The two Bengals on two sides of the border have an eternal connect and borders cannot come in the way of the relationship, said Mamata Banerjee at the inauguration of the 45th edition of the International Calcutta Book Fair where Bangladesh is the theme country this time.

“Bangladesh may be a sovereign and independent country, but I can’t separate the two Bengals... We speak the same language and the connect is eternal,” said the Bengal chief minister.

“Borders or barbed fences cannot come in the way of the relationship between Bangladesh and this side of the border,” she added, stealing a glance at K.M. Khalid, the state minister for cultural affairs in the neighbouring country, who was on the dais.

The Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Guild has made Bangladesh — celebrating its 50th year of independence and the birth centenary of its Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — its theme country of the 15-day fair, organised after a gap of a year at Central Park in Salt Lake.

In keeping with the theme, Mamata dwelt extensively on India-Bangladesh, especially Bengal-Bangladesh relationship in her address.

While explaining Bengal's bonhomie with Bangladesh, Mamata underscored a political point as well, albeit subtly. “Who cares about religion or food habits?” she asked, making it clear that some differences that Bengal has with the Muslim-majority country in terms of food habits and religion didn’t matter as long as the bond was based on shared history and culture.

“So much of our heritage lies in Bangladesh, and similarly their heritage is strewn all around Bengal... People from both sides love to say Joy Bangla,” added Mamata, who spent around two hours at the venue.

After the inauguration, Mamata unveiled 12 of her new books. “With these new books, the number of titles under my name goes to 113... Some of my publishers have told me that the count is 115,” she smiled.

Earlier, during her address, she took special care to mention how people of Bengal revere Rahman and observe February 21 as International Mother Language Day with fanfare. She also sent her good wishes to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through Khalid, who came down to Calcutta for the book fair. Selina Hossain, the acclaimed Bangladeshi author and the president of Bangla Academy, and a clutch of other writers have also come for the fair.

The fact that Mamata dwelt extensively on the bilateral relationship, a source close to her said, was an attempt from her side to send a warm message to Bangladesh, one of the most trusted allies of India in South Asia.

In the last few years, a variety of reasons — ranging from the BJP’s plans to introduce the Citizenship Amendment Act and Delhi’s failure to match China in terms of financial assistance to Dhaka — have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the bilateral relationship. With her resistance to implement the Teesta water sharing treaty, Mamata has also contributed in aiding the anti-India sentiment in some segments in Bangladesh. Possibly that is why she stressed on the cultural connect to charm the Bangladeshis, an aide said.

In his brief address before Mamata, Khalid also touched upon the relationship between the two countries and praised Mamata’s simple lifestyle and language. “I am very happy to be part of the festivities here,” said Khalid, who visited the book stalls after the inaugural event.

Permanent venue

Mamata gave in to the Guild's demand to make Central Park the permanent book fair venue and said it would be renamed as Boi Mela Prangon.