Vaccination is essential, especially for children, be it polio vaccine, DPT, hepatitis B, pneumonia or anything else. Prevention is always better than cure.
The good news is that Bengal is among the top three states with respect to vaccinating children. This was confirmed by the latest report of the National Family Health Survey (conducted during fiscal year 2015-16).
About 85 per cent of the children of the state have been given all the essential vaccinations. Another fact gleaned from the report is that vaccination has had greater coverage in the rural region – about 95 per cent.
A record of sorts has also been created in the state: under Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI), in the district of North 24 Parganas, 40,000 children were vaccinated over a period of four days, with 10,000 per day.
On the occasion of the seventh anniversary of Trinamool coming to power, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeted the people Bengal and reiterated her commitment towards working for the betterment of the people.
She posted on her Twitter page: “On May 20, 2011 the first Maa, Mati, Manush Government took oath of office. It has been seven years and we continue to be committed to working for the betterment of the people.”
On May 13, 2011, the people of Bengal gave a historic mandate, ousting the Left Front out of power. Mamata Banerjee took oath as the Chief Minister of Bengal on May 20, 2011 at 1:05 PM. To read more about the historic day, click here.
Shortly before 1 PM, Mamata Banerjee entered the Raj Bhavan. Earlier in the morning, she had visited the Kalighat temple and took blessings of her mother, now late Gayatri Devi. Alighting at the north gate of the Raj Bhavan, she walked in, amidst cheers and slogans from the people waiting outside in thousands.
At 1.05 PM, Mamata Banerjee took oath as the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal. History was created.
Mamata Banerjee takes oath as Bengal CM
Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet took oath in the presence of some 3,000 people that included her party workers and relatives of the victims of violence in Nandigram and Singur. This has perhaps been one of the most crowded swearing-in ceremonies of a chief minister. Along with her, 35 MLAs from Trinamool Congress took oath as ministers of the two-tier ministry. Four of the Trinamool Congress MLAs were sworn in as Ministers of State.
Mamata Banerjee takes oath
Clad in a simple white sari and wearing a tricolor uttariya (long scarf) that has by now become her trade mark, Mamata Banerjee took the oath in Bengali in the name of God, which was administered by Governor M.K. Narayanan.
Some hours earlier, Ms Banerjee had set off from her humble Harish Chatterjee Street house on a journey to change Bengal`s course. Thousands of supporters had already lined the route she would take to Raj Bhavan, holding puja thalis and blowing conch shells. Many were barefoot, as if had come to worship a deity.
In Ms Banerjee’s para, the atmosphere was Puja-like. When she emerged from the door, wearing a crisp off-white saree with a blue zari border, a chant of “Didi…Didi” went up. Her car was ready to take her to Raj Bhavan, but the Iron Lady of Bengal walked into the crowd, much to the dismay of her bodyguards from the Special Security Unit. She touched as many hands as she could, smiled, and folded her hands in humility. Someone passed her a microphone.
At exactly 12.55 PM, the Chief Minister-in-waiting walked into Raj Bhavan. She greeted Governor M K Narayanan and took the sheet of paper she was to read from.
The historic march from Raj Bhavan to Writers’
Trailed by a sea of supporters, Mamata Banerjee walked the 1 km from Raj Bhavan, where she took oath as the first non-Left Chief Minister in 34 years, to Writers’ Building on Friday, May 20, 2011. Euphoric, swelling crowds — nearly 2.5 lakh — thronged the kilometre-long road to Writers’ Buildings. “Democracy has to be with the people,” she said. “I saw the crowds and asked the governor’s permission to walk to Writers’ Buildings.”
Her first day at Writers’ Building
Bureaucrats and security officers escorted Mamata Banerjee up the same flight of stairs along which she had been dragged down in 1993. In the corridor, she suddenly cut her brisk stride and turned towards a balcony. She stood there for a while and waved to the delirious crowd. A bodyguard swiftly crouched before her, hanging on to the low guard rails to protect her from the mad scramble of photojournalists. With a final wave, Ms Banerjee walked off purposefully to the CM`s chamber. It was 4.44pm.
