Kolkata, May 20 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said Bengal is a powerhouse of talent. Speaking on the Banga Samman awards ceremony at Nazrul Mancha here, Ms Banerjee said, Bengal shows the way to the world. She said Bengal is the epicentre of culture, harmony and progress. “We are proud that we were born in Bengal. As long as we live, we will work for our motherland. People are our inspiration. We are here to work for the people, the chief minister said, “Our motto is Bengal will be the world’s best,” Ms Banerjee said. The 2017 Banga Samman awards ceremony was held at Nazrul Mancha in the city today. The evening was lit up by colourful cultural programmes, including folk songs and dances, and Rabindrasangeet. Two categories of awards are presented as part of Banga Samman – Banga Bhushan and Banga Bibhushan. They were given away by chief minister These awards, which are the highest civilian awards of the State, were instituted in 2011, after Ms Banerjee came to power. Celebrated artistes, sportspersons, film-makers and intellectuals have been honoured with these awards in the past. The recipients of Banga Bibhushan this year are YC Deveshwar, Dr Dhiman Ganguly, Dr Arun Prasad Mukherjee, Soumitra Chatterjee and Nirendranath Chakraborty. The recipients of Banga Bhushan are Khidmat Fakir, Chapal Bhaduri, Lakshman Das Baul, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Dr Abhijit Chowdhury. “Today is a historic and memorable day for us.We are honoured to have felicitated poet Nirendranath Chakraborty. He is our inspiration,” the chief minister said, YC Deveshwar is a celebrated industrialist. Dr Dhiman Ganguly is a venerated doctor, she said, “We are deeply honoured for being able to honour Soumitra Chatterjee. He has made Bengal famous across the globe,: Ms Banerjee said. The chief minister said, “Dr AP Mukherjee is an experienced administrator. We also have with us Khidmat Fakir and Mr Rabha. Chapal Bhaduri is a famous name in the theatre world. We are honoured to have him with us.” “Our Maa-Mati-Manush Government took oath on May 20, 2011. We celebrate this day every year by giving away the Banga Samman awards,” Ms Banerjee added. UNI BM 2230