Learn other languages but never forget mother tongue: Mamata to students
The Statesman | 5 September 2025She was addressing a gathering at Dhono Dhanyo auditorium in connection with the pre-Teacher’s Day celebration, which falls on 5 September.
“I felt bad for the teachers. My only request is don’t lose hope. Ours is a sensible, humane and responsible government, something or the other will come up to resolve the impasse,” she said.
She said already 47 new universities have come up in the state and the government has cleared the proposal to set up five more. The file awaits clearance from the Governor, she maintained.
Miss Banerjee said the state government is striving to give best education to the students. “Go anywhere in the world, you will find students from Bengal. Under Kanyashree scheme students are getting scholarships from school and up to the post-graduation level. There is a student credit card scheme, where the students can take an education loan. There are scholarships for general category, SC, ST and OBC students. The ITIs are functioning well and the educational institution and industry collaboration has helped the students to fetch jobs after they complete the academic course.”
Miss Banerjee said 14 new medical colleges have come up in the state along with 51 new state-run colleges.” Ninety three lakh girl students have received Kanyashree scholarships. The project has earned global recognition. Under Sabuj Sathi scheme, 1.38 lakh students have received bicycles for free. The students are getting school books, shoes and bags free-of-cost. We are committed to provide all facilities to the students so that they become effective, responsible citizens with heart in future.”
Miss Banerjee urged the students not to forget their mother tongue and the pride for being a Bengali.” English is an international language and required for higher studies. Learn other languages as well. But never forget your mother tongue, culture and tradition. Rabindranath Tagore had written Gitanjali in Bengali which was translated into English and he got Nobel Prize in literature.”
She thanked the teachers from school, colleges and universities for receiving awards.”You are the backbone of the society. We acknowledge your service for proving man-making education, which was Swami Vivekananda’s idea. You help the students to express their talent. But real talented are those, who can accept all people irrespective of caste, creed and religion and work for the poor.”
Miss Banerjee as a college student used to teach at Bhowanipore Modern School for three years. The medium of instruction is both Bengali and English and the higher education department is considering a proposal to allow the higher secondary section. Miss Banerjee was touched when the teachers and the students felicitated her.
She gave away prizes to 12 best schools in the state, including the Ramakrishna Mission Schools at Narendrapur, Malda, Purulia and Rahara and Sister Nivedita School, run by the nuns of Sarada Math.
Indranil Sen sang a song composed by Miss Banerjee. State chief secretary, home secretary, education minister Bratya Basu were present at the function.
