Didi gives half-day holiday for son-in-law day

For the first time, the West Bengal government Friday declared a half-day holiday for state government employees on the occasion of Jamai Sashthi – son-in-law day Friday.

Following a directive from Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee, the state government issued a notification to all its departments announcing that offices would be over for the day at 2 p.m.

Jamai Sashthi is a festival unique to Bengalis when sons-in-law are feted with grand feasts and gifts by the mother-in-law.

The babus were happy.

“It is great that Didi gave a half-day holiday today. This will afford me an opportunity to have a relaxed evening with mouth-watering dishes of hilsa, prawn and mutton. I understand my mom-in-law has also arranged for best quality mangoes which are my favourite,” said Sushoban Das, a state government staffer.

However, there were also voices of dissent.

“This is a cheap populist announcement. On the one hand she talks of improving Bengal's dismal work culture, and on the other she declares holidays at the drop of a hat,” said a middle aged school teacher who declined to be named for fear of retaliation. - IANS