CM likely to chair Bangla Divas event on Poila Baisakh
Times of India | 2 April 2025
12 Kolkata: Bengal govt is gearing up to celebrate Bangla Divas on Poila Baisakh, April 14, at Rabindra Sadan complex, the city's cultural hub. The event is likely to be chaired by CM Mamata Banerjee.
This will be the first time the CM attends the State Day programme.
Bengal assembly had in Sept 2023 decided to observe Bangla Divas on Poila Baisakh after statewide debate and discussions. The assembly resolution to mark the day on the Bengali New Year was in opposition to Centre's proposal to observe June 20 as State Foundation Day. Bengal Legislative Assembly had on June 20, 1947, resolved that West Bengal would remain with India. Raj Bhavan organised a programme to mark the Bengal Foundation Day on June 20, 2023.
CM Banerjee strongly spoke out against this and wrote to Raj Bhavan, saying: "Since Independence, we in West Bengal have never rejoiced over, or commemorated, or celebrated, any day as the Foundation Day of West Bengal. Rather, we have seen the Partition as a result of the unleashing of communal forces that could not be resisted at that point in time." She wrote that Partition was "a tragic destiny for the people of Bengal."
In 2024, due to the Lok Sabha polls and the model code of conduct being in force, Banerjee did not participate in the first Bangla Divas event in 2024. All other politicians also skipped the programme because of the model code. Poets and artists were invited, with poet Joy Goswami being the keynote speaker.
This time, Nabanna has started preparations and already held a meeting to make a grand show on April 14. The design of the dais and other artworks are being planned.
Last month, the CM had attended a Holi event in south Kolkata and highlighted Bengal's inclusivity. She'd said the state's greatness lay in its cosmopolitan nature, highlighting Bengal's unique character as a melting pot of cultures.
An official said a number of actors and singers are going to put up performances to showcase Bengal's culture to the audience. Efforts are on to bring in non-Bengali singers as well. Writers, poets, elocutionists and choreographers will also grace the stage. The official said it would be a tough task to manage so many VIPs and they expected a huge turnout.
The state has notified Rabindranath Tagore's 1905 ode to Bengal, ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal', as the ‘state song' and it is mandatory to play it at all state govt programmes. Bangla Divas celebrations, too, would start with this song, an official said.
Sources said BJP, which was in favour of celebrating State Day on June 20, might skip the programme.