Just days before the Pujas, the news that Tata is relocating its small car project to Gujarat has come as a rude shock to the people of Singur. It has not only affected the image of the town, its residents have also lost their jobs.

Many of them had hoped that despite Tata Sons’ chairman Ratan Tata’s announcement to shift the project, the company might change its decision. But with the joint announcement made by Tata and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi about relocating the project to Gujarat, all hopes have been dashed. Those who thought of earning a livelihood from the project seem demoralised.

“I was hopeful that I would support my family with the job provided by the Tatas. But now I do not know what to do,” said Asim Ruidas, a youth of Beraberi Madhyapara. He had taken an apprenticeship course organised by the West Bengal Industrial Development Board and the Tatas.

His brother Akul said: “We had hoped the Tatas might come back later and resume the project. But now, since the factory is being shifted to Gujarat, all hopes are lost.”

Manas Khatua, who runs a small tea stall at the main gate of the factory premises, is also clueless. “I had invested my entire savings in setting up this shop. I thought that the stall would do well and I would later expand it. My main customers were Tata employees. I have lost my clients,” he said.

The unwilling farmers are also demoralised. Many admitted that this was not what they wanted.

... contd.