July 13, 2012
Chief Minister attends Bhanubhakta Acharya`s birth anniversary at Kalimpong, says birth anniversary to be observed at block level
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee who is on a five-day-trip to North Bengal tour reached Kalimpong as per schedule to participate in the birth anniversary celebration of noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya. The programme was held at the Kalimpong Town Hall and attended by a huge gathering that had come to hear Ms. Mamata Banerjee.
Bhanubhakta Acharya is among the eminent literary personalities in Nepal and also the first Nepali poet who translated the great Idian epic `Ramayana` from Sanskrit to Nepali. Adi Kavi as he is popularly called Bhanubhakta Acharya, was born in 1814 A.D in Chundi Ramgha, Tanahu district and was educated at home by his grandfather, Shri Krishna Acharya. His father Dhananjaya Acharya was a government official who worked for General Amar Singh Thapa Governor of Palpa in western Nepal. He was one of the greatest poet in history of Nepal.
`I couldn't come last time on this occasion but had sent my representative. This time I planned my North Bengal tour in such a way that I can be here on this occasion. I wanted to be with you all today. However, I had to seek special permission from the election commission owing to GTA elections knocking on the door and I am glad that I was granted permission`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee who expressed her excitement to be able to share her sentiments with the Nepali speaking community.
Expressing her happiness that her government was able to spread the message of development across the Hills she said that when she came here previously and while going to back to Kolkata she was impressed by the picturesd beauty of a place near Kalimpong. `I went to the same place yesterday and was happy to see that the development work is in process as the place needs more places to accommodate tourists who come to Darjeeling`, said Chief Minister.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee assured the Nepali speaking community residing in the Hills that she will constitute a task-force which will work in arranging the programmes and gather information on Bhanubhakta Acharya, `We just finished with a year-long-celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore and presently we are celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. I want the birth anniversary of noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya who is called the `Adi Kavi` to be celebrated in a similar manner and I assure you that we will celebrate his birth anniversary at all the block levels`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee.
`I love Darjeeling very much and I also love my Nepali brothers and sisters, I will continue to visit your place. Please don`t be angry upon me. If I come then it will get more and more publicity and if it gets publicity then tourism will flourish in the Hills. I am sure you understand that if tourism flourish then the Hills will have better business and subsequently you all will have better businesses, smiled Ms. Banerjee who said that she wants to develop the Hills into a tourism hub as this will not only develop the area but at the same time bring good business.
`I want you to stay safe and sound, I will be happy if Maa, Mati, Manush in Darjeeling prosper and let me reiterate that Bengal without Darjeeling and you all does not exist. I thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts on this occasion`, added Chief Minister.
Chief Minister later in the evening shared her thoughts with masses on her Facebook page, `Today is a very special day for Darjeeling. We celebrated 198th birth anniversary of Nepali Adi Kobi Sri Bhanu Bhakt. It is also an important day as after so many years, new members got elected in a democratic process as per the agreement of GTA. They will take oath next month. I congratulate all of them for their participation in democratic process. I convey my best wishes and full support to their sincere efforts of bringing peace, development and prosperity in Darjeeling`.
Earlier in the day Chief Minister was seen enjoying herself watching nature and listening to the toe tapping music of the local Nepali people. Having an artistic instinct Ms. Banerjee tried to capture the feel of the beautiful and picturesque hilly terrains on her canvas. Tech-savvy Ms. Banerjee also captured dance and music presented by the locals in her honour on her I-pad.
