The formal signing of the agreement took place at the British Council, Kolkata, in the presence of Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, British Council in East and Northeast India. Anindita Chatterjee, Executive Trustee, PKF, and Piali Ray, Director of Sampad, inked the memorandum of understanding in the presence of danseuse Tanusree Shankar, Sangeeta Datta, Esha Dutta and Manisha Jain.

Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, British Council in East and Northeast India, said: “I am delighted that the agreement is happening here. The British Council has partnered with both these institutions. The work Prabha Khaitan Foundation is doing, especially for promoting vernacular literature in India and internationally, particularly UK, is laudable and I am really a big supporter of that, may it long continue. Given the times we are in, arts have a big role to play and more cross-cultural or cross-geographical conversations like these should happen."

Anindita Chatterjee, Executive Trustee, PKF, said: “It is a pleasure to start a new chapter in Birmingham, UK, with Sampad. We will work out the initiatives and activities and work together to promote art, culture and literature in the days ahead."

Piali Ray, director, Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage, UK, said, “I am very happy, delighted and proud that we are firming up our relations to promote cultural activities with an organization based in one of the best cities of the world – Kolkata. All our hearts and roots are here in Kolkata. The culture that has come out of here continues to grow and this is what makes my organization Sampad richer. We would continue to develop the interests of the generations that have come up -- their talents and their connections to this city.”

Prabha Khaitan Foundation has in the past years forged many cultural tie-ups with many organizations and institutions, including British Council and Edinburg Napier University. “Prabha Khaitan Foundation has spread its cultural and literary activities in more than 25 cities of India and also started events like An Author’s Afternoon and Kalam in United Kingdom. The purpose of Prabha Khaitan Foundation is to promote, recognize and reward talent in Indian art, culture, literature, folk music, dance, visual arts and create cultural capital. We have been doing various cultural activities for over two decades. Our cultural footprint has now expanded beyond India,” said Sundeep Bhutoria, Trustee, Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage, based out of Birmingham, UK, is currently in its 30th year of operations. Sampad connects people and communities with south Asian and British Asian arts and heritage. Sampad curates a variety of arts and heritage activities - inspired by diverse artforms that orginate in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – which enriches the mainstream culture of United Kingdom.