Kolkata, 22 December 2025 — In a watershed moment for Bengal’s economic and cultural landscape, the second edition of the Bengal Global Connect Meet (BGCM) was convened at the historic Calcutta Rowing Club, bringing together the global Bengali diaspora under the evocative theme “Biswa Bangalir Mahamilan” (Grand Reunion of Global Bengalis).
Spearheaded by Heritage Bengal Global in collaboration with The Global Connect, the meet anchored a vast international platform spanning 65 countries. The day witnessed a physical convergence of over 300 delegates, including representatives from more than 20 countries outside India—such as Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, the USA, New Zealand, and the UAE—who gathered to establish enduring frameworks for business collaboration and cultural exchange.
The Durga Puja Economy & Twinning Initiative:
Building on UNESCO’s recognition of Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the meet formally launched a Twinning Program aimed at connecting Kolkata’s artisan communities with global Durga Puja organizers.
Twenty-four international Durga Puja organizations from over 20 countries committed to partnerships alongside ten leading Puja organizers from Kolkata, forging a direct cultural and economic bridge. A high-level fireside chat on “The Durga Puja Economy and Globalisation” featured distinguished voices including Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East & North East India; Atri Bhattacharya, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal; and Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group.
The discussion culminated in the articulation of a strategic “3A Framework”—Authentic Storytelling, Accessibility, and Amplifying Brand Equity—designed to position Durga Puja as a globally scalable cultural economy.
BANI: Institutionalising Business in Bengal
A major milestone of the meet was the inauguration of BANI, Bengal’s first structured business aggregator platform. Conceived to channel NRI wealth and corporate leadership into the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, BANI was positioned as more than a funding conduit. By leveraging the global diaspora network, the platform aimed to mentor, scale, and globalise Bengal-made products and enterprises.
Taking Bengali Cinema to the World
One of the marquee sessions at Bengal Global Connect Meet 2025, “Taking Bengali Cinema Global,” saw cinema icon Prosenjit Chatterjee unveil a multi-pronged strategy to internationalise Bengali cinema. He articulated a vision in which Bengali films—rooted in universal human stories—could resonate with global audiences when paired with international production values, strategic distribution, and strong branding.
The roadmap included plans for international co-productions, curated OTT partnerships, and a structured global film festival circuit, signaling a renewed ambition for Bengali cinema on the world stage.
Also Read: WomanTimes Lifestyle Magazine – 9th Issue – Dec 2025
Strengthening UK–Bengal Ties
Reflecting Bengal’s deep historical and contemporary links with the United Kingdom, the meet hosted a special fireside chat with Kolkata-born leadership from the London Borough of Newham. The conversation, featuring Chair Rohit Dasgupta and Vice Chair Imam Haque, highlighted pathways for civic, cultural, and economic collaboration between Bengal and the UK.
Cultural Heritage & Artistic Innovation at Bengal Global Connect Meet 2025
Celebrating the soul of Bengal, the meet curated a series of cultural and artistic showcases. An Affordable Art Fair curated by Amit Mitra, Founder of Galerie de Monsieur Sur, featured works by noted artists Papia Ghosh and Mahua Bej. Mukhosher Karmashala, a dedicated workshop, showcased traditional mask-making forms such as Gambhira, Chau, and Shola pith art. The event also embraced sports and youth engagement through a children’s football workshop and the felicitation of differently-abled cricketers from the East Zone.
