Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 22: A significant step towards positioning culture as a driver of sustainable development was taken today as the Maitri Cultural Economy Samiti (MCES), a flagship national initiative of MaitriBodh Parivaar, began in Kolkata. The summit laid the foundation for a culture-linked economic ecosystem in West Bengal by bringing together policymakers, government leaders, academicians, industry experts, artists, cultural practitioners and thought leaders to explore how India’s rich Sanskritic heritage can become a catalyst for economic growth, tourism, entrepreneurship, heritage conservation and nation building.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister for Culture & Tourism, said, “When culture is connected with livelihoods, it empowers communities. When it is connected with the economy, it creates opportunities that benefit every section of society, especially at the grassroots. As India progresses towards Viksit Bharat, the unique strengths of every state become the collective strength of the nation. Bengal’s legacy of creativity, resilience, innovation and cultural excellence will continue to play a vital role in shaping India’s future.”
Hon’ble Chief Minister – West Bengal, Shri. Suvendu Adhikari, in his message for the event, shared, “It is a matter of great pride that the Maitri Cultural Economy Summit is being hosted on the soil of West Bengal. At a time when the state is witnessing a new phase of transformation and progress, such initiatives provide fresh direction, renewed energy and new pathways for development. I am confident that this summit will usher in a new wave of cultural awareness, economic empowerment and public participation across the state.”
Dr. Shankar Ghosh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of West Bengal, remarked, “West Bengal has long been a beacon of India’s cultural, spiritual and intellectual heritage. The time has come to connect this extraordinary legacy with development and livelihoods so that future generations can preserve it while creating new opportunities for growth.”
Smt. Purnima Chakraborty, Hon’ble Minister of State, Department of Information & Cultural Affairs and Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, said, “Our Sanskriti is our greatest strength. It carries the wisdom of our ancestors, inspires our present, and guides the future we seek to build. Preserving and celebrating this heritage is not only an act of remembrance but an investment in a progressive, confident and culturally rooted society.”
The summit witnessed engaging deliberations on critical themes including cultural economy governance and policy frameworks, spiritual traditions and temple economy in West Bengal, the cultural-economic significance of Eastern India, reviving the historic Anga-Banga-Kalinga civilisational connect for regional prosperity, and leveraging artificial intelligence, heritage documentation and intellectual property rights to preserve India’s cultural legacy in the digital age.
The gathering also acknowledged the visionary leadership of Maitreya Dadashreeji, whose unwavering commitment to promoting spirituality, Indian values, Sanskriti and cultural consciousness alongside social and economic progress continues to inspire a holistic model of nation building.
With this summit, a strong foundation has now been laid for advancing culture-linked economic governance in West Bengal, paving the way for collaborative action that transforms the state’s rich cultural heritage into a sustainable engine for inclusive growth, livelihoods and long-term prosperity.
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