Hills welcome Mamata with arms wide open

Darjeeling: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived to a warm welcome at Darjeeling Hills on Monday night. Despite the late hours, people lined up along the way to welcome her.

Welcome gates were constructed along the route from Siliguri to Darjeeling. At around 8:45 pm the Chief Minister's cavalcade rolled into Darjeeling. Braving the drizzle, a large crowd awaited her in front of the Governor's House near Darjeeling Chowrasta.

The convoy stopped on the way as the Chief Minister exchanged greetings from inside the vehicle. Members of the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre staged a traditional welcome dance on the road and handed Khadas (traditional scarves) to the Chief Minister.

The convoy then headed straight for the Richmond Government Guest House, where the Chief Minister will be staying. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister will hold an administrative review meeting with Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) top brass in Richmond at 3pm.

"We will discuss the projects undertaken by the GTA and will also draw up future projects. Stress will be on road connectivity and bridges, drinking water, health, education, beautification of urban sectors, finance, tourism and follow up of private investments that have started coming in following the Hill Business Summit organised by the state government and GTA in Darjeeling in March this year. The Chief Minister had attended the summit," stated Binay Tamang, chairman, Board of Administrators, GTA.

On September 5, the Chief Minister will attend a government programme at Darjeeling Chowrasta at 3 pm. She will lay the foundation stone for the "Darjeeling University" that will be coming up at Mungpoo at the programme.