1. I was also in the Soviet Union in 1989. What you saw was only the facade put up by the communist party. Do you remember the special stores for party members (bereiozkas)?
2. The Soviet Union, with all its land mass, could not grow enough food to feed its people and had to import foodgrains from the capitalist countries for all its 70 years. Do you remember that?
3. The Soviet Union was, and Russia is, a thirld world country with atom bombs. Russia survives by exporting oil and gas and importing finished products. Where are its own industries?
4. Air India has always touched down in Calcutta and continues to do so today. But why should an airline come when the state has abolished all industry and there are no passengers?
5. "Step-motherly neglect by the centre" : This was a convenient slogan to make the people believe in an external enemy. Have you seen the amount of PSU investment in Durgapur Steel Plant, MAMC, FCI, DVC and countless other projects. Much more than other states got. However, the communist government of West Bengal did not want private indusrry.
