Tag: Bengal

Trinamool hits the streets to protest against killing of Bengalis in Assam

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Five persons were shot dead in Assam’s Bishnoimukh village in Assam. The attack occurred near Dhola-Sadiya bridge in Tinsukia district around 7 PM on Thursday.

After condemning the attack, Bangla Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned if the killings were in retaliation to the National Register of Citizens in the state. Over 40 lakh people face deportation from India as their names were excluded in the final draft of the list published on July 30.

“Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia and the killing of Shyamlal Biswas, Ananta Biswas, Abhinash Biswas, Subodh Das. Is this the outcome of recent NRC development,” Mamata Banerjee said in a statement on Twitter.

“We have no words to express our deep sorrow to the grieving families. The perpetrators must be punished at the very earliest. The fifth victim in Tinsukia … Dhananjay Namashudra,” she added.

All India Trinamool Congress held protest marches across Bangla today to condemn these dastardly murders. A protest march was led by Abhishek Banerjee – MP and National President of Trinamool Youth Congress – from Jadavpur to Hazra.

Highlights of Abhishek Banerjee’s speech:

  • Yesterday we received the news of the brutal murder of 5 Bengalis in Tinsukia (Assam) at 10:30 PM. We had witnessed mass murders in the CPI(M) era. This incident is a stark reminder of those incidents.
  • We were instructed by our leader Mamata Banerjee last night itself from north Bengal at late night. Our workers received the news in the morning. We are thankful to all for this stupendous response in this short span of time.
  • When Afrazul was hacked to death in Rajasthan, Mamata Banerjee had instructed us to organise protests. We have hit the streets again today.
  • This is not a fight between Trinamool and BJP. This is not CPI(M) vs Trinamool. This is a fight to preserve the Bengali culture. This is fight for the right of Bengalis. This fight is against BJP’s politics of oppression and forcible occupation. We will work as per the directions given by Mamata Banerjee.
  • In the 80’s and 90’s, we had seen how CPI(M) used to kill farmers and then sermonise about their welfare. Now we are seeing so-called pro-Hindu BJP killing Hindus. ‘Hindu mere Hindu prem, BJP shame shame.”
  • During Left rule, they used to raise the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ but discriminated among people based on political leanings. And now, BJP only says ‘Jai Shree Ram’ while fuel prices are skyrocketing.
  • The budget for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is a meagre Rs 200 crore. And they built a statue worth Rs 3000 crore. On the other hand, they are killing Bengalis in Assam.
  • Many people from other States live in Bengal in peace. They have never been discriminated against. This is the culture of Bengal.
  • Today, many of my minority friends finished their namaz and joined these protests against the brutal murder of ‘Hindus’ in Assam. This is culture of harmony in Bengal.
  • Yesterday we heard reports that ULFA was involved in the incident. Today they have given a statement that they have nothing to do with the incident. Who were those people in police uniform, who murdered those five innocent people?
  • There must be a free and fair probe into this incident. The investigation must be monitored by the Supreme Court.
  • The Chief Minister of Assam must resign. Why are Bengalis committing suicide in Assam? Why was a famous singer attacked for singing a Bengali song in Guwahati?
  • Mamata Banerjee has categorically said NRC will not be implemented in Bengal.
  • Mamata Banerjee inaugurated at least 100 Durga Pujas in Kolkata. Have you seen any single flex by BJP during Sharadotsav? No. Because they believe in north Indian culture, not Bengali culture.
  • More than 100 people died in the queues during demonetisation. Farmers were killed in police firing in Madhya Pradesh. More than 80 children died due to lack of oxygen at a hospital in UP. This is the example of governance by BJP.
  • They are bringing leaders from other States. They have no idea about Bengali culture and dream of ‘capturing Bengal’.
  • We believe in politics of courtesy. But if they try to disrupt peace in Bengal, we will not tolerate it.
  • Let them compete on the basis of facts and figures. Let us compare the progress made by Bengal versus that of Centre.
  • In the coming days, our slogan should be ‘Du hajar unish, BJP finish. BJP hatao, desh bachao’.

KIFF 2018 to highlight 100 years of Bengali cinema

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The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) is going to be inaugurated on November 10. Like every year, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to do the honours. It will continue till November 17.

