Chaitanya Library Revival: A Step Towards Preserving Kolkata’s Intellectual Legacy

Chaitanya Library Revival: A Step Towards Preserving Kolkata’s Intellectual Legacy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 20, 2025

The Calcutta Heritage Collective embarked on an extraordinary journey to preserve Kolkata’s intellectual and cultural heritage with the launch of the Chaitanya Library restoration initiative. The grand event, held on 12th January 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Kolkata, was a perfect blend of art, music, and community spirit, reflecting the rich history and vibrant culture of the city.

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The Chaitanya Library Restoration Initiative

The cornerstone of this ambitious project is the revival of the 135-year-old Chaitanya Library, established in 1889 by luminaries such as Gaur Hari Sen, Kunj Behari Datta, and Rabindranath Tagore. Home to over 150,000 rare books and journals, the library is a treasure trove of knowledge on Indian history, philosophy, and culture. Decades of neglect have left this historic sanctuary in urgent need of restoration and digitization.

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The initiative, supported by leading heritage conservation architect Ayan Sen, focuses on restoring the library’s infrastructure, preserving its invaluable resources, and digitizing rare publications to ensure global access and future self-sustainability.

A Night of Cultural Celebration

The launch event was a sensory delight. Renowned percussion maestro Bickram Ghosh headlined the evening with a live concert celebrating 25 years of fusion music and previewing his latest album, Rhythmscape 2.0. Accompanied by a stellar ensemble, including Pt. S. Sekhar on mridangam and Abhishek Mallick on electric sitar, Ghosh’s performance left the audience spellbound.

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Adding to the artistic fervor, celebrated artist Shuvaprasanna created a live painting synchronized with the tabla beats, embodying the spirit of ‘Chaitanya’ - awakening and knowledge. The unveiling of the Chaitanya Heritage Baithakkhana, a beautifully curated space, brought the library’s legacy to life, offering a glimpse into the vision of the initiative.

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Voices of Inspiration

Shuvaprasanna expressed his admiration, saying, “This priceless heritage, housing over 1 lakh books and 25,000 journals, deserved to be preserved for generations to come. The Calcutta Heritage Collective's initiative is truly commendable.”

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Bickram Ghosh added, “Preserving Kolkata’s rich heritage is a cause close to my heart. It was an honor to perform and support this noble initiative.”

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Founder Trustee Mukul Agarwal remarked, “The Chaitanya Library stands as a symbol of Kolkata’s intellectual and cultural legacy. Restoring its past glory is a monumental task, but we are committed to making it a hub of learning and inspiration for generations to come.”

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A Call to Action

The Chaitanya Library restoration initiative is more than a preservation effort; it is a movement to safeguard Kolkata’s cultural soul. The trustees - Gaurav Gupta, Munish Jhajharia, Dr. Rupali Basu, and Sangeeta Dudhoria - invite individuals, organizations, and institutions to join hands in this transformative endeavor.

About Calcutta Heritage Collective
Calcutta Heritage Collective is a voluntary initiative dedicated to the restoration, revival, and reuse of Kolkata’s built heritage. Through events, heritage walks, and educational programs, the organization works to inspire action and create awareness about preserving the city’s historical treasures.

For more details, visit www.calcuttaheritagecollective.com.


Mangaluru International Airport Begins Terminal Expansion to Double Passenger Capacity by 2029

Mangaluru International Airport Begins Terminal Expansion to Double Passenger Capacity by 2029

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 13, 2026

Mangaluru International Airport has commenced work on expanding its integrated terminal to handle the growing number of air travellers. The project is expected to increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 5.2 million by the end of 2029, according to airport authorities.

The expansion will add 27,100 square metres of built-up area on the eastern side of the existing terminal, while the current 48,574-square-metre facility will also undergo modifications to accommodate the rising passenger traffic.

The airport handled a record 2.55 million passengers during the 2025-26 financial year, crossing its originally planned annual capacity of around two million passengers. Passenger traffic has increased by nearly 42% over the last three years, rising from 1.79 million in 2022-23. The airport authorities expect passenger numbers to grow at an annual compound rate of around 9%, crossing four million by 2030-31.

As part of the expansion, the airport will improve several passenger facilities, including check-in counters, security screening, immigration, baggage handling, and arrival and departure areas. These improvements are expected to make passenger movement smoother and improve the overall airport experience.

The development will also introduce a public viewing gallery, which visitors can access after security clearance. An open-air recreational area overlooking the airfield and the Gurupura River valley is also part of the plans.

In addition to the terminal expansion, a separate multifunctional building is proposed to accommodate more than 800 vehicles through a multi-level parking facility. The building will also include office spaces, passenger amenities, food and beverage outlets and recreational facilities. A dedicated pedestrian bridge connecting the building to the terminal will feature travelators and buggy services to make movement easier for passengers.

The airport authorities said the expansion is being taken up considering Mangaluru's growing importance as a commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare centre in the region, along with the increasing demand for air travel across coastal Karnataka.

Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to improve passenger processing, support airport operations and accommodate future travel demand. The terminal expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.


Palmonas Expands Mumbai Retail Presence with New Store in Bandra West

Palmonas Expands Mumbai Retail Presence with New Store in Bandra West

By Hariharan U

Published on November 11, 2026

Palmonas has expanded its retail presence in Mumbai with the opening of a new store on Turner Road in Bandra West, bringing its jewellery collections closer to shoppers ahead of the festive season.

