Namita Deb, BS News Agency: Last year, the Prime Minister went to the Durga Puja at Chittaranjan Park in Delhi on Ashtami. His 'Mann Ki Baat' has also mentioned Durga Puja in Kolkata in the past. Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari gave a glimpse of what the first Durga Puja in the state after the change of government will be like. He said that there will be a big event in West Bengal on Mahalaya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be invited.
News spread on Wednesday that there will be a big event in the state on Mahalaya. Rumors also started about whether the Prime Minister will be there or not. When the Chief Minister was asked about this at Balurghat on Wednesday, he said that there will be a big event. However, he did not say for sure whether Modi will come or not. The Chief Minister said, 'There will be a big event in Mahalaya. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister will be invited. Who is coming, when is he coming - we will let you know when we get confirmation from them.'
The Chief Minister went on a tour of South Dinajpur district on Wednesday. He had a packed schedule in Balurghat on Wednesday. He went to visit Balurghat airport in the afternoon. He made these comments there. In fact, the BJP's central leadership has been seen emphasizing Bengali culture at various times before this year's assembly elections.
In July last year, Prime Minister Modi raised the slogan 'Jai Maa Kali, Jai Maa Durga' from a meeting in Durgapur. In the past, the Prime Minister's 'Mann Ki Baat' has also mentioned the Durga festival in Kolkata. He said that it was due to the efforts of the Indian government that UNESCO has recognized Kolkata's Durga Puja as a 'World Cultural Heritage'. On Ashtami last year, the Prime Minister also visited the Durga Puja in Delhi's Bengali-dominated Chittaranjan Park. According to Navanna sources, a special program may be organized in Kolkata on October 10, the day of Mahalaya. The Chief Minister and other top members of the state cabinet will be there. It is learnt that Modi may be invited for the event. Preparations have already started for the event. According to sources, the Information and Culture Department has started the process of inviting tenders for the event-related work. In addition to highlighting the history and folk culture of Durga Puja in West Bengal, there will be Dhunuchi dance, Chhau dance and Dhak bandy. All in all, Nabanna wants to organize a vibrant Sharad festival on the day of Mahalaya.
After several consecutive elections, this time the BJP has managed to defeat the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The BJP's first government has been formed in the state, ending the one and a half decade rule of Joraphul. In this situation, the Chief Minister announced that a big event will be held on Mahalaya. The Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister will also be invited. However, the Chief Minister does not want to comment on who will come and when before getting 'confirmation' from the central leaders. Besides, on Wednesday, Shuvendu also announced three 'big gifts' for the people of South Dinajpur. His government has taken the initiative to start services at Balurghat Airport soon under the Centre's 'Udan' project. The Chief Minister assured that 19-seater aircraft will take off and land at this airport within the next one year. However, he does not want to be satisfied with this. Shuvendu wants to arrange for 72-seater aircraft to take off and land at Balurghat Airport. The government will also make arrangements to purchase 150 acres of land for this.
The Chief Minister also assured the improvement of the quality of South Dinajpur University. Shuvendu said that three subjects are taught at this university. There are still applications for teaching seven subjects. He also said that arrangements will be made so that they get approval from the Higher Education Department before Janmashtami. Shuvendu assured that the work of building South Dinajpur Medical College will also start soon. The Chief Minister said that the ground breaking ceremony of the medical college will be held before Kali Puja. Initially, an amount of Rs 100 crore will be approved from the state budget for this medical college.