The UK is organising a series of events to strengthen the cultural and business partnership with Kolkata. Titled ‘UK in Kolkata – Celebrating Partnership,’ the campaign will run from 7-13 February with a number of events to showcase modern UK and take forward the vibrant Kolkata-UK partnership especially in the areas of science and education, business, people to people exchanges and tackling climate change. The event is being organised by the British Deputy High Commission and the British Council Kolkata.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Scott Furssedonn-Wood said: ‘Britain’s ties to Kolkata are old and deep. That’s what makes them so strong. But we must continue to refresh and reinvigorate them for each new generation. That’s why we’re hosting GREAT Britain in Kolkata week, to celebrate the things we do together – whether it’s business, education, sport, food and drink or our passion for ideas and debate – that build on our shared past and can shape our shared future.’
The ‘UK in Kolkata – Celebrating Partnership’ week starts on 7 February with an Open Quiz on UK and India followed by a performance by one of Scotland’s most exciting folk ensembles ‘Cherry Grove’ and ends on 13 February with the running of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup which is a major highlight of the racing calendar in Kolkata.
During the week, there are a number of individual events including a Panel Discussion on ‘Neuroesthetics and Beauty,’ a Dialogue on ‘Climate Smart Development’ and a Green Adda on ‘Climate Smart Kolkata,’ a Inward Investors Meet to highlight UK as an investment destination, an evening of showcasing the Best of British Food and Drink, and the third instalment of GREAT Conversations series where eminent speakers will discuss ‘Britain and India – Past, Present and Future.’ On 12 February, the British Council will launch the 2016 GREAT Scholarship detailing scholarships available from UK Universities and Colleges for Indian students.
Sports and community development will also be a major part of the week and beyond. ‘Sports is GREAT – Power of Play’ will be a UK funded project to celebrate the positive impact sport and play can have in children’s lives. The UK is partnering with the Jungle Crows Foundation to host a rugby competition for 12 teams of Under-14 Girls. The competition will be followed up with a series of ‘Sports for Development’ programmes from which Jungle Crows will prepare a set of recommendations for using community sports initiatives to engage and motivate children. The report will be submitted to the state government and organisations working with communities.
UK IN KOLKATA – CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIP
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & MEDIA CONTACT DETAILS
Below is a synopsis of the events during the UK in Kolkata week along with contact details of personnel who will be able to provide more details on each event and assist in fixing up photo-ops/appointments. For further details please contact Mainak De: 098300-70623 and the Contacts detailed below.
OPEN QUIZ ON UK AND INDIA: Date: Sunday 7 February 2016. Time: 3 pm to 5.30 pm. Venue: The Calcutta School of Music, 6B Sunny Park, Kolkata-700 019. Moderated by celebrated Quiz Master Atri Bhattacharya, the Quiz will celebrate the multi-faceted relations between the UK and India. This is open to all participants. Contact Person: Rishikesh Chanda: 086975-66890 & 098310-36725.
A PERFORMANCE BY CHERRY GROVE: Date: Sunday 7 February 2016. Time: 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Venue: The Calcutta School of Music, 6B Sunny Park, Kolkata-700 019. With traditional songs, contemporary melodies and original compositions, Cherry Grove is one of Scotland’s most exciting folk ensembles. Nominated for ‘Up and Coming Artist’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2014, they have enticed audiences internationally with performances at the London 2012 Olympics as well as Europe’s largest celtic music festival, Festival Interceltique in Lorient, France. Contact Person: Shonali Ganguli: 098365-69944
PANEL DISCUSSION ON NEUROESTHETICS AND BEAUTY: Date: Tuesday 9 February 2016. Time: 6.30 pm onwards. Venue: British Deputy High Commission, 1A, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, (Next to Metro Plaza Mall), Kolkata-700 071. Key Speakers will discuss cutting-edge research in UK on Neuroesthetics including Semir Zeki, Pioneer of Neuroesthetics and Professor at University College London, R P Sengupta, Founder of The Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, Mark Baker, Specialist at Movement Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Mark Cunningham, Senior Lecturer at Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, and Oishee Chakrabarti, Associate Professor at Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. Contact Persons: Manjari Chakravorty 0996744-09511 and Shonali Ganguli: 098365-69944
