Mamta's Milan mela - West Bengal

Milan Mela 2011-12

Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister disbursing Stipends cheques from Haji Md. Mahasin Fund at Milan Mela



West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) organizes MILAN MELA every year in association with NMDFC for extending market support to its beneficiaries, small entrepreneurs and businessmen. This trade fair provides them with the opportunity to intermingle and interact with outside market. The stage of Milan Mela is also used for promoting Communal Harmony and highlighting other social issues.

Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal inaugurated the fair at 2.30 p.m on 22nd December 2011. Jb. Firhad Hakim, Hon’ble Minister in charge,Dept of Urban Development, Govt. of West Bengal, Jb. Javed Khan, Hon’ble Minister in charge, Dept of Fire Services, Govt. of West Bengal, Jb. Karim Chowdhury, Hon’ble Minister in charge, Dept of Mass Education and Library Services, Govt. of West Bengal, graced the occasion as the Special Guests. Jb. Justice(Retd.) Intaj Ali Shah, Chairman, West Bengal Minorities Commission, Jb. S N Haque,IAS, Principal Secretary, MA & ME Deptt. Govt.of West Bengal were also present as the Guest of Honour. Jb. Abu Ayes Mandal, Chairman, West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation presided over the inaugural programme. Many other dignitaries were also present.

Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister in her inaugural speech expressed the commitment of the State Government to alleviate the backwardness of Muslims and ensure their faster development. She said she was ready to extend the benefits of reservation to the economically weaker sections of the Muslims within the legal framework. She also emphasized the need and importance of vocational training & skill development programme among the minority youths.

During the inaugural programme the Hon’ble Chief Minister disbursed Stipends cheques from Haji Md. Mahasin Fund to 100 topper students from Madhyamik, High Madrasah and Alim examination.

Various stalls of a choice of items like Home Décor, Leather Goods, Embroidery, Book Stall, Handicrafts etc. are set up by the beneficiaries of WBMDFC, various Govt. organizations and Zilla Parishads. Health Check up camps at Milan Mela venue are also organized in association with NGOs. Quiz, Antakshari and Sit & Draw Competition, Seminars on various important topics are organized in association with different organizations. Cultural programmes of songs, dance, drama, mimicry etc are organized every evening.


WBMDFC, a statutory Corporation under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education, Govt. of West Bengal provides soft loan for development and establishment of Self-Employment Enterprises to the economically weaker section of minorities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi) under its various schemes. It also provides Education loan for pursuing professional courses like medical, engineering, nursing, management, computer applications etc. It also implements various scholarship programme for students from Class I to PhD level including professional courses. The corporation has also taken up housing and skill development schemes. It is also providing free coaching to more than 4600 candidates preparing for School Service Commission Examination.


The stage of Milam Mela is also used for promoting communal harmony and highlighting other social issues by organizing seminars, cultural programme, health awareness programme and free health checkup camps. The Career counselling programme and inter college/ school cultural competition were also organized for inculcating competitive sprit among students.

Daily general health checkup programme and special health checkup programme were also conducted at Milan Mela venue.

Seminars & Cultural Programmes were the main attraction of the Mela. Mushaira and Kavi Sammelan, Urdu & Bengali Drama, Dance Drama & other cultural programmes were organised in the evening daily.

The 13 days long Fair had concluded on 3rd January,’12, with a Prize distribution and Felicitation Programme.