Maya Magic

Year: 1982 (?); Event: Visit of then U P Chief Minister, Vishwanath Pratap Singh to Bhadohi Handmade Carpet Industry on invitation from AICMA.

Many banners were hung across the road to welcome V P Singh, Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh but the unforgettable streamer that amused most was:

NEGLECTED BHADOHI – WELCOMES V P SINGH CHIEF MINITER UP

The chat about the banner made the environment high spirits at All India Carpet Manufacturers Association (AICMA) where the delegates and Industrywallahs assembled to hear the CM. In a warm and happy atmosphere interaction began. Promises were made for developing the Bhadohi infrastructure to a high standard. But to our great dismay, nothing came out. Our hopes were shattered perhaps because in the following year, V P Singh no more held the Chief Minister’s chair.

The poor infrastructure of Bhadohi which is a center for all carpet related activity has always been a great cause of worry. Simply because the frequent visit of buyers made the exporters uneasy by their sarcastic query about the cause of the poor condition of its infrastructure especially of its potholed roads. Industry was worried and AICMA made innumerable presentation to both state and central government but nothing came mentionable.

Hopes of the industry was revived when, Mayawati, present Chief Minister UP, won the election with absolute majority only last month. In a huge press conference in the national capital she said that her “foremost priority will be to establish rules of law” and promised to make Uttar Pradesh “Uttam and Khushal Pradesh” (superior and prosperous state). And, people’s faith in her was strengthened when she got her own party MP arrested and suspended him from her own party soon after.

And, isn’t it the Maya Magic that babus’ attendance in government offices has become timely and there has been a visible change in the pace of all pending files. The newly nominated minister Rangnath Mishra and this area's MLA, Archana Saroj, has, in a public meet, promised that all roads will be complete within 3 months and erratic electric supply to this industrial town will be corrected. And lo! Soon after the work on road started and electric supply too has improved.

I hope Mayawati’s magic wand named “social engineering” will enchant not only the people of Uttar Pradesh but it will spread beyond engulfing the whole country and paving the way for her to the prime ministerial chair.