Kolkata, February 22 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has conferred the state's civilian awards on 25 distinguished personalities for their contributions in various fields.
Presenting the awards – a citation and a plaque – at a function on International Mother Language Day here on Saturday, the CM said, "I express my highest respect and congratulate you."
The highest civilian honour, 'Bangabibhusan', was awarded to painter Ganesh Halui, social worker and community leader Ananta Maharaj (Nagendra Roy), singers Sibaji Chattopadhyay, Sriradha Bandyopadhyay, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Lopamudra Mitra, Babul Supriyo, Iman Chakraborty, and poet Srijato Bandyopadhyay.
The other prestigious state civilian award, 'Bangabhushan', was awarded to several folk artists, as well as singers Manomoy Bhattacharya, Raghab Chattopadhyay, Rupankar Bagchi, Aditi Munshi, baul artist Kartik Das Baul, singer-bureaucrat Vivek Kumar, and actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay, among others.
Banerjee offered "deepest respect" to Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj and members of his Rajbongshi community, praising his continued service to society.