“I never sleep in the car, always greet people even if they abuse me” says CM Mamata in North Bengal tour

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited North Bengal, including Siliguri’s Dabgram area, ahead of the 2026 state elections. During her tour, she highlighted the importance of education beyond academic degrees, emphasizing its application in social work, education, human welfare, environmental efforts, and humanitarian activities. She said, “A degree is effective only when it is used for social work, education, human welfare, environmental work, and humanitarian work.”

Mamata stressed lifelong learning and said there is no age limit to gaining knowledge. She gave the example of growing potatoes to explain practical knowledge, saying that personally growing and sowing potatoes teaches more about the process than simply working in the fields. She elaborated on how understanding seed types, harvesting times, and preparation methods can empower individuals.

She also shared that she never sleeps in cars while traveling and makes it a point to greet people on the streets, regardless of their opinions about her. Mamata said, “When I pass by on the road, I never sleep in the car. Even if there is one person on the street, I try to greet him. He may be against me, may abuse me, it does not matter to me.” She acknowledged experiencing mistreatment but said she endures it.

Mamata further mentioned that she checks local infrastructure, such as streetlights, while traveling. She said she can tell people’s moods by observing their faces and finds encouragement from the smiles of women in the community. She stated that their happiness motivates her and helps her focus on development work during her visits.