EVENTS
30-01-2018
42nd International Kolkata Book Fair - 2018
•  The 42nd International Kolkata Book Fair at Central Park, Salt Lake was inaugurated today in presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The International Kolkata Book Fair will continue from 31st January to 11th February, 2018. Actor Soumitra Chatterjee was felicitated in today's programme for his outstanding contribution to the world of creativity. This year, the theme country is France. Mr Alexander Ziegler, HE Ambassador of France was present on the occasion. The Hon’ble Chief Minister also inaugurated several book stalls including those of the Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Police. Nine books authored by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, including two translated versions in Santali and Hindi of her earlier works were published today from the book fair. With these, the number of books authored by her numbered to 79. The Hon’ble Chief Minister announced that the next Kolkata Book Fair will be inaugurated on 19th January, 2019.
29-01-2018
Banglar Abas Divas - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present today in the programme ‘Banglar Abas Divas’ organised by the State Government on providing assistance for housing to 5 lakh people in one go at Netaji Indoor Stadium. The Hon’ble Chief Minister informed that assistance to so many people on a single day in the state is a record. She pointed out that the State Government has already provided assistance to more than 25 lakh families in the state to have their own houses over the last 6 years. Due to such performance, Bengal has been among the top states and No 1 in the country in rural housing sector, she informed.
27-01-2018
Khadya Sathi Day - 2018
•  On Khadya Sathi Day, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a statement said that introduced by the present Government, this scheme ensures food security for all in Bengal. She stated that nearly 9.5 crore people of the State, which is almost 90% of the population of the State get foodgrains at Rs 2/Kg under Khadya Sathi. The Hon’ble Chief Minister informed that 100% digitization of ration cards of beneficiaries under the scheme has been achieved. She informed that from Jangalmahal to the tea gardens, from Singur to Aila affected areas, all across the state, lakhs and lakhs of families are benefitted under the scheme and do not have to worry about food now. She also stated that a strong network of public distribution and food storage system has been built to support the scheme so that people get the benefits under the scheme on time.
26-01-2018
69th Republic Day celebration - 2018
•  The 69th Republic Day celebration was held on Red Road, Kolkata with due honour and dignity. Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and all the Hon’ble Ministers of the State Cabinet were present on the glorious occasion where the Hon’ble Governor unfurled the National Flag. March pasts by defence forces personnels and state police forces added colours to the event. A colourful parade and procession with decorated tableaux portraying the State’s culture and heritage were the highlights of the programme. Various developmental schemes of the State Government were also showcased in the parade. Students from various parts of Bengal took part in the colourful parade. The Hon’ble Chief Minister congratulated members of the Armed Forces, Police, members of Uniformed Services, students, people from all walks of life and even from far flung places, who took part in today’s ceremonial march past and parade and made it such a spectacular show. She thanked the people at large who turned out in huge numbers to witness the celebration and encourage the participants.
25-01-2018
Cooperative Sammelan - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present today in a government programme involving different stakeholders of Cooperative Sector at Netaji Indoor Stadium. She stressed on the importance of cooperatives in strengthening the rural economy and urged all concerned to come forward and do their best to help the rural sector grow at a faster pace. She said that the Government would give the cooperatives necessary support. A high-power committee headed by Chief Secretary would examine and give recommendations to the government on ways and means to strengthen the cooperative sector, the Hon’ble Chief Minister informed today.
24-01-2018
Khel Samman - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present in the ceremony on felicitation and conferment of awards to distinguished sports personalities for outstanding contribution in sports, at Netaji Indoor Stadium today, organised by the Sports Department. Nearly 15,000 clubs are being given financial assistance on the occasion to develop sports infrastructure and encourage sports throughout the state. From today’s programme, Hon’ble Chief Minister announced the Government’s decision of extending health insurance benefits under “Swasthya Sathi” to former players. She said that she wanted the people of the State to excel in sports and bring more honour for the country and the state in the days ahead. She said that the veterans also have a great role to play in encouraging the young generation. She said that the government is committed to extend all assistance for developing sports infrastructure and sports talent in the state.
18-01-2018
Tele Academy Award - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present in the Tele Academy Awards presentation ceremony at Nazrul Mancha today. Initiated by the West Bengal Government in 2014, this award is conferred for outstanding contribution in television industry. On the occasion, the Hon’ble Chief Minister said that the Government is always with the cinema and TV artistes and technicians. She said that the Government has already introduced health insurance benefit for them. Now The Government is extending the coverage amount to extend them more help in times of exigency, she informed. After the award ceremony, a beautiful cultural program was presented by the tele-artistes.
