‘Born rebel’ as the Former President Pranab Mukherjee described Mamata Banerjee. There was an aura about her which was ‘difficult to explain but impossible to ignore’ as Mukherjee mentioned once. A brave lady who had built her career fearlessly, facing all the storms.
Banerjee proved to be an agent of change who took a pledge to bring forth a new era in Bengal Politics, and she did.
She is invincible, a feisty politician and beloved ‘didi’ (elder sister) to millions in West Bengal and across the nation. After losing her father, Promileswar Banerjee, Mamata took the responsibility of looking after her mother and two young brothers with the help of her elder brother Ajit. She grew up in a fraction of moment and learned the harsh truth about the society- that if you don't speak up against injustice it's not going to stop.
She led herself into politics and joined the Youth Congress as a student. Emotions have been the defining factor in her career. After overcoming innumerable hurdles, bottleneck, that brave lady turned into the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal. Her speeches have successfully played on the sentiments of the ardent listeners and lifted the hopes for millions. Her slogan ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’ (Mother, Earth, People) have caught the imagination of the seniors and the youths in West Bengal. A self-taught leader, who was born to be a HERO for everyone. A true believer, dreamer, and gem of a person, who once quoted, “we can always build our youth for the future.” Speaking about women empowerment, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal came up with several schemes and among them her brainchild ‘Konyashree’, ‘Anandadhara’ have been very successful all over the world.
- Speaking about women safety, the Hon'ble Chief Minister took massive steps, more than 10 Women Police Stations at Sub-Divisional Headquarters have been set up.
- Banerjee made sure the Kolkata Police set up an exclusive unit to protect women, especially tourists.
- The city police have started an “Atma Raksha” wing to teach girls taekwondo, judo, boxing karate, and wrestling.
- State Policy on Empowerment of Women was set up: One Stop Crisis Centre or Comprehensive Care Unit for medical, legal and emotional support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Kanyashree Prakalpa – A Flagship scheme launched on October 1, 2013, for the welfare and education of adolescent girls belonging to economically weak families, below the age of 18 to prevent child marriage, trafficking, and school dropouts.
However, as a Chief Minister, she took a stand when everyone steps back. Little did anyone know that the enigmatic, valiant woman standing on her college podium and giving a speech would go on to become a household name in national politics. She is 64 today and still stands tall as an embodiment of guts and compassion.
Being the 8th and current Chief Minister of West Bengal, who took the responsibility to actually lead Bengal to glory. Jiyo Woman wishes this quintessence, indomitable Lady with fire on her birthday, a very long and prosperous life.
