West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari advised young Rajdeep Pal to prioritise studies over mobile phone use while granting his selfie request in Howrah. During the visit, he also offered condolences and assured assistance to the family of Bikash Bhattacharya.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari advised a young boy to concentrate on his studies rather than spend time using a mobile phone, while also fulfilling the child’s wish to take a selfie with him during a visit to a bereaved family in Salkia, North Howrah, on Saturday evening.
The incident took place at around 8 pm on October 24 at Kamini School Lane, where the Chief Minister visited the residence of Bikash Bhattacharya, who died in the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata. The interaction with the young boy, Rajdeep Pal, took place after Adhikari met the grieving family and offered his condolences.
According to reports, the Chief Minister spoke with the family members and assured them of financial assistance and employment for one member of the family. The assurance was intended to provide support to the family as they cope with the loss of their loved one.
After meeting the family, Adhikari came out of the house and was preparing to leave on a motorcycle when Rajdeep approached him with a request for a selfie. The boy was eager to take a photograph with the Chief Minister.
Adhikari responded to the request but also used the opportunity to offer the youngster some advice. He encouraged Rajdeep to focus on his studies and avoid spending excessive time on a mobile phone. The Chief Minister subsequently posed for a selfie with the boy before leaving the area.
The brief interaction attracted the attention of people present at the location. It brought a lighter moment to a visit that was primarily focused on meeting a family affected by the fatal stampede.
The incident also highlighted the growing public discussion around mobile phone use among children and the importance of balancing technology with education. Excessive screen time can interfere with study routines and other daily activities, making responsible device use an important consideration for parents and students.
Adhikari has previously expressed concerns about mobile phone use among school students. During this interaction, he reiterated the importance of giving priority to education while acknowledging the boy’s enthusiasm for meeting him.
The Chief Minister’s visit to the Bhattacharya residence formed part of his outreach to families affected by the Chorbagan tragedy. The stampede occurred during Durga Puja festivities in North Kolkata on October 17, claiming 19 lives and leaving several others injured, according to reports. The incident prompted concerns about crowd management and safety arrangements at major festive gatherings.
During his visit to Salkia, Adhikari travelled along GT Road on a motorcycle because the narrow lane leading to the residence was difficult to access conveniently by a larger vehicle. State Minister Umesh Roy accompanied him on the motorcycle and helped him reach the house.
The Chief Minister’s meeting with the bereaved family was aimed at conveying condolences and discussing assistance for those affected by the tragedy. His assurance of financial support and employment was part of the support communicated to the family during the visit.
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The selfie with Rajdeep became a separate talking point from the visit, combining the child’s excitement at meeting a public figure with the Chief Minister’s advice about education and mobile phone use.
The episode underscored two aspects of the visit: the administration’s engagement with a family mourning a death in the Chorbagan stampede and the importance of encouraging young students to remain focused on their education.
While the Chief Minister continued his visits to affected families, the interaction with Rajdeep drew attention because of its simple message about studies and responsible technology use.
