India, Dec. 1 -- In a curious actuary pattern kind of defying the art of statistics - ever since the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls commenced on November 4 in Bengal - the data thus far collected shows a trivial around 4.6 per cent rise in the number of voters in Kolkata, whereas the number for the districts stands at a whopping 69 per cent. The figure relates to the past 23 years.

The figural pattern is curious because while Kolkata, being as metropolitan hub, is expected to receive more job-seeking population. The figure is upsetting also because the districts of Bengal have in the past two decades or so witnessed a steady flight of youth that have mostly settled in other States - mostly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Guja...