn to counter BJP in Bengal

Leaders of the Hindu Samhati, a far right outfit set up by former RSS pracharak, are speaking in favour of the TMC.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee speaks during an adminstrative meeting at Berhampore Rabindrasadan in Murshidabad on Monday.(PTI Photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 19, 2018 11:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Spinning a new reel: India’s oldest film production house turns new leaf

Established in 1906 in Kolkata, Aurora Film Corporation has set many milestones. But in the new digital age, owner Anjan Bose is attempting to reinvent it to stay relevant, and keep the film rolling.

The 111-year-old Aurora Film Corporation Pvt Ltd is located in Kolkata. Though its foundation is traditional film making, owner Anjan Bose (in photo) is hoping to give it a shot in the arm by turning to short films.(Samir Jana/HT Photo)

lifestyle

Updated on Jan 28, 2018 09:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Tagore’s dream Japanese house taking shape in Santiniketan

Poet-curator Nilanjan Bandyopadhyay has embarked on the cross-cultural creative experiment in 2016, the centenary year of the Nobel laureate’s first Japan visit.

A six-member team from Japan is helping poet-curator Nilanjan Bandyopadhyay to build a traditional Japanese house-cum-studio as part of a cross-cultural creative experiment .(Samir Jana/HT PHoto)

india news

Updated on Jan 17, 2018 11:02 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Santiniketan | ByAvijit Ghosal

Sabang bypoll: Trinamool’s win shows BJP’s yet to gain ground in Bengal

Trinamool Congress leaders point out the party’s popularity graph might have plateaued – the Gujarat polls are an indicator – and there is no reason why would anyone abandon Mamata Banerjee, who is at the pinnacle of her popularity now

For a woman who singlehandedly destroyed the 34-year-old Left government in Bengal, reading political signals should be one of her core competencies. The Gujarat election results may not be exactly what she would scribble and put in her socks for Santa Claus before Christmas, but Mamata Banerjee is quite satisfied with BJP ‘getting out’ in the nervous nineties. She has interpreted BJP victory as ‘temporary and face-saving’ and said Gujarat belled the cat for 2019(Samir Jana/HT PHOTO)

analysis

Updated on Dec 26, 2017 10:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

Dhaka probing ISI-Rohingiya terror link, says Bangladesh minister Obaidul Quader

Bangladesh government is worried that the terror elements might sneak into its territory in guise of refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Rohingya refugees wash before evening prayers at the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh December 20, 2017.(REUTERS Photo)

india news

Updated on Dec 21, 2017 05:45 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Mamata live and livid: CM’s televised meetings draw anger, appreciation

Meeting and reviews where she pulls up officials and ministers has state administration on its toes.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in conversation with Chief Secretary Basudeb Bandopadhay (R) at the first administrative review meeting of her government in Kolkata on June 3, 2016.(Subhendu Ghosh/ HT file photo)

india news

Updated on Dec 06, 2017 02:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

GSI planning to study levels of heavy metals in food items, air in Delhi

The GSI’s team in Kolkata had identified diesel exhaust from vehicles as the chief culprit there.

A similar study in Kolkata found that raw food items such as fish, chicken, biscuits, dal, spices sold on the streets contain lead concentrations higher than safe limits.(HT File)

cities

Updated on Nov 21, 2017 02:38 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal and Joydeep Thakur, New Delhi / Kolkata

The little-known legacy of Hiralal Sen: The first Indian behind movie camera

While Dadasaheb Phalke is remembered as India’s first feature film director, Hiralal Sen, the first Indian to make movies is a completely forgotten man.

Movie cameras used by Hiralal Sen, the first Indian to make films.(HT photo)

india news

Updated on Nov 19, 2017 08:46 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Mukul Roy’s saffron robes are a mark of BJP’s desperation

Mukul Roy is not a mass leader, and derived his power from Mamata’s magic. Without that, it is doubtful whether he can display the organisational skills that the BJP expects of him.

Senior Trinamool leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy after announcing his resignation from the party in Kolkata(PTI)

opinion

Updated on Nov 05, 2017 09:47 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

It’s advantage Mamata in the hill politics of Bengal

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has virtually been split in two, the shutdown is over, and the BJP cannot come out in support of the Gorkhaland demand. Mamata Banerjee appears to have won this one.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung has gone underground, and Mamata Banerjee has installed her own man Binay Tamang at the head of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration(Samir Jana / Hindustan Times)

analysis

Published on Oct 09, 2017 02:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

Durga puja politics: Mamata Banerjee sends out a clear message to BJP

Mamata Banerjee’s identity with Durga puja provided her a first mover political advantage ensuring that the BJP – the principal opponent in West Bengal now – could not occupy that platform, something that was natural for the saffron camp to target

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Goddess Durga Puja pandal on the occasion of 'Mahalaya', Kolkata(PTI)

opinion

Updated on Oct 05, 2017 11:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

Mamata Banerjee acted in undue haste on idol immersion

Still, the West Bengal chief minister is likely to win the support of an overwhelming majority when she claims to take up cudgels to save Bengali culture from the onslaught of the saffron supporters

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could have tackled the immersion and rehearsals of Muharram processions that would have come out on Dashami evening relatively easily by demarcating separate routes and heavy police arrangements(PTI)

analysis

Updated on Sep 22, 2017 04:09 PM IST

ByAvijit Ghosal

Calcutta HC puts on hold restrictions on Durga idol immersion

The West Bengal government had banned idol immersion after 10pm on September 30, the last day of the five-day festival, and on October 1 on account of Muharram.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the inauguration of Durga Puja pandal on the occasion of 'Mahalaya', in Kolkata on September 19, 2017.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Sep 22, 2017 08:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal and Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri

Jawed Habib’s Maa Durga in salon reflects Bengal’s love for the goddess

A cursory enquiry about the ethos and practices in Bengal will highlight the futility of the Right-wing umbrage against Jawed Habib’s innocent advertisement Maa Durga arriving for a spa with her family

Protesters vandalising a Javed Habib saloon, Dhanbad,Jharkhand, September 9(Bijay/HT)

opinion

Updated on Sep 11, 2017 01:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

Civic polls: Mamata relishes her Opposition-mukt Bengal moment

To say the Trinamool Congress juggernaut crushed the Opposition in the recently held municipal elections is understating the Opposition’s misery. The BJP came second, but won six wards. The CPI(M) and Congress drew a blank

Nadia: TMC supporters celebrate the party's win in the Kupars municipality election, Nadia, West Bengal, August 17(PTI)

opinion

Updated on Aug 18, 2017 04:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal

CBI raids 23 locations of I-T officials, Kolkata bizmen

CBI carried out searches on the premises of principal commissioner, income tax, Ranchi, Tapas Kumar Dutta, additional commissioner Arvind Kumar and other I-T officials. Besides raids were also conducted on the premises of five Kolkata based businessmen and a chartered accountant

cities

Published on Jul 15, 2017 01:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ranchi | ByBedanti Saran/Avijit Ghosal

Forced out of Presidency University canteen, Pramod-da sleeps at Sealdah station

The authorities have floated a tender seeking bids to turn the canteen into a food court. But students of appear united on the point that Pramod-da has to be retained on the campus.

Pramod Sain, popularly known as Pramod-da, ran the canteen of Presidency University for more than four decades.(Samir Jana)

cities

Published on Jul 13, 2017 03:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal, Kolkata

Won’t allow CBFC to ‘beep’ film on Amartya Sen, prefer online release: Director

However, Suman Ghosh will explore his legal options and try persuading censor board officials against chopping off words like ‘cows’ and ‘criminality in Gujarat’ before taking such a step.

Even as the Censor Board’s action evoked widespread condemnation, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said it would be improper for him to comment on the issue because he is the subject of the documentary.(Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jul 12, 2017 08:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal and Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri

Gopalkrishna Gandhi: The man who has gone beyond family lineage, carved a niche

Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari, Gopalkrishna Gandhi does not need to rest on his family name for introduction

Gopalkrishna Gandhi started his career with the IAS cadre in 1968.(HT file photo)

india news

Updated on Jul 17, 2017 05:21 PM IST

ByAvijit Ghosal

Gopalkrishna Gandhi: The man who has gone beyond family lineage, carved a niche

Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari, Gopalkrishna Gandhi does not need to rest on his family name for introduction

india news

Updated on Jul 12, 2017 07:32 AM IST

ByAvijit Ghosal

Sonika Chauhan car crash death: Actor Vikram Chatterjee arrested in Kolkata

Model and TV anchor Sonika Chauhan has died in a car accident in Kolkata while actor Vikram Chatterjee, who was travelling with her, has been injured.

Sonika was a known name in the modelling circuit of the country.(Twitter/Sonika Chauhan)

entertainment

Updated on Jul 07, 2017 11:54 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByAvijit Ghosal

Darjeeling unrest: Keeping up the momentum of agitation now challenge before hill parties

The Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee that was set up to spearhead the movement for a separate state and will have its first meeting on July 6 will wrestle with the question of keeping up the morale of the agitators.

