The Bengal Heritage Foundation (BHF) successfully hosted the Bengal Heritage Dinner on 28 December, a distinguished event held at the British Club in Kolkata, in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, British Council, and Indo British Scholars' Association (IBSA).
The evening was a splendid celebration of cultural exchange, fostering connections, and exploring the rich history and contemporary ties between India and the United Kingdom.
Sambrita Das, Trustee of Bengal Heritage Foundation and Client Executive with SAP UK, initiated the evening. The highlight of the event was a captivating panel discussion on 'Building Living Bridges: Exploring India-UK Connection post G20.'
Esteemed panellists, expertly moderated by Sourav Niyogi, Senior Partner at IBM London and Trustee of BHF, delved into the multifaceted aspects of the relationship between the two nations, examining the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director of the British Council, noted that the creative economy has the power to absorb the displacement caused by the agrarian economy.
Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, candidly expressed that many people in the UK do not fully understand India, emphasising significant potential in areas such as Tourism, Science & Technology, and Education. He stressed his role in connecting the dots and facilitating change.
Ashwika Kapur, the first Indian woman to win the Green Oscar and a member of IBSA, shared her experience of plastic pollution impacting pristine islands in the Andamans. She stressed the need for climate and environmental change to become part of everyday conversations, akin to discussions in the UK.
Following the insightful panel discussion, Koushik Chatterjee, Trustee of Bengal Heritage Foundation and Director at Cognizant UK, presented a thought-provoking session on 'Bridging Bengal and the UK Through Diaspora Connection.' This session explored the significant role that the diaspora plays in strengthening ties between Bengal and the UK, emphasising the cultural, sports, and social contributions made by individuals of Indian origin living in the United Kingdom, also highlighting the work done by charitable organisations like Banchbo and Calcutta Rescue.
The evening concluded with a networking dinner, featuring a brilliant soirée on saxophone in the background by Michael Banerjee and his ensemble musicians. The event was attended by a diverse set of Kolkata citizens and visiting Bengalis living abroad.