Mamata Banerjee on Sunday batted for India’s ethos of unity in diversity, swore her foremost allegiance to humanism and plurality and stressed the need for communal amity for the nation’s progress.

The Bengal chief minister was speaking at an interactive session with Barcelona-based NRIs, including a large number of persons of Bengal origin.

“We all believe that if India progresses, everybody will progress. We want development, nothing else,” said Mamata.

“We want interaction between you and I. We want unity between all of us,” she added, going on to tell the gathering about the meetings of the INDIA bloc.

Mamata talked about her love for all religions, and how she visits all festivals to experience and enjoy various customs, cultures and cuisines.

She also announced that the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Calcutta’s Survey Park was being assigned as the dedicated stadium, which La Liga sought for its proposed Bengal academy.