CM Mamata Banerjee gifts Israeli envoy painting
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10/15/2012
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Artist Mamata gifts Israeli envoy painting
Indrani Bagchi, TNN | Oct 15, 2012
NEW DELHI: If art is a diplomatic tool, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has proved to be a master. Didi's works of art have attracted buyers and aficionados, but rarely have they been used to build bonds with the outside world.
That is changing. One of Mamata's paintings now occupies pride of place in the spanking new Israeli embassy in New Delhi. The untitled painting, an exuberant expression of colour, was gifted to Israeli ambassador Alon Ushpiz by the chief minister. A visibly pleased Ushpiz lost little time in displaying it in the most prominent place in his new embassy building.
Israel and West Bengal are working on extensive projects to boost agriculture in the state. On a recent visit to Kolkata, Ushpiz said Israel was keen to cooperate in several areas -- seeds and dairy to horticulture, egg, semi-arid agriculture as well as food processing.
For all Mamata's firebrand image, the West Bengal chief minister is no diplomatic novice. Her opposition to FDI in retail notwithstanding, sources said Mamata enjoys excellent relations with US ambassador to India Nancy Powell.
Though it helps that Powell has a long association with Bengal, having served as consul general there, the two women have apparently hit it off. Mamata understands that she has a better chance of working with the US than the previous Left Front government, and is determined to make the most of it.
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