VOA标准英语2008年-Protests in India's West Bengal Threaten Car Fa

The industrialist¹ building the world's cheapest car is threatening to pull out of the Indian state of West Bengal if violent protests against his under-construction automobile² factory do not cease. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.
　
Ratan Tata (file photo)

Indian industrialist Ratan Tata says his automotive manufacturer is prepared to quit West Bengal if demonstrations³ opposing his car plant continue.

Tata had planned to have the ultra-cheap four-door Nano vehicle in showrooms by October.

The chairman of the century-old family conglomerate⁴ met on Friday with officials of the Communist party-led state government to express his frustration⁵, Afterwards Tata told reporters in Kolkata that West Bengal is risking getting a reputation with investors⁶ as a "trouble spot."

"It is for the people of West Bengal and Kolkata to decide whether we are going to be an unwanted resident or a good corporate⁷ citizen of West Bengal," he said.

The industrialist added that if the safety of his company's employees, equipment and investment cannot be guaranteed then the factory will have to be moved. He said $375 million has already been invested in the plant at Singur.
　
A first look at the world's cheapest car, Tata's Nano, 10 Jan 2008

The factory is supposed to produce a quarter million vehicles a year. But there have been violent protests, backed by strong political opposition⁸, over the appropriation⁹ of land for the Tata factory.

The leader of the state's main opposition Trinamool Congress political party, Mamata Banerjee, defends the protests, saying those who lost their land must be fairly compensated¹⁰. She also told reporters Friday that Tata has been shown favoritism by the state government.

"Whatever has been giving to Tata should be given to other industrialists¹¹ also," he said.

Banerjee's party insists that Tata make use of only 242 hectares of land and return an additional 162 hectares to farmers from whom property was forcibly taken.

Tata plans to sell its sub-compact automobile for the equivalent of $2,500. A prototype was unveiled earlier this year in New Delhi to huge fanfare¹².

 

1 industrialist   

n.工业家，实业家

参考例句：

• The industrialist's son was kidnapped.这名实业家的儿子被绑架了。
• Mr.Smith was a wealthy industrialist,but he was not satisfied with life.史密斯先生是位富有的企业家，可他对生活感到不满意。

2 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 conglomerate   

n.综合商社，多元化集团公司

参考例句：

• The firm has been taken over by an American conglomerate.该公司已被美国一企业集团接管。
• An American conglomerate holds a major share in the company.一家美国的大联合企业持有该公司的大部分股份。

5 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

6 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

7 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

8 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

9 appropriation   

n.拨款，批准支出

参考例句：

• Our government made an appropriation for the project.我们的政府为那个工程拨出一笔款项。
• The council could note an annual appropriation for this service.议会可以为这项服务表决给他一笔常年经费。

10 compensated   

补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款）

参考例句：

• The marvelous acting compensated for the play's weak script. 本剧的精彩表演弥补了剧本的不足。
• I compensated his loss with money. 我赔偿他经济损失。

11 industrialists   

n.工业家，实业家( industrialist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This deal will offer major benefits to industrialists and investors. 这笔交易将会让实业家和投资者受益匪浅。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has set up a committee of industrialists and academics to advise it. 政府已成立了一个实业家和学者的委员会来为其提供建议。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 fanfare   

n.喇叭；号角之声；v.热闹地宣布

参考例句：

• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide.这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King.嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。