Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 10, 2025, Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to meet with doctors from medical colleges, district hospitals, state general hospitals, and private healthcare institutions, alongside medical students, on February 24 at the Dhandhanya Auditorium. This pivotal meeting follows a proposal from the State Grievance Cell, which the Chief Minister has accepted.
Mamata Banerjee Inaugurates Gangasagar Mela, Ushers in Sustainable Initiatives
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 10, 2025, Kolkata — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the annual Gangasagar Mela at Outram Ghat, continuing the state’s tradition of hosting this prominent event. She commenced the ceremony by paying homage to Swami Vivekananda, offering a wreath at his portrait to honor his legacy.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Announces Rs 350 Crore Assistance for 9 Lakh Farmers Under ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ Scheme
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 9, 2025, Kolkata : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fulfilled her promise to assist Bengal’s farmers by announcing a financial aid of Rs 350 crore under the ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ scheme. Today, the Chief Minister shared this message of support on her official X handle, confirming that 9 lakh farmers in the state would directly benefit from the financial assistance.
This year, the state faced severe weather challenges, including frequent floods that caused significant damage to crops. The floodwaters submerged large agricultural areas in South Bengal, particularly in districts such as Howrah, Hooghly, East Burdwan, West Medinipur, and Bankura. Paddy fields and other seasonal crops were devastated, resulting in substantial financial losses for farmers. The farmers in North Bengal also faced similar hardships.
Standing by the farmers, Mamata Banerjee announced that the state government would provide financial relief, ensuring that those whose crops were affected by adverse weather conditions in the current Kharif season would receive compensation. Notably, under the ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ scheme, farmers are not required to pay any premiums, as the state government covers the entire cost for crops, including potatoes and sugarcane.
In her tweet, Mamata Banerjee expressed her satisfaction in delivering this assistance, stating, “I am very happy to inform you that under the ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ scheme, we have started providing financial assistance of Rs 350 crore directly to 9 lakh farmers of Bengal through their bank accounts. This assistance is being provided to all the farmers whose crops were damaged due to adverse weather conditions in the current Kharif season.”
She further highlighted the success of the initiative, sharing that since the scheme’s inception in 2019, the state government has provided a total of Rs 3,562 crore to 1.12 crore affected farmers. This ongoing commitment underscores the government’s dedication to supporting the agricultural community and alleviating the challenges faced by farmers in Bengal.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Highlights Educational Progress and Youth Empowerment at Students’ Week Event
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 9, 2025, Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the Students’ Week program at Dhandhanya Auditorium, where she presented job appointment letters to the Santosh Trophy winners. During her address, the Chief Minister reflected on her own journey from her student days to her current political role, emphasizing the state’s educational initiatives and the transformative impact they have had on the youth.
Mamata Banerjee underscored the success of the state’s Utkarsh Bangla project, which has already trained 47 lakh students, with 10 lakh of them securing employment. The project’s goal is to equip young people with the skills needed in various industrial sectors, and the Chief Minister assured that companies seeking employees could rely on the trained candidates from Utkarsh Bangla. Additionally, she highlighted the establishment of 500 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics across the state, aimed at providing students with high-quality training and preparing them for the workforce.
During her speech, Mamata Banerjee also shared personal anecdotes from her own educational experience, noting that she completed her MA from Calcutta University and studied law, despite having no public recognition at the time. She humorously addressed speculation about her age, admitting to increasing her age by five years, and reflected on how her identity had evolved. “Even my name is not my choice. But whatever happens, happens,” she remarked, adding, “When I walk, my brain works. And when I don’t walk, I feel like I am not doing anything.”
Her words resonated with the audience, highlighting the Chief Minister’s continuous drive for progress and the empowerment of the state’s youth through educational initiatives that provide both skills and opportunities for the future.
