London based organisations Bengal Heritage Foundation and London Sharad Utsav have come together to utilise the digital platform and launched their latest innovation “Think Tank'' amid the lockdown. The idea is to bring thinkers and audience, from all around the Globe on a single platform to talk about topics that are relevant to the time and society. There will be a series of webinars on the current global situation. It will be designed to connect people who share similar interests in art, culture and heritage. The participants will be from the UK, Ireland and India.
‘Coronasurmardini’
The first webinar is on July 11, on the ‘Impact of Covid Pandemic on Drugs Pujo globally in 2020’. The session is named ‘Coronasurmardini’ in line with ‘Mahisasurmardini’. The single most important question that is doing the rounds in all Bengali’s mind across the globe, is, what will happen to ‘Pujo’ this year. The webinar discussion will include what are the various options for the celebration available in different countries maintaining social distancing – how will social distancing impact the biggest social celebration that Bengalis all around the globe look forward to for the whole year? The discussion will touch upon the idea to protect livelihoods of people like the Dhakis, Light Technicians, Idol Makers, Pandal Makers who are economically dependent on a festival of this grand scale and how the global community join hands to lend a helping hand to the section which will be economically impacted due to the pandemic.
Bidisha Datta, co-ordinator of ‘Coronasurmardini’ webinar and member of Bengal Heritage Foundation, said: “We would like to understand the impact of Covid pandemic on various important players during the Pujo - like the Kumartuli Idol Makers, Chandannagar Lighting teams, Security task force, Street Food sellers like Phuchkawala , the Dhakis, the Pandal makers and various others whose livelihood hugely depends on the year’s biggest celebrations – how would they be impacted if Pujo happens at a very reduced scale compared to other years?”
Statues and Heritage in today’s context
The second topic for Webinar lined up for 25th July - Statues and Heritage in today’s context considering the global protests on signs of slavery and their historical relevance. The focal point of discussion would primarily be based on a recent topic that has picked up on social media – What should be the fate of some of the statues globally, which has a history of racism?
Healthcare in India and UK in the Covid environment
The other topic lined up is - Healthcare in India and UK in the Covid environment – This is planned for 5th September with top medical practitioners across India and the UK, laying focus both on the physical and mental health wellbeing.
