Early Life and Education

Mamata Banerjee was born on January 5, 1955, in Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, in the Indian state of West Bengal. Raised in a lower-middle-class Bengali Brahmin family, she grew up witnessing social inequality and political unrest, which would later shape her political ideology.

Her father, Promileswar Banerjee, was a freedom fighter, while her mother, Gayetri Devi, played a key role in raising Mamata and her siblings after Promileswar passed away when Mamata was just 17. Despite economic hardships, Mamata excelled academically and showed an early interest in politics and literature.

Mamata pursued her education at Jogamaya Devi College, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in History. She went on to earn a Master's degree in Islamic History from University of Calcutta, followed by Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and Law (LL.B.) degrees. Her deep interest in history, law, and social issues laid the foundation for her political career.

Career

Entry into Politics

Mamata Banerjee's political career began in the 1970s with the Indian National Congress (INC). Her dynamic presence and grassroots activism caught the attention of senior party leaders. In 1984, at the age of 29, she defeated the veteran CPI(M) leader Somnath Chatterjee to win the Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat, becoming one of the youngest parliamentarians in India.

She served in various ministries over the years, including:

1. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports
   
   
2. Minister of State for Women and Child Development
   
   
3. Union Minister of Railways

Formation of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)

In 1997, disillusioned by internal politics within the INC and the Left Front's dominance in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee founded her own party—the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) or TMC. Her leadership brought a fresh voice to West Bengal politics, and she quickly garnered support with her slogan "Ma, Mati, Manush" (Mother, Land, People).

Mass Movements

Singur Movement

In 2006, she launched a campaign against the forcible land acquisition for the Tata Nano car plant in Singur. Her 25-day hunger strike drew national attention to farmers' rights and corporate land acquisitions.

Nandigram Protests

In 2007, Mamata led the Nandigram Movement, opposing land acquisition for a special economic zone (SEZ). Violent clashes resulted in deaths, and the incident shifted public opinion decisively against the Left Front.

1993 Kolkata Firing

As a leader of the Youth Congress, she organized a protest demanding mandatory photo voter ID cards. The protest turned tragic when police fired on demonstrators, resulting in 13 deaths. This event is commemorated annually as Martyr's Day on July 21 .

These two movements became turning points that defined her political image as a protector of agrarian rights and a grassroots leader.

Chief Minister of West Bengal

In the 2011 West Bengal Assembly Elections, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC-led alliance decisively defeated the CPI(M)-led Left Front, ending their 34-year rule. She became the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal.

She was re-elected in:

1. 2016, despite heavy anti-incumbency
   
   
2. 2021, defeating BJP’s national machinery, although she lost her own seat in Nandigram (she later won the Bhabanipur by-election)
   

Her governance focused on:

• Social welfare schemes like Kanyashree, Sabooj Sathi, and Rupashree
  
  
• Development in infrastructure and rural electrification
  
  
• Education and healthcare initiatives for women and minorities
  

Her 2021 campaign was powered by the slogan "Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chay" (Bengal wants its own daughter), consolidating her image as a protector of Bengali identity and secular values.

Personal Life

Mamata Banerjee remains unmarried and has dedicated her life to public service. She lives a simple lifestyle, wearing traditional cotton sarees, carrying her own bag, and often walking to public events.

She is also:

1. A prolific writer, with over 20 published books
   
   
2. An amateur painter, with thousands of artworks, some of which have been auctioned for charity
   
   
3. A music enthusiast, known to write and compose devotional songs
   

Philanthropy and Activism

Mamata Banerjee has championed:

• Women empowerment
  
  
• Educational scholarships for girls
  
  
• Pension schemes for farmers and workers
  
  
• Disaster relief efforts in cyclones and floods
  

Legacy

A force shaped by the struggles of the common people known as "Didi" by millions, her journey from the narrow lanes of Kalighat to the Chief Minister’s office is a story of unwavering grit, simplicity, and fierce determination. She speaks softly but stands boldly, proving that true power needs no privilege — only purpose.

• First female CM of West Bengal, elected three times
  
  
• Architect of the downfall of Left Front's 34-year rule
  
  
• One of India’s strongest regional leaders
  
  
• A symbol of resilience, simplicity, and secularism
  

 Awards and Honors

Additionally, her Kanyashree project won international praise from the United Nations for empowering girl students.

Bibliography / Creative Works

Books Written by Mamata Banerjee:

1. My Unforgettable Memories
   Publisher: Rupa Publications
   Year: 2012
   A memoir-like account that reflects on her personal and political life, offering insight into her struggles, thoughts, and ideologies.
   
   
2. Struggle for Existence
   Publisher: Trinamool Congress Publications
   Year: Various editions
   A collection of her speeches and reflections during her early political years.
   
   
3. Upalabdhi (উপলব্ধি) (Bengali)
   Genre: Poetry
   Mamata Banerjee is also a poet, and this is one of several poetry books she's authored, highlighting her literary side.
   
   
4. Slaughter of Democracy
   Publisher: Trinamool Congress Publications
   A political commentary focusing on issues related to governance and electoral politics in India.
   
   
5. Motherland
   Language: Bengali and English editions
   A poetic tribute to India and her political vision.
   

 Books About Mamata Banerjee:

1. Didi: A Political Biography of Mamata Banerjee
   Author: Monobina Gupta
   Publisher: HarperCollins
   Year: 2012
   A well-researched biography chronicling Mamata’s rise from grassroots politics to becoming a key national figure.
   
   
2. Mamata: The Real Untold Story
   Author: Y.S. Rajan
   Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
   Year: 2021
   Focuses on the lesser-known facts of her political and personal life.
   
   
3. Mamata Banerjee: Her Life, Struggles & Rise to Power
   Author: Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay
   Publisher: Westland Books
   Year: 2023
   Offers a comprehensive look at her leadership, controversies, and political transformation over the years.
   

 External Links

•  Official AITC Website
  
  
•  Twitter - @MamataOfficial
  
  
•  Facebook Page
  
  
•  YouTube Channel