May 22, 2012
West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government marked its one year in office Sunday with an advertisement blitzkrieg in local and national dailies.
Virtually emulating Tamil nadu Chief Minsiter J Jayalalitha, the Bengal government splashed full two-page colour advertisements in most newspapers, highlighting the achievements of every department.
May 22, 2012
West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government marked its one year in office Sunday with an advertisement blitzkrieg in local and national dailies.
Virtually emulating Tamil nadu Chief Minsiter J Jayalalitha, the Bengal government splashed full two-page colour advertisements in most newspapers, highlighting the achievements of every department.
The advertisements with the theme 'One year towards a ray of hope' included pictures of Banerjee and carried her message urging people to stand by her government. "A significant part of Bengal's lost glory has been regained. We are committed to complete what we started. We urge you to stand by us. And count on us," Banerjee's message said.
The offices of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) were lit up with twinklers, party flags and chain flags fluttered and small meetings were held almost at all localities in remembrance of the day a year ago when Banerjee had taken the oath as the state's first woman chief minister. The portraits of Bengal's legendary personalities at bus stops were garlanded, and – alongside Rabindrasangeet – a song eulogising "Ma, Mati, Manush" (Mother, land and people – Banerjee's pet slogan) was played out at traffic signals and in FM radio stations.
Mamata Banerjee handed out 'Banga Bibhushan' and 'Banga Bhushan' awards to eminent people at a glittering function in the Netaji Indoor Stadium where the creme de la creme of society was present. Banerjee Saturday inaugurated a week-long fair at the sprawling Milan Mela ground to celebrate the successes of her government's departments, while cultural functions and exhibitions have been organised at Nandan-Rabindrasadan Cultural Complex and on Metro channel. The cost of the celebrations, called 'Pragati Utsav', is estimated to be between Rs.15-20 crore.
Huge hoardings with pictures of Banerjee have appeared in the city and the districts thanking "Ma, Mati, Manush". A book has been published showcasing the strides taken by the departments, and the ministers are set to fan out to the districts to participate in the celebrations there. Tableaux would also be displayed across the city till May 26.
