24, Jan 2024
ABP Ananda’s ‘Khaibaar Paas’ set to celebrate its 10th year, promises culinary spectacle in 2024
Kolkata, January 23, 2024: ABP Ananda, West Bengal’s leading Bengali news channel, is excited to announce the milestone 10th year of its renowned food festival, ‘Khaibaar Paas’. Scheduled from January 25-28 January 2024, 1 PM – 9:30 PM at the Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav Exhibition Ground in North Kolkata, this edition promises to be the most significant celebration yet, featuring over 50 food stalls.
The 10th edition of ABP Ananda Khaibaar Paas not only commemorates a decade of culinary excellence but also marks a significant shift by venturing into North Kolkata for the first time. Traditionally held in the Southern part of the city, this expansion broadens the festival’s reach, inviting new communities to partake in the grand celebration of Bengal’s diverse cuisine and cultural heritage.
A staple in the state’s culinary calendar, ABP Ananda Khaibaar Paas unites the finest restaurants and food joints for a spectacular celebration of Bengali cuisine. As the largest food festival in Bengal, it draws food enthusiasts from across the region, establishing itself as a must-visit event.
Attendees can anticipate sampling signature dishes from Kolkata’s legendary restaurants and exciting new eateries, showcasing both traditional and contemporary takes on Bengali cuisine. ABP Ananda, in commemorating this milestone, maintains the festival’s ethos – to honour the spirit of Bengali cuisine. It’s a rendezvous where time-honoured classics meet contemporary innovations, all crafted with passion and culinary finesse.
Beyond the delectable offerings, ABP Ananda Khaibaar Paas is a celebration of community and togetherness. It serves as a platform for local culinary artisans, a stage for emerging talent, and a melting pot of flavours where everyone is welcome to savour the richness of Bengali cuisine.
The 10th edition of the festival will provide a great platform for the event’s sponsors and partners to showcase their brands in front of large audiences. The presenting sponsors for this year’s edition are Jaya Biscuits, Sudha, Solaris Shalimar, Foodie Folks, Weikfield, Doctor’s Choice Cooking Oil, Catch Masala. The festival is Co-Powered by Shanghai-Flavours of China Town, Rungta Steel TMT Bar, Dear Government Lotteries. It is Partnered by Saha Textile, Softovac (Lupin), Kajaria, Federal Bank – Speak for India. The Digital Partner for the food festival is ABP Live while its Print Partner is t2 and Venue Partner is Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav Ground.
ABP Ananda’s commitment to hosting Khaibaar Paas annually reflects its unwavering dedication to Bengal’s cultural tapestry. Beyond being a food festival, it symbolizes the channel’s profound connection with the community, reinforcing its role as more than just a news channel. By curating this grand celebration of Bengal’s culinary heritage, ABP Ananda continues to embody its commitment to showcasing the essence of Bengal’s traditions, fostering community bonds, and nurturing the spirit of togetherness that defines the brand.
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- By Rabindra
20, Jan 2024
IKBF sparks deeper understanding between West Bengal and the UK
Kolkata, 20 January 2024: Till 31st January, the Central Park Mela Ground in Salt Lake, Kolkata, is going to be home to one of the biggest literary events, the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF). The United Kingdom (UK) is the focal theme country at the IKBF 2024 – the fourth time overall. West Bengal and the UK have a long-standing relationship that spans literature, English language training, collaboration in arts and culture, and scholarly exchange between students and academics.
The UK Theme Country Pavilion, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the presence of Alex Ellis CMG, British High Commissioner and Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council stands at the heart of the IKBF. The UK pavilion offers visitors and the youth of Kolkata a deeper view into the UK culture and expertise, and the opportunities sparked by the partnership between the two entities.
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the British Council’s presence in India, the UK Pavilion is showcasing the best of the UK literature, culture and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy multiple experiences spanning access to books across genres, a digital library, sessions with authors, discussions with UK academics and experts, an enriching view into the ‘Future of English’ and access to information on studying in some of the best world’s best academic institutions in the UK.
