In this powerful episode of Make Calcutta Relevant Again, we sit down with Rahul Roy—global entrepreneur, process innovation pioneer, and mentor to multiple billion-dollar businesses. From arriving in the US with no money to building breakthrough solutions across technology, semiconductor safety, printing, networking, and data systems, Rahul shares how problem-solving, mindset, and process innovation shaped his journey. This conversation goes beyond business.
It explores: Immigrant struggles and early failures in America Building confidence through skill, discipline, and mindset How process innovation creates massive value across industries Why Bengalis must reclaim entrepreneurship and leadership Mentorship, philanthropy, and building communities that grow together A must-watch for founders, students, professionals, and anyone who believes Bengal can lead again.
Join Meghdut for a delightful and heartwarming conversation with Anindya Chatterjee, the celebrated lyricist and singer of the iconic Chandrabindu band, as they wander through the sweet streets of Kolkata, savoring the city’s most beloved mishti. Over the aroma and taste of these sweets, Anindya shares personal anecdotes from his childhood and formative years, revealing how these flavors are deeply intertwined with the memories, emotions, and culture of Kolkata.
He reflects on the stories behind each sweet shop, the friendships and moments that shaped him, and how even in a bustling city, small joys like sweets carry the soul of a place. Through laughter, nostalgia, and candid storytelling, Anindya explores the unique connection between Kolkata, its sweets, and the essence of growing up amidst its flavors, showing how music, memory, and taste can converge to tell the story of a city and the life it nurtures.
Join Meghdut for a candid fireside chat with Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, the visionary figure who transitioned from leading IIT Bombay as its Director to chairing the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), sharing the remarkable story of his journey from a small Bengali-medium school to the highest echelons of Indian academia and finance, and dissecting the fundamental connection between his two roles: technology, revealing that the BSE is essentially a high-tech company focused on its matching engine and cybersecurity; he advises students against the temptation of instant gratification (the "local minima") by stressing the importance of aiming for the "bigger hill" (the Global Maxima) in life, issues a stern warning against letting AI replace your thinking, arguing that a student's prime responsibility is to build character, learning capability, and a skill set to avoid becoming "obsolete," and confesses his biggest academic regret was not studying mathematics more deeply, asserting that it is the indispensable "mother of all science.
Join Meghdut with Dr. Michelle Harrison, an American physician who founded Shishur Shebai, an inclusive home for girls in Calcutta.
She shares the incredible story of her "spiritual calling," why she decided to never leave India (and still sleeps on the floor with her girls), and the immense danger she faced fighting corruption and death threats in Behala.
Learn about her deep Bengali connection, her use of cutting-edge tech for disabled children, and her personal journey from New York to becoming a dedicated Bengali Maa (mother).
A powerful story of sacrifice, commitment, and love for Calcutta's most vulnerable children.
Join Meghdut on Make Calcutta Relevant Again as he speaks with Sunil Bhandari, the corporate leader, podcaster, and Chair of Social Venture Partners (SVP) Calcutta. From hosting Uncut Poetry—a global podcast heard in 70+ countries—to his strict 4:30 AM writing routine, Sunil shares the unusual creative process that fuels his life. He dives deep into engaged philanthropy and reveals how his team is making Calcutta a major hub for social change. Learn the secrets behind SETU, the gala that raised ₹6 Crores in a single night, and Fast Pitch, the "Shark Tank" for NGOs . Sunil shares stories of impact, including the "Happy Dance" moment when disabled youth found jobs at Reliance Retail. He closes the episode with a powerful recitation of his poem, "Calcutta: A Lover's Epitaph," an honest reflection on the pain, investment, and inextricable love that binds citizens to their city.
Join Meghdut Roy Chowdhury (now known as Hiji Biji to his young friends) as he hosts a special episode of Make Calcutta Relevant Again with a bright, fearless group of students from Teach For India (TFI). Hear the emotional journey of growing up in Kolkata's underserved communities, where the conversation seamlessly shifts from the fun of learning songs on Instagram Reels and the chaos of sending emojis in online classes, to a profound, unwavering commitment to social advocacy. The students share the humbling, yet challenging, experiences of their daily lives and their mission to address community issues. They detail the reality of waterlogging that stops their cricket games, but deliver their most powerful finding: the systemic issue of Gender Inequality. Listen as these young girls passionately detail how boys are allowed to wander and engage in Nasha (intoxication/drugs) at night, while girls are confined indoors because the "outside world is not safe." Discover their collective mission, simple yet profound, delivered directly to the listeners: "Change your mindset." Tune in to be truly inspired by the next generation of Kolkata leaders and find out why their voice is crucial to building a city that is more inclusive, diverse, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone.
