“Paschimbanga’ new name for West Bengal

The name of Bengal, or Bangla, is derived from the ancient kingdom of Vanga, or Banga. References to it occur in early Sanskrit literature, but its early history is obscure until the 3rd century bce, when it formed part of the extensive Mauryan empire inherited by the emperor Ashoka. With the decline of Mauryan power, anarchy once more supervened. In the 4th century ce the region was absorbed into the Gupta empire of Samudra Gupta. Later it came under control of the Pala dynasty. From the beginning of the 13th century to the mid-18th century, when the British gained control.A consensus to rename West Bengal as Paschimbanga was on Friday reached at an all-party meeting in Kolkata to change the nomenclature of the state.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suggested the new name and unanimity was reached on it, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters after the meeting in the state assembly.

“It has been unanimously decided that state’s new name will be Paschimbanga from now in all languages,” he said. “We wanted a change in the name of the state to get the administrative advantage,” he said.

The Chief Minister presided over the meeting attended by Trinamool Congress, besides ally Congress and SUCI(C), Left Front constituents CPI(M), CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc as also GJM, among other parties.

Ms. Banerjee had earlier empowered Chatterjee and Leader of the Opposition Surjyakanta Mishra to study the new name for the state. Chatterjee said the letter ‘W’ in West Bengal came low down alphabetically which resulted in disadvantage for the state.

“Paschimbanga as a new name also mirrors history,” he said, adding a resolution would be moved in the Assembly for adoption which would be then referred to the Centre.

Forward Bloc sources said the choice was made from among the suggestions of ‘Paschimbanga’, ‘Bangla’ and ‘Bangabhumi’. CPI(M)’s Mishra, who flanked Chatterjee at the press meet, said, “Whatever be the opinions in the past, unanimity was reached on the issue at the all-party meeting.”

Once the bill in this regard is passed by two-thirds majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and ratified by the President, the state would get the new name.

Chatterjee said that the meeting also discussed bifurcation of Jalpaiguri, Burdwan, West Midnapore and North 24 Parganas districts.