The 21st edition of Bhasha Sanskriti Milan Utsav, organised by the Guwahati-based Byatikram Group in association with Meraki Associates, was held at Vivanta Kolkata, EM Bypass on the occasion of International Mother Language Day (Ekushey February).
The event featured a literary discussion on noted author and Vedic scholar Acharya Subhendu Sorcar, followed by a book signing of INDUS – Knowledge of Life and BHUMI – The Sacred Land. Eminent guests included Prof. Rajiv Bandyopadhaye, Prof. Ashish Paul of Jadavpur University, Palash Chaturvedi, Sukamal Maity and Ghulam Ahmed, among others.
A key highlight was the Ekushey Samman 2026 felicitation ceremony. Awardees included poet Subodh Sarkar, singer-actress Iman Chakraborty, Bratati Bandopadhyay, Prof. Dipak Bhattacharya, Snehasis Sur, Dr. Sudipta Chatterjee and several others. During her speech, Iman Chakraborty remembered Assamese singer Zubeen Garg and dedicated her award to his memory. Dr. Saumen Bharatiya said the platform has bridged generations and languages for 21 years, while Advocate Seema Sharma and Advocate Soheli Seal Sarkar stressed collective responsibility in preserving linguistic heritage. In Kolkata, the festival reinforced the city’s stature as a cultural and literary hub. The strong participation of artists, academics and media professionals highlighted growing demand for curated intellectual events, strengthening Kolkata’s positioning as a vibrant centre for language-driven cultural initiatives.