The Departments of Journalism and Mass Communication and Sociology had jointly organised an extension and outreach programme on May 8th 2026, commemorating the 165th birth anniversary of polymath Rabindranath Tagore named Baishakher Haat, an exhibition- cum- sale of handicrafts made by craftsmen of marginal backgrounds either on individual entrepreneurship or through initiatives extended by NGOs. The programme drew its inspiration from Tagore’s idea of self -sufficiency, rural development and its impact on sustainability. The programme was also inspired from ideas of empowerment, self-reliance and restoration of craftsmanship that are facing a sharp decline in their market value.
The programme began with the opening speech of Prof. Mohana Mazumdar, Assistant Professor in the department of Sociology followed by Rabindrasangeet performance by the choir of Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys Academy, Narendrapur. The programme was graced by Prof. Debjani Ganguly, Vice Principal of Arts Section. She inaugurated the exhibition and inspired us by her enriching vision on Tagore’s ideas of self-sufficiency. This programme commemorated Tagore not only through his musical classics but through his farsighted ideas of humanitarianism, empowerment and development. This initiative thus reflected the ethos of Tagore’s Palli Samaj and Palli Prakriti.
10 stalls were set up for the exhibition. Namely Roots n Shoots from Chetla, Pratyush from Barasat, Alna of Rashbehari Avenue, Sikshasatra Newtown from Newtown, Alok foundation of Dhiren Dhar Sarani, Karma Kutir of Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Sarani, Women’s Interlink Foundation of Ballygunge Place, Sambhunath Das- Sundarbaner Putul from Jaynagar Majilpur, Sunil Das, Talpatar putul from Bansdroni and Bapi Chitrakar Patachitra artist from Pingla, West Medinipur. Out of all, the last three 3 exhibitions were conducted by individual entrepreneurs specialising upon the heritage of their familial craftsmenship, and the remaining 7 stalls were arranged by several NGOs exhibiting the handicrafts of individuals belonging from the social margins.
The programme was a grand success celebrating the spirit of empowerment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
