WEST BENGAL Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted her government’s work for the development of women and underlined her fight for unity among all communities as she addressed a packed hall in Oxford University’s Kellogg College on Thursday.

“India is a country where all religions, castes, creed stay together. In Bengal also, all castes, creed and religions stay together. Around 34% of our population is from the minority communities who are Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and others. I always fight for unity, and before my death I want to see that unity,” said the Chief Minister, who is on a seven-day trip to the UK.

Speaking on measures taken by her government for women’s welfare, Banerjee said Bengal is a “place for mothers”.

“In our state, institutional delivery was above 60% when we came to power. Now it is 99.9% and within a year it will be 100%. We set up so many mother and child hubs and super speciality hospitals to increase institutional delivery,” she said.

“We started giving Kanyasree scholarship up to university level, one million students now get the scholarship and the school drop-out rate is almost zero now,” the Chief Minister said. She also explained how many social security projects are running in West Bengal for women’s development.

“In our state essential food like rice and wheat are free. Health service is also free,” she said.

“We started a unique initiative after Covid, the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’, which is now being following in every state of our country. In our society, women save some of their husbands’ money and spend during crises. I thought we should give some token money so they can spend.”

“We have 97 social sector schemes. And in terms of industries and business, Kolkata is now the job destination of the country,” she said.

During her speech, she was posed an uncomfortable question on administration to which she said: “You are insulting your own institution.”

“I can see ultra left and left faces,” Banerjee said.