Politics
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West Bengal lights 2 crore diyas for Modi's birthday events
The Hindu··18 Sept
West Bengal marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17, 2026 with one lakh diyas in Kolkata and a statue at the BJP office. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said Modi listed 50 lakh Awas beneficiaries. The state joined Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana. Adhikari said 2,02,000 of 7,70,000 enrollments are active. Ghosh promised 2 crore diyas statewide.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Artisans enrolling in Vishwakarma may access central support now that West Bengal joined the scheme.
- Awas Yojana listings Adhikari cited could shape who gets housing approvals in the state.
- District events and blood camps ran statewide, so local calendars filled with celebration programmes.
What's Happening
- Events ran on September 17, 2026 including Annapurna Divas and Vishwakarma launch.
- MSME Minister Jiten Ram Manjhi lit diyas with 400 Vishwakarma beneficiaries at a Ganga ghat.
- BJP president Samik Bhattacharya unveiled a wax statue gifted by artist Susanta Roy.
First Vishwakarma rollout in Bengal
- Adhikari said earlier governments blocked central schemes in West Bengal.
- The Assembly may delegate powers to panchayat secretaries to implement Vishwakarma.
- Celebrations also reached Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples.
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