Kolkata plays host to day-long celebration of relations between India and the UK

A perfect winter morning, friendly rivalry on the field, and animated conversations over dinner set the tone for a truly memorable celebration of Indo-British relations. On Sunday, the Bengal Heritage Foundation, the British Council, the British Deputy High Commission and IBSA hosted the sixth edition of the Indo-British Heritage Cup, blending sport, inclusivity and thoughtful dialogue into a day that was as engaging as it was meaningful.An evening of ideas and insightsThe Bengal Heritage Dinner at the British Club seamlessly combined stimulating discussion with warm hospitality. The conversations unfolded across two lively panels – one on what the UK-India Free Trade Agreement could mean for Kolkata and Eastern India, moderated by Dr Andrew Fleming, and another on Kolkata’s heritage advantage, moderated by Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director British Council, East and Northeast India, that explored how the city’s culture, creativity and intellectual capital can power future collaborations. The evening concluded with dinner, conversations and a shared sense that heritage, when celebrated thoughtfully, can be both joyful and forward-looking. A sunny match, inclusive play and a spirited winThe morning cricket match saw Team India in the UK take on Team UK in India in a contest marked by good humour, competitive energy and cross-cultural camaraderie. After an exciting game, Team UK in India lifted the trophy. What made the match particularly special was its inclusive spirit – the game was officiated by women umpires. Laughter, applause and friendly banter flowed freely, reminding everyone that cricket remains one of the strongest shared languages between India and the UK. We’ve always wanted the game to be inclusive, equal and, most importantly, fun. Cricket is a living dialogue between the UK and India. It reflects our shared history - Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, East and North East India As part of the initiative we give cricket kits to budding players every year. This time we are giving away all five kits tofive U-15 Bengal woman cricketers - Sourav Niyogi, Bengal Heritage Foundation Kolkata’s real advantage is its living heritage. Its culture, creativity and intellectual capital are not just legacies of the past, but assets that can drive future collaborations across the arts, education & global partnerships– Debanjan Chakrabarti