3 October 2026, on the occasion of the 157th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, yesterday a dignified commemorative programme was organised by Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Barrackpore, at the auditorium of the Sangrahalaya.
The programme commenced with the welcome address delivered by the Director-Secretary of the Sangrahalaya, Dr. Pratik Ghosh. In the presence of the distinguished guests, the programme was inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the offering of floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. The inaugural song was performed by Smt. Bulbul Sarkar.
The programme was presided over by the President of the Managing Committee of Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Dr. Shankarkumar Sanyal.
One of the principal highlights of the programme was the 27th Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Oration, delivered by the distinguished publisher, writer, translator and noted commentator on art, theatre, literature and politics, Professor Samik Bandyopadhyay. Through his long and distinguished engagement with literature and culture, and his significant contributions to the fields of art, theatre and literature, he has continued to leave an important imprint on the cultural and intellectual landscape of Bengal.
The special guests at the programme included distinguished social worker and State Vice-President in West Bengal Shri Manoj Pandey; Hon’ble MLA of Barrackpore Assembly Constituency Shri Kaustav Bagchi; and Dr. Suparna Gupta, Professor in the Department of History, University of Calcutta, and Director of the Gandhi Study Centre.
On behalf of the Sangrahalaya, the distinguished guests were felicitated with uttariyas and commemorative charkhas. Smt. Mili Halder, Librarian of the Sangrahalaya, represented the institution during the felicitation ceremony.
The distinguished speakers shared their valuable reflections and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the continuing relevance of Gandhiji’s thoughts, ideals and values in contemporary society and life. The discussion concluded with the presidential address delivered by Dr. Shankarkumar Sanyal.
On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th Birth Anniversary, the expanded new edition of the book, entitled, ‘Gandhi Parikrama’ was released in the presence of the distinguished guests.
Through this publication, various dimensions and facets of Mahatma Gandhi’s deep and enduring relationship with Bengal and the Bengali people will be presented to readers in a renewed form.
On this significant occasion, a special contribution was made in memory of the late Shri Narayan Basu, former President of Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, as a tribute to his memory and towards the goal of institutional self-reliance. With the objective of supporting and encouraging a trainee of the Sangrahalaya’s Self-Reliance Project in moving forward in their professional life, Smt. Sudipa Chakraborty, elder daughter of the late Shri Narayan Basu, and his wife, Smt. Rekha Basu, on behalf of the family, contributed ₹10,000/- towards the initiative.
At the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Snehasis Sur, Member of the Managing Committee and President of the Press Club, Kolkata, delivered the vote of thanks to the distinguished guests, the orator, the audience and all well-wishers.
The programme concluded with the rendition of the closing song. The entire programme was conducted by the Director-Secretary of the Sangrahalaya, Dr. Pratik Ghosh.
Remembering Gandhiji’s ideals of truth, non-violence, self-reliance and humanity, today’s programme at Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Barrackpore, became a meaningful confluence of tribute, remembrance and reflection, reaffirming the Sangrahalaya’s commitment to carrying Gandhi’s thoughts and values forward to the present generation.