SC to Hear Pleas on WB School Recruitment Case Regarding Staff Appointment Cancellations on January 15
Mamata Banerjee Slams Odisha Government Over Tiger Zeenat’s Relocation to Bengal
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 8, 2025, Kolkata :
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her displeasure on Monday over the ongoing tiger relocation issues, specifically the case of Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress that had wandered through three states, covering 300 kilometers, before entering West Bengal from Odisha. The tigress, who had escaped from Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on December 8, was sedated and captured in a forest near Gosaindihi village in Bankura district on December 29 after causing significant disruptions across West Bengal.Fraudulent Scheme Unveiled: Young Man Arrested for Using Forged Number Plate to Evade Traffic Fines
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 8, 2025, Kolkata : In an unusual case of fraud, a young man has been arrested for using a forged number plate to exploit the online traffic fine system. The police have also seized a bike involved in the scheme. According to police sources, the incident unfolded during a routine naka checking on the night of January 4 at the Rajarhat intersection.
Mamata Banerjee Returns to Kolkata, Plans Key Meeting on World Bengal Trade Conference and Infrastructure Development
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, January 8, 2025 : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata today after her visit to the Gangasagar Fair, where she took stock of the arrangements for the annual event. Upon her return, the Chief Minister has called for an emergency meeting at Nabanna, scheduled for tomorrow, January 9, to discuss important matters, including the upcoming World Bengal Trade Conference, slated for February 5-6. The conference is expected to be a major platform for showcasing Bengal’s industrial potential ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Modi Government to Build Memorial for Former President Pranab Mukherjee at Rajghat
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Delhi, January 8, 2025 : The Narendra Modi-led government has announced plans to construct a memorial for the late President Pranab Mukherjee at the heart of New Delhi. The Union Ministry of Urban Development has earmarked land at Rajghat, the iconic national memorial area, as the site for the tribute.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, the daughter of the late President and a former Congress spokesperson, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to express her gratitude after receiving official communication from the government regarding the memorial’s establishment.
Despite having ideological differences with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pranab Mukherjee maintained cordial personal relationships with several BJP leaders throughout his political career. Notably, he shared a close bond with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with whom he was neighbors and often went for morning walks. Pranab also had a longstanding relationship with Narendra Modi, which began well before the latter assumed the role of Prime Minister. The two leaders shared a mutual respect, with Modi even seeking Pranab’s guidance shortly after his election.
In an early interaction following Modi’s swearing-in as Prime Minister, the two engaged in a long conversation at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, Modi assured Pranab that if any issues arose, he would be available at any time to offer assistance. This camaraderie between the two political figures did not sit well with some members of the Congress party. Furthermore, the relationship faced additional scrutiny following Pranab’s speech at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, which was criticized by his daughter Sharmistha, though Pranab did not take the criticism to heart. He believed in maintaining open channels of dialogue, even with those who held differing ideological stances.
Pranab Mukherjee’s contributions to the nation were further recognized when he was awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Modi government. The decision to allocate land for his memorial reflects the government’s acknowledgment of his legacy and his role in shaping India’s political landscape.
The memorial, once completed, will serve as a lasting tribute to one of India’s most respected political figures, marking a moment of reconciliation and mutual respect between differing political ideologies.
At Least 36 Killed, 38 Injured in Tibet After 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake
Agencies, January 7, 2025: At least 36 people have died and 38 others have been injured after a powerful earthquake struck Tibet early Tuesday morning. The 7.1 magnitude quake jolted Dingri County, located in the Xigaze city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, near the Nepal border. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:05 AM local time (01:05 GMT), was followed by multiple aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 4.4. While Reuters and Chinese news agencies confirmed that 32 people had died and 38 others were injured in the Tibet earthquake.
Report Highlights Worsening Education Crisis in Bengal: Increased Dropout Rates and School Closures
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, January 7, 2025: A recent report by the central government paints a grim picture of the state of education in Bengal, highlighting alarming trends that differ sharply from the situation in other parts of India. The dropout rate in classes nine and ten has surged by more than 12 percent, showing a sharp increase in students leaving school in these crucial years. In comparison, states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have reported lower dropout rates, underlining the severity of the issue in Bengal.
Also Read: https://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2025/01/bengal-achieves-zero-per-cent-dropout.html
Bangladesh Supreme Court Bans 50 Judges from Coming to India for Training
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Delhi, January 7, 2025: In a significant development, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has issued a ban on the planned visit of 50 Bangladeshi judges to India for judicial training. This move follows a recent decision by the country’s Law Ministry, which had initially approved the participation of these judges in a training program at the National Judicial Academy and State Judicial Academy in Bhopal, India. The decision was announced in a notification signed by Dr. Abul Hasanat, Deputy Secretary of the Law and Justice Department, on Sunday.