DIALOGUE ON CLIMATE SMART DEVELOPMENT & GREEN ADDA ON CLIMATE SMART KOLKATA: Date: Wednesday 10 February 2016. Time: 10.30 am to 1.45 pm followed by Lunch. Venue: The Park Hotel, Park Street, Kolkata. Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and BDHC organised dialogue will focus on addressing local and global solutions to adapt to volatile climate patterns and conserve resources while promoting policies to reduce strains on the environment. The next few years will be crucial for determining the policy response to climate change, especially after the discussions at the Paris Conference. The Green Adda will bring together eminent personalities and thought leaders to discuss how Kolkata can be one of the greenest, cleanest and climate smart cities of the world. Contact Person: Haimanti Poddar: 0-98314-77692
INWARD INVESTORS MEET: Date: Wednesday 10 February 2016. Time: 5 pm to 6.45 pm. Venue: British Deputy High Commission, 1A, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, (Next to Metro Plaza Mall), Kolkata-700 071. The British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata will be in conversation with Indian investors (existing & prospective) from the region to familiarise them with the UK as a preferred destination for foreign investment as well as assist Indian investors with further business in the UK. Contact Person: Sandip Chaudhuri: 0-96744-84642 E: sandip.chaudhuri@mobile.ukti.gov.uk
BEST OF BRITISH FOOD AND DRINK: Date: Wednesday 10 February 2016. Time: 7 pm to 9.30 pm. Venue: British Deputy High Commission, 1A, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, (Next to Metro Plaza Mall), Kolkata-700 071. During the evening, the Brand Ambassador for United Spirits, Shantanu Sengupta, will take Invitees through a journey of Scotch Whiskies explaining the varied tastes and helping them savour the intricacies of some of Scotland’s favourite blends. Later, celebrity Chef Shaun Kenworthy will treat Invitees to a spread of the best of authentic British cuisine. Contact Person: Mainak De 098300-70623
SPORT IS GREAT – POWER OF PLAY: Date: Thursday 11 February 2016. Time: Kick off at 10 am; Finals and trophy distribution from 2 pm. Venue: Crow Field on the Maidan next to Elliott Park opposite the American Centre. ‘Sports is GREAT – Power of Play’ will be a UK funded project to celebrate the positive impact sport and play can have in children’s lives. The UK is partnering with the Jungle Crows Foundation to host a rugby competition for 12 teams of Under-14 Girls. The competition will be followed up with a series of ‘Sports for Development’ programmes from which Jungle Crows will prepare a set of recommendations for using community sports initiatives to engage and motivate children. Contact Person: Paul Walsh 098300-09641
PANEL DISCUSSION ON SPORTS FOR DEVELOPMENT: Date: Thursday 11 February 2016. Time: 4 pm to 6 pm. Venue: British Council, L&T Chambers, First Floor, 16 Camac Street, Kolkata 700017. Panelists from Kolkata Police, sports administrators, journalists and organisations who work through sports for development of marginalised and socio-economically challenged communities will share insights into the role of sport in the development of communities. Contact Person: Shonali Ganguli: 098365-69944
GREAT CONVERSATIONS: BRITAIN AND INDIA: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: Date: Thursday 11 February 2016. Time: 7 pm onwards. Venue: Tea Lawns, Tollygunj Club, 120 Deshapran Sasmal Road, Tollygunge, Kolkata-700 033. GREAT Conversations is a lecture series organised by BDHC Kolkata which features influential Indian and British thought leaders. The aim of the lecture series is to give Indian audiences an opportunity to interact with some of the best minds in India and the UK and to provide a platform for public debate and discussion on topical issues. The theme of this edition is Britain and India: Past, Present and Future which will discuss the vibrant Indo-UK relationship and debate on how the relationship should progress in the coming decades. The speakers are Victor Mallet, South Asian Bureau Chief of The Financial Times, Ruchir Joshi, writer, columnist and filmmaker and British Deputy High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn-Wood. Contact Person: Ms Suhani Arora: 085850-07557
LAUNCH OF THE 2016 GREAT SCHOLARSHIPS: Date: Friday 12 February 2016. Time: 11.00 am. Venue: British Council, L&T Chambers, First Floor, 16 Camac Street, Kolkata 700017. Andrew Soper, Minister Political and Press, British High Commission, Rob Lynes, Director British Council India and Sujata Sen Director British Council East India will launch the 2016 GREAT Scholarships. Contact Person: Shonali Ganguli: 098365-69944
QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP: Date: Saturday 13 February 2016. Time: 2.45 pm. Venue: Calcutta Race Course. Contact Person: Mr Kanchan Kanti Jana, Secretary, Royal Calcutta Turf Club, Calcutta Race Course, Hastings, Kolkata-700 022. Phone: 2248 7170/6232/9502