It was from there that Ms Banerjee had been hauled out 17 years ago. Then a firebrand Congress worker, she had been agitating outside former CM Jyoti Basu’s office, insisting he meet a woman who had been allegedly raped by CPM workers. As the police yanked her out, Banerjee swore to set foot in Writers’ Buildings only after the Left was ousted. On the afternoon of 20 May, she kept her vow.
The first Cabinet Meeting
On her first days as chief minister, the people’s leader broke all protocol. She refused a bullet-proof car, declined the privilege of free passage, instructed police to halt her black car at traffic signals, worked in office until 12.35 AM the day she was sworn in.
People greet Mamata Banerjee on 20 May, 2011
After the swearing-in, Mamata Banerjee chaired her first Cabinet meeting at around 5 PM: Singur topped the agenda, then came her first press conference as CM around 8 PM. Then she sat in her office, allotting ministries to her Cabinet colleagues. The CM left office at 12:35 AM on Saturday.
Calling the political chaos in Karnataka as a ‘constitutional crisis’, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raises question on the alleged “horse-trading” in the State.
“In Karnataka,this is a constitutional crisis. The governor is a constitutional post. he cannot act like a political guide. Why he is not calling the Congress-JD(S) when they have already submitted letter with the adequate numbers. A governor should act abiding by the Constitution and not by his personal choice. I endorse all Opposition leaders’ views in this regard. I support Mayawati Ji, Stalin, Chandrababu Naidu and Akhilesh’s opinion on this issue,” said Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
Hinting at the Karnataka crisis, she said: “Of late, there are so many instances of horse trading. If this becomes a rule, a bad precedence will be set in the country. It will not only destroy democracy, but the country as well.”
People have exercised their rights in polling stations today. A few isolated incidents have taken place, however, which All India Trinamool Congress neither wanted nor supported. The administration today helped the Election Commission and nobody got involved in any instigation.
A few of our supporters were badly injured. But, across the length and breadth of the State, our supporters were the model of tolerance.
The allegation made against us regarding the incident in Kakdwip is untrue. At no time is death welcome. So, be it any party, death of a worker is always a sad event.
The BJP is involved in a dirty game. The way it brought in people from Bangladesh, Assam and Jharkhand to create trouble in border regions is extremely reprehensible and in this, it has indirectly taken the help of the BSF, which is under the control of the Central Government. It was shown on TV how BSF personnel were trying to influence voters standing in queues for casting votes.
Law and order is a State subject, as per our Constitution. Hence, we have written to the Election Commission to investigate how the BSF engaged in these activities without any permission from the State Government.
Trinamool always believes in ‘360 degree communication’. From wall graffiti to street corner meetings and rallies, from door-to-door campaigning to the use of social media – Trinamool lays emphasis on all modes of communication. And no exception was made for the Panchayat polls either.
For the last 12 days, we have been organising Facebook LIVE sessions on our page. The response from the people has been massive. We are thankful to the people for the stupendous outpouring of support.
Today we present to you the last 5tay Panchayat session. Today’s speaker is National President of Trinamool Youth Congress, Abhishek Banerjee. Because of model code of conduct, the LIVE will begin at 4:30 PM instead of 5 PM.
May 13 is one of the most important dates in the electoral history of Trinamool Congress. For on this date in 2011, Mamata Banerjee led the party in breaking down the 34-year-old Left citadel and coming to power; again in 2016, on this date, the party returned to power for a second consecutive term, again with a thumping majority.
The mandate of Ma, Mati, Manush has prevailed.
Seven years of running a cash-strapped Government is an inhuman job. However, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has proved more than equal to the task.
Despite a lion’s share of the State’s revenues being taken away by the Centre to service the debt incurred by the Left Front Government, Mamata Banerjee has carried out development in every sector in the State. Unthinkable, yet true.
