Mamata Banerjee Sets the Record Straight: I Am 65, Not 70
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Kolkata, Jan 8 (NationPress) Just three days following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wishes for her 70th birthday on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated on Wednesday that her true age is merely 65, contradicting what is recorded in official documents.
While speaking at an event in a state-operated auditorium on the final day of the 'Student's Week' organized by the government, the Chief Minister revealed that her birth year was inaccurately extended by five years by her father during her school registration.
"I was unaware of this. During my college years, my older brother Ajit Banerjee brought this to my attention. He also told me that according to the certificate, the age gap between us is only six years," Banerjee mentioned, with Ajit present in the audience.
She pointed out that often, people’s real ages are concealed.
"Only the false age mentioned in the documents is known publicly. Such discrepancies were common in those days when home births were prevalent. My elder brother is here today, which is why I revealed this with him as a witness. I had previously mentioned this incident in a book I authored during the early stages of my political journey," the Chief Minister added.
Banerjee also expressed her discontent with her name, stating, "I do not like my name Mamata. However, we must all accept the names and titles we inherit."
Official records state that Banerjee was born on January 5, 1955, though she claims this is not her true birth date. In her 1995 memoir "Ekante", she has recounted that her birth occurred during Durga Puja, which generally takes place at the end of September or the beginning of October according to the Hindu calendar.
