Deindustrialisation came to the hinterland of West Bengal decades ago, and has remained, an unwelcome, uneasy settler. Trade unionism, poor management and liberalisation of the economy are some reasons for the death of industries. The breakdown of the Soviet Union, which had been a major consumer of finished goods from Communist-led Bengal also led to a rapid decline in the fortunes of the mills and factories. Howrah—once called “Sheffield of the East”—and Hooghly saw rapid growth i