Kolkata: The state government is ready to take suggestions from Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said after meeting his mother at her flat on Wednesday evening. Abhijit was part of the mentor group of Presidency University that was formed to provide suggestions to enhance the education standards of the institute. The Chief Minister said the Bengal government is ready to take assistance from Nirmala Banerjee, Abhijits mother and a noted economist. She asked state Home Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay to inform her about the steps taken by the Agriculture, Women Child and Social Welfare departments. Banerjee went to the seventh floor flat of Nirmala Banerjee at Saptaparni on Ballygunge Circular Road at 4.55 pm and spent around 40 minutes with her. She handed over sweets and flowers to Abhijits mother. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Home Secretary and Abhijits batchmate in Presidency College. Anuj Sharma, Kolkata Police Commissioner also accompanied the Chief Minister along with Indranil Sen, Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs. Several residents of the multi-storeyed apartment who are close to the Banerjee family were also present during the meeting. The discussion hovered around Abhijits school and college days. His father Dipak Banerjee was a celebrated teacher and the head of the department of Economics of Presidency College. "We are all proud of him. In whatever way we can, and subject to the time he can spare, we want to involve him in our governments various efforts," the Chief Minister said. The Banerjee family moved to the apartment after selling off their ancestral house on Mahanirvan Road. Next to the house was a slum where Abhijit along with his mother used to teach English and Mathematics which was Abhijits favourite subject. To add colour to the mood, Indranil Sen sang Prano Bhariye Trisha Horie, a popular Rabindra Sangeet. Abhijit is an avid lover of eastern and western music. Nirmala Banerjee told the Chief Minister that she was interested in assisting the state government if she gets to know about the various projects taken up in the Health and poverty alleviation sectors. Abhijit will be coming to Delhi in connection with the release of his book on October 22 and is likely to visit Kolkata for a day on October 23. The state government is planning to accord a reception to Banerjee.

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