Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been invited to Rome to attend an international event on peace — ‘Peoples as Brothers, Future Earth’ — on October 6-7 in recognition of her contributions to social justice and commitment towards the underprivileged and disadvantaged.
The other invitees include Pope Francis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Great Imam of Al Azhar (Egypt) Ahmad al Tayyib.
The invite from Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Community of Sant’Egidio, which is based in Rome, was sent to the chief minister on July 22. It congratulated her “on your significant election and for the important work for social justice, for the development of your country and, therefore, for peace, which you have been doing for over ten years now”.
The invite also said: “Allow me to tell you that I feel your commitment and your generous battles in favor of the weakest and most disadvantaged, very close to my sensitivity and to the work of the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome and in all the world.”
Nabanna officials could not immediately comment on whether Banerjee had accepted the invitation or not.
Officials say October 6 coincides with Mahalaya this year, during which the CM keeps up with thousands of requests to inaugurate the Durga Pujas.
Banerjee had been to the Hague in June 2017, when she was awarded the highest public service honour by the United Nations for her government’s project, Kanyashree, on empowering the girl child in Bengal.
Earlier, she had been to Rome in September 2016 to attend the cannonisation of Mother Teresa. If Banerjee gives her consent to the latest invite, this will be her second trip to Rome.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/mamata-invited-to-global-peace-event-in-rome/articleshow/85256516.cms