‘Bilet pherot’, or England returned, used to be a source of pride and privilege among Bengalis. Now it has a new meaning in the age of ‘coronization’ A hallowed Bengali ideal has finally bitten the dust in the age of corona.
Bilet pherot, or “England returned", was once the adjective to which generations of Bengalis aspired. In my imagination, it conjured up black and white Bengali films where a dapper hero, preferably Uttam Kumar, would descend the steps from the aeroplane to the tarmac, after pausing to light his pipe, his head cocked just so.
His overcoat and hat were cues to remind the doting Bengali audience that he had just come from the streets of Oxford Circus in London, a newly-minted barrister or doctor now returned home.