In the story of India's development after the advent of 'economic reforms', the emergence of West Bengal as the fastest growing state is a real surprise. The reality of this is shrouded by the perception about West Bengal being in a state of economic decline, as much of the eastern region is. The reality of economic growth in West Bengal not only rips apart the perceptions, but also speaks volumes of how the state has, by and large, beaten the odds stacked against it by a generally indifferent central government.
