October 24, 2013
Trinamool Holds its first ever convention in the Hills
Trinamool Congress held its first ever convention at Darjeeling Mall today. AITC Chairperson and West Bengal CM Ms. Mamata Banerjee addressed a large gathering on the august occasion.
Excerpts from the Chairperson`s speech:
“Firstly, I convey my best regards to the people of all the communities of Darjeeling. I wish to convey the message to you that I respect you all. My best wishes and blessings are with all the youngsters who will build a new society in the future.
We lost a golden voice and a great singer Manna Dey today. I am deeply grieved since morning. I consider his demise a personal loss as well as a loss for the nation. There is no substitute of Manna Da. I met him last at Bangalore to personally hand over the `Bisesh Sangeet Maha Samman` award to him. Our Government had honoured Manna Da with Bengal`s highest civilian award `Bangabibhusan`.
Even today, after his demise, I spoke to his family members and requested for bringing his body by special flight to Kolkata, at least for 24 hours, to pay our last respects to the legendary singer and then perform the last rites at Bangalore as desired by the family. But this again could not happen. So the government will hold a commemorative programme at Darjeeling District Magistrate Bungalow; there will also be a programme in Kolkata at Rabindra Sadan.
I am not against anybody, I have the interests of common people in mind; I am with the people of the Hills, with the mother and with the land. Bengal cannot stay without you, nor can you stay without us. Bengal is a place where we get to see people of all communities and religions living together; this great land boasts of an unity and integrity, which is famous internationally.
My government`s policy is that there should be no bandhs and strikes, the court had also ordered against bandhs. If there are only bandhs, how can development take place? If Kanchenjunga smiles I feel great. But if Kanchenjunga cries, then I feel pained. Students lost crucial academic hours as the educational institutions in Darjeeling remained closed for a month. I want peace, progress and development in Darjeeling. Let us live together. Let us forget quarrels and let us work together for the development of Darjeeling. If there is peace, tourists will come and the tourism industry will get a boost; that will boost the job creation.
We are trying to build infrastructure from scratch; please don't destroy that. It is very easy to break hearts but it is extremely difficult to bring hearts together. I am here to bring hearts together. Money power is not important to me. Only man power is important. Be united, work for development. “
Describing herself as a bridge of unity between the State and Darjeeling, Ms. Banerjee said she would visit Darjeeling more often.
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