Make Calcutta Relevant Again

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.