Mamata Banerjee has a Bachelor’s degree in History, a Master’s degree in Islamic History and degrees in Education and Law.
Banerjee walks 5-6 kms on her treadmill every day. After Assembly sessions, she also takes long walks on the Assembly lawns along with her colleagues and journalists. While on tour, she is known to walk for 10kms at a stretch.
Banerjee’s preferred outfit – a white cotton saree with a narrow mono-coloured border – has become something of an emblem. These sarees are made at Dhanekhali, a place renowned for its weaving.
Banerjee also loves nature. She visits the Himalayan foothills and the forests of Medinipur whenever she gets time. She loves nature photography as well.
Banerjee doesn’t like ugly landscapes. She planned the beautiful Central Park.
Banerjee loves music. She introduced Rabindra Sangeet, songs of Tagore, at traffic lights in Kolkata. She also loves songs and poems by the legendary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Before joining politics full time, Banerjee worked as a stenographer, a primary school teacher, a private tutor and even as a salesgirl.
Banerjee never forgets people who help her. Subroto Mukherjee, a former Congressman who was one of the architects of her political career, is now a minister in her government.
Banerjee has authored several volumes of poetry, essays and novels. She is also a good painter and has successfully sold many of her paintings and contributed the money to her party.
Banerjee loves Bengali folk art. She buys local handicrafts when she visits remote rural areas in the state. She carries a bag of change to pay the folk artists.
