Kolkata, West Bengal, India – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee kicked off the Durga Puja celebrations on Thursday by inaugurating a vibrant pandal at Alipore Bodyguard Lines in Kolkata. She showered praise on the local police for their tireless work during festivals and tough times like disasters.
Banerjee highlighted how officers jump into action first, setting up relief camps and community kitchens to help people in need. “The world couldn’t run without you,” she told the police crowd. “During festivals, you barely get time at home. In disasters, you’re always the first ones there, and you never complain. Salute to all of you!” She even shared how the Bodyguard Lines team funded their own ambulance, which she named “Sebashree” to honor their service spirit.
The chief minister also spotlighted the stunning Jagannath Dham theme in the pandal, crediting the busy police for pulling it off so well. Turning to bigger goals, Banerjee pushed for more women in the police force. “I want to see more women officers in the coming days,” she said, drawing from her time as MP for Jadavpur when she fought waterlogging in the area.
Back then, she recalled boating through flooded streets to check on the Bodyguard Lines spot. “There was so much water here,” Banerjee noted. Once her government took charge, they restructured the area with help from Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim and the team, turning it into a beautified space. She urged everyone to tune out the naysayers. “Some people just spread negativity and criticism. Don’t listen to them. I face abuse every day, but I keep working hard.”
Banerjee stressed the importance of communal harmony and respect for all religions, languages, and communities. She voiced pain over the disrespect toward Bengali, pointing out how the state has recognized languages like Rajbanshi and Hindi. “I respect everyone, but it hurts when our own language gets slighted,” she said.
In exciting news for Durga Puja fans, the chief minister announced plans for a world-class Durgangan project, modeled after Jagannath Dham. “We’ve identified the land, got cabinet approval, and formed the trust. Construction starts within two years,” she promised, boosting hopes for Kolkata’s cultural scene.
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