Speaking at the IKBF, Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said, “We are thrilled at the initial excitement around the UK Theme Country Pavilion at the International Kolkata Book Fair. The West Bengal-UK ties in literature go back a long way and have paved the way for the opportunities and partnerships in the present and the future. We are bringing the best of the UK to Kolkata at the IKBF that coincides with the British Council’s 75th anniversary in India.”
“Over the next two weeks, visitors from all backgrounds can find a reason to visit the UK theme country pavilion – whether listening to authors and experts, indulging in quizzes, exploring educational opportunities in the UK or simply creating memories through photos against iconic UK backdrops such as the Telephone Booths or the Shard – the tallest building in the UK. We would like to congratulate the Booksellers and Publishers Guild for the mega event and look forward to our continued partnership with them in the years to come,” she added.
The first day of the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair (Friday, January 19, 2024) has a series of captivating events at the UK Pavilion. At 4:00 PM, attendees can join Michael Wilson, Professor of Drama and Head of Creative Arts at Loughborough University, for a thought-provoking “GREAT Talk” on storytelling as collective thinking about climate change. Followed by a session with author Nandini Das at 5:00 PM.
At 6.30pm, Roma Agrawal MBE, a structural engineer, shares insights on “Three Bridges.” Dr. Robert Potts discusses “New Creative Worlds: AI and Robotics at the Frontiers of Innovation” at 6:45 PM, offering a fascinating exploration.
The weekend promises more enriching experiences, including micro-bit judging, literature and language learning discussions, and an intriguing exploration of “Digital Storytelling and Slow Storytelling” with Michael Wilson at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 20, 2024. The coming days will feature a diverse range of events, from discussions on the future of non-human resources to talks by acclaimed authors Sebastian Faulks and Indrajit Hazra. Visitors can also indulge in open quizzes, crafting sessions for children, and intriguing discussions on translation, languages, and popular culture.
Highlights of the UK Theme Country Pavilion:
· Vibrant Education, Science, and Creativity: The UK Pavilion will provide a captivating exploration of the vibrant education, science, and creative sectors of the UK. Engaging exhibits and interactive displays will facilitate an immersive experience for attendees.
· Future of English Exhibition: A focal point of the UK Pavilion, the ‘Future of English’ exhibition will showcase the global impact and influence of the English language. Interactive displays will captivate visitors, highlighting the evolving role and significance of English worldwide.
· Cultural Exchange and Understanding: The UK Pavilion is set to play host to a series of events and activities aimed at fostering cultural exchange and deeper understanding between the UK and India. Thought-provoking discussions will enrich the intellectual and literary atmosphere of the fair.
· Literary and Intellectual Discussions: As the theme country, the UK will present a distinguished lineup of speakers at the International Kolkata Book Fair and the associated Kolkata Literature Festival, contributing to the enrichment of literary and intellectual dialogues.
18, Jan 2024
Fino Bank to increase physical as well as digital footprint in West Bengal
Kolkata, 18 January 2024: Fino Payments Bank (“Fino Bank”, “Bank”) plans to set up branchless points at every 300 meters in an effort to bring banking services closer to industrial areas and IT hubs across West Bengal. Banking points at such short distances would be beneficial to people working and living near an estimated 10 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) spread across the state.
Fino Bank’s branchless points comprise of telecom shops, general provision stores, and other small businesses in the neighborhood that are easy for customers to access. They provide banking services using micro ATM (MATM) and Aadhaar-enabled payment system (AePS) devices. Currently, Fino Bank has around 35000 such tech-enabled shops known as merchant points across all 23 districts of West Bengal.
West Bengal, home to a large number of industries across automobile, leather, industrial machinery, textile, etc plans to build 4 new industrial parks covering North and South Bengal. With more MSME units coming up, new jobs created will lead to a demand for access to financial services in the industrial zones.
