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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Record turnout leads to talks of change

Political circle wonders whether the historic 92.88 per cent turnout reflects anti-incumbency or stronger support for the ruling regime Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves during a roadshow amid the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections in Dum Dum, North 24 Parganas district. New Delhi: West Bengal's political landscape appears to be scripting a new narrative this time, one written through numbers, but rich in deeper meaning. In the first phase of the assembly elections, 92.88 per cent voting...

Record turnout leads to talks of change

Political circle wonders whether the historic 92.88 per cent turnout reflects anti-incumbency or stronger support for the ruling regime Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves during a roadshow amid the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections in Dum Dum, North 24 Parganas district. New Delhi: West Bengal's political landscape appears to be scripting a new narrative this time, one written through numbers, but rich in deeper meaning. In the first phase of the assembly elections, 92.88 per cent voting across 152 seats is not merely a statistic; it is a dense forest of political signals, where each path leads to a different conclusion. It marks the highest turnout in the state's electoral history, signaling a potentially decisive turning point. In 2011, with a turnout of 84.33 per cent, it led to a regime change, as Mamata Banerjee unseated the Left Front government. This reinforced a conventional belief that high voter turnout often signals a desire for change. However, in 2016 and 2021, turnout hovered around 82 per cent, suggesting a plateau in voter enthusiasm. This time, the nearly 10-percentage-point surge disrupts that pattern. The central question remains exist that does this spike indicate a push for regime change, or a consolidation in favor of the incumbent? The geography of voting in the first phase adds another layer of intrigue. Across 16 districts, Muslim-majority regions such as Murshidabad (66.27 per cent Muslim population, 93.61 per cent turnout), Malda (51.27 per cent, 94.46 per cent), Uttar Dinajpur (49.92 per cent, 94.16 per cent), and Birbhum (37.06 per cent, 94.51 per cent) recorded exceptionally high participation. Yet, this is not a one-sided story. Districts with lower Muslim populations also reported turnout above 90 per cent: Dakshin Dinajpur (24.63 per cent Muslim population, 94.46 per cent turnout), Cooch Behar (25.54 per cent, 96.04 per cent), Jalpaiguri (11.51 per cent, 94.65 per cent), Jhargram (1.66 per cent, 92.26 per cent), and Darjeeling (3.94 per cent, 88.80 per cent). Clear Surge This makes it clear that the surge in turnout is not confined to any single community; it reflects comprehensive civic engagement. Yet, political analysts also interpret this through the lens of polarization, arguing that both major communities have mobilized strongly behind their respective political choices. The fact that Hindu-majority districts like Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling also witnessed high turnout suggests heightened participation across the spectrum, reinforcing the perception of deep political polarisation. There may also be a technical explanation behind the record turnout: the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Reports indicate that around 5.1 million names were removed, potentially reducing the total voter base and thereby inflating the turnout percentage. In other words, the absolute number of voters may not have risen dramatically, but the percentage appears higher due to a smaller denominator. However, this argument does not fully capture the reality on the ground, where long queues at polling booths pointed to genuine enthusiasm. Women Voters Women voters have emerged as the most compelling story of this election. Female turnout stood at 92.69 per cent, compared to 90.92 per cent for men. Though the gap may seem modest, its political significance is substantial. All major parties have actively courted women voters. The Bharatiya Janata Party has promised a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 for women and 33 per cent reservation in government jobs, while the All India Trinamool Congress continues to rely on its established welfare schemes targeting women. Interestingly, despite women accounting for the largest share of deletions in the electoral roll, their participation remained higher than that of men. This points to a growing political awareness and assertion among women voters. The failure to pass the Women's Reservation Bill and the delimitation amendment in Parliament, which opposed by parties like Congress and TMC, may also have contributed to this heightened engagement. Textbook Example In Indian politics, a well-established trend suggests that higher voter turnout often correlates with regime change, driven by anti-incumbency sentiment. Dissatisfied voters tend to turn out in larger numbers. There is, however, a counterview-that when voters perceive a threat to their preferred government, they too mobilise in large numbers, though such instances are less common. The 2011 West Bengal election remains a textbook example. High turnout ended 34 years of Left rule. Now, after 15 years in power, Mamata Banerjee faces a similar test. Does this 10 per cent surge signal an anti-incumbency wave? That question lies at the heart of the current political discourse. Security arrangements have also played a crucial role in boosting turnout. The deployment of nearly 250,000 security personnel ensured a largely peaceful election. In contrast to the previous election, which saw around 1,300 violent incidents and 17 deaths, violence this time was significantly curtailed. Reduced fears of booth capturing and bombings enabled voters to step out without hesitation. Such an environment activates the "silent voter." When voting is free from fear and coercion, citizens are more likely to express their true preferences. Often, this reveals underlying anti-incumbency currents. If Bengal's electorate is voting without inhibition, it may well indicate that the state's political trajectory is poised for a shift. Political Rhetoric Political rhetoric has only added to the intrigue. Amit Shah has declared that the "sun has set" on TMC's alleged misrule, while Narendra Modi interprets the high turnout as a sign of BJP's impending victory. In contrast, Mamata Banerjee views it as a mandate in her party's favor, framing the surge as a defense of democratic rights amid concerns over voter list revisions and potential future policies like NRC and delimitation. Attention now turns to April 29, when the remaining 142 seats go to the polls. Will the same pattern persist, or is this surge limited to the first phase? For now, Bengal's politics resembles a bowl of "jhalmuri" - sharp, layered, and unpredictable. Who feels the heat, and who savors victory, will only be clear on counting day. What is certain, however, is that this election is not merely about power, it is a deciding test of public sentiment and political direction. 'Gherao' of judicial officers: SC permits NIA to file chargesheet The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the NIA to file its charge sheet on completion of investigation in the sensational incident of April 1 in West Bengal in which seven judicial officers were illegally confined by a mob in Malda district. As many as 700 judicial officers from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand are deployed in the ongoing SIR process to deal with over 60 lakh objections of those excluded from the voter list. The top court had taken suo motu cognisance of a letter from the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court detailing a harrowing incident of April 1 night, where seven judicial officers, including three women, and a five-year-old child were held captive by a mob for over nine hours without food or water. Later, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into the case on a complaint of the Election Commission at the instruction of the top court. On Friday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi was informed by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the NIA, that a fresh status report was filed by the probe agency giving details of the investigation carried so far. The bench took note of the submissions of the law officer and said, "The NIA will be at liberty to file chargesheet in a court of competent jurisdiction." “The first phase of voting has shown that the TMC may not even be able to open its account in several districts. Now you must ensure a decisive defeat for TMC and a clear victory for the BJP. You are enduring intense heat, but I assure you that your effort will not go in vain. I will repay your dedication with interest by ensuring the development of this region.” Narendra Modi, Prime Minister “Those sitting in Delhi, plotting to snatch Bengal's rights and impose their agenda, should understand it clearly that the people of Bengal are watching, and they will respond through their vote. This election is about resisting a systematic attempt to weaken Bengal and control it. Those who believe they can run Bengal from Delhi, dictate its politics, divide its people, and distort its culture are deeply mistaken. This land has a long memory and a stronger spine.” Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister

A Big Day for Small Things

National Nanotechnology Day reminds us that the smallest building blocks of matter are powering some of India’s most meaningful innovations.

Every year on October 9, the United States celebrates ‘National Nanotechnology Day.’ The date 10/9 points to the nanometer scale of 10⁻⁹ meters, the world of atoms, DNA, viruses, and engineered nanoparticles that create new materials and devices. The day highlights how nanotechnology already touches daily life and where it may take us next. It is simply described as “a big day for small things.”


Although the observance began in the U.S. in 2016 under the National Nanotechnology Initiative, its spirit is relevant worldwide, including in India. The idea that the smallest building blocks of matter can transform societies resonates in a country where two decades of investment have built a growing nanoscience and nanotechnology ecosystem.


India’s journey began with the Nano Science and Technology Initiative in the early 2000s, followed by the launch of the Nano Mission in 2007 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The Mission supported research, infrastructure, training, international access, and industry collaborations. In 2017, it evolved into the National Programme on Nano Science and Technology to maintain continuity and enable expansion.


Numbers illustrate the progress. DST reported spending Rs. 568.83 crore in Phase I alone. By around 2013–14, India had climbed to third place globally in nanoscience publications. A 2014 government report listed approximately 5,000 research papers and nearly 900 PhDs. It also mentioned early products such as nano-hydrogel eye drops, arsenic and fluoride removal filters, pesticide-removal technologies, and nanosilver antimicrobial coatings. These examples illustrate how a national mission can help turn research into practical outcomes.