The new outlet arrives during a busy period for festive shopping, offering customers a convenient destination to explore jewellery for celebrations, family gatherings, gifting and everyday styling.

The store features Palmonas’ range of Demi-fine® jewellery, 9KT Gold jewellery and Fine Silver designs. With collections spanning different styles and occasions, shoppers can explore everyday accessories alongside pieces suited to festive dressing and special moments.

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The opening reflects Palmonas’ continued focus on expanding its offline retail footprint across key urban markets. By establishing a presence in Bandra West, the brand aims to make its collections more accessible to customers who prefer exploring jewellery in a physical retail environment.

The festive season brings increased interest in occasion-ready accessories and gifting options. The new store adds another location for Mumbai shoppers to discover Palmonas’ offerings across its jewellery categories.

Store Details

  • Brand: Palmonas

  • Address: Shop No. 3, Ground Floor, 36, Turner Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050


Pune Gas Opens 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, Expands Karnataka Presence

Pune Gas Opens 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, Expands Karnataka Presence

By Hariharan U

Published on November 11, 2026

Pune Gas has opened its 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, expanding its presence in Karnataka and bringing its commercial and industrial gas solutions closer to businesses across Dakshina Kannada and coastal Karnataka. The new facility is the company's second centre in the state, following its Bengaluru location.

The Pune Gas Mangaluru Experience Centre was inaugurated by D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Mangaluru City South, and S. Mukund Kamath, CMD, Ideal Ice Cream Pvt. Ltd.

The inauguration was attended by representatives from the oil and gas industry, including Sandeep Kumar Raina, LPG Territory Manager, BPCL, Mangaluru; Darshit Malviya, Manager – Sales, BPCL, Mangaluru; and Lakshmi M, CRM, HPCL. The centre will be locally managed by franchise partners Vindya Pai and Nithyanand Pai, with technical and leadership support from Pune Gas.

Mangaluru's Commercial and Industrial Energy Demand

Mangaluru and the wider Dakshina Kannada region have a diverse business base spanning hospitality, restaurants, seafood and marine products, cashew and food processing, chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilisers and manufacturing.

Industrial areas such as Baikampady, Yeyyadi, Ganjimutt and Karnad contribute to the region's commercial and manufacturing activity. Businesses across these sectors depend on reliable energy systems for commercial kitchens, process heating and other operational requirements.

The region's seafood and cashew industries also have export potential. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified these products under Dakshina Kannada's District Export Hub designation, while Karnataka Tourism highlights the Mangaluru–Udupi region's coastal cuisine and seafood traditions.

For businesses operating in these sectors, efficient LPG systems can help improve fuel utilisation, reduce wastage and manage operating expenses.

Pune Gas Highlights Its Energy Efficiency Solutions

Speaking at the launch, Jesal Sampat, Executive Director and CEO, Pune Gas, said, “Improving energy efficiency is essential to helping businesses manage operating costs and enhance operational performance. Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka present an important opportunity for us to bring our engineering expertise closer to Dakshina Kannada's diverse and growing business community.”

He added that Pune Gas solutions were helping businesses save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually, according to the company's estimates, by addressing fuel inefficiencies. The new centre, he said, would make its technologies and technical expertise more accessible to businesses across the region.

Nithyanand Pai, Pune Gas Mangaluru Franchise Partner, highlighted the scale of commercial LPG consumption in Karnataka, estimating daily demand at approximately 850 metric tonnes, equivalent to around 44,000 commercial LPG cylinders. He said the franchise would focus on helping regional businesses optimise LPG consumption and reduce fuel wastage.

Inside the Mangaluru Experience Centre

The new centre offers businesses an opportunity to explore Pune Gas's commercial and industrial gas systems through product demonstrations and technical guidance. Its portfolio includes:

  • Dry-Type LPG Vaporizer: The company's patented, Made-in-India technology converts liquid LPG into gas for commercial and industrial applications. System sizing is tailored to individual operational requirements.

  • LPGenius Smart LPG Systems: An integrated LPG solution designed to improve fuel utilisation and maintain consistent operations. It addresses issues such as cylinder freezing and sweating and works with LOT (Liquid Off-Take) 47.5 kg cylinders. Pune Gas states that the system can deliver 20–30% savings on LPG costs, depending on operating conditions.

  • FuelFusion: A dual-fuel system that enables compatible diesel generator sets to operate using diesel and LPG. According to the company, it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 70%, depending on system compatibility and operating conditions, while supporting lower-emission operations.

  • LeakCheck and Handheld Sniffer: Gas leak detection solutions designed to help identify potential leaks and support timely corrective action.

  • GasTrain Pressure Regulation Systems: Precision-engineered systems that regulate gas pressure according to equipment and process requirements, supporting controlled gas delivery.

  • Gas Parts and Consumables: Components for commercial and industrial LPG and natural gas infrastructure, supported by technical guidance.

Pune Gas Experience Centre, Mangaluru

Address: Vindhya Appliances, Shop No. FF 10, Lotus Atharva, Ashok Nagar, near Urwa Marigudi, Mangaluru – 575006.

About Pune Gas

With a history spanning more than 40 years, Pune Gas designs, develops and implements gas-based energy systems for commercial and industrial applications. The company operates across India and 20 international markets, serving sectors including manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.

Its portfolio includes LPG and natural gas systems aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and supporting the adoption of cleaner energy solutions.

For more information, visit Pune Gas.

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