Army Institute of Management organises a special talk on "Interpreting the Spirit of Calcutta for Newtown"

Army Institute of Management hosts a unique talk on "Interpreting the Spirit of Calcutta for Newtown" on March 16th 2023 with Mr. Debashish Sen- the Chief Architect of the development in and around Newtown. The talk was conducted by Dr. Sunandan Roychowdhury, Editor of Eastern Review.

Kolkata ,as we know it, the city is known for its rich and diverse intellectual heritage that is deeply intertwined with the metaphysical.Every corner of the city holds a special charm that has been captivating people from all walks of life for centuries.

This city has been the cultural and intellectual capital of India for centuries, and it's hard to walk down any typical street without feeling the pulse of history and mysticism.

One of the most palpable features of Kolkata's heritage is its architecture. The colonial buildings such as the Raj Bhawan, the Writer's or the National Library that dot the city are a testament to its colonial history as a British trading post, and the majestic Victoria Memorial is a prime example of this.But Kolkata's vibrancy isn't just about its buildings; it's also about the people. The city has been home to many great writers, poets, thinkers and spiritual leaders, including Rammohan Roy, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar as the forerunners of Bengal Renaissance, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, Rishi Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda; Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and the likes. Their creations and philosophies have had a profound impact on the city and its people, shaping its values and beliefs in countless ways. Apart from Rabindranath Tagore receiving Nobel for literature and Mother Teresa for peace prize in Nobel, the city has produced two more Nobel laureates in Economics ; Dr. Amartya Sen and Dr. Abhijeet Banerjee and an Oscar winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

The city proudly boasts of housing some of the most globally well known educational Institutions such as University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University, the Presidency and the St. Xavier's that form the backbone of the city's intellectual spirit. The city's heterogeneity is also reflected in numerous Artist galleries, international film festivals, book fairs, food festivals, religious festivals, international trade fairs and many more. From Kalighat tram line to handpulled rickshaws near Nakhoda Masjid from Park St cemetery to Nandan, from Academy of Fine Arts to Magen David Synagogue, from China Town to Bow Barracks, it is a city of never ending stories; the city with undying enthusiasm.

Perhaps most importantly, Kolkata's buzz is alive and pulsating today. From the countless festivals to the daily rituals that mark the passage of time, philosophy is just the default way of life in Kolkata. And even as the city evolves and changes, all these symbolism remains a vital part of its identity, connecting its past, present, and future in ways that are both timeless and inspiring.

In the year 2021, Army Institute shifted from the old campus in Alipore to Newtown. In this one and half years, the institute is yet to understand the workings of the new neighborhood. Institute is hopeful to act as a catalyst to create a connected functional ecosystem of the new campuses of the educational Institutions,the corporate houses and ofcourse the Development Authority of Newtown. For instance they have hosted a mega inter-college festival INFERNO inviting all major colleges around Calcutta. They have also recently hosted a global seminar on supply chain management in collaboration with the Procam Group. Mr. Nilesh Sinha of Procam Group has signed a MoU with AIM as a part of industry-academia partnership endeavour in Newtown.

To talk of Newtown, it is a planned satellite city located on the eastern fringes of Kolkata was conceived as an extension of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area to accommodate the growing population and industrialization of the region. The area is known for its modern infrastructure, smart urban planning, and an emerging confluence of working population from multiple ethnicities. Acting as a melting pot of the evolving cultural scene, as people from all parts of India and abroad have started settling here, the city's cosmopolitan vibe is getting reflected in its cuisine, language, festivals, and customs. Newtown is a sample to be taken inspiration from.

The Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, located in the heart of Newtown, is a state-of-the-art venue that hosts art exhibitions, music concerts, and corporate events. Also, 2023 being the year of G-20 presidency for India, New town stages itself on the global platform as a futuristic modern city, yet withholding the essence of the city of Joy.

The Eco Park, a popular recreational area in Newtown, is also home to a replica of the wonders of the world, the mother wax museum and Arts Acre museum, some jewels of this modern upcoming part of the city of Kolkata. On the other hand there is Nazrul Tirtha, Newtown Library, Coal India, UCO Bank. These are some iconic organisations that resonate the familiarity of Calcutta and yet have made their presence felt in Newtown.

Overall, Newtown's culture is a representational character of Kolkata's traditional and contemporary influences, reflecting the city's dynamic progress while attempting to preserve its past.Since Newtown's umbilical cord with Kolkata has not been severed, the essential question circles around whether Newtown identifies itself as a child, a neighbour or a relative of the mother city?

As New Town rapidly develops, it is time to keep the spirit of Kolkata alive and bring it to the forefront of this bustling new district. From the iconic architecture of Chowringhee to the modern establishments of Biswa Bangla Gate, Army Institute has taken a step back and embraced the beauty of our city by interpreting the spirit of Calcutta for New Town.The program was equally appreciated by all stakeholders of the society. It was attended by Mr. Suvaprasanna, renowned artist and Founder of Arts Acre Foundation, Mr. Dhiman Das, Owner of famous Indian sweet manufacturing company K.C.Das, officials from NKDA, HIDCO, Officers from numerous corporate houses and University professors as well as students.