“We are geared up to meet the growing demand for access to quality banking services in West Bengal as well as across the North East”, said Mr. Shailesh Pandey, Chief Sales Officer, Fino Payments Bank. “Our innovative asset-light branchless banking infrastructure is the need of the hour, where more than 68% of the state’s 10 crore population lives in rural areas. Our pan India network of over 15 lakh points has been transforming the banking behavior of millions of people by providing assisted digital services in a convenient, safe and secure manner. We intend to replicate the same in the state by deploying our Distribution-Data-Digital strategy and expand our network by 50% in the next 12-18 months.”
Darpan Anand, Senior Divisional Head (North & East), Fino Payments Bank said, “Our Micro ATM and AePS enabled points have significant presence across West Bengal’s industrial and rural belts. Going forward, we will penetrate deeper inside existing geographies and in the upcoming MSME corridors and add more banking points within 300 metres of each other to improve banking access. In addition to basic banking services, the demand for efficient cash management services is huge in the state. We are well placed to cater to that need as well.”
With a growing smartphone user base in West Bengal and North East, Fino Bank believes in handholding its customers in their digital adoption journey. The Bank’s merchant also helps customers download FinoPay mobile app on their smartphones and transact leading to increase in digital transactions.
At Fino Bank’s point, one can open a new bank account, get instant debit card, do deposits, withdrawals, money transfers, pay utility bills, and even access third-party offerings such as insurance and referral loans. Most importantly, customers can visit the merchant at their convenience as the point is open for long hours, even on holidays. Merchants on the other hand, earn customer goodwill and opportunity to enhance their income.
23, Dec 2023
Winners Announced For Smart India Hackathon, 2023 West Bengal Chapter At Techno India University & Techno Main Saltlake
- · Winners Include Oriental Institute of Science & Technology, West Bengal, Walchand college of Engineering, Sangli, BIT, Sindri, Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Gaziabad, Bansilal Ramnath Agarwal Charitable Trusts Vishwakarama Institute Of Technology, Apper Indiranagar, Pune, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandals Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College Of Engineering, ITM University, Gwalior,MadhyaPradesh, Fr Conceicao Rodrigues College Of Engineering, Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology,Delhi & Dayananda Sagar College Of Engineering, Bangalore
Kolkata, 23rd December 2023: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH), 2023, a nationwide initiative by Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, which was held at Techno Main Salt Lake & Techno India University campus grounds concluded with the announcement of the winners of the West Bengal chapter. The winners of Smart India Hackathon, (SIH) in West Bengal from the Techno India University are Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, West Bengal , Walchand college of engineering, Sangli, BIT, Sindri and Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Gziabad. The winners of West Bengal, Techno Main Saltlake are Bansilal Ramnath Agarwal Charitable Trusts Vishwakarama Institute Of Technology, Apper Indiranagar, Pune, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandals Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College Of Engineering, Itm University, Gwalior,Madhya Pradesh, Fr Conceicao Rodrigues College Of Engineering, Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology,Delhi, Dayananda Sagar College Of Engineering, Bangalorewho won one lakh each for four problem statements.
Team Contra from Techno India University won at Chhattisgarh and two teams from Techno Main Salt Lake SpartechX and Invokators won the National level SIH 2023 in two different problem statements at Jaipur and Bangalore respectively.
Smart India Hackathon provided the students with a platform to solve the pressing problems of the government, ministries, departments, industries and other organizations. SIH has been acclaimed as the world’s biggest open innovation model and it inculcates the culture of product innovation and problem-solving among students. SIH is conducted every year since 2017 in two formats i.e. SIH Software and SIH Hardware Editions for higher education students. Last year in 2022, Smart India Hackathon – Junior was also introduced for school students to build a culture of Innovation and problem-solving attitude at the school level.
