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Didi: The Untold Mamata Banerjee
From student leader to the first female chief minister of West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee, with her unique style of politics, was able to defeat the formidable three-decade-old Left Front Government in 2011. Exploring her struggles and achievements, Didi opens a window to the life and times of one of the most dynamic politicians of our country.
‘The general elections of 2019 can see [Mamata Banerjee] play kingmaker . . . She is the only regional leader who can claim to have that kind of clout. Jayalalithaa is no more and Nitish Kumar has changed over to the NDA. The year 2018 also witnessed the demise of another pedagogue of Dravidian politics, K. Karunanidhi. With the Congress showing signs of resurgence, and regional parties agreeing to forge a Federal Front, Mamata is more than aware that if she gets her electoral mathematics right, she could play a decisive role in the next Lok Sabha polls—maybe even stand a chance at prime ministership.’
Mamata Banerjee, with her unique style of politics, was able to defeat the formidable three-decade-old Left Front Government in 2011. Exploring her struggles and achievements, Didi opens a window to the life and times of one of the most dynamic politicians of our country.
‘The general elections of 2019 can see [Mamata Banerjee] play kingmaker . . . She is the only regional leader who can claim to have that kind of clout. Jayalalithaa is no more and Nitish Kumar has changed over to the NDA. The year 2018 also witnessed the demise of another pedagogue of Dravidian politics, K. Karunanidhi. With the Congress showing signs of resurgence, and regional parties agreeing to forge a Federal Front, Mamata is more than aware that if she gets her electoral mathematics right, she could play a decisive role in the next Lok Sabha polls—maybe even stand a chance at prime ministership.’
252 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 5, 2018
"She was a maverick, unpredictable and hard to read". There couldn't have been a better description of Mamta Banerjee in this brilliantly articulated book by ShutapaPaul. It is a matter of fact description of "the giant killer" in her book that has a remarkable flow in narration. The book is also extremely well researched and this lends authenticity to the events and incidents that portray the chief protagonist.
February 11, 2019
It is not easy to write about contemporary history with the degree of detachment that study of history demands. For both the author and the reader, predilections and prejudices work as hindrances for objective assessment.
From that perspective, Paul’s biography of Mamata Banerjee is a valiant attempt. But results are mixed.
The principal reason is the subject herself.
Banerjee is an extremely complex political personality. Doing justice to a subject like this in the space of a small 200-page paperback is almost impossible.
Paul has traced her career from the humble beginning to the present eminent position where she is being projected as one of the prime ministerial contenders.
That Banerjee has almost single-handedly demolished the Leftist juggernaut in Bengal is the stuff of folklore.
But is Banerjee’s rule of Bengal a blessing for the State? Or is it just a continuation of the ancien regime with just change of dramatis personae?
The jury is out.
Paul has moderately succeeded in bringing out the complexities of one of the most unpredictable and temperamental politicians of contemporary India.
A useful read.
From that perspective, Paul’s biography of Mamata Banerjee is a valiant attempt. But results are mixed.
The principal reason is the subject herself.
Banerjee is an extremely complex political personality. Doing justice to a subject like this in the space of a small 200-page paperback is almost impossible.
Paul has traced her career from the humble beginning to the present eminent position where she is being projected as one of the prime ministerial contenders.
That Banerjee has almost single-handedly demolished the Leftist juggernaut in Bengal is the stuff of folklore.
But is Banerjee’s rule of Bengal a blessing for the State? Or is it just a continuation of the ancien regime with just change of dramatis personae?
The jury is out.
Paul has moderately succeeded in bringing out the complexities of one of the most unpredictable and temperamental politicians of contemporary India.
A useful read.
December 27, 2018
Rather fawning account of Mamata Banarjee's career, filled with unsubstantiated opinion. I was going to give it one star but I did learn a bit about Singur and Nandigram, and the veal from the Congress party, so one star would be harsh. But the book seems to be mostly comprised of extracts from Mamata's memoirs. It might deserve 2.5 stars, in fairness.
December 9, 2018
The book was neither 'untold' nor interesting. There is no new information about Didi which is not already in the public domain. This is just a collection of opinion pieces by the author on the Chief Minister!
April 9, 2021
Took it with high hopes to learn more about 'Didi' as suggested on the cover but ended up getting a propagandist biography written by keeping an eye on 2019 General polls. While reading I got the vibes of watching a cheesy bollywood movie only with a 'over the top' female hero this time. Most of Mamata's early life is written in a dramatic manner which was a huge let down for me. The author tries his maximum not to show Didi in a bad light even at times he was compelled to write otherwise about the party. The book in its entirety apart from some new infos, (which I might have gotten from other sources than reading a 200+ page book) I felt like I should have given it a pass in the first place.
April 7, 2023
Didi
I am not from Bengal.
Chief points in this book is about Mamta's political journey and her rise to power.
It also gives an idea about ground realities of west Bengal... Like farming, economy....
I am not from Bengal.
Chief points in this book is about Mamta's political journey and her rise to power.
It also gives an idea about ground realities of west Bengal... Like farming, economy....
March 14, 2023
Oh in her white sari and simple chappal how a woman from Bengal thwacked the left regime and wrote one of the greatest political stories the country has ever witnessed.
