Siliguri, 15th August: North Bengal Development Minister Nisith Pramanik hoisted the national flag at Uttar Kanya in Siliguri, the mini-secretariat of North Bengal, for the first time on Independence Day.
Since Uttar Kanya was inaugurated in 2014, the flag on Independence Day and Republic Day had traditionally been hoisted by senior bureaucrats or Divisional Commissioners. This year, marking the country’s 80th Independence Day, Minister Nisith Pramanik broke with the established practice.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Pramanik said a change has begun at the North Bengal secretariat. He noted that ministers, including the Education and Forest Ministers, are now providing services to the public from Uttar Kanya. He added that chambers would also be arranged for ministers from South Bengal in the future.
Pramanik also reacted strongly to the recent controversy surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He said every mother in India wishes for a son like Netaji and described those who malign the freedom fighter as living in a “fool’s paradise.” He warned that immediate legal action would be taken against anyone who insults Netaji or makes derogatory remarks about him.