Join Meghdut on Make Calcutta Relevant Again as he speaks with Dr. Sumantra Chatterjee, the scientist behind Chinta, a 35,000 sq. ft. Kolkata lab where he’s building human mini-brains to study Indian-specific medical challenges. From IIT Kanpur to working with Francis Crick, Dr. Chatterjee shares his breakthroughs on how stress rewires the brain, and explains his mission to tackle SCA12, a rare genetic disorder found mostly in India. Using patient blood to create 3D brain organoids, his team is identifying targeted treatments and proving why Kolkata holds a global edge in this research. He ends with a powerful call for support to build a “homecoming” program and bring world-class scientists back to solve India’s growing health crises.
Join Meghdut as he hosts on Make Calcutta Relevant Again with Rewant and Shuli Ghosh, the visionary couple behind Sienna Cafe, one of India’s Top 5 Restaurants.
Hear the emotional journey of building a culinary and design empire, starting from a small storefront selling ceramics to managing a 125-person team today. Revant and Shiuli share the harrowing yet humbling experience of working as "essential workers" and personally delivering food across a deserted city during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that ultimately led to their massive expansion.
Discover their dedicated mission to "Export Bengal," working with second- and third-generation karigars and partnering with grassroots organizations to showcase the diversity of local craft and cuisine. Tune in to find out why Sienna's national award is crucial validation for their team and a way to "bring light back to Calcutta.
Join Meghdut as he hosts on Make Calcutta Relevant Again with Sumanta Chattopadhyay—an advertising honcho, celebrated content creator, and the "English Nut"—on a mission to challenge the city's self-perception.
From his sharp declaration that AI is an "existential threat" to legacy ad agencies to his dissection of the famous Bengal Tourism ad, Sumanta reveals the creative world's biggest shifts. Hear him take on the local culture, asserting the existence of a "conscious propaganda" against Kolkata and confronting the passive resignation of the 'Hobe Na' (It won't happen) mindset.
Tune in to discover why content creation is now the ultimate form of 'compensation' and how confronting Calcutta's cultural narrative is the first step toward making the city relevant again.
Join Meghdut as he hosts on Make Calcutta Relevant Again with Mr. Pawan Agarwal—real estate leader, philanthropist, and first-time podcast guest—on a mission to reshape Calcutta’s story. From rebuilding N.K. Realtors at 55 to redefining how NGOs market their impact, Agarwal reveals the power of patience, values, and purpose.
Hear how his father’s morning paper rounds at Victoria Memorial sparked business ties, and how changemakers like Mamun Akhtar prove that hope and hard work can transform lives. Tune in to discover why real success is a marathon, not a sprint.
The UN has a plan to change Durga Puja forever. Join Meghdut as he hosts this session with the UN Resident Coordinator in India , as he exposes the radical new guidelines making the world's largest public art festival fully accessible.
This conversation connects a disabled person's job dream to a national challenge and reveals why India’s lack of Universal Design is costing the country billions of dollars Discover the shocking truth behind the simple tactile tiles you walk over every day: what they mean and why they are essential for inclusion. This isn't about charity; it’s about dignity and making sure the UNESCO-recognized festival leaves no one behind.
WATCH NOW to see the new rules transforming cultural festivals across India!
Join Meghdut as he hosts an unforgettable session with Sharbari, Rianjali, and Rusha as they drop the untold story of their three-year-long documentary, Incarnations of I. Dive into the journey of a Bengali-American woman who felt foreign in both the US and India , yet found a spiritual home in her family's 40-year-old New Jersey Durga Pujo.
Hear the shocking story of how Ganga soil made it through JFK Customs and how the film evolved from an educational piece to a vehicle for healing generational trauma. The filmmakers reveal how a simple project unexpectedly helped Shorbari confront decades-old sexual abuse and how they connected with Kolkata's Kumartuli artisans—including a first-generation kumor and the famous China Pal —on a profound, human level.
WATCH NOW to understand the universal power of art and tradition and how this documentary is helping people have the challenging conversations that society avoids.
Join Meghdut as he hosts an unforgettable session with all five members of Bhoomi, the iconic Bengali folk-fusion band.
Dive into untold tour stories—from the hilarious reason one member is codenamed "Venue" to the time they botched a live telecast and accidentally created a new song. The band reveals the deep meaning behind hits like 'Mone Ar Nai Re' and their history-making performances at the UN and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Bhoomi gets critical about the state of music today: why do short 30-second songs lack soul, and is technology killing the 'feel' of folk music?
WATCH NOW to discover the unknown journey of Bengal's greatest band and their passionate plea to save Bengali Folk Music.
Young people in Calcutta are eager to build something new and #MakeCalcuttaRelevantAgain helps them do that.
We provide sponsorships to upcoming creators and help them showcase their work with top-notch mentors and industry experts who help them take their creations to the next level.
Our aim is to bring back Calcutta's Glory and not only bring it back but take it to the next level through constant disruption and innovation.
We want to make Calcutta even more relevant, and change its perception of a sleepy city that was the cultural capital to what it actually is; the bustling place full of change-makers shaking up the status quo.
