Kolkata/IBNS: For most people, Durga Puja is a celebration of culture, community and tradition. Increasingly, however, it is also becoming a conversation about enterprise, innovation and the economic opportunities that accompany one of the world's largest public festivals.
With that idea at its core, Techno India organised the sixth edition of its Startup Carnival on Sunday. It brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry leaders and Durga Puja organisers to explore how the festival can become a catalyst for business growth under its "Make Calcutta Relevant Again" campaign.
West Bengal's ruling BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh said, "I don't understand much of business but since childhood I have been actively participating in the Durga Puja committee. Always keep in mind that corporate brands try to find a place with maximum crowd for paramount promotion."
The discussion looked beyond startups in the conventional sense. It asked whether Bengal's biggest cultural celebration could also become one of its strongest economic engines—creating opportunities not only for established businesses but also for emerging entrepreneurs looking for visibility, partnerships and sustainable growth.
Ghosh, added, "Companies are bringing in innovative ideas and I feel that brands should invest even more in the brand promotion than its products. Durga Puja is always beneficial for individuals and businesses to grow."
That possibility has gained renewed relevance in recent years. Since Durga Puja received UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition, the festival has increasingly evolved into a platform for tourism, commerce and brand engagement, attracting businesses eager to connect with millions of visitors during the festive season.
Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again, said, "We are planning to start a reality show in Bengal which would be a combination of Shark Tank with a twist of Big Boss in it, to encourage business pitches with a little drama to keep it interesting for our viewers."
For the first time, Techno India sought to bring those worlds together by creating a common platform where Durga Puja committees could interact directly with startups and established enterprises, encouraging collaborations that extend beyond sponsorship into long-term business partnerships.
Medha Mallick, Assistant Manager of AIC Techno, said, "I think the overarching idea of this event, is to soft launch AIC Techno. Our official launch was on July 26 and we already received more than 150 startup registrations. So it is impressive to us and also very inspiring."
Sajal Ghosh reflected on the festival's growing potential as a significant source of revenue for Bengal. The panel also featured representatives from diverse economic sectors, discussing how entrepreneurship, innovation and industry could together strengthen the state's position as a creator of jobs rather than merely a provider of talent.
The occasion also marked the soft launch of the Atal Incubation Centre Techno (AIC), signalling the institution's continued focus on nurturing innovation and supporting the state's emerging startup ecosystem.
(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, images by Ditsa Dutta)
