Prime Minister renames Kolkata Port after Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee: WB CM Mamata Banerjee boycotts KPT 150th anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two day official visit to Kolkata on Sunday, 12 January, amid vociferous protest by the ruling TMC, Congress and Left parties opposing the amended citizenship act (CAA), NRC and NPR. He stayed overnight at famed Belur Math where Swami Vivekananda breathed his last at the age 39 on July 6, 1902.  PM Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated the 150th anniversary of the historic Kolkata Port Trust and renamed the port after Kolkata born Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee who had walked of Nehru headed government as Industry & Supply Minister following differences over Kashmir policy and later founded the Bharatiya Sangh Sangh.PM Modi announced at an event at the iconic  Netaji Indoor Stadium This port will now be known by the name of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.””It was unfortunate for the country that after Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar resigned from the government as their various, suggestions were not implemented as they should have been,” said PM Modi. Dr Ambedkar was India ‘first Law Minister and creator of the Indian Constitution. Dr Mukherjee was dedicated for the integration of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India. He is a living legend who was a leader for development and fought on the forefront for the idea of One Nation, One Constitution,” the Prime Minister added. He was detained for entering Kashmir without permit and passed away during detention at Srinagar aged 52 in alleged mysterious circumstance.”KPT represents industrial, spiritual and self-sufficiency aspirations of India. “Today, when the port is celebrating its 150th anniversary, it is our responsibility to make it a powerful symbol of New India,” he added. Country’s coasts are gateways to development, our government has started the Sagarmala programme to improve connectivity,” said PM Modi. Country’s coasts are gateways to development; our government has started the Sagarmala programme to improve connectivity.” Development of waterways has improved Kolkata Port Trust’s connectivity with industrial centres in east India, made trade easier for our neighbouring countries, “PM Modi added. On 11th January, the Prime Minister dedicated Four Refurbished Heritage Buildings in Kolkata to the Nation. These are the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall. The Union Ministry for Culture has renovated these 4 iconic galleries and refurbished them with new exhibitions while curating the old galleries. Ministry of Culture under the direction of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is developing cultural spaces around iconic buildings in various metro cities in the country. To begin with the cities of Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi are being taken up under this project. Participating in the grand Sesquicentenary Celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust, PM Modi handed over a cheque for Rs 501 crore towards final instalment to meet the deficit of pension fund of retired and existing employees of the Kolkata Port Trust. The Prime Minister also felicitated two oldest pensioners of the Kolkata Port Trust Nagina Bhagat and Naresh Chandra Chakravarty aged 105 and 100 years respectively. The Prime Minister launched the Port Anthem.PM Modi and unveiled a plaque of 150 years of commemorative installation at the site of original Port Jetties. The Prime Minister inaugurated the upgraded Ship Repair Facility of Cochin Kolkata Ship Repair Unit at Netaji Subhas Dry Dock. PM Modi inaugurated the Full Rake Handling Facility while dedicating the upgraded Railway Infrastructure of Kolkata Dock System of KPT for smooth cargo movement and improving turnaround time. Prime Minister shall also launch the Mechanisation of Berth No.3 at Haldia Dock Complex of KOPT and a proposed riverfront development scheme. Prime Minister also inaugurated Kaushal Vikas Kendra and Pritilata Chhatri Avas for 200 Tribal girl students of Sunderbans, a project undertaken by KPT with Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram, Gosaba at Sunderbans affiliated to Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. (edited by PK Chakravarty)