LONDON/KOLKATA: After Oxford University, CM Mamata Banerjee revealed on Monday that she had invites from the prestigious London School of Economics, Queen Mary University and Manchester football club too, but she was “keeping these iconic institutions for another time”.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commissioner in London, Banerjee said that with the Heathrow closure changing her schedule, it would not be possible to visit these places this time.
The CM requested Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami to help bring direct flights from Kolkata to London. During an interactive session later, Banerjee said she wanted to promote Darjeeling Tea, Bengal’s crafts, misti doi and sandesh in the UK. Doraiswami said it was a great honour to receive Banerjee for the first time in four years.
At the High Commission, the traditional English high tea replaced the standard samosa-chai fare. For the Bengal CM, there were scones, clotted cream and jam, cakes, including macarons, delicate white bread sandwiches with crusts removed and cucumber sandwiches.
In her third visit to London as CM, Banerjee also had a long jogging session with her entourage — including industrialists, govt officials and journalists — before her tight official schedule from the evening. Wearing a saree and a slipper like previous occasions, the CM moved at her trademark brisk pace, urging her entourage to keep up during a jog at the famous Hyde Park.
On almost all her international visits, from Germany to Spain to Italy and London, walking on the streets has been CM Banerjee’s hallmark.
Banerjee later tweeted that Bengal and Britain shared a relationship that spanned centuries, rooted in history, culture and commerce. “As we landed in London on Sunday, we stepped into a city that, much like Kolkata, carries the weight of its past while embracing the dynamism of the present. Before the day’s engagements commenced, I took a moment to immerse myself in the essence of London’s timeless grandeur. From its iconic landmarks to its storied streets, the city exudes an old-world charm that speaks of history and evolution – values that Bengal, too, holds close to its heart. With a packed itinerary ahead, I look forward to deepening Bengal’s engagement with Britain and reinforcing our enduring ties,” she posted.
On Tuesday, there is a seminar to bring investment to Bengal, organised jointly by UK India Business Council, FICCI and WBIDC. Banerjee’s 15-member biz delegation, including RPSG vice chairman Shashwat Goenka, Emami vice-chairman and MD Harsh Agarwal, Luxmi Group MD Rudra Chatterjee, Ambuja Neotia group chairman Harsh Neotia, Patton MD Sanjay Budhia, Titagarh group vice chairman Umesh Chowdhary and Dhunseri group chairman C K Dhanuka, will share their views.