Join Meghdut on the MCRA Podcast as he sits down with Arjun Sen — global brand strategist, leadership advisor, and cancer survivor — whose extraordinary life inspired Shoojit Sircar to make a film starring Abhishek Bachchan.
From Kolkata’s streets to boardrooms across the world, and from hospital wards to film sets, this episode dives into:
– Arjun’s 20+ year battle with cancer and the philosophy of “Unquit”
– How everyday resilience became the heart of a Bollywood story
– Lessons from building global brands like Pepsi and Pizza Hut
– Why Kolkata needs to stop the “bashing” trend and find its new relevance
– A call to action for every Calcuttan: be a shareholder in the city’s future
Whether you’re into inspiring life journeys, branding wisdom, or simply love Kolkata, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.
Young people in Calcutta are eager to build something new and #MakeCalcuttaRelevantAgain helps them do that.
We provide sponsorships to upcoming creators and help them showcase their work with top-notch mentors and industry experts who help them take their creations to the next level.
Our aim is to bring back Calcutta's Glory and not only bring it back but take it to the next level through constant disruption and innovation.
We want to make Calcutta even more relevant, and change its perception of a sleepy city that was the cultural capital to what it actually is; the bustling place full of change-makers shaking up the status quo.
Join Meghdut on the MCRA Podcast for an unfiltered, eye-opening journey across India one step at a time with environmentalist, storyteller, and barefoot changemaker Siddharth Agarwal, founder of Veditum India Foundation.
In this episode, Siddharth opens up about his unusual life path cycling from Kolkata to Bombay, walking thousands of kilometres along India’s rivers, and discovering the invisible crises that shape the lives of millions. From illegal sand mining to environmental injustice, he breaks down why these issues matter to every Indian and how they quietly shape our cities, budgets, and climate.
But this isn’t just about activism. It’s about privilege, perspective, and why walking might be the most radical way to see your own country. Siddharth shares how slowing down changed his worldview, how he built a fellowship to “pass the mic” to unheard voices, and what it really takes to build community-led change especially in a city like Kolkata.
He also reflects on the Kolkata Changemakers movement, why we need more open-source activism, and what it means to live a life of purpose even when no one’s watching or funding.
Whether you're someone trying to make change, a city-dweller stuck in existential crisis, or just someone wondering if long walks can lead to long-term impact this episode might just shift your lens.
This one's for those who still believe Calcutta isn’t done yet.
Join Meghdut on the MCRA Podcast as he walks through the layered streets of Kolkata—this time through the eyes of Chelsea McGill, founder of Immersive Trails, a storytelling-driven heritage tour company redefining how we experience the city. In this episode, Chelsea shares the journey of building Kolkata’s most thoughtfully curated walking tours—tours that go beyond guidebooks and tourist checklists, diving deep into forgotten histories, lived memories, and the city’s architectural soul. With a background in research and a deep love for oral narratives, Chelsea explains why human connection trumps audio guides, and how ethical tourism must be rooted in truth, empathy, and respect for local communities. The conversation takes a critical turn as they explore how outdated heritage laws are ironically causing Kolkata’s architectural treasures to vanish, and why “preservation” needs to make room for “adaptive reuse.” They also reflect on the global potential of Durga Puja as a cultural landmark—and why AI, with all its data, still can’t replace the intimacy of a walk through lived history. Watch the full episode to discover Kolkata’s stories beneath the surface—and how walking through its lanes might just be the most powerful way to keep its spirit alive.
Join Meghdut on the MCRA Podcast for a powerful conversation with Bengali music icons Rupam Islam and Sidhu, as they open up about life, loss, and the healing power of art.
Recorded live at Techno India, this episode begins with a sobering reflection on a young student’s suicide, leading into a deeply personal dialogue on mental health, self-worth, and resilience. Rupam shares his own struggles with suicidal thoughts, while Sidhu draws a striking metaphor between an on-stage air pocket and the unpredictability of the human mind.
The discussion evolves into the impact of tech on music—from the “TikTokification” of creativity to the rise of AI—raising urgent questions about authenticity, relevance, and staying true to one’s art. Through it all, Rupam and Sidhu emphasize the strength of community, collaboration, and purpose—especially in times of crisis.
Watch the full episode for raw truths, rare wisdom, and the reminder that when artists unite, “we never lose—we cannot lose.
Join Meghdut on the MCRA Podcast as he sits down with a proud fourth-generation jeweller and cultural storyteller from Kolkata to uncover the legacy of craftsmanship, community, and conviction that continues to shine—quite literally—from Bengal to the world.
In this soulful episode, journey through the origins of Sarbojanin Durga Puja, freedom fighters like Atindranath Basu, and Kolkata’s legacy of art, entrepreneurship, and family-run jewelry ateliers.
From gemstone lore to lab-grown myths, it’s a deep dive into heritage—lived, preserved, and proudly passed on. More than sparkle, it’s about the soul behind the shine.
**Watch now to rediscover Kolkata’s timeless legacy and the value of building forward.**