What has the Government achieved in these seven years? Democracy, peace and progress. Mamata Banerjee has given confidence to the people. There is hope in the air that Bengal can be the best; and it, slowly but surely, is inching its way to the top. From fair price medicine shops to the Kanyashree Scheme, from setting records under the 100 Days’ Work Scheme to massive developments in the Jangalmahal region, Bengal is a national model now.
Seven years ago, Bengal had little to boast about. Now it can boast of Brand Bengal, or Biswa Bangla. Trinamool Congress raised the slogan ‘bodla noy, bodol chai‘ (‘we want change, not revenge’) and has lived up to the principle during the last six years.
পরিবর্তনের ৭ বছর – বিশ্ব সেরা বাংলা
১৩ই মে বাংলার মানুষের কাছে এক ঐতিহাসিক দিন। ২০১১ সালে এই দিনেই বাংলার জনগণের রায়ে ৩৪ বছরের বাম অপশাসনের অবসান ঘটে। ক্ষমতায় আসে মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নেতৃত্বাধীন তৃণমূল কংগ্রেস সরকার। ২০১৬ সালে আবারও বিপুল সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠতা নিয়ে ক্ষমতায় ফেরেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় প্রতিপক্ষদের কুৎসা, অপপ্রচার ও সন্ত্রাসকে জনগণের সাহায্যে পরাস্ত করে।
রাজ্য রাজ্যবাসীর উন্নয়নের প্রতি কতটা দায়বদ্ধতা থাকলে সাত বছর ধরে এই বিপুল দেনার বোঝা বহন করেও এই সার্বিক উন্নয়ন সম্ভব, সেটা প্রমাণ করেছেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়। বামেদের করা ঋণ শোধের জন্য প্রত্যেক বছর এক বিপুল পরিমান অর্থ রাজ্যের কোষাগার থেকে কেটে নিয়ে যাচ্ছে কেন্দ্র সুদ বাবদ। তার ওপর আবার রাজনৈতিক প্রতিহিংসার ফলে রাজ্যের বরাদ্দ অর্থ ঠিকমত পাঠায় না কেন্দ্র। তবুও একনিষ্ঠ ভাবে মা, মাটি, মানুষের সরকার কাজ করে চলেছে রাজ্যের প্রতি ক্ষেত্রে উন্নয়নের জন্য।
বাংলায় গণতন্ত্র স্থাপন হয়েছে। শান্তি ফিরেছে জঙ্গলমহলে। পাহাড়েও উন্নয়নের হাওয়া। একশো দিনের কাজ থেকে শুরু করে কন্যাশ্রী, ন্যায্য মূল্যের ওষুধের দোকান থেকে শুরু করে নির্মল বাংলা অভিযান, ই-গভর্ন্যান্স থেকে কৃষি – সবেতেই সেরা বাংলা।
বাংলা এখন সারা বিশ্বের কাছে একটি মডেল। মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় স্বপ্ন দেখেছেন বিশ্ব বাংলা গড়ার। ‘বদলা নয় বদল চাই’ এর স্লোগান দিয়ে যে যাত্রা শুরু হয়েছিল সেই ২০১১ সালে এখন তা বাংলাকে বিশ্ব সেরা করার অঙ্গীকারে পরিবর্তিত হয়েছে।
West Bengal Chief Minister was present at the convocation ceremony of West Bengal Health University. She heaped praises on the doctors and research scholars, while highlighting the work done in the health sector in the last seven years.
Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:
The dream of many research scholars will come true today. The convocation is a special day for many. Hard work and sacrifice of several years bears fruit on this day. Your continuous efforts will be honoured. My best wishes to all.
The merit of Bengali students is unmatched elsewhere in the country. The health infrastructure of Bengal is also unparalleled.
I have written to the Centre about the lapses in NEET papers. How can there be mistakes in the question paper that will determine the future of lakhs of students? This must be pursued.
We are proud of our doctors and nurses.
42 new multi super speciality hospitals have been set up.
16 Mother and Child Hubs have been set up. 78 SNCUs and 307 SNSUs have been set up.
115 fair price medicine shops. 85 fair price diagnostic centres. ICCU, HDUs set up in districts.
We provide free treatment in hospitals. Even people from other States are coming to Bengal for treatment.
From Rs 700 crore the health budget has increased to Rs 8000 crore in seven years.
99% of doctors are honest and hard-working. For the wrong actions of just 1% the entire fraternity has to bear the brunt.
We must keep our heads held high and work for the people.
Institutional delivery rate has increased from 65% to 95% in six years.
We have increased seats in medical colleges by 1400, 9 new medical colleges have been set up.
I encourage my new generation to take up research – there are many unexplored avenues. Cancer cure is still not available, high blood sugar is becoming a concern. Research will only take the medical field forward.
Bengal will become the best in the world. One day people will say the health infrastructure in Bengal is the best.
All India Trinamool Youth Congress Chairperson Abhishek Banerjee addressed a public rally at Khandarui in Dantan-2 block in the district of Paschim Medinipur.
He hit out at the Opposition, saying the CPI(M), BJP and Congress have made an alliance which is bereft of ideology, just to stop the developmental activities taken up by the Trinamool Congress Government. However, the people of the State would show the door to this alliance, he said, adding that opposing Mamata Banerjee is akin to opposing development.
He also said that the BJP will not be able to return to power at the Centre in 2019. Abhishek said, BJP should concentrate on how to win Delhi, and then only turn its attention to Bengal.
Abhishek Banerjee pointed out that many members of the CPI(M) are now campaigning for the saffron party; he also reminded people about the acts of violence committed by the CPI(M) in Nandigram, in Jangalmahal and in many other places. He also said that even after enjoying power for 34 years, the CPI(M) did not bring about any development for Bengal.
Abhishek said the people living in rural areas know what the Trinamool Congress has done for the development of villages for the last five years.
To protest the Central Government’s decision of changing the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission, of moving the population base year from 1971 to 2011 for determining the States’ share of allocation of the taxes collected by the Centre, the finance ministers of Bengal, Delhi, Punjab, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka met in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, yesterday.
The change in the population base year would discriminate against the States which have done exemplary work in reducing the burden of population, and the States which met yesterday would be among the most affected. As an example, while the average fertility rate of the country is 2.3, the fertility rate of Bengal is 1.6.
On the other hand, States which have not managed to reduce the burden, like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and which, not so coincidentally, as it turns out, are all ruled by the BJP, would be big gainers.
The new ToR, if implemented, would result in Bengal losing between Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 35,000 crore from 2020-2025 (the period of implementation of the 15th Finance Commission). This will cause huge deprivation to the State. Taking all losing States into account, like Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and a few others, the losses would range from, on a conservative basis, Rs 343 crore to Rs 24,000 crore.
Population is one of the primary criteria for determining the share of each State in the divisive pool. All the States and Union Territories are collectively allocated 42 per cent of the Central taxes collected each financial year. The remaining 58 per cent is for the Centre to use for national purposes.
The States which met in Amaravati yesterday are also preparing a joint memorandam to be presented to the Central Government for demanding the amending of the Terms of Reference to remove any discrimination.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written a letter to the Centre on the same issue, asking for the changing of the new ToR.
In it, she had also written that not just in reducing population, but also on aspects like 100 Days’ Work (MGNREGA scheme), rural road connectivity and e-tendering, as well as some others, Bengal has been a trend-setter. For quite a few of these, the current Central Government too has showered praise and encouragement.
For Bengal, another important issue to be considered is the fact that the Trinamool Congress Government has to repay the huge debt left behind by the Left Front Government. The burden amounted to a total of Rs 2.35 lakh crore till March 31, 2018. For financial year 2018-19, the amount to be repaid is Rs 48,000 crore.
