Mamata Banerjee Turns 65: Here Are Some Unknown Facts About Bengal's Fearless Leader

As Mamata Banerjee turns 65 on Sunday, we have compiled some of the interesting facts about the West chief minister. Starting from her indefinite hunger strike during Singur movement to leading massive rallies against then communist rule in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee always held her ground to what she believed was right culminating into an image of one of the fearless leaders in India. 

In her four decades long political career, Banerjee has witnessed many ups and downs. Born in the year 1955, in Kolkata, Mamata started participating in political activities at the young age of 15. She lost her father at a young age and belonged to a lower middle-class family. However, she did not let any of it come in the way of her education and earned a degree in law as well as education studies. Besides, Mamata also developed her oratory and is known for her fiery speeches.

Here are some the unknown facts about Mamata Banerjee:

1. Mamata Banerjee has a Bachelor's degree in History, a Master's degree in Islamic History and degrees in Education and Law.

• Banerjee is picky eater and avoids oily and spicy food. Her usual diet consists of puffed rice, tea and chocolates, but she occasionally indulges in deep fried potato fritters called alur chop.

• Banerjee walks 5-6 kms on her treadmill every day. After Assembly sessions, she also takes long walks on the Assembly lawns along with her colleagues and journalists.

• Even after becoming the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee resides at her ancestral house in South Kolkata's Harish Chatterjee Street.

• Like every Bengali, Banerjee also loves music. She also loves songs and poems by the legendary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

• Banerjee has authored several volumes of poetry, essays and novels. She is also a good painter and has successfully sold many of her paintings and contributed the money to her party.