Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said love for each other, unity and friendship have been cherished in Bengal for generations and will continue to guide the people in future.
She was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 15th edition of Christmas Festival 2025 at Allan Park this afternoon.
“Festivals help to release stress and tension and bring people from different communities, speaking different languages, closer. Our message to the world is to be happy and stay well,” she said. Miss Banerjee had said over and over again that religion is individual but festival is for all.
She said Bengal is coming up fast as a tourist destination. “We are number 2 in attracting foreign tourists in the country. We have snow-clad mountains, forests and sea. There are important religious places with places of worship. Come to Bengal and enjoy our hospitality and warmth,” she said.
A song that offers prayers to Jesus and whose lyrics and tunes are composed by her and sung by Sriradha Bandyopadhyay was played. Indranil Sen, state tourism minister sang ‘Biswa pita tumi he prabhu’, a popular song sung by Sabita Chowdhury. She was seen humming with the song.
Miss Banerjee digitally inaugurated Christmas festivals in 14 districts across the state. She inaugurated St. Andrews Church in Darjeeling after renovation. The churches across the state have been lit up. Bow Barrack and Park Street have been decorated with colourful lights.
Revered Dr Elias Frank, Archbishop of Calcutta blessed the gathering. Dr Paritosh Canning, moderator Church of North India and Bishop of Calcutta, was present at the function along with Mayor Firhad Hakim; MP Mala Roy; Debashis Kumar, member mayor in-council for parks and squares; Chief Secretary Manoj Pant; Home Secretary Nandini Chakrabarti; Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar; and Commissioner of Police Manoj Verma.