Kolkata Hosts Heritage Conference "Kolkatas Living Legacy" on International Museum Day

KOLKATA To mark International Museum Day, the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I), in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), hosted a prominent heritage conference titled "Kolkatas Living Legacy: Fitting the Past into the Future." The conference and recognition ceremony took place at the Williamson Magor Hall at the BCC&I premises, gathering heritage conservationists, corporate leaders, archivists, and cultural icons to discuss sustainable preservation strategies for the city's rich historical landscape.
A Confluence of Cultural and Corporate Visions
The event featured panel discussions exploring how corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can merge with cultural preservation to protect urban history. A key highlight shared during the sessions was India's largest CSR-funded public restoration project currently underway at the AJC Bose Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah. Backed by a 23 crore fund from NTPC, the project is being executed in partnership with the Botanical Survey of India and INTACH to restore the historic Old Herbarium building.
Distinguished Panelists and Speakers
The conference brought together an array of eminent personalities who have significantly contributed to art, administration, and preservation:
Shri Goutam Ghose: Acclaimed filmmaker, director, and the Incumbent Sheriff of Kolkata, who spoke on the storytelling aspect of history and parallel cinema.
Mr. G.M. Kapur: Chairperson of the Heritage Committee (BCC&I) and State Convenor of INTACH West Bengal, who has pioneered landmark restorations in the city, including Princep Ghat.
Ms. Ananya Bhattacharya: Director and Co-Founder of banglanatak dot com, highlighting community-driven living heritage, sustainable livelihoods, and digital inclusion.
Dr. Ramakanta Hoom: Chief Archivist of the State Bank Archives & Museum (SBI, Kolkata), who underscored the critical role of corporate history and documentation.
Dr. Kalled Basu: Chief Strategy Officer for Communications & Media Vertical at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), sharing insights on organizational change and cultural preservation.
Mr. Prashanta Sharma: Managing Director of Charnock Hospitals, representation from the healthcare industry supporting heritage initiatives.
Spotlight on Historical Archives
As part of the focus on documentation, the State Bank of India (SBI) showcased its extensive State Bank Archives & Museum located in Kolkata. Established to preserve documentary heritage dating back to 1806covering the Bank of Calcutta, Bank of Bengal, and the Imperial Bank of Indiathe archive serves as a crucial repository for researchers studying the socio-economic transformation of modern India.
The conference concluded with an official recognition ceremony honoring individuals and corporate partners whose contributions ensure that Kolkatas historical legacy remains integrated with its future urban development.
The event was supported by Gold Partners including Carrying Minds International and SBI, alongside various silver and hospitality partners like Mitra Cafe and Sulekha.