This year will be the 24th year of the festival, which has grown hugely over the last few years of the Trinamool Congress Government. The chief minister takes a personal interest in this annual international programme.

The special attraction this year is 100 years of Bengali cinema. The theme country is Australia.

That the festival is gaining a name for itself in the world of international film festival is attested by the fact that increasingly prominent film personalities from around the world are attending the festival.

The highlight of 100 years of Bengali cinema would be films by legends like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. A special pavilion of film-related pictures and posters, highlighting the rich history of cinema in Bengal, would also be created.

This year, the famous Iranian director, Majid Majidi would be coming and would also be attending the inauguration programme. Australian film editor Jill Elizabeth Bilcock, of Romeo+Juliet and Moulin Rouge fame, would be present. Also attending the festival would be director Phillip Noyce, also from Australia.

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan will grace the inauguration programme this year too, along with the State’s brand ambassador, Shah Rukh Khan, as well as Sanjay Dutt, Sharmila Tagore and Mahesh Bhatt.

According to a senior government official, this year more number of films would be screened.

Source: Bartaman

Mamata Banerjee inaugurates ‘Utsav’ auditorium in Cooch Behar

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today reached Cooch Behar for her district tours. She inaugurated the ‘Utsav’ auditorium in Cooch Behar. She also chaired the administrative review meeting for the district in the same auditorium. She took stock of the progress of the ongoing projects during the administrative review meeting.

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister will be addressing a public meeting during which she will be distributing different benefits among the residents of Cooch Behar. She will also be inaugurating some projects and also lay foundation stones of many more projects to ensure further development of the district. The benefits distribution programme has been organised at Rashmela Ground in Cooch Behar.

After her programme in Cooch Behar, she is scheduled to visit Dooars where she will chair the administrative review meetings for Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts.

Kolkata Police’s ‘Bandhu’ app to help Durga Puja pandal hoppers

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Like every year, Kolkata Police has unveiled the guidemap for Durga Puja 2018. Live information about 1,800 puja pandals will also be available from the ‘Bandhu’ app. Apart from ‘Bandhu’, people can also track waiting time and queues from the ‘Utsav’ app.

Kolkata Police has planned to come up with live streaming of some major puja pandals throughout the city, during this year’s Durga Puja. The number of ‘Bandhu’ app users has crossed 2.5 lakh. This year, people can monitor live information about almost 1,800 puja pandals throughout the city.

Apart from ‘Bandhu’, another app called ‘Utsav’ was also introduced a few years ago for Durga Puja. Kolkata Police has also informed that the ‘Utsav’ app has now been upgraded with some new features. Through this app, people can easily track the locations of the pandals and can find the ways to reach them.

Also, a new section has been added in the app for the puja committees. From now on, puja committees will be able to upload details of their pandals such as theme, attraction details, images and many more on the app. This would help them to attract more pandal hoppers.

 

Pollution-control measures during Durga Puja immersion

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To prevent pollution of river water, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to set up a boundary with nylon nets around certain zones along the Hooghly river where immersions of Durga idols would take place.

The nets would prevent the idols and decorations from floating away, which would then be picked up by cranes employed by the KMC.

This technique will be used at the immersion points of Baje Kadamtala Ghat, Judges Court Ghat and Nimtala Ghat. The first one is where most of the big Pujas conduct their immersions.

Source: Aajkaal

Tourism promotion in housing complexes during Durga Puja

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Bengalis are known for their penchant for food and travel. So, what better time to promote the tourist spots in Bengal, than the four days of Durga Pujo? With this thought in mind, the State Tourism Department has come up with an innovative idea.

To cater to tourists in Kolkata, the State Tourism Department has decided to go for direct promotion in housing complexes. Twenty-six of the big housing complexes have been selected for the purpose.

The promotion would be in the form of banners and hoardings. Some of the complexes, which play host to a large number of people, would also be visited by Tourism Department officials.

A similar plan is being made for the big puja pandals, where lakhs of people converge on each of the festival days.