World-class facilities were created during this period. The Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at IISc, Bengaluru, houses the National Nanofabrication Centre, a 14,000 sq ft cleanroom serving academic and external users. The Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme (INUP), launched in 2008 and later expanded across IITs, lowers entry barriers by offering training and open nanofabrication lines. It supports semiconductor workforce development, prototyping for startups, and stronger academia–industry links, as underlined at its 2024 national meet.


New institutions also emerged. The Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, launched in 2013, has become a hub for nanomedicine, agricultural nanotech, sensors, and energy materials. Institutes like these provide advanced materials research with the long-term focus it requires.


Other institutes contributed in specialized areas. The Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune worked on nanobioscience by linking microbiology with nanotechnology. One outcome was a silver nanoparticle-based wound-healing formulation, developed as a nanogel and marketed in India under the names S-gel, Silveron, and Meganano. It is among the early examples of an Indian nanotechnology product reaching the market.


Water purification is another area where nanotechnology has been applied. At IIT Madras, Professor T. Pradeep’s group developed the AMRIT system (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology), which uses metastable iron oxyhydroxide nanomaterials to remove arsenic, uranium, iron, and manganese from groundwater. The system works without electricity, relying on gravity or passive flow. Field deployments have reduced arsenic levels from nearly 1 part per million to below 10 parts per billion. Their pesticide-removal nanofilters, licensed commercially, are also in use. These efforts show how nanomaterials can contribute to water safety initiatives.


India has also taken steps to ensure responsible use. In 2019, national “Guidelines for Evaluation of Nanopharmaceuticals in India,” developed by the Department of Biotechnology with regulators, set a pathway for assessing safety, efficacy, and quality. DST has also issued best-practice documents for handling nanomaterials in laboratories and industries. These measures aim to reduce risks and build confidence in adopting nano-based products.


Policy attention has extended into agriculture. Under the Fertilizer Control Order, nano-nitrogen fertilizers have been formally notified, including IFFCO’s Nano Urea Plus (16 percent nitrogen). While field-performance evaluations continue, the regulatory pathway is formal and science-based. The notification indicates how nanotechnology is being integrated into mainstream farming practices.


Nanotechnology initiatives also align with the broader landscape of science and technology funding. In the 2024–25 interim budget, DST received Rs. 8,029 crores, and the government announced a Rs. 1 lakh crore corpus for innovation and deep technology. Together with programmes like INUP and the National Nano Programme, this funding helps connect nanoscience with national missions.


So, what does October 9 mean for India? First, it is an opportunity to highlight investments. Students should know that cleanrooms in Bengaluru, training at IITs, water purification technologies at IIT Madras, and research at institutions like INST and ARI are all part of India’s nano journey. Visibility helps attract the next generation.


Second, it reminds us that progress must be balanced with safety. Guidelines for nanopharmaceuticals and laboratory practices should be applied consistently. Building products that are safe by design can reduce regulatory delays and strengthen public trust.


Third, it draws attention to examples of nanotechnology with measurable impact. AMRIT filters at IIT Madras, antimicrobial coatings, nano-fertilizers, and ARI’s marketed nanogel are cases where nanotechnology connects directly with health, agriculture, and sustainability.


Fourth, it underlines the importance of translation pathways. Facilities like CeNSE’s NNfC are open to external users, but they need stronger links to funding, procurement, and mentorship to scale prototypes into products. INUP’s expansion and its role in the semiconductor workforce are positive steps, but predictable demand for validated nano-enabled sensors, health tools, and environmental monitors will accelerate progress.


Finally, October 9 can serve as a national outreach day. Universities, startups, and ministries can organize open houses, talks, and competitions in local languages. Demonstrations of technologies such as IIT Madras’s AMRIT filters or ARI’s nanogel can make the subject tangible. The U.S. experience shows that community events bring science closer to the public. India can adapt this approach in its own way.


A day celebrated in the United States can serve as a reflection point for India. Products such as ARI’s nanogel and IIT Madras’s AMRIT filters show that Indian labs can move innovations from concept to market. Marking October 9 with outreach and engagement can help ensure that nanotechnology continues its journey from laboratories to everyday life.


(The author is the former Director, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune; Visiting Professor, IIT Bombay. Views personal.)

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