Mamata announces minorities reservation in higher education

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced reservation in higher education in the state for minorities while attending Eid prayers in the city's Red Road.

"We want youths and children from minority communities to advance in studies and become doctors, engineers and professionals in different other fields," Banerjee said, stating that reservation of seats would be introduced in higher education from 2014 educational curriculum.

She also announced that other avenues of business would also be made available to the minorities including opening of shops and other such small scale enterprises in the districts.

The chief minister attended the largest Eid prayer gathering on Red Road in the heart of the metropolis.

Prayers were held at other places too including at Nakhoda Masjid, the largest mosque in the city.

Eid-ul Fitr marks the culmination of month-long fasting and prayer during the holy month of Ramzan.

People of all hues, from little children to aged persons adorned in new dresses, attended the Eid prayers followed by ritual hugs.

Eid was celebrated with fervour in other parts of the state also.

In Darjeeling Hills, which has been affected by an indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha demanding a separate state, the celebrations remained subdued.

PTI