Source: Bartaman

Homestay tourism boom in Dooars during festive season

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The homestay facilities in Dooars region are all booked to full for the festive season. This is a huge shot in the arm for the Bangla Government, led by Mamata Banerjee, who has been working tirelessly for the last seven years to project the state as an ideal tourist destination.

All the homestay cottages in Lataguri and Dhupjhora region in Jalpaiguri district, and the hamlets in Kalimpong district, have full booking for the festive period. The homestay owners and tour operators have expressed their happiness over this development.

Lataguri and Dhupjhora are extremely popular tourist destinations. Every year during Durga Puja, tourists throng these places. Additionally, several new homestay facilities have opened near Jaldhaka and Gorubathan. The natural beauty of these places is too alluring for tourists to ignore.

In the last two-three years, there has been a considerable rise in the number of homestay facilities in the State. The government has also come up with a new homestay tourism policy. This has led to a tourism boom for north Bengal.

Special ration package for the festive season

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The State Food & Supplies Department has come up with a special ration package for the festive season. This special package would include edible oil, maida, and sugar.

The beneficiaries of Antyodaya and Special Priority (SPPH) under National Food Security Act (NFSA) will receive these ration packages. The total number of eligible beneficiaries would be nearly 3 crore.

Every eligible family will be entitled to receive 500 g sugar and 500 g maida twice during the festive period at Rs 30 and Rs 23 respectively. 500 ml and 1 litre of kachhi ghani mustard oil will be available at Rs 52 and Rs 101 respectively. Equivalent amount of palm oil will be available at Rs 48.50 and Rs 94 respectively.

The prices of these items have been subsidised by the state government. It may be mentioned that the government gives such a ration package during Eid too.

 

Traditional fish items during Durga Puja at SFDC restaurants

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Like every year, this year too, the State Fisheries Development Corporation (SFDC) will be serving special dishes at its five restaurants in Kolkata during Durga Puja.

The five are located at Nalban Food Park, Nabanna, Eco Park, Bidhan Sishu Udyan in Ultadanga and in front of Nicco Park. The food will be served in bell metal (kansa) or terracotta plates.

This year, the highlight will be fish items associated with the famous traditional pujas of zamindars of Kolkata and temple pujas of other places in Bangla.

The organisation is finalising the menu in consultation with the descendents of Sovabazar Rajbari, Sabarna Roy Choudhury Rajbari and other famous rajbaris of Kolkata. With respect to the temple pujas, one will be able to relish the magur macher tok of Sarbamangala Temple in Bardhaman and shol pora of Kanakdurga Shrine at Chilkagarh in Jhargram, among others.

The bhogs served at some of the traditional pujas of Kolkata will also be an integral part of the menu.

People will be able to try out boroli, the famous delicious fish from the streams of north Bengal, now being cultivated by the SFDC in three large waterbodies in Kolkata and Memari, and groupers and Indian pompano, also being cultivated by it in the last few months.

There will be a discount of 7 per cent in the thali items and on ordering over the online delivery app, Smart Fish (during the Puja days).

The SFDC will also set up stalls at the premises of 23 famous Durga Pujas in Kolkata, including Singhi Park, Hazra Park, Kalighat Milan Sangha and Hindustan Park in south Kolkata, and Jagat Mukherjee Park, Sovabazar, Tala Sarbajanin and Nalin Sarkar Street in north Kolkata.

Source: Millennium Post

 

Durga Puja: Cold storage network coming as a boon for lotus cultivators

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The chain of cold storages built by the State Government over the last few years is coming as a help for Durga Puja too. Flower traders and cultivators from across the State are finding them very convenient for storing lotus flowers, which are a very important part of Durga Puja.

In fact, 50 lakh lotus flowers are going to be supplied to puja organisers, by a lakh of cultivators. To ensure no shortage, it is quite essential to start storing them weeks ahead of the Puja.

For Durga Puja, lotuses also get exported to other States, and for this reason too the cold storages are coming as a boon. The demand for lotuses from the State remains high across the country as the flowers are of a superior quality.

In recent times, multipurpose cold storages have been set up at Bagnan in Howrah district and at Panskura in Purba Medinipur, the two places which are the major flower producing regions in Bangla.

According to a senior official of the State Government, steps are being taken to further develop infrastructure to support flower cultivators.

Source: Millennium Post

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