Impossible to imagine lives without festivals: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today reiterated her commitment to keep the tradition of jatra (folk drama) alive, while slamming her critics saying it was impossible to imagine our lives without festivals.
"It is impossible to imagine our lives without festival. Problems will be there, but we must never stop festivals," Banerjee said inaugurating the 20th edition of the state Jatra Festival here taking on her critics who target her for "too many festivals."
"We are alive because our culture is alive. Society thrives because of heritage," Banerjee said drawing reference of folk artists who were roped in to perform at government functions and stating she would use the talent of Jatra artists for government functions in a bigger way.

The 32-day long Jatra Festival would showcase the best of Bengal's traditional playact format, which generally centres around social issues and mythological events.
Several veteran Jatra artists were honoured today.
The state government has been instrumental in providing jatra artistes with several facilities including coverage under mediclaim facilities.
Setting up of a data bank on jatra was on the process. The state government also increased the annual remuneration of poor jatra artistes from Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000, last year.
The state government has also come up with 'Jatra Darpan', a booklet consisting of various jatra groups, and has circulated its copy among all District Magistrates and Police Superintendents to rejuvenate jatra culture in the state.