West Bengal - People
The estimated population of West Bengal in 2009 was 87.8 million and became 91.3 million as per the latest Census of India carried out in 2011. The decadal growth rate for the period 2001-2011 has been 13.93% which has decreased from 17.77% estimated for the period 1991-2001.North twenty four Pargana's has the highest population of 8.9 million and the most dense is the population in Kolkata with 24252 people/sq km.
The early Leftist stance was one of downplaying the importance of population control. However, as is well known, there has been a shift of the Leftist ideology becoming supportive of the family planning programme subsequently (especially after China's major emphasis and achievements on population control front). A well-disciplined grassroots political mobilisation network, and the machinery of the Left Front parties, have been highly instrumental for comparatively fast declines of fertility and population growth and for lasting political stability in an otherwise ‘laggard’ development regime.
West Bengal is the fourth most populous state in India, with a population density of 1029 persons/skm, which is nearly three times the national population density. A significant part of the state is relatively backward economically, and also tends to be less advanced in terms of human development. These include large parts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur, Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum and the Sunderbans.
Of the 25.8 million urban population, 84% reside in 27 Class – I cities with a population of more than 100,000. The urbanisation rate at 28% is higher than the national average. Further, the trend of growth of non-agricultural land, decrease in net sown area, increasing population densities, increasing share of industrial workers and traders, growth in road net works point to rural areas (and significantly the peri-urban areas) of the state acquiring urban character.
People belonging to almost all the religions practiced in India can be seen in West Bengal. However, Hindu and Muslim domination still prevails. The minority communities in the state include Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. Fairs and festivals form an important part of all the religions of Bengal. The Multiracial and Multilingual amalgamation of cultures can be felt at hotspots like Kolkata, the prime city in the state of West Bengal. Once the capital of British India, Kolkata is a blend of Western and Indian culture. Home to a plethora of historical sites, it houses Hindu temples, mosques, churches, as well as British monuments like the Victoria Memorial. The people of different caste, race and colour all live in perfect harmony, celebrating festivals like Id, Christmas and the Pujas in equal fervor and enjoying cuisines of different kinds.
Extending from the Himalayan Mountains in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south, the state of West Bengal has been influenced by a plethora of cultures since time immemorial. The amalgamation of these cultures, matched with Bengal's own unique richness, can be identified by its vibrant and prominent contribution to all epochs and traditions of modern society. Often described as a melting pot of different cultures, West Bengal has a unique blend of various religions, languages, customs, traditions and lifestyles.
With this traditional multi-racial and multi-lingual culture, various festivals like Christmas, Durga Puja, Id and other festivals are celebrated in equal fervour by all. In the literary field, eminent scholars like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and others have been internationally acclaimed the world over.
West Bengal also boasts of world renowned figures like Mother Teresa, Satyajit Ray, Pandit Ravisankar, Amartya Sen and many others. The works of ancient philosophers such as Atisa and Tilopa have been sacredly preserved in libraries in Tibet, China and Central Asia.
The Tagore family's contribution to Bengali literature, art and culture has immensely influenced the Bengal Renaissance. Tagore himself won the Nobel Prize in 1913 and showcased the literature of Bengal to the world. He set up Shantiniketan that is the still one of the best open art and literature schools in the country. Abanindranath Tagore was the principal artist and creator of the "Indian Society of Oriental Art". Satyajit Ray, the first academy award winner in India was born in Bengal and won honorable awards in international film festivals held in Moscow, Berlin and San Francisco.
Widely considered as one of the greatest directors the world has ever produced, Satyajit Ray won 32 National awards and forever revolutionised the art of filmmaking in India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was one of the forerunners of changing the culture of Bengal and eventually the rest of India - he set up the BrahmoSamaj and helped to abolish Sati, an obsolete practice where a widow immolates herself shortly after her husband's death. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was the first person to start widow remarriage which was forbidden for centuries before.
Continuous increase in incidences of vector borne diseases such as malaria is being observed in the state though preventive measures are being taken. Example, malaria has increased by 55% between 2008 and 2010. The most endemic zone of malaria is Kolkata where more than 60% of the incidences in the state are reported. The other less endemic areas of the state being- Purulia, Jalpaiguri, Murshidabad, and West Midnapore.
Water borne diseases such as Cholera, Diarrhoea and Enteric fever continue to be high in West Bengal and 20 to 27 lakh cases are reported each year. Enteric fever cases are becoming virulent in Darjeeling area as attack rates have doubled between 2008 and 2010.
As per the NSSO, 2010 report, 36% rural households and 10% in urban areas do not have access to toilets.
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