West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata on Saturday evening after an eight-day visit to the United Kingdom, where she addressed a business meet and delivered a lecture at Kellogg College, University of Oxford. Banerjee, who had left the state on March 22, was welcomed by members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) youth wing upon her arrival at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
Emphasizing Bengal’s Diversity
During her address at Kellogg College on March 27, Banerjee spoke about the cultural and religious diversity of West Bengal, stressing the state’s inclusive spirit.
“We have about 11 crore people in our state, almost like a big country. Our beauty lies in the fact that more than 33 per cent of our people belong to minority communities, including Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Gorkhas. Around 6 per cent are tribals, and 23 per cent belong to Scheduled Castes. People of every caste, creed, and religion love each other,” she stated.
Protestors Disrupt Speech
Banerjee’s speech on social development and women’s empowerment at Kellogg College faced disruptions from alleged Left-leaning protesters. A section of the audience, holding posters, interrupted her speech by raising questions about issues such as the alleged rape and murder of a medical student at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and the flight of capital from Bengal, including Tata Motors’ controversial exit from Singur.
Banerjee, maintaining her composure, responded by offering to send chocolates to the protestors and wishing them a “good night’s sleep over their agendas.” She asserted that such resistance only strengthened her resolve.
Focus on Business and Infrastructure
At an interactive session on investment opportunities in West Bengal, Banerjee urged UK industries to invest in sectors like green technologies, smart infrastructure, and clean energy. She also highlighted Bengal’s growth in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and advocated for the introduction of direct flights between Kolkata and the UK to boost trade and connectivity.
Sources By Agencies