The red flag in Uttarpara is asking for votes not for power, but to work for the people. This was stated during the release of the Uttarpara Assembly manifesto. ‘350 neighborhood meetings have been held. We have spoken with the people. This manifesto has been prepared after listening to their needs and grievances,’ it was said.
It was stated, ‘Uttarpara is a seat of culture. People have built libraries, hospitals, and schools through their own efforts. Today, that Uttarpara is being destroyed. People cannot speak openly. Our first point is that the cultural heritage of Uttarpara must be restored. An open-air stage and a theater hall will be built. The hall rental, which was three thousand rupees before, is now being charged twenty-two thousand rupees. The development of art and culture is being obstructed. After listening to the people, we are therefore saying a theater hall and an open-air stage will be built.’
Like other parts of the state, government schools have been closed in Uttarpara as well. It was stated, ’17 schools have been closed in Uttarpara. 22 schools have been merged. The local people are saying government schools must be saved. Schools must be reopened. Along with that, we are saying a Career Orientation Center will be opened at a minimal subsidized rate. There will be arrangements for preparation for government jobs.’ It was stated, ‘A sense of despair has been created among the people. Efforts will also be made at this center to reduce this pressure.’
Uttarpara was known as an industrial town. But under the current administration, multiple factories have closed. The manifesto states the intention to rebuild this industrial belt anew. It was stated, ‘Factory lands are lying vacant. Factories have closed down. If new factories are not established, we cannot rebuild the economy of this area. The local people want employment for the youth of the area. There is potential for factories in Uttarpara. We will work on that. We are fighting legal battles against attempts to sell off these lands. We also have plans to build an industrial park.’
Environmental protection has received importance in the manifesto. The manifesto states that a green corridor will be developed along the banks of the Ganges. Attempts by syndicates to capture the playgrounds in every neighborhood will be stopped. Playgrounds and ponds will be protected.
For women’s security, the formation of girls’ brigades has also been proposed. It was stated that Uttarpara has a high number of women voters. Today, women are under attack in this state. A pledge has been taken that women will protect themselves. Therefore, girls’ brigades will be formed.

Notably, like other parts of the state, Uttarpara also faces the dominance of microfinance. It was stated that women are being forced to take loans at high interest rates from microfinance institutions. If they cannot repay, bouncers are attacking their homes. The state and central governments have no policy against these companies. It is being said that those who cannot repay these loans must be viewed from a humanitarian perspective. Alongside this, steps will be taken to save these cottage industries.
A youth brigade will be formed to look after senior citizens. This brigade will stand by elderly people who live alone.
It was stated that there is scope to create an information technology sector in Uttarpara. This work can be done on the vacant lands.
A notable aspect is rest areas for gig workers. There, they will be able to charge their phones. There will be Wi-Fi. Medical facilities will also be available there for them. A grievance cell will be created for Toto auto drivers. Any injustice against them will be addressed.
To save Uttarpara’s libraries, it has been stated that librarians will be appointed. The necessary environment for reading and writing will be ensured, and these libraries will be developed in step with modernity.
The manifesto states that extra money is being taken from schools and colleges in the name of a ‘development fee’. An account of where that money is being spent must be made public. Public representatives must take that responsibility.
It was stated, ‘The people of Uttarpara have said in every neighborhood meeting that the government health system must be fixed. They have also spoken about building modern health centers. Mental health services, advanced dialysis centers, ICU facilities. A modern blood bank. The Kanairpur Rural Hospital must be upgraded to a block hospital.’ Alongside this, the manifesto states that health awareness campaigns will be conducted in panchayats and municipalities.
The issue of allowances for municipal temporary workers has been raised. It was stated that municipal temporary workers have no fixed allowance. Their allowances are not increased. They are manipulated. The manifesto proposes

Uttarpara

Uttarpara is a town and municipality in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, India, situated on the western bank of the Hooghly River. Historically, it developed as a significant center during the British colonial period, notably known for the Uttarpara Public Library (established 1859), one of the oldest in India, and for being the location where Raja Rammohan Roy’s Brahmo Samaj had considerable influence.

Ganges

The Ganges is a sacred river in northern India, central to Hinduism and considered the physical embodiment of the goddess Ganga. Its history is deeply intertwined with ancient Indian civilization, with major cities and pilgrimage sites like Varanasi developing along its banks for millennia. For Hindus, its waters are believed to have purifying and liberating powers, making it a focal point for rituals, cremations, and daily spiritual life.

Kanairpur Rural Hospital

Kanairpur Rural Hospital is a modern healthcare facility located in the Kanairpur village area of West Bengal, India. It was established to provide essential medical services to the surrounding rural communities, addressing a critical gap in accessible healthcare. While specific historical details are limited, its development reflects a broader ongoing effort to strengthen public health infrastructure in India’s rural regions.

libraries

Libraries are organized collections of books and other media that serve as vital centers for knowledge, education, and community. Their history dates back thousands of years, from ancient archives like those in Mesopotamia to the great libraries of Alexandria and the public library systems that expanded globally from the 19th century onward. Today, they continue to evolve, preserving cultural heritage while providing digital resources and inclusive spaces for learning and connection.

hospitals

Hospitals are institutions dedicated to medical treatment and patient care, with origins tracing back to ancient religious temples and hostels. The modern concept began to take shape in the Middle Ages with monastic infirmaries and was revolutionized in the 19th century by advances in germ theory and surgical hygiene. Today, they are central to public health systems, providing a wide range of specialized and emergency services.

schools

Schools are formal institutions designed for the education of students under the direction of teachers. Their history spans millennia, with early examples in ancient civilizations like Greece, India, and China, though the modern, standardized school system largely developed during the 18th and 19th centuries to promote universal literacy and civic values. Today, they are foundational to societies worldwide, evolving to include diverse curricula and digital learning methods.

playgrounds

Playgrounds are designated recreational spaces, primarily for children, that feature equipment like swings, slides, and climbing structures. Their modern concept emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by social reform movements concerned with child welfare, urban health, and structured play. Today, they are ubiquitous community fixtures that promote physical activity, social development, and imaginative play.

ponds

Ponds are small, still bodies of freshwater, either natural or human-made, that have been integral to human settlements for millennia. Historically, they have served practical purposes such as irrigation, livestock watering, and fish farming, while also holding cultural and aesthetic significance in gardens, like those of ancient China and Japan. Today, they remain important as local ecosystems, recreational spaces, and features in landscape design.