Bengal CM met consuls general of different countries at her residence

The consuls general of USA, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China and Bangladesh met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence this evening.

The distinguished guests – Patti Hoffman (USA), Virginie Corteval (France), Damiano Francovigh (Italy), Michael Feiner (Germany), Masayugi Taga (Japan), Ma Zhanwu (China) and Toufique Hassan (Bangladesh deputy high commissioner) – were accompanied by their officials and 15 foreign students.

The director of ICCR, Gautam De, was also present. The programme was coordinated by Somnath Pine. It was an opportunity for the foreign delegates to witness and understand the significance of Durga Puja.

The delegates were very interested to know about the Puja traditions and which pandals the Chief Minister had inaugurated. She explained that festivals of all religions were celebrated with equal fervor in the State. “Religion may be yours, but the celebration is everyone’s,” she pointed out.

At the end of the meeting, gifts were given to the foreign visitors and warm greetings were exchanged.