Though the initial chapters that talked about the earlier life of Mamata, came as rather full of praise for the now-Bengal-Chief-Minister, it thankfully switches to take up a neutral viewpoint, resulting in the book ending up being a good amalgamation of the life events of Didi and the commentary by the renowned journalist Shutapa Paul. The only other place I was kept wanting is the pre-Lok Sabha speculations. There are at various points, multiple instances where the author has tried to draw up conclusions on how Mamata could have an important role to play in the LS 2019 and even the back cover of the book gives a special reference to the polls, it would have been great if more chapters of the book had been devoted, analysing her chances at the upcoming elections in finer details.
The book gives detailed insights into the cases of Singur and Nandigram and all in all could go down as one of the most suggested quick reads to know about THE political figure of West Bengal.
Though the initial chapters that talked about the earlier life of Mamata, came as rather full of praise for the now-Bengal-Chief-Minister, it thankfully switches to take up a neutral viewpoint, resulting in the book ending up being a good amalgamation of the life events of Didi and the commentary by the renowned journalist Shutapa Paul. The only other place I was kept wanting is the pre-Lok Sabha speculations. There are at various points, multiple instances where the author has tried to draw up conclusions on how Mamata could have an important role to play in the LS 2019 and even the back cover of the book gives a special reference to the polls, it would have been great if more chapters of the book had been devoted, analysing her chances at the upcoming elections in finer details.
The book gives detailed insights into the cases of Singur and Nandigram and all in all could go down as one of the most suggested quick reads to know about THE political figure of West Bengal.
August 16, 2019
There was no reason in particular for this hiatus but I am back and will read. 🤞🏼
Mamata Banerjee is without a doubt the Iron Lady of Bengal. Love her / hate her but you certainly can not ignore her. She has been an experienced campaigner, managing and understanding the inside-out of the Bengali 'Bhadralok'.
Didi, as she is fondly (read respectfully) referred to, has had quite a political career. Her predominant image is of a pro-farmer, pro-poor, who claims to be a pro-industry as well, but much of the latter has been on paper. I remember reading somewhere of Indira Gandhi's address to a rally in Bengal, where she started off saying "Aami bangla bujhte pari, bolte pari na" which literally translates to...'I understand Bengali (language), but I can't speak the same'. I can assume she would have understood Bengali but would not have possibly de-coded DIDI!
Shutapa Paul has given a crisp insight on Mamata Banerjee and how the usual affairs within the Bengal polity runs. Do read! 📚
Mamata Banerjee is without a doubt the Iron Lady of Bengal. Love her / hate her but you certainly can not ignore her. She has been an experienced campaigner, managing and understanding the inside-out of the Bengali 'Bhadralok'.
Didi, as she is fondly (read respectfully) referred to, has had quite a political career. Her predominant image is of a pro-farmer, pro-poor, who claims to be a pro-industry as well, but much of the latter has been on paper. I remember reading somewhere of Indira Gandhi's address to a rally in Bengal, where she started off saying "Aami bangla bujhte pari, bolte pari na" which literally translates to...'I understand Bengali (language), but I can't speak the same'. I can assume she would have understood Bengali but would not have possibly de-coded DIDI!
Shutapa Paul has given a crisp insight on Mamata Banerjee and how the usual affairs within the Bengal polity runs. Do read! 📚
December 30, 2022
The book does it's best to be unbiased enough but somehow i feel these could have been presented more from a rational perspective rather than safe guarding didi even in her wrongdoings, but yes indeed it was interesting to read for people who are interested in the rise of TMC and bengal politics in a brief.
February 17, 2021
Very poorly organised . Didn't give much insight into her life - "untold" even after reading the book.
August 1, 2021
Mamata Banerjee : The Angry Woman Of The Great Indian Politics
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Mamata Banerjee is a true politician. It was not that she did everything casually or as per her whims and fancies. On most occasions, she was carried off by emotions. But even behind her emotional outburst, she had a cool, calculated and well worked-out strategy. All her actions are backed by very strong reasons.
- Pranab Mukherjee
Didi, The untold Mamata Banerjee, is a concise political biography of the first woman chief minister of West Bengal, India.
For more information about this you can visit - https://dontbignorant.in/didi-the-unt...
--------------------------------------------------
Mamata Banerjee is a true politician. It was not that she did everything casually or as per her whims and fancies. On most occasions, she was carried off by emotions. But even behind her emotional outburst, she had a cool, calculated and well worked-out strategy. All her actions are backed by very strong reasons.
- Pranab Mukherjee
Didi, The untold Mamata Banerjee, is a concise political biography of the first woman chief minister of West Bengal, India.
For more information about this you can visit - https://dontbignorant.in/didi-the-unt...
May 27, 2019
A straightforward and sympathetic biography of Mamata Banerjee, the fiery street-fighter cum Chief Minister. For any student of Indian politics, knowing Mamata is mandatory as she breached a nearly 40 years-old Red bastion single-handedly and currently rules one of the last forts yet to be breached by the Modi-Shah juggernaut. But as the 2019 results show, the Modi-Shah electoral behemoth is already knocking on (nay,breaking down) the doors of Bengal and 2021 is here soon. Mamata's story gets more interesting from now and sadly,a biography has limitations in writing about the future.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews