The Hindu : A spring in his step... and a sad thought too

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2003

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A spring in his step... and a sad thought too

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA JUNE 17. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, is both happy and sad at once. Flush with the success of his just-concluded Italian tour, he is also saddened by the deaths over the past two weeks of at least 30 children in Murshidabad district, victims of a mystery disease.

At a press conference on Monday, Mr. Bhattacharjee's face lit up when he talked about Gucci, one of the world's top fashion houses, and its interest in setting up shop in Marxist-ruled Bengal.

In almost the same breath, he said this was no time for celebrations as he was required to address a more pressing matter: control the unknown viral fever playing havoc in Murshidabad.

Mr. Bhattacharjee summoned health officials and asked for a report on the fever's outbreak and held a series of meetings on relief. He is expected to visit the district on Thursday to take stock of the situation. The Congress has called for a 12-hour bandh in Murshidabad on June 20 to protest the Government's "failure to provide an effective healthcare system".

Mr. Bhattacharjee is going to Murshidabad for another reason. He faced a great deal of criticism a year ago when several babies died in the city's B.C. Roy Memorial Children's hospital. "I will try to build up the confidence of the people through my visit. The visit will also show that the Government cares," he said. The Health Department report says the children died of malnutrition and that they suffered from respiratory problems.

The good news that Mr. Bhattacharjee brought back from his Italian tour is Gucci's interest in the State. The company's representatives will arrive next month to assess the business potential in the leather complex coming up in Bantala on the city's eastern fringes. "We told them (the Italian business houses) that they have the technique and we, the raw materials," he said.

Mr. Bhattacharjee said he was amazed at the advanced techniques used in the Gucci factory at Florence. He discussed the transfer of technology, tanning, manufacturing and training programmes with them.The chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, S.S. Kumar, who had accompanied Mr. Bhattacharjee, has signed two MoUs in Italy.

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A spring in his step... and a sad thought too