Author: AITC

Why has Centre not reconstituted NDMA: Trinamool

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The NDA Government, after five months in office could still not restructure the full committee of the National Disaster Management Authority. Trinamool Congress raised this issue yesterday.

Trinamool Congress MP and National Spokesperson Mr Derek O'Brien raised the question as to why, even after five months, the post of eight members of the committee for National Disaster Management Authority has not yet been filled up except for the post of the Chairperson. 

The Prime Minister heads the said committee and no other members of the eight-member committee have yet been appointed, he pointed out.

Trinamool Congress MP Dr Kakali Ghosh Dastidar critisised the union government's role after the cyclone Hudhud.

BJP creating misconception on border issues – Partha Chatterjee

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Trinamool Congress Secretary General Dr Partha Chatterjee addresses a press conference at Trinamool Bhavan today.
This is what he said: 
  • We aim at harmony and development in the state.
  • People of Bengal know when and how to respond.
  • BJP could not do anything in Kolkata, so they are creating misconceptions on border issues.
  • These are all imaginary accusations by BJP.
  • Those who are trying to create discontent they will not be successful in their endeavours.
  • Wherever they are going, they are creating trouble.

WB Govt observes National Education Day

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The State Education Department celebrated the National Education Day in West Bengal through a colourful programme at the Town Hall. The State Education Minister Dr Partha Chatterjee and the MoS, Education Dept, were present at the programme.
Prizes for the inter-state sit-and-draw competition among school students were handed over and a calendar containing the best pictures were published, The Sishu Mitra Vidyalaya prize was also given away along with the Jamini Roy award.
On Monday, State Education Minister Dr Partha Chatterjee said that he has instructed the District Inspectors (DI) to visit the schools to enquire whether the scheme was properly implemented or not. 
In the state there are around 68,987 schools where mid-day meal scheme has been implemented and around 12, 10,396 students are getting the benefit of the scheme. Almost 99.97% of the schools in the state are under this scheme.

WB CM inaugurates new campus of Aliah University at New Town

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 West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the New Town campus of the Aliah University today. The university has been set up under the aegis of the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, Government of West Bengal.
Aliah University carries forward rich heritage of the 229-year old educational and cultural institution, Mohammedan College of Calcutta, popularly known as Madrasah-i-Aliah or Calcutta Madrasah, the first educational institution set up in India in 1780 by Warren Hestings, the then Governor General of India.
Many eminent scholars were associated with this institution as administrators, principals, teachers as well as students. Calcutta Madrasah was upgraded to Calcutta Madrasah College and then to Aliah University by the Government of West Bengal through Aliah University Act.Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, who is also in charge of the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, during 2011-12, had allotted 20 acres of land for Aliah University campus at Rajarhat, construction work of which had started with a sanction of Rs 236 crore.

Here is what the Chief Minister said:
 
We are celebrating 126th birth anniversary of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad today. This new campus of Aliah University at New Town has been built in 19 months.
For good work we include all representatives irrespective of their religion. In this Rajarhat we have Eco park, Financial hub, Wax Museum and now we have universities also. New campus of Presidency, Xavier’s along with Vivek Tirtha modelled on Chicago University are under construction.
In three years if we could do this much, given few more years imagine how much more we can achieve.
The university will have hostel facilities for 1400 male students and 800-900 female students. Students who have passed from this university can proudly proclaim that they have graduated from here.

The first university to train teachers coming up in Bengal

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For the first time a new university is being set up by the State Government exclusively for training teachers. The new university will have its campus at the existing David Hare Training College and has been named West Bengal University of Teachers' Training, Education Planning and Administration.

The West Bengal University of Teachers Training, Educational, Planning and Administration Bill 2014 was passed in the Assembly today,

State Education Minister, Dr Partha Chatterjee said that the Bill would help to curb the discrepancies arising among any teachers training colleges. “If all the colleges come under a single university, there will be only one set of rules, and the colleges will have to follow the direction. If they flout certain norms, then the state government will take action,” Dr Chatterjee said.

He also added that the Bill has been passed keeping in mind the problems of the teachers and for teaching the teachers have to come to the proper city.

The university will provide training to graduate and post-graduate students in accordance to the Varma Commission. PTTI, B Ed, M Ed, MP Ed courses will thus be put under one umbrella under this university.

Abhishek Banerjee to begin district tours from today

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Trinamool Youth Congress President Mr Abhishek Banerjee will begin a state-wide tour of the districts from today, starting with a rally in Murshidabad.

This is his first tour as the president of Trinamool Youth Congress and he would reach out to the party workers to queer the pitch against the Opposition's attempts at inciting unrest in the State.

Trinamool Youth Congress will observe Samhati Divas (Communal Harmony Day) on December 6 near Gandhi statue on Mayo Road, Kolkata.

Schedule for the first phase of district tours:

11 November: Murshidabad
14 November: Hooghly
17 November: Jalpaiguri
18 November: Alipurduar
29 November: South 24 Parganas
2 December: Purulia
3 December: East Midnapore.

WB CM inaugurates Mother`s Wax Museum at Rajarhat

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The much-awaited Mother's Wax Museum in Rajarhat New Town, modeled on the famous Madame Tussaud's, is all set to be thrown open to the people from November 11. 
Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the museum today.
 
The museum has been named 'Mother's Wax Museum' after Mother Teresa, and will house wax statues of legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Suchitra Sen apart from Shah Rukh Khan and other luminaries. It will start off with a dozen life-size wax statues.
 