“In the two day Hackathon, we saw a large number of enthusiastic students participating. Each of them has shown exemplary skills & determination and have won. We look forward to such healthy competitions where the students get a chance to showcase their skills. We wholeheartedly laud this initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Education for providing a platform for the students and we look forward to such innovative events”, said Prof Manoshi Roychowdhury, Co-Chairperson, Techno India Group.
The scope of the Smart India hackathon has been widening with every passing year since its launch in 2017. The increased enthusiasm among participating students and problem statement provider organizations could be seen in their growing participation over the years. Every year SIH is impacting lakhs of students and provides them a national platform to test their educational leanings in real-world problem-solving. It also aligns their interest toward Innovation and entrepreneurship.
Over 12000 participants is participating in this year’s SIH grand finale at national level. These SIH teams along with 2500+ Mentors will travel to the assigned nodal center and will work on these problem statements during grand finale of SIH 2023.
The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and All India Council for Technical Education has identified 47 higher educational institutes/ incubators as Smart India Hackathon nodal centers to host the participant of SIH and facilitate an environment to conduct the Smart India hackathon in its well defined and established format. At each nodal center, an officer designated by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell will monitor and preside over the proceeding during the entire duration of SIH grand finale.
21, Dec 2023
Ambuja Cements Uplifts Healthcare Facilities for the Tribal Community in West Bengal’s Farakka region
Bengaluru, 21st December 2023: Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Group, through its CSR arm, has forged a strategic partnership with the Health Department in order to enhance the healthcare facilities for the tribal communities of Shymlapur village in Farakka region of Murshidabad district. This is a substantial step towards integrating modern healthcare practices into community welfare that has been relying on traditional treatments so far.
A doorstep healthcare service, spearheaded by Health Sakhi Kalpana Mandal, specifically addresses the unique challenges faced by tribal women in accessing healthcare. They dedicatedly focus on providing late-night assistance, pregnancy testing, and family planning services. Their ‘Matriyan’ program, offering free vehicle services, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that vital healthcare reaches every household in the tribal village.
The success of this initiative is evident from the effective delivery of pregnancy test kits, blood pressure screenings, HB testing, and the distribution of essential supplements and family planning resources. This comprehensive approach has resulted in a noteworthy achievement: a 100% institutional delivery rate in Shymlapur village.
The infusion of modern healthcare practices is creating a positive impact on the tribal communities of Shymlapur. The empowerment of tribal women through specialized services exemplifies how modern healthcare practices are tailored to meet the specific needs of the community, ensuring comprehensive and culturally sensitive care.
Going beyond doorstep services, the program includes health camps and educational sessions, actively fostering heightened health awareness among the tribal community. This holistic approach not only improves healthcare access but also seamlessly integrates the tribal population into mainstream healthcare services.
Ambuja Cements’ commitment to enhancing healthcare in Murshidabad’s tribal areas aligns seamlessly with its business ethos. These initiatives not only elevate the quality of healthcare but also cultivate a sense of trust and engagement within the community, paving the way for sustainable health advancements.
18, Oct 2023
ICICI Bank opens a branch in Kolkata
Kolkata: ICICI Bank has set up a branch in Kolkata. This is the 126th branch of the Bank in the city. Housed at Ashirbad Apartment at Mukundapur, the branch has an ATM and Cash Recycler Machine (CRM) to offer cash deposit and withdrawal services to customers around the clock.
Shri Narayan Swaroop Nigam, IAS, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, West Bengal inaugurated the branch.
The branch offers a comprehensive range of accounts, including savings and current accounts, trade and forex services, fixed and recurring deposits, loans- business loan, home loan, personal loan, auto loan, and gold loan– along with remittance and card services. It also provides locker facilities at its premises. It operates from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Monday to Friday and on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of the month.
The Bank has a network of about 283 branches and 690 ATMs in West Bengal.
