Bengal will never bow its head before others: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday lauded Bengali film makers for ir mess of unity in diversity for deces and said state will never bow its he before ors. Bengal has produced a number of award winning film makers and largest number of bel Prize winners in country, she said inaugurating 25th Kolkata International Film Festival.

Banerjee's comment was an apparent answer to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that Bengal is lagging behind in scientific and cultural development.

"Bengal is number one in terms of giving country award winning film makers. state has produced largest numbers of bel Prize winners in country. We are number one in scientific and cultural development in country," Banerjee said without naming eir Shah or BJP.

Shah, who is also BJP national president, during a visit to West Bengal in October h criticised TMC government for destroying Bengal saying state which was once kwn for religious, scientific and cultural development is w kwn for "bomb making factories". Banerjee said, "We are t jealous of ors. Neir do we have any negative attitude towards any competition. We have a positive approach towards everybody.

"As long as we live we will fight and never bow our hes before anyone," TMC supremo said.

She lauded film maker Mahesh Bhatt, who was one of invitees at programme, saying he is very outspoken and dares to speak his mind when ors are scared to do so. Satyajit Ray's 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne' was inaugural film of festival as this is 50th year of its release and Germany will be focus country this year. Altoger 367 films, 214 feature films and 153 short documentary works, from 76 countries will be screened during eight-day festival.