British Council inks pact with lit body for cultural promotion

The British Council Sunday signed a formal agreement with a city-based literary organisation to promote art and culture of India and the United Kingdom in their respective countries.

The agreement was signed here by Sundeep Bhutoria, Trustee of Prabha Khaitan Foundation - the literary, performing arts and cultural organisation - and Alan Gemmale, Director of British Council in India.

"The agreement would continue our association further and we would tell our incredible stories of culture, we are rooted in cultural connect with Kolkata and there are stories to tell and inspire others," the Director of British Council in India said.

Christopher Rodrigues, Chairman and global head of the British Council, had come down to Kolkata from London to formalise the agreement.

"It is a great feeling to be in Kolkata at this time of the year with the onset of Puja festivities. I am looking forward to seeing it," Rodrigues, Chairman and global head of British Council, said.

Dignitaries including industrialist Hari Mohan Bangur, danseuses Tanusree Shankar and Dona Ganguly, litterateur Anjum Katyal, Director British Council East Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) Gouri Basu, National Library Director Arun Kumar Chakraborty were present on the occasion.

Bhutoria said Prabha Khaitan Foundation has been carrying out various cultural and literary events across India covering 25 cities and have started doing events in London.

"We have started literary events in regional language across India. We will organise events in cities across the world and also support Kolkatas initiative to become the first UNESCO designated City of Literature in India," Bhutoria said.