Essays on West Bengal

Arsenicosis is a medical condition that results from increased levels of arsenic elements in the bod and it is a global health concern that many states are vehemently fighting to eradicate. A study in 2007 noted that over 137 million people globally are victims of arsenic poisoning and many more face risks of exposure. For instance, the situation in Bangladesh has been alarming, where arsenic poisoning dates many decades back. Apparently, it has a population of over 156.6 million citizens and at least 90 percent face a chronic risk of exposure of the arsenic poisoning (Khan et al., 2003). ...

Arguably, the worst artificial famine in human history which was engineered for profit, the Great Bengal Famine of the 1770 occurred between 1769 and 1773. In the Bengali calendar however, the famine is documented as having taken place between 1176 and 1180. The Bengal famine’s scope was the lower Gangetic plains of India and so devastating was the famine that a documented 10 million people were reported to have died due to the famine. Consequentially, India’s population was significantly reduced to 30 million at the time. This manuscript will thus appraise this historical moment in the history ...

The famine in India and West Bengal

The phenomenon of famine in India is not something which can be taken lightly. According to this book, there was a concerted policy by the British of laissez faire economics to starve the people of Bengal into complete submission. Davis argues how colonialism and capitalism in British India killed millions of natives with policies which destroyed their ability to continue subsidizing themselves and their families. Naturally Davis feels rather emotionally about this issue although he is circumspect and matter of fact with relating the stark details. New Imperialism is a theme often referred to by Davis in his book. Here ...