12, Oct 2023
Tata Tea Gold’s ode to West Bengal’s Durga Pujo festivities
A celebration of artistic splendor with Banglar Noksha Pujo Packs
National, October 12, 2023: As the vibrant tapestry of West Bengal adorns itself in hues of grandeur to warmly welcome the divine fervor of Durga Pujo, Tata Tea Gold, West Bengal’s favorite tea brand, joyously celebrates this festival with the launch of 10 festive packs inspired from the handloom styles of the state. Durga Pujo is a time when West Bengal is at its colorful best. This heralds a time for the women to adorn themselves with new sarees, selected from a wide array of exquisite traditional handloom and textile creations. This festive ode to the handloom heritage was the inspiration for Tata Tea Gold’s festive series Banglar Noksha Pujo packaging. The Tata Tea Gold festive packs are inspired by 5 handloom styles: Kantha, Jamdani, Baluchari, Batik, and Garad.
Tata Tea Gold has also unveiled a specially crafted film, developed by Media Monks, that beautifully captures how Pujo is celebrated across the five days from Shashthi to Dashami. Each celebration has been depicted in the style of West Bengal’s rich handloom culture. The story unfolds with a curious child observing the similarity between the design of a Tata Tea Gold Jamdani-inspired pack and her mother’s Jamdani saree. Soon, a captivating conversation takes place between the two, narrating about Durga Pujo celebrations, basking in the iconic handloom artistry of the region. The film along with a captivating song, brings to life some of the celebratory rituals intricately illustrated on the festive packs.
The film weaves a rich narrative of West Bengal’s pride and celebrations, from the traditional conch blowing depicted on the Jamdani-inspired packs to the resounding beats of the Dhaki from the Kantha-inspired packs, the devotee (Pujaran) adorned in a Baluchari saree, the Dhunuchi dancer draped in Batik prints, and the women playing Sindoor Khela dressed in Garad sarees.
Reflecting on the essence of the new Durga Pujo campaign, Puneet Das, President – Packaged Beverages, India & South Asia, Tata Consumer Products, shared, “As one of the most loved tea brands of West Bengal, we take pride in understanding the people and the local culture. As Durga Pujo is celebrated with such exuberance, we decided to pay homage to these festive celebrations through the famous handloom and textile art of West Bengal. We partnered with five well-known master weavers of West Bengal – Mrityunjoy Chakraborty for Kantha, Sahadeb and Shanksha Basak for Jamdani, Amitava Pal for Baluchari, Sukanta Nandy for Batik and Jiban Polisha for Garad to create special festive handloom designs, which served as inspiration for the design of Tata Tea Gold’s festive packs. These limited-edition special packs, steeped in local flavors, mirror the lively spirit of the festival, encapsulating its vibrant hues and energy. The film shows the visual narrative of the Durga Pujo celebration through our packs.”
Arnab Chatterjee, Co-founder, of Tree Design who had conceptualized the design said, “To capture the festive spirit of Durga Pujo, we decided to harness the immense beauty and depth of the textile and handloom weaves available in the state. Wearing new clothes on the days of Pujo is a tradition, which is why we decided to leverage the magic of West Bengal’s handlooms. We worked closely with master weavers going across the length and breadth of West Bengal and harnessed the magic of their craft to capture the festive fervour in the Tata Tea Gold Festive series packs.”
Commenting on the genesis of the campaign and the idea, Azazul Haque, Chief Content Officer, Media Monks said “Durga Pujo for West Bengal is not just a festival, it is an emotion. When Tata Tea Gold designed the special festive packs showcasing the events during the different days of Pujo depicted in the handloom style of West Bengal, the brief for the campaign was simple- Celebrate Durga Pujo through the festive packs. And the film does exactly that. In the film, a mother proudly tells her daughter about the different Handlooms of West Bengal and how they are depicting the celebrations around Durga Pujo. The feeling of Durga Pujo is magical and we have tried to convey the same through this musical, celebratory film.”
