West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the inauguration of the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair-2024, in Kolkata.
Credit: PTI Photo
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair on Thursday and encouraged people, particularly busy youth, to read more books.
Approximately 20 countries are taking part in the fair, with the UK being the theme country. The Chief Minister noted that a large number of Indian professionals and students choose the UK as their destination. One of the gates at the fair has been designed to resemble the London Tower Bridge as an affectionate gesture. Banerjee also praised the architecture of the British era and the strong buildings that have stood the test of time for so many years.
The Chief Minister mentioned that she is familiar with the city of London, including its roads, since she has visited the city multiple times for promoting business, and always preferred walking instead of using a car. She has received an invitation to visit the city again and plans to do so after June this year. “I always think that London is not only your town (city). It’s also ours, because so many (of our) people are working there,” she added.
Apart from the UK, other countries participating in the event include the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Bangladesh.