Top honours presented to achievers

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday presented Banga Bhushan and Banga Bibhushan awards to honour achievers including sportspersons,
industrialists and filmmakers who have excelled in their respective fields.

“Bengal is the epicentre of culture, harmony and progress. People are our inspiration. We are here to work for the people,” said chief minister Mamata Banerjee
at the occasion. Addressing the recipients, she said, “You teach us how to tread the path of progress with your valuable advice. If there is anything wrong, be
critical and rectify us but please do not misunderstand us. We want to make progress with all the people,” Ms Banerjee said, adding that her motto was to make
Bengal the very best (Bangla Hobe Biswasera).

The CM also said that she would “walk without fear, with her head held high.” The awards, which are the highest civilian awards of the state, were instituted in
2011, after Mamata Banerjee came to power for the first time. The recipients of Banga Bibhushan on Saturday were industrialist YC Deveshwar, eminent actor
Soumitra Chatterjee, poet Nirendranath Chakraborty, physician Dr Dhiman Ganguly, and Dr Arun Prasad Mukherjee.

Banga Bhushan was given to Khidmat Fakir, Chapal Bhaduri, Lakshman Das Baul, Rezwana Choudhury Bannya and Dr Abhijit Chowdhury.