Nine N Bengal personalities to be given Banga Ratna award - Rongu Souriya, anti human trafficking activist and CK Shrestha social activist, dramatist and journalist

SNS, SILIGURI. 31 JANUARY 2021: Nine personalities will be conferred with the Banga Ratna Samman during the 10th edition of the annual Uttarbanga Utasav Siliguri. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who will inaugurate the festival at Bagha Jatin Park in Siliguri tomorrow, will hand over the prestigious state awards to the personalities for their outstanding performances in different fields.

According to tourism minister Gautam Deb, the festival will be held in different north Bengal districts by adhering to the Covid- 19 protocols.

According to officials of the festival organizing committee, though Miss Banerjee had been inaugurating the festival ever since the beginning, it was not clear earlier if she would inaugurate the fest this year.

"It was confirmed only last evening that the chief minister would inaugurate the festival. Last minute preparations are going on in full swing," said an official.

The chief minister is arriving in Siliguri on a three-day tour of north Bengal. She is scheduled to leave for Falakata in Alipurduar district on 2 February and inaugurate several projects there.

Among the recipients of the award are renowned physician Dr Sekhar Chakraborty, Rongu Souriya, who has been actively working against human trafficking from Darjeeing district, social activist, dramatist and journalist CK Shrestha from Kalimpong district, environmentalist Raja Routh of Jalpaiguri district, writer and researcher Pramod Nath from Alipurduar district, journalist Main Uddin Chisti from Cooch Behar district, academician Dr Parha Kumar Sen from North Dinajpur district, theater artist Parimal Tribedi from Malda district and social activist Tapas Kumar Chakraborty from South Dinajpur district.

"Like previous years, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will give away the Banga Ratna Samman to persons who have excelled in different areas and for their significant contribution to society. This year, nine personalities would receive the award," Mr Deb said.

Some needy and meritorious students from eight north Bengal districts and Siliguri Educational District will also be given financial aid by the chief minister.

The festival will continue till 10 February.

( Courtesy and source- The Statesman - https://epaper.thestatesman.com/2978530/Siliguri-The-Statesman/01ST-FEBRUARY-2021#page/2/2)