A section of the children fielded by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders in Darjeeling to demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.(Bikram Sashanker)

cities

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 04:32 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAvijit Ghosal and Pramod Giri, Kolkata/siliguri

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Avijit Ghosal

Avijit Ghosal writes on economy, industry and politics from West Bengal. Has been doing so for more than 20 years.

The incident took place around 8 pm at Santragachi rail station, about 4 km from Howrah.

Sita Ghosh, who has already played the role of Mamata Banerjee twice, is busy picking up the nuances of her transformation from a firebrand opposition leader to an experienced administrator.

The Majerhat Bridge on busy Diamond Harbour Road reportedly collapsed around 4.45 pm in Kolkata on Tuesday. CM Mamata Banerjee termed the incident as a “crime”.

The bridge on Diamond Harbour Road in south Kolkata reportedly collapsed around 4.45 pm on Tuesday.

On July 5, the Jharkhand Police arrested a nun and an employee of a Ranchi-based organisation run by the Missionaries of Charity on charges of selling a baby allegedly against an amount of Rs 1.2 lakh.

The results of Class 10 board exam of West Bengal were declared on Wednesday morning recording a pass percentage of 85.49% that was slight lower than the 85.65% registered last year.

The government wants voting before the month of Ramzan begins tentatively on May 15-16. But there must be a 21-day gap between the last day of nomination — April 23 in this case — and first day of polling.

A row erupted after the West Bengal poll panel recalled its Monday decision extending the last date for filing of nominations for next month’s panchayat election.

Leaders of the Hindu Samhati, a far right outfit set up by former RSS pracharak, are speaking in favour of the TMC.

Established in 1906 in Kolkata, Aurora Film Corporation has set many milestones. But in the new digital age, owner Anjan Bose is attempting to reinvent it to stay relevant, and keep the film rolling.

Poet-curator Nilanjan Bandyopadhyay has embarked on the cross-cultural creative experiment in 2016, the centenary year of the Nobel laureate’s first Japan visit.

Trinamool Congress leaders point out the party’s popularity graph might have plateaued – the Gujarat polls are an indicator – and there is no reason why would anyone abandon Mamata Banerjee, who is at the pinnacle of her popularity now

Bangladesh government is worried that the terror elements might sneak into its territory in guise of refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Meeting and reviews where she pulls up officials and ministers has state administration on its toes.

The GSI’s team in Kolkata had identified diesel exhaust from vehicles as the chief culprit there.

While Dadasaheb Phalke is remembered as India’s first feature film director, Hiralal Sen, the first Indian to make movies is a completely forgotten man.

Mukul Roy is not a mass leader, and derived his power from Mamata’s magic. Without that, it is doubtful whether he can display the organisational skills that the BJP expects of him.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has virtually been split in two, the shutdown is over, and the BJP cannot come out in support of the Gorkhaland demand. Mamata Banerjee appears to have won this one.

Mamata Banerjee’s identity with Durga puja provided her a first mover political advantage ensuring that the BJP – the principal opponent in West Bengal now – could not occupy that platform, something that was natural for the saffron camp to target

Still, the West Bengal chief minister is likely to win the support of an overwhelming majority when she claims to take up cudgels to save Bengali culture from the onslaught of the saffron supporters

The West Bengal government had banned idol immersion after 10pm on September 30, the last day of the five-day festival, and on October 1 on account of Muharram.

A cursory enquiry about the ethos and practices in Bengal will highlight the futility of the Right-wing umbrage against Jawed Habib’s innocent advertisement Maa Durga arriving for a spa with her family

To say the Trinamool Congress juggernaut crushed the Opposition in the recently held municipal elections is understating the Opposition’s misery. The BJP came second, but won six wards. The CPI(M) and Congress drew a blank

CBI carried out searches on the premises of principal commissioner, income tax, Ranchi, Tapas Kumar Dutta, additional commissioner Arvind Kumar and other I-T officials. Besides raids were also conducted on the premises of five Kolkata based businessmen and a chartered accountant

The authorities have floated a tender seeking bids to turn the canteen into a food court. But students of appear united on the point that Pramod-da has to be retained on the campus.

However, Suman Ghosh will explore his legal options and try persuading censor board officials against chopping off words like ‘cows’ and ‘criminality in Gujarat’ before taking such a step.

Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari, Gopalkrishna Gandhi does not need to rest on his family name for introduction

Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari, Gopalkrishna Gandhi does not need to rest on his family name for introduction

Model and TV anchor Sonika Chauhan has died in a car accident in Kolkata while actor Vikram Chatterjee, who was travelling with her, has been injured.

The Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee that was set up to spearhead the movement for a separate state and will have its first meeting on July 6 will wrestle with the question of keeping up the morale of the agitators.

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