The museum, located on the top floor of the Finance Centre building opposite Eco Park off the main arterial road.  This is the city's first ever wax museum and touted to be a major tourist attraction. The authorities had earlier invited sculptors and artists to give them exquisite life-size wax statues of eminent personalities.
 
The project has been implemented by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation on the initiatives of the West Bengal Chief Minister.
 
The museum will be thrown open to the spectators from November 11. The museum will stay open from Tuesdays to Sundays ever week from 12 noon to 7.30 PM. 

Today is a day of pride for us: WB CM at Kolkata International Film Festival inauguration

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The 20th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival was inaugurated today by legendary actor Mr Amitabh Bachchan at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee.
The Chief Guest for the programme was celebrated actor Mr Shahrukh Khan. Internationally famed filmmaker Mr Paul Cox was the Special Guest along with actors Jaya Bachchan, Tanuja, Aisharya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Amol Palekar as other honourable guests.
Here is what the Chief Minister said at the event:
I am thankful to all the distinguished guests present here today. I have been listening to you all in a trance. I am thankful to Amitabh ji. He has fulfilled his promise of being present at Kolkata Film Festival with full family.
A new journey has begun today. I want you all to be present at Kolkata Film Festival every year. We are honoured to have amongst us Paul Cox and Amol Palekar. I am also thankful to the artists of Bengali film industry for making today's event so beautiful.
Today is a day of pride for us. Today is a day worth remembering forever. We must not forget our roots. If we do, we will never be able to succeed in life.
We have renovated the Technicians' Studio. We are setting up 2 new film cities. I urge filmmakers from across the world to come and shoot their films in Bengal. We have started medical insurance schemes for film technicians in Bengal.
We are paying tributes to Suchitra Sen this year at Kolkata Film Festival. We have started competitive section at Kolkata Film Festival this year. I hope the Golden Tigress trophy will become famous across the world.
I congratulate everyone at Department of Information and Culture for all the hard work to make Kolkata Film Festival a success.
—

About the festival
Boasting of a rich oeuvre of 137 films from 60 countries, the fest will see 40 international delegates and 15 segments. There will be 31 Indian films, including 13 Bengali films. It will conclude Nov 17.
Competitive section
For the first time, the fest turns competitive with 15 films by women directors from across the globe competing for the top jury award — the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger trophy in the Women Directors segment. 
Also, this year there is no private sponsorship. Headed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Paul Cox, the jury will comprise Iranian director Nikki Karimi and Indian filmmaker Amol Palekar and others.
The inclusion of 2014 French drama and experimental 3D film “Goodbye to Language” by renowned French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard is set to create new benchmarks.
Focal theme
The focus will be on cinema from Arab nations and a special section has been earmarked as a tribute to legendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, who died Jan 17 this year in Kolkata. Seven of her films will be screened as part of this.
Hollywood classics such as “Guns of Navarone”, “The Sound of Music” and “Jighangsa” by Ajoy Kar will be screened at the 'Centenary Tribute' section.
For the 'Great Master' segment, seven films including “Lolita', “2001: A Space Odyssey” by American director Stanley Kubrick will be shown.
Other attractions
Additions include a 'Bengali Panorama' section, where five films by Bengali filmmakers will have their world premiere.
The Satyajit Ray Memorial lecture will be delivered by director Govind Nihalani and the screening locations will be spread across 12 venues. A 'Children Screening' section and 'French Classics' segments are the other highlights, apart from contemporary world films of 2013 and 2014.
The inaugural film selected is the Italian movie “Italio Barocco” by Alessia Scarso.

Trinamool to fight against Opposition on the plank of development

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Trinamool Chairperson has already said in the past that she will counter the smear campaign by the Opposition with the plank of development. To spread this message to the grassroots, the Chairperson will be undertaking district tours.
Ahead of her meeting with the Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly district representatives on November 22, senior leaders of the party addressed party workers at Uluberia on Saturday. The meeting was attended by party's State President, Subrata Bakshi, Firhad Hakim, Arup Roy, Haider Aziz Safi, MPs Sultan Ahmed and Prasun Banerjee.
“Mamata Banerjee is the symbol of fight against communalism. She is also the symbol of hope against selling off the country to the corporate. Some people are trying to incite communal tension in Bengal, but Mamata Banerjee will always guard the people of the State,” said Firhad Hakim.
Trinamool State President Subrata Bakshi said, “Trinamool's stand on communalism is clear. Some people are trying to shame Bengal in front of other states. They will not succeed in their ploy. People support Mamata Banerjee.”

ESI Hospitals in Bengal given incentive for good performance: WB CM

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The excellent performance of the ESI Hospitals in Bengal has been recognized by the Centre, announced WB CM on Saturday.
Highlighting the state's achievement, the Chief Minister announced on her Facebook page that the Centre has recognized the good performance of the ESI hospitals in Bengal by providing an incentive grant of more than Rs 22 crore to the state for upgrading infrastructure of the hospitals.
“The excellent performance of the ESI Hospitals in West Bengal run by our labour department has been recognized by the Centre. An incentive grant of Rs 22.33 crore has been provided, which is first time ever to be received by any ESI Hospital in the country,” the CM posted on her Facebook page on Saturday.
Earlier, in order to tackle the shortage of medical staff and improve the infrastructure of ESI hospitals in the state, the Mamata Banerjee government had decided to increase the retirement age of doctors in state ESI hospitals from 60 to 62 and those of medical teachers to 65.

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