Bengali diaspora in the UK along with a few like-minded people from Kolkata have launched the Heritage Bengal Global (HBG) organisation in the UK. Led by successful women professionals based in the UK, the organisation promises to rediscover the past glory in cultural inheritance of Bengal and promote it across the globe.
The launch on Saturday 17 April 2021, coincided with the 50 years anniversary of the formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh. It was formed on 17 April 1971 in East Pakistan and subsequently moved to Kolkata as a ‘government in exile’.
Directors Anirban Mukhopadhyay and Pradip Chopra (Chairman of iLEAD, Kolkata), highlighted that the Heritage Bengal Global aims to explore the intellectual and rich legacy of education, trade and commerce, sports, colonial architecture and history of Bengal, especially globally.
In a well-coordinated programme, where participants joined virtually from across the globe, President Milly Basu spoke about how the idea was conceived during the lockdown last year. Vice President Mahua Bej spoke about the plans of helping rural artisans and craftsmen of Bengal to get international market exposure and limelight.
The programme also featured renowned Bengali author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay. He was born in Mymensingh but migrated to Kolkata after partition and shared interesting anecdotes on the liberation war. Howrah-born eminent graphic designer, Biman Chandra Mullick who moved to London in 1960 and designed the first set of Bangladesh stamps during the ‘muktijuddho’ in 1971, also joined the discussion.
The audience witnessed the official international release of the documentary film, ‘1971 India’s Finest Hour’, produced by iLEAD which traced back the events with real footages leading to the partition of Bengal in 1947, covering the entire period from India’s independence till the liberation war leading to formation of Bangladesh.
In his comment, renowned Bangladeshi researcher, publisher and essayist Mofidul Hoque, who is one of the founder trustees of the Bangladesh Liberation War Museum in Dhaka said, “The film is interesting and adds another perspective in the history of Bangladesh liberation war.”
Founding member Bhaskar Bhattacharya announced the revival of the football IFA Shield UK post pandemic with inclusion of women teams for the first time. This tournament has been recognised by the Football Association of UK and will have NHS as a key partner, to highlight the message of healthy living.
