Couldn`t speak a word of English when I first became MP: Mamata

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday recalled that when she first became a Member of Parliament in 1991, she could not speak English.

"When I first went to the Parliament as an MP I couldn`t speak one word in English," Banerjee said after laying the foundation stone of the proposed St Xavier`s University in Rajarhat here. She also recalled that she hardly had any money to buy books. Stating that access to education was limited during her younger days, Banerjee said she had to struggle to get her law degree and B.Ed. Having already given around 17 acre at subsidised rate to St Xavier`s College for its proposed university, the Chief Minister said if it needed more help, she would sell her paintings to raise the funds. She suggested that St Xavier`s College could also start a medical college. Pointing out that six new universities had come up or were in the pipeline, Banerjee said there was a proposal for a university in Bankura which was sent to the Governor. "One day people from all over the country will come to get excellent education in Kolkata. Xavier`s can lead us to that path," she said.