Because we are different.

Minister marks Bhai Phonta with prisoners

15 November 2012

statesman news service

MALDA, 15 NOV: Today was Bhai Phonta, albeit with a difference. For, despite her pressing schedule, state social welfare and women development minister and district Trinamul Congress president, Mrs Sabitri Mitra, took time off to offer phonta to the 751 inmates of the district correctional home.

The minister herself contacted the superintendent of the district correctional home, Mr Debashis Chakraborty, and requested him to arrange bhai phonta there for the inmates like last year. At 11.30 a.m., Mrs Mitra went to the correctional home and offered bhai phonta to 713 male inmates while the 38 female inmates celebrated.

Ceremony over, the minister offered each inmate a box of sweets and volleyball and badminton kits. She also took the opportunity to tell them to  denounce the path of sin and to revert to the mainstream society.

“No one is born a sinner. You are my brothers and sisters and I believe you too have the potential to be responsible citizens of the country. Do not forget what  Swami Vivekananda said, 'Each soul is potentially divine’,” Mrs Mitra said.

Mrs Mitra also offered bhai phonta to the child-inmates of the home run by the social welfare department. The district project officer of the ICDS and district social welfare officer, Mr Pratyarpan Sigha Roy, was present. The minister offered the kids sweets, chocolates and gifts.

The scribes of Malda today went to a home for the underprivileged and orphan girls run by Bharat Sevashram Sangha at Chandpur in the Pakuahaat area of Habibpur Block.

There, the 176 girls of the home offered phonta to the journalists. The girls were fasting until they offered the phonta to their journalist-brothers.

The journalists, in turn, gifted each of the inmates with a pen, a box of sweets and a pair of sandals. They also arranged a sumptuous meal for the girls from the funds of their association. At least 35 journalists from different electronic and print media participated in the programme.