SSB Personnel Provide Timely Humanitarian Assistance in Sandakphu
Baby Chakraborty, January 7, 2025, Kolkata: On the evening of January 5, 2025, a couple visiting the Sandakphu area faced an emergency when one of them suddenly experienced severe health issues, including difficulty in breathing, shortly after checking into Hotel Namo Buddha.
In the past, there have been occasional reports of tourists facing health issues related to the altitude, such as breathing problems, fatigue, or heart-related complications, which could potentially lead to life-threatening situations. Such incidents are rare, but they underline the importance of proper medical preparation and acclimatization when traveling to high-altitude regions like Sandakphu.
Charges Framed in First-of-Its-Kind Recruitment Corruption Case
Baby Chakraborty, Kolkata, January 7, 2025: In a significant development, charges have been formally framed in the high-profile recruitment corruption case, marking the first time such charges have been brought in a case of this nature. The process began on Monday with the framing of charges against Sujoy Krishna Bhadra, a key figure in the case.
7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Nepal and Tibet, Tremors Felt Across Northern India Including Patna, Katihar, Siliguri, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Sikkim, Delhi NCR
Agencies and KalimNews, January 7, 2025, Kolkata: A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 1:05 AM UTC (6:35 AM local time), sending shockwaves across the region. The epicenter of the quake was located 93 kilometers northeast of Lobuche, near the Himalayan region, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake lasted for approximately 15 seconds, and authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, as aftershocks are likely. Additionally, two aftershocks of magnitudes 4.7 and 4.9 were recorded from the same area in Tibet, near the Nepal-Tibet border. These aftershocks followed the initial tremor and heightened concerns of potential damage.
Kolkata Celebrates the Centenary of Salil Chowdhury with Musical Tributes and Reflective Discussions
18th Anniversary of Rupkotha Patrika Celebrated with Literary Honors and Poetic Tributes in Kolkata
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 5, 2025, Kolkata : Kolkata witnessed a vibrant celebration of literary excellence on Sunday, as the 18th anniversary of the renowned Bengali literary magazine, Rupkotha Patrika, unfolded with much grandeur. The event, held at the picturesque garden house of Piyali Gopal Roy, brought together an illustrious gathering of literary figures, poets, and artists, reaffirming the publication’s significance in the cultural fabric of Bengal.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious ‘Surya-Sabita Smriti Rupkotha Samman 2025,’ which was awarded to three distinguished personalities in the literary world. Poet Shuddhendu Chakraborty, renowned translator and poet Baby Karforma, and celebrated poet Sujata Halder were the esteemed recipients of the honor, acknowledging their significant contributions to Bengali literature.
The event was further graced by a mesmerizing musical performance by eminent musician Mohar Mandal, who opened the proceedings with two soul-stirring renditions of Rabindranath Tagore’s timeless songs. Adding to the cultural ambiance, actress Swati Roy enthralled the audience with her poetic recitations, highlighting the deep connection between literature and performance.
Poets and literary figures from various walks of life gathered for the occasion, adding their voices to a collective celebration of poetry. Among the notable participants were Adhir Krishna Mondal, Kanailal Jana, Alok Biswas, Amit Kashyap, Sukumar Haldar, Bidhan Naskar, Bimalkumar Thandar, Nikhil Mondal, Shamita Sengupta Deray, Soma Chanda, Niranjan Mondal, Tapas Mistry, Sudiptachandra Mallick, Mrityunjay Mondal, and many others. Their recitations, rich with emotion and insight, captured the essence of Bengali literary tradition and the power of words.
The event was meticulously conducted by Prabir Mondal, the director of Rupkotha Prakashan and an accomplished poet himself, who ensured the evening ran smoothly and with great reverence to the magazine’s legacy. As the audience witnessed this confluence of artistic expressions, it was clear that Rupkotha Patrika continues to thrive, transcending obstacles and resonating with generations of literary enthusiasts.
The 18th anniversary celebration of Rupkotha Patrika was not just an event; it was a testament to the resilience of Bengali literature and its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world. The evening left a lasting impression on all who attended, reminding them of the unparalleled power of words to inspire, challenge, and heal.