10-01-2018
Vivek Chetna Utsav - 2018
•  On the occasion of birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that “Vivek Chetna Utsav” will be celebrated in all the blocks, municipalities and municipal corporations all over the state from 10th to 12th January, 2018, in association with Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Today, the Hon’ble Chief Minister was present in the inaugural ceremony of this important programme at Babughat, Kolkata. She informed that for unity, peace and harmony Swami Vivekananda is the inspiration for the people. She said that through the festival, the Government wants to spread the message of goodwill and brotherhood among all. She also informed that the Government has taken decision to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at Chicago in a befitting manner. Around lakh youth will assemble at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan to celebrate the occasion, she said. After the inaugural programme the Hon’ble Chief Minister spent some moments with Gangasagar pilgrims at Babughat camp.
08-01-2018
Uttarbanga Utsav - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present today in the inauguration ceremony of “Uttarbanga Utsav” at Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri, during her visit to North Bengal. Started by the present government, this unique festival showcases the beauty of North Bengal with its amazing bounty of nature, rich cultural heritage, immense tourism potential and remarkable achievements of the people of the region. The festival will be celebrated across eight North Bengal districts till 14 January. The State’s highest civilian award, “Banga Ratna” were conferred for outstanding contributions in various disciplines on the occasion to Dr Manas Dasgupta (economist from Darjeeling), Dinesh Chandra Roy (researcher on folk culture of the region from Jalpaiguri), Prem Dorejee Bhutia (social worker of Kalimpong), Dr Debkumar Mukherjee (educationist from Cooch Behar), Malin Chandra Das (folk music instrumentalist of Cooch Behar), Prof. Dr. Dilip Kumar Roy (writer from Alipurduar), Prem Bihari Thakur (retired teacher from North Dinajpur), Prof. Tapas Kumar Kundu (researcher on Molecular Biology from South Dinajpur) and Dr Radhagobinda Ghosh (social worker of Malda). Meritorious students were also felicitated for excellent academic performance. On the occasion of the auspicious “Tithi Puja” of Swami Vivekananda, a statue of the great saint installed in Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratisthan (Sishumangal), Kolkata was unveiled from the “Uttarbanga Utsav” inauguration ceremony today by the Hon’ble Chief Minister through remote control.
05-01-2018
Inauguration of new official emblem of the state government
•  The own official emblem of the State Government was launched today from a programme at Nabanna, the state headquarters, by Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On the occasion, the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced that from now on, the new official emblem of the state government will feature on all official stationery and displays of the state government. She said that this historic achievement is indeed a new feather in Bengal’s cap after a long wait of 70 years since independence. She also informed that she had made a small contribution in design of the emblem.
04-01-2018
Baul and Lok Utsav - 2018
•  The annual “Baul and Lok Utsav”, ahead of the famous Joydev Mela, was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Joydev-Kenduli in Birbhum today. Thousands of bauls from all over the state were present creating an amazing aura of captivating baul and folk songs and music and echoing the great heritage of folk arts of Bengal. The Hon’ble Chief Minister today laid the foundation stone of “Baul Bitan”, a new facility for baul singers to propagate their practice and tourism destination. The Hon’ble Chief Minister informed that Government has decided to observe the “Makar Sankranti” day every year as “Lok Prasar Shilpi Dibas” to celebrate the glorious place of folk arts in the cultural world of Bengal.
03-01-2018
Jangalmahal Utsav - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister today inaugurated the fourth ‘Jangalmahal Utsav’, to be held at Jhargram from 3rd to 10th January, was also inaugurated from today’s occasion. Later, the Hon’ble Chief Minister visited some areas of the district and interacted with the local people.
02-01-2018
Mati Utsav - 2018
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee was present in the inauguration ceremony of ‘Mati Utsav’, 2018 in Mati Tirtha-Krishi Katha, Purba Burdwan. To strengthen the bonding of humanity with ‘Mati’ (earth), which sustains and nourishes life and provides livelihood to millions of people, the West Bengal Government had started the festival in 2013. The focussed purpose of this event is convergence of agriculture with allied sectors and improving productivity and income of farmers with sustainability. Outstanding contributions in the farming sector were felicitated with “Krishak Samman” awards today.