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“I see more hope in the eyes of people”

Special Correspondent

Industrialisation the only way to ensure quality jobs, says Swraj Paul

— Photo: PTI

A different stroke: U.K.-based industrialist Lord Swraj Paul trying his hand at painting, while inaugurating an art exhibition in Kolkata on Friday evening.

KOLKATA: “There is a lot more hope and smile on the faces of the people in West Bengal now,” according to Lord Swraj Paul, the Indian-born British industrialist.

He said this was the biggest change he was seeing in West Bengal since his last visit, three years ago. “Whether it is children, adults or the older generation I have seen more hope in their eyes during my five-day stay,” he said at a press conference held here on Saturday to wrap up his visit.

He said industrialisation was the only way to ensure quality jobs. “A farmer does not want his son to remain a farmer.” During his stay he had not come across a single person in the State, who was opposed to industrialisation. The industrialist also mentioned his India plans, saying that he was keen to step up investments.

Lord Paul led a five-member Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation (U.K. branch), at the invitation of the chairman of the CPA, the West Bengal Assembly chairman Hashim Abdul Halim. He visited Singur (where Caparo Engineering has investments), Santiniketan, Belur in Howrah and slums at the industrial township of Barrackpore near the city.

On his trip to Singur, he said people who were really a part of the place had smiles on their faces. “We went to Singur and we saw a lot was going on.” To a questionon the political opposition to land acquisition and the Singur project, he said that it was the job of the Opposition to oppose, just as it was the job of the government to get things going, — it is all a part of democracy and we face it in Britain all the time.” He also mentioned that his team had members from the Opposition too.

However, it was dangerous to mix politics with growth and business, he said. Sending such a political message outside was bad, he remarked while replying to a question.

“It was necessary to be sensitive not only to the farmers but to all the people. The direction was only one and that was to achieve growth for the country and not only for one sector” Lord Paul said.

Trip to Santiniketan

On his trip with the delegation members to Santiniketan, he said: “For me it was like a pilgrimage — a place associated with Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, who stayed here on his return from South Africa and Indira Gandhi.” He said that the place was well known all over the world and he felt that it should be made into a world university. “It has all the ingredients,” he said.

He said that Caparo Industries of which he was the chairman was very bullish on India and was keen to step up its investments. It had 22 plants now and would be adding 